Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bactericidal activity of various antibiotics versus tetracycline-loaded chitosan microspheres against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms

The discovery of biofilms in 1980’s has brought much interest to the study of the contribution of bacterial biofilms with many recurrent and chronic infectious diseases. In this study, we evaluated the utility of chitosan microspheres in delivering antibiotic in dosage form that could be effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) biofilms. P. aeruginosa isolates were collected and identiﬁed using standard methods. A modiﬁed microtitre plate test was used to determine the bioﬁlm-forming capacity of the isolates. Moreover, bactericidal activity of various antibiotics vs. tetracycline-loaded chitosan microspheres against P. aeruginosa sessile and planktonic cells was tested. Results showed that, most P. aeruginosa strains (92.9%) were efficient biofilm producer-strains. There were differences in the antibiotic susceptibility of planktonic and sessile cell populations. Fluoroquinolones, aminoglycoside and tetracycline showed more potent activity (MIC50 was 0.8, 4.88 and 34.19 μg/ml, respectively) than penicillin, cephalosporin, clarithromycin and macrolides. Bioﬁlm growth was inhibited after 3 h treatment with 2x and 4x MICs and after 24 h treatment with MIC of tetracycline-loaded chitosan microspheres prepared by coacervation method than that prepared by water in oil emulsion method. This was correlated to the cumulative amount of tetracycline that was released from tetracycline-loaded chitosan microspheres prepared by coacervation method which released about 60% of tetracycline in the first 6 h and continued for 24 h. This in the clinical field may be translated into maintaining constant drug concentration for a prolonged period and maximize the therapeutic effect of antibiotics while minimizing antibiotic resistance and improved patient compliance. So, the use of tetracycline-chitosan microspheres may be a new strategy for the development of a specific drug delivery system to increase the efficacy of tetracycline against biofilm-associated P. aeruginosa infections. However, it would be appropriate to conduct clinical studies to confirm this. Key words: Bioﬁlm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, tetracycline, antimicrobial susceptibility, microtiter plate method, drug-loaded chitosan microsphere.
Primary outcome of completely thoracoscopic pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and safety of the completely thoracoscopic pneumonectomy for nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods From January 2009 to June 2012,16 patients with NSCLC received completely thoracoscopic pneumonectomy.Three incisions were made in the thoracoscopic pneumonectomy.Without softening the intercostal space,we used thoracoscopic equipment for anatomic lung resection under thoracoscopic vision totally and the sequence of operations of systematic lymph node dissection was basically the same as conventional thoracotomy.Evaluation indicators including lymph node dissection,operation time,bleeding loss,time of drainage,pathological staging,hospitalization time,and postoperative complications.Results All 16 patients with non-small cell lung cancer were operated safely,without serious complications and death in the period of operation.There was no case of conversion to thoracotomy.The mean operation time was(174.6 ± 52.7) minutes.There was no blood transfusion cases in the completely thoracoscopic group,whose blood loss is (121.8 ± 87.5) ml.The mean groups of lymph nodes dissection was (5.2 ± 1.1),The mean time of drainage was (4.2 ±1.8),The mean hospitalization time was (13.0 ± 3.1). Conclusion Completely thoracoscopic pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer should achieve the same objective of thoracotomy in terms of effectiveness and thoroughness.By no increasing perioperative risk,it is worth summarizing the experience of completely thoracoscopic pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer and promoting it to application. Key words: Thoracoscopic ; Pneumonectomy ; Carcinoma, non-small-cell lung
The Reproductive Cycle of the Female Habu, Trimeresurus flavoviridis

The reproductive cycle of the habu, Trimeresurus flavoviridis, was annual. Vitellogenesis and mating began in late April, and both ovulation and parturition occurred in early June. After parturition, no sperm was found in the genital tract except for the infraepithelial alveolar glands of the transition region. Vitellogenesis progressed in parallel with an increase in serum estradiol. The level of estradiol fell abruptly at the time of ovulation. An immunohistological study by anti-estradiol antibody suggested that estradiol is synthesized in the adrenals. FSH in the hypophysis was recognized by immunohistological staining in October. LH in the hypophysis occurred from July to October. The other pituitary hormones, GH, ACTH, and prolactin also exhibited seasonal changes.
Joint region and nucleus segmentation for characterization of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in breast cancer

Histologic assessment of stromal tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (sTIL) as a surrogate of the host immune response has been shown to be prognostic and potentially chemo-predictive in triple-negative and HER2-positive breast cancers. The current practice of manual assessment is prone to intra- and inter-observer variability. Furthermore, the inter-play of sTILs, tumor cells, other microenvironment mediators, their spatial relationships, quantity, and other image-based features have yet to be determined exhaustively and systemically. Towards analysis of these aspects, we developed a deep learning based method for joint region-level and nucleus-level segmentation and classification of breast cancer H&E tissue whole slide images. Our proposed method simultaneously identifies tumor, fibroblast, and lymphocyte nuclei, along with key histologic region compartments including tumor and stroma. We also show how the resultant segmentation masks can be combined with seeding approaches to yield accurate nucleus classifications. Furthermore, we outline a simple workflow for calibrating computational scores to human scores for consistency. The pipeline identifies key compartments with high accuracy (Dice= overall: 0.78, tumor: 0.83, and fibroblasts: 0.77). ROC AUC for nucleus classification is high at 0.89 (micro-average), 0.89 (lymphocytes), 0.90 (tumor), and 0.78 (fibroblasts). Spearman correlation between computational sTIL and pathologist consensus is high (R=0.73, p<0.001) and is higher than inter-pathologist correlation (R=0.66, p<0.001). Both manual and computational sTIL scores successfully stratify patients by clinical progression outcomes.
Profibrotic Transcriptome Signature Macrophage Epoxygenase Determines a

Epoxygenases belong to the cytochrome P450 family. They generate epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, which are known to have anti-inﬂammatory effects, but little is known about their role in macrophage function. By high-throughput sequencing of RNA in primary macrophages derived from rodents and humans, we establish the relative expression of epoxygenases in these cells. Zinc-ﬁnger nuclease-mediated targeted gene deletion of the major rat macrophage epoxygenase Cyp2j4 (ortholog of human CYP2J2 ) resulted in reduced epoxyeicosatrienoic acid synthesis. Cyp2j4 2 / 2 macrophages have relatively increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- g levels and show a proﬁbrotic transcriptome, displaying overexpression of a speciﬁc subset of genes (260 transcripts) primarily involved in extracellular matrix, with ﬁbronectin being the most abundantly expressed transcript. Fibro-nectin expression is under the control of epoxygenase activity in human and rat primary macrophages. In keeping with the in vitro ﬁndings, Cyp2j4 2 / 2 rats show upregulation of type I collagen following unilateral ureter obstruction of the kidney, and quantitative proteomics analysis (liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry) showed increased renal type I collagen and ﬁbronectin protein abundance resulting from experimentally induced crescentic glomerulonephritis in these rats. Taken together, these results identify the rat epoxygenase Cyp2j4 as a determinant of a proﬁbrotic RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). We show that rodent macrophages predominantly express the human CYP2J2 ortholog ( Cyp2j4 in rats; Cyp2j6 in mice). By using zinc-ﬁnger nuclease (ZFN) technology in the rat, we generated an inbred rat strain deﬁcient for functional Cyp2j4 . We show that Cyp2j4 2 / 2 bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMDMs) have reduced EET production (11,12- and 14,15-EETs) and adopt a proﬁbrotic phenotype with transcriptional activation of extracellular among which ﬁbronectin is the most Epoxygenase-derived EETs regulate ﬁbronectin in and human macrophages. Cyp2j4 2 / 2 show enhanced , , and and following left kidney. In quantitative mass [LC-MS/ MS]) in control and kidneys increase in renal I collagen and ﬁbronectin in / 2 compared controls in a model glomerular inﬂammation.
The eggshell cuticle of the laying hen

The cuticle is the outermost layer, deposited on the palisade layer of the eggshell during the last 1.5-2 hr of eggshell formation in utero. It is a non-calcified, thin, water-insoluble layer composed mainly of glycoproteins with some carbohydrate and fat constituents. The cuticle functions as a protective layer which regulates gaseous exchange across the shell, acts as a first line of defence against microbial penetration across the eggshell and is associated with termination of calcite crystal growth during shell formation. The extent of cuticle deposition is influenced by hen age and strain. The physiological and microbiological characteristics of the hen eggshell cuticle are reviewed in relation to its protective functions.
Ecological differences between the isomorphic phases of Mazzaella lilacina (Rhodophyta, Gigartinaceae)

Some of the potential factors responsible for the observed increase in the proportion of tetrasporophytes in wave exposed populations of Mazzaella lilacina (Postels et Ruprecht) Leister have been examined. By counting the number of spores per reproductive structure tetrasporophytes were found to hold significantly more spores than gametophytes in August, 1990. Only slightly more tetraspores than carposspores were found at other sampling time (p=0.127 and 0.637). As expected, based on the production of spores, the proportion of gametophytes among recruits into intertidal clearings was high , although not as high in the exposed site as was expected based on the proportion of reproductive tetrasporophytes in the population at the time the clearings were made suggesting that tetrasporophyte recruitment is somehow favoured. The opposite was observed in the sheltered site suggesting that gametophyte recruitment is favoured in that site. Monitoring of blades following recruitment showed a slight trend towards a decreasing proportion of gametophytes in the exposed site and an increasing proportion of gametophytes in the sheltered site, suggesting that the mortality of on phase was higher than the other in each site. Finally, thalli of M^ lilacina were pulled and broken in the field . Force to break and surface area data was used to generate curves showing the proportion of each phase which would be broken with water moving at velocities from 0 to 20 m/s. Gametophyte blades longer than 15cm in the exposed site were significantly more susceptible to removal by moving water than were tetrasporophyte blades.
Nucleotide Sequence of the 3'-Terminal Region of RNA1 of Satsuma Dwarf Virus

The sequence of the 3'-terminal 3116 nucleotides of satsuma dwarf virus (SDV) RNA1 was determined. The sequence contains a part of a single open reading frame of 2868 nucleotides and a non-coding region of 248 nucleotides upstream of the poly (A) tail. The C-terminal region of the ORF is apparently homologous to the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of viruses. The amino acid sequence of this region shows homology with that of the genus Comovirus (28%, cowpea mosaic virus) followed by the genus Nepovirus (25%, grapevine fanleaf virus). There is no significant homology with the viruses of other genera, suggesting that SDV is comparatively closer to the comoand nepoviruses. However, the low homology of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene among SDV, the genus Comovirus and the genus Nepovirus in contrast to high conservation among viruses of the genus Comovirus (51-61%) and the genus Nepovirus (35-70%) suggests that SDV is distinct from those so far sequenced comoand nepoviruses. (Received January 19, 1995; Accepted May 7, 1995)
Detection and Health Risk Associated with Low Virus Concentration in Drinking Water

During the last decade, with the amelioration of the detection methods and the increasing number of studies on the subject, the isolation of viruses in treated drinking water has been reported more frequently than ever. These reports have in common the very low number of viruses isolated and these viruses are usually found only after concentration procedures involving several hundred liters of water. Our own studies have shown that during the conventional treatment of drinking water 99.998% of the indigenous viruses are removed. The residual viral fraction does not exceed 10 viruses per 1 000 liters of water. Using a probabilistic approach this viral concentration in drinking water is well below any dangerous level of enteric viruses in water and the presence of these viruses should not be considered as a health problem but more as the limit of the water treatment methodology.
Expression pattern of two dehydroascorbate reductase genes from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in response to stress

Dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) plays an important role in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle in plants by controlling the homeostasis of reactive oxygen species. Expression profiles of two DHAR genes (SlDHAR1 and SlDHAR2) in tomato leaves were analyzed in response to abiotic and oxidative stresses as well as their expression in various organs were investigated under normal growth conditions. Multiple copies of SlDHAR homologues exist in the tomato genome. SlDHAR1 expression was dominant in stems and flowers but moderate in leaves; however, SlDHAR2 induction was strong in stems, leaves, and flowers, and young leaves showed the highest expression of SlDHAR2. Both genes were transcribed after treatment with salt, dehydration, and methyl viologen. Prolonged stress reduced SlDHAR genes expression. The level of hydrogen peroxide increased, and DHAR activity was altered by stress treatment. Results indicate that SlDHAR genes could play a role in multiple stress responses.
Body Temperatures of Female Sceloporus grammicus: Thermal Stress or Impaired Mobility?

Females of some lizard species exhibit lower body temperatures (Tbs) when reproductive (gravid or pregnant) than when not reproductive. Two hypotheses have been invoked to explain this phenomenon. One, the thermal stress hypothesis, is that the thermal optimum for embryos is lower than that of the female, and females thus actively select relatively low Tbs. The other, the encumbrance hypothesis, is that females are encumbered by their clutch/litter and thus passively accept relatively low Tbs. We collected field data on the thermal biology of Sceloporus grammicus at a high elevation site in Mexico during two seasons. In March, when thermoregulation was facilitated by high ambient temperature, lizards had high Tbs overall, and reproductive females had significantly lower Tbs than males; these observations were in accord with the thermal stress hypothesis. In June/July, when thermoregulation was difficult as a result of low ambient temperatures, lizards had low Tbs overall, and reproductive females had considerably lower Tbs than nonreproductive females. Thus, when thermal opportunities were limited, reproductive females had more difficulty thermoregulating than did nonreproductive females. These observations were in accord with the encumbrance hypothesis. The encumbrance hypothesis was also supported by the observation that females grew more slowly when reproductive than when nonreproductive. Thus, we suggest that the thermal stress and the encumbrance hypotheses are not alternatives but are complementary explanations for the thermal behavior of female Sceloporus.
Maltreated children's perceptions of their past and current lives: Relationships to children's and primary caregivers' views of the child's psychological adjustment

Child maltreatment is recognised as a major risk factor for childhood and adult psychopathology (Kaufman and Cicchetti, 1989). To date there has been no systematic research examining maltreated children's view of care proceedings or the relationship between children's and adult caregivers' views of the child's psychological adjustment. This pilot study examined rates of psychological and social adjustment problems amongst a sample (N=26) of abused and neglected children and adolescents living in residential care, foster care or the parental home. Levels of psychological and social distress were measured by the Children's Depression Inventory (Kovacs, 1982), the Social Adjustment Inventory for Children and Adolescents (John, Gammon, Prusoff, and Warner, 1987), and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (Goodman, 1997). A short four item questionnaire, 'Semi-structured interview with the child', was specifically designed to assess children's perceptions of the care proceedings and their current lives. Furthermore, children's primary caregivers completed a Parent Interview, adapted from the Family Health and Development Schedule, (Gibbons, Gallagher, Bell, and Gordon, 1995), assessing children's psychological functioning and parenting style. A high prevalence of emotional and behavioural disturbance was found amongst the sample on both interview and standard measures of psychological adjustment. Children in care's acceptance of the court proceedings was positively related to caregivers' perceptions of the child's emotional and social adaptation.
Plant signaling peptides, novel insights into their processing and role in root development

Small signaling peptides are involved in numerous aspects of plant growth and development. Peptides are particularly suited for short-distance communications and their vital role in root development has been demonstrated. Members of the GOLVEN/ROOT GROWTH FACTOR/CLE-LIKE (GLV/RGF/CLEL) signaling peptide family are expressed differentially through the root system and contribute to root apical meristem maintenance and lateral root development. Morphological analysis revealed that overexpression of GLV genes can perturb normal growth and emergence of lateral root primordia. In the majority of gain-of-function lines, the shape of lateral root primordia is aberrant and the regular cell division pattern is disturbed. Loss-of-function of some of the GLV genes resulted in an increased number of lateral roots. Because of its expression during the early stages of lateral root development the potential function of GLV10 was analyzed in more detail. As is the case for most of the GLV genes, primordia in GLV10 gain-of-function mutants lost the organized cell division pattern and produced aberrant primordia. This deviation from the normal lateral root development process resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of emerged lateral roots that, in contrast, was increased in partial loss-of-function GLV10 mutant lines. Furthermore, GLV10 was expressed in the root apical meristem and loss-of-function GLV10 mutant lines caused a decrease in the root apical meristem length. In summary, our results indicate that different GLV genes contribute to
Movements and Temperature Relationships of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) in Northeastern New York

ABSTRAC. -Five adult timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) were tracked using temperaturesensitive radio transmitters during their movements away from a den and on summer habitat. The snakes dispersed a mean of 504 m ( Q $ 280 m, 8 1400 m) and gained a mean of 102 m in elevation. One gravid female was relatively sedentary (39 m/move) between 20 June-5 August. Non-gravid females moved farther. Immediately after ecdysis movements of three snakes were suddenly extensive. Two females appeared to use the same migratory routes returning to the den in autumn as they did at spring egress. Minimum and maximum voluntary temperatures were 12.5 and 33.3? C, respectively. The overall mean body temperature (TB) was 26.9? C (N = 157). On the surface in clear weather, TB averaged 30.1? C while mean air temperature (TA) was 26.0 and substrate (Ts) 20.6? C. On the surface in cloudy weather and underground in clear weather, mean TB was 27.8? C. Snakes underground in cloudy weather had a mean TB of 20.2? C, not significantly different from mean TA and Ts. Thermoregulation was accomplished by moving in and out of rock crevices and by moving slightly within the sunshade interface in grassy-shrub locations. Body color, reproductive condition, stage of ecdysis, and feeding are four factors that may have important effects on thermal relationships of C. horridus. Controlled experiments to examine these factors are needed.
Diversity of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Human and Bovine Estimated by PCR - Gene Analysis

The present investigation studied the diversity of 19 S. aureus isolates (9 from bovine and 10 from human sources) in comparison with the standard Cowan I strain by conventional methods and by PCR technology. The latter uses primers targeted to species-specific parts of genes encoding coagulase (coa), enterotoxin A (sea) and B (seb), mec A gene encoding mecthillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus protein A (spa) gene. S. aureus isolates (19) as well as the Cowan 1 strain were tested for antimicrobial sensitivity with 15 antibiotics by disk diffusion method and classified as susceptible, intermediate and resistant. 57.9% of isolates had a relatively high molecular weight plasmid. The mec A gene among the chosen MRSA S. aureus isolates recovered from human and bovine sources was discussed. Polymorphisms of coa and spa genes were detected among S. aureus isolates. The examined isolates had coagulase gene ranging from 423 bp to 658 bp and the Cowan -1 strain had amplified fragment at 642 bp. All examined S. aureus isolates gave an amplified spa gene product at approximately from 396- 464 bp. The prevalence of enterotoxin genes sea and seb were determined and the diversity among the chosen isolates was recorded. (J.El-Jakee, Ata S. Nagwa, Gad El-Said, W.A., Bakry,M.A., Samy, A.A., Khairy E.A., Elgabry, E.A. Diversity of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Human and Bovine Estimated by PCR - Gene Analysis. Journal of American Science 2010;6(11):487-498). (ISSN: 1545-1003).
The role of Cryptococcus neoformans derived phospholipase B1 during host infection

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen and a leading cause of fungal infection related fatalities in immunocompromised hosts. Compared to well-studied; Cryptococcus neoformans virulence factors like the polysaccharide capsule and melanin synthesis, very little is known about phospholipase B1 (Plb1). Plb1 is a phospholipid modifying enzyme that is implicated in multiple stages of cryptococcal pathogenesis. Herein I demonstrate that a Plb 1 deficient strain of C.neoformans has a profound defect in intracellular growth within macrophages. In addition, I show that the Δplb1 strain undergoes a novel morphological change during in vitro and in vivo infection, resulting in a sub-population of very large 'titan cells' that may arise as a result of the mutant's inability to cope within the macrophage. I go on to test whether these phenotypes are due to a reduction in eicosanoid production caused by Plb 1 deficiency. Finally, I present an addition project where I optimise a C. neoforman's intracellular proliferation assay for high throughput analysis via flow cytometry. This work provides a new insight into the function of this unappreciated virulence factor and helps to lay the foundation for new treatment strategies to combat cryptococcosis.