Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption with Vascular Structure and Arterial Stiffness in the Spanish Population. EVA Study.

BACKGROUND Controversy exists regarding the way alcohol use is associated with vascular structure and arterial stiffness parameters. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between alcohol consumption with vascular structure and arterial stiffness in an adult population. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study. Five hundred and one participants were recruited by random sampling from an urban population of 43946 individuals aged 35 to 75 years, assigned from five health care centers located in Salamanca, Spain. This was a subanalysis of the EVA study. Arterial stiffness was assessed by measuring Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) with the VaSera VS-1500® device, and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) with the Sphygmocor®. Vascular structure was evaluated by measuring the carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT) with a Sonosite Micromax® ultrasound. Alcohol consumption was calculated using a standardized questionnaire and quantified in g/week. RESULTS In the multiple regression analysis adjusted for sex, age, smoking status and systolic blood pressure, the c-IMT and cf-PWV values of individuals drinking > 70 g/week were higher than those of the reference group (non-drinkers) by 0.02 mm (p = 0.030) and 0.42 m/sec (p = 0.021) respectively. The association between alcohol consumption with vascular structure and arterial stiffness, only attains statistical significance for cf-PWV (p = 0.039) and c-IMT (p = 0.019), showing an association which suggests a J-shaped association. This association was not statistically significant for ba-PWV and CAVI (p=0.446 and p=0.141 respectively), although a similar trend was observed with ba-PWV. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that heavy alcohol consumption (>70 g/week) is associated with increased c-IMT and cf-PWV. Moreover, we found a J-shaped association between alcohol consumption and c-IMT and cf-PWV values as markers of vascular structure and arterial stiffness, with no association with ba-PWV and CAVI being observed.
LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS OF ACANTHAMOEBA KERATITIS USING THE CEPHEID SMARTCYCLER ® II AND THE EFFECTS OF TOPICAL OPHTHALMIC DRUGS ON REAL-TIME PCR

Introduction: Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) infection needs to be diagnosed definitively to optimize therapy in order to avoid possible visual impairment.Aims: 1) To optimize two noted Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) TaqMan methods (Riviere and Qvarnstrom) using the Cepheid SmartCycler® II system. 2) To identify potential inhibitory effects from topical drugs on RT-PCR. 3) To validate and compare the two assays using ocular clinical samples.Methods: 1) Primers and probes were optimized for both assays to detect genus-specific Acanthamoeba 18S rDNA. 2) Thirteen topical ophthalmic drugs were diluted to determine the level of inhibitory effect present. The lowest non-inhibitory concentrations were then used to determine RT-PCR amplification efficiency. 3) Excess clinical samples (139) were processed for culture and assayed by both assays on the SmartCycler® II and the results were compared. Results: 1) The Riviere RT-PCR plasmid DNA, cyst and trophozoite limits of detection and amplification efficiency were 10.13 copies/10μl, 0.7/300µl, 2.3/300µl, 94% respectively. The Qvarnstrom RT-PCR plasmid DNA, cyst and trophozoite limits of detection and amplification efficiency were 43.8 copies/10μl, 0.7/300µl, 2.3/300µl, 92% respectively. 2) Out of the thirteen topical drugs, the most noteworthy result was that of Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB). The non-inhibitory dilution and RT-PCR efficiency were 1/2560 and 72.7%. 3) The results of the clinical validation indicated that 134/139 (96.4%) results correlated between the two assays of which 4/134 samples were culture negative but RT-PCR positive. Conclusions: The two RT-PCR assays were optimized successfully on the SmartCycler® II system with comparable results in detecting genus - specific Acanthamoeba DNA. In examining the effects of thirteen topical drugs on RT-PCR, PHMB was demonstrated to both inhibit the reaction at a high dilution and reduce amplification efficiency substantially. Ocular samples (139) were tested using both assays and results thus far indicate that both could be used to diagnose AK in the laboratory.Public health relevance: RT-PCR can be used to rapidly diagnose AK. Commencement of AK specific therapy earlier will substantially reduce the patients the pain and suffering. Also by examining the effects of topical ophthalmic drugs on RT-PCR, the potential for false negative results and result delays could be minimized.
Preliminary comparison between microsatellite and AFLP multilocus genotypes for bovine breed assignment

Riassunto Confronto tra marcatori microsatelliti ed AFLP per l’analisi di assegnazione nella specie bovina – Marcatori microsatelliti ed AFLP sono stati confrontati per la loro capacità di assegnare 42 bovini alle loro razze di origine. L’analisi è stata condotta con 25 microsatelliti ed 89 AFLP utilizzando un metodo di analisi Bayesiano implementato nel software structure. I microsatelliti hanno assegnato correttamente il 93% degli animali, mentre gli AFLP l’88%. Entrambe le tecniche hanno correttamente assegnato tutti gli individui di razza Chianina analizzati.
Effect of chitin and protein constituents in shrimp head meal on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal microbial populations, volatile fatty acids, and ammonia production in broilers

SUMMARY Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of chitin and protein constituents in shrimp meal (SM) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and retention, intestinal microbial populations, volatile fatty acids, and ammonia production in broilers. In experiment 1, 54 seven-day-old male chicks were randomly allotted to individual cages and fed 1 of 9 diets (1 control, 4 SM, and 4 purified chitin) for 28 d (with 6 replicates of each treatment). In experiment 2, one-day-old-male chicks (n = 400) were randomly distributed into 5 dietary treatment groups [1 control and 4 SM (5, 10, 15, and 20%)] through 42 d of age. Growth performance and DM, organic matter, ash, and chitin digestibility values and N retention did not change significantly when SM was at or below 15%. Feeding broilers SM resulted in increased populations of intestinal Lactobacillus and decreased intestinal Escherichia coli and cecal Salmonella. The cecal butyric acid concentration in broilers fed SM was also significantly increased. There were no significant effects of purified chitin on any of the studied parameters. However, feeding chitin from SM and purified chitin resulted in similar effects in reducing ammonia levels. Therefore, we conclude that up to 15% SM can be used in broiler diets. In addition, SM may potentially modulate microbial population growth and alter volatile fatty acid and ammonia production.
Upregulation of a basolateral FXR-dependent bile acid efﬂux transporter OST (cid:1) -OST (cid:2) in cholestasis in humans and rodents

andNazzarenoBallatori. UpregulationofabasolateralFXR-dependentbile acid efﬂux transporter OST (cid:1) -OST (cid:2) in cholestasis in humans and rodents. Am Physiol Physiol solute transporter (OST (cid:1) -OST (cid:2) ) is a novel heteromeric bile acid and sterol transporter expressed at the basolateral membranes of epithelium in the ileum, kidney, and liver. To determine whether OST (cid:1) -OST (cid:2) undergoes farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-dependent adaptive regulation following cholestatic liver injury, mRNA and protein expression levels were analyzed in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and following common bile duct ligation (CBDL) in rats and Fxr null and wild-type mice. Hepatic OST (cid:1) and OST (cid:2) mRNA increased 3- and 32-fold, respectively, in patients with PBC compared with controls, whereas expression of Ost (cid:1) and Ost (cid:2) also increased in the liver of rats and mice following CBDL. In contrast, expression of Ost (cid:1) and Ost (cid:2) mRNA was generally lower in Fxr null mice, and CBDL failed to enhance expression of Ost (cid:1) and Ost (cid:2) compared with wild-type mice. HepG2 cells treated for 24 h with chenodeoxycholic acid, a selective FXR ligand, had higher levels of OST (cid:1) and OST (cid:2) mRNA and protein. Increases in OST protein were visualized by confocal microscopy at the plasma membrane. These results indicate that expression of Ost (cid:1) and Ost (cid:2) are highly regulated in response to cholestasis and that this response is dependent on the FXR bile acid receptor.
Evaluation of reference genes of Mytilus galloprovincialis and Ruditapes philippinarum infected with three bacteria strains for gene expression analysis

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is probably the most used method for gene expression quantification because of its high sensitivity and specificity. Nevertheless, this technology can undergo experimental errors and variations. Normalization of the results using a reference gene is therefore necessary to minimize these variations. As the study of immune genes in bivalve mollusks has increased in the last years, the establishment of adequate and stable reference genes for bivalves is strongly required. We analyzed the behavior of four putative reference genes: ribosomal RNA 18S, actin, elongation factor 1 − α and α -tubulin. The suitability of these four genes as internal control for qPCR was evaluated in mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis ) and clam (Ruditapes philippinarum ) hemocytes after bacterial challenge. Four independent approaches (BestKeeper, GeNorm, NormFinder and DeltaCt ) were used to assess the suitable genes for stable expression. For these particular circumstances, the most stable gene in hemocytes was elongation factor 1 − α for mussels and α -tubulin for clams.
The Ecology of Myzus persicae

This review has been suggested by the Scientific Committee of the In­ ternational Biological Programme as part of a project on the population dy­ namics and biological control of Myzus persicae. In order to contain this review within a reasonable number of pages, information on transmission of virus diseases is virtually omitted; it could easily form a review of equal length. Work on other aphids which is relevant to the ecology of M. persi­ cae has been included in sections where knowledge of M. persicae is lacking or inadequate. A few insect species seem very well adapted to exploit the ephemeral crop environment. They include some aphid species of regional (Aphis fabae, A. gossypii, A. craccivora and Rhopalosiphon maidis as well as other grass aphids) or of almost world-wide importance (Brevicoryne brassicae, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Myzus persicae) (2). M. persicae is outstanding in distribution, in host plant range (57, 67, 81, 103,148, 149,221,389,422,428,432,444, 525), and as a pest which causes not only direct damage but is able to transmit over 100 virus diseases of plants on about thirty different families including many major crops such as beans, sugar beet, sugar cane, brassicas, potatoes, tobacco and citrus (281). The use of chemical methods to prevent spread of viruses by controlling their aphid vectors has been either unsuccessful or only partially successful. Thus, there is a special need for the integrated control approach which will lower the numbers of the vector especially at times when viruses are spread. Control of the aphid by natural enemies in the noncrop or alternative crop habitat is therefore particularly important, but biological control by natural enemies and by manipulating the host plant could also be enhanced in the crop. Although there is a large background of knowledge on the biology of natural enemies of aphids, their significance in control in both the funda­ mental and applied senses is little understood, except perhaps for Thel'­ ioaphis maculata in California. Quantitative effects of natural enemies and of other factors which help to regulate numbers are partly understood for a few aphids (A. fabae, B. brassicae) during periods when they are pests on crops, but little relevant data is available for M. persicae. Even less atten-
Genetic structure and pathogenicity of populations of Phytophthora infestans from organic potato crops in France, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom

Genetic variation and pathogenicity of Phytophthora infestans isolates collected from organic potato crops of the susceptible cv. Bintje and the moderately resistant cv. Sante were assessed in France, Norway, and the United Kingdom in 2001 and in Switzerland in 2001 and 2002. Population structures differed considerably between the four P. infestans populations. Those from France, Switzerland and the UK were mainly clonal populations showing restricted levels of genetic diversity, whilst those from Norway were mixed A1 and A2 mating type populations with high levels of genetic diversity, suggesting periodical sexual reproduction. Isolates collected from cv. Bintje were on average more aggressive than or comparable to isolates from cv. Sante. Race complexity varied considerably between the regional P. infestans populations, with isolates from France and Switzerland showing the highest number of virulence factors. In all pathogen samples but the French, isolates collected from cv. Sante were more complex than isolates collected from cv. Bintje. No directional selection towards increased aggressiveness towards the more resistant cultivar Sante was observed. This suggests that there is no shift towards increased levels of pathogenicity in P. infestans populations following the large-scale introduction of more resistant potato varieties in organic production systems in Europe.
Chloroplast DNA evidence for reticulate evolution in Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae)

Four highly differentiated chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) lineages were identified in the forest tree species Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (Myrtaceae) in Australia using restriction site polymorphisms from Southern analysis. The cpDNA variation did not conform with ssp. boundaries, yet there was a strong geographical pattern to the distribution of the lineages. One lineage (C) was geographically central and widespread, whereas the other three lineages were found in peripheral populations: Western (W), Northern (N) and Southern (S). Thirteen haplotypes were detected in E. globulus, seven of which belonged to clade C. At least three of the cpDNA lineages (C, N and S) were shared extensively with other species. On the east coast of the island of Tasmania, there was a major north–south difference in cpDNA in the virtually continuous distribution of E. globulus. Northern populations harboured haplotypes from clade C while southeastern populations harboured a single haplotype from clade S. This difference was also reflected in several co‐occurring endemic species. It is argued that the extensive cpDNA differentiation within E. globulus is likely to originate from interspecific hybridization and ‘chloroplast capture’ from different species in different parts of its range. Superficially, this hybridization is not evident in taxonomic traits; however, large‐scale common garden experiments have revealed a steep cline in quantitative genetic variation that coincides with the haplotype transition in Tasmania. Our cpDNA results provide the strongest evidence to date that hybridization has had a widespread impact on a eucalypt species and indicate that reticulate evolution may be occurring on an unappreciated scale in Eucalyptus.
Technological and spoiling characteristics of the yeast microflora isolated from Bella Di Cerignola table olives

Summary This study focused to investigate the technological significance and the spoiling impact of diverse yeast strains, isolated from ‘Bella di Cerignola’ Italian table olives. Sixty-four isolates (belonging mainly to the species Candida famata and C. guilliermondii) were studied to assess their growth at different temperatures (15, 25 and 37 °C), pHs (4.0, 5.0 and 9.5) and NaCl concentrations (0–10.0%) in lab medium. Their pectolytic, xylanolytic, lipolytic and catalase activities were also evaluated. Most of the yeasts showed a moderate pectolytic activity and were able to grow at pH 9.5 after 120 h of incubation. Salt and temperature were the most important environmental variables affecting yeast growth, which could exert a strong selective pressure on yeast population. Candida guilliermondii appeared more resistant to high salt concentrations, whereas C. famata was able to grow at 15 °C.
Nutzen-Risiko-Bewertung von Mineralstoffen und Spurenelementen : Biochemische, physiologische und toxikologische Aspekte

Mineralstoffe und Spurenelemente sind unverzichtbare Bestandteile oder Kofaktoren in nahezu allen Stoffwechselwegen. Allerdings werden die optimalen Aufnahmemengen oft kontrovers diskutiert. Essentielle Funktionen sowie Nutzen-Risiko-Betrachtungen unter Einbeziehung von Nahrungserganzungsmitteln werden am Beispiel von Iod, Zink, Eisen, Selen, Mangan und Kupfer dargestellt. Ferner werden toxische Wirkungen von Verbindungen der Halbmetalle Arsen und Antimon beschrieben.
Biological Activity of the Spinosyns, New Fermentation Derived Insect Control Agents, on Tobacco Budworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae

The spinosyns are a new class of fermentation-derived tetracyclic-macrolide insect control agents that are active against lepidopterous pests such as the tobacco bud worm, Heliothis virescens (F.). Nine spinosyns, 2 pesudoaglycones (each lacking 1 of the sugar moieties), and the aglycone (lacking both sugar moieties) were tested on neonate H. virescens larvae in a drench assay. Spinosyn A, the principle component of spinosad (Tracer Naturalyte Insect Control), was the most active of the spinosyns examined (spinosyn A LC50 = 0.3 ppm) and was as active as cypermethrin (LC50 = 0.26 ppm). Spinosyn A was also tested directly against cypermethrin in a further series of laboratory efficacy assays. Although spinosyn A (LD50 = 1.28,2.25 mg/g) was significantly less active than cypermethrin (LD50 = 0.52 mg/g) in topical bioassays against 3rd-instar H. virescens , the results show spinosyn A to be in the activity range of some pyrethoids and more active than a variety of other insect control agents. Spinosyn A and cypermethrin exhibited a rapid knockdown of 3rd instar H. viescens larvae with T50s (time to 50% knockdown) at 10 mg per larva of 81 min and 25 min, respectively. Spinosyn A was significantly less active than cypermethrin in a dried residue contact bioassay, but equivalent (no significant differences) in activity to cypermethrin in diet/egg and leaf-spray bioassays, and significantly more active than cypermethrin in a leaf-dip bioassay. Thus, spinosyn A demonstrates that natural products can provide efficacy against pest lepidopterous larvae, such as H. virescens , that is on par with that observed for some of the most active synthetic insect control agents, including many pyrethroids.
Activities of various β‐lactams and β‐lactam/β‐lactamase inhibitor combinations against Acinetobacter baumannii and Acinetobacter DNA group 3 strains

ABSTRACT Acinetobacter baumannii and Acinetobacter DNA group 3 are members of the so-called A. calcoaceticus–A. baumannii complex and are important nosocomial pathogens. Multiresistance in these organisms is increasingly frequent, and alternative treatment options are needed. The β-lactamase inhibitors clavulanate, sulbactam and tazobactam have intrinsic activity against Acinetobacter strains. In the present study, broth microdilution was used to assess the in-vitro activities of currently available β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations and sulbactam alone against 469 Acinetobacter isolates ( A. baumannii, n = 395; Acinetobacter DNA group 3, n = 74) collected from various laboratories in Germany. Fixed concentrations and fixed ratios of β-lactamase inhibitors were used. Sulbactam-containing combinations (susceptibility rates of 90.4–92.7% for A. baumannii and 97.3–100% for Acinetobacter DNA group 3) and sulbactam alone were superior to clavulanate-and tazobactam-containing combinations. The activity of sulbactam-containing combinations against members of the A. calcoaceticus–A. baumannii complex was conferred exclusively by the intrinsic activity of the β-lactamase inhibitor and did not result from enhanced β-lactam activity. Testing with the inhibitor added at a fixed ratio of inhibitor to β-lactam appeared to give more reliable results than testing at a fixed concentration of the inhibitor. Resistance to carbapenems (0.3%) remains low in Germany.
Studies on the genus Entoloma (Basidiomycetes, Agaricales) in Kerala State, India(Basidiomycetes, Agaricales) in Kerala State, India

Fifteen new taxa are described from Kerala State, India, based on collections made by the first author. Three taxa fit subgenus Pouzarella (E. testaceostrigosum, E. violaceovillosum, and E. dysthales var. keralense). Four species are described as having cuboid spores (E. albidoquadratum, E. brunneoquadratum, E. keralense, and E. perinfundibuliforme). Entoloma indoviolaceum is a typical Leptonia, close to E. tjallingiorum from Europe. Two species belong to sect. Cyanula: E. calliviolaceum and E. griseoviolascens. The velutinous pileus of E. griseolazulinum is representative for sect. Calliderma. Rather enigmatic is E. allocybesimilis with affinities to E. excentricum in subgenus Allocybe, and E. perflavidum and E. tectonicola probably must be placed in the mainly tropical subgenus Inocephalus. Finally, E. pruinosocutis represents a new Alboleptonia. A new name, Entoloma indocarneum, is introduced for E. carneum Manim. , Leelav. & Noordel. A key and checklist are presented to all species known so far from Kerala State.
Large Nektonic Fishes in Marsh Creek Habitats in the Delaware Bay Estuary

Abstract Larger nektonic fishes, many of which are economically important, comprise a large portion of the biomass in estuaries and may influence energy flow through their migrations and feeding, yet we know relatively little of this faunal component. To elucidate the patterns of species composition, distribution, and abundance in Delaware Bay, we sampled (n = 2298 sets) nektonic fishes (n = 3693 individuals, mean length = 261.4 mm, range = 53–600 mm) with multi-mesh gill nets in near-shore bay and marsh creek habitats during the summer and fall (June-November 2001) when fishes are more abundant in temperate estuaries. For the most abundant species, the older and larger individuals (age 1+) often dominated the catches. Patterns of assemblage structure were influenced by spatial gradients in salinity and dissolved oxygen and temporal changes in temperature. Many of the large nektonic fishes that dominate in Delaware Bay are also found in other temperate estuaries from the Gulf of Maine to Chesapeake Bay, in part, because these species are highly migratory.