Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Manipulation of intestinal dysbiosis by a bacterial mixture ameliorates loperamide-induced constipation in rats.

Constipation has a significant influence on quality of life. Patients with constipation have slow waves in their gastrointestinal smooth muscles and less faecal water contents, which are closely associated with down-regulation of the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the gastrointestinal muscles and the aquaporin protein AQP3 expressed in colon epithelial cells. Recent studies supported that patients with constipation have altered intestinal microbial structures compared with healthy controls. Intestinal dysbiosis might be one possible pathophysiological mechanism causing constipation. Bacterial strains, such as Lactobacillus spp. , have shown many beneficial effects on the amelioration of constipation. However, few studies reported the structural changes of intestinal microbiota post-intervention of probiotics. In this study, a bacterial mixture was administrated to rats with loperamide-induced constipation. Effects of the bacterial mixture on small intestine transit (SIT), faecal water content, and the intestinal microbiome in rats were evaluated. Meanwhile, we investigated several factors involved in signalling pathways that regulate function of ICC and expression of AQP3 to discuss the possible underlying molecular mechanisms. Intervention of the bacterial mixture improved SIT and faecal water content in constipated rats. The up-regulation of C-kit/SP signalling pathways in ICC and AQP3 significantly contributed to improvements. These changes were closely associated with the manipulation of intestinal dysbiosis in constipated rats. Furthermore, our results revealed the important role of intestinal microbiota in affecting gut motility through regulation of serotonin biosynthesis. This monoamine neurotransmitter, secreted from enterochromaffin cells, up-regulated both substance P/neurokinin 1 receptors pathway of ICC and the expression of AQP3 in intestinal epithelial cells. Our study suggested that the disrupted microbiome in patients could be a potential therapeutic target for the improvement of constipation.
Anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody prevents loss of bone structure and bone strength in collagen-induced arthritis mice

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that typically induces secondary osteoporosis, which increases the risk of bone fractures. Anti-interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antibody is used to treat RA; however, its effect on bone strength is not clear. Therefore, we investigated the influence of MR16-1, an anti-mouse IL-6 receptor antibody, on bone structure and femoral strength in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model. Method: DBA/1J mice were immunized by intradermal injection of bovine type II collagen. MR16-1 was administered intraperitoneally at the same time as immunization. Thirty-five days after the first immunization, bone structure and bone strength were measured by micro-computed tomography and the three-point bending test. Results: In the CIA group, most bone mineral density and bone structure parameters in the foot, femur, and lumbar spine were significantly lower than in the normal group. Moreover, the maximum load of the femoral shaft in the CIA group was significantly lower than in the normal group. MR16-1 treatment significantly prevented the CIA-induced deterioration of bone structure and loss of bone strength. Conclusion: These results suggest that CIA systemically induces a deterioration of bone structure and loss of bone strength, and that IL-6 signalling plays an important role in these processes.
Coexistence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis with papillary thyroid carcinoma. A retrospective study

OBJECTIVEThe association between Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remains controversial in medical bibliography. The main objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of PTC and HT coexistence in histopathologic material of thyroidectomized patients.DESIGNIn a retrospective study, the clinicohistopathologic data of 140 patients (19 males/121 females), who underwent a total or near total thyroidectomy for any thyroid pathology from January 2005 to December 2009 at the Naval Hospital of Crete, were analysed. The mean age of the patients was 52 years (range 16–74). RESULTSHT was detected in 42 (30%) and PTC in 32 (22.9%) specimens. Coexistence of HT with PTC was present in 12 (8.6%) specimens. Among 32 specimens with PTC, the prevalence of HT was 37.5%. Among 42 specimens with HT, the prevalence of PTC was 28.6%. There was no statistically significant difference between the presence of PTC and HT in histopathologic material.CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of PTC and HT coexistence in histopathologic material of 140 thyroidectomized patients was 8.6%, whereas the difference between PTC and HT was not statistically significant.
EFFECT OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZER ON GROWTH, PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF SOLANUM NIGRUM .L

The application of organic and inorganic fertilizer to the soil is considered as good agricultural practice because it improves the fertility of the soil and plant quality. The objective of this study is to compare the effect of organic (vegetable waste, cattle dung) and inorganic fertilizer (NPK) on Solanum nigrum. The experiment was arranged in a randomized design in three replicates. Parameters assess include leaf area, height, leaf length, nutrient composition, phytochemicals and antioxidant activity on leaf of Solanum nigrum. The application of cattle dung and vegetable waste gave plants with the greatest plant height, leaf area and surface length. The mean values recorded for these parameters were 38±3.16, 10.5±2.18cm & 5.5±1.58cm for organic fertilizer and 36±3.14 cm 8.0±1.12cm & 4.0±1.48cm for inorganic fertilizer. Organic manuare produced higher effect on carbohydrate, protein, amino acid, vitamin c and chlorophyll content in the leaf of Solanum nigrum when compared with NPK fertilizer. Mean values recorded for the above parameters in leaf sample were 30.0±2.41, 1.93±1.93, 3.31±0.65, 2.53±0.72, 1.24±0.53mg/100g compared with values of 10.0±2.26, 1.25±1.62, 2.0±0.52, 2.26±0.80, 1.98±0.40mg/100g respectively for inorganic fertilizer. Effect of organic fertilizer in plant phytochemicals was higher than that of inorganic fertilizer. Values obtained for alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and total phenol in organic treated leaf samples were 0.21±0.80, 0.9±0.53, 0.52±0.16, 0.34±0.36, 0.26±0.18mg/100g, respectively as against values of 0.2±0.32, 0.5±0.46, 0.4±0.12, 0.29±0.26, 0.8±0.14mg/100g for inorganic fertilizer. Organic fertilizer treated plants have higher antioxidant activity than the inorganic fertilizer. Mean values recorded for leaf sample
Alternative Pre-mRNA Splicing in Mammals and Teleost Fish: A Effective Strategy for the Regulation of Immune Responses Against Pathogen Infection

Pre-mRNA splicing is the process by which introns are removed and the protein coding elements assembled into mature mRNAs. Alternative pre-mRNA splicing provides an important source of transcriptome and proteome complexity through selectively joining different coding elements to form mRNAs, which encode proteins with similar or distinct functions. In mammals, previous studies have shown the role of alternative splicing in regulating the function of the immune system, especially in the regulation of T-cell activation and function. As lower vertebrates, teleost fish mainly rely on a large family of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) from various invading pathogens. In this review, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of alternative splicing of piscine PRRs including peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs), nucleotide binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLRs), retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs) and their downstream signaling molecules, compared to splicing in mammals. We also discuss what is known and unknown about the function of splicing isoforms in the innate immune responses against pathogens infection in mammals and teleost fish. Finally, we highlight the consequences of alternative splicing in the innate immune system and give our view of important directions for future studies.
Entity-Aspect Linking: Providing Fine-Grained Semantics of Entities in Context

The availability of entity linking technologies provides a novel way to organize, categorize, and analyze large textual collections in digital libraries. However, in many situations a link to an entity offers only relatively coarse-grained semantic information. This is problematic especially when the entity is related to several different events, topics, roles, and -- more generally -- when it has different aspects. In this work, we introduce and address the task of entity-aspect linking: given a mention of an entity in a contextual passage, we refine the entity link with respect to the aspect of the entity it refers to. We show that a combination of different features and aspect representations in a learning-to-rank setting correctly predicts the entity-aspect in 70% of the cases. Additionally, we demonstrate significant and consistent improvements using entity-aspect linking on three entity prediction and categorization tasks relevant for the digital library community.
PURIFICATION AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF GROUP C STREPTOCOCCAL PHAGE-ASSOCIATED LYSIN

A purification procedure for the Group C phage-associated lysin is described utilizing tetrathionate to protect the enzyme's -SH group(s) from thiol-inactivating agents. A 652-fold purification has been accomplished yielding a solution in which the enzyme activity corresponds to essentially a single band on polyacrylamide gel which accounts for 70% of the total protein in the preparation. A molecular weight of 101,000 and frictional ratio of 1.526 was determined for the lysin utilizing experimentally determined values for its Stokes radius and sedimentation coefficient.
Carbonic anhydrase-related protein CA10 is an evolutionarily conserved pan-neurexin ligand

Significance Interactions between transsynaptic cell-adhesion molecules enable formation of trillions of synaptic connections that wire neurons into vast functional circuits. Neurexins are presynaptic cell-adhesion molecules that bind to diverse postsynaptic ligands, and are genetically linked to neuropsychiatric disorders. Here we show that CA10, a secreted, catalytically inactive carbonic-anhydrase homolog, binds in a cis configuration to all neurexins, including Nrxn1γ. In cultured neurons, CA10 enhances surface transport of neurexins, indicating that the neurexin–CA10 complex assembles in the secretory pathway. Our results suggest that neurexins bind to a larger repertoire of trans and cis ligands than previously envisioned to mediate multifarious synaptic interactions with diverse functions. Establishment, specification, and validation of synaptic connections are thought to be mediated by interactions between pre- and postsynaptic cell-adhesion molecules. Arguably, the best-characterized transsynaptic interactions are formed by presynaptic neurexins, which bind to diverse postsynaptic ligands. In a proteomic screen of neurexin-1 (Nrxn1) complexes immunoisolated from mouse brain, we identified carbonic anhydrase-related proteins CA10 and CA11, two homologous, secreted glycoproteins of unknown function that are predominantly expressed in brain. We found that CA10 directly binds in a cis configuration to a conserved membrane-proximal, extracellular sequence of α- and β-neurexins. The CA10–neurexin complex is stable and stoichiometric, and results in formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds between conserved cysteine residues in neurexins and CA10. CA10 promotes surface expression of α- and β-neurexins, suggesting that CA10 may form a complex with neurexins in the secretory pathway that facilitates surface transport of neurexins. Moreover, we observed that the Nrxn1 gene expresses from an internal 3′ promoter a third isoform, Nrxn1γ, that lacks all Nrxn1 extracellular domains except for the membrane-proximal sequences and that also tightly binds to CA10. Our data expand the understanding of neurexin-based transsynaptic interaction networks by providing further insight into the interactions nucleated by neurexins at the synapse.
A 2‐Year Study of Δ 9‐tetrahydrocannabinol Concentrations in Drivers: Examining Driving and Field Sobriety Test Performance , ,

From November 1, 2010 through November 30, 2012, 1204 whole‐blood samples were confirmed to contain THC alone or in combination with other drugs out of nearly 5000 Orange County, California, drivers suspected of driving under the influence of drugs. The goal of this study was to examine police reports and drug recognition expert evaluations of THC‐positive samples within this 2‐year time frame to determine whether there is a correlation between whole‐blood THC concentrations and field sobriety tests performance on DRE and non‐DRE evaluations. The FSTs prove to be sensitive to impairment by marijuana although as suspected, the findings of this study did not find a correlation between performance on field sobriety tests and the concentration of THC tested in whole‐blood samples. Driving behaviors were also examined and found to be similar to those seen in alcohol impairment. Future studies examining DRE findings are needed to confirm the results.
Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes among Human Gut-Derived Bifidobacteria

ABSTRACT The microbiota of the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) may regularly be exposed to antibiotics, which are used to prevent and treat infectious diseases caused by bacteria and fungi. Bacterial communities of the gut retain a reservoir of antibiotic resistance (AR) genes, and antibiotic therapy thus positively selects for those microorganisms that harbor such genetic features, causing microbiota modulation. During the first months following birth, bifidobacteria represent some of the most dominant components of the human gut microbiota, although little is known about their AR gene complement (or resistome). In the current study, we assessed the resistome of the Bifidobacterium genus based on phenotypic and genotypic data of members that represent all currently recognized bifidobacterial (sub)species. Moreover, a comparison between the bifidobacterial resistome and gut metagenome data sets from adults and infants shows that the bifidobacterial community present at the first week following birth possesses a reduced AR arsenal compared to that present in the infant bifidobacterial population in subsequent weeks of the first year of life. Our findings reinforce the concept that the early infant gut microbiota is more susceptible to disturbances by antibiotic treatment than the gut microbiota developed at a later life stage. IMPORTANCE The spread of resistance to antibiotics among bacterial communities has represented a major concern since their discovery in the last century. The risk of genetic transfer of resistance genes between microorganisms has been extensively investigated due to its relevance to human health. In contrast, there is only limited information available on antibiotic resistance among human gut commensal microorganisms such as bifidobacteria, which are widely exploited by the food industry as health-promoting microorganisms or probiotic ingredients. In the current study, we explored the occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes in the genomes of bifidobacteria and evaluated their genetic mobility to other human gut commensal microorganisms.
Reclamation of nutrient from kenaf retted wastewater using newly designed ultrafiltration membrane

Membrane has high potential in reclamation of water and wastewater which contains undesirable elements. Kenaf retted wastewater which is generated from fiber production process contain high concentration of nutrients. In addition according to previous research, this wastewater can be considered as good potential source of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) and it is suitable for kenaf growth. Currently these nutrients are being disposed in the natural water system. The aim of this study is to reclaim these nutrients using a newly formulated and fabricated flat sheet ultrafiltration membrane which was designed for this task. In this work, a flat-sheet membrane which consisting of Polysulfone (PSF) as polymer was employed for the development and fabrication of a newly formulated ultrafiltration membrane for the reclamation of nutrients from kenaf retted wastewater. The performance of the prepared membrane was analyzed through the concentrations of the reclaimed of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and potassium (K+) from the retentate water. The concentrations of nutrients were tested using spectrophotometer DR2800. The experimental result shows that, the newly fabricated membrane flat sheet ultrafiltration membrane are able to reclaim more than 85% nutrients from kenaf retted wastewater.
Empirical metronidazole for patients with severe bacterial infection: protocol for a systematic review

Anaerobic bacteria are believed to be common pathogens in severe infections. Yet, they are difficult to culture and consequently often unrecognised in clinical infections. Metronidazole is often used empirically for potential anaerobic infections, as the resistance to metronidazole is low. However, disadvantages of metronidazole use exist, including drug interactions, side effects and economical expenses. Currently, the balance between the benefits and harms of empirical metronidazole for severe bacterial infections is unknown.
Long-Term Warming Alters Carbohydrate Degradation Potential in Temperate Forest Soils

ABSTRACT As Earth's climate warms, soil carbon pools and the microbial communities that process them may change, altering the way in which carbon is recycled in soil. In this study, we used a combination of metagenomics and bacterial cultivation to evaluate the hypothesis that experimentally raising soil temperatures by 5°C for 5, 8, or 20 years increased the potential for temperate forest soil microbial communities to degrade carbohydrates. Warming decreased the proportion of carbohydrate-degrading genes in the organic horizon derived from eukaryotes and increased the fraction of genes in the mineral soil associated with Actinobacteria in all studies. Genes associated with carbohydrate degradation increased in the organic horizon after 5 years of warming but had decreased in the organic horizon after warming the soil continuously for 20 years. However, a greater proportion of the 295 bacteria from 6 phyla (10 classes, 14 orders, and 34 families) isolated from heated plots in the 20-year experiment were able to depolymerize cellulose and xylan than bacterial isolates from control soils. Together, these findings indicate that the enrichment of bacteria capable of degrading carbohydrates could be important for accelerated carbon cycling in a warmer world. IMPORTANCE The massive carbon stocks currently held in soils have been built up over millennia, and while numerous lines of evidence indicate that climate change will accelerate the processing of this carbon, it is unclear whether the genetic repertoire of the microbes responsible for this elevated activity will also change. In this study, we showed that bacteria isolated from plots subject to 20 years of 5°C of warming were more likely to depolymerize the plant polymers xylan and cellulose, but that carbohydrate degradation capacity is not uniformly enriched by warming treatment in the metagenomes of soil microbial communities. This study illustrates the utility of combining culture-dependent and culture-independent surveys of microbial communities to improve our understanding of the role changing microbial communities may play in soil carbon cycling under climate change.
The Studies of BiFeO_3 Films with Different Growing Conditions by Micro-Raman Scattering

BiFeO3 films with different growing conditions by pulse laser deposition (PLD) method were systematically studied by micro-Raman scattering. Compared with the spectra of BiFeO3 powders and other BiFeO3 films, our results show the lattice structure of the BiFeO3 film on SrTiO3 substrate with LaNiO3 buffer in deposition ambience of nitrogen is much better than that of other BiFeO3 films.
Fabrication‐tolerant 1310 nm laterally‐coupled distributed feedback lasers with high side mode suppression ratios

A laterally‐coupled distributed feedback (LC‐DFB) laser was designed and fabricated using stepper lithography. Such DFB lasers eliminate the need of the commonly required re‐growth steps in a conventional DFB laser fabrication process. With LC‐DFB lasers, the grating can be lithographically patterned out of the ridge waveguide. High order gratings can enhance the lithographic tolerance for lower resolution patterning, yielding lasers more amenable to mass‐manufacturing. 1310 nm InGaAsP/InP LC‐DFB laser with third‐order gratings was fabricated using i‐line 5x stepper lithography. Excellent side mode suppression ratio over 52 dB has been measured with a single mode lasing around 1310 nm.
Nuclear Signaling of Plant MAPKs

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are conserved protein kinases in eukaryotes that establish signaling modules where MAPK kinase kinases (MAPKKKs) activate MAPK kinases (MAPKKs) which in turn activate MAPKs. In plants, they are involved in the signaling of multiple environmental stresses and developmental programs. MAPKs phosphorylate their substrates and this post-translational modification (PTM) contributes to the regulation of proteins. PTMs may indeed modify the activity, subcellular localization, stability or trans-interactions of modified proteins. Plant MAPKs usually localize to the cytosol and/or nucleus, and in some instances they may also translocate from the cytosol to the nucleus. Upon the detection of environmental changes at the cell surface, MAPKs participate in the signal transduction to the nucleus, allowing an adequate transcriptional reprogramming. The identification of plant MAPK substrates largely contributed to a better understanding of the underlying signaling mechanisms. In this review, we highlight the nuclear signaling of plant MAPKs. We discuss the activation, regulation and activity of plant MAPKs, as well as their nuclear re-localization. We also describe and discuss known nuclear substrates of plant MAPKs in the context of biotic stress, abiotic stress and development and consider future research directions in the field of plant MAPKs.
Interactive Facades Analysis and Synthesis of Semi‐Regular Facades

Urban facades regularly contain interesting variations due to allowed deformations of repeated elements (e.g., windows in different open or close positions) posing challenges to state‐of‐the‐art facade analysis algorithms. We propose a semi‐automatic framework to recover both repetition patterns of the elements and their individual deformation parameters to produce a factored facade representation. Such a representation enables a range of applications including interactive facade images, improved multi‐view stereo reconstruction, facade‐level change detection, and novel image editing possibilities.