Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial activity of preparations after combined cultivation of lactic acid bacteria and yeast strains

Use of antimicrobials in both human and animal populations over the past several decades has led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria populations that are resistant to many commercially available drugs. For example, acquired resistance to first-line antimicrobial agents increasingly complicates the management of extra-intestinal infections due to Escherichia coli, which are a major source of illness and death. The continued development of new classes of natural antimicrobial agents, possessing antibacterial activity, has become of increasing importance for medicine and veterinary. So, selection of lactic acid bacteria and yeast strains for their combined cultivation with the aim of increasing of the activity is topical. It was shown that during combined cultivation of the lactic acid bacteria with probiotic properties and yeast strains, antimicrobial activity depends on the genus and species to which the strain of lactic acid bacteria and yeast belongs. They inhibited the growth of multidrug-resistant bacteria with better efficiency. Increasing of the antimicrobial activity can be explained by the synergetic effect of products of cultures metabolism and by interaction between lactic acid bacteria cells with the cell wall of yeasts. Our data showed perspectives of combined cultivation of yeast and lactic acid bacteria for creation of a new class of antimicrobial preparations with high antibacterial activity and broad spectrum of action. Preparation can be recommended for treatment of animals.
Accumulation of linoleic and gamma-linolenic acids in tissue lipids of pyridoxine-deficient rats.

Young male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets containing added pyridoxine . HCl at 22 mg/kg (control), 0 mg/kg or 88 mg/kg for 6 weeks. In comparison with control or pyridoxine-supplemented (+PN) rats, growth of the pyridoxine-deficient (-PN) rats was significantly less after 2 weeks. After 6 weeks, liver weight was higher but thymus and epididymal fat weights, in relation to body weight, were significantly lower in -PN compared to control rats. In -PN rats, phospholipid levels of linoleic and gamma-linolenic acids were increased, but arachidonic acid was decreased compared to controls in plasma, liver, thymus and skin. In liver triglycerides from -PN rats, all essential fatty acids (n3 and n6) were increased compared to both control and +PN rats. The n3 essential fatty acids were significantly increased in plasma, liver, and thymus phospholipids in the +PN compared to control rats. These results support previous reports of an effect of pyridoxine on essential fatty acid metabolism and suggest that both linoleic desaturation and gamma-linolenic acid elongation may be impaired in -PN rats. In addition, the accumulation of essential fatty acids in the liver triglycerides of -PN rats suggests that essential fatty acid turnover between triglyceride and phospholipid may be influenced by pyridoxine.
Classification of RFID Threats based on Security Principles

RFID technology is an area currently undergoing active development. An issue, which has received a lot of attention, is the security risks that arise due to the inherent vulnerabilities of RFID technology. Most of this attention, however, has focused on related privacy issues. The goal of this chapter is to present a more global overview of RFID threats. This can not only help experts perform risk analyses of RFID systems but also increase awareness and understanding of RFID security issues for non-experts. We use clearly defined and widely accepted concepts from both the RFID area and classical risk analysis to structure this overview.
Parallelism in gene transcription among sympatric lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis Mitchill) ecotypes

We tested the hypothesis that phenotypic parallelism between dwarf and normal whitefish ecotypes (Coregonus clupeaformis, Salmonidae) is accompanied by parallelism in gene transcription. The most striking phenotypic differences between these forms implied energetic metabolism and swimming activity. Therefore, we predicted that genes showing parallel expression should mainly belong to functional groups associated with these phenotypes. Transcriptome profiles were obtained from white muscle by using a 3557 cDNA gene microarray developed for the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). A total of 1181 genes expressed in both lake populations hybridized on the array. Significant differential expression between ecotypes was detected for 134 (11.3%) and 195 (16.5%) gene clones in Cliff Lake and Indian Pond, respectively. Fifty‐one genes (4.3%) showed parallel differential expression between lakes, among which 35 were expressed in opposite directions. Sixteen genes (1.35%) showed true parallelism of transcription, which mainly belonged to energetic metabolism and regulation of muscle contraction functional groups. Variance in expression was significantly reduced for these genes compared to those not showing directionality in parallelism of expression. Candidate genes associated with parallelism in swimming activity and energetic metabolism based on their level and variance in expression were identified. These results add to the growing evidence that parallel phenotypic evolution also involves parallelism at both the genotypic and regulatory level, which may at least partly be associated with genetic constraints. It also provides further evidence for the determinant role of divergent natural selection in driving phenotypic divergence, and perhaps reproductive isolation, in the adaptive radiation of lake whitefish. This study adds to a nascent field employing microarrays as powerful tools for investigating the evolutionary processes of adaptive divergence among natural populations.
trilogy: Discovery of sequence–structure patterns across diverse proteins

We describe a new computer program, trilogy, for the automated discovery of sequence–structure patterns in proteins. trilogy implements a pattern discovery algorithm that begins with an exhaustive analysis of flexible three-residue patterns; a subset of these patterns are selected as seeds for an extension process in which longer patterns are identified. A key feature of the method is explicit treatment of both the sequence and structure components of these motifs: each trilogy pattern is a pair consisting of a sequence pattern and a structure pattern. Matches to both these component patterns are identified independently, allowing the program to assign a significance score to each sequence–structure pattern that assesses the degree of correlation between the corresponding sequence and structure motifs. trilogy identifies several thousand high-scoring patterns that occur across protein families. These include both previously identified and potentially novel motifs. We expect that these sequence–structure patterns will be useful in predicting protein structure from sequence, annotating newly determined protein structures, and identifying novel motifs of potential functional or structural significance. Further details on 7,768 significant patterns identified by trilogy can be found at http://theory.lcs. mit.edu/trilogy.
Towards Initial Evidence of SMartyCheck for Defect Detection on Product-Line Use Case and Class Diagrams

Software Product Line (SPL) is a promising approach for specific domain software artifacts reuse. In order to ensure SPL quality it is essential to perform activities for verification and validation. In this scenario, one applies software revision to the quality control process in order to ensure the quality of a software engineering process in each stage. Amongst software revision techniques, there is the checklist-based reading technique. This technique allows the detection of several defect types, whereas improves the quality of the software products. This paper presents the empirical evaluation of an SPL inspection technique based on checklist, named SMartyCheck. The main objective of SMartyCheck is to inspect Unified Modeling Language (UML) use case and class SPL diagrams based on the Stereotype-based Management of Variability (SMarty) approach. For evaluating SMartyCheck it was adopted the sequential exploratory strategy based on mixed-methods, aiming at analyzing the SMartyCheck feasibility throughout qualitative, then quantitative studies. The results obtained with such empirical studies allowed providing initial evidence improving SMartyCheck corroborating the relevance of the technique quality in the academic environment. Therefore, we provide an initial body of knowledge for planning prospective studies in industrial sets, as well as the automation of SMartyCheck.
Isolation of Myogenic Stem Cells from Cultures of Cryopreserved Human Skeletal Muscle

We demonstrate that subpopulations of adult human skeletal muscle-derived stem cells, myogenic endothelial cells (MECs), and perivascular stem cells (PSCs) can be simultaneously purified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) from cryopreserved human primary skeletal muscle cell cultures (cryo-hPSMCs). For FACS isolation, we utilized a combination of cell lineage markers: the myogenic cell marker CD56, the endothelial cell marker UEA-1 receptor (UEA-1R), and the perivascular cell marker CD146. MECs expressing all three cell lineage markers (CD56+UEA-1R+CD146+/CD45-) and PSCs expressing only CD146 (CD146+/CD45-CD56-UEA-1R-) were isolated by FACS. To evaluate their myogenic capacities, the sorted cells, with and without expansion in culture, were transplanted into the cardiotoxin-injured skeletal muscles of immunodeficient mice. The purified MECs exhibited the highest regenerative capacity in the injured mouse muscles among all cell fractions tested, while PSCs remained superior to myoblasts and the unpurified primary skeletal muscle cells. Our findings show that both MECs and PSCs retain their high myogenic potentials after in vitro expansion, cryopreservation, and FACS sorting. The current study demonstrates that myogenic stem cells are prospectively isolatable from long-term cryopreserved primary skeletal muscle cell cultures. We emphasize the potential application of this new approach to extract therapeutic stem cells from human muscle cells cryogenically banked for clinical purposes.
Preparation and characterization of poly(lactic acid)/rice hulls based biodegradable composites

Rice-hull-filled poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites were prepared, with particular attention given to the enhancement of adhesion between polymer matrix and natural filler through addition of 5 wt. % PLA-grafted-MA (CA). Composites containing 20 and 30 wt. % rice hulls (RH), as well as composites where a certain amount of PLA matrix was substituted with a coupling agent, were investigated through tensile test and fracture test at low strain rate, using the concept of linear elastic fracture mechanics. Introduction of 20 wt. % rice hulls into PLA matrix resulted in increased tensile modulus and modulus in flexure, and decreased tensile strength and flexural strength. For PLA composite with 30 wt. % rice hulls, introduction of 5 wt. % CA caused 33% and 40% improvement, correspondingly in the composite tensile and flexural strength, obviously as a result of improved adhesion. Kc and Gc values were determined for PLA and PLA based composites, revealing that introduction of rice hulls into PLA decreases the material toughness. Thermal stability of PLA/RH composites was lower than thermal stability of neat PLA. The examination of PLA/rice-hull-based composites revealed that rice-hull agricultural waste could be used as a biodegradable eco-friendly filler, rather to minimize environmental pollution and cost of the final product than as a reinforcement of PLA matrix.
Subtle language in patients with stroke

© 2018 El Also of relevance for the study of the respective roles of each of the cerebral hemisphere are the not so rare cases of crossed aphasia (more frequent though among children! ). The hypothesis of the « progressive transfer » (in the learning period) from the right hemisphere to the left of some components of the language faculty (together with other functions such as music. . .) will be put forward during the presentation, following the initial writings from Goldberg & Costa at the beginning of the eighties. Thus, the functional specificity of both hemispheres would not be considered as « hardwired » from the crib (and even before) for language, music. but would rather be the consequence of the processing (and evoluting) mode applied to such cognitive abilities as language, music, face recognition. If correct, according to such a view, it would not be language or music that would be localized in the left or the right hemisphere but certain types of cognitive processes, as also shown by case studies of « split brain » patients as well as several studies on nonhuman primates.
The effect of fluoride on the structure, function, and proteome of intestinal epithelia

Fluoride exposure is widespread, with drinking water commonly containing natural and artificially added sources of the ion. Ingested fluoride undergoes absorption across the gastric and intestinal epithelia. Previous studies have reported adverse gastrointestinal effects with high levels of fluoride exposure. Here, we examined the effects of fluoride on the transepithelial ion transport and resistance of three intestinal epithelia. We used the Caco‐2 cell line as a model of human intestinal epithelium, and rat and mouse colonic epithelia for purposes of comparison. Fluoride caused a concentration‐dependent decline in forskolin‐induced Cl– secretion and transepithelial resistance of Caco‐2 cell monolayers, with an IC50 for fluoride of about 3 mM for both parameters. In the presence of 5 mM fluoride, transepithelial resistance fell exponentially with time, with a t1/2 of about 7 hours. Subsequent imaging by immunofluorescence and scanning electron microscopy showed structural abnormalities in Caco‐2 cell monolayers exposed to fluoride. The Young's modulus of the epithelium was not affected by fluoride, although proteomic analysis revealed changes in expression of a number of proteins, particularly those involved in cell–cell adhesion. In line with its effects on Caco‐2 cell monolayers, fluoride, at 5 mM, also had profound effects on Cl– secretion and transepithelial resistance of both rat and mouse colonic epithelia. Our results show that treatment with fluoride has major effects on the structure, function, and proteome of intestinal epithelia, but only at concentrations considerably higher than those likely to be encountered in vivo, when much lower fluoride doses are normally ingested on a chronic basis.
Underpinnings of the Costs of Flexibility in Preschool Children: The Roles of Inhibition and Working Memory

This study addressed the respective contributions of inhibition and working memory to two underlying components of flexibility, goal representation (as assessed by mixing costs) and switch implementation (as assessed by local costs), across the preschool period. By later preschool age (4 years, 6 months and 5 years, 3 months), both inhibition and working-memory performance were associated with mixing costs, but not with local costs, whereas no relation was observed earlier (3 years, 9 months). The relations of inhibition and working memory to flexibility appear to emerge late in the preschool period and are mainly driven by goal representation.
Dietary and plasma lipid, lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein profiles among elderly Hispanics and non-Hispanics and their association with diabetes.

BACKGROUND There are limited data about dietary intakes and plasma lipids of elderly US Hispanics. OBJECTIVE The disparity in prevalence of type 2 diabetes among population groups underscored our need to assess dietary and plasma risk factors for cardiovascular disease. DESIGN Plasma lipids and apolipoproteins and dietary intakes of macronutrients were measured in elderly subjects (60-98 y): 490 Hispanics of Caribbean origin (Puerto Ricans and Dominicans) and 163 non-Hispanic whites. Plasma values were related to ethnicity and to macronutrient intake. Differences in plasma lipids due to diabetes were assessed among the Hispanics. RESULTS Intakes of carbohydrate and polyunsaturated fatty acids were higher and intakes of cholesterol and saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were lower in Hispanics than in non-Hispanic whites. Concentrations of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A-I were significantly lower among Hispanic women than among non-Hispanic white women; a similar trend was seen in men. Dyslipidemia (high triacylglycerols and low HDL cholesterol) was more prevalent among Hispanics with than without diabetes. CONCLUSIONS Ethnic differences in serum lipids exist and appear to be associated with differences in dietary intakes. However, both Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites had lipid profiles indicating a high risk of cardiovascular disease. Hispanics with diabetes were at higher risk of dyslipidemia than were those without diabetes. Our data suggest that lifestyle changes, including diet modification and exercise, could be of significant benefit to both ethnic groups.
Modulation of inflammation in brain: a matter of fat

Neuroinflammation is a host defense mechanism associated with neutralization of an insult and restoration of normal structure and function of brain. Neuroinflammation is a hallmark of all major CNS diseases. The main mediators of neuroinflammation are microglial cells. These cells are activated during a CNS injury. Microglial cells initiate a rapid response that involves cell migration, proliferation, release of cytokines/chemokines and trophic and/or toxic effects. Cytokines/chemokines stimulate phospholipases A2 and cyclooxygenases. This results in breakdown of membrane glycerophospholipids with the release of arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Oxidation of AA produces pro‐inflammatory prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes. One of the lyso‐glycerophospholipids, the other products of reactions catalyzed by phospholipase A2, is used for the synthesis of pro‐inflammatory platelet‐activating factor. These pro‐inflammatory mediators intensify neuroinflammation. Lipoxin, an oxidized product of AA through 5‐lipoxygenase, is involved in the resolution of inflammation and is anti‐inflammatory. Docosahexaenoic acid is metabolized to resolvins and neuroprotectins. These lipid mediators inhibit the generation of prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes. Levels of prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes are markedly increased in acute neural trauma and neurodegenerative diseases. Docosahexaenoic acid and its lipid mediators prevent neuroinflammation by inhibiting transcription factor NFκB, preventing cytokine secretion, blocking the synthesis of prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes, and modulating leukocyte trafficking. Depending on its timing and magnitude in brain tissue, inflammation serves multiple purposes. It is involved in the protection of uninjured neurons and removal of degenerating neuronal debris and also in assisting repair and recovery processes. The dietary ratio of AA to DHA may affect neurodegeneration associated with acute neural trauma and neurodegenerative diseases. The dietary intake of docosahexaenoic acid offers the possibility of counter‐balancing the harmful effects of high levels of AA‐derived pro‐inflammatory lipid mediators.
Age-disparate relationships and condom use among young people in Swaziland.

In Swaziland the risk of becoming HIV infected is significantly higher among young women than young men. This difference cannot be explained by anatomical and hormonal factors that make young women particularly vulnerable to HIV infection. This article describes the results of a secondary analysis of the Swaziland Demographic and Health Survey 2006-2007 data. In particular trends and variability in age differences between young men and their female sexual partners are explored. In addition the magnitude of the age difference between sexual partners and the association with consistent condom use is examined.
Loss of GET pathway orthologs in Arabidopsis thaliana causes root hair growth defects and affects SNARE abundance

Significance Root hairs are unicellular extensions of the rhizodermis, providing anchorage and an increase in surface area for nutrient and water uptake. Their fast, tip-focused growth showcases root hairs as an excellent genetic model to study physiological and developmental processes on the cellular level. We uncovered a root hair phenotype that is dependent on putative Arabidopsis orthologs of the Guided Entry of Tail-anchored (TA) proteins (GET) pathway, which facilitates membrane insertion of TA proteins in yeast and mammals. We found that plants have evolved multiple paralogs of specific GET pathway components, albeit in a compartment-specific manner. In addition, we show that differential expression of pathway components causes pleiotropic growth defects, suggesting alternative pathways for TA insertion and additional functions of GET in plants. Soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins are key players in cellular trafficking and coordinate vital cellular processes, such as cytokinesis, pathogen defense, and ion transport regulation. With few exceptions, SNAREs are tail-anchored (TA) proteins, bearing a C-terminal hydrophobic domain that is essential for their membrane integration. Recently, the Guided Entry of Tail-anchored proteins (GET) pathway was described in mammalian and yeast cells that serve as a blueprint of TA protein insertion [Schuldiner M, et al. (2008) Cell 134(4):634–645; Stefanovic S, Hegde RS (2007) Cell 128(6):1147–1159]. This pathway consists of six proteins, with the cytosolic ATPase GET3 chaperoning the newly synthesized TA protein posttranslationally from the ribosome to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. Structural and biochemical insights confirmed the potential of pathway components to facilitate membrane insertion, but the physiological significance in multicellular organisms remains to be resolved. Our phylogenetic analysis of 37 GET3 orthologs from 18 different species revealed the presence of two different GET3 clades. We identified and analyzed GET pathway components in Arabidopsis thaliana and found reduced root hair elongation in Atget lines, possibly as a result of reduced SNARE biogenesis. Overexpression of AtGET3a in a receptor knockout (KO) results in severe growth defects, suggesting presence of alternative insertion pathways while highlighting an intricate involvement for the GET pathway in cellular homeostasis of plants.
Properties of Aluminium Alloys Produced by Selective Laser Melting

Analysis of peculiar properties offered by Al alloys produced according to additive manufacturing techniques, specifically by Selective Laser Melting (SLM), is carried out. Two alloys are considered, derived by casting (AlSi10Mg) and by wrought (ENAW 2618) applications. The SLM processed samples are investigated considering their microstructural and mechanical properties after SLM and compared to cast and wrought counterparts. A strong microstructural refinement induced by SLM processing is observed for both alloys, resulting in excellent hardness properties. Investigation on integrity of samples revealed that small-size microvoids and unmelted regions could be present in SLM parts.