Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New Aspects of Microbial Nitrogen Transformations in the Context of Wastewater Treatment – A Review

Over the past few years, new technologies for nitrogen removal have been developed mainly because of the increasing financial costs of the traditional wastewater treatment technologies. Newly discovered pathways, like the anaerobic oxidation of ammonium (ANAMMOX), and uses for nitrogen removal technologies are under discussion. Processes and technologies such as: Partial nitrification; Single reactor systems for High Ammonium Removal Over Nitrite (SHARON); Anammox; Aerobic/anoxic deammonification; Oxygen Limited Autotrophic Nitrification‐Denitrification (OLAND); Completely Autotrophic Nitrogen Removal Over Nitrite (CANON); wetland based systems, all have a high potential for nitrogen removal. However, the pathways of nitrogen transformation processes are very complex. An understanding of how various environmental factors affect these processes and a sound knowledge of existing, worldwide experience pertaining to these novel technologies are the key if the nitrogen removal rates are to be improved and success is to be realized in full‐scale applications. This review describes the present knowledge of the new treatment technologies for wastewater with high nitrogen loads. Special emphasis is given to the influence of environmental factors and the reactor configuration on the nitrogen transformation process and microbial activity.
Recessive grey platelet-like syndrome with unaffected erythropoiesis in the absence of the splice isoform GFI1B-p37

Gene expression during hematopoietic lineage commitment is tightly regulated by a complex network of transcriptional regulators. Growth Factor Independent 1 (GFI1) and GFI1B are recruiters of histone deacetylases, histone methyltransferases, and key transcriptional repressors during hematopoiesis. [1
Equine endotoxemia: cardiovascular, eicosanoid, hematologic, blood chemical, and plasma enzyme alterations.

Ponies with electromagnetic blood flow transducers implanted around the main pulmonary and left main coronary arteries, were used to evaluate effects of chronic sublethal endotoxin on cardiac output (CO), stroke volume, and left coronary blood flow (LCBF). Plasma thromboxane (TX), as indicated by TXB2, prostacyclin as indicated by 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG) F1 alpha, and hematologic and blood chemical values also were evaluated. Over 24 hours, 2 groups of ponies were given progressively increasing IV and intraperitoneal doses of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 0, 6, 12, and 18 hours. Group 1 was not treated and group 2 was treated with flunixin meglumine, before each LPS insult. Initial LPS inoculation in group 1 led to 10-fold increases in TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha values by 30 and 90 minutes, respectively. These eicosanoid values returned to base line by 6 hours after each insult. Although repeated LPS injections stimulated recurring high plasma concentrations of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, TXB2 production became less with each successive LPS insult. Cardiac output decreased to 55% to 60% of base-line values in association with increased 6-keto-PGF1 alpha values. Left coronary blood flow could not be evaluated accurately. Severe lactic acidosis developed in group 1. Group-2 ponies remained clinically normal, indicating protection of cardiovascular function and peripheral perfusion with flunixin meglumine. Seemingly, flunixin meglumine helped to maintain acceptable cardiovascular function and tissue perfusion during endotoxemia. Flunixin meglumine given to healthy ponies had no effect on cardiovascular function. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Intraocular penetration of colistin.

Introduction Colistin is a new antibiotic isolated in Japan from the microorganism Aerobacillus colistinus. 1 It is very similar to the polymyxins in its chemical composition, and in its spectrum of activity closely resembles polymyxin B. It is highly inhibitory for many gram-negative organisms and only slightly inhibitory or inactive towards grampositive organisms. Colistin is of distinct value in the treatment of localized and generalized infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an organism proved to be resistant to the majority of other antibiotic and chemotherapeutic agents. Its spectrum of activity also includes Escherichia coli, Aerobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and many strains of Salmonella and Shigella. It is not effective against Proteus bacilli. The activity of colistin is not impaired in the presence of serum, whole blood, or the body fluids. 2 Colistin is available from Warner-Chilcott Laboratories as Coly-Mycin Ophthalmic (colistin sulfate) for topical use for investigational purposes, and as Colistimethate
Oral Inoculation of Chickens with a Candidate Fowl Adenovirus 9 Vector

ABSTRACT Fowl adenoviruses (FAdVs) are a potential alternative to human adenovirus-based vaccine vectors. Our previous studies demonstrated that a 2.4-kb region at the left end of the FAdV-9 genome is nonessential for virus replication and is suitable for the insertion or replacement of transgenes. Our in vivo study showed that the virus FAdV-9Δ4, lacking six open reading frames (ORFs) at the left end of its genome, replicates less efficiently than wild-type FAdV-9 (wtFAdV-9) in chickens that were infected intramuscularly. However, the fecal-oral route is the natural route of FAdV infection, and the oral administration of a vaccine confers some advantages compared to administration through other routes, especially when developing an adenovirus as a vaccine vector. Therefore, we sought to investigate the effects of FAdV-9 in orally inoculated chickens. In the present study, we orally inoculated specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens with FAdV-9 and FAdV-9Δ4 and assessed virus shedding, antibody response, and viral genome copy number and cytokine gene expression in tissues. Our data showed that FAdV-9Δ4 replicated less efficiently than did wtFAdV-9, as evidenced by reduced virus shedding in feces, lower viral genome copy number in tissues, and lower antibody response, which are consistent with the results of the intramuscular route of immunization. Furthermore, we found that both wtFAdV-9 and FAdV-9Δ4 upregulated the mRNA expression of alpha interferon (IFN-α), IFN-γ, and interleukin-12 (IL-12). In addition, there was a trend toward downregulation of IL-10 gene expression caused by both viruses. These findings indicate that one or more of the six deleted ORFs contribute to modulating the host response against virus infection as well as virus replication in vivo.
The uremic solute indoxyl sulfate induces oxidative stress in endothelial cells

Summary. Background: Endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress are matters of concern in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Uremic solutes retained in these patients could be involved in these processes. Notably, the protein‐bound uremic solute indoxyl sulfate induces endothelial dysfunction in vitro, and has shown pro‐oxidant effects. Objective: To demonstrate that indoxyl sulfate is a potential mediator of oxidative stress in endothelial cells in vitro. Methods: Indoxyl sulfate‐induced oxidative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was studied by measuring reactive oxygen specie (ROS) production by cytofluorimetry, by analyzing the involvement of the pro‐oxidative enzymes NAD(P)H oxidase, xanthine oxidase, and NO synthase, and by measuring the levels of the non‐enzymatic antioxidant glutathione. Results: We showed that indoxyl sulfate induced a significant production of ROS in HUVEC, with or without human serum albumin. We then investigated the role of pro‐oxidative enzymes and measured the levels of the antioxidant glutathione. The NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitors, DPI, and apocynin, inhibited ROS production, whereas inhibitors of xanthine oxidase, NO synthase, and mitochondrial ROS had no effect. Interestingly, indoxyl sulfate strongly decreased the levels of glutathione, one of the most active antioxidant systems of the cell. In addition, the ROS production mediated by indoxyl sulfate was inhibited by the antioxidants vitamin C, vitamin E, and NAC. Conclusion: The uremic solute indoxyl sulfate enhances ROS production, increases NAD(P)H oxidase activity, and decreases glutathione levels in endothelial cells. Thus, indoxyl sulfate induces oxidative stress by modifying the balance between pro‐ and antioxidant mechanisms in endothelial cells.
Whole-body metabolism of glucose and lactate in productive sheep and cows

1. Constant infusions of D-[U-14C]glucose, D-[6−3H]glucose and L-[U-14C]lactate were used to determine rates of apparent turnover, de novo production, disposal and interconversions of glucose and lactate, together with total recycling of glucose-C, in ewes and dairy cows during late pregnancy and early lactation. The cows were also examined while being fasted. In the fed animals, infusions were made within 5 h after the morning meal when steady-state conditions appeared to exist. 2. In the ewes, circulating concentrations of glucose and lactate, and magnitudes of apparent turnovers of glucose and lactate, tended to be higher during lactation than during pregnancy, while the extent of interconversions of glucose and lactate tended to be lower. 3. Although the metabolic pattern seen in the cows appeared to be similar to that of the ewes during pregnancy, there were clear differences during lactation. Thus, in the lactating cows, as compared with the lactating ewes, circulating concentrations of glucose and lactate were lower, as was apparent lactate turnover related to metabolic body-weight. Furthermore, the percentage of lactate turnover converted to glucose was higher. 4. In the cows, fasting was characterized by low rates of apparent turnover of glucose and lactate and relatively high rates of interconversion of the two compounds. 5. The results indicated that, under the conditions used in this study and when feeding is to recommended levels, carbohydrate metabolism in ewes is more precarious during late pregnancy than during early lactation, while in dairy cows it is more or less equally precarious in both physiological states. 6. A further conclusion is that the extent of glucose–lactate interconversions, and thus Cori cycle activity, seems to be lower in ruminants than in other species.
Toll-Like Receptor 4 Signalling and Its Impact on Platelet Function, Thrombosis, and Haemostasis

Platelets are anucleated blood cells that participate in a wide range of physiological and pathological functions. Their major role is mediating haemostasis and thrombosis. In addition to these classic functions, platelets have emerged as important players in the innate immune system. In particular, they interact with leukocytes, secrete pro- and anti-inflammatory factors, and express a wide range of inflammatory receptors including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), for example, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). TLR4, which is the most extensively studied TLR in nucleated cells, recognises lipopolysaccharides (LPS) that are compounds of the outer surface of Gram-negative bacteria. Unlike other TLRs, TLR4 is able to signal through both the MyD88-dependent and MyD88-independent signalling pathways. Notably, despite both pathways culminating in the activation of transcription factors, TLR4 has a prominent functional impact on platelet activity, haemostasis, and thrombosis. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge on TLR4 signalling in platelets, critically discuss its impact on platelet function, and highlight the open questions in this area.
Flexible Organic Tribotronic Transistor Memory for a Visible and Wearable Touch Monitoring System

A new type of flexible organic tribotronic transistor memory is proposed, which can be written and erased by externally applied touch actions as an active memory. By further coupling with an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a visible and wearable touch monitoring system is achieved, in which touch triggering can be memorized and shown as the emission from the OLED.
Handling hazardous drugsASHP REPORTS ASHP Guidelines on Handling Hazardous Drugs

Purpose The purpose of these guidelines is to (1) update the reader on new and continuing concerns for health care workers handling hazardous drugs and (2) provide information on recommendations, including those regarding equipment, that have been developed since the publication of the previous TAB. Because studies have shown that contamination occurs in many settings, these guidelines should be implemented wherever hazardous drugs are received, stored, prepared, administered, or disposed. Comprehensive reviews of the literature covering anecdotal and case reports of surface contamination, worker contamination, and risk assessment are available from OSHA,
Cytotoxicity of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) oil and its major components to human skin cells

Abstract. The essential oil extracted from clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is used as a topical application to relieve pain and promote healing in herbal medicine and also finds use in the fragrance and flavouring industries. Clove oil has two major components, eugenol and β‐caryophyllene, which constitute 78% and 13% of the oil, respectively. Clove oil and these components are generally recognized as ‘safe’, but the in‐vitro study here demonstrates cytotoxic properties of both the oil and eugenol, towards human fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Clove oil was found to be highly cytotoxic at concentrations as low as 0.03% (v/v) with up to 73% of this effect attributable to eugenol. β‐caryophyllene did not exhibit any cytotoxic activity, indicating that other cytotoxic components may also exist within the parent oil.
Spatio-temporal patterns in acoustic presence and distribution of Antarctic blue whales Balaenoptera musculus intermedia in the Weddell Sea

Distribution and movement patterns of Antarctic blue whales Balaenoptera musculus intermedia at large temporal and spatial scales are still poorly understood. The objective of this study was to explore spatio-temporal distribution patterns of Antarctic blue whales in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean, using passive acoustic monitoring data. Multi-year data were collected between 2008 and 2013 by 11 recorders deployed in the Weddell Sea and along the Greenwich meridian. Antarctic blue whale Z-calls were detected via spectrogram cross-correlation. A Blue Whale Index was developed to quantify the proportion of time during which acoustic energy from Antarctic blue whales dominated over background noise. Our results show that Antarctic blue whales were acoustically present year-round, with most call detections between January and April. During austral summer, the number of detected calls peaked synchronously throughout the study area in most years, and hence, no directed meridional movement pattern was detectable. During austral winter, vocalizations were recorded at latitudes as high as 69°S, with sea ice cover exceeding 90%, suggesting that some Antarctic blue whales overwinter in Antarctic waters. Polynyas likely serve as an important habitat for baleen whales during austral winter, providing food and reliable access to open water for breathing. Overall, our results support increasing evidence of a complex and non-obligatory migratory behavior of Antarctic blue whales, potentially involving temporally and spatially dynamic migration routes and destinations, as well as variable timing of migration to and from the feeding grounds.
Results of 265 consecutive proximal hypospadias repairs using the Thiersch-Duplay principle.

PURPOSE We review the evolution of the concept of tubularization of the urethral plate and our results in the repair of proximal hypospadias. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 281 children born with proximal hypospadias underwent Thiersch-Duplay urethroplasty with or without a midline incision of the urethral plate between 1989 and 1998. Followup data were available in 265 children. RESULTS Excellent functional and cosmetic results were achieved in 88.7% of the patients. The use of either a dartos or tunica vaginalis flap to waterproof the urethral suture line resulted in a decrease in the fistula rate from 17% to 1.8%. CONCLUSIONS The principles of Thiersch-Duplay urethroplasty represent the basic foundation for surgical techniques that use the urethral plate to construct a urethral tube. The use of this principle in the repair of proximal hypospadias compares favorably with other methods.
Comparative quantitative proteomics to investigate the remodeling of bioenergetic pathways under iron deficiency in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The basic question addressed in this study is how energy metabolism is adjusted to cope with iron deficiency in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. To investigate the impact of iron deficiency on bioenergetic pathways, comparative proteomics was combined with spectroscopic as well as voltametric oxygen measurements to assess protein dynamics linked to functional properties of respiratory and photosynthetic machineries. Although photosynthetic electron transfer is largely compromised under iron deficiency, our quantitative and spectroscopic data revealed that the functional antenna size of photosystem II (PSII) significantly increased. Concomitantly, stress‐related chloroplast polypeptides, like 2‐cys peroxiredoxin and a stress‐inducible light‐harvesting protein, LhcSR3, as well as a novel light‐harvesting protein and several proteins of unknown function were induced under iron‐deprivation. Respiratory oxygen consumption did not decrease and accordingly, polypeptides of respiratory complexes, harboring numerous iron–sulfur clusters, were only slightly diminished or even increased under low iron. Consequently, iron‐deprivation induces a transition from photoheterotrophic to primarily heterotrophic metabolism, indicating that a hierarchy for iron allocations within organelles of a single cell exists that is closely linked with the metabolic state of the cell.
NOD2 Ligation Subverts IFN-α Production by Liver Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells and Inhibits Their T Cell Allostimulatory Activity via B7-H1 Up-Regulation1

The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)2/CARD15 protein, which senses muramyl dipeptide (MDP), a product of bacterial peptidoglycan, appears to play an important role in regulating intestinal immunity. Although the liver is exposed to gut-derived MDP, the influence of NOD2 ligation on hepatic APC, in particular dendritic cells (DC), is unknown. Freshly isolated mouse liver and spleen plasmacytoid (p)DC expressed higher levels of NOD2 message than conventional myeloid (m)DC. Following MDP stimulation in vivo, liver pDC, but not mDC, up-regulated expression of IFN regulatory factor 4 (IRF-4), a negative regulator of TLR signaling, and induced less allogeneic T cell proliferation and IFN-γ production. The adoptive transfer of liver pDC from MDP-treated mice failed to prime allogeneic T cells in vivo. By contrast, splenic DC IRF-4 levels and T cell stimulatory activity remained unchanged. Liver pDC from MDP-stimulated mice also displayed greater IκBα, cell surface B7-H1, and B7-H1 relative to CD86 than control liver pDC. No similar effects were observed for liver mDC or spleen DC. Absence of B7-H1 on liver pDC reversed the inhibitory effect of MDP. After ex vivo stimulation with LPS or CpG, liver pDC but not mDC from MDP-treated animals secreted less IL-12p70, IL-6, and TNF-α and induced weaker allogeneic T cell proliferation than those from controls. Moreover, CpG-stimulated liver pDC from MDP-treated mice secreted less IFN-α than their splenic counterparts, and systemic levels of IFN-α were reduced in MDP-treated animals after CpG administration. These findings suggest that differential effects of NOD2 ligation on liver pDC may play a role in regulating hepatic innate and adaptive immunity.
SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE AND ACHIEVEMENT AMONG CHILDREN WITH UNILATERAL BRAIN LESIONS

Brain lesioned children recover more rapidly and completely than adults; however, the extent of recovery and limits in terms of age of onset and lesion location is not known. The present study reports scholastic aptitude and academic achievement for 20 left hemisphere lesioned children (LL M age=11.1 yrs.; SD=4.1) and 12 right lesioned children (RL M age-8.3 yrs.; SD=3.3) in comparison to peers matched by age, sex, race and social class. All lesioned children presented CT or MRI confirmed unilateral lesions of vascular origin sustained at least 1 year prior to testing (M onset: LL=4.9 yrs.; SD=5.4; RL=2.3 yrs.; SD=1.9). Despite normal Verbal IQ's comparable to controls, lesioned children performed significantly poorer on much of the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery. Of the Scholastic Aptitude Clusters, LL children performed lower than left controls (LC) on the reading, math and written language clusters (F=4.02; p<.05), while the RL group performed significantly lower than RC on these and the knowledge cluster (F=7.95; p<.01). On the Academic Achievement Clusters, LLs performed lowest on written language (F=6.83; p<.01), while the RLs performed lower than RCs on reading, math and written language (F=5.96; p<.05). Age at lesion onset was not related to performance. LLs with subcortical lesions tended to perform poorer than those with cortical lesions, while the reverse pattern was observed among RL children. In sum, LLs present profiles of specific scholastic difficulties while RLs present more generalized scholastic limitations, possibly secondary to attentional deficits.
A global survey of aerosol-liquid water cloud overlap based on four years of CALIPSO-CALIOP data

Abstract. Simulating the radiative impacts of aerosols located above liquid water clouds presents a significant challenge. In particular, absorbing aerosols, such as smoke, may have significant impact in such situations and even change the sign of net radiative forcing. It is not possible to reliably obtain information on such overlap events from existing passive satellite sensors. However, the CALIOP instrument onboard NASA's CALIPSO satellite allows us to examine these events with unprecedented accuracy. Using four years of collocated CALIPSO 5 km Aerosol and Cloud Layer Version 3 Products (June 2006–May 2010), we quantify, for the first time, the characteristics of overlapping aerosol and water cloud layers globally. We investigate seasonal variability in these characteristics over six latitude bands to understand the hemispheric differences when all aerosol types are included in the analysis (the AAO case). We also investigate frequency of smoke aerosol-cloud overlap (the SAO case). Globally, the frequency is highest during the JJA months in the AAO case, while for the SAO case, it is highest in the SON months. The seasonal mean overlap frequency can regionally exceed 20% in the AAO case and 10% in the SAO case. In about 5–10% cases the vertical distance between aerosol and cloud layers is less than 100 m, while about in 45–60% cases it less than a kilometer in the annual means for different latitudinal bands. In about 70–80% cases, aerosol layers are less than a kilometer thick, while in about 18–22% cases they are 1–2 km thick. The frequency of aerosol layers 2–3 km thick is about 4–5% in the tropical belts during overlap events. Over the regions where high aerosol loadings are present, the overlap frequency can be up to 50% higher when quality criteria on aerosol/cloud feature detection are relaxed. Over the polar regions, more than 50% of the overlapping aerosol layers have optical thickness less than 0.02, but the contribution from the relatively optically thicker aerosol layers increases towards the equatorial regions in both hemispheres. The results suggest that the frequency of occurrence of overlap events is far from being negligible globally.