Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the microbiological profile of traditional Portuguese sourdough.

Traditional manufacture of bread from maize has been noted to play important roles from both economic and social standpoints; however, enforcement of increasingly strict hygiene standards requires thorough knowledge of the adventitious microbiota of the departing dough. To this goal, sourdough as well as maize and rye flours from several geographic locations and in two different periods within the agricultural year were assayed for their microbiota in sequential steps of quantification and identification. More than 400 strains were isolated and taxonomic differentiation between them was via Biomerieux API galleries (375 of which were successfully identified) following preliminary biochemical and morphological screening. The dominant groups were yeasts and lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The most frequently isolated yeasts were Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida pelliculosa. The most frequently isolated LAB were (heterofermentative) Leuconostoc spp. and (homofermentative) Lactobacillus spp. ; L. brevis, L. curvatus, and L. lactis ssp. lactis were the dominant species for the Lactobacillus genera; Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis for lactococci; Enterococcus casseliflavus, E. durans, and E. faecium for enterococci; and Streptococcus constellantus and S. equinus for streptococci.
Valence-arousal evaluation using physiological signals in an emotion recall paradigm

The work presented in this paper aims at assessing human emotions using peripheral as well as electroencephalographic (EEG) physiological signals. Three specific areas of the valence-arousal emotional space are defined, corresponding to negatively excited, positively excited, and calm-neutral states. An acquisition protocol based on the recall of past emotional events has been designed to acquire data from both peripheral and EEG signals. Pattern classification is used to distinguish between the three areas of the valence-arousal space. The performance of two classifiers has been evaluated on different features sets: peripheral data, EEG data, and EEG data with prior feature selection. Comparison of results obtained using either peripheral or EEG signals confirms the interest of using EEG's to assess valence and arousal in emotion recall conditions.
Levosimendan restores both systolic and diastolic cardiac performance in lipopolysaccharide-treated rabbits: Comparison with dobutamine and milrinone

Objective:Current treatment strategies for severe septic conditions (i.e., intravenous fluids, vasopressors, and cardiac inotropes) reestablish fluid balance and improve cardiac systole but do not address diastolic dysfunction. Our study aimed to fully characterize both systolic and diastolic abnormalities of sepsis-associated heart failure and to identify treatment that would support full-cycle cardiac improvement. Design:Endotoxin-injected rabbits, an animal model of abnormal cardiac function in human sepsis, were used to delineate cardiac abnormalities and to examine effects of drug treatments on heart systolic and diastolic function (n = 30); saline-injected animals served as comparators (n = 17). As treatment, three inotropes commonly used for treatment of cardiac failure were infused for 45 mins in separate animal groups—milrinone, dobutamine, and levosimendan. Measurements:Variables of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function were assessed with a pressure conductance catheter. Measurements were made before and after endotoxin/saline injection and before and after inotrope treatment. Results:Pressure–volume analyses of the left ventricle showed marked impairment in systolic function and in all indices of diastolic function (isovolumic relaxation time constant, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and end-diastolic pressure–volume relationship) in endotoxin-treated rabbits. The inotropes, milrinone, dobutamine, and levosimendan, could each partially or completely restore systolic function in the lipopolysaccharide-treated rabbits. However, only levosimendan therapy led to additional beneficial effects on left ventricular relaxation and diastolic function. Conclusions:Cardiac failure in severe sepsis results from impairments in both systolic and diastolic functions. Treatment with the calcium sensitizer levosimendan improved both systolic and diastolic cardiac functions in septic animals, but cyclic adenosine monophosphate–dependent inotropes milrinone and dobutamine only improved systolic function.
Cortactin phosphorylation sites mapped by mass spectrometry

Cortactin is a scaffolding protein that is targeted to sites of actin polymerization, including lamellipodia in migrating cells, cell-cell junctions in epithelial cells, growth cones of neurons, podosomes of osteoclasts, invadopodia of tumor cells, and sites of actin rearrangement induced by pathogenic bacteria and viruses (Daly, 2004; Lua and Low, 2005; Pfaff and Jurdic, 2001). Although it is phosphorylated in response to a number of stimuli including growth factors, bacterial invasion, platelet activation, transformation and integrin-mediated adhesion, the only sites of phosphorylation that have been characterized to date are Y421, Y466 and Y482 (Src sites that regulate cell migration) and S405 and S418 (ERK sites that regulate N-WASP-mediated actin polymerization) (Campbell et al., 1999; Huang et al., 1998; MartinezQuiles et al., 2004; Weed and Parsons, 2001). To better understand how the phosphorylation of cortactin contributes to the dynamic regulation of actin structures, we mapped the repertoire of phosphorylation sites within cortactin by mass spectrometry (MS). Herein, we report the identification of 17 new sites of phosphorylation (12 serine, four threonine and one tyrosine residues). The distribution of phosphorylation sites on well-conserved residues within cortactin supports a role for these modifications in the regulation of cortactin function.
Pregnancy outcomes in women with tuberculosis: a 10-year experience from an Indian tertiary care hospital

Our study sought to determine the characteristics of antenatal patients with tuberculosis (TB) and their pregnancy outcomes. Case records of 50 antenatal women with extra-pulmonary and pulmonary TB at a tertiary centre in India were compared to 150 antenatal women not suffering from TB, for adverse medical, obstetric and neonatal outcomes. The prevalence of TB was 1.16 per 1000 deliveries. Of these, 62% had extra-pulmonary TB. There were two maternal deaths. TB in pregnancy was associated with a five times higher risk of prematurity and three times higher risk of intrauterine growth restriction than the norm. Maternal prognosis depends on the complications of tuberculosis and treatment compliance.
MRI of endometriotic cysts in association with ovarian carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE Although mural nodules are considered to be the most important hallmark in the recognition of ovarian cancers accompanied with endometriotic cysts, benign neoplasms and even inflammatory diseases can show similar MRI findings. We sought to clarify the MRI characteristics of malignancy accompanied with endometriotic cysts of the ovary. MATERIALS AND METHODS Contrast-enhanced MRI was performed and endometriosis was pathologically confirmed in 49 patients with endometriotic cysts displaying mural nodules. Malignancy was pathologically diagnosed in 33 patients and benignity, in 16. Clinical data including patient age and MRI findings in terms of the size of the endometriotic cysts, number of loculi, presence of shading of the cysts, size of the mural nodules, signal intensity of the mural nodules on T1- and T2-weighted images, and contrast enhancement of the mural nodules were retrospectively reviewed. Statistical analysis of each parameter used the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS The mean age of the patients and mean size of the endometriotic cysts were significantly higher in patients with a malignant condition than in those with a benign condition. Contrast enhancement of the mural nodules was observed in 97% of malignant and 44% of benign tumors. The size of the mural nodules was significantly larger in patients with a malignant condition than in those with a benign condition. Differences in size between the bilateral diseases, multilocularity, existence of shading, and the signal intensities of mural nodules were not significantly different between the malignant and benign conditions. CONCLUSION Endometriotic cysts with enhanced mural nodules are not always complicated with malignancy. In elderly patients, the presence of large enhanced nodules on large endometriotic cysts is more likely to indicate malignancy.
Colorectal cancer screening: A comparison of 35 initiatives in 17 countries

Although in its infancy, organized screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) in the general population is increasing at regional and national levels. Documenting and describing these initiatives is critical to identifying, sharing and promoting best practice in the delivery of CRC screening. Subsequently, the International Colorectal Cancer Screening Network (ICRCSN) was established in 2003 to promote best practice in the delivery of organized screening programs. The initial aim was to identify and document organized screening initiatives that commenced before May 2004. Each identified initiative was sent 1 questionnaire per screening modality: fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy or total colonoscopy. Information was collected on screening methodology, testing details and initiative status. In total, 35 organized initiatives were identified in 17 countries, including 10 routine population‐based screening programs, 9 pilots and 16 research projects. Fecal occult blood tests were the most frequently used screening modality, and total colonoscopy was seldom used as a primary screening test. The eligible age for screening ranged from 40 years old to no upper limit; most initiatives included participants aged 50 to 64. Recruitment was usually done by a mailed invitation or during a visit to a family physician. In conclusion, this is the first investigation describing the delivery of CRC screening protocols to various populations. The work of the ICRCSN is enabling valuable information to be shared and a common nomenclature to be established. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Why Can't You Convince Me? Modeling Weaknesses in Unpersuasive Arguments

Recent work on argument persuasiveness has focused on determining how persuasive an argument is. Oftentimes, however, it is equally important to understand why an argument is unpersuasive, as it is difﬁcult for an author to make her argument more persuasive unless she ﬁrst knows what errors made it unpersuasive. Motivated by this practical concern, we (1) annotate a corpus of debate comments with not only their persuasiveness scores but also the errors they contain, (2) propose an approach to persuasiveness scoring and error identiﬁcation that outperformscompeting baselines, and (3) show that the persuasiveness scores computed by our approach can indeed be explained by the errors it identiﬁes.
Embryonic Schwann cell development: the biology of Schwann cell precursors and early Schwann cells

The cellular events leading to the generation of Schwann cells from the neural crest have recently been clarified and it is now possible to outline a relatively simple model of the Schwann cell lineage in the rat and mouse. Neural crest cells have to undergo 3 main developmental transitions to become mature Schwann cells. These are the formation of Schwann cell precursors from crest cells, the formation of immature Schwann cells from precursors and, lastly, the postnatal and reversible generation of non‐myelin‐ and myelin‐forming Schwann cells. Axonal signals involving neuregulins are important regulators of these events, in particular of the survival, proliferation and differentiation of Schwann cell precursors.
Canonical transient receptor potential channel subtype 3‐mediated hair cell Ca2+ entry regulates sound transduction and auditory neurotransmission

The physiological significance of canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) ion channels in sensory systems is rapidly emerging. Heterologous expression studies show that TRPC3 is a significant Ca2+ entry pathway, with dual activation via G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR)–phospholipase C–diacylglycerol second messenger signaling, and through negative feedback, whereby a fall in cytosolic Ca2+ releases Ca2+–calmodulin channel block. We hypothesised that the latter process contributes to cochlear hair cell cytosolic Ca2+ homeostasis. Confocal microfluorimetry with the Ca2+ indicator Fluo‐4 acetoxymethylester showed that, when cytosolic Ca2+ was depleted, Ca2+ re‐entry was significantly impaired in mature TRPC3−/− inner and outer hair cells. The impact of this disrupted Ca2+ homeostasis on sound transduction was assessed with the use of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), which constitute a direct measure of the outer hair cell transduction that underlies hearing sensitivity and frequency selectivity. TRPC3−/− mice showed significantly stronger DPOAE (2f1 − f2) growth functions than wild‐type (WT) littermates within the frequency range of best hearing acuity. This translated to hyperacusis (decreased threshold) measured by the auditory brainstem response (ABR). TRPC3−/− and WT mice did not differ in the levels of temporary and permanent threshold shift arising from noise exposure, indicating that potential GPCR signaling via TRPC3 is not pronounced. Overall, these data suggest that the Ca2+ set‐point in the hair cell, and hence membrane conductance, is modulated by TRPC3s through their function as a negative feedback‐regulated Ca2+ entry pathway. This TPRC3‐regulated Ca2+ homeostasis shapes the sound transduction input–output function and auditory neurotransmission.
Polarity detection base pulse insertion for active charge balancing in electrical stimulation

In this paper a previously published charge balancing method, namely pulse insertion, is improved to a new charge balancer which balances the injected charge based on the polarity detection. This makes the remaining voltage to be placed nearer to zero in comparison with the original pulse insertion. Therefore, the faradaic reactions are reduced due to the decrement of the remaining voltage on the double layer capacitor. The proposed charge balancer and the original pulse insertion charge balancer are designed in a 0.18 μm technology and their simulation results are compared. Finally, a discrete-component prototype of the proposed system is implemented to verify that this method is able to balance the charge with more precision.
Extrahepatic Manifestations of Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease characterized by progressive destruction of the intrahepatic bile ducts, leading to cholestasis. PBC is known to have both hepatic and extrahepatic manifestations. Extrahepatic manifestations are seen in up to 73% of patients with PBC, with the most common being Sjogren’s syndrome, thyroid dysfunction and systemic sclerosis. It is thought that patients with PBC are at increased risk of developing these extrahepatic manifestations, almost all of which are autoimmune, because patients with autoimmune disease are at higher risk of developing another autoimmune condition. Due to the high prevalence of extrahepatic diseases in patients with PBC, it is important to complete a thorough medical history at the time of diagnosis. Prompt recognition of extrahepatic disease can lead to improved patient outcomes and quality of life. The following review summarizes the most common extrahepatic conditions associated with PBC.
EL EFECTO DE LA EDAD, TAMAÑO, SECTOR Y REGIÓN EN EL CRECIMIENTO DE LA INDUSTRIA AGROALIMENTARIA ESPAÑOLA

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo identificar los efectos de las variables tamano, edad, sector y region en el crecimiento de la industria agroalimentaria espanola. Para esto definimos el sistema agroalimentario y la importancia de la industria agroalimentaria. Nuestra hipotesis principal es que la industria agroalimentaria no sigue la Ley de Gibrat. Partimos del contraste de esta hipotesis para identificar los efectos de las variables de nuestro trabajo en el crecimiento de la industria agroalimentaria. Tomamos ratios de desempeno economico, rentabilidad, estructura financiera y solvencia, como variables dependientes y aplicamos regresion lineal para cada un de los ratios. Nuestros resultados muestran que la industria agroalimentaria no sigue la Ley de Gibrat, presentando relacion inversa entre crecimiento y las variables de edad y tamano. Las variables sector y region presentan relacion con algunos de los ratios no sendo significativas para todas las variables dependientes. Nos queda indicado que las empresas mas pequenas y mas jovenes crecen mas rapido que las de mayor tamano y edad, pues estas buscan obtener la eficiencia de escala y asi aumentar su probabilidad de sobrevivencia.
Evidence for the efficacy and effectiveness of THC-CBD oromucosal spray in symptom management of patients with spasticity due to multiple sclerosis

Spasticity, one of the main symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), can affect more than 80% of MS patients during the course of their disease and is often not treated adequately. δ-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-cannabidiol (THC-CBD) oromucosal spray is a plant-derived, standardized cannabinoid-based oromucosal spray medicine for add-on treatment of moderate to severe, resistant multiple sclerosis-induced spasticity. This article reviews the current evidence for the efficacy and safety, with dizziness and fatigue as the most common treatment-related adverse events, being mostly mild to moderate in severity. Results from both randomized controlled phase III studies involving about,1600 MS patients or 1500 patient-years and recently published studies on everyday clinical practice involving more than 1000 patients or more than,1000 patient-years are presented.
Niche and area of distribution modeling: a population ecology perspective

Statistical modeling of areas of distribution of species by correlative analysis of the environmental features of known presences has become widespread. However, to a large degree, the logic and the functioning of many of these applications remain obscure, not only due to the fact that some of the modeling methods are intrinsically complex (neural networks, genetic algorithms, generalized additive models, for example), but mainly because the role of other ecological processes affecting the species distributions sometimes is not explicitly stated. Resorting to fundamental principles of population ecology, a scheme of analysis based on separation of three factors affecting species distributions (environment, biotic interactions and movements) is used to clarify some results of niche modeling exercises. The area of distribution of a virtual species which was generated by both environmental and biotic factors serves to illustrate the possibility that, at coarse resolutions, the distribution can be approximately recovered using only information about the environmental factors and ignoring the biotic interactions. Finally, information on the distribution of a butterfly species, Baronia brevicornis, is used to illustrate the importance of interpreting the results of niche models by including hypothesis about one class of movements. The results clarify the roles of the three factors in interpreting the results of using correlative approaches to modeling species distributions or their niches.
Laparoscopy in Combination with Fast Track Multimodal Management is the Best Perioperative Strategy in Patients Undergoing Colonic Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial (LAFA-study)

Objective:To investigate which perioperative treatment, ie, laparoscopic or open surgery combined with fast track (FT) or standard care, is the optimal approach for patients undergoing segmental resection for colon cancer. Summary Background Data:Important developments in elective colorectal surgery are the introduction of laparoscopy and implementation of FT care, both focusing on faster recovery. Methods:In a 9-center trial, patients eligible for segmental colectomy were randomized to laparoscopic or open colectomy, and to FT or standard care, resulting in 4 treatment groups. Primary outcome was total postoperative hospital stay (THS). Secondary outcomes were postoperative hospital stay (PHS), morbidity, reoperation rate, readmission rate, in-hospital mortality, quality of life at 2 and 4 weeks, patient satisfaction and in-hospital costs. Four hundred patients were required to find a minimum difference of 1 day in hospital stay. Results:Median THS in the laparoscopic/FT group was 5 (interquar-tile range: 4–8) days; open/FT 7 (5–11) days; laparoscopic/standard 6 (4.5–9.5) days, and open/standard 7 (6–13) days (P < 0.001). Median PHS in the laparoscopic/FT group was 5 (4–7) days; open/FT 6 (4.5–10) days; laparoscopic/standard 6 (4–8.5) days and open/standard 7 (6–10.5) days (P < 0.001). Secondary outcomes did not differ significantly among the groups. Regression analysis showed that laparoscopy was the only independent predictive factor to reduce hospital stay and morbidity. Conclusions:Optimal perioperative treatment for patients requiring segmental colectomy for colon cancer is laparoscopic resection embedded in a FT program. If open surgery is applied, it is preferentially done in FT care. This study was registered under NTR222 (www.trialregister.nl).