Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of four immunoserologic assays for detection of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in patients with culture-positive erythema migrans

In view of the significant sequelae associated with Lyme borreliosis, there is a need for timely and accurate diagnosis of erythema migrans (EM). Although Borrelia burgdorferi can be cultured from biopsies of EM lesions, immunodiagnostic testing is more widely available. Four immunoserologic methods were studied by using the sera of 51 patients with EM lesions that were culture positive for B. burgdorferi. Nineteen patients had single primary lesions, and thirty-two had multiple secondary lesions. At the time of biopsy, 40 patients, 8 with primary lesions and all patients with secondary lesions, were seropositive by an immunoglobulin M (IgM) indirect fluorescent-antibody (IgM IFA) test (Bion Enterprises). Twenty-three patients were seropositive by a whole-cell fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (BioWhittaker, Inc.), twenty-two were positive by immunoblotting (ViroStat, Inc.), and one was positive by a P39 recombinant EIA (P39 EIA) (General Biometrics, Inc.). Sera from various patient control groups were tested: rheumatoid arthritis (n = 19), infectious mononucleosis (n = 20), systemic lupus (n = 22), syphilis (n = 13), streptococcal sequelae (n = 20), and healthy subjects (n = 16). None of these sera reacted with the IgM IFA test or P39 EIA. Fifteen reacted with the fluorescence EIA. We conclude that the IgM IFA test is an effective and reliable assay for the diagnosis of EM, particularly for patients with secondary lesions. Immunoblot, fluorescence EIA, and P39 EIA lack the sensitivity to reliably diagnose EM.
Comparison of an automated microfluidic immunoassay technology (BioIC, lab-on-chips) and ImmunoCAP assay. Lab-on-chips as a tool for specific IgE (sIgE) detection

Introduction The measurement of clinically important specific IgE (sIgE) antibody is pivotal for both diagnosis and management of allergy. Two methods may be distinguished depending on the number of antigens tested simultaneously: singleplex and multiplex. BioIC is a multiplex, advanced, automated microfluidic immunoassay system enabling simultaneous sIgE measurement against multiple allergens. ImmunoCAP is a singleplex assay for sIgE detection and gold standard method for diagnosis of allergy. Aim To compare and validate the diagnostic capability of a multiplex sIgE assay – BioIC assay with a singleplex ImmunoCAP assay. Material and methods Using both BioIC assay and ImmunoCAP assay, the sIgE level in serum samples from 20 allergic disease patients with respect to 33 allergens (16 inhalant allergens, 16 food allergens and 1 contact allergen) was measured. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC), qualitative and semi-quantitative comparisons were performed to compare both sIgE measurement methods using statistical analyses. Results ROC AUC analysis showed similar sensitivity and specificity of BioIC assay and ImmunoCAP assay. In qualitative analysis, the negative and positive agreements were 100% equal for each allergen. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients identified very high positive correlations between two assays for all tested allergens (p < 0.001). Conclusions The BioIC showed agreement with ImmunoCAP assay. Sensitivity and specificity of both assays are similar, thus they showed similar diagnostic performance. However, careful interpretation of obtained results is necessary in clinical applications because of methodological differences between these two systems.
Enzymatic Production of Xylooligosaccharides from Agricultural Byproducts

Prebiotics is a term coined by Professor Gibson and Roberfroid (1995) and are defined as "non-digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth of one or a limited number of bacterial species in the colon, such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, which have the potential to improve host health. " Prebiotics consist mainly of oligosaccharides, which are sugar molecules of three to six monomers in chains. Oligosaccharides are relatively new functional food ingredients that have great potential to improve the quality of many foods. These include noncarcinogenicity, a low calorific value and the ability to stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon. Prebiotics are not digested but go straight to the lower gut where they are fermented by specific bacteria, stimulating the bacteria's growth. They have antimicrobial activity, anticarcinogenic activity, hypo-lipidemic activity, anti-osteoporotic activity, blood glucose-modulatory activities, immune modulating activities, help in improving mineral absorption and balance, rid the gut of harmful microorganisms, and help in prevention of constipation and diarrhea. Xylooligo-saccharides (XOS) are sugar oligomers made up of xylose units. Xylan is a major component of plant hemicelluloses that could potentially be an appropriate starting material for production of a variety of chemicals and compounds (Saha, 2003). International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 4 Number 9 (2015) pp. 1004-1012 http://www.ijcmas. com
Acyl Homoserine Lactone Signaling in Pseudomonas chlororaphis 06

Pseudomonas chlororaphis (PcO6), a rhizosphere bacterium, is important to agriculture because of its use as a biological control against fungus and other pests. This biological control correlates with production of phenazines; a process regulated by acyl homoserine lactones (AHSLs). Long chain AHSLs might also have an affect on the production of phenazines. My research showed that PcO6 produced long chain AHSLs and that production is affected by nutrition with more long chain AHSLs produced in rich medium than minimal medium. The nutritional studies and findings with different mutants of PcO6 altered in phenazine production suggest that control of these antifungal compounds is not the major role of these long chain fatty acid signaling molecules. Long chain AHSLs production is also influenced by Pluronics in the media.
A Real-Time PCR Assay for the Detection of Salmonella in a Wide Variety of Food and Food-Animal Matrices†

Conventional culture methods have traditionally been considered the “gold standards” for the isolation and identification of foodborne pathogens. However, culture methods are labor-intensive and time-consuming. We have developed a real-time PCR assay for the detection of Salmonella in a variety of food and food-animal matrices. The real-time PCR assay incorporates both primers and hybridization probes based on the sequence of the Salmonella invA gene and uses fluorescent resonance energy transfer technology to ensure highly sensitive and specific results. This method correctly classified 51 laboratory isolates of Salmonella and 28 non-Salmonella strains. The method was also validated with a large number of field samples that consisted of porcine feces and cecal contents, pork carcasses, bovine feces and beef carcasses, poultry cecal contents and carcasses, equine feces, animal feeds, and various food products. The samples (3,388) were preenriched in buffered peptone water and then selectively enriched in .
Rediscovery of the Grey-winged Cotinga Tijuca condita in south-eastern Brazil

Summary The Grey-winged Cotinga Tijuca condita, previously known from a single specimen collected in 1942, was rediscovered near the type-locality in the coastal hill ranges of Rio de Janeiro state, south-eastern Brazil, in November 1980. Fieldwork at two sites in November/December 1980 and November 1981 revealed the presence of 10 individuals: one calling male and one female in cloud-forest at 1,320 m in the Serra do Tinguá; and six calling males, one female and one unsexed bird in cloud-forest at 1,830-2,000 m in the Serra dos Órgãos. Two females were netted, and two calling males were seen well in the field. The plumage of calling males resembled that of females, but was brighter with more grey on the face. The voice was described as an explosive sooee-wheee. The calling posture was similar to that of pihas Lipaugus, and there was no indication of any lekking behaviour. The species appears to have a very restricted distribution, but there is no indication that it is under threat at the present time. O cotingídeo Tijuca condita, previamente conhecido de um único indivíduo coletado em 1942, foi redescoberto próximo a sua localidade tipo nas montanhas da costa do estado do Rio de Janeiro, no sudeste do Brasil, em novembro de 1980. Observações no campo em duas localidades em novembro/dezembro 1980 e novembro 1981 revelaram a presença de 10 indivíduos: um macho cantando e uma fêmea em uma floresta de neblina a 1,320 m na Serra do Tinguá; seis machos, uma fêmea e um individuo de sexo não determinado em uma floresta de neblina a 1,830–2,000 m na Serra dos Órgãos. Duas fêmeas foram capturadas em rede e dois machos foram bem observados no campo. A plumagem dos machos assemelha-se a das fêmeas, contudo mais brilhante e acinzentado na face. O canto foi descrito como um explosivo sooee-wheee. A postura de canto foi semelhante à de outros cotingídeos Lipaugus e não há indícios de comportamento de leque. A espécie parece ter uma distribuição muito restrita, mas não ha indícios de que essa espécie esteja ameaçada no momento.
Optical and structural properties of biological tissues under diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a serious social and economic problem of modern society because it is widespread and fraught with numerous complications. Therefore, it is necessary to search for new methods of diabetes mellitus diagnostics and treatment and to improve the existing ones, which, in turn, requires thorough investigation of the disease development mechanisms, as well as elaboration of simple and reliable methods and criteria for detecting the complication precursors. In connection with the solution of these problems, in the paper we present an analytical review of recent publications devoted to the study of the changes of structural and optical properties of biological tissues under the conditions of diabetes mellitus development using in vitro models of glycated tissues, in vivo experimental models of diabetes in laboratory animals, and clinical studies.
ASPECTOS ECOLÓGICOS DA VEGETAÇÃO RUPESTRE DA SERRA DOS CARAJÁS, ESTADO DO PARÁ, BRASIL

General ecological aspects of the tropical scrub vegetation on rocky outcrops ("campo rupestre") of the Serra dos Carajas, Para, Brazil, are discussed, with information on its floral composition, the associations of plant species with soil type and animals, and the geographical distributions of component plant species. The plant community studied is composed of a total of 232 species, mostly herbaceous, belonging to 145 genera and 58 plant families. The two most common families were Gramineae and Leguminosae, followed by Cyperaceae, Myrtaceae, Rubiaceae, Malpighiaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Compositae. Some families have arboreal species sporadically found in forest islands ("capoes de arvores") or as isolated trees, such as Anacardiaceae, Rutaceae, Sapotaceae and Vochysiaceae. Some families are restricted in occurrence to areas where water accumulates, such as Begoniaceae, Burmaniaceae, Eriocaulaceae, Gentianaceae, etc. Some families occur only rarely, such as Acanthaceae, Annonaceae. Chrysobalanaceae, Palmae, Sterculiaceae, etc. It appears that the most common pollinators in the area are bees. Other animals are also associated with the plants of this community, such as tabanid horseflies, reptiles and birds. The soil on which this plant community is based, besides having a very thin organic layer associated with mosses and lichens, has a large number of termite nests, in the transition from dry to rainy season. The biological preservation of the study area is justified by the large number of endemic species (for example, Ipomoea cavalcanteiAustin), new species (for example, Erytroxylum nelson-rosaePlowman), species with potential as sources of drugs (for example. Pilocarpus microphylusStapf. ex. Wardleworth), and ornamental plant species (for example, Vellozia glochideaPohl), all of which belong to this community whose associated animals and soil types are yet so poorly researched.
Über das agglutinierend wirkende Gynogamon von Chlamydomonas eugametos

Es wird beschrieben, wie das Gynogamon gewonnen und gereinigt wird. Die agglutinierende Substanz, ein Glykoproteid, wird in ihren physikalisch-chemischen Eigenschaften charakterisiert. Ort der Agglutinations-Reaktion ist die Geißelspitze.
EFSUMB Guidelines on Interventional Ultrasound (INVUS), Part VI – Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Interventions

Abstract The sixth part of the Guidelines on Interventional Ultrasound produced under the auspices of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) assesses the evidence for ultrasound guidance and assistance in vascular interventions. Based on convincing data, real-time sonographic guidance for central venous access is strongly recommended as a key safety measure. Systematic analysis of scientific literature shows that in difficult situations and special circumstances US guidance may also improve the efficacy and safety of peripheral venous and arterial access and endovascular interventions. Moreover, the recommendations of this guideline endorse the use of ultrasound to detect complications of vascular access and US-guided interventional treatment of arterial pseudoaneurysms.
Clinical activity of crizotinib in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring ROS1 gene rearrangement.

7508 Background: Chromosomal rearrangements of the ROS1 receptor tyrosine kinase gene define a new molecular subset of NSCLC. In cell lines, ROS1 rearrangements lead to expression of oncogenic ROS1 fusion kinases and sensitivity to ROS kinase inhibition. We examined the efficacy and safety of crizotinib, a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor of MET, ALK and ROS, in patients with advanced, ROS1-rearranged NSCLC. Methods: Patients with advanced NSCLC harboring ROS1 rearrangement, as determined using a break-apart FISH assay, were recruited into an expansion cohort of a phase 1 study of crizotinib. Patients were treated with crizotinib at the standard oral dose of 250 mg BID. The objective response rate (ORR) was determined based on RECIST 1.0. The disease control rate (DCR; stable disease [SD] + partial response [PR] + complete response [CR]) was evaluated at 8 weeks. Results: Thirteen patients within the ROS expansion cohort received crizotinib and all were evaluable for response. The median age was 4.
Pittosporum kirkii: Autecology of an endemic shrub epiphyte

This research investigated the autecology of the New Zealand endemic shrub epiphyte Pittosporum kirkii (Pittosporaceae). Pittosporum kirkii most frequently displays an epiphytic lifestyle, perched amongst nest epiphytes in the canopies of emergent or canopy trees in old-growth forest. The main objective of this research was to enhance the understanding of Pittosporum kirkii, with a focus on ecological, morphological and physiological characteristics. Ecological characteristics were investigated in field surveys of five key Pittosporum kirkii populations that encompass its known latitudinal extent. Survey results showed that P. kirkii is late successional epiphyte commonly found in the inner crown of large canopy and emergent hosts amongst nest epiphytes, it has a short flowering season and shows clinal patterns in leaf length with increasing latitude. Pittosporum kirkii meets the definition of a facultative epiphyte as it grows in rupestral, terrestrial and epiphytic lifestyles. The most common host species for P. kirkii is Dacrydium cupressinum. Flowering was concentrated between November and December and individuals in the populations examined were functionally dioecious with a preponderance of males; flower pollinators and seed dispersers are uncertain. Field data and supplementary data sets (e.g. herbarium records) were combined to develop a predicted environmental distribution map. Pittosporum kirkii has an abrupt distribution with strong habitat preferences restricting it to the upper North Island, in upper lowland and lower montane old-growth forest ecosystems. High vapour pressure deficits (>0.39 kPa) and low annual rainfall (<1172 mm) restrict environmental distribution. Investigations into the physiological and morphological characteristics of Pittosporum kirkii were focussed on water relations because water availability is speculated to be the most limiting factor across all of the habitats that P. kirkii occupies. In a glasshouse experiment P. kirkii seedlings were subjected to three levels of desiccation stress alongside epiphytic congener P. cornifolium. In the context of international literature, the stress strategies of each species were identified from analysis of morphological adaptations and physiological responses. Pittosporum kirkii has small relative leaf area, thick coriaceous upper leaf cuticles, substantial hypodermal tissue, and under desiccation stress, exhibited rapid reductions in stomatal conductance and photosynthetic activity with stress (ceased function at mean pre-dawn water potentials of -0.8 MPa). This evidence aligns P. kirkii with a desiccation postponement strategy. In contrast P. cornifolium has thinner cuticle hypodermal tissue, larger relative leaf area and maintains photosynthetic function under greater stress (ceased function at mean pre-dawn water potentials of -1.7 MPa), and as a result, lost water potential faster than P. kirkii. Therefore P. cornifolium is concluded to align with a desiccation tolerance stress strategy. Both species recovered within 3 days…
The inhibition of digestive enzymes by polyphenols of chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.)and pigeonpea (cajanus Cajan (L.) Millsp.)

The role of seed polyphenols of chickpea and pigeonpea in enzyme inhibitory activities of trypsin, chymotrypsin and a-amylase was examined by in vitro methods. Polyphenols were extracted from whole seed samples by refluxing with acidified methanol. Chickpea polyphenols inhibited trypsin more than chymotrypsin whereas pigeonpea polyphenols did not show such a distinction. on the basis of the average percent enzyme inhibition in the various cultivars studied, pigeonpea polyphenols were found to be more effective than those of chickpea. The addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) remarkably reduced the enzyme inhibitory property of the polyphenols. The polyphenolic compounds of cultivars with dark testa color showed more inhibitory activity than those with light testa color in both chickpea and pigeonpea. Since carbohydrates and proteins are the principal seed constituents of these pulse crops, the observed results have nutritional implications in terms of utilization of these constituents.
Les mirages des nouveaux anticoagulants oraux

Son traitement a domicile dans le dossier medical comporte : Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate) 110mg 2x/j, Asaflow® (acide acetylsalicylique) 80mg 1x/j, Bisoprolol® 2.5mg 1x/j, Belsar plus® (olmesartan + hydrochlorothiazide) 20/12.5mg 1x/j, Uni Diamicron® (gliclazide) 60mg 1x/j, Zocor® (simvastatine) 20mg 1x/j, Stilnoct® (zolpidem) 10mg 1x/j, Lasix® (furosemide) 40mg 1⁄2 comp/j, Lysanxia® (prazepam) 10mg et Dafalgan® (paracetamol) 1g si necessaire.
Anatomy of the Peritoneal Membrane

The increasing use of peritoneal dialysis in the treatment of end-stage renal disease has stimulated interest in the structure of the peritoneal membrane and the mechanism(s) by which water and various solutes cross this membrane during peritoneal dialysis . Despite extensive anatomical and physiological studies of the microvasculature and a better understanding of the movement of various solutes across the capillaries many controversies surround peritoneal transport and many questions remain unanswered (1). Furthermore we know little about the contribution to solute transport of the peritoneal lymphatics which are found in the diaphragmatic peritoneum and also in the avascular areas of mesentery. The lymphatics, especially those of the diaphragmatic peritoneum appear to be important in the absorption of solutes, and are the principal route of drainage of fluid from the peritoneal cavity (2-10) . In contrast, strong indirect evidence ( 11 ) suggests that the major route of solute removal during peritoneal dialysis is through the peritoneal capillaries . Today it is widely accepted that the peritoneal membrane consists of three layers: a) the capillary endothelium -with its basement membrane and pericytes; b) the peritoneal interstitium and c) the mesothelium with its basement membrane (Fig. 1). This paper will discuss these three components of the peritoneal membrane and their contribution to the fluid and solute exchange between blood and fluid in the peritoneal cavity.
Feasibility Assessment of Physical Factors of Rectal Cancer Short-Course Chemoradiotherapy with Delayed Surgery

To verify the correlations between the clinical outcomes and physical factors of short-course chemoradiotherapy (SCRT) and long-course chemoradiotherapy (LCRT) with delayed surgery in patients with rectal cancer. Seventy-two patients with rectal cancer were enrolled in this study. Nineteen patients were treated with SCRT (25 Gy, 5 fractions) by intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and 53 patients were treated with LCRT (50.4 Gy, 28 fractions) by three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT). Various physical factors for the target and organs at risk (OARs) were calculated to compare the clinical outcomes. The organ equivalent dose (OED) and lifetime attributable risk (LAR) of bowels and bladders were similar between the SCRT and LCRT groups, whereas the values of femurs were higher in the LCRT group. The equivalent uniform dose and normal tissue complication probability were higher in the LCRT than the SCRT group for most organs. Treatment complications, including anastomotic leakage, bowel adhesion, and hematologic toxicity, were not significantly different between SCRT and LCRT groups. CIs were 0.84±0.2 and 0.61±0.1 for SCRT and LCRT, respectively. The CVIs were 1.07±0.0 and 1.10±0.1, and the HIs were 0.09±0.0 and 0.11±0.1 for SCRT and LCRT, respectively. The sphincter-saving rates were 89.5% and 94.3% for SCRT and LCRT, respectively. The complete pathologic remission rates were 21.1% and 13.2%, and the down-staging rates were 47.4% and 26.4% for SCRT and LCRT, respectively. SCRT with IMRT is comparable to conventional LCRT in both physical indexes and clinical outcome. The preoperative SCRT, compensated by IMRT, is an effective and safe modality.
Constraints on decaying dark matter from the extragalactic gamma-ray background

If dark matter is unstable and the mass is within GeV–TeV regime, its decays produce high-energy photons that give contribution to the extragalactic gamma-ray background (EGRB). We constrain dark matter decay by analyzing the 50-month EGRB data measured with Fermi satellite, for different decay channels motivated with several supersymmetric scenarios featuring R-parity violation. We adopt the latest astrophysical models for various source classes such as active galactic nuclei and star-forming galaxies, and take associated uncertainties properly into account. The lower limits for the lifetime are very stringent for a wide range of dark matter mass, excluding the lifetime shorter than 1028 s for mass between a few hundred GeV and ∼1 TeV, e.g., for bb̄ decay channel. Furthermore, most dark matter models that explain the anomalous positron excess are also excluded. These constraints are robust, being little dependent on astrophysical uncertainties, unlike other probes such as Galactic positrons or anti-protons.