Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Current aspects of Salmonella contamination in the US poultry production chain and the potential application of risk strategies in understanding emerging hazards

Abstract One of the leading causes of foodborne illness in poultry products is Salmonella enterica. Salmonella hazards in poultry may be estimated and possible control methods modeled and evaluated through the use of quantitative microbiological risk assessment (QMRA) models and tools. From farm to table, there are many possible routes of Salmonella dissemination and contamination in poultry. From the time chicks are hatched through growth, transportation, processing, storage, preparation, and finally consumption, the product could be contaminated through exposure to different materials and sources. Examination of each step of the process is necessary as well as an examination of the overall picture to create effective countermeasures against contamination and prevent disease. QMRA simulation models can use either point estimates or probability distributions to examine variables such as Salmonella concentrations at retail or at any given point of processing to gain insight on the chance of illness due to Salmonella ingestion. For modeling Salmonella risk in poultry, it is important to look at variables such as Salmonella transfer and cross contamination during processing. QMRA results may be useful for the identification and control of critical sources of Salmonella contamination.
Kluver-Bucy and Frontal Syndromes Following Meningoencephalitis in a Young Boy : Pathophysiological and Clinical Considerations

Ya z›fl m a Ad re si/Ad dress for C or res pon den ce: Dr. Murat Coşkun, Women and Children's Diseases Hospital, Child Psychiatry Clinic, Trabzon, Turkey Gsm: +90 506 541 71 28 E-mail: muratcoskun78@yahoo.com G e liş ta ri h i/ Re cei ved: 03.12. 2010 K a bul ta ri h i/ Ac cep ted: 21.03. 2011 © Nö rop si ki yat ri Ar şi vi Der gi si, Ga le nos Ya yı ne vi ta ra f›n dan ba s›l m›fl t›r. / © Arc hi ves of Neu ropsy chi atry, pub lis hed by Ga le nos Pub lis hing. ÖZET Bu yazıda meningoensefalit sonrası ani ortaya çıkan davranışsal ve duygusal semptomlar gelişen 55 aylık bir erkek çocuğun klinik tablosu ve bir yıllık takibi sunulmaktadır. Hastaya Kluver Bucy sendromu ve frontal sendrom tanıları konuldu. Hastanın davranışsal/duygusal semptomları metilfenidat ve risperidon kombinasyon tedavisine her iki ilaçla monoterapiye göre oldukça iyi yanıt verdi. Burada olgunun klinik ve patofizyolojik yönlerini tartışılmaktadır. (Nö rop si ki yat ri Ar fli vi 2012;49: 163-166) Anah tar ke li m e ler: Kluver-Bucy sendromu, frontal sendrom, çocuklar
Acute retinal necrosis syndrome: clinical manifestations and visual outcomes.

BACKGROUND In this paper we attempt to describe the clinical features, visual outcomes, and surgical results of patients with acute retinal necrosis (ARN) syndrome and elucidate the risk factors for a poor prognosis. We also review the methods of treatment. METHODS This was a retrospective, noncomparative, observational study of patients diagnosed with ARN syndrome. Nine patients (11 eyes) in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung from January 1990 to December of 2002 were enrolled. Blood sera and vitreous specimens were analyzed. Necrosis locations and surgical results are described. RESULTS Bilateral involvement occurred in 2 of our 9 patients (2/9, 22.2%). There was no specific relationship between age and level of the serum virus antibody. All of our polymerase chain reaction data for herpes simplex virus were negative. All 6 eyes of 6 patients who underwent surgery for retinal detachment had partial retinal reattachment postoperatively. Overall, anatomic success was achieved in 8 eyes (8/11, 72.7%). The percentage of eyes with ambulatory visual acuity was 36.3% (4/11), and visual acuity was preserved in 27.3% (3/11) at the last visit. CONCLUSIONS We found that retinal necrosis which extended rapidly to the posterior pole was associated with a poor visual outcome. Eyes with less than grade II necrosis extension are good candidates for prophylactic peripheral retinal photocoagulation. Early detection and prompt treatment with acyclovir seems to improve the final visual outcome.
Characterization of L-glutamate action on the release of endogenous dopamine from the rat caudate-putamen.

In the present study the effect of L-glutamic acid (L-Glu), N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA), kainic acid (KA) and quisqualic acid (QUIS) on the release of endogenous dopamine (DA) from slices of the rat caudate-putamen was investigated. DA was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to an electrochemical detector. L-Glu, NMDA, KA and QUIS, in the absence of Mg++, produced a dose-related, Ca++-dependent increase in DA release. The order of agonist efficacy was L-Glu greater than NMDA greater than KA = QUIS. D-2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (0.5 mM), but not L-2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid, antagonized the action of L-Glu and NMDA, but did not modify the effect of KA or QUIS. Tetrodotoxin (0.1 microM) partially inhibited the stimulatory effect of KA and QUIS, but not that of L-Glu or NMDA. Mg++ (1.2 mM) abolished the excitatory effect of NMDA, significantly reduced the action of L-Glu, but did not influence the action of KA or QUIS. The inhibitory action of Mg++ on the L-Glu-induced DA release was reversed when L-Glu was coupled to high concentrations of K+. N-allylnormetazocine (SKF-10,047), a benzmorphan agent, produced a stereospecific inhibition of L-Glu-induced DA release. This inhibition was also produced by 1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine, a phencyclidine receptor ligand, but not by 1,3-di-O-tolylguanidine, a sigma receptor-selective ligand. The results of this study show that L-Glu increases DA release predominantly by activation of the NMDA receptor located presynaptically on dopaminergic afferents. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Autoantibodies to survivin in patients with chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma

Objectives. Autoantibodies to tumor-associated antigens including survivin have been detected in sera from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, little is known about autoantibody responses to tumor-associated antigens in patients with chronic hepatitis, which strongly predisposes to development of HCC. Methods. We subjected sera from 57 patients with chronic hepatitis and 29 patients with HCC to an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a full-length recombinant survivin protein. A cutoff value for positivity was determined as the mean absorbance +2SD for sera from healthy volunteers. Results. In patients with chronic viral hepatitis, elevated anti-survivin antibodies were detected in 10 of 57 sera (17.5%); in HCC patients, such elevation were detected in 7 of 29 sera (24.1%). The levels of anti-survivin antibodies in HCC patients with HCV infection were significantly higher than those in the healthy control and HCC patients with HBV infection. However, there were no significant differences in the levels of anti-survivin antibodies between HCV and HCC patients with HCV infection. Conclusions. We demonstrated that elevated anti-survivin antibodies were detected for the first time in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. The results suggest that the levels of anti-survivin antibodies have no association with the progression of HCV or HBV to HCC.
Firing rate equations require a spike synchrony mechanism to correctly describe fast oscillations in inhibitory networks

Recurrently coupled networks of inhibitory neurons robustly generate oscillations in the gamma band. Nonetheless, the corresponding Wilson-Cowan type firing rate equation for such an inhibitory population does not generate such oscillations without an explicit time delay. We show that this discrepancy is due to a voltage-dependent spike-synchronization mechanism inherent in networks of spiking neurons which is not captured by standard firing rate equations. Here we investigate an exact low-dimensional description for a network of heterogeneous canonical Class 1 inhibitory neurons which includes the sub-threshold dynamics crucial for generating synchronous states. In the limit of slow synaptic kinetics the spike-synchrony mechanism is suppressed and the standard Wilson-Cowan equations are formally recovered as long as external inputs are also slow. However, even in this limit synchronous spiking can be elicited by inputs which fluctuate on a time-scale of the membrane time-constant of the neurons. Our meanfield equations therefore represent an extension of the standard Wilson-Cowan equations in which spike synchrony is also correctly described.
Feasibility of archival non‐buffered formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded tissues for PCR amplification: An analysis of resected gastric carcinoma

Although several factors affecting the sensitivity of potymer‐ase chain reaction (PCR) amplification from formalin‐fixed tissues have been Investigated mostly by experiments, the feasibility of archival formalln‐flxed, paraffin‐embedded tissue samples stored in pathology departments for PCR amplification has rarely been examined directly. Thus, the feasibility of 74 archival unbuffered 10% formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissues for PCR amplification with primers producing a 190 b.p. DNA segment of p53 exon 5 was investigated. Fixation time was the critical factor influencing the sensitivity of PCR amplification. All (6/6) of the samples fixed for only 1 day, 44% (7/16) of the samples fixed for 2–3 days and 14% (4/28) of the samples fixed for 4–6 days showed successful amplification, while no amplification was obtained for the samples fixed for 7 days or more. The peak size of DNA extracted from the archival tissues decreased as the fixation time became longer. Experiments using xenografted tumor tissues fixed for various times showed longer permissible fixation time; up to 9 days of fixation, decreasing amounts of PCR products were obtained while no amplification was obtained for the samples fixed for 12 days or more. The time in paraffin seemed to be a minor factor for PCR amplification since all of the 1 day fixation samples, including those that had been embedded for up to 5 years, resulted in efficient amplification. The size of the amplified DNA segments, however, could be another factor influencing the sensitivity of amplification because even the 1 day fixation samples showed less amplification of 345 b.p. DNA compared with those of 167 and 262 b.p. DNA. Additionally, a point mutation was detected in the amplified pS3 products from archival tissues using a non‐isotopic method, temperature gradient gel elec‐trophoresis. In conclusion, archival tissue samples that had been fixed immediately for only up to 1 day were constantly available for PCR amplification of approximately 200 b.p. DNA segments, suggesting that surgical specimens should be subjected to cutting and paraffin embedding Just after 1 day or less fixation for subsequent use in PCR amplification.
Translational Control during Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress beyond Phosphorylation of the Translation Initiation Factor eIF2α*

Background: Chronic ER stress suppresses mTORC1 activity. Results: mTORC1-mediated suppression of translation during chronic ER stress is independent of the stress-induced eIF2α-P/ATF4 signaling. Conclusion: The eIF2α-P/ATF4-induced network of amino acid transporters promotes protein synthesis in part by increasing mTORC1-mediated translational control. Significance: The eIF2α-P/ATF4/mTORC1 network controls protein synthesis rates during chronic ER stress and mediates the degree of stress response and survival outcomes. The accumulation of unfolded/misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) causes stress to which an unfolded protein response is activated to render cell survival or apoptosis (chronic stress). Transcriptional and translational reprogramming is tightly regulated during the unfolded protein response to ensure specific gene expression. The master regulator of this response is the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4 signaling where eIF2α is phosphorylated (eIF2α-P) by the kinase PERK. This signal leads to global translational shutdown, but it also enables translation of the transcription factor ATF4 mRNA. We showed recently that ATF4 induces an anabolic program through the up-regulation of selected amino acid transporters and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Paradoxically, this anabolic program led cells to apoptosis during chronic ER stress in a manner that involved recovery from stress-induced protein synthesis inhibition. By using eIF2α-P-deficient cells as an experimental system, we identified a communicating network of signaling pathways that contribute to the inhibition of protein synthesis during chronic ER stress. This eIF2α-P-independent network includes (i) inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin kinase protein complex 1 (mTORC1)-targeted protein phosphorylation, (ii) inhibited translation of a selective group of 5′-terminal oligopyrimidine mRNAs (encoding proteins involved in the translation machinery and translationally controlled by mTORC1 signaling), and (iii) inhibited translation of non-5′-terminal oligopyrimidine ribosomal protein mRNAs and ribosomal RNA biogenesis. We propose that the PERK/eIF2α-P/ATF4 signaling acts as a brake in the decline of protein synthesis during chronic ER stress by positively regulating signaling downstream of the mTORC1 activity. These studies advance our knowledge on the complexity of the communicating signaling pathways in controlling protein synthesis rates during chronic stress.
Comparison of auditory electrophysiological responses in normal-hearing patients with and without tinnitus.

INTRODUCTION Tinnitus is a disturbing symptom and is often the main reason for otology referral. It is usually associated with hearing loss of varying aetiology, and is thought to begin in the cochlea, with later abnormal central activity. We hypothesise that tinnitus without hearing loss may be caused by central and subcortical abnormalities and altered outer hair cell function. AIM To compare the auditory brainstem responses, middle latency responses and otoacoustic emissions in normal-hearing individuals with and without tinnitus. METHODOLOGY The audiological test results of 25 normal hearing subjects with tinnitus (age 18-45 years) were determined, and compared with those of a control group. RESULTS A statistically significant difference was found between study group tinnitus ears vs control group ears, as regards wave I latency prolongation, shortening of wave V and absolute I-III and I-V interpeak latency, enlargement of wave Na and Pa amplitude, and distortion product and transient evoked otoacoustic emission signal-to-noise ratios. There was no statistically significant difference between unilateral vs bilateral tinnitus ears. CONCLUSION The pathogenesis and optimum management of tinnitus are still unclear. It often occurs with primary ear disease, usually associated with hearing loss, but may occur in patients with normal hearing. Observed changes in auditory brainstem and middle latency responses indicate central auditory alterations. Tinnitus involves both peripheral and central activity, and complete audiological and neurophysiological investigation is required. Management should be based on both audiological and neurophysiological findings.
Swelling, Numbness, Pain, and Their Relationship to Arm Function Among Breast Cancer Survivors: A Disablement Process Model Perspective

The disablement process model proposed by Nagi in 1965 and subsequently expanded by Verbrugge and Jette was used heuristically to study the relationships among morbidities and arm/shoulder function limitations that breast cancer survivors experience in the period following treatment. A telephone survey was administered to 148 patients (67%) from among 222 breast cancer survivors who had undergone surgery in 1997 and 1998. Sixty‐three percent of respondents reported experiencing some numbness, while 35% noticed swelling. Between 13% and 15% reported moderate to severe pain. Similar proportions said the occurrence of pain ranged from intermittent to constant. Between 1% and 4% reported problems with shoulder abduction and flexion and a decrease in arm strength and daily use of the arm. Swellings in the torso and arm tended to cluster into two different factors. Numbness followed a similar pattern. Apart from numbness in the arm, all the other factors had strong significant associations with one another. In multiple regression analyses, current pain intensity and swelling in the arm were independently related to current functional status of the arm/shoulder. The results suggest that it may be feasible to use patients' self‐reports to develop a simple lymphedema‐specific tool to monitor the functional status of women living with or at risk for lymphedema. Such a tool, if properly designed and implemented, would allow for the timely introduction of lymphedema or pain management strategies to improve arm function and ultimately the quality of life of breast cancer survivors.
Microsatellite diversities and gene flow in the tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans s.l.

Abstract Tsetse flies occupy discontinuous habitats and gene flow among them needs to be investigated in anticipation of area‐wide control programs. Genetic diversities were estimated at six microsatellite loci in seven Glossina morsitans submorsitans Newstead (Diptera: Glossinidae) populations and five microsatellite loci in six G. m. morsitans Westwood populations. Nei's unbiased diversities were 0.808 and 76 alleles in G. m. submorsitans and 0.727 and 55 alleles in G. m. morsitans. Diversities were less in three laboratory cultures. Matings were random within populations. Populations were highly differentiated genetically. Populations were strongly subdivided, as indicated by fixation indices (FST) of 0.18 in G. m. morsitans and 0.17 in G. m. submorsitans. 35% of the genetic variance in G. m. submorsitans was attributed to differences between populations from The Gambia and Ethiopia. All available genetic evidence suggests that genetic drift is much greater than gene flow among G. morsitans s.l. populations.
Rapid saline infusion produces hyperchloremic acidosis in patients undergoing gynecologic surgery.

BACKGROUND Changes in acid-base balance caused by infusion of a 0.9% saline solution during anesthesia and surgery are poorly characterized. Therefore, the authors evaluated these phenomena in a dose-response study. METHODS Two groups of 12 patients each who were undergoing major intraabdominal gynecologic surgery were assigned randomly to receive 0.9% saline or lactated Ringer's solution in a dosage of 30 ml x kg(-1) x h(-1). The pH, arterial carbon dioxide tension, and serum concentrations of sodium, potassium, chloride, lactate, and total protein were measured in 30-min intervals. The serum bicarbonate concentration was calculated using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation and also using the Stewart approach from the strong ion difference and the amount of weak plasma acid. The strong ion difference was calculated as serum sodium + serum potassium - serum chloride - serum lactate. The amount of weak plasma acid was calculated as the serum total protein concentration in g/dl x 2.43. RESULTS Infusion of 0.9% saline, but not lactated Ringer's solution, caused a metabolic acidosis with hyperchloremia and a concomitant decrease in the strong ion difference. Calculating the serum bicarbonate concentration using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation or the Stewart approach produced equivalent results. CONCLUSIONS Infusion of approximately 30 ml x kg(-1) x h(-1) saline during anesthesia and surgery inevitably leads to metabolic acidosis, which is not observed after administration of lactated Ringer's solution. The acidosis is associated with hyperchloremia.
Respiratory variations in the photoplethysmographic waveform: acute hypovolaemia during spontaneous breathing is not detected

Recent studies using photoplethysmographic (PPG) signals from pulse oximeters have shown potential to assess hypovolaemia during spontaneous breathing. This signal is heavily filtered and reports are based on respiratory variations in the small pulse synchronous variation of PPG. There are stronger respiratory variations such as respiratory synchronous variation (PPGr) in the baseline of the unfiltered PPG signal. We hypothesized that PPGr would increase during hypovolaemia during spontaneous breathing. Hemodynamic and respiratory data were recorded together with PPG infrared signals from the finger, ear and forearm from 12 healthy male volunteers, at rest and during hypovolaemia created by the application of a lower body negative pressure (LBNP) of 15, 30 and 60 cmH2O. Hemodynamic and respiratory values changed significantly. From rest to the LBNP of 60 cmH2O systolic blood pressure fell from median (IQR) 116 (16) to 101 (23) mmHg, the heart rate increased from 58 (16) to 73 (16) beats min−1, and the respiratory rate increased from 9.5 (2.0) to 11.5 (4.0) breaths min−1. The amplitude of PPGr did not change significantly at any measurement site. The strongest effect was seen at the ear, where the LBNP of 60 cmH2O gave an amplitude increase from 1.0 (0.0) to 1.31 (2.24) AU. PPG baseline respiratory variations cannot be used for detecting hypovolaemia in spontaneously breathing subjects.
Identification of the cis-Acting Site Involved in Activation of Promoters Regulated by Activity of the Type III Secretion Apparatus in Shigella flexneri

ABSTRACT Bacteria of Shigella spp. use a virulence plasmid-encoded type III secretion (TTS) system to invade the colonic epithelium in humans. The activity of the TTS apparatus is tightly regulated in the wild-type strain and is induced upon contact of bacteria with epithelial cells, whereas it is deregulated, i.e., constitutively active, in some mutants. Under conditions of deregulated secretion, approximately 20 proteins are secreted, including VirA, OspB to OspG, and at least three members of the IpaH family, all of which are encoded by the virulence plasmid. Conditions inducing or deregulating the activity of secretion also induce the transcription of virA and four ipaH genes. The transcription of virA and ipaH9.8 requires both MxiE, a transcriptional activator of the AraC family, and IpgC, the chaperone of IpaB and IpaC, acting as a coactivator. Using reporter plasmids containing lacZ transcriptional fusions, we showed that the ipaH7.8. ipa4.5. ospC1, and ospF promoters are activated under conditions of deregulated secretion and that both MxiE and IpgC are necessary and sufficient for their activation in both Shigella flexneri and Escherichia coli. Promoter mapping and deletion analysis of the ipaH9.8. virA, and ospC1 promoters identified a 17-bp motif, the MxiE box, which overlaps the −35 region and is essential for the activation of these promoters. The presence of eight MxiE boxes on the virulence plasmid suggests that 11 genes encoding secreted proteins may be regulated by the activity of secretion. We also present evidence that at least one ipaH gene that is carried by the chromosome is controlled by MxiE and IpgC.