Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Live Eimeria vaccination success in the face of artificial non-uniform vaccine administration in conventionally reared pullets

ABSTRACT Live Eimeria vaccines against coccidiosis in poultry initiate immunity using a vaccine dose containing few oocysts; protection is enhanced through subsequent faecal–oral transmission (“cycling”) of parasites in the poultry house. Spray-administered Eimeria vaccines can permit wide variations in doses ingested by individual chicks; some chicks may receive no primary vaccination at all. Consequently, protective immunity for the entire flock depends on successful environmental cycling of vaccine progeny. Pullets missing primary vaccination at day of age can become protected from coccidial challenge through cycling of vaccine progeny oocysts from vaccinated (V) cage mates. This study tested whether 40% cage floor coverage (CFC) with a durable material could improve protection against challenge in these “contact-vaccinated” (CV) or successfully V pullets. The six treatment groups tested were CV, V or sham-vaccinated pullets cage-reared on either 0% or 40% CFC. Oocyst output was measured separately for each group for 30 days following vaccine administration. Lesion scores, body weights and total oocyst outputs were measured to quantify protection at 30 days of age against single or mixed Eimeria species challenge infections. Use of 40% CFC to promote low-level oocyst cycling impacted the flock in two ways: (1) more uniform flock immunity was achieved in the 40% CFC (CV similar to V pullets) compared with 0% CFC and (2) protection was enhanced in the 40% CFC compared with the 0% CFC. The use of CFC is an easily adopted means of improving live Eimeria vaccination of caged pullets.
Statistical comparison of survival models for analysis of cancer data.

BACKGROUND The Cox Proportional Hazard model is the most popular technique to analysis the effects of covariates on survival time but under certain circumstances parametric models may offer advantages over Cox's model. In this study we use Cox regression and alternative parametric models such as: Weibull, Exponential and Lognormal models to evaluate prognostic factors affecting survival of patients with stomach cancer. Comparisons were made to find the best model. METHODS To determine independent prognostic factors reducing survival time for stomach cancer, we compared parametric and semi-parametric methods applied to patients who registered in one cancer registry center located in southern Iran using the Akaike Information Criterion. RESULTS Of a total of 442 patients, 266 (60.2%) died. The results of data analysis using Cox and parametric models were approximately similar. Patients with ages 60-75 and >75 years at diagnosis had an increased risk for death followed by those with poor differentiated grade and presence of distant metastasis (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Although the Hazard Ratios in the Cox model and parametric ones are approximately similar, according to Akaike Information Criterion, the Weibull and Exponential models are the most favorable for survival analysis.
The Effects of Critical Audit Matter Removal and Duration on Jurors' Assessments of Auditor Negligence

A primary concern facing the PCAOB's requirement of disclosing critical audit matters (CAMs) is increased auditor litigation risk. Evidence with Key Audit Matters from the U.K. indicates auditors may subsequently remove a CAM or continue to report the same CAM for several years. Therefore, we investigate the effects of CAM removal and duration on jurors' assessments of auditor negligence when there is a subsequent material misstatement due to fraud in the account related to the CAM. Using the Culpable Control Model, we predict jurors will assess higher auditor negligence when a CAM is removed than when a CAM is reported and when a CAM is reported for multiple years than for one year. Results from two experiments support our expectations, although results vary depending on complexity of the misstated account. Overall, our findings highlight a quandary for audit firms, where subsequent removal of a CAM increases auditor liability.
Erasmus Working Paper Series on Jurisprudence and Socio-Legal Studies The Merits of Law: An Argumentative Framework for Evaluative Judgements and Normative Recommendations in Legal Research

Is the law good? How can it be improved? These questions are frequently addressed, both in traditional doctrinal research and in interdisciplinary legal research. In this article, I elaborate a general argumentative framework for justifying evaluations and recommendations for legislative reform, and I identify the chains of argument for making evaluations and recommendations. This may help researchers to make their arguments explicit and transparent, and then to justify the choices made for each of the steps in the argument. This enables readers – as well as authors – to assess whether the argument’s conclusions are sound and convincing. A key problem in making these arguments concerns the choice of standards for evaluation. I suggest that they can be best understood in terms of the underlying values. In order to make all-things-considered evaluations and normative recommendations, interdisciplinary cooperation between doctrinal, sociolegal, and legal-philosophical researchers is necessary. Therefore, individual researchers will usually have to settle for pro tanto evaluations and recommendations. 1 This paper has been presented at seminars at Queen Mary University London, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the University of Bristol, the University of Edinburgh, the Free University Amsterdam, and the IVR in Lisbon. My thanks go to members of the audiences for various helpful suggestions. I am also indebted to Peter Cane, Maks Del Mar, Donna Devine, Jeanne Gaakeer, Kate Malleson, Sanne Taekema, and Bart van Klink for helpful comments on earlier drafts of this paper, and to my student assistants Jacqueline Brand, Haris Sabanovic and Martine de Vries for their help in the literature research.
Subjective Health and Memory Predictors of Mild Cognitive Disorders and Cognitive Decline in Ageing: The Personality and Total Health (PATH) through Life Study

Aims: To investigate self-reports of memory and health as predictors of transition to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or any mild cognitive disorder (any MCD) in a community-based study. Method: 2,082 individuals, aged 60–64 years, were assessed at 2 time points 4 years apart for MCI using either the International Consensus Criteria, the Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR, 0.5), or a suite of criteria sets for mild cognitive disorders (any MCD) and global cognitive change. Logistic and multiple regression was used to assess conversion to diagnosis and cognitive change from the SF-12 self-rated health (SRH) and physical health subscale measures, as well as reports of memory problems. Results: Of the 2,082 participants with no cognitive impairment at wave 1, 18 participants had a diagnosis of MCI, 32 a CDR score of 0.5, and 64 participants presented with any MCD 4 years later. After controlling for age, sex and education, SRH and physical health were significant predictors of MCD, memory interference was the only significant predictor of MCI, and cognitive change was associated with SRH, physical health and memory interference. Conclusion: Brief, short, easily collected self-reports of health, disability and memory can provide useful information on the risk of MCD and cognitive decline in young-old adults.
Medicago – Sinorhizobium symbiotic specificity evolution and the geographic expansion of Medicago

The legume genus Medicago interacts with soil bacteria commonly referred to as rhizobia, in a nitrogen fixing symbiosis. We analysed the diversity of symbiotic association specificity among the two organisms, and its evolution in the plant genus. Nitrogen fixation tests and molecular phylogenetic reconstructions revealed that the genus Medicago includes more symbiotic specificity groups than previously suggested and that plant specificity is highly unstable and has repeatedly switched along the diversification of this genus. A phylogenetic analysis including geographical data shows that bacterial geographical diversity distribution has a strong influence on the geographic distribution of plant species and their ability to colonize new areas. Multiple other modifications of specificity occurred along the diversification of the genus, presumably due to selection for specialization to a single bacterial biovar. Codivergence between plants and bacteria may also have taken place.
miR-30 functions as an oncomiR in gastric cancer cells through regulation of P53-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway

The present study was designed to investigate the role of miR-30 in the development of Gastric cancer (GC). miR-30 expression was increased in GC tissues and cell lines. Downregulation of miR-30 inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in HGC-27 cells. Upregulation of miR-30 enhanced the proliferation and inhibited apoptosis. P53 expression was decreased in GC tissues. P53 expression was correlated with miR-30 expression. Downregulation of miR-30 increased P53 expression. Knockdown of P53 inhibited miR-30-inhibitor-induced suppression of cell proliferation and increase of apoptosis. Downregulation of miR-30 increased ROS generation which was inhibited by shP53. miR-30 inhibitors induced a decrease in mitochondrial oxygen consumption, cytoplasmic release of cytochrome c, and activation of Caspase 3 and 9, activating mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Downregulation of P53 and N-acetyl-cysteine suppressed miR-30 inhibitors-activated mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptotic events. In conclusion, we identified that miR-30 functioned as a potential oncomiR through P53/ROS-mediated regulation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Graphical abstract miR-30 functions as a potential oncomiR in GC through P53/ROS-mediated regulation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.
A DIRECT ROLE FOR SECRETORY PHOSPHOLIPASE A2 AND LYSOPHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE IN THE MEDIATION OF LPS-INDUCED GASTRIC INJURY

Endotoxemia from sepsis can injure the gastrointestinal tract through mechanisms that have not been fully elucidated. We have shown that LPS induces an increase in gastric permeability in parallel with the luminal appearance of secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) and its product, lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC). We proposed that sPLA2 acted on the gastric hydrophobic barrier, composed primarily of phosphatidylcholine (PC), to degrade it and produce lyso-PC, an agent that is damaging to the mucosa. In the present study, we have tested whether lyso-PC and/or sPLA2 have direct damaging effects on the hydrophobic barriers of synthetic and mucosal surfaces. Rats were administered LPS (5 mg/kg, i.p.), and gastric contents were collected 5 h later for analysis of sPLA2 and lyso-PC content. Using these measured concentrations, direct effects of sPLA2 and lyso-PC were determined on (a) surface hydrophobicity as detected with an artificial PC surface and with intact gastric mucosa (contact angle analysis) and (b) cell membrane disruption of gastric epithelial cells (AGS). Both lyso-PC and sPLA2 increased significantly in the collected gastric juice of LPS-treated rats. Using similar concentrations to the levels in gastric juice, the contact angle of PC-coated slides declined after incubation with either pancreatic sPLA2 or lyso-PC. Similarly, gastric contact angles seen in control rats were significantly decreased in sPLA2 and lyso-PC-treated rats. In addition, we observed dose-dependent injurious effects of both lyso-PC and sPLA2 in gastric AGS cells. An LPS-induced increase in sPLA2 activity in the gastric lumen and its product, lyso-PC, are capable of directly disrupting the gastric hydrophobic layer and may contribute to gastric barrier disruption and subsequent inflammation.
Identification of interspecific hybrids by amplified fragment length polymorphism: the case of sturgeon

The identification of interspecific hybrids represents an important issue for conservation biology and trade controls. In Italy, the commercial demand for sturgeon is rapidly increasing and interspecific hybrids represent a relevant part of aquacultural production. In this study we tested the suitability of the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique for sturgeon hybrid detection. Multilocus AFLP profiles were analysed by cluster analysis and assignment tests based on observed and simulated samples. Our results show that this approach can easily identify sturgeon hybrids, encouraging its application not only in sturgeon but also in other systematic groups.
Reimplantation Valve‐Sparing Aortic Root Replacement for Aortic Root Aneurysm in the Elderly: Are We Pushing the Limits?

Abstract Objectives: Reimplantation valve‐sparing aortic root replacement has been increasingly performed with improving perioperative and midterm results. However, extending the age criterion in patient selection remains a debate. This study reviews the results of reimplantation valve‐sparing aortic replacement in patients greater than 60 years of age. Methods: During a 51‐month period, 63 patients with aortic root aneurysms underwent reimplantation valve‐sparing aortic root replacement. The Gelweave Valsalva™ prosthesis (TERUMO CardioVascular Systems Corp., Ann Arbor, MI, USA) was used in all but one case. The patients were predominantly male, and the mean age was 67 years (range, 61–83 years). Four patients had congenital bicuspid aortic valves, and cusp repair was required in one patient. The mean follow‐up was 25 months (range, 1–51 months). Results: There were one hospital and two late deaths. Overall survival at 51 months was 84 ± 9.9%. During follow‐up, one patient developed severe aortic incompetence (AI) requiring an aortic valve replacement (AVR). Freedom from reoperation at 51 months was 92.8 ± 6.8%. Moderate AI was present at latest echocardiogram in one patient. Freedom from moderate or severe AI at 51 months was 90 ± 9.4%. There was no episode of endocarditis on follow‐up. Univariate analysis demonstrated that no preoperative or intraoperative factor was a predictor for late reimplantation failure. Conclusions: Reimplantation valve‐sparing aortic root replacement in patients greater than 60 years old can be performed with satisfactory perioperative and midterm results. Long‐term results are needed to define the durability of this technique and its role in this subset of patients. (J Card Surg 2010;25:56‐61)
Anti‐microbial peptides: from invertebrates to vertebrates

Summary: Gene‐encoded anti‐microbial peptides (AMPs) are widespread in nature, as they are synthesized by microorganisms as well as by multicellular organisms from both the vegetal and the animal kingdoms. These naturally occurring AMPs form a first line of host defense against pathogens and are involved in innate immunity. Depending on their tissue distribution, AMPs ensure either a systemic or a local protection of the organism against environmental pathogens. They are classified into three major groups: (i) peptides with an α‐helical conformation (insect cecropins, magainins, etc.), (ii) cyclic and open‐ended cyclic peptides with pairs of cysteine residues (defensins, protegrin, etc.), and (iii) peptides with an over‐representation of some amino acids (proline rich, histidine rich, etc.). Most AMPs display hydrophobic and cationic properties, have a molecular mass below 25–30 kDa, and adopt an amphipathic structure (α‐helix, β‐hairpin‐like β‐sheet, β‐sheet, or α‐helix/β‐sheet mixed structures) that is believed to be essential to their anti‐microbial action. Interestingly, in recent years, a series of novel AMPs have been discovered as processed forms of large proteins. Despite the extreme diversity in their primary and secondary structures, all natural AMPs have the in vitro particularity to affect a large number of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, yeast, virus, etc.) with identical or complementary activity spectra. This review focuses on AMPs forming α‐helices, β‐hairpin‐like β‐sheets, β‐sheets, or α‐helix/β‐sheet mixed structures from invertebrate and vertebrate origins. These molecules show some promise for therapeutic use.
ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE FOR PAPILLARY THYROID MICROCARCINOMA: NEW CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

OBJECTIVE The dramatic increase in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is primarily a result of early diagnosis of small cancers. Active surveillance is a promising management strategy for papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMCs). However, as this management strategy gains traction in the U.S., it is imperative that patients and clinicians be properly educated, patients be followed for life, and appropriate tools be identified to implement the strategy. METHODS We review previous active surveillance studies and the parameters used to identify patients who are good candidates for active surveillance. We also review some of the challenges to implementing active surveillance protocols in the U.S. and discuss how these might be addressed. RESULTS Trials of active surveillance support nonsurgical management as a viable and safe management strategy. However, numerous challenges exist, including the need for adherence to protocols, education of patients and physicians, and awareness of the impact of this strategy on patient psychology and quality of life. The Thyroid Cancer Care Collaborative (TCCC) is a portable record keeping system that can manage a mobile patient population undergoing active surveillance. CONCLUSION With proper patient selection, organization, and patient support, active surveillance has the potential to be a long-term management strategy for select patients with PTMC. In order to address the challenges and opportunities for this approach to be successfully implemented in the U.S., it will be necessary to consider psychological and quality of life, cultural differences, and the patient's clinical status.
New modeling approach of scale-factor temperature drift based on Gaussian process regression for FOG

It is an efficient method to reduce the temperature drift error of fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) by modeling and compensation in software. Due to the combined impact of the temperature and the input angular rate, the characteristic of FOG scale factor is complicated nonlinear. To solve the problem that the traditional method can't describe this nonlinearity and its accuracy is low, a novel approach based on Gaussian process regression (GPR) is proposed to model and compensate the scale-factor temperature drift of FOG. The approach establishes the “black-box model” which maps the temperature and the primary output of FOG to the target output of FOG, and the powerful regression ability of GPR is used to identify the nonlinear mapping relationship by learning the training data. The experiment results show that, compared with the surface regression method, the model established in the current paper can reflect the characteristic of scale factor temperature drift more accurately, and can obtain higher accuracy and better predictive ability. The training error and predicted error of the new model are less than 1 × 10-3 o/s and their root mean square error are 6.57 × 10-5 o/s and 1.34 × 10-4 o/s respectively.
Allergen‐induced CD30 expression on T cells of atopic asthmatics

Background The importance of TH2‐type T cell cytokines in atopic disease is widely accepted. CD30, a member of the TNF/NGF receptor superfamily, is expressed on a proportion of activated CD45RO+ T cells and has been proposed as a marker for TH2 phenotype. CD30 ligand‐CD30 interaction has been shown to positively influence development of the TH2 phenotype, and serum levels of soluble CD30 (sCD30) have been used as prognostic markers in HIV, SLE, Epstein‐Barr Virus infection and Hodgkin's Lymphoma but not as yet in allergic disease.
Genomic Island 2 of Brucella melitensis Is a Major Virulence Determinant: Functional Analyses of Genomic Islands

ABSTRACT Brucella genomic islands (GIs) share similarities in their genomic organization to pathogenicity islands from other bacteria and are likely acquired by lateral gene transfer. Here, we report the identification of a GI that is important for the pathogenicity of Brucella melitensis. The deletion of GI-1, GI-5, or GI-6 did not affect bacterial growth in macrophages as well as their virulence in interferon regulatory factor 1-deficient (IRF-1−/−) mice, suggesting that these islands do not contribute to Brucella virulence. However, the deletion of GI-2 resulted in the attenuation of bacterial growth in macrophages and virulence in IRF-1−/− mice. The GI-2 mutant also displayed a rough lipopolysaccharide (LPS) phenotype indicated by acriflavin agglutination, suggesting that in vitro and in vivo attenuation is a result of LPS alteration. Further, systematic analysis of the entire GI-2 revealed two open reading frames (ORFs), BMEI0997 and I0998, that encode hypothetical sugar transferases and contribute to LPS alteration, as the deletion of either of these ORFs resulted in a rough phenotype similar to that of the GI-2 mutant. Complementation analyses indicated that in addition to I0997 and I0998, I0999 is required to restore the smooth LPS in the GI-2 mutant as well as its full in vitro and in vivo virulence. The I0999 sequence analysis suggested that it might function as a transporter to help facilitate the transport or linking of the O antigen to the LPS. Our study also indicated that the rough LPS resulting from the GI-2 deletion may affect pathogen-associated molecular pattern recognition by Toll-like receptors.
High-frequency chest wall oscillation in ALS

Objectives: To evaluate changes in respiratory function in patients with ALS after using high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO). Methods: This was a 12-week randomized, controlled trial of HFCWO in patients with probable or definite ALS, an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale respiratory subscale score ≤11 and ≥5, and forced vital capacity (FVC) ≥40% predicted. Results: We enrolled 46 patients (58.0 ± 9.8 years; 21 men, 25 women); 22 used HFCWO and 24 were untreated. Thirty-five completed the trial: 19 used HFCWO and 16 untreated. HFCWO users had less breathlessness (p = 0.021) and coughed more at night (p = 0.048) at 12 weeks compared to baseline. At 12 weeks, HFCWO users reported a decline in breathlessness (p = 0.048); nonusers reported more noise when breathing (p = 0.027). There were no significant differences in FVC change, peak expiratory flow, capnography, oxygen saturation, fatigue, or transitional dyspnea index. When patients with FVC between 40 and 70% predicted were analyzed, FVC showed a significant mean decrease in untreated patients but not in HFCWO patients; HFCWO patients had significantly less increased fatigue and breathlessness. Satisfaction with HFCWO was 79%. Conclusion: High-frequency chest wall oscillation was well tolerated, considered helpful by a majority of patients, and decreased symptoms of breathlessness. In patients with impaired breathing, high-frequency chest wall oscillation decreased fatigue and showed a trend toward slowing the decline of forced vital capacity.