Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
One Group of Genetically Similar Listeria monocytogenes Strains Frequently Dominates and Persists in Several Fish Slaughter- and Smokehouses

ABSTRACT Contamination of foods with the human pathogen Listeria monocytogenes may occur during processing, and the purpose of this study was to determine whether genetically similar strains colonize different processing plants or whether specific persistent strains are unique to each processing plant. We hypothesized that specific L. monocytogenes strains may be better adapted to specific environmental niches in the processing environment. L. monocytogenes contamination patterns were identified by the collection of 686 and 267 samples from the processing environments: raw fish and products of four fish smokehouses and four fish slaughterhouses, respectively. Samples were collected both during production and after cleaning and disinfection. Typically, these samplings were separated by 1 to 3 months. Sampling sites were targeted toward areas likely to harbor the bacterium. L. monocytogenes was isolated from 213 samples, and one strain from each positive sample was typed by RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) analysis with four different primers. The 213 strains were divided into 37 RAPD types. One RAPD type was predominant; 86 of 213 strains belonged to this type. This type was found in three smokehouses and two slaughterhouses and was predominant in three of these plants. A subset of 35 strains was also analyzed by amplified fragment length polymorphism typing, which confirmed the genetic similarity of the groups. Moreover, strains of the dominant RAPD type were indistinguishable from strains isolated frequently from smoked fish products 10 years ago. One smokehouse was surveyed for a year and a half, and the dominant RAPD type persisted throughout the survey period and accounted for 94 of 118 isolates. Our study indicates that strains of L. monocytogenes that are genetically very closely related may be especially adapted to colonizing the processing equipment or especially resistant to cleaning and disinfection.
The labial ledge.

With aging, orbicularis contractions stretch and elongate the upper-lip area, contributing to an aged appearance. The author describes the ideal height of the labial ledge (mustache area) as shorter or equal to the area from the lower-eyelid margin to the supratarsal crease. He explains his technique of shortening the labial ledge and augmenting the philtral columns and upper and lower lips. (Aesthetic Surg J 2002;22:177-180.).
Respiration-deficient Cells AreCausedbya Single Point Mutation intheMitochondrial tRNA-Leu(UUR)Genein Mitochondrial Myopathy, Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis, andStrokelike Episodes (MELAS)

Summary MELAS(mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, andstrokelike episodes) isa majorsubgroup ofheterogeneous mitochondrial diseases. Foridentifying a mutation inthemitochondrial gene,we isolated, fromthesame muscle tissue froma patient withMELAS,cell lines withdistinctly different phenotypes: one was respiration-deficient, andtheother was apparently normal. Compared withthenormal cells, only one A-to-G nucleotide transition atnucleotide 3243inthetRNA-Leu (UUR)gene was foundinwhole mtDNAoftherespiration-deficient cells. Thismutation was also foundineight patients, fromunrelated families, whohadMELASina heteroplasmic manner butwas notfoundincontrol individuals. Therefore, thesingle point mutation causesthefunctional abnormality intherespiratory chain ofmitochondria.
The occurrence of Campylobacter jejuni in fresh food and survival under different conditions

Summary Campylobacter jejuni was an almost regular finding in chickens and in minced meat from pigs and cattle sold in ordinary food stores. The bacteria survived on the food at 4 °C for one week and frozen at – 20 °C for three months. None of the stains tested survived heat treatment at 60 °C for longer than 15 min. C. jejuni is apparently a frequent guest in most kitchens. Correct food handling and heat treatment to at least 60 °C for 15 min should be enough to prevent infection.
A 2 dB NF, fully differential, variable gain, 900 MHz CMOS LNA

A fully differential 900 MHz CMOS LNA using, as input stage, nMOS and pMOS inductively degenerated pairs, in shunt configuration, achieves the following performance: 2 dB NF, 22 dB voltage gain, -3 dBm IIP3 with 8 mA current consumption. As additional feature of this LNA is a variable gain. Measurements have been performed on packaged dies. No external components are used, except for an SMD inductor (used for tuning purposes), placed in series with the on-chip gate spiral inductor.
La Hacienda pública española y la crisis agraria de finales del siglo XIX: la recaudación tributaria como síntoma

Durante las dos ultimas decadas del siglo XIX, el aumento de la eficacia de la Hacienda publica en la persecucion de la morosidad fiscal coincidio en el ambito rural con la llamada crisis agraria finisecular y el consiguiente empeoramiento de la situacion economica de miles de contribuyentes. Fue ese el motivo de que la fase ejecutiva de la recaudacion de los diferentes impuestos adquiriese un especial protagonismo en la sociedad espanola. Una de las principales manifestaciones de ello fueron los miles de subastas de fincas provocados por debitos a la contribucion territorial, unos procedimientos ejecutivos que en numerosas ocasiones concluyeron con la adjudicacion de los inmuebles a la Hacienda. Las estadisticas de la epoca relativas a la cuestion son poco fiables, pero se mueven en un orden de magnitud que hace comprensible la alarma social que el problema llego a generar. La recopilacion y elaboracion de datos sobre subastas y adjudicaciones para los ambitos catalan y, con mayor concrecion, la provincia de Tarragona, permite una aproximacion a las repercusiones sobre el terreno de la accion ejecutiva de la Hacienda. Al mismo tiempo, las decenas de miles de fincas implicadas constituyen un sintoma muy inmediato de la incidencia de la crisis agraria sobre los pequenos contribuyentes. La cartografia del fenomeno se convierte asi en un instrumento util para, desde la escala municipal, intentar comprender mejor los cambios que el mundo rural experimento durante aquella etapa.
Taste and the tomato in Italy: a transatlantic history

The experience of the arrival, reception and success of New World products in Europe – tomatoes, maize, potatoes, chillies, etc. – is a unique event in the culinary history of the continent. The assimilation of each foodstuff has its own distinct trajectory. This article explores how the tomato gradually and slowly came to dominate Italian cookery and food exports, after inauspicious beginnings in the 1500s, by following the tomato’s itinerary, back and forth across the Atlantic. We do this through the medium of “taste”, analysing the role it had to play in shaping the different stages of the tomato’s Italian history.
MELAS syndrome associated with diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism: a case report from Taiwan

MELAS syndrome Is a form of mitochondrial myopathy with manifestations of seizure, stroke‐like syndrome, lactic acidosis, ragged red muscle fibres and mitochondrial encephalopathy. The syndrome has been reported in association with a variety of endocrine and metabolic disorders Including diabetes mellitus (DM), hypothalamo‐pituitary hypofunction, hypothalamic growth hormone deficiency and delayed puberty. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) point mutation may be the major pathological defect. However, association of MELAS syndrome with hyperthyroidism has not previously been reported. A case Is reported from Taiwan of a 32‐year‐old woman suffering from MELAS syndrome with associated DM and hyperthyroidism. When the latter was diagnosed In April 1988, the patient underwent subtotal thyroidectomy. There was no family history of thyroid disease. Because of repeated seizures, she had computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain which showed focal, low‐density lesions over the cerebral hemispheres. Both serum and cerebral spinal fluid lactic acid levels were elevated. Mild elevations of serum T4 and T3 and a high titre of TSH receptor antibody were still present. Hyperglycaemla was noted during hospitalization and DM confirmed by oral glucose tolerance test. Muscle biopsy showed ragged red fibres. DNA analysis showed an A‐to‐G transition at the 3243rd nucleotide position of the tRNALeu(uur)gene of the mtDNA from the patient. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction analysis revealed that about 60% of the blood mtDNA was of mutant type. The patient received antithyroid drugs for hyperthyroidism, diet control for DM and anti‐epileptic drugs for seizure.
Height snakes: 3D building reconstruction from aerial image and laser scanner data

In this paper a novel approach for 3D reconstruction of buildings by combining aerial imagery and laser data is presented. In a precalculation process a first coarse approximation is calculated on the basis of the height data. The main processing step of the method refines this approximation by successfully making use of both the height data and the aerial images in a single energy minimization process.
Transgenic expression of a delta 12-epoxygenase gene in Arabidopsis seeds inhibits accumulation of linoleic acid.

The Crepis palaestina cDNA Cpal2 encodes a delta 12-epoxygenase that can catalyse the synthesis of 12,13-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenoic acid (18:1E) from linoleic acid (18:2). When the Cpal2 gene was expressed under the control of the napin seed-specific promoter in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. , the seed lipids accumulated only low levels of 18:1E and also 12,13-epoxy-cis-9,15-octadec-2-enoic acid (18:2E). Despite the fact that the levels of these epoxy fatty acids comprised only up to 6.2% of the total fatty acids, there was a very marked increase in oleic acid (18:1) and decrease in linoleic (18:2) and alpha-linolenic (18:3) acids in these plants, indicating that endogenous delta 12-desaturation was greatly reduced in these plants. Significant between-line differences in the levels of Cpal2 mRNA were observed during seed development, but were not associated with any major variation in mRNA levels for the endogenous Arabidopsis delta 12-desaturase (Fad2). This suggests that if an unfavourable interaction occurs between the transgenic delta 12-epoxygenase and the endogenous delta 12-desaturase, which decreases the level of desaturation, it occurs at either the translational or post-translational level. We further show that the co-expression of a delta 12-desaturase gene from C. palaestina in Cpal2 transgenic Arabidopsis returns the relative proportions of the C18 seed fatty acids to normal levels and results in an almost twofold increase in total epoxy fatty acids.
Inhibition of PCSK9: A powerful weapon for achieving ideal LDL cholesterol levels

Plasma LDL cholesterol level is a major determinant of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The striking results of the early large-scale statin trials showed that LDL levels can be reduced by 30–40% with comparable percentage reductions in CVD risk. More recent trials show that there is progressively greater relative risk reduction as the on-treatment level of LDL drops. In the JUPITER trial (1), rosuvastatin treatment of healthy subjects who had elevated CRP levels lowered LDL cholesterol levels ≈50% [from a baseline median of 108 mg/dL to 55 mg/dL (25% had values <44 mg/dL)] and resulted in a ≈50% reduction in all CVD events. We recently suggested that an “ideal” LDL cholesterol level of 50 mg/dL should be the target goal of therapy in all high-risk subjects (2), but the Jupiter trial extends this concept to an even larger population and supports the concept that “the lower the LDL the better” is a reasonable position.
Role of Social Support, Hardiness, and Acculturation as Predictors of Mental Health among International Students of Asian Indian Origin

This study determined the role of social support, hardiness, and acculturation as predictors of mental health among international Asian Indian students enrolled at two large public universities in Ohio. A sample of 185 students completed a 75-item online instrument assessing their social support levels, acculturation, hardiness, and their mental health. Regression analyses were conducted to test for variance in mental health attributable to each of the three independent variables. The final regression model revealed that the belonging aspect of social support, acculturation and prejudice of acculturation scale, and commitment and control of hardiness were all predictive of mental health (R2 = 0.523). Recommendations have been offered to develop interventions that will help strengthen the social support, hardiness, and acculturation of international students and help improve their mental health. Recommendations for development of future Web-based studies also are offered.
On the performance of ROI-based image transmission using cooperative diversity

In this paper, we examine the spatial diversity of cooperative communications for image transmission without deploying multiple antennas at the transmitter. We propose a novel region of interest (ROI)-based scheme for image transmission over wireless cooperative/relay fading channels. By having the relay terminal assist the direct communications, we can increase the resilience for ROI against the error-prone fading channels. Our proposed scheme significantly improves the performance of ROI compared to the direct communications (no-cooperation) and conventional relay networks without performing any forward error correction (FEC) code as well as retransmission. Although, in this paper we consider the adaptive decode-forward (ADF) relay protocol. Our proposed scheme can be easily adopted to any other relaying protocol, namely, fixed decode-forward (FDF), amplify-forward (AF), hybrid decode-amplify-forward (HDAF), and distributed-Alamouti space-time coding. Simulation results show that under the the same total transmit power constraint our proposed scheme significant outperforms the conventional ones in terms of bit error rate (BER) and peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR). This in turn improves the perceptual quality of the ROI.
Initiation of poliovirus plus-strand RNA synthesis in a membrane complex of infected HeLa cells

An in vitro poliovirus RNA-synthesizing system derived from a crude membrane fraction of infected HeLa cells was used to analyze the mechanism of initiation of poliovirus plus-strand RNA synthesis. This system contains an activity that synthesizes the nucleotidyl proteins VPg-pU and VPg-pUpU. These molecules represent the 5'-terminal structure of nascent RNA molecules and of virion RNA. The membranous replication complex is also capable of synthesizing nucleotidyl proteins containing nine or more of the poliovirus 5'-proximal nucleotides as assayed by the formation of the RNase T1-resistant oligonucleotide VPg-pUUAAAACAGp or by fingerprint analysis of the in vitro-synthesized RNA. Incubation of preformed VPg-pUpU with unlabeled nucleoside triphosphates resulted in the formation of VPg-pUUAAAACAGp. This reaction, which appeared to be an elongation of VPg-pUpU, was stimulated by the addition of a soluble fraction (S-10) obtained from uninfected HeLa cells. Preformed VPg-pU could be chased into VPg-pUpU in the presence of UTP. Our data are consistent with a model that VPg-pU can function as a primer for poliovirus plus-strand RNA synthesis in the membranous replication complex and that the elongation reaction may be stimulated by a host cellular factor.
Antiactin-Targeted Immunoliposomes Ameliorate Tissue Plasminogen Activator-Induced Hemorrhage after Focal Embolic Stroke

Thrombolytic stroke therapy with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is limited by serious risks of intracerebral hemorrhage. In this study, the authors show that a novel antiactin-targeted immunoliposome significantly reduced tPA-induced hemorrhage in an established rat model of embolic focal stroke. Spontaneously hypertensive rats were subjected to focal ischemia using homologous blood clot emboli. Delayed administration of tPA (10 mg/kg, 6 hours after ischemia) induced intracerebral hemorrhage at 24 hours. In control rats treated with tPA plus vehicle, hemorrhage volumes were 9.0 ± 2.4 uL (n = 7). In rats treated with tPA plus antiactin immunoliposomes, hemorrhage volumes were significantly reduced to 4.8 ± 2.7 uL (n = 8, P < 0.05). No significant effects were seen when rats were treated with tPA plus a nontargeted liposome (7.8 ± 2.1 uL, n = 9). Fluorescent immunohistochemistry showed that rhodamine-labeled targeted liposomes colocalized with vascular structures in ischemic brain that stained positive for endothelial barrier antigen, a marker of cerebral endothelial cells. These data suggest that immunoliposomes may ameliorate vascular membrane damage and reduce hemorrhagic transformation after thrombolytic therapy in cerebral ischemia.
Efficacy and safety of Jentadueto® (linagliptin plus metformin)

Introduction: Metformin is the first-choice drug in the management of type 2 diabetes. However, most patients require a combined therapy to reach and/or maintain targets of glucose control. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors offer new options for combined therapy with metformin. Linagliptin shares a similar pharmacodynamic (PD) profile with other gliptins, but has a unique pharmacokinetic (PK) profile characterized by negligible renal excretion. Areas covered: An extensive literature search was performed to analyze the potential PK/PD interactions between linagliptin and metformin. They are not prone to PK drug–drug interactions. The two compounds may be administered together, either separately or using a fixed-dose combination (FDC) as shown by bioequivalence studies. The addition of linagliptin in patients not well controlled with metformin alone has proven its efficacy in improving glucose levels with a good safety profile. Initial co-administration of linagliptin plus metformin improves glucose control more potently than either compound separately, without hypoglycemia, weight gain or increased metformin-related gastrointestinal side effects. Expert opinion: The linagliptin plus metformin combination may offer some advantages over the classical sulfonylurea–metformin combination. Even if linagliptin is safe in patients with renal impairment, the use of metformin (and thus of the linagliptin plus metformin FDC) is still controversial in this population.
Early cleavage is a valuable addition to existing embryo selection parameters: a study using single embryo transfers.

BACKGROUND To reduce the twin pregnancy rate, elective single embryo transfer (eSET) is increasingly implemented. Improvement of the results obtained with eSET can be achieved by better selection of the most viable embryo. This study investigated the predictive value of early cleavage (EC) as an additional parameter for selecting the embryo with the highest implantation potential by using data from SET's. METHODS Data from 165 SET's were retrospectively evaluated. Cleavage to the 2-cell stage was determined 23-26 h after injection or 25-28 h after insemination. Selection of the embryo to be transferred was based on cell morphology and cell number on the day of transfer, not on the EC status. Additional information on the predictive value of EC on developmental potential was obtained by analysing 253 transfers with two embryos (double embryo transfer, DET) and blastocyst formation of 1160 surplus embryos. Logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of pregnancy or blastocyst development. RESULTS A significantly higher pregnancy rate was observed after transfer of single EC embryos compared to single non-EC embryos (46 versus 18%). This result was confirmed by the significantly higher pregnancy rate after DET with two EC embryos as compared to DET with two non-EC embryos (45 versus 25%) and the blastocyst formation of EC embryos compared to non-EC embryos (66 versus 40%). Logistic regression showed that EC is an independent predictor for both pregnancy and blastocyst development in addition to cell morphology and cell number. CONCLUSIONS In order to improve the selection of the embryo with the highest implantation potential, selection for transfer should not be based on cell number and morphology on the day of transfer alone, but also on early cleavage status.
Belimumab in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Belimumab is the only approved biological agent for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is a fully humanized IgG1γ monoclonal antibody directed against soluble B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS). It is indicated as an add-on therapy for the treatment of adult patients with active, autoantibody-positive SLE, who are receiving standard therapy. Belimumab is generally well-tolerated, common adverse effects include infections, infusion reactions, hypersensitivity, headache, nausea, and fatigue. Psychiatric events including suicidal tendency, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and malignancies too have been reported. Apart from SLE, the drug is also being tried for other autoimmune disorders.
Early Changes in Cytochrome P450s and Their Associated Arachidonic Acid Metabolites Play a Crucial Role in the Initiation of Cardiac Hypertrophy Induced by Isoproterenol

Cytochrome P450 enzymes (P450s), along with their cardioprotective metabolites the epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and cardiotoxic metabolite 20-hydroxyeicosatetraeonic acid (20-HETE), were found to be altered in cardiac hypertrophy; however, it is unclear whether these changes are causal or epiphenomenon. Therefore, we hypothesized that P450s and their metabolites play a crucial role in the initiation of cardiac hypertrophy. To test our hypothesis, rats and RL-14 cells were treated with the hypertrophic agonist isoproterenol for different time periods. Thereafter, in vivo heart function and wall thickness were assessed using echocardiography. Moreover, the role of P450 epoxygenases, ω-hydroxylases, and soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) were determined at mRNA, protein, and activity levels using real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, respectively. Our results show that in vivo and in vitro hypertrophy was initiated after 72 hours and 6 hours of isoproterenol treatment, respectively. Studies performed at the prehypertrophy phase showed a significant decrease in P450 epoxygenases along with a significant induction of sEH activity. Consequently, lower EET and higher dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid levels were observed during this phase. However, significant increases in P450 ω-hydroxylase along with its associated metabolite, 20-HETE, were detected only in vivo. Interestingly, increasing EET levels by P450 epoxygenase induction, sEH inhibition, or exogenous administration of EET prevented the initiation of cardiac hypertrophy through a nuclear factor-κB-mediated mechanism. Taken together, these findings reveal a crucial role of P450 epoxygenases and EETs in the development of cardiac hypertrophy, which could uncover novel targets for prevention of heart failure at early stages.
Control consolidation with a threshold: an algorithm

Control tunnelling over firms can be reached through pyramids, cross-ownership, and other complex features. This phenomenon is frequent in Europe and in Asia. However, the theoretical literature has not yet converged toward a well-defined and robust measurement of integrated control that takes into account the threshold for control as applied in practice. Based on graph theory, this paper aims at filling this gap and proposes a new algorithm for evaluating the control tunnelling exerted by the firms' ultimate shareholders. Then, the paper discusses the various forms of control existing next to voting shares, like multiple voting rights, board representation and active monitoring, before suggesting ways to include them into the modelling of control.