Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High‐Flux Dialyzers, Backfiltration, and Dialysis Fluid Quality

Currently, high‐flux hemodialysis is the most common mode of dialysis therapy worldwide. Its steadily increasing use is largely based on the desire to reduce the excessively high morbidity and mortality of end‐stage renal disease patients maintained on conventional dialysis (low‐flux, mostly cellulosic membranes) by offering better biocompatibility and enhanced removal of uremic toxins. Two large randomized trials suggest a survival benefit for selected subgroups of high‐flux dialysis patients such as diabetics, patients with hypoalbuminemia, or patients who have been on dialysis for a long period (> 3.7 years).
Microbiology of flooded rice paddies.

Flooded rice paddies are one of the major biogenic sources of atmospheric methane. Apart from this contribution to the 'greenhouse' effect, rice paddy soil represents a suitable model system to study fundamental aspects of microbial ecology, such as diversity, structure, and dynamics of microbial communities as well as structure-function relationships between microbial groups. Flooded rice paddy soil can be considered as a system with three compartments (oxic surface soil, anoxic bulk soil, and rhizosphere) characterized by different physio-chemical conditions. After flooding, oxygen is rapidly depleted in the bulk soil. Anaerobic microorganisms, such as fermentative bacteria and methanogenic archaea, predominate within the microbial community, and thus methane is the final product of anaerobic degradation of organic matter. In the surface soil and the rhizosphere well-defined microscale chemical gradients can be measured. The oxygen profile seems to govern gradients of other electron acceptors (e.g., nitrate, iron(III), and sulfate) and reduced compounds (e.g., ammonium, iron(II), and sulfide). These gradients provide information about the activity and spatial distribution of functional groups of microorganisms. This review presents the current knowledge about the highly complex microbiology of flooded rice paddies. In Section 2 we describe the predominant microbial groups and their function with particular regard to bacterial populations utilizing polysaccharides and simple sugars, and to the methanogenic archaea. Section 3 describes the spatial and temporal development of microscale chemical gradients measured in experimentally defined model systems, including gradients of oxygen and dissolved and solid-phase iron(III) and iron(II). In Section 4, the results of measurements of microscale gradients of oxygen, pH, nitrate-nitrite, and methane in natural rice fields and natural rice soil cores taken to the laboratory will be presented. Finally, perspectives of future research are discussed (Section 5).
An N-Terminal Polybasic Motif of Gαq Is Required for Signaling and Influences Membrane Nanodomain Distribution

Regions of basic amino acids in proteins can promote membrane localization through electrostatic interactions with negatively charged membrane lipid head groups. Previous work showed that the heterotrimeric G protein subunit αq contains a polybasic region in its N terminus that contributes to plasma membrane localization. Here, the role of the N-terminal polybasic region of αq in signaling was addressed. For αq mutants, loss of plasma membrane localization correlated with loss of signaling function, as measured by the ability to couple activated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to stimulation of inositol phosphate production. However, recovery of plasma membrane localization of αq polybasic mutants by introduction of a site for myristoylation or by coexpression of βγ failed to recover signaling, suggesting a role for N-terminal basic amino acids of αq beyond simple plasma membrane localization. It is noteworthy that an αq4Q mutant, containing glutamine substitutions at arginines 27, 30, 31, and 34, was identified that failed to mediate signaling yet retained plasma membrane localization. Although αq4Q failed to couple activated receptors to inositol phosphate production, it was able to bind βγ, bind RGS4 in an activation-dependent manner, stimulate inositol phosphate production in a receptor-independent manner, and productively interact with a GPCR in isolated membranes. It is noteworthy that αq4Q showed a differing localization to plasma membrane nanodomains compared with wild-type αq. Thus, basic amino acids in the N terminus of αq can affect its lateral segregation on plasma membranes, and changes in such lateral segregation may be responsible for the observed signaling defects of αq4Q.
Isolation and Multiple Differentiation Potential Assessment of Human Gingival Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The aim of this study was to isolate human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from the gingiva (GMSCs) and confirm their multiple differentiation potentials, including the odontogenic lineage. GMSCs, periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and dermal stem cells (DSCs) cultures were analyzed for cell shape, cell cycle, colony-forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) and stem cell markers. Cells were then induced for osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation and analyzed for differentiation markers (alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralization nodule formation and Runx2, ALP, osteocalcin (OCN) and collagen I expressions for the osteogenic differentiation, and lipid vacuole formation and PPARγ-2 expression for the adipogenic differentiation). Besides, the odontogenic differentiation potential of GMSCs induced with embryonic tooth germ cell-conditioned medium (ETGC-CM) was observed. GMSCs, PDLSCs and DSCs were all stromal origin. PDLSCs showed much higher osteogenic differentiation ability but lower adipogenic differentiation potential than DSCs. GMSCs showed the medial osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation potentials between those of PDLSCs and DSCs. GMSCs were capable of expressing the odontogenic genes after ETGC-CM induction. This study provides evidence that GMSCs can be used in tissue engineering/regeneration protocols as an approachable stem cell source.
L-arginine rescues decreased erythropoietin gene expression by stimulating GATA-2 with L-NMMA.

BACKGROUND NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) decreases the expression of nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and increases the expression of GATA-2 mRNA and levels of GATA-2 binding activity, thereby inhibiting erythropoietin (Epo) promoter activity and causing a decrease in the expression of Epo protein. In the present study, we examined the effect of L-arginine on Epo gene expression in Hep3B cells and BDF1 mice. METHODS Hep3B cells were incubated with and without different concentrations of L-NMMA and/or l-arginine. Anemic mice were injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or L-NAME and L-arginine. RESULTS Incubation with L-NMMA under hypoxic conditions inhibited Epo expression, but this inhibition was recovered by the addition of L-arginine. Hypoxia induced the secretions of NO and cGMP, but the addition of L-NMMA inhibited these inductions, though these inhibitions of NO and cGMP by L-NMMA were recovered by the addition of L-arginine. Hep3B cells transfected with the Epo promoter/enhancer-luciferase gene had Epo promoter activity. This activity was inhibited by L-NMMA, but it could be recovered by the addition of L-arginine. L-NMMA induced the binding activity of GATA-2 under hypoxic conditions. This binding activity was inhibited by the addition of L-arginine. The addition of cGMP inhibited L-NMMA-induced GATA-2 binding activity in a dose-dependent manner. The results of an in vivo mouse assay revealed that L-NAME inhibited the expression of Epo, but this inhibition of Epo expression by L-NAME was rescued by pretreatment with L-arginine. CONCLUSION L-arginine rescues decreased erythropoietin gene expression by stimulating GATA-2 with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine.
A high-fidelity simulation model for an asymmetric nonlinear electrothermal actuator

In this paper a high-fidelity single-input and single-output (SISO) simulation model for an asymmetric nonlinear electrothermal actuator is presented. The model was mainly developed using grey-box system identification and considers energy conversion and energy flow between electrical, thermal and mechanical domains. It is particularly useful for investigation of different control strategies (control performance, control stability, actuator life cycle and energy consumption) for plants employing SAUTER AXT211 thermal actuator. Some insights are given in the process of system identification, model optimization and validation using measured data. Correlation between simulation results and measured data is investigated, as well as simulation model confidence.
DIMINISHED BACTERIAL CLEARANCE IS ASSOCIATED WITH DECREASED IL-12 AND INTERFERON-γ PRODUCTION BUT A SUSTAINED PROINFLAMMATORY RESPONSE IN A MURINE MODEL OF POSTSEPTIC IMMUNOSUPPRESSION

After a major illness or injury, immune status in critically ill patients may fluctuate between a marked proinflammatory response and an immunosuppressed state. Postinflammatory immunosuppression can result in increased susceptibility to infection. Alterations of cytokine production, such as suppression of IFNγ and elevation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, are believed to contribute to postinflammatory immunosuppression. We examined antimicrobial immunity in mice that had previously been subjected to a sublethal cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) as a model of major injury. Mice were challenged with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5 × 107 CFU i.v.) on day 5 after CLP or sham surgery. Bacterial clearance in mice after CLP was impaired and associated with decreased production of IFNγ and increased production of IL-10 in the early response to the Pseudomonas challenge. Pseudomonas-induced production of the IFNγ-inducing factor IL-12 was also decreased in post-CLP mice. However, splenocytes from post-CLP mice remained responsive to exogenous stimulation with the IFNγ-inducing cytokines IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18 as well as T-cell receptor activation. Furthermore, production of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were as high, or higher, in the post-CLP group compared with sham mice after P. aeruginosa challenge. Blockade of IL-10 did not reverse IL-12 and IFNγ suppression in splenocytes from post-CLP mice. These studies show that suppressed bacterial clearance in post-CLP mice is associated with decreased production of IFNγ and IL-12 and with increased production of IL-10 and proinflammatory cytokines.
A new rating scale for adult resilience: what are the central protective resources behind healthy adjustment?

Resources that protect against the development of psychiatric disturbances are reported to be a significant force behind healthy adjustment to life stresses, rather than the absence of risk factors. In this paper a new scale for measuring the presence of protective resources that promote adult resilience is validated. The preliminary version of the scale consisted of 45 items covering five dimensions: personal competence, social competence, family coherence, social support and personal structure.
Evaluation of Swine-Specific PCR Assays Used for Fecal Source Tracking and Analysis of Molecular Diversity of Swine-Specific “Bacteroidales” Populations

ABSTRACT In this study, we evaluated the specificity, distribution, and sensitivity of Prevotella strain-based (PF163 and PigBac1) and methanogen-based (P23-2) PCR assays proposed to detect swine fecal pollution in environmental waters. The assays were tested against 222 fecal DNA extracts derived from target and nontarget animal hosts and against 34 groundwater and 15 surface water samples from five different sites. We also investigated the phylogenetic diversity of 1,340 “Bacteroidales” 16S rRNA gene sequences derived from swine feces, swine waste lagoons, swine manure pits, and waters adjacent to swine operations. Most swine fecal samples were positive for the host-specific Prevotella-based PCR assays (80 to 87%), while fewer were positive with the methanogen-targeted PCR assay (53%). Similarly, the Prevotella markers were detected more frequently than the methanogen-targeted assay markers in waters historically impacted with swine fecal contamination. However, the PF163 PCR assay cross-reacted with 23% of nontarget fecal DNA extracts, although Bayesian statistics suggested that it yielded the highest probability of detecting pig fecal contamination in a given water sample. Phylogenetic analyses revealed previously unknown swine-associated clades comprised of clones from geographically diverse swine sources and from water samples adjacent to swine operations that are not targeted by the Prevotella assays. While deeper sequencing coverage might be necessary to better understand the molecular diversity of fecal Bacteroidales species, results of sequence analyses supported the presence of swine fecal pollution in the studied watersheds. Overall, due to nontarget cross amplification and poor geographic stability of currently available host-specific PCR assays, development of additional assays is necessary to accurately detect sources of swine fecal pollution.
Effect of a High Phosphorus Diet on Acid-Base Balance in Guinea Pigs.∗

Summary Injurious effects of high phosphorus diets for the guinea pig, which include poor growth, metastatic calcification, and death, are due in part to the fact that this animal does not tolerate an acid diet. This has been demonstrated by the marked drop in urine pH, a decrease in plasma carbon dioxide capacity and an increase in blood inorganic phosphorus. Addition of various cations produced a more alkaline urine, but a combination of sodium or potassium and magnesium proved most beneficial. The guinea pig is highly sensitive to an acid diet because a negligible amount of ammonia is excreted by way of the kidneys.
Lutein, lycopene, and their oxidative metabolites in chemoprevention of cancer

Numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated that consuming large quantities of fruits and vegetables reduces the risk for several types of human cancers. Carotenoids are abundant in fruits and vegetables and have been extensively studied as cancer preventive agents. A proposed mechanism of action for the protective effect of carotenoids against cancer is based on their antioxidant capability. Recently, we have isolated and characterized 14 new carotenoids, including seven metabolites from the extracts of human serum/plasma. This brings the total number of identified blood carotenoids to 21. Lutein and lycopene, abundant in most fruits and vegetables as well as human serum, have been shown to posses strong antioxidant capability. Among the metabolites of lutein, four result from oxidation and two from non‐enzymatic dehydration. The metabolite of lycopene has been identified as 5,6‐dihydroxy‐5,6‐dihydrolycopene, which apparently results from oxidation of lycopene to an intermediate, lycopene epoxide. This intermediate may undergo metabolic reduction to form the lycopen metabolite. Although in vivo oxidation of lutein to its metabolites has been demonstrated based on data obtained from two human studies, in vivo oxidation of lycopene to its metabolite has not yet been established. Recent preliminary studies involving healthy subjects ingesting purified lutein and zeaxanthin (a dietary dihydroxycarotenoid isomeric to lutein) are presented. We propose a possible antioxidant mechanism of action for lutein and lycopene that leads to formation of the oxidation products of these promising chemopreventive agents.
Effect of temperature on transport and plating media for enteric pathogens

The effect of wide variations in incubation temperatures and long periods of incubation on transport and enrichment broths and plating media was determined by exhaustive analysis of 132 diarrheal stools for salmonellae and shigellae. Homogenized stools were streaked onto eosin methylene blue (EMB), Salmonella-Shigella (SS), and xylose lysine deoxycholate (XLD) agar plates, and into saline, Cary-Blair (CB) transport medium, and Selenite F and gram-negative (GN) enrichment broths. Incubation temperatures were compared at 20 C, 35 C, 40 C and ambient, and over a range of 4 to 52 C for media incubated in an insulated picnic cooler in an auto trunk. At 1, 2, 4, and 7 days the plates were observed, and the broths were subcultured. Each stool was streaked to 12 plates for 48 observations and pickings, and to 48 tubes, subcultured to 192 plates, for a total of 240 observations for pathogens. Analysis of data from 6,246 Salmonella-positive plates showed direct streaking to be most effective after 2 days of incubation, but broths were equally effective at 1 or 2 days. By day 4 many plates were overgrown, and both plates and broths showed diminution of positives by about 10% and at day 7, 19%. The 2,434 Shigella-positive plates were more demanding in all times and temperatures of incubation than salmonellae. Although at day 2 best results were obtained on direct streaking, shigellae die-offs in broths were excessive, with positive declining 23.7% by day 2, 49% by day 4, and 60% by day 7. Direct plating of both pathogens was poor at 20 C with about 48% success, but salmonellae preferred higher temperatures (35 and 40 C), whereas shigellae chose 35 C and ambient, which averaged 28 C for the 10-month study. Temperature was immaterial to salmonellae in broths with ambient slightly better than 35 C, but shigellae preferred 20 C and showed a 50% failure rate at 40 C, ambient being equal to 35 C. The preferential rank of broths in efficacy was GN greater than selenite greater than saline greater than CB greater than direct for salmonellae; for shigellae, GN greater than saline greater than direct greater than CB greater than selenite, with selenite proving to be unsuitable for shigellae. Plating media preferences were XLD greater than EMB greater than SS. Ten of 39 shigellae strains could not be recovered from the selenite and SS media combination, the many replications notwithstanding. The effectiveness of salmonellae and shigellae detection at ambient temperatures in Louisiana during the 10-month study period, as compared to controlled incubation temperatures, indicates that satisfactory enteric bacteriology can be done in warm climates without constant temperature incubators.
Effects of the Translocation Status of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Reverse Transcriptase on the Efficiency of Excision of Tenofovir

ABSTRACT The ATP-dependent phosphorolytic excision of nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors can diminish their inhibitory effects on human immunodeficiency virus replication. Previous studies have shown that excision can occur only when the reverse transcriptase complex exists in its pretranslocational state. Binding of the next complementary nucleotide causes the formation of a stable dead-end complex in the posttranslocational state, which blocks the excision reaction. To provide mechanistic insight into the excision of the acyclic phosphonate nucleotide analog tenofovir, we compared the efficiencies of the reaction in response to changes in the translocation status of the enzyme. We found that rates of excision of tenofovir with wild-type reverse transcriptase can be as high as those seen with 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine monophosphate (AZT-MP). Thymidine-associated mutations, which confer >100-fold and 3-fold decreased susceptibility to AZT and tenofovir, respectively, caused substantial increases in the efficiency of excision of both inhibitors. However, in contrast to the case for AZT-MP, the removal of tenofovir was highly sensitive to dead-end complex formation. Site-specific footprinting experiments revealed that complexes with AZT-terminated primers exist predominantly pretranslocation. In contrast, complexes with tenofovir-terminated primers are seen in both configurations. Low concentrations of the next nucleotide are sufficient to trap the complex posttranslocation despite the flexible, acyclic character of the compound. Thus, the relatively high rate of excision of tenofovir is partially neutralized by the facile switch to the posttranslocational state and by dead-end complex formation, which provides a degree of protection from excision in the cellular environment.
Nutritional Status and Associated Factors among Orphan Children below the Age of Five Years in Gondar City, Ethiopia

Introduction: Orphan and vulnerable children are at high risk for malnutrition due to poor economic status, less medical and social care. Despite the high number of Orphans and Vulnerable Children with potential risk for malnutrition in Ethiopia, there is insufficient evidence that indicates the nutritional status as well as the effect of orphan hood and child vulnerability on nutritional status. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status and associated factors among Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Gondar City, Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted from August 01 to 30/2013 on under-five Orphans and Vulnerable Children. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from the guardians. The child’s nutritional status was assessed anthropometrically using a Height-for-Age, Weight-for-Age and Weight-for-Height. Epi Info 3.5. 1 was used to enter the data and both bivariate and multivariate analysis was used to test the association between nutritional status and independent variables. Results: The overall prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting was 45.7%, 27.8% and 9.9% respectively. The main contributing factors for malnutrition were family size, age of children, caregiver educational status, and main source of income, Households income, Vitamin A Supplementation, number of Orphans and Vulnerable Children and two weeks period diarrheal disease prior to the study. Conclusion: - The prevalence of malnutrition in children below the age of five was high. To improve the nutritional status of those Children, comprehensive nutrition intervention strategy needs to designed and strengthen the economic status of the households by income generating techniques.
Developmental programming resulting from maternal obesity in mice: effects on myocardial ischaemia–reperfusion injury

A comprehensive number of epidemiological and animal studies suggest that prenatal and early life events are important determinants for disorders later in life. Among them, prenatal stress (i.e. stress experienced by the pregnant mother with impact on the fetal ontogeny) has clear programming effects on the cardiovascular system. A fetus developing in adverse conditions becomes an adult who is susceptible to disease, which may include hypertension, insulin resistance, altered blood lipid levels and cardiovascular disease. Recent evidence demonstrates that maternal programming can occur in the absence of other adverse environmental factors. Obesity, which is becoming a problem of large proportions in Western countries, is a possible cause of programming. With over 30% of the population of the USA currently obese, many mothers suffer from obesity during their child‐bearing years (in fact, these conditions are often aggravated during pregnancy). One of the targets of programming is the cardiovascular system, and reported consequences include hypertension, endothelial dysfunction and vascular abnormalities. The overall goal of our study was to investigate the susceptibility of the heart to ischaemia–reperfusion in an animal model of maternal obesity. Our data demonstrate that normal (non‐mutant) offspring from obese agouti mouse dams had an increased susceptibility to ischaemia–reperfusion injury. These data may provide insights into the long‐term cardiovascular consequences of programming.