Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of anaerobic bovine colostrum fermentation on bacteria growth inhibition

Efficient handling programs that provide high quality colostrum in adequate amounts to dairy farm calves are needed to assure their health and survival. Replacers (or milk substitutes) often become necessary when colostrum presents inadequate quality, or in order to break the cycle of infectious disease transmission. In this study we aimed to assess the effect of anaerobic fermentation processing (colostrum silage) on bacterial that represent interest to animal health. Colostrum samples were inoculated with cultures of Brucella abortus , Escherichia coli , Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni , Mycobacterium bovis , Salmonella Enteritidis , Salmonella Typhimurium , Staphylococcus aureus , and Bacillus cereus and then subjected to anaerobic fermentation. On the first day, and every seven days until 30th days after fermentation, the samples were cultured and colony forming units counted. At seven days of fermentation, B. abortus , L. interrogans , and M. bovis were not detected. At 14th days of fermentation, E. coli , S. aureus , S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium were no longer detected. However, we were able to detect both lactic acid bacteria and B. cereus until 30th days of fermentation. From this study we suggested that anaerobic fermentation processing can inhibit important bacteria that cause economical losses for the cattle industry. The observations suggested that colostrum silage is a promising form to conserve bovine colostrum.
Effects of family history of alcohol use disorders on spatial working memory BOLD response in adolescents.

BACKGROUND A positive family history (FH) of alcohol use disorders (AUD) has been linked to increased risk for the development of AUD, and neurocognitive factors have been postulated as important underlying mechanisms of familial alcoholism transmission. METHODS We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a spatial working memory (SWM) and vigilance paradigm to investigate potential neurodevelopmental differences linked to familial density of AUD in 72 adolescents aged 12 to 14 years. RESULTS Youth with denser family histories of AUD showed less activation during a simple vigilance condition relative to SWM in cingulate and medial frontal gyri (beta = 0.28, p = 0.03), and a trend for more relative activity during rest (beta = -0.25, p = 0.07) in this cluster. CONCLUSIONS Youth with greater familial densities of AUD may be less successful at modulating activity of the default network, potentially indicating a greater propensity for task-independent thought or reduced inhibition of task-irrelevant processing. Failure to moderate activation of the default network may have implications for cognitive efficiency and goal directed behavior in youth with dense FH. Further, aberrant activation in cingulate regions may be linked to genetic variation in GABA receptor units, suggesting a useful endophenotype for risk associated with alcohol dependence.
Imagerie polarimétrique active par brisure d’orthogonalité

La polarisation de la lumiere est tres souvent utilisee en imagerie pour caracteriser certaines proprietes de la matiere, ou pour mettre en evidence des zones qui ne seraient peu ou pas contrastees avec des cameras d’intensite classiques. Nous explorons le potentiel d’une nouvelle technique de polarimetrie, dite de « brisure d’orthogonalite », pour realiser des acquisitions de maniere simple, directe et a haute cadence. Cette technique d’imagerie par balayage laser repose sur l’emploi d’une source de lumiere bi-frequence bi- polarisation pour sonder les caracteristiques polarimetriques (notamment le dichroisme ou anisotropie d’absorption) des echantillons images. Nous explorons la possibilite du deport de la mesure de « brisure d’orthogonalite » par fibre optique faiblement multimode pour le developpement d’endoscopes polarimetriques. Un tel dispositif vise a fournir une methode de diagnostic rapide pour analyser des tissus biologiques profonds tout en evitant le recours aux biopsies. Nous demontrons, theoriquement et experimentalement, la compatibilite de cette approche avec un dispositif d’endoscopie commercial (fibre ou bundle multicœurs, legerement multimodes) pourvu que le nombre de modes guides soit inferieur a une dizaine. D’autre part, nous presentons la conception, la realisation, la validation et l’exploitation d’un demonstrateur d’imagerie active par brisure d’orthogonalite dans le proche infrarouge (longueur d'onde de 1,55 μm). Ce dernier vise des applications defense de detection et/ou decamouflage de cibles. Apres caracterisation des bruits dominants les signaux acquis, nous illustrons l’apport du demonstrateur pour la mise en evidence d’elements dichroiques. Enfin, nous demontrons que la technique de brisure d’orthogonalite peut etre avantageusement, et tres simplement, adaptee pour mesurer selectivement le dichroisme, la birefringence, et la depolarisation, parametres essentiels a la detection d’objets manufactures (cibles). Ces trois modalites, lorsqu’elles sont conjuguees, offrent au demonstrateur des capacites d’identification.
Compact CPW rat-race and branch-line hybrids utilizing slow-wave structure

This paper presents structures of artificial coplanar waveguide (CPW) with very slow phase velocity and their applications to a design of compact rat-race and branch-line hybrids. The slow-wave structure is constructed by periodically loading a CPW with simultaneous series inductance and shunt capacitance, and a meaningful reduction of the effective wavelength for a Bloch wave is achieved along with an adequate Bloch impedance. Next, a rat-race and a branch-line hybrid are designed using the artificial CPW's, and consequently considerable size- reduction of about 1/2 to 1/4 is obtained.
Integrating Palliative Care in Pediatric Oncology: Evidence for an Evolving Paradigm for Comprehensive Cancer Care.

BACKGROUND The demonstrated benefit of integrating palliative care (PC) into cancer treatment has triggered an increased need for PC services. The trajectory of integrating PC in comprehensive cancer centers, particularly pediatric centers, is unknown. We describe our 8-year experience of initiating and establishing PC with the Quality of Life Service (QoLS) at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed records of patients seen by the QoLS (n=615) from March 2007 to December 2014. Variables analyzed for each year, using descriptive statistics, included diagnostic groups, QoLS encounters, goals of care, duration of survival, and location of death. RESULTS Total QoLS patient encounters increased from 58 (2007) to 1,297 (2014), new consults increased from 17 (2007) to 115 (2014), and mean encounters per patient increased from 5.06 (2007) to 16.11 (2014). Goal of care at initial consultation shifted from primarily comfort to an increasing goal of cure. The median number of days from initial consult to death increased from 52 days (2008) to 223 days (2014). A trend toward increased outpatient location of death was noted with 42% outpatient deaths in 2007, increasing to a majority in each subsequent year (range, 51%-74%). Hospital-wide, patients receiving PC services before death increased from approximately 50% to nearly 100%. CONCLUSIONS Since its inception, the QoLS experienced a dramatic increase in referrals and encounters per patient, increased use by all clinical services, a trend toward earlier consultation and longer term follow-up, increasing outpatient location of death, and near-universal PC involvement at the end-of-life. The successful integration of PC in a comprehensive cancer center, and the resulting potential for improved care provision over time, can serve as a model for other programs on a broad scale.
High frequency of malaria‐specific T cells in non‐exposed humans

A major goal of current candidate malaria vaccines is to stimulate the expansion of clones of malaria‐specific lymphocytes. We have examined the in vitro T cell responses of a group of malaria exposed and non‐exposed adult Caucasian donors to recombinant circumsporozoite (CS) proteins, one of which is undergoing clinical trials, to blood‐stage parasites, and to synthetic peptides copying the CS protein and defined blood‐stage proteins. In nearly all individuals tested, CD4 T cell proliferation or lymphokine production occurred in response to whole parasite or CS protein stimulation, and T cells from many individuals responded to synthetic peptides. T cell responses were major histocompatibility complex‐restricted, and stimulation of T cells with malaria parasites or CS protein did not appear to expand a population of T cell receptor γ/δ cells. Malaria‐specific responses were independent of prior malaria exposure, and in some cases exceeded the magnitude of response to tetanus toxoid. Specific T cells are present in high frequency in the peripheral blood of many donors who have never been exposed to malaria. Although malaria‐specific CD4 T cells play an important role in immunity, these data question whether vaccines need to stimulate such cells, and focus attention on other aspects of malaria immunity which may be more critical to a successful vaccine.
Stressors and Stress Management 1 Month After Myocardial Infarction

&NA; Stressors and stress management behaviors reported by 52 myocardial infarction (MI) patients were identified from a content analysis of transcriptions of nurse/patient/spouse interactions that took place 30 days postinfarction. Subjects defined stress primarily in terms of distress related to appraisals of harm, loss, or threat. Stressors and stress management behaviors varied, although subjects were similar in age and occupation and were in the same phase of recovery. Most stressors related to recent myocardial infarction and pertained to thoughts and feelings more than to external events. Others, related to family and/or work, were ongoing before the MI. Stress management behaviors comprised a continuum of physical, cognitive, and verbal behaviors ranging from active to passive. Avoidance of situations, ignoring situations, expressing feelings, and thinking things through were the four major modes of stress management behaviors. Implications for rehabilitation nursing practice are identified.
Identification methods for campylobacters, helicobacters, and related organisms

The organisms which are referred to as campylobacteria are associated with a diverse range of diseases and habitats and are important from both clinical and economic perspectives. Accurate identification of these organisms is desirable for deciding upon appropriate therapeutic measures, and also for furthering our understanding of their pathology and epidemiology. However, the identification process is made difficult because of the complex and rapidly evolving taxonomy, fastidious nature, and biochemical inertness of these bacteria. These problems have resulted in a proliferation of phenotypic and genotypic methods for identifying members of this group. The purpose of this review is to summarize the problems associated with identifying campylobacteria, critically appraise the methods that have been used for this purpose, and discuss prospects for improvements in this field.
Can cord formation in BACTEC MGIT 960 medium be used as a presumptive method for identification of M. tuberculosis complex?

BACKGROUND Serpentine cord formation in BACTEC MGIT 960 medium was evaluated as a rapid method for the presumptive identification of M. tuberculosis complex (MTBC). MATERIAL & METHODS Total 2527 samples were processed for AFB culture using MGIT 960 TB system over a period of three months. AFB smears were prepared from 1000 MGIT tubes flagged positive by the MGIT instrument and stained by ZN method to examine presence or absence of serpentine cording. The cord formation was compared with PNBA [p-nitro benzoic acid] test on MGIT system and all controversial cases were further evaluated by NAP [p-nitro-a-acetylamino-phydroxypropiophenone] test on BACTEC 460 TB system. RESULTS & DISCUSSION Of the 1000 culture positives, 904 (90.4%) were identified as mycobacteria, of which 869 (96%) showed cording by smear microscopy. One (0.1%) was identified as nocardia. In the remaining 95 (9.5%) cases, primary smear made from MGIT vial was negative. Of 869 cultures showing serpentine cord formation, 842 were confirmed as MTBC and 27 as NTM by PNBA assay on MGIT 960 TB system. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values are found to be 99.6%, 54%, 96% and 91% respectively. An average detection time for PNBA assay was found to be eight days whereas cording results were available on the same day of culture positivity. CONCLUSION Though highly sensitive it is not very specific and hence cannot be the only test for presumptive diagnosis of MTBC.
A compact and automated ex vivo vessel culture system for the pulsatile pressure conditioning of human saphenous veins

Saphenous vein (SV) graft disease represents an unresolved problem in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). After CABG, a progressive remodelling of the SV wall occurs, possibly leading to occlusion of the lumen, a process termed 'intima hyperplasia' (IH). The investigation of cellular and molecular aspects of IH progression is a primary end‐point toward the generation of occlusion‐free vessels that may be used as ‘life‐long’ grafts. While animal transplantation models have clarified some of the remodelling factors, the pathology of human SV is far from being understood. This is also due to the lack of devices able to reproduce the altered mechanical load encountered by the SV after CABG. This article describes the design of a novel ex vivo vein culture system (EVCS) capable of replicating the altered pressure pattern experienced by SV after CABG, and reports the results of a preliminary biomechanical conditioning experimental campaign on SV segments. The EVCS applied a CAGB‐like pressure (80–120 mmHg) or a venous‐like perfusion (3 ml/min, 5 mmHg) conditioning to the SVs, keeping the segments viable in a sterile environment during 7 day culture experiments. After CABG‐like pressure conditioning, SVs exhibited a decay of the wall thickness, an enlargement of the luminal perimeter, a rearrangement of the muscle fibres and partial denudation of the endothelium. Considering these preliminary results, the EVCS is a suitable system to study the mechanical attributes of SV graft disease, and its use, combined with a well‐designed biological protocol, may be of help in elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in SV graft disease. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimation du mouvement apparent majoritaire dans une séquence d'images vidéo par accumulation de votes bimodaux sur un histogramme approché. (Main Apparent Motion Estimation in a Video Sequence Using an Accumulation of Bi-Modal Votes on a Rough Histogram)

Ce manuscrit presente une approche particulierement novatrice du probleme d'estimation du mouvement apparent dominant dans une sequence d'images. Elle se demarque des approches classiques apparentees a la correlation ou au flot optique par le fait que les hypotheses sur les relations entre le mouvement apparent et les variations du niveau de gris des pixels de l'image influent peu sur la robustesse du procede. L'originalite de ce travail repose sur l'utilisation d'un ensemble de techniques de representation de l'imprecis et de l'incertain permettant de minimiser l'a priori dans le processus d'estimation. L'estimation du mouvement majoritaire fait appel a l'estimation de la densite de probabilite du mouvement puis a la recherche du mode principal de cette distribution. Ces deux etapes sont realisees grâce a une extension de la technique des histogrammes que nous avons appelee histogrammes approches. Ces derniers permettent de prendre en compte les defauts de type imprecision et incertitude des donnees accumulees et de minimiser l'influence du partitionnement de l'espace parametrique de ces donnees. La validite de notre approche est etablie par des experimentations sur des sequences d'images synthetiques et reelles. Celles-ci permettent de tester le comportement de notre methode vis-a-vis de perturbations usuelles en traitement d'images telles que des variations d'illumination, des mouvements parasites ou des occlusions. Nous proposons deux applications a notre methode d'estimation qui sont : la construction de mosaique d'images et la stabilisation de sequences video. Les resultats presentes permettent d'illustrer les performances satisfaisantes de notre approche en termes de robustesse et de precision.
Polyclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies exhibit antigenic mimicry of limited type 1 fimbrial proteins of Escherichia coli

Polyclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Ids)(fim) developed against idiotypes on antibodies (Ab-1s) that specifically bind structural, organelle fimbrial proteins of Escherichia coli were able to modulate immune function in anti-Id(fim)-immunized mice. Proliferation or suppression of splenic lymphoid cell responses by polyclonal anti-Ids in tissue culture appeared to be dose dependent. Anti-Ids were able to induce a dose-dependent T-cell-mediated immunity specific for type 1 fimbrial antigen(s) in immunized animals when assessed in vitro, but they failed to elicit in vivo positive ear-swelling skin reactions. Anti-Ids were unable to induce protective immunity against an in vivo infectious challenge with E. coli in anti-Id-immunized adult animals, but they stimulated a specific, secondary antibody response in anti-Id-challenged mice. Anti-Ids stimulated the development of anti-anti-Ids (Ab-3s) specifically binding a fimbrial antigen(s) and revealed the presence of antibody idiotypes binding E. coli adhesin proteins in the 27- to 29-kilodalton range. Results suggest discrete, but subtle, immunomodulatory effects of the anti-Ids and potential vaccinoid properties capable of stimulating a specific humoral and cellular response in vivo.
PROOXIDANT and ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS OF ASCORBATE ON PHOTOSENSITIZED PEROXIDATION OF LIPIDS IN ERYTHROCYTE MEMBRANES

Abstract— Continuous blue light irradiation of resealed erythrocyte ghosts at 37°C in the presence of uroporphyrin or protoporphyrin results in 1O2‐mediated (azide inhibitable) lipid peroxidation and membrane lysis. Lipid peroxidation was assessed by thiobarbituric acid reactivity and by quantitation of total hydroperoxides, while lysis was measured in terms of trappedglucose–6‐P release. Low concentrations of ascorbate, AH‐ (e.g. 0.5 mM). present at the start of irradiation, significantly enhanced the rates of lysis and peroxidation, whereas relatively high concentrations of AH‐ (e.g. 15 mM) inhibited both processes. By way of contrast. AH‐ produced only a dose‐dependent inhibition of the photoinactivation of lysozyme, added as an extramembranous target. No significant AH‐induced lipid peroxidation was observed in dark or light controls, plus porphyrin or minus porphyrin, respectively. Stimulation of peroxidation and lysis by low levels of AH‐ was enhanced by added Fe(III), abolished by EDTA. but unaffected by catalase or superoxide dismutase. A plausible explanation for these results is as follows. At low concentrations of AH‐ prooxidant activity is favored. Redox metal‐mediated breakdown of photoperoxides occurs, which tends to amplify lipid peroxidation. Neither O2‐ nor H2O2 appears to be involved. At significantly high concentrations, AH‐ acts predominantly as an antioxidant by intercepting 1O2 and/or sensitizer triplet, or by scavenging free radical intermediates of lipid peroxidation.
Single nucleotide mutation in the barley acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS) gene confers resistance to imidazolinone herbicides

Induced mutagenesis can be an effective way to increase variability in self-pollinated crops for a wide variety of agronomically important traits. Crop resistance to a given herbicide can be of practical value to control weeds with efficient chemical use. In some crops (for example, wheat, maize, and canola), resistance to imidazolinone herbicides (IMIs) has been introduced through mutation breeding and is extensively used commercially. However, this production system imposes plant-back restrictions on rotational crops because of herbicide residuals in the soil. In the case of barley, a preferred rotational crop after wheat, a period of 9–18 mo is required. Thus, introduction of barley varieties showing resistance to IMIs will provide greater flexibility as a rotational crop. The objective of the research reported was to identify resistance in barley for IMIs through induced mutagenesis. To achieve this objective, a sodium azide-treated M2/M3 population of barley cultivar Bob was screened for resistance against acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS)-inhibiting herbicides. The phenotypic screening allowed identification of a mutant line showing resistance against IMIs. Molecular analysis identified a single-point mutation leading to a serine 653 to asparagine amino acid substitution in the herbicide-binding site of the barley AHAS gene. The transcription pattern of the AHAS gene in the mutant (Ser653Asn) and WT has been analyzed, and greater than fourfold difference in transcript abundance was observed. Phenotypic characteristics of the mutant line are promising and provide the base for the release of IMI-resistant barley cultivar(s).
Primary care-based disease management of chronic kidney disease (CKD), based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) reporting, improves patient outcomes.

BACKGROUND The majority of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3-5 are managed within primary care. We describe the effects, on patient outcomes, of the introduction of an algorithm-based, primary care disease management programme (DMP) for patients with CKD based on automated diagnosis using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) reporting. METHODS Patients within West Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust, UK, population 223, 287 with CKD stage 4 or 5 were enrolled within the DMP between March 2005 and October 2006. We have analysed the performance against clinical targets looking at a change in renal function prior to and following joining the DMP and the proportion of patients achieving clinical targets for blood pressure control and lipid abnormalities. RESULTS Four hundred and eighty-three patients with CKD stage 4 or 5 were enrolled in the programme. There were significant improvements in the following parameters, expressed as median values (interquartile range) after 9 months in the programme, compared to baseline and percentage values patients achieving target at 9 months: total cholesterol 4.2 (3.45-5.0) mmol/l versus 4.6 (3.9-5.4) mmol/l (P < 0.01), 75.0% versus 64.5% (P < 0.001); LDL 2.2 (1.6-2.8) mmol/l versus 2.5 (1.9-3.2) mmol/l (P < 0.01), 81.9% versus 69.2% (P < 0.05); systolic blood pressure 130 (125-145) mmHg versus 139 (124-154) mmHg (P < 0.05), 56.2% versus 37.1% (P < 0.05) and diastolic blood pressure 71 (65-79) mmHg versus 76 (69-84) mmHg (P < 0.01), 68.4% versus 90.3% (P < 0.01). The median fall (interquartile range) in eGFR in the 9 months prior to joining the programme was 3.69 (1.49-7.46) ml/min/1.73 m(2) compared to 0.32 (-2.61-3.12) ml/min/1.73 m(2) in the 12 months after enrolment (P < 0.001). One hundred and twenty-two patients experienced a fall in eGFR of > or = 5 ml/min/1.73 m(2), median 9.90 (6.55-12.36) ml/min/1.73 m(2) in the 9 months prior to joining the programme, whilst in the 12 months after enrolment, their median fall in eGFR was -1.70 (-6.41-1.64) ml/min/1.73 m(2) (P < 0.001). In the remaining patients, the median fall in eGFR was 1.92 (0.41-3.23) ml/min/1.73 m(2) prior to joining the programme and 0.86 (-1.03-3.53) ml/min/1.73 m(2) in the 12 months after enrolment (P = 0.082). CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that chronic disease management in this form is an effective method of identifying and managing patients with CKD within the UK. The improvement in cardiovascular risk factors and reduction in the rate of decline of renal function potentially have significant health benefits for the patients and should result in cost savings for the health economy.