Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC)

Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli has since the last 2 decades been known to cause severe and bloody diarrhoea as well as haemorrhagic colitis (HC) and haemorrhagic uraemic syndrome (HUS) especially among children. The importance of screening for EHEC among children and older patients with severe symptoms is apparent. Production of the verocytotoxins VT1 and VT2 are the main features of EHEC, and the VT types and mode of action during human infection is described. There are, however, other features adding to the pathogenicity. In this review we deal with the importance of properties such as fimbriae and adhesins as well as systems to meet the bacterial need for iron during infection. These factors are probably important for the establishment of EHEC in the gut and add to the bacterial virulence. It has now become evident that VT producing E. coli, irrespective of serogroup, might be human pathogens. We conclude that knowledge of the different possible virulence factors adds to the possibility of separating more virulent from less virulent isolates.
Inhibition of the Reproductive System by Deslorelin in Male and Female Pigeons (Columba livia)

Abstract Veterinary practitioners frequently encounter disorders of the reproductive system in avian patients. Management of these disorders relies on manipulating reproduction by modifying the environment, diet, and social interactions, and by the use of pharmacologic agents and surgery, with varying levels of success and side effects. An alternative is to use the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist deslorelin to suppress the pituitary–gonadal axis. To determine the efficacy of deslorelin in domestic pigeons (Columba livia), male (n = 10) and female (n = 10) birds each were implanted intramuscularly with a single long-acting implant containing 4.7 mg deslorelin. Untreated males (n = 11) and females (n = 10) were used as controls. The baseline serum concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH) was assayed at 7, 28, 56, and 84 days after treatment, and egg production was recorded weekly. In females, deslorelin administration significantly reduced serum LH concentrations compared to pretreatment levels at 7, 28, 56, and 84 days (P < .05). In males, deslorelin significantly reduced LH concentrations at 7, 28, and 56 days (P < .05). Female birds treated with deslorelin laid significantly fewer eggs over the course of the study (mean = 1.46, SEM = 0.84) compared with controls (mean = 5.54, SEM = 0.88). Deslorelin treatment had no discernible effect on body weight. Deslorelin is effective for controlling egg laying in female pigeons for at least 49 days, but further research is required to determine the effects on male fertility and the duration of action in both sexes.
Predictors of Success for Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients Awaiting Lung Transplantation

Background Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). At present, it is uncertain whether PR is also effective in the management of patients with various diseases awaiting lung transplantation (LTx). Methods In a retrospective clinical preanalysis and postanalysis, we investigated the effects of a 5-week inpatient PR in LTx candidates. We compared data of patients with COPD, &agr;-1-antitrypsin deficiency, interstitial lung disease, or cystic fibrosis before and after PR with regard to exercise capacity (6-min walking distance [6MWD]) and health-related quality of life (HRQL; SF36). Multivariate stepwise regression analysis was performed to detect predictors of PR outcome. Results Eight hundred eleven data sets from consecutive patients referred to our PR center before LTx could be analysed (COPD, 360; &agr;-1-antitrypsin deficiency, 127; interstitial lung disease, 195; cystic fibrosis, 69; other, 60). After PR 6MWD increased by 56 ± 58 m (P < 0.001), the physical summary component of SF36 (0–100) improved by 1.9 ± 8.5 points (P < 0.001), the mental summary component of SF36 by 8.7 ± 13.5 points (P < 0.001). Stepwise regression analysis yielded no relevant predictors of success or nonsuccess of PR with regard to age, sex, disease, body mass index, 6MWD, and HRQL on admission. Conclusion Short-term comprehensive PR can significantly improve exercise capacity and HRQL in LTx candidates to a clinically relevant extent independent of the underlying lung disease. No relevant predictor influencing PR outcome could be detected. Further research is needed to evaluate the relevance of PR before LTx and its impact on clinical outcome after transplantation.
Cooperative Interactions between Flagellin and SopE2 in the Epithelial Interleukin-8 Response to Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Infection

ABSTRACT Flagellin is an important stimulus for epithelial interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion because of its ability to activate Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5). SopE2, a Salmonella guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), is also involved in intestinal inflammation. To clarify the proinflammatory mechanisms of these proteins, we examined their effects on IL-8 secretion and intracellular signaling in T84 epithelial cells. A Salmonella strain lacking SopE2 (and its homolog SopE) induced lower levels of IL-8 than the wild type and exhibited reduced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Overexpression of wild-type SopE2 in this strain restored MAPK activation and augmented IL-8 production, whereas a mutant lacking GEF activity failed to increase IL-8 expression. Additional effects on signaling were demonstrated in transient transfection experiments, in which SopE2 enhanced the ability of TRAF6, a signal transducer downstream of TLR5, to activate the NF-κB transcription factor in 293 cells. Flagellin was also found to be required for IL-8 induction in T84 cells. In its absence, the ability of SopE2 overexpression to increase IL-8 secretion was impaired. Part of this impairment was related to the decreased motility of the flagellin-deficient strain, but lack of flagellin also affected translocation of SopE2 into the infected cells. Our results indicate that flagellin and SopE2 interact functionally at multiple levels to increase IL-8 secretion by epithelial cells—flagellin facilitating the translocation of SopE2, and SopE2 enhancing signaling pathways activated by flagellin. These observations offer a mechanistic explanation for the involvement of these proteins in the pathogenesis of Salmonella-induced gastroenteritis.
Intermittent and light daily smoking across racial/ethnic groups in the United States.

INTRODUCTION Limited research exists examining the prevalence of intermittent (nondaily) and light daily (1-5 cigarettes/day) smoking across racial/ethnic groups in the United States using nationally representative data. These analyses would be informative in guiding targeted cessation strategies. METHODS Using logistic regression models controlling for age, gender, and education, we examined the prevalence of intermittent and light daily consumption among current smokers across racial/ethnic groups from the 2003 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey. We also examined the association of these demographic factors with consumption within each racial/ethnic group separately. RESULTS Black (odds ratio [OR] = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.59-2.07), Asian/Pacific Islander (OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.29-2.04), and Hispanic/Latino (OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 2.75-3.74) smokers were more likely to smoke intermittently compared with non-Hispanic Whites. Black (OR = 2.69, 95% CI = 2.27-3.18), Asian/Pacific Islander (OR = 2.99, 95% CI = 2.13-4.19), and Hispanic/Latino (OR = 4.64, 95% CI = 3.85-5.58) smokers also were more likely to have light daily consumption compared with non-Hispanic Whites. Hispanic/Latino intermittent smokers smoked fewer days per month and fewer cigarettes per day compared with non-Hispanic White smokers. We found no significant gender differences across racial/ethnic groups in intermittent smoking, but male smokers were significantly less likely to have light daily consumption for all racial/ethnic groups. DISCUSSION These results have implications for the understanding of the tobacco dependence, the development of prevention and cessation strategies, and the applicability of harm-reduction techniques for racial/ethnic minorities.
Uncertainty Principles for Inverse Source Problems, Far Field Splitting, and Data Completion

Starting with far field data of time-harmonic acoustic or electromagnetic waves radiated by a collection of compactly supported sources in two-dimensional free space, we develop criteria and algorithms for the recovery of the far field components radiated by each of the individual sources, and the simultaneous restoration of missing data segments. Although both parts of this inverse problem are severely ill-conditioned in general, we give precise conditions relating the wavelength, the diameters of the supports of the individual source components and the distances between them, and the size of the missing data segments, which guarantee that stable recovery in presence of noise is possible. The only additional requirement is that a priori information on the approximate location of the individual sources is available. We give analytic and numerical examples to confirm the sharpness of our results and to illustrate the performance of corresponding reconstruction algorithms, and we discuss consequences for stability and resolution in inverse source and inverse scattering problems.
Expression and localization of rab escort protein isoforms in parotid acinar cells from rat

Rab proteins are geranylgeranylated on their carboxyl terminal cysteine motifs by geranylgeranyltransferase II (GGTase). Rab escort protein (REP) is required to present Rab proteins to GGTase. REP may remain bound to newly isoprenylated Rab proteins and present them to their target membrane. Other studies have shown that Rab proteins cycle between the membrane and cytosolic compartments and that cytosolic Rab proteins are complexed with rab‐GDI. In the present study, we examined the expression and localization of REP isoforms in parotid acinar cells. Although both REP isoforms, REP‐1 and REP‐2, were detected in parotid cytosol, REP‐2 was the predominant isoform. Subcellular fractionation revealed that approximately 42% of cellular REP‐2 is membrane‐associated. REP‐2 was partially removed from parotid membranes with 1 M NaCl or Na2CO3, indicating that REP‐2 is a peripheral membrane protein. Membrane‐associated REP‐2 did not colocalize with Rab3D on secretory granule membranes. However, density gradient centrifugation revealed that membrane‐associated REP‐2 and Rab3D colocalize on low‐ and high‐density membrane fractions in parotid acinar cells. Isoproterenol, an agent which induces amylase release from parotid glands, caused a shift in both REP‐2 and Rab3D to less dense membrane fractions. When acinar cell cytosol was fractionated by gel filtration chromatography, Rab3D eluted exclusively with REP, not rab‐GDI. In contrast, Rab1B and Rab5 eluted with both REP and Rab‐GDI. Colocalization of Rab3D and REP‐2 on acinar cell membranes suggests that REP‐2 plays a role in delivering Rab3D to parotid membranes and may regulate guanine nucleotide binding to membrane‐associated Rab3D. In addition, unlike other Rab proteins, cytosolic Rab3D appears to associate exclusively with REP, not rab‐GDI in parotid acinar cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 185:339–347, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sensory-parietal cortical stimulation improves motor recovery in severe capsular infarct

The prevalence of subcortical white matter strokes in elderly patients is on the rise, but these patients show mixed responses to conventional rehabilitative interventions. To examine whether cortical electrical stimulation can promote motor recovery after white matter stroke, we delivered stimulation to a small or wide region of sensory-parietal cortex for two weeks in a rodent model of circumscribed subcortical capsular infarct. The sham-operated group (SOG) showed persistent and severe motor impairments together with decreased activation in bilateral sensorimotor cortices and striatum. In contrast, sensory-parietal cortex stimulation significantly improved motor recovery: final recovery levels were 72.9% of prelesion levels in the wide stimulation group (WSG) and 37% of prelesion levels in the small stimulation group (SSG). The microPET imaging showed reversal of cortical diaschisis in both groups: in both hemispheres for the WSG, and in the hemisphere ipsilateral to stimulation in the SSG. In addition, we observed activation of the corpus callosum and subcortical corticostriatal structures after stimulation. The results from the c-Fos mapping study were grossly consistent with the microPET imaging. Sensory-parietal cortex stimulation may therefore be a useful strategy for overcoming the limits of rehabilitative training in patients with severe forms of subcortical capsular infarct.
Patient satisfaction with and recommendation of a hospital: effects of interpersonal and technical aspects of hospital care.

OBJECTIVES To examine patient satisfaction with and recommendation of a hospital, with a special focus on the correlation of these measures to patient ratings of interpersonal and technical performance of the hospital. DESIGN Telephone survey of patients with four specific conditions after their discharge from hospitals. SETTING Accredited district teaching hospitals and above, nationwide in Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS A total of 4945 patients from 126 hospitals diagnosed with or undergoing procedures related to stroke, diabetes mellitus, Caesarean section, or appendectomy were interviewed by telephone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Overall patient satisfaction and recommendation were measured by single-item questions. Interpersonal skills were measured by three items: doctors' explanation, attitude, and caring. Technical skills were measured by another three items: hospital equipment, clinical competence, and outcome of treatment. RESULTS Interpersonal skills were as influential or more influential than clinical competence on patient satisfaction for three of the four disease categories. In contrast, technical competence was a more influential predictor for recommendation for patients in all four disease categories. CONCLUSION The preliminary results imply that a hospital with high percentage of patient satisfaction does not necessarily receive a high level of recommendation. This finding provides new insights for researchers and for hospital managers who devote resources exclusively for achieving the highest possible levels of patient satisfaction.
Quantitative Evaluation of Human δ Opioid Receptor Desensitization Using the Operational Model of Drug Action

Agonist-mediated desensitization of the opioid receptors is thought to function as a protective mechanism against sustained opioid signaling and therefore may prevent the development of opioid tolerance. However, the exact molecular mechanism of opioid receptor desensitization remains unresolved because of difficulties in measuring and interpreting receptor desensitization. In the present study, we investigated deltorphin II-mediated rapid desensitization of the human δ opioid receptors (hDOR) by measuring guanosine 5′-O-(3-[35S]thio)-triphosphate binding and inhibition of cAMP accumulation. We developed a mathematical analysis based on the operational model of agonist action (Black et al., 1985) to calculate the proportion of desensitized receptors. This approach permits a correct analysis of the complex process of functional desensitization by taking into account receptor-effector coupling and the time dependence of agonist pretreatment. Finally, we compared hDOR desensitization with receptor phosphorylation at Ser363, the translocation of β-arrestin2, and hDOR internalization. We found that in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the hDOR, deltorphin II treatment leads to phosphorylation of Ser363, translocation of β-arrestin2 to the plasma membrane, receptor internalization, and uncoupling from G proteins. It is noteworthy that mutation of the primary phosphorylation site Ser363 to alanine had virtually no effect on agonist-induced β-arrestin2 translocation and receptor internalization yet significantly attenuated receptor desensitization. These results strongly indicate that phosphorylation of Ser363 is the primary mechanism of hDOR desensitization.
Recovery from Glycerol-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Is Accelerated by Suramin

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and potentially life-threatening complication after ischemia/reperfusion and exposure to nephrotoxic agents. In this study, we examined the efficacy and mechanism(s) of suramin in promoting recovery from glycerol-induced AKI, a model of rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI. After intramuscular glycerol injection (10 ml of 50% glycerol per kilogram) into male Sprague-Dawley rats, serum creatinine maximally increased at 24 to 72 h and then decreased at 120 h. Creatinine clearance (CrCl) decreased 75% at 24 to 72 h and increased at 120 h. Suramin (1 mg/kg i.v.) administered 24 h after glycerol accelerated recovery of renal function as demonstrated by increased CrCl, decreased renal kidney injury molecule-1, and improved histopathology 72 h after glycerol injection. Suramin treatment decreased interleukin-1β (IL-1β) mRNA, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), phospho-p65 of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and cleaved caspase-3 at 48 h compared with glycerol alone. Suramin treatment also decreased glycerol-induced activation of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and leukocyte infiltration at 72 h. Urinary/renal neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin 2 (NGAL) levels, hemeoxygenase-1 expression, and renal cell proliferation were increased by suramin compared with glycerol alone at 72 h. Mechanistically, suramin decreases early glycerol-induced proinflammatory (IL-1β and NF-κB) and growth inhibitory (TGF-β1) mediators, resulting in the prevention of late downstream inflammatory effects (ICAM-1 and leukocyte infiltration) and increasing compensatory nephrogenic repair. These results support the hypothesis that delayed administration of suramin is effective in abrogating apoptosis, attenuating inflammation, and enhancing nephrogenic repair after glycerol-induced AKI.
Natural history of cognitive impairment after stroke and factors associated with its recovery

Objectives: To describe the natural history of cognitive impairment following stroke over three years; determine factors associated with recovery of post-stroke cognitive impairment and examine the effect of this recovery on stroke outcomes. Design: Observational study. Setting: Population-based register of first-ever strokes. Measures: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for cognition (cognitive impairment: MMSE<24), Barthel and Frenchay activity indices for disability. Methods: To describe its natural history, cognition was assessed at three months, 1, 2 and 3 years after stroke in 163 subjects registered in 1995. Recovery of cognitive impairment was examined using a larger cohort registered between 1995 and 1998 (n = 476) and 193 subjects cognitively impaired at three months were reassessed a year post stroke; 34 who had recovered cognitively (MMSE 24–30) were compared with 102 with persistent cognitive impairment in terms of demography, risk factors, initial impairments and stroke subtype. Results: At three months, 1, 2 and 3 years post stroke, the prevalence rates of cognitive impairment were 39%, 35%, 30% and 32% respectively. Multivariable analyses showed that recovery was associated with smoking (OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.2–11.8), compromised by visuospatial neglect (OR 0.27; 95% CI 0.08–0.89), and had a near-significant association with right hemispheric lesion (OR 2.87; 95% CI 0.94–8.78). Cognitive recovery was associated with less institutionalization (p = 0.032) and being less disabled, on Barthel (p = 0.001) and Frenchay Activity Indices (p = 0.028). Conclusions: Cognitive impairment remains highly prevalent up to three years after first stroke. Recovery from cognitive impairment is associated with smoking and possibly right hemisphere strokes, but compromised by visuospatial neglect. These associations require further clarification.
Consumer Preference and Willingness-To –Pay for Locally Produced, Organic Food: A Stated Choice Approach

IDENTIFYING THE MOTIVATION FOR PURCHASING PROCESSED ORGANIC FOOD BY USING STATED CHOICE MODEL Yihong Zheng Advisor: University of Guelph, 2014 Professor John Cranfield This study investigates Canadian consumers' preferences for organic and locally produced processed foods. The analysis is based on three choice experiments, one for pork tenderloin, one for whole grain bread and one for cheddar cheese, and implemented through an internet based survey. The choice experiments address two important research questions. First, what food attributes do Canadians associate with when they purchase locally produced organic foods? Second, which food attributes command a higher premium? Results from conditional logit regression models suggests that there is a disutility associated with food mileage, where respondents were willing to pay a premium of $0.00061 per kilometer per loaf of whole grain bread, $0.00664 per kilometer per kilogram of pork tenderloin and $0.00937 per kilometer per kilogram of cheddar cheese respectively. Respondents were also willing to pay a premium for the authentication of organic. More specifically, respondents are willing to pay a premium for certified organic whole grain bread ($0.076/loaf), certified organic pork tenderloin ($0.8299/kg) and certified organic cheddar cheese ($0.3381/kg).
Control of mitotic spindle length.

The mitotic spindle accurately segregates genetic instructions by moving chromosomes to spindle poles (anaphase A) and separating the poles (anaphase B) so that, in general, the chromosomes and poles are positioned near the centers of the nascent daughter cell products of each cell division. Because the size of different types of dividing cells, and thus the spacing of their daughter cell centers, can vary significantly, the length of the metaphase or postanaphase B spindle often scales with cell size. However, significant exceptions to this scaling rule occur, revealing the existence of cell size–independent, spindle-associated mechanisms of spindle length control. The control of spindle length reflects the action of mitotic force-generating mechanisms, and its study may illuminate general principles by which cells regulate the size of internal structures. Here we review molecules and mechanisms that control spindle length, how these mechanisms are deployed in different systems, and some quantitative models that describe the control of spindle length.