Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutritional aspects in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Metabolic alterations are a common feature in patients affected by non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis (NASH). A strong correlation exists between overweight, in particular visceral fat accumulation, and prevalence of NASH, especially in men. Thus, diet-induced weight loss represents a fundamental tool in disease management of these patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate body composition and nutrient utilisation in patients with NASH, comparing them with patients affected by chronic hepatitis related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and with healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty male outpatients with NASH (age: 41 +/- 11 yr; BMI: 26.2 +/- 2.1 kg/m2) and 14 HCV male patients (age 44.6 +/- 13 yr; BMI: 24.8 +/- 2.8 kg/m2) were enrolled in the study. A group of 20 healthy male subjects (age: 39 +/- 10 yr; BMI: 23.3 +/- 1.1 kg/m2) were studied as controls. Body composition was assessed by anthropometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; resting metabolic rate and nutrient oxidation by indirect calorimetry. A 7-day food diary was collected. The main biochemical parameters were measured using standardised laboratory techniques. RESULTS Body weight was higher in NASH patients with respect to HCV patients and control subjects (respectively 75.2 +/- 8.9 vs 68.5 +/- 9.4 and vs 67.0 +/- 8.0 kg; P < 0.01) and this was essentially due to fat mass increase. Fat-free mass reduction was found in HCV patients with respect to both NASH and control subjects. Patients with NASH had a significantly higher waist circumference (P < 0.01) and a lower resting metabolic rate (RMR) with respect to HCV and control subjects. Energy intake was significantly higher in NASH patients (P < 0.01) compared to the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS NASH patients showed an increase in body weight, fat mass and visceral fat accumulation with respect to HCV and control subjects. The reduction in RMR, coupled with increase energy intake may explain the body composition alterations found in these patients.
Bioinformatics algorithm based on a parallel implementation of a machine learning approach using transducers

Finite automata, in which each transition is augmented with an output label in addition to the familiar input label, are considered finite-state transducers. Transducers have been used to analyze some fundamental issues in bioinformatics. Weighted finite-state transducers have been proposed to pairwise alignments of DNA and protein sequences; as well as to develop kernels for computational biology. Machine learning algorithms for conditional transducers have been implemented and used for DNA sequence analysis. Transducer learning algorithms are based on conditional probability computation. It is calculated by using techniques, such as pair-database creation, normalization (with Maximum-Likelihood normalization) and parameters optimization (with Expectation-Maximization - EM). These techniques are intrinsically costly for computation, even worse when are applied to bioinformatics, because the databases sizes are large. In this work, we describe a parallel implementation of an algorithm to learn conditional transducers using these techniques. The algorithm is oriented to bioinformatics applications, such as alignments, phylogenetic trees, and other genome evolution studies. Indeed, several experiences were developed using the parallel and sequential algorithm on Westgrid (specifically, on the Breeze cluster). As results, we obtain that our parallel algorithm is scalable, because execution times are reduced considerably when the data size parameter is increased. Another experience is developed by changing precision parameter. In this case, we obtain smaller execution times using the parallel algorithm. Finally, number of threads used to execute the parallel algorithm on the Breezy cluster is changed. In this last experience, we obtain as result that speedup is considerably increased when more threads are used; however there is a convergence for number of threads equal to or greater than 16.
Action potential in Chara cells intensifies spatial patterns of photosynthetic electron flow and non-photochemical quenching in parallel with inhibition of pH banding

Characean cells exposed to illumination arrange plasma-membrane H^+ fluxes and photosynthesis in coordinated spatial patterns. The limited availability of CO_2 in alkaline bands accounts for the lower effective quantum yield of photosystem II (Δ F/F _m′) in chloroplasts of these bands compared to acidic zones. The effect of electrically triggered action potential on the spatial distribution of photosynthetic parameters (Δ F/F _m′ and non-photochemical quenching, NPQ ) and extracellular pH was studied with fluorescence imaging and pH microelectrodes. In the resting cell at a range of light intensities, the periodic profile of extracellular pH is parallel to the profile of NPQ and antiparallel to that of Δ F/F _m′. After triggering the action potential, the pH banding temporarily disappeared, but in contrast, the differences in effective quantum yield and NPQ patterns became more apparent. The transient changes in pH-banding, effective quantum yield and non-photochemical quenching are discussed in relation to alterations in intracellular Ca^2+ and H^+ concentrations during and after the action potential.
Vasotocin innervation and modulation of vocal‐acoustic circuitry in the teleost Porichthys notatus

Arginine vasotocin (AVT) and its mammalian homologue arginine vasopressin (AVP) modulate reproduction‐related and other social behaviors in a broad range of vertebrate species. These functions of AVT/AVP may be in part achieved through the modulation of sensorimotor integration, although experimental evidence supporting this hypothesis remains limited. In the present experiments, we demonstrate (1) AVT innervation of candidate vocal‐acoustic brain regions, and (2) AVT modulation of vocal‐motor physiology in the plainfin midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus), which uses vocalizations in both mate attraction and agonistic contexts. AVT distribution was compared with known vocally active brain regions and to central auditory and vocal pathways. AVT‐immunoreactive fibers and putative terminals descend almost exclusively from the preoptic area and are found in two primary candidate sites for vocal‐acoustic integration ‐ the anterior tuberal hypothalamus and paralemniscal midbrain tegmentum. AVT immunoreactivity is also located in several other vocally active regions, including the ventral tuberal nucleus, periaqueductal gray, and paraventricular regions of the isthmus and rostral hindbrain. The parvocellular preoptic area itself is also vocally active, although thresholds are substantially higher than for other regions. The functional significance of AVT input to vocal‐acoustic regions was demonstrated in the paralemniscal midbrain where local delivery of AVT modulated electrically evoked, rhythmic vocal‐motor output, which precisely mimicked natural vocalizations. AVT produced dose‐dependent inhibitions of parameters associated with call initiation (burst latency and number of vocal‐motor bursts elicited) but not of vocal‐motor patterning (fundamental frequency and burst duration). Together, these findings provide support for the proposal that AVT modulates sensorimotor processes underlying social/acoustic communication. J. Comp. Neurol. 422:363–379, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of arthroscopic versus open surgery on external snapping hip caused by gluteal muscle contracture.

PURPOSE To compare the outcomes of contracture release by arthroscopic versus open surgical approach in patients with external snapping hip (ESH) caused by gluteal muscle contracture (GMC). METHODS Medical records of patients with ESH due to GMC who underwent open surgery (n = 44) or arthroscopic surgery (n = 48) between October 2008 and October 2014 were reviewed. Patients were followed up at 1, 3, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Operation time, incision length, postoperative pain, postoperative complication rate, and recurrence rate were compared between the 2 groups. Hip adduction, and Harris Hip Scores (HHS) at 1 and 2 years postoperatively were compared between the groups and with preoperative data. RESULTS Mean operation time did not differ between the 2 groups (p>0.05). The arthroscopic surgery group had smaller incisions (p<0.05), less postoperative pain (p<0.05), lower complication rates (p<0.05) than did the open surgery group. The recurrence rates were similar for the 2 groups (p>0.05). Hip adduction, and HHS 1 year and 2 years postoperatively were significantly better postoperatively than they had been preoperatively for both groups (all p<0.01), and were similar for the 2 groups (all p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Arthroscopic release of contracture tissue is a safe and effective approach for the treatment of ESH caused by GMC, with the advantages of small scars, less postoperative pain, fewer complications compared with open surgery.
An evaluation of DSM‐III‐R personality disorders

This study evaluated the extent to which the features of personality disorders are organized into the 11 diagnoses proposed by DSM‐III‐R. The traits composing personality disorder diagnoses were identified in earlier studies. Seventy‐nine traits were required to represent personality diagnoses. Self‐report scales were developed to measure each trait. The factorial structure underlying the trait scales was examined in a sample of 158 patients with a primary diagnosis of personality disorder and a sample of 274 general population subjects. Eleven principal components were extracted from each data set and were rotated to the same oblique criterion. The decision to extract 11 components was based on a priori expectations derived from DSM‐III‐R. Factor comparability coefficients were computed to quantify the similarity of the 2 solutions. A high degree of similarity was observed between the factor structure in the clinical and general population samples, suggesting that features of personality pathology are continuous dimensions. Although a number of factors demonstrated a degree of resemblance to some DSM‐III‐R diagnostic categories, the overall correspondence was not strong. A second‐order factor analysis failed to reproduce the 3 Axis II diagnostic clusters. The results do not support the categorical model used in DSM‐III‐R and they provide only limited support for DSM‐III‐R diagnostic concepts.
Mobile situated analytics of ego-centric network data

Situated Analytics has become popular and important with the resurge of Augmented Reality techniques and the prevalence of mobile platforms. However, existing Situated Analytics could only assist in simple visual analytical tasks such as data retrieval, and most visualization systems capable of aiding complex Visual Analytics are only designed for desktops. Thus, there remain lots of open questions about how to adapt desktop visualization systems to mobile platforms. In this paper, we conduct a study to discuss challenges and trade-offs during the process of adapting an existing desktop system to a mobile platform. With a specific example of interest, egoSlider [Wu et al. 2016], a four-view dynamic ego-centric network visualization system is tailored to adapt the iPhone platform. We study how different view management techniques and interactions influence the effectiveness of presenting multi-scale visualizations including Scatterplot and Storyline visualizations. Simultaneously, a novel Main view+Thumbnails interface layout is devised to support smooth linking between multiple views on mobile platforms. We assess the effectiveness of our system through expert interviews with four experts in data visualization.
Antigen Reversal Identifies Targets of Opsonizing IgGs against Pregnancy-Associated Malaria

ABSTRACT Clinical immunity to pregnancy associated-malaria (PAM) in multigravida women has been attributed to antibodies that recognize VAR2CSA on the infected erythrocyte (IE) surface. The size and complexity of VAR2CSA have focused efforts on selecting one or more of its six Duffy binding-like (DBL) domains for vaccine development. Presently, however, there is no consensus as to which DBL domain(s) would be most effective in eliciting immunity. This is because antibodies to a number of the DBL domains have been found to block the adhesion of VAR2CSA-expressing erythrocytes to chondroitin sulfate A (CSA)—a major criterion for evaluating vaccine candidacy. Opsonization of IEs by cytophilic antibodies that recognize VAR2CSA represents an important yet understudied effector mechanism in acquired immunity to PAM. To date, no studies have sought to determine the targets of those antibodies. In this study, we found that IgGs from multigravida Malian women showed (i) higher reactivity to recombinant DBL domains by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), (ii) more binding to VAR2CSA-expressing IEs, and (iii) greater opsonization of these IEs by human monocytic cells than IgGs from malaria-exposed Malian men and malaria-naive American adults. Preincubation of IgGs from multigravida women with recombinant DBL2χ, DBL3χ, or DBL5ε domains significantly diminished opsonization of VAR2CSA-expressing IEs by human monocytes. These data identify the DBL2χ, DBL3χ, and DBL5ε domains as the primary targets of opsonizing IgGs for the first time. Our study introduces a new approach to determining the antigenic targets of opsonizing IgGs in phagocytosis assays.
Cytoplasmic Domain of Natriuretic Peptide Receptor-C Inhibits Adenylyl Cyclase

Natriuretic peptide receptor C (NPR-C) is a disulfide-linked homodimer with an approximately 440-amino acid extracellular domain and a 37-amino acid cytoplasmic domain; it functions in the internalization and degradation of bound ligand. The use of NPR-C-specific natriuretic peptide analogs has implicated this receptor in mediating the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase or activation of phospholipase C. In the present studies we have investigated the role of the cytoplasmic domain of NPR-C in signaling the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. Polyclonal rabbit antisera were raised against a 37-amino acid synthetic peptide (R37A) corresponding to the cytoplasmic domain of NPR-C. Incubation of anti-R37A with rat heart particulate fractions blocked atrial natriuretic peptide-dependent inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. The cytoplasmic domain peptides R37A and TMC (10 residues of transmembrane domain appended on R37A) were equipotent in inhibiting adenylyl cyclase (Ki ~1 nM) in a GTP-dependent manner, whereas K37E (a scrambled peptide control for R37A) did not inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity. Prior incubation of membranes with pertussis toxin blocked R37A or TMC inhibition of cAMP production. Detergent solubilization of the rat heart particulate fraction destroyed natriuretic peptide inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, but TMC was able to inhibit cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner. Our results provide evidence that the 37-amino acid cytoplasmic domain of NPR-C is sufficient for signaling inhibition of adenylyl cyclase through a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein.
The plasma kinetics of hydroxyethyl starch 350/0.60: A potential new adjunct for centrifugal leucapheresis

A modified species of hydroxyethyl starch (HES 350/0.60) possessing a Mw̄ of 350,000 daltons combined with a molar hydroxyethyl group substitution (MS) of 0.60 (60 hydroxyethyl groups · 100 glucose residues) was clinically assessed in seven normal subjects to determine the influence of these chemical modifications on intravascular clearance kinetics concomitantly with effects on the suspension stability (ESR) of blood. Following a standardised intravenous dose (30 gm · m2 BSA), the concentration of HES 350/0.60 in serum fell to half its peak value in 11.8 ± 1.3 (SD) hours, while the ESR remained elevated for up to 12 hours post‐injection. By adopting a Mw̄ of 350,000 daltons, the critical molecular weight (Cmw) of this colloid was surpassed, while the critical concentration (Cc), below which the suspension stability of blood is not affected, was shown to range between 0.3 and 0.5 gm · dl−1. In comparison to the present species of HES (Mw̄ 450,000 daltons, MS: 0.70) utilised as a sedimenting agent during centrifugal leucapheresis, HES 350,000/0.60 appears to affect the ESR in a similar manner, but is removed from the intravascular space approximately twice as rapidly. This more rapid clearance should be useful in avoiding cumulative build‐up of HES in blood concomitant with reducing the total amount of intravascular H2O bound to this colloid, in normal and CML donors undergoing multiple cell collection procedures.
Regulation of gene expression of M-, G-, GM-, and multi-CSF in normal and malignant hematopoietic cells.

Colony stimulating factors (CSFs) are produced by a variety of cell types, including T-lymphocytes (T cells) and mononuclear phagocytes; both cell types are known to cooperatively interact to elaborate CSFs, although the specific cellular source of CSF species and mechanisms of intercellular communications in this regard are poorly understood. In this report, we investigate the specific origin of various CSF species in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), purified T-lymphocyte and monocyte (Mo) populations. Furthermore, we assess the conditions required for stimulation of purified cell cultures to express CSF messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and proteins. In the absence of exogenous activation stimuli, human PBMC, T cells and Mo failed to produce transcripts for CSF for macrophages (M-CSF or CSF-1), for granulocytes (G-CSF), for granulocytes/macrophages (GM-CSF), and for multilineage CSF (multi-CSF or Il-3). However, after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA), mRNAs for M-, G-, GM-CSF, and multi-CSF became detectable in PBMC as early as 6 hours after initiation of cultures. Identical culture conditions resulted in synthesis of G-, and M-CSF mRNA by Mo, whereas T-lymphocytes produced GM-CSF and multi-CSF mRNA. More physiologically, when Mo were activated with interferon (IFN)-gamma or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and T-lymphocytes were stimulated in an Mo-independent pathway, that is via triggering of the 50 kd sheep erythrocyte receptor protein employing monoclonal antibodies (mo ab) to the Tll-2- and Tll-3- defined epitopes, similar kinetics of mRNA expression were obtained. Similarly, when interleukin-1 (Il-1) receptive T cells were stimulated with Il-1, T cells transcribed functionally active GM-CSF and multi-CSF. Maximum peak activity of GM-, G-, and M-CSF protein secretion was identical for all CSF species investigated, and occurred in culture 48-72 hours after specific induction. Constitutive expression of CSFs not found in unactivated normal hematopoietic cells was, however, frequently observed in blast cell populations of patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia. Of 49 AML samples, 15 revealed G-CSF transcripts; 11, GM-CSF mRNA; and 6 samples synthesized M-CSF mRNA. Employing specific bioassays, 12 of 15 G-CSF-mRNA-producing cell populations, 8 of 11 GM-CSF-mRNA-producing cell populations, and 1 of 6 M-CSF-mRNA-synthesizing samples, demonstrated release of the respective functionally active CSFs into their culture supernatants. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Mice with a Homozygous Null Mutation for the Most Abundant Glutathione Peroxidase, Gpx1, Show Increased Susceptibility to the Oxidative Stress-inducing Agents Paraquat and Hydrogen Peroxide*

Glutathione peroxidases have been thought to function in cellular antioxidant defense. However, some recent studies on Gpx1 knockout (−/−) mice have failed to show a role for Gpx1 under conditions of oxidative stress such as hyperbaric oxygen and the exposure of eye lenses to high levels of H2O2. These findings have, unexpectedly, raised the issue of the role of Gpx1, especially under conditions of oxidative stress. Here we demonstrate a role for Gpx1 in protection against oxidative stress by showing that Gpx1 (−/−) mice are highly sensitive to the oxidant paraquat. Lethality was already detected within 24 h in mice exposed to paraquat at 10 mg·kg−1 (approximately 1 7 the LD50of wild-type controls). The effects of paraquat were dose-related. In the 30 mg·kg−1-treated group, 100% of mice died within 5 h, whereas the controls showed no evidence of toxicity. We further demonstrate that paraquat transcriptionally up-regulatesGpx1 in normal cells, reinforcing a role forGpx1 in protection against paraquat toxicity. Finally, we show that cortical neurons from Gpx1 (−/−) mice are more susceptible to H2O2; 30% of neurons fromGpx1 (−/−) mice were killed when exposed to 65 μm H2O2, whereas the wild-type controls were unaffected. These data establish a function for Gpx1 in protection against some oxidative stressors and in protection of neurons against H2O2. Further, they emphasize the need to elucidate the role of Gpx1 in protection against different oxidative stressors and in different disease states and suggest thatGpx1 (−/−) mice may be valuable for studying the role of H2O2 in neurodegenerative disorders.
Plant genetics and interspecific competitive interactions determine ectomycorrhizal fungal community responses to climate change

Although the importance of plant‐associated microbes is increasingly recognized, little is known about the biotic and abiotic factors that determine the composition of that microbiome. We examined the influence of plant genetic variation, and two stressors, one biotic and one abiotic, on the ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungal community of a dominant tree species, Pinus edulis. During three periods across 16 years that varied in drought severity, we sampled the EM fungal communities of a wild stand of P. edulis in which genetically based resistance and susceptibility to insect herbivory was linked with drought tolerance and the abundance of competing shrubs. We found that the EM fungal communities of insect‐susceptible trees remained relatively constant as climate dried, while those of insect‐resistant trees shifted significantly, providing evidence of a genotype by environment interaction. Shrub removal altered the EM fungal communities of insect‐resistant trees, but not insect‐susceptible trees, also a genotype by environment interaction. The change in the EM fungal community of insect‐resistant trees following shrub removal was associated with greater shoot growth, evidence of competitive release. However, shrub removal had a 7‐fold greater positive effect on the shoot growth of insect‐susceptible trees than insect‐resistant trees when shrub density was taken into account. Insect‐susceptible trees had higher growth than insect‐resistant trees, consistent with the hypothesis that the EM fungi associated with susceptible trees were superior mutualists. These complex, genetic‐based interactions among species (tree‐shrub‐herbivore‐fungus) argue that the ultimate impacts of climate change are both ecological and evolutionary.