Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Levels of MCP-1 and GM-CSF mRNA Correlated with Inflammatory Cytokines mRNA Levels in Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis in Rats

Infiltration of monocytes and T cells is known to be an essential trigger for the progression of experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) in rats. Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were shown to mediate the migration of monocytes and T cells into inflammatory sites and to proliferate monocytes. Thus, we evaluated levels of MCP-1 and GM-CSF mRNA in the myocardium of EAM in rats using a real time quantitative PCR method. We also examined the correlation of MCP-1 or GM-CSF mRNA levels with those of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor- f (TNF- f ), interleukin-1 g (IL-1 g ) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the same lesion. Levels of MCP-1, GM-CSF, TNF- f, IL-1 g and IL-6 mRNA increased with the progression of myocarditis which was accompanied by the accumulation of ED-1 positive cells. The MCP-1 and GM-CSF mRNA levels were positively correlated with TNF- f, IL-1 g and IL-6 mRNA levels in the same lesion of EAM. We also demonstrated that serum MCP-1 concentrations were increased during the active stage of EAM, and were correlated with MCP-1 mRNA levels in the myocardium of each rat. These findings suggest that elevated MCP-1 and GM-CSF may associate with the migration and proliferation of monocytes/macrophages in EAM. Thus, MCP-1 and GM-CSF may play an important role in the progression of EAM.
14-3-3 Connects Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β to Tau within a Brain Microtubule-associated Tau Phosphorylation Complex*

In a recent study, we reported that in bovine brain extract, glycogen synthase kinase-3β and tau are parts of an ∼400–500 kDa microtubule-associated tau phosphorylation complex (Sun, W., Qureshi, H. Y., Cafferty, P. W., Sobue, K., Agarwal-Mawal, A., Neufield, K. D., and Paudel, H. K. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 11933–11940). In this study, we find that when purified brain microtubules are subjected to Superose 12 gel filtration column chromatography, the dimeric scaffold protein 14-3-3ζ co-elutes with the tau phosphorylation complex components tau and GSK3β. From gel filtration fractions containing the tau phosphorylation complex, 14-3-3ζ, GSK3β, and tau co-immunoprecipitate with each other. From extracts of bovine brain, COS-7 cells, and HEK-293 cells transfected with GSK3β, 14-3-3ζ co-precipitates with GSK3β, indicating that GSK3β binds to 14-3-3ζ. From HEK-293 cells transfected with tau, GSK3β, and 14-3-3ζ in different combinations, tau co-immunoprecipitates with GSK3β only in the presence of 14-3-3ζ. In vitro, ∼10-fold more tau binds to GSK3β in the presence of than in the absence of 14-3-3ζ. In transfected HEK-293 cells, 14-3-3ζ stimulates GSK3β-catalyzed tau phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. These data indicate that in brain, the 14-3-3ζ dimer simultaneously binds and bridges tau and GSK3β and stimulates GSK3β-catalyzed tau phosphorylation.
Epidemiological Survey of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Domestic Owned Cats from the Tropical Southeast of Mexico

American trypanosomiasis is an infectious disease of importance for public health and caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi mainly transmitted by triatomine bugs. The precise role of cats in the peridomestic transmission of T. cruzi and the mechanism by which cats become infected remain uncertain. The objective of this work was to determine the prevalence of T. cruzi infection in domestic cats from an urban area of tropical Mexico by serological and molecular methods and evaluate associated risk factors. A total of 220 domestic cats from Merida Yucatan, Mexico, were studied. Animals older than 3 months were blood sampled. Serum and DNA were obtained. Specific T. cruzi IgG antibodies were detected using a commercial indirect ELISA with an anti‐cat antibody HRP labelled. Positive cases were confirmed by Western blot (WB). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also performed using the primers TC1 and TC2. From the 220 cats, 8.6% had antibodies against T. cruzi using ELISA test and later confirmed by WB. In 75 cats (34%), the sequence of ADNk of T. cruzi was amplified. The bad–regular body condition was the only risk factor associated with PCR positive to T.cruzi (P < 0.001). In Mexico, there are no previous epidemiological reports that demonstrate the importance of the cat as a reservoir of T. cruzi. Few individuals were identified with a serological response because they were probably at an early stage of infection or antibodies were not detected because they could be immunocompromised (FIV, FeLV or others). It is necessary to monitor PCR‐positive patients and conduct further studies for better understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of Chagas disease in domestic cats.
Intrathecal IgM‐synthesis does not correlate with the risk of relapse in patients with a primary demyelinating event

The objective of this study was to investigate, whether the presence of oligoclonal immunoglobulin M bands (IgM‐OCB) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), which is suggestive for the first clinical manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS), anticipates the risk of a relapse during a retrospective study period of 21–106 months (mean 60 ± 25). A relapse would lead to the diagnosis of clinically definite MS. Paired CSF and serum samples from 42 patients with a CIS and positive intrathecal IgG‐synthesis were tested retrospectively for IgM‐OCB, which are exclusively present in CSF, but not in the corresponding serum. Isoelectric focusing and affinity blot were used and clinical follow‐up was based on telephone interviews. IgM‐OCB were found in the CSF from 31 of 42 patients (74%). There was no correlation between the presence of IgM‐OCB, the number of such bands or the IgM‐Index on the one hand and the risk of a relapse during the follow‐up in the cohort studied, on the other hand. These data do not support the idea that the presence of IgM‐OCB in CSF might predict an unfavourable course in MS.
The Ability-to-Pay Principle As a Primarily Constitutional Basis for Tax Norms of a Financial Nature

Ability-to-pay principle is a fundamental principle guaranteeing fair taxation in the modern tax systems. All tax laws and rules of fiscal nature in Slovenia must be based on this principle, regardless of the fact that no constitutional provision with such demand exists. Exceptions from the named principle are only possible if there are real and founded reasons for such exceptions, deriving from the matter of things. Consequently, the legislator is obliged to substantiate any possible deviation from this principle.
Sensory nerve‐mediated relaxation of guinea‐pig isolated pulmonary artery: prejunctional modulation by α2‐adrenoceptor agonists but not sumatriptan

1 Effects of the α2‐adrenoceptor agonists, UK14304 and clonidine, the 5‐HT1 receptor agonist, sumatriptan and the κ‐opioid receptor agonist, GR103545, on sensory neurotransmission in histamine‐contracted guinea‐pig isolated pulmonary artery (GPPA) have been studied. 2 Electrical field stimulation (EFS) induced frequency‐dependent relaxations of histamine‐contracted GPPA, which were attenuated by tetrodotoxin and capsaicin pretreatment but not by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME). 3 Substance P (0.3 μm) induced relaxations which were subject to rapid tachyphylaxis. Neither the NK1 receptor antagonist, (±)‐CP 96,345, nor desensitization to substance P had any effect of EFS‐induced relaxations of histamine‐contracted GPPA. 4 Calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP; 3 and 30 nm) induced concentration‐dependent relaxations of histamine‐contracted GPPA. The putative CGRP receptor antagonist, CGRP8–37 (1 μm), markedly attenuated EFS‐induced relaxations as well as relaxations induced by a low concentration of CGRP. 5 Sumatriptan (0.1 and 1 μm) and the selective K‐opioid receptor agonist, GR103545 (10 and 100 nm) had no effect on EFS‐induced relaxations of histamine‐contracted GPPA. In contrast, the α2‐adrenoceptor agonists UK14304 (1–100 nm) and clonidine (300 nm) attenuated responses to EFS, the attenuation of UK14304 (100 nm) being reversed by yohimbine (300 nm). 6 It is concluded that in GPPA, where a presynaptic inhibition of sensory neurotransmission by α2‐adrenoceptor activation could be shown, there was no evidence for such modulation by either sumatriptan‐sensitive 5‐HT1 receptors or κ‐opioid receptors.
Dynamic behaviors of autonomous underwater vehicles considering lateral flow

Dynamic behaviors of AUV show a complex six-degrees of freedom (6-DOF) motion. They have great influence on the task precision and are influenced by uncertain marine environment parameters, in which influence of the lateral flow is one of the most significant. In this paper, dynamic behaviors of AUV in lateral flow are investigated using the CFD-based numerical method. Pressure distribution on the surface of the AUV, trajectory of center of gravity and attitude angle of the AUV are obtained and presented with different speeds and directions of lateral flow. The AUV has a steady yaw motion in definite time by the effect of lateral flow. In addition, four different layouts of the tail fins are discussed for the sake of improving ability of resisting the lateral flow. Results shows that the AUV with X-45 ° tail fins can keep better motion performance than others do. The present investigation provides a convenient and effective method to predict the Dynamic behaviors of AUV in complex marine environment and provide theoretical guidance in design stage.
Chronic ethanol consumption enhances internalization of α1 subunit‐containing GABAA receptors in cerebral cortex

The molecular mechanisms that underlie ethanol dependence involve alterations in the functional properties and subunit expression of GABAA receptors. Chronic ethanol exposure decreases GABAA receptor α1 subunits and increases α4 subunit levels in cerebral cortical membranes. This study explored the effect of chronic ethanol exposure on internalization of GABAA/benzodiazepine receptors. Chronic ethanol exposure increased α1 subunit levels by 46 ± 12% and [3H]flunitrazepam binding by 35 ± 9% in the clathrin‐coated vesicle (CCV) fraction. There was a corresponding 34 ± 8% decrease in α1 peptide expression and 37 ± 6% decrease in [3H]flunitrazepam binding in the synaptic fraction. Chronic ethanol consumption also increased the α1 subunit immunoprecipitate in the cytosolic fraction (77 ± 22%), measured by western blot analysis. Moreover, co‐immunoprecipitation of both clathrin and adaptin‐α with α1 subunits was increased in the cytosolic fraction, suggesting that α1 subunit endocytosis is enhanced by chronic ethanol consumption. In contrast, α4 subunit peptide levels were not altered in the CCV fraction despite a 39 ± 13% increase in peptide levels in the synaptic fraction of cortex. Moreover, acute ethanol exposure did not alter α1 subunit peptide expression or [3H]flunitrazepam binding in the synaptic or CCV fractions. These results suggest that chronic ethanol consumption selectively increases internalization of α1 subunit‐containing GABAA receptors in cerebral cortex.
The Suitability of Written Education Materials for Stroke Survivors and Their Carers

Abstract This study evaluated the suitability of written materials for stroke survivors and their carers. Twenty stroke survivors and 14 carers were interviewed about the stroke information they had received and their perceptions of the content and presentation of materials of increasing reading difficulty. The mean readability level of materials (grade 9) was higher than participants’ mean reading ability (grade 7–8). Satisfaction with materials decreased as the content became more difficult to read. Seventy-five percent reported that their information needs were not met in hospital. More stroke survivors with aphasia wanted support from health professionals to read and understand written information, and identified simple language, large font size, color, and diagrams to complement the text as being important features of written materials. Simple materials that meet clients’ information needs and design preferences may optimally inform them about stroke.
Frequency selective surfaces with non fractal geometry

The use of FSS with non fractal geometry is proposed in this work. When non fractal details are applied to rectangular patch, the FSS frequency response can be drastically affected. The frequency of resonance can be reduced and new resonance can be obtained. Furthermore, the bandwidth between resonances can be modified. Then, these characteristics can be utilized to design FSS with multiband operations or to reduce the FSS dimensions. In this work, numerical results, obtained using the WCIP method, are presented and discussed to different FSS with non fractal geometry. Two FSS with non fractal geometry are characterized experimentally and the obtained results compared to numerical ones. The results indicate the potential of the non fractal geometry in the FSS design, which instigate the research for new applications.
Biological Sulfate Reduction Using Molasses as a Carbon Source

The feasibility of using a laboratory‐scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket process for sulfate reduction with molasses as a carbon source was demonstrated. Competition between methane‐producing bacteria (MPB) and sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) was influenced by the chemical oxygen demand‐to‐sulfur (COD:S) ratio in the feed. Sulfate removal greater than 80% could be achieved at COD:S greater than 10 when MPB predominated. Activity of MPB and SRB was inhibited at a dissolved sulfide concentration of approximately 200mg/L. Competition between MPB and SRB was intense as the COD:S was reduced from 5 to 2. Further reduction in the COD:S to 0.7 led to the formation of sulfidogenic granules. The COD removal decreased to approximately 30% at a COD:S less than 2 because of accumulation of sulfurous precipitates and the nonbiodegradable portion of molasses in the sludge. Reduced gas production rates further imposed limitations on diffusion of the organic substrate into granules. Sulfidogenic process operation yielded sulfate removal as great as 70% at a COD:S of approximately 3.5.
Bioinformatic challenges for DNA metabarcoding of plants and animals

Almost all empirical studies in ecology have to identify the species involved in the ecological process under examination. DNA metabarcoding, which couples the principles of DNA barcoding with next generation sequencing technology, provides an opportunity to easily produce large amounts of data on biodiversity. Microbiologists have long used metabarcoding approaches, but use of this technique in the assessment of biodiversity in plant and animal communities is under‐explored. Despite its relationship with DNA barcoding, several unique features of DNA metabarcoding justify the development of specific data analysis methodologies. In this review, we describe the bioinformatics tools available for DNA metabarcoding of plants and animals, and we revisit others developed for DNA barcoding or microbial metabarcoding. We also discuss the principles and associated tools for evaluating and comparing DNA barcodes in the context of DNA metabarcoding, for designing new custom‐made barcodes adapted to specific ecological question, for dealing with PCR and sequencing errors, and for inferring taxonomical data from sequences.
Risk Factors for Drug-resistant Bloodstream Infections in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective. To identify risk factors for developing drug-resistant bacterial infections in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods. A retrospective, case-control study was performed. Patients fulfilled American College of Rheumatology criteria for SLE and had an episode of bloodstream infection between 2001 and 2012. Cases were defined as those with bloodstream infection caused by drug-resistant bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or extended-spectrum-β-lactalamase-producing Escherichia coli); while controls had susceptible strains of S. aureus or E. coli. Differences between groups were analyzed by Student t test or Mann-Whitney U test. Association between variables was assessed by OR (CI 95%). Multivariate analysis was performed by binary logistic regression model. Results. Forty-four patients were included in each group. Variables associated with drug-resistant bloodstream infection were history of central nervous system activity; hematological activity, immunosuppressive treatment and prednisone dose at the time of the infection; and low C3 levels, antibiotic use, or hospitalization in the previous 3 months. In multivariate analysis, variables that remained significant were low C3 previous to infection (OR 3.12, CI 95% 1.91–8.22), previous hospitalization (OR 2.22, CI 95% 1.42–4.10), and prednisone dose at the time of infection (OR 1.10, CI 95% 1.04–1.22). Conclusion. Low C3 levels, recent hospitalization, and prednisone dose at time of infection are independent risk factors for acquiring drug-resistant bacteria in patients with SLE. Although the present data do not fully support a change in initial treatment-decision strategies, this information could lead to prospective studies designed to address this issue, which could determine the best approach in clinical practice.
The Extensive Margin of Aggregate Consumption Demand

About half of the change in U.S. non-durable consumption expenditure is due to changes in the products entering households’ consumption basket (the extensive margin). Changes in the basket are driven by fluctuations in the rate at which households add products; removals fluctuate little. These patterns reflect that, in response to income increases, households adopt consumer products already available in the market. Household adoption amplifies the effects of fiscal transfers on consumption by more than 30%. Cyclical household adoption of products also implies that inflation measures based on a representative household consuming all varieties available in the market underestimate true household-level inflation by as much as 1% per year over the Great Recession in the consumption categories covered by our data.
Hepcidin Induction by Pathogens and Pathogen-Derived Molecules Is Strongly Dependent on Interleukin-6

ABSTRACT Hepcidin, the iron-regulatory hormone, is increased during infection or inflammation, causing hypoferremia. This response is thought to be a host defense mechanism that restricts iron availability to invading pathogens. It is not known if hepcidin is differentially induced by bacterial versus viral infections, whether the stimulation of pattern recognition receptors directly regulates hepcidin transcription, or which of the proposed signaling pathways are essential for hepcidin increase during infection. We analyzed hepcidin induction and its dependence on interleukin-6 (IL-6) in response to common bacterial or viral infections in mice or in response to a panel of pathogen-derived molecules (PAMPs) in mice and human primary hepatocytes. In wild-type (WT) mice, hepcidin mRNA was induced several hundred-fold both by a bacterial (Streptococcus pneumoniae) and a viral infection (influenza virus PR8) within 2 to 5 days. Treatment of mice and human primary hepatocytes with most Toll-like receptor ligands increased hepcidin mRNA within 6 h. Hepcidin induction by microbial stimuli was IL-6 dependent. IL-6 knockout mice failed to increase hepcidin in response to S. pneumoniae or influenza infection and had greatly diminished hepcidin response to PAMPs. In vitro, hepcidin induction by PAMPs in primary human hepatocytes was abolished by the addition of neutralizing IL-6 antibodies. Our results support the key role of IL-6 in hepcidin regulation in response to a variety of infectious and inflammatory stimuli.
Substrate oxidation by the portal drained viscera of fed piglets

Stoll, Barbara, Douglas G. Burrin, Joseph Henry, Hung Yu, Farook Jahoor, and Peter J. Reeds. Substrate oxidation by the portal drained viscera of fed piglets. Am. J. Physiol. 277 (Endocrinol. Metab. 40): E168–E175, 1999. — Fully fed piglets (28 days old, 7–8 kg) bearing portal, arterial, and gastric catheters and a portal flow probe were infused with enteral [U-13C]glutamate (n 5 4), enteral [U-13C]glucose (n 5 4), intravenous [U-13C]glucose (n 5 4), or intravenous [U-13C]glutamine (n 5 3). A total of 94% of the enteral [U-13C]glutamate but only 6% of the enteral [U13C]glucose was utilized in first pass by the portal-drained viscera (PDV). The PDV extracted 6.5% of the arterial flux of [U-13C]glucose and 20.4% of the arterial flux of [U-13C]glutamine. The production of CO2 (percentage of dose) by the PDV from enteral glucose (3%), arterial glucose (27%), enteral glutamate (52%), and arterial glutamine (70%) varied widely. The substrates contributed 15% (enteral glucose), 19% (arterial glutamine), 29% (arterial glucose), and 36% (enteral glutamate) of the total production of CO2 by the PDV. Enteral glucose accounted for 18% of the portal alanine and 31% of the portal lactate carbon outflow. We conclude that, in vivo, three-fourths of the energy needs of the PDV are satisfied by the oxidation of glucose, glutamate, and glutamine, and that dietary glutamate is the most important single contributor to mucosal oxidative energy generation.
Preparing Principals to Lead in Today's Varied Educational Settings

This articles examines three different cohort-based school leader preparation models developed and implemented with suburban, rural, and urban schools. The University of Central Missouri's Collaborative Principals Preparation Program (CPPP) created a partnership with 14 suburban school districts to prepare future school leaders. UCM subsequently designed programs for rural and urban leader. Each program includes job-embedded learning throughout the six semesters of the program, including a two-semester internship component in which students work with mentors within their district. Cohort specific accommodations help support aspiring school leaders preparing to work in suburban, rural, or urban school settings, each characterized by its own unique sources of issues, challenges, and needs .
Expression of topoisomerases II alpha and beta in Chinese hamster lung cells resistant to topoisomerase II inhibitors.

Chinese hamster lung cells resistant to 9-OH-ellipticine, i.e., DC-3F/9-OH-E cells, are several hundredfold resistant to DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors. According to previous studies, this resistance is associated with reduced topoisomerase II activity (about 4-fold) and decreased capacity of the topoisomerase II inhibitors to induce stabilization of the cleavable complex (about 10-fold). In the present work, an antibody was raised against a fragment of human topoisomerase II alpha. This antibody, which recognizes both isoforms, was used to determine the amounts of topoisomerases II alpha and beta in the sensitive and resistant cells. Northern and immunoblot analyses showed that (i) in the parental DC-3F cells the alpha enzyme is about 20-fold more abundant than the beta enzyme and the enzyme isoforms undergo reciprocal regulation during the cell growth phases, with the expression of the alpha enzyme dropping at the plateau phase while the expression of the beta enzyme increases, and (ii) in the resistant cells the amount of alpha enzyme is about 4-5-fold smaller than that in the sensitive cells, whereas the beta enzyme is almost undetectable. Analysis of DNA restriction sites in several independently selected resistant subclones revealed some rearrangements in the beta gene in two clones. However, these gene alterations did not correlate with changes in the resistance level. The relative contribution of these different changes to the resistance phenotype is discussed.