Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic and Genotypic Changes in Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serotype Typhimurium during Passage in Intestines of Broiler Chickens Fed on Diets That Included Ionophore Anticoccidial Supplements

ABSTRACT The effect of continuous in-feed administration of anticoccidial agents on antimicrobial sensitivity and the level of bacterial shedding in poultry experimentally infected with Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype Typhimurium definitive type 104 (DT104) were investigated. On day 0, 1,200 1-day-old Salmonella-free broiler chicks were placed into 50 pens, and the pens were randomly allocated to one of five treatments: nonsupplemented (negative control; T1), monensin at 120 mg/kg of diet (T2), salinomycin at 60 mg/kg of diet (T3), semduramicin at 20 mg/kg of diet (T4), or semduramicin at 25 mg/kg of diet (T5). Each bird was inoculated with a well-characterized strain of serotype Typhimurium DT104 on day 10. On day 49, the birds were euthanatized humanely. Bulk fecal samples were collected on days 13, 43, and 48 and were examined for organisms which had acquired resistance. The genetic basis of acquired resistance was determined from representative samples of isolates. Of 784 Salmonella-selective plates supplemented with antimicrobial agents, only 33 showed growth. These isolates came from all treatment regimens, including the nonsupplemented control. A number of phenotypic changes were observed; these included changes in motility, phage type, and agglutination properties. Supplementation of the diet with an anticoccidial drug does not appear to affect antimicrobial resistance or the level of excretion of salmonellae. Most of the changes observed do not seem to be related to the presence of a supplement in feed. Salmonellae appear to be capable of acquiring antimicrobial resistance and phenotypic changes independently of specific antimicrobial selection pressures.
Lack of effects of myo-inositol on metabolism of primary rat adipocytes

Abstract Myo-inositol is a ubiquitous cyclitol, has an important regulatory role, and its intracellular depletion is associated with pathological changes. Effects of myo-inositol on adipose tissue are poorly elucidated. In this report, short-term influence of 20, 100, and 500 µM myo-inositol on metabolism of the isolated rat adipocytes was studied. Cells were incubated for 90 min with glucose and insulin with or without myo-inositol and glucose conversion to lipids and lactate release were measured. Moreover, effects of myo-inositol on lipolysis and on the antilipolytic action of insulin were also studied. It was demonstrated that lipogenesis and lactate release were unchanged by myo-inositol. Moreover, lipolytic response to epinephrine and dibutyryl-cAMP was also unchanged. Myo-inositol was also found to be without influence on the antilipolytic action of insulin. Results of this study show that metabolism of the isolated rat adipocytes is not affected by short-term exposure of these cells to myo-inositol.
Early separation anxiety and adult attachment style in women with eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE To ascertain whether women with eating disorders have a higher frequency of separation anxiety symptoms in childhood, and a higher prevalence of insecure styles of adult attachment, compared with healthy women. METHODS The Separation Anxiety Symptom Inventory (SASI) and the Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ) were administered to 78 women with eating disorders and 64 healthy women. RESULTS Compared with control women, women with eating disorders reported more severe symptoms of separation anxiety during childhood, and scored higher on the ASQ scales, reflecting insecure styles of adult attachment. Early separation anxiety and insecure attachment were not correlated with age of onset or illness duration. The diagnostic subgroup was not associated with a specific style of insecure attachment: compared with control women, both anorexic and bulimic women scored higher on the ASQ scales reflecting anxious attachment, but not on the scales reflecting avoidant attachment. CONCLUSIONS The results confirm the link between eating disorders and insecure attachment that has been found in previous studies, and extend it to childhood symptoms of separation anxiety.
An Elasto-Plastic Model of Avian Gastrulation

The motions observed during avian gastrulation may be simply interpreted in terms of elasto-plastic flow of sheets. Such a model allows one to calculate the flow map inside the blastodisc, hence the evolution of its shape. In addition, the model predicts that there exists a region of high stress oriented radially from the caudal pole towards the center of the blastodisc, with a tensile component oriented orthoradially. If the stress generated by cellular motion is enough to provoke a crack in the extra cellular matrix, then mesoderm ingression proceeds through a "streak" (the primitive streak) oriented from the caudal pole inwards, which relieves the stress while it creates the 3 germ layers. The model predicts that crack opening is next followed by crack retreat (primitive streak retreat), as mesoderm ingression continues. As mesoderm ingression proceeds around the area pellucida, similar phenomena in the anterior pole may contribute to formation of the embryo. This gives a mechanical description of avian gastrulation which complements the biochemical approach. In addition, the model provides a simple explanation to the shape of the embryo at very early stages, and possibly an explanation of the entry point of the vitteline arteries into the mesoderm.
Suspected flunixin poisoning of a wild Eurasian Griffon Vulture from Spain

Exposure to residues of the nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac present in livestock carcasses has caused extensive declines in 3 Gyps vulture species across Asia. The carcass of a wild Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) was found in 2012 on an Andalucian (Spain) game hunting reserve and examined forensically. The bird had severe visceral gout, a finding consistent with Gyps vultures from Asia that have been poisoned by diclofenac. Liver and kidney samples from this Eurasian Griffon Vulture contained elevated flunixin (an NSAID) levels (median = 2.70 and 6.50 mg/kg, respectively). This is the first reported case of a wild vulture being exposed to and apparently killed by an NSAID outside Asia. It is also the first reported instance of mortality in the wild resulting from environmental exposure to an NSAID other than diclofenac.
[Effect of telomerase on ginsenoside Rh2-induced differentiation of hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7721].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Recently we found that 20 microg/ml of ginsenoside Rh2 (G-Rh(2)) can inhibit growth, and induce differentiation of hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7721. Re-activation of telomerase may play an important role in carcinogenesis, and cellular immortalization. This study was to explore the mechanism of G-Rh(2)-induced differentiation of SMMC-7721 cells by detecting telomerase activity. METHODS After treated with 20 mug/ml of G-Rh(2), telomerase activity in SMMC-7721 cells was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) coupled with enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay(ELISA); mRNA levels of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), and p21 were measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); changes of cell cycle, and expression of Cyclin D1, Cyclin E,P16 protein were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). RESULTS G-Rh(2) inhibited telomerase activity of SMMC-7721 in a time- dependent manner: the activity decreased from 1.105 to 0.765 (P< 0.01) after 1-day treatment, while from 1.152 to 0.326 (P< 0.01) after treated for 5-day treatment. The mRNA expression of hTERT was significantly reduced by 20 microg/ml of G-Rh(2). Cell cycle assay showed that 20 microg/ml of G-Rh(2) increased the proportion of SMMC-7721 cells in G1 phase, and decreased those in S, and G2/M phases, the increase of G1 phase after 1-day treatment was the most apparent (from 60.85% to 78.53%,P< 0.05). Furthermore,G-Rh(2) weakened the expressions of positive-regulating factors(Cyclin D1,Cyclin E),and increased the expressions of negative-regulating factors (P16 protein, p21 gene) in SMMC- 7721 cells. CONCLUSIONS G-Rh(2) may effectively reduce telomerase activity through affecting transcription level of hTERT,and arresting cell cycle progression. The down- regulation of telomerase activity in SMMC-7721 cells may be closely related to G-Rh(2)-induced differentiation.
Glucose-mediated Phosphorylation Converts the Transcription Factor Rgt1 from a Repressor to an Activator*

Glucose, the most abundant carbon and energy source, regulates the expression of genes required for its own efficient metabolism. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, glucose induces the expression of the hexose transporter (HXT) genes by modulating the activity of the transcription factor Rgt1 that functions as a repressor when glucose is absent. However, in the presence of high concentrations of glucose, Rgt1 is converted from a repressor to an activator and is required for maximal induction of HXT1 gene expression. We report that Rgt1 binds to the HXT1 promoter only in the absence of glucose, suggesting that Rgt1 increases HXT1 gene expression at high levels of glucose by an indirect mechanism. It is likely that Rgt1 stimulates the expression of an activator of theHXT1 gene at high concentrations of glucose. In addition, we demonstrate that Rgt1 becomes hyperphosphorylated in response to high glucose levels and that this phosphorylation event is required for Rgt1 to activate transcription. Furthermore, Rgt1 lacks the glucose-mediated phosphorylation in the snf3 rgt2 andgrr1 mutants, which are defective in glucose induction ofHXT gene expression. In these mutants, Rgt1 behaves as a constitutive repressor independent of the carbon source. We conclude that phosphorylation of Rgt1 in response to glucose is required to abolish the Rgt1-mediated repression of the HXT genes and to convert Rgt1 from a transcriptional repressor to an activator.
Brain Tissue Acidosis: Effects on the Extracellular Concentration of N‐Acetylaspartate

Abstract: N‐Acetylaspartate (NAA) is characterized by a high tissue‐to‐extracellular concentration ratio under normal conditions and is released from neurons during hyposmotic cell swelling. As cell volume regulation and acid‐base homeostasis share common processes, we have examined by microdialysis whether the extracellular concentration of NAA is altered by various acidotic challenges. Twenty‐minute perfusion of 50 mM NH4+ through the microdialysis probe progressively lowered dialysate pH by 0.18, followed by a sudden, additional reduction after NH4+ removal. The latter effect indicated extrusion of cellular H+ because it was suppressed by blockade of Na+/H+ exchange with 5‐(N,N‐dimethyl)amiloride (1 or 5 mM in perfusion medium). NH4+ increased dialysate levels of NAA and lactate by approximately two‐ and threefold their initial values, respectively. These data demonstrate that pronounced intracellular acidosis is associated with NAA efflux, presumably from neurons. Whether this effect is linked directly to acid‐base homeostasis or is secondary to acidosis‐induced cell swelling remains to be clarified. Hypercapnia and perfusion of acid medium failed to increase dialysate NAA, probably because acidosis was not severe enough or the associated cellular swelling was not followed by regulatory volume decrease. As cellular swelling and acidosis are key features of cerebral ischaemia, further investigations into the role of NAA, and the development of sophisticated magnetic resonance spectroscopic methods capable of resolving intra‐/extracellular NAA redistribution, would be especially relevant to clinical practice.
Analysis, modelling, and simulation of droop control with virtual impedance loop applied to parallel UPS systems

This paper explores a control strategy for parallel uninterruptible power systems (UPS). The control technique used in that work was based on the droop control method. This method is usually applied to achieve good active and reactive power sharing when communication between the inverters is difficult due to its physical location. This paper has considered that the UPS systems there were no communication between their controls. A detailed mathematical model about the explored system is shown in that work and simulation results are presented in order to prove the theory presented.
Update on clinical trials in systemic lupus erythematosus

Purpose of reviewWith advancement in our understanding of pathogenic mechanisms in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), there is tremendous enthusiasm in examining drugs, old and new, to improve outcomes. This review highlights recent trials’ successes and impasses that have come to fore. Recent findingsAmong B-cell therapies, belimumab continues its run of successes with sustained safety and tolerability documented in a long-term extension as well as the likely approval of a subcutaneous formulation in the near future. With greater antibody-dependent cytotoxicity and less immunogenicity, there is hope for obinituzumab to succeed where its anti-CD 20 predecessors have failed. Drugs targeting type I interferons – sifalimumab and anifrolumab – have been efficacious albeit with an increase in incidence of Herpes zoster infections. There is also renewed interest in evaluating the efficacy of calcineurin inhibitors, specifically tacrolimus in the induction and maintenance of lupus nephritis. Introspection into clinical trial designs have highlighted the effects of entry criteria, end points, background medications and geographical differences on study outcomes. SummaryThere are at least 50 drugs and targets being evaluated in SLE. In addition to developing new drugs to treat lupus, future trials have to focus on more effective study designs to improve chances of trial success.
Overexpression of FOXM1 Is Associated With Poor Prognosis and Clinicopathologic Stage of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Objectives Oncogenic transcription factor forkhead box M1 (FoxM1)–related clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) have not been identified. Our aim of studying FoxM1 expression level and survival rate of PDA is to determine whether FoxM1 is a valuable prognostic predictor for PDA patients. Methods Expressional levels of FoxM1 mRNA and protein in paired pancreatic cancer lesions and adjacent noncancerous tissues were examined by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. FoxM1 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 80 patients with PDA. The correlations between FoxM1 immunostaining levels and clinicopathologic factors, as well as the follow-up data of patients, were analyzed statistically. Results FoxM1 protein and mRNA levels were elevated in pancreatic carcinoma lesions compared with the paired adjacent noncancerous tissues. A high level of expression of FoxM1 was significantly correlated with clinical staging (P = 0.004), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.009), and histological differentiation (P = 0.017). Patients with a higher FoxM1 expression had a significantly shorter survival time than those patients with lower FoxM1 expression (P < 0.001). The multivariate analysis revealed that FoxM1 could serve as an independent factor of poor prognosis. Conclusions Our finding indicates that FoxM1 could be used as prognostic molecular marker and therapeutic target for PDA.
Diffusion tensor imaging detects ventilation-induced brain injury in preterm lambs

Purpose Injurious mechanical ventilation causes white matter (WM) injury in preterm infants through inflammatory and haemodynamic pathways. The relative contribution of each of these pathways is not known. We hypothesised that in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect WM brain injury resulting from mechanical ventilation 24 h after preterm delivery. Further we hypothesised that the combination of inflammatory and haemodynamic pathways, induced by umbilical cord occlusion (UCO) increases brain injury at 24 h. Methods Fetuses at 124±2 days gestation were exposed, instrumented and either ventilated for 15 min using a high tidal-volume (VT) injurious strategy with the umbilical cord intact (INJ; inflammatory pathway only), or occluded (INJ+UCO; inflammatory and haemodynamic pathway). The ventilation groups were compared to lambs that underwent surgery but were not ventilated (Sham), and lambs that did not undergo surgery (unoperated control; Cont). Fetuses were placed back in utero after the 15 min intervention and ewes recovered. Twenty-four hours later, lambs were delivered, placed on a protective ventilation strategy, and underwent MRI of the brain using structural, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) techniques. Results Absolute MRS concentrations of creatine and choline were significantly decreased in INJ+UCO compared to Cont lambs (P = 0.03, P = 0.009, respectively); no significant differences were detected between the INJ or Sham groups and the Cont group. Axial diffusivities in the internal capsule and frontal WM were lower in INJ and INJ+UCO compared to Cont lambs (P = 0.05, P = 0.04, respectively). Lambs in the INJ and INJ+UCO groups had lower mean diffusivities in the frontal WM compared to Cont group (P = 0.04). DTI colour mapping revealed lower diffusivity in specific WM regions in the Sham, INJ, and INJ+UCO groups compared to the Cont group, but the differences did not reach significance. INJ+UCO lambs more likely to exhibit lower WM diffusivity than INJ lambs. Conclusions Twenty-four hours after injurious ventilation, DTI and MRS showed increased brain injury in the injuriously ventilated lambs compared to controls. DTI colour mapping threshold approach provides evidence that the haemodynamic and inflammatory pathways have additive effects on the progression of brain injury compared to the inflammatory pathway alone.
Low frequency of cancer occurrence in same breast quadrant diagnosed with lobular neoplasia at percutaneous needle biopsy.

PURPOSE To determine the type of mammographic abnormality leading to needle biopsy of lobular neoplasia (LN) and define the clinical evolution of low-risk LN lesions diagnosed at needle biopsy but not surgically removed. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was approved by the institutional review board, and the requirement to obtain informed consent was waived. Among 16 945 needle biopsies performed between April 1998 and August 2008, LN was determined to be the most suspicious lesion in 352 samples (2.1%) (pleomorphic and necrotic forms were excluded). Among 299 pure LN lesions that were not surgically removed, follow-up was available for 276 lesions in 275 women. RESULTS Needle biopsy was performed because of mammographic calcifications in 215 of the 276 lesions (77.9%) and because of mammographic masses in 35 (12.7%). The mean follow-up was 5.0 years ± 2.4 (range, 0.6-12.2 years). All 275 women underwent one mammographic follow-up, 205 (74.5%) underwent a second mammographic follow-up, and 147 (53.5%) underwent a third mammographic follow-up. Cancer was diagnosed in 27 of the 275 cases (9.8%) after a mean of 3.9 years ± 2.6 (range, 1.2-10.8 years). Only three cancers (1.1%) occurred in the same breast quadrant as the one originally diagnosed with LN at needle biopsy. CONCLUSION Lumpectomy of pure LN lesions may not prevent malignancy in most cases. Consequently, women with pure LN of a low-risk type diagnosed at needle biopsy are strongly encouraged to undergo a yearly breast clinical examination and yearly mammographic follow-up to detect an eventual cancer in its early stages.
Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), Aichi Target 11 and Canada’s Pathway to Target 1: Focusing Conservation on Reconciliation

This article provides analysis of the issues relating to movement towards new models for Indigenous-led conservation in light of Canada’s initiatives for greater protected areas representation through Target 1. We provide a background on Canada’s Pathway to Target 1, which is based on Target 11 from the Aichi Biodiversity Targets set forth by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). We contemplate the past, present and future of colonization and reconciliation in Canada, and consider the influence of international declarations, programs and initiatives on the potential for the formation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs). We then provide an analysis of “wicked problems” that Indigenous communities, governments, and other stakeholders in protected areas will need to navigate towards implementing the IPCA approach in Canada. We outline the different types of Indigenous involvement in protected areas and how they potentially fit within the principles for the development of IPCAs. We then turn our discussion to the need to refocus conservation on reconciliation by restoring nation-to-nation relationships and relationships between the land and peoples. The lessons we draw have potential parallels for other nation states, particularly those signatory to the CBD and with a colonial history, aiming for biodiversity conservation and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples through IPCAs.
Variceal Recurrence, Rebleeding, and Survival After Endoscopic Injection Sclerotherapy in 287 Alcoholic Cirrhotic Patients With Bleeding Esophageal Varices

Objective:This study tested the validity of the hypothesis that eradication of esophageal varices by repeated injection sclerotherapy would reduce recurrent variceal bleeding and death from bleeding varices in a high-risk cohort of alcoholic patients with cirrhosis. Summary Background Data:Although banding of esophageal varices is now regarded as the most effective method of endoscopic intervention, injection sclerotherapy is still widely used to control acute esophageal variceal bleeding as well as to eradicate varices to prevent recurrent bleeding. This large single-center prospective study provides data on the natural history of alcoholic cirrhotic patients with bleeding varices who underwent injection sclerotherapy. Methods:Between 1984 and 2001, 287 alcoholic cirrhotic patients (225 men, 62 women; mean age, 51.9 years; range, 24–87 years; Child-Pugh grades A, 39; B, 116; C, 132) underwent a total of 2565upper gastrointestinal endoscopic sessions, which included 353 emergency and 1015 elective variceal injection treatments. Variceal rebleeding, eradication, recurrence, and survival were recorded. Results:Before eradication of varices was achieved, 104 (36.2%) of the 287 patients had a total of 170 further bleeding episodes after the first endoscopic intervention during the index hospital admission. Rebleeding was markedly reduced after eradication of varices. In 147 (80.7%) of 182 patients who survived more than 3 months, varices were eradicated after a mean of 5 injection sessions and remained eradicated in 69 patients (mean follow-up, 34.6 months; range, 1–174 months). Varices recurred in 78 patients and rebled in 45 of these patients. Median follow-up was 32.3 months (mean, 42.1 months; range, 3–198.9 months). Cumulative overall survival by life-table analysis was 67%, 42%, and 26% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. A total of 201 (70%) patients died during follow-up. Liver failure was the most common cause of death. Conclusion:Repeated sclerotherapy eradicates esophageal varices in most alcoholic cirrhotic patients with a reduction in rebleeding. Despite control of variceal bleeding, survival at 5 years was only 26% because of death due to liver failure in most patients.
Does Purchasing Power Parity Hypothesis Hold for Latin American Countries

This paper investigates the validity of Purchasing Power Parity utilizing Fourier unit root tests for the period of 2000m1-2015m2 for Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico. The findings show that the Purchasing Power Parity is valid in Brazil and Colombia in case of considering structural breaks. Additionally, Purchasing Power Parity holds for all countries in case of structural breaks and nonlinearity.