Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genus-specific epitope on the 60-kilodalton Legionella heat shock protein recognized by a monoclonal antibody

A monoclonal antibody (MAb) immunoglobulin G2a (2125) was produced against a 60-kDa Legionella heat shock protein (HSP), recognizing a unique epitope common to all species of the genus Legionella. The antibody reacted in the immunoblot with 59 Legionella species and serogroups that were tested and showed no cross-reactivity with other bacteria, including Acinetobacter spp. , Bordetella spp. , Pseudomonas spp. , Mycobacterium spp. , and Escherichia coli. Two other MAbs (2122 and 2130) reacted with the 60-kDa Legionella protein as well but showed different cross-reactivities with other gram-negative bacteria in the same molecular mass range. The genus-specific MAb 2125 as well as the cross-reacting MAbs 2122 and 2130 were shown to be reactive with the expressed protein of the cloned gene of the 60-kDa HSP of Legionella micdadei and Legionella pneumophila. These antibodies demonstrate that Legionella-specific and nonspecific epitopes are present on this protein. A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in which the genus-specific MAb is used both as a capture antibody and as a biotinylated second antibody has been established. With this test it is possible to detect Legionella whole cells, sonicated cells, and cell fractions containing the 60-kDa HSP. The main part of the 60-kDa HSP is found in the cytoplasmic fraction. The sandwich ELISA can be used to demonstrate the increased expression of the 60-kDa protein in Legionella cells following heat shock as well as marked differences in the detection of the 60-kDa HSP on whole cells of different Legionella strains. The high specificity and sensitivity of the sandwich ELISA for sonicated cells might be very useful to screen on a genus level for Legionella cells or the 60-kDa antigen in environmental isolates or body fluids of patients.
Saliva secretion and its relation to feeding in cattle

As much as half the dry matter consumed by ruminants may be digested in the reticulo-rumen (Balch, 1958). Digestion in the rumen is brought about by enzymes of bacterial origin. The most efficient utilization of food will depend on the preservation in the rumen of an environment favourable for continuous bacterial activity and the addition of saliva to the rumen is undoubtedly an important means of maintaining such an environment. The high buffering capacity of ruminant saliva (Markoff, 1913; McDougall, 1948; Turner & Hodgetts, 1955) helps to stabilize the pH of the digesta and the fluid itself participates in the continuous-flow system which characterizes the reticulo-rumen and its contents (Adler & Dye, 1957). The continuous flow of parotid saliva in the ruminant can be ascribed to a small, though essentially constant, basal flow which is not under nervous control (Eckhard, 1867; Babichev, Perstnev & Kulesco, 1930; Coats, Denton, Goding & Wright, 1956; Kay, 1958a) and a reflex secretion mediated through the parasympathetic nerve supply (Moussu, 1890; Kay, 1958~) . The afferent stimuli for this reflex flow are derived from two main areas; these are the mouth on the one hand and parts of the reticulum, rumen, omasum and thoracic oesophagus on the other. The sensory stimuli which act in the mouth appear to be similar to those in other species (Krasusky, Krynskaya & Kotlyarevskaya, 1940; Coats et al. 1956; Somers, 1957; Kay, 1958a), and in the reticulum and rumen the effective stimuli are either touch or stretch applied to various regions of these organs or to the oesophagus (Clark & Weiss, 1952; Coats et al. 1956; Comline & Titchen, 1957; Ash & Kay, 1959; Kay, 1958a; Kay &Phillipson, 1959; Phillipson & Reid, 1958). Rumination, which involves areas in the stomach, oesophagus and mouth, has been shown to be particularly effective in the stimulation of parotid secretion (Babichev et al. 1930). The recognition of many of these stimuli and the analyses of the reflex arcs involved have, of necessity, been carried out on anaesthetized animals or decerebrate preparations. The purpose of this paper is to supply information on the rates of secretion and the composition of parotid saliva from the conscious animal, in this instance a steer, in which one of the parotid papillae had been exteriorized. These measurements give the final result of the interplay of many factors upon the parotid gland.
Low-flow desflurane and sevoflurane anesthesia minimally affect hepatic integrity and function in elderly patients.

UNLABELLED Hepatic blood flow is reduced in a dose-related manner by all inhaled anesthetics now in use. We assessed hepatic function in elderly patients anesthetized with desflurane or sevoflurane. We measured the cytosolic liver enzyme alpha glutathione S-transferase (alpha GST), the formation of the lidocaine metabolite monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX), and gastric mucosal tonometry-derived variables as sensitive markers of hepatic function and splanchnic perfusion. Thirty patients, 70 to 90 yr old, were allocated randomly to receive desflurane or sevoflurane anesthesia. Anesthetic exposure ranged from 2.1-4.5 minimum alveolar concentration hours. No significant changes in standard liver enzyme markers were seen throughout the study. In both anesthetic groups, tonometric measurements showed a significant decrease from baseline in regional PCO(2), regional to arterial difference in PCO(2), and intramucosal pH at 90 min after skin incision. alpha GST concentrations increased significantly in both groups (desflurane: median peak concentrations 5.8 microg/L [25th, 75th percentile 5.3 microg/L, 7.2 microg/L]; sevoflurane: 7.0 microg/L [5.8 microg/L, 7.3 microg/L]) without showing differences between both anesthetic groups. A return to baseline values in tonometric values and alpha GST levels was seen 24 h postoperatively. MEGX formation did not change significantly after surgery. Median MEGX concentrations postoperatively were 70.0 ng/mL (56.2 ng/mL, 102.0 ng/mL) and 70.0 ng/mL (60.0 ng/mL, 94.2 ng/mL) in the desflurane and sevoflurane groups, respectively. We conclude that, overall, liver function in elderly patients is well preserved during desflurane and sevoflurane anesthesia. Increased serum levels of alpha GST and changes of gastric tonometry-derived variables imply a reduction in splanchnic perfusion, leading to a temporary impairment of hepatocyte oxygenation. IMPLICATIONS We measured the lidocaine metabolite monoethylglycinexylidide, the cytosolic liver enzyme, alpha glutathione S-transferase, and gastric mucosal tonometry-derived variables to evaluate the effects of desflurane and sevoflurane on hepatic function in elderly patients. Liver function was well preserved, whereas increased alpha glutathione S-transferase levels and changes in tonometry-derived variables indicated a reduction in splanchnic blood flow and a temporary impairment of hepatocyte oxygenation for both anesthetics.
Finger motion pattern recognition based on sEMG Support Vector Machine

Aiming at solving the problems of non-sufficient recognition type, poor stability and real-time performance, this paper proposed a pattern recognition method based on sEMG and Support Vector Machine(SVM). A forearm electrode array plate was designed to collect sEMG signals through experiments. Parameters of SVM classifier were determined by using SVM theory. Besides, teacher samples were trained by using sEMG signals. Finally, the designed SVM classifier was used to verify the effect of pattern recognition of sEMG signals. The results show that SVM classifier has high accuracy in pattern recognition, which verifies the validity and reliability.
A Phase I/II Study for Analytic Validation of Zr-J591 ImmunoPET as a Molecular Imaging Agent for Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Neeta Pandit-Taskar, Joseph A. O’Donoghue, Jeremy C. Durack, Serge Lyashchenko, Sarah M. Cheal, Volkan Beylergil, Robert A. Lefkowitz, Jorge A. Carrasquillo, Danny F. Martinez, Alex Mak Fung, Stephen B. Solomon, Mithat Gönen, Glenn Heller, Massimo Loda, David Nanus, Scott Tagawa, Jarett L. Feldman, Joseph R. Osborne, Jason S. Lewis, Victor E. Reuter, Wolfgang A. Weber, Neil H. Bander, Howard I. Scher, Steven M. Larson, Michael J. Morris
Transient short free running circadian rhythm in a case of aneurysm near the suprachiasmatic nuclei

A free running circadian rest–activity cycle is rare in sighted individuals living in a normal environment. Even more rare is a periodicity shorter than 24 hours, as observed in actigraphic recordings in a female patient during convalescence after a whiplash injury in a car accident. The documented free running period was 22.5 hours for 19 days. During the subsequent weeks re-entrainment occurred following re-establishment by a social zeitgeber, with a slightly early circadian phase of nocturnal melatonin onset relative to a late sleep period. Magnetic resonance imaging and cerebral angiography showed an aneurysm at the bifurcation of the right internal carotid artery, close to the circadian pacemaker structure (the suprachiasmatic nuclei), which was later occluded.
Buckled, Stretchable Polypyrrole Electrodes for Battery Applications

Research on stretchable electronics is motivated by the need for electronic systems that can sustain large mechanical strain and still maintain their function. They can be wrapped conformally around complex and unconventional shapes, and have found applications in the biomedical fi elds, electronic paper display devices, sensor skins and photovoltaics. [ 1 ] Within the biomedical fi elds, these electronics need to conform to body shape for use as wearables with a match in mechanical properties to minimise discomfort. [ 2–5 ] As an indispensable component of stretchable electronics, a stretchable power-source device should also be able to accommodate large strain while retaining its function. Recently, there has been an emerging interest in stretchable power sources including energy storage [ 6–8 ] and energy harvesting. [ 9 , 10 ] Energy storage devices, including batteries and supercapacitors, play an important role in powering systems of portable electronic devices or implantable medical devices. Stretchable supercapacitor electrodes using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) integrated into poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) or textile substrates have been developed. [ 6 , 7 ] Ultracompliant electrochemical dry gel cells have been reported, comprising a cathode (MnO 2 ) and anode (Zn) paste plotted on a carbon black with structured elastomer as substrate. [ 8 ] To date, however, the application of inherently conducting polymers (ICPs) as stretchable supercapacitor or battery electrodes has not been reported. In particular, ICPs have been shown to be biocompatible with potential applications in biomedical implants, devices and tissue engineering. [ 11 , 12 ] This class of materials has attracted widespread attention in the applications in energy storage devices such as batteries or supercapacitors. [ 13 , 14 ] Here we report a stretchable battery electrode material based on buckled polypyrrole (PPy) and its application in a biocompatible battery system with a bioadsorbable Mg alloy (AZ61) in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Remarkably, this PPy electrode demonstrates excellent stretchability. It can endure 2000 stretching cycles with 30% tensile strain applied at a 5% s − 1
Regulation of Bacteriocin Production in Streptococcus mutans by the Quorum-Sensing System Required for Development of Genetic Competence

In Streptococcus mutans, competence for genetic transformation and biofilm formation are dependent on the two-component signal transduction system ComDE together with the inducer peptide pheromone competence-stimulating peptide (CSP) (encoded by comC). Here, it is shown that the same system is also required for expression of the nlmAB genes, which encode a two-peptide nonlantibiotic bacteriocin. Expression from a transcriptional nlmAB′-lacZ fusion was highest at high cell density and was increased up to 60-fold following addition of CSP, but it was abolished when the comDE genes were interrupted. Two more genes, encoding another putative bacteriocin and a putative bacteriocin immunity protein, were also regulated by this system. The regions upstream of these genes and of two further putative bacteriocin-encoding genes and a gene encoding a putative bacteriocin immunity protein contained a conserved 9-bp repeat element just upstream of the transcription start, which suggests that expression of these genes is also dependent on the ComCDE regulatory system. Mutations in the repeat element of the nlmAB promoter region led to a decrease in CSP-dependent expression of nlmAB′-lacZ. In agreement with these results, a comDE mutant and mutants unable to synthesize or export CSP did not produce bacteriocins. It is speculated that, at high cell density, bacteriocin production is induced to liberate DNA from competing streptococci.
Phosphorylcholine‐bearing components in homogenates of nematodes

Homogenates prepared from the developmental stages of the nematodes, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (a rat parasite) and Haemochus contortus (a sheep parasite) were found to react specifically with two myeloma sera that possess anti‐phosphorylcholine binding activity. Some properties of the phosphoryl‐bearing components and of the precipitation reaction are presented and the postulated biochemical nature of these components is discussed.
Antihypertensive Medication in Patients Pre- and Postdialysis: Still Hazy After All These Years.

The past few years have witnessed a series of seemingly paradoxical findings in patients on hemodialysis when attempts are made to normalize their hemoglobin ([1][1],[2][2]), parathyroid hormone concentrations ([3][3]), the amount of vitamin D in their serum ([4][4]), or their cholesterol levels ([5
On cross‐priming of MHC class I‐specific CTL: rule or exception?

It has been generally accepted as a rule that peptides binding to MHC class I molecules are derived from proteins synthesized within the cell, including peptides of genuine cellular origin as well as those encoded by viruses or other intracellular infectious agents. In contrast, MHC class II molecules, in general, bind peptides derived from exogenous proteins that have been processed via phago-lysozomes and replace the invariant chain clip fragment associated with class II molecules [1, 2]. MHC class I restriction correlates with CD8 cytotoxic T cells (CTL) and class II restriction with CD4 T (Th) cells. However, soon after the initial formulation of these general rules, differential MHC restriction as well as the division of labor between endogenous versus exogenous loading of MHC class I and class II molecules were questioned [3–13]. The subject of this editorial is so-called “cross-presentation” and “cross-priming” as well as “cross-tolerance”, which may be defined as the presentation of exogenous antigen via MHC class I for generating stimulatory or tolerogenic responses in CD8 T cells, respectively (Table 1) [10]; accordingly, exogenous antigen has “crossed” over to the endogenous pathway to gain access to MHC class I. The use of the term “crosspriming” for peptides presented on MHC class II molecules is not warranted because this is the conventional pathway for class II presentation (e.g. [14]). Recently, MHC class I-specific presentation of exogenous antigen to induce cross-priming, cross-presentation, or crosstolerance has become viewed by many as a general and important phenomenon [5, 9, 10, 13, 15]. This emerging view is based on the concept that activation of CD4 Th cells or CD8 T CTL requires antigen (signal 1) plus costimulation (signal 2), whereas encounters with signal 1 alone result in anergy or deletion [16–19]. This was the basis for the proposal: Unless cross-presentation plays an essential role, self-encoded antigens, which are extralymphatic, could not render T cells tolerant, and viruses, which do not infect professional antigenpresenting cells (APC, expressing both antigen as signal 1 and signal 2) or tumor cells (that do not express signal 2) could not elicit MHC class I-restricted CTL [5, 9, 10, 13].
Oblique proton chemical shift imaging for the presurgical localization of mesial temporal epilepsy

Precise localization of the epileptogenic zone in patients suffering from mesial temporal lobe epilepsies is a prerequisite for surgery. For this purpose, a scheme for selecting the volume of interest in an oblique plane covering the head, body, and tail of the hippocampal formation (HF) was implemented in a water‐suppressed proton chemical shift imaging (CSI) acquisition. This approach, evaluated by consecutively acquired CSI spectra of both temporal lobes, demonstrates that it can potentially be a routine technique for clinical diagnosis. Since the method produces localized spectral detail of the HF, it facilitates a convenient comparison of CSI lateralization to that assessed by HF atrophy (due to sclerosis) using the MRI‐volumetry technique.
Volitional Mechanisms Mediate the Cuing Effect of Pitch on Attention Orienting: The Influences of Perceptual Difficulty and Response Pressure

Our cognitive system tends to link auditory pitch with spatial location in a specific manner (ie high-pitched sounds are usually associated with an upper location, and low sounds are associated with a lower location). Recent studies have demonstrated that this cross-modality association biases the allocation of visual attention and affects performance despite the auditory stimuli being irrelevant to the behavioural task. There is, however, a discrepancy between studies in their interpretation of the underlying mechanisms. Whereas we have previously claimed that the pitch-location mapping is mediated by volitional shifts of attention (Chiou & Rich, 2012, Perception, 41, 339–353), other researchers suggest that this cross-modal effect reflects automatic shifts of attention (Mossbridge, Grabowecky, & Suzuki, 2011, Cognition, 121, 133–139). Here we report a series of three experiments examining the effects of perceptual and response-related pressure on the ability of nonpredictive pitch to bias visual attention. We compare it with two control cues: a predictive pitch that triggers voluntary attention shifts and a salient peripheral flash that evokes involuntary shifts. The results show that the effect of nonpredictive pitch is abolished by pressure at either perceptual or response levels. By contrast, the effects of the two control cues remain significant, demonstrating the robustness of informative and perceptually salient stimuli in directing attention. This distinction suggests that, in contexts of high perceptual demand and response pressure, cognitive resources are primarily engaged by the task-relevant stimuli, which effectively prevents uninformative pitch from orienting attention to its cross-modally associated location. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the link between pitch and location affects attentional deployment via volitional rather than automatic mechanisms.
Infections intramammaires de la vache laitière en l'absence de traitement antibiotique systématique au tarissement

Le traitement systematique de toutes les vaches laitieres au tarissement est remis en cause du fait de l’evolution de l’epidemiologie des infections intra-mammaires (IIM), des attentes societales et du risque majeur d’antibioresistance. Une alternative a cette strategie a depuis longtemps ete proposee, le traitement selectif au tarissement. Mais cette strategie, peu appliquee, n’est que tres peu referencee dans la bibliographie ce qui limite son extension. L’objectif des travaux presentes etait d’actualiser les connaissances sur l’effet de l’application du traitement selectif au tarissement sur l’epidemiologie des IIM, mais aussi de fournir des bases pour l’evaluation de regles de traitement selectif au tarissement afin d’optimiser son application. Une synthese des donnees bibliographiques sur le risque de nouvelles IIM pendant la periode tarie a montre l’absence de donnees recentes et que l’application du traitement selectif au tarissement augmentait le risque de nouvelles IIM pendant la periode tarie. Une enquete prospective dans des troupeaux en traitement selectif au tarissement a ete realisee. Elle a permis l’etude de l’epidemiologie des IIM et notamment de mettre en evidence une interdependance des quartiers au tarissement, au velage, et pendant la periode tarie vis-a-vis des nouvelles IIM due a une exposition simultanee des quatre quartiers de la vache aux meme facteurs de risque ou a l’existence d’une sensibilite variable entre les vaches. Cette etude a permis de recommander de traiter les quatre quartiers de la vache plutot que les seuls quartiers infectes. Une etude sur le risque de nouvelles IIM, conduite chez les vaches non-traitees n’a pas mis en evidence de facteur individuel objectivant cette sensibilite. Un modele bio-economique a ete defini et programme pour l’evaluation ulterieure par simulation de regles de traitement selectif au tarissement.
An evaluation of family medicine residents' attitudes before and after a PCMH innovation for patients with chronic pain.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Prior research indicates that primary care physicians have predominantly negative attitudes toward chronic pain patients, and chronic pain patients have predominantly low satisfaction with the care and treatment they receive in primary care. This current state of affairs highlights the need for Patient-centered Medical Home (PCMH) innovations for the treatment of chronic pain in primary care. The purpose of this study was to determine if a PCMH innovation for the treatment of chronic pain in a family medicine residency program can improve resident attitudes toward chronic pain patients. METHODS From January 2010 to December 2010, 30 family medicine residents (two--three per month) participated in twice-a-month PCMH innovation for the treatment of chronic pain in primary care ("pain clinic"). De-identified data from a Likert-type measure of negative attitudes toward chronic pain patients were extracted from pain clinic evaluation information that was collected shortly before (pretest) and shortly after (posttest) the residents' pain clinic participation. Using these data, we conducted a paired-samples t test to determine if residents' negative attitudes toward chronic pain patients had improved. RESULTS The difference between residents' pretest scores (M=51.2, SD=10.9) and posttest scores (M=45.2, SD=9.2) was significant, suggesting that residents' negative attitudes toward chronic pain patients improved after participating in pain clinic. CONCLUSIONS A PCMH innovation for the treatment of chronic pain in primary care can improve family medicine residents' attitudes toward chronic pain patients.
Plasmid-controlled resistance to copper in Escherichia coli

The copper resistance of a strain of Escherichia coli isolated from the effluent of a piggery where pigs were fed a diet supplemented with copper sulfate was controlled by a conjugative 78-megadalton plasmid designated pRJ1004. Plasmid pRJ1004 exhibited surface exclusion and incompatibility with standard plasmids belonging to incompatibility groups I1 and K. Sensitive strains of E. coli K-12 were unable to form colonies on nutrient agar containing more than 4 mM copper, whereas transconjugants which harbored pRJ1004 were able to form colonies on medium containing up to 20 mM copper.
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT IN THE UNITED STATES

Governments may perform health technology assessment (HTA) in their roles as a regulator in the public interest, as a source of information for decision makers in the public and private sectors, and/or as a purchaser or provider of healthcare services. The U.S. government's roles in the health sector as a regulator, source of information, and purchaser and provider of services are influenced both by characteristics of that sector and by its stakeholders' effectiveness in influencing national health policy debates.