Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
African Swine Fever Virus: An Emerging DNA Arbovirus

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the sole member of the family Asfarviridae, and the only known DNA arbovirus. Since its identification in Kenya in 1921, ASFV has remained endemic in Africa, maintained in a sylvatic cycle between Ornithodoros soft ticks and warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) which do not develop clinical disease with ASFV infection. However, ASFV causes a devastating and economically significant disease of domestic (Sus scrofa domesticus) and feral (Sus scrofa ferus) swine. There is no ASFV vaccine available, and current control measures consist of strict animal quarantine and culling procedures. The virus is highly stable and easily spreads by infected swine, contaminated pork products and fomites, or via transmission by the Ornithodoros vector. Competent Ornithodoros argasid soft tick vectors are known to exist not only in Africa, but also in parts of Europe and the Americas. Once ASFV is established in the argasid soft tick vector, eradication can be difficult due to the long lifespan of Ornithodoros ticks and their proclivity to inhabit the burrows of warthogs or pens and shelters of domestic pigs. Establishment of endemic ASFV infections in wild boar populations further complicates the control of ASF. Between the late 1950s and early 1980s, ASFV emerged in Europe, Russia and South America, but was mostly eradicated by the mid-1990s. In 2007, a highly virulent genotype II ASFV strain emerged in the Caucasus region and subsequently spread into the Russian Federation and Europe, where it has continued to circulate and spread. Most recently, ASFV emerged in China and has now spread to several neighboring countries in Southeast Asia. The high morbidity and mortality associated with ASFV, the lack of an efficacious vaccine, and the complex makeup of the ASFV virion and genome as well as its lifecycle, make this pathogen a serious threat to the global swine industry and national economies. Topics covered by this review include factors important for ASFV infection, replication, maintenance, and transmission, with attention to the role of the argasid tick vector and the sylvatic transmission cycle, current and future control strategies for ASF, and knowledge gaps regarding the virus itself, its vector and host species.
Structures of N-Glycans of Bothrops Venoms Revealed as Molecular Signatures that Contribute to Venom Phenotype in Viperid Snakes *

The complexity of snake venoms has long been investigated to explore a myriad of biologically active proteins and peptides that are used for immobilizing or killing prey, and are responsible for the pathological effects observed on envenomation. Glycosylation is the main post-translational modification (PTM) of viperid venoms but currently there is little understanding of how protein glycosylation impacts the variation of venom proteomes. We have previously reported that Bothrops venom glycoproteomes contain a core of components that markedly define their composition and parallel their phylogenetic classification. Here we extend those observations to eight Bothrops species evaluating the N-glycomes by LC-MS as assigned cartoon structures and detailing those structures separately as methylated analogs using ion-trap mass spectrometry (MSn). Following ion disassembly through multiple steps provided sequence and linkage isomeric details that characterized 52 unique compositions in Bothrops venoms. These occurred as 60 structures, of which 26 were identified in the venoms of the Jararaca Complex (B. alcatraz, B. insularis, and B. jararaca), 20 in B. erythromelas, B. jararacussu, B. moojeni and B. neuwiedi venoms, and 22 in B. cotiara venom. Further, quantitative analysis of these N-glycans showed variable relative abundances in the venoms. For the first time a comprehensive set of N-glycan structures present in snake venoms are defined. Despite the fact that glycosylation is not template-defined, the N-glycomes of these venoms mirror the phylogeny cladograms of South American bothropoid snakes reported in studies on morphological, molecular data and feeding habits, exhibiting distinct molecular signatures for each venom. Considering the complexity of N-glycan moieties generally found in glycoproteins, characterized by different degrees of branching, isomer structures, and variable abundances, our findings point to these factors as another level of complexity in Bothrops venoms, features that could dramatically contribute to their distinct biological activities.
Effect of magnesium sulfate with propofol induction of anesthesia on succinylcholine-induced fasciculations and myalgia

Background: Magnesium sulfate and propofol have been found to be effective against succinylcholine-induced fasciculations and myalgia, respectively, in separate studies. A prospective randomized double blind controlled study was designed to assess the effect of a combination of magnesium sulfate with propofol for induction of anesthesia on succinylcholine-induced fasciculations and myalgia. Materials and Methods: Randomly selected 60 adult patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were allocated to one of the two equal groups by draw of lots. The patients of MG Group were pretreated with magnesium sulfate 40 mg/kg body weight in 10 ml volume, while patients of NS group were given isotonic saline 0.9% in the same volume (10 ml) intravenously slowly over a period of 10 min. Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl 1.5 mcg/kg and propofol 2 mg/kg, followed by administration of succinylcholine 2 mg/kg intravenously. Muscle fasciculations were observed and graded as nil, mild, moderate, or severe. Postoperative myalgia was assessed after 24 h of surgery and graded as nil, mild, moderate, or severe. Observations were made in double blind manner. Results: Demographic data of both groups were comparable (P > 0.05). Muscle fasciculations occurred in 50% patients of MG group versus in 100% patients of NS group with a significant difference (P < 0.001). After 24 h of surgery, no patient of MG group and 30% patients of NS group had myalgia with a significant difference (P < 0.002). Conclusion: Magnesium sulfate 40 mg/kg intravenously may be used with propofol for induction of anesthesia to control succinylcholine-induced fasciculations and myalgia.
The role of zoledronic acid in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer: current perspectives

Importance of the field: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the world. Despite the significant improvements in the adjuvant treatment strategies of early-stage breast cancer, many patients experience relapse. Bisphosphonates are widely used in the treatment of bone metastasis of solid tumors and multiple myeloma, as well as in osteoporosis. The results of clinical studies of adjuvant treatment on early-stage hormone-receptor-positive breast-cancer patients under hormonal treatment – especially with the bisphosphonate zoledronic acid – caused excitement because they demonstrated an additive effect on decreasing disease relapses at bone or other sites. A number of clinical and in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies, which are either ongoing or have just ended, are investigating the mechanisms and antitumoral activity of bisphosphonates. Areas covered in this review: The current literature on the preclinical and clinical studies into antitumoral effect and adjuvant treatment of bisphosphonates, especially zoledronic acid, are summarized. Data in the literature over the last two decades were also reviewed. What the reader will gain: The reader will find a summary of preclinical and clinical studies of antitumoral effect and adjuvant treatment with bisphosphonates, in particular zoledronic acid, as well as ongoing trials about adjuvant treatment of breast cancer with zoledronic acid and ibandronate. Take home message: Current evidence supports zoledronic acid as an effective treatment in adjuvant breast-cancer therapy for hormone-receptor-positive breast-cancer patients when added to hormonotherapy. Uncertainty about effects of zoledronic acid and other bisphosphonates will be clarified after completion of ongoing trials.
How Can Dmall do Better?: Discussion on New Retail Marketing Mode Based on 4Cs Theory

"Dmall" is an O2O new retail platform who is deeply integrated with Chinese local large-scale supermarkets "Wu Mart", covering a wide range of products. In China, new retail companies represented by "Dmall + Wu Mart" have achieved impressive success. This paper aimed at discussing the mode of new retail marketing based on business practices and theoretical foundations. The research paradigm is mainly as: based on the 4Cs theory of marketing, rebuilding the relationship between people, goods and scenes from aspects of customer, convenience, communication and cost of new retail. The role of new technologies like big data and IoT is also considered. Then it discusses how new retail like "Dmall" can do better according to the new retail marketing mode after looking inside the problems. The research brings new ideas to the development and academic research of new retail businesses represented by "Dmall".
Convergence analysis of a finite element method for second order non-variational elliptic problems

Abstract We introduce and analyze a family of finite element methods for elliptic partial differential equations in non-variational form with non-differentiable coefficients. The finite element method studied is a variant of the one recently proposed in [Lakkis & Pryer, SIAM J. Sci. Comput. , 2011], where a finite element Hessian is introduced as an auxiliary unknown. We modify the definition of the finite element Hessian rendering the auxiliary variable completely local, thus resulting in a more efficient scheme. We show that the method is stable under general conditions on the coefficient matrix and derive error estimates in a discrete H2-norm provided the discretization parameter is sufficiently small. Numerical experiments are presented which verify the theoretical results.
Mutants of Arabidopsis Lacking a Chloroplastic Isoamylase Accumulate Phytoglycogen and an Abnormal Form of Amylopectin1[w]

Mutant lines defective for each of the four starch debranching enzyme (DBE) genes (AtISA1, AtISA2, AtISA3, and AtPU1) detected in the nuclear genome of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) were produced and analyzed. Our results indicate that both AtISA1 and AtISA2 are required for the production of a functional isoamylase-type of DBE named Iso1, the major isoamylase activity found in leaves. The absence of Iso1 leads to an 80% decrease in the starch content in both lines and to the accumulation of water-soluble polysaccharides whose structure is similar to glycogen. In addition, the residual amylopectin structure in the corresponding mutant lines displays a strong modification when compared to the wild type, suggesting a direct, rather than an indirect, function of Iso1 during the synthesis of amylopectin. Mutant lines carrying a defect in AtISA3 display a strong starch-excess phenotype at the end of both the light and the dark phases accompanied by a small modification of the amylopectin structure. This result suggests that this isoamylase-type of DBE plays a major role during starch mobilization. The analysis of the Atpu1 single-mutant lines did not lead to a distinctive phenotype. However, Atisa2/Atpu1 double-mutant lines display a 92% decrease in starch content. This suggests that the function of pullulanase partly overlaps that of Iso1, although its implication remains negligible when Iso1 is present within the cell.
Disposition of gamithromycin in plasma, pulmonary epithelial lining fluid, bronchoalveolar cells, and lung tissue in cattle.

OBJECTIVE To determine the disposition of gamithromycin in plasma, pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells, and lung tissue homogenate in cattle. ANIMALS 33 healthy Angus calves approximately 7 to 8 months of age. PROCEDURES Calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 11 groups consisting of 3 calves each, which differed with respect to sample collection times. In 10 groups, 1 dose of gamithromycin (6 mg/kg) was administered SC in the neck of each calf (0 hours). The remaining 3 calves were not treated. Gamithromycin concentrations in plasma, PELF, lung tissue homogenate, and BAL cells (matrix) were measured at various points by means of high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS Time to maximum gamithromycin concentration was achieved at 1 hour for plasma, 12 hours for lung tissue, and 24 hours for PELF and BAL cells. Maximum gamithromycin concentration was 27.8 μg/g, 17.8 μg/mL, 4.61 μg/mL, and 0.433 μg/mL in lung tissue, BAL cells, PELF, and plasma, respectively. Terminal half-life was longer in BAL cells (125.0 hours) than in lung tissue (93.0 hours), plasma (62.0 hours), and PELF (50.6 hours). The ratio of matrix to plasma concentrations ranged between 4.7 and 127 for PELF, 16 and 650 for lung tissue, and 3.2 and 2,135 for BAL cells. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Gamithromycin was rapidly absorbed after SC administration. Potentially therapeutic concentrations were achieved in PELF, BAL cells, and lung tissue within 30 minutes after administration and persisted for 7 (PELF) to > 15 (BAL cells and lung tissue) days after administration of a single dose.
Imported malaria in adults and children: epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 380 consecutive cases observed in Verona, Italy.

BACKGROUND Since the year 2000, in Italy, there has been a constant decrease in the number of cases of imported malaria in immigrants. Nevertheless, immigrants still account for about 70% of reported cases. To our knowledge, no data are yet available on imported malaria in children. This paper describes the main characteristics of malaria cases observed in recent years in the three main hospitals in Verona (roughly representing 10% of all cases reported in Italy in the period), with a special focus on the poorly known problem of imported malaria in children. METHOD All malaria cases occurring from 2000 to 2004 were retrospectively examined. Semi-immune and nonimmune patients were analyzed for clinical, laboratory, and parasitological findings. A separate analysis was carried out for children who traveled to endemic areas to visit relatives and friends (VRF) and children born in endemic countries who came to Italy for immigration purposes. RESULTS A total of 380 cases of imported malaria occurred in Verona in the 5-year period, 43 being children. Semi-immune patients had a significantly lower parasitemia (p = 0.0032) and parasite clearance time and significantly shorter fever duration than nonimmune (p = 0.025 and p = 0.0026). VRF children presented significantly higher parasitemia and significantly lower platelet count (p = 0.016 and p = 0.042) than recent immigrants. Parasitemia clearance time and fever duration were longer in VRF children than in recent immigrants (p = 0.014 and p = 0.0085). We observed 23 cases of severe malaria, including 4 cases in immigrants. CONCLUSIONS Our data confirm a significant difference both in clinical and in parasitological findings between semi-immune and nonimmune patients. We identified two populations of immigrant children: semi-immune (recent immigrants) and nonimmune (VRF). The latter is a high-risk group for severe malaria. Educational actions should be specially designed for immigrants traveling to VRF, focusing on the risk of severe malaria for both adults and children.
Association between carotid artery plaque volume, composition, and ulceration: a retrospective assessment with MDCT.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between MDCT angiography-assessed carotid artery plaque volume and composition and the presence of ulceration. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy consecutive patients (46 men and 24 women; mean age, 63 years; age range, 42-81 years) were studied using MDCT and were retrospectively analyzed. Component types of the carotid plaque were defined according to attenuation value ranges (lipid, < 60 HU; fibrous tissue, 60-130 HU; and calcification, > 130 HU). The plaque volumes of each component were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) statistic and Wilcoxon signed rank test to evaluate the association between the presence of ulceration and specific plaque components and their volume. RESULTS Eighteen carotid arteries were excluded, and 16 ulcerated plaques were detected in the remaining 122 carotid arteries. Wilcoxon and ROC curve analysis showed a statistically significant association between increased relative lipid volume and ulceration (p = 0.0001; area under the ROC curve, 0.916). The total volume of the plaque did not show an association with the presence of ulceration (p = 0.0526). CONCLUSION The results of our retrospective study suggest that there is no correlation between total carotid atherosclerotic plaque volume and ulcerations, whereas plaque relative lipid volume (using attenuation of < 60 HU) is associated with the presence of ulceration. This finding could indicate vulnerable plaques and increased risk for cerebrovascular events.
Role of distal enhancers in shaping 3D-folding patterns and defining human-specific features of interphase chromatin architecture in embryonic stem cells

Role of distal enhancers in shaping 3D-folding patterns and defining human-specific features of interphase chromatin architecture in embryonic stem cells Gennadi V. Glinsky 1 Institute of Engineering in Medicine University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Dr. MC 0435 La Jolla, CA 92093-0435, USA Correspondence: gglinskii@ucsd.edu Web: http://iem.ucsd.edu/people/profiles/guennadi-v-glinskii.html
Changes in periodontal and rheumatological conditions after 2 years in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to monitor changes in periodontal inflammation in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) for 2 years. We investigated the influence of rheumatic disease activity and antirheumatic medication on clinical and immunological parameters of periodontal inflammation in these individuals. METHODS Two years after a baseline examination, the periodontal and rheumatological conditions of 18 adolescents with JIA and 14 control subjects were described. The clinical periodontal inflammation was monitored by registration of visual plaque, marginal bleeding, probing depth, and clinical attachment loss (AL). Periodontal inflammation was also assessed by analysis of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-18 and the collagenase matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and clinical rheumatological parameters were significantly improved at the 2-year follow-up. The number of sites with plaque decreased, and the number of pockets >/=4 mm increased, whereas bleeding levels and the extension of AL remained unchanged. IL-1beta in gingival crevicular fluid decreased significantly in the JIA group after 2 years. No differences were observed for IL-1beta, MMP-8, or IL-18 levels between groups after 2 years. CONCLUSION Two years after the baseline examination, no clinical or laboratory differences in periodontal inflammation could be found between JIA patients and control subjects.
Boophilus microplus: the effect of histamine on the attachment of cattle-tick larvae–studies in vivo and in vitro

Summary Circumstantial evidence suggests that the earlier detachment of Boophilus microplus larvae from highly resistant cattle follows the release of histamine at the attachment site. In vivo and in vitro experiments show that a proportion of the larvae will detach following injection or infusion of histamine. Other mediators such as bradykinin, prostaglandin E2, 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine have little or no effect on tick behaviour in vivo. Sensitivity to histamine declines as larval attachments stabilize, and repeated injections have no effect on the weight of larvae after 3 days on the host. Response to histamine is discussed in relation to host resistance, histology of the feeding lesion and larval behaviour.
Time to Symptom Resolution in Young Children Treated for Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Background: Response to treatment may be useful for diagnostic confirmation of childhood tuberculosis (TB). We aimed to evaluate time to symptom resolution in children treated for pulmonary TB. Methods: We compared pulmonary TB cases and noncases, classified by a published diagnostic algorithm, in South African children younger than 2. TB treatment was prescribed independently on clinical grounds. We analyzed independent determinants of baseline symptom resolution by Cox regression. Results: One hundred and ninety-one symptomatic children, median age 12 months, were prescribed for TB treatment. Chest radiograph features of TB were associated with longer time to resolution of cough (adjusted hazard ratio, AHR 0.31), wheeze (AHR 0.26) and failure to thrive (AHR 0.41), (all P < 0.05). However, median duration of baseline cough (63 vs. 70 days, P = 0.98), wheeze (62 vs. 68 days, P = 0.87) and failure to thrive (76 vs. 66 days, P = 0.59) did not differ in TB cases (n = 48) versus noncases (n = 46). Conclusions: Baseline symptoms take more than 60 days to resolve in the majority of young children after starting TB treatment. Furthermore, since time to resolution does not differentiate TB cases from noncases; clinical response to treatment is not an appropriate diagnostic criterion for pediatric trials of TB diagnostics, drugs and vaccines.
Protein Phosphatase 2Cs and Microtubule-Associated Stress Protein 1 Control Microtubule Stability, Plant Growth, and Drought Response

Clade E Growth-Regulating (EGR) phosphatases and Microtubule-Associated Stress Protein 1 (MASP1) modulate cell expansion and drought response via control of microtubule stability and organization. Plant growth is coordinated with environmental factors, including water availability during times of drought. Microtubules influence cell expansion; however, the mechanisms by which environmental signals impinge upon microtubule organization and whether microtubule-related factors limit growth during drought remains unclear. We found that three Clade E Growth-Regulating (EGR) Type 2C protein phosphatases act as negative growth regulators to restrain growth during drought. Quantitative phosphoproteomics indicated that EGRs target cytoskeleton and plasma membrane-associated proteins. Of these, Microtubule-Associated Stress Protein 1 (MASP1), an uncharacterized protein, increased in abundance during stress treatment and could bind, bundle, and stabilize microtubules in vitro. MASP1 overexpression enhanced growth, in vivo microtubule stability, and recovery of microtubule organization during drought acclimation. These MASP1 functions in vivo were dependent on phosphorylation of a single serine. For all EGR and MASP1 mutants and transgenic lines examined, enhanced microtubule recovery and stability were associated with increased growth during drought stress. The EGR-MASP1 system selectively regulates microtubule recovery and stability to adjust plant growth and cell expansion in response to changing environmental conditions. Modification of EGR-MASP1 signaling may be useful to circumvent negative growth regulation limiting plant productivity. EGRs are likely to regulate additional proteins involved in microtubule stability and stress signaling.