Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic interactions of Plasmodium spp. with vascular endothelium

ABSTRACT Plasmodial species are protozoan parasites that infect erythrocytes. As such, they are in close contact with microvascular endothelium for most of the life cycle in the mammalian host. The host-parasite interactions of this stage of the infection are responsible for the clinical manifestations of the disease that range from a mild febrile illness to severe and frequently fatal syndromes such as cerebral malaria and multi-organ failure. Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the most severe form of malaria, is particularly predisposed to modulating endothelial function through either direct adhesion to endothelial receptor molecules, or by releasing potent host and parasite products that can stimulate endothelial activation and/or disrupt barrier function. In this review, we provide a critical analysis of the current clinical and laboratory evidence for endothelial dysfunction during severe P. falciparum malaria. Future investigations using state-of-the-art technologies such as mass cytometry and organs-on-chips to further delineate parasite-endothelial cell interactions are also discussed.
Inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides have divergent effects on colitis and commensal microbiota in HLA-B27 transgenic rats

Modulation of intestinal microbiota by non-digestible carbohydrates may reduce inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) on intestinal microbiota and colitis in HLA-B27 transgenic rats, a well-validated rodent model for IBD. In this study, 4-week-old rats were fed 8 g/kg body weight inulin or FOS for 12 weeks, or not. Faeces were collected at 4 and 16 weeks of age; and caecal samples were collected at necropsy. The effects of inulin and FOS on chronic intestinal inflammation were assessed using a gross gut score, histology score and levels of mucosal IL-1β. Intestinal microbiota were characterised by quantitative PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Colitis was significantly reduced in all FOS-fed rats compared to the control diet, whereas inulin decreased chronic intestinal inflammation in only half the number of animals. Quantitative analysis of caecal microbiota demonstrated that inulin increased the numbers of total bacteria and the Bacteroides-Prevotella-Porphyromonas group, FOS increased bifidobacteria, and both fructans decreased Clostridium cluster XI. In the faecal samples, both inulin and FOS decreased total bacteria, Bacteroides-Prevotella-Porphyromonas group, and Clostridium clusters XI and XIVa. FOS increased Bifidobacterium spp. , and mediated a decrease of gene copies of Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium difficile toxin B in faeces. SCFA concentrations in the faecal and caecal samples were unaffected by the diets. In conclusion, FOS increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium spp. , whereas both fructans reduced Clostridium cluster XI and C. difficile toxin gene expression, correlating with a reduction of chronic intestinal inflammation.
The effects of population size and selection intesnity in selection for a quantitative character in Drosophila. II. Long-term response to selection.

1. An experimental evaluation of Robertson's (1960) theory of limits in artificial selection was attempted. A number of lines from the Canberra base population were selected for abdominal bristle number over 50 generations with population sizes of 10, 20, and 40 pairs of parents and selection intensities of 10, 20 and 40% as well as unselected controls. 2. In general, the total response obtained increased with an increase in Nī (product of population size and standardized selection differential). 3. Thus, total response increased with increase in the number of individuals scored, or, for a fixed number of parents, increase in selection intensity increased both rates of response per generation and total response. 4. But for the same total number scored, the response increased as selection intensity decreased. However, the proportion selected had only a small effect as compared with that of the total number scored. 5. Sublines in which the population size was reduced after 16 generations of selection but with the selection intensity kept constant, immediately fell behind their parent lines and gave much less response. 6. Agreement between replicate lines was generally poor, particularly for the 10- and 20-pair lines. 7. Patterns of response in individual lines were frequently irregular and ‘waves of response’ were not uncommon. 8. The results are discussed in terms of several theoretical models of selection limits. In general, agreement with these models was poor, as much of the response appeared to be due to a few genes (or gene combinations) with large effects on bristle number.
Effects of mu and delta opioid agonists and antagonists on affective vocal and reflexive pain responses during social stress in rats.

The present experiments evaluated the influence of intraventricular mu and delta opioid receptors on affective vocal and reflexive responses to aversive stimuli in socially inexperienced, as well as defensive and submissive responses in defeated, adult male Long-Evans rats. Defeat stress consisted of: (1) an aggressive confrontation in which the experimental intruder rat exhibited escape, defensive and submissive behaviors [i.e., upright, supine postures and ultrasonic vocalizations (USV)], and subsequently, (2) protection from the resident stimulus rat with a wire mesh screen for 10-20 min. Defeat stress was immediately followed by an experimental session with tactile startle (20 psi). The mu opioid receptor agonists morphine (0.1-0.6 microg i.c.v.) and [D-Ala2-N-Me-Phe4-Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO; 0.01-0.3 microg i.c.v.), and the delta opioid receptor agonist [D-Pen2,5]-enkephalin (DPDPE; 10-100 microg i.c.v.) dose-dependently decreased startle-induced USV and increased tail-flick latencies in socially inexperienced and defeated rats. Of greater interest, morphine, DAMGO and DPDPE increased the occurrence of the submissive crouch posture, and defeated rats were more sensitive than socially inexperienced rats to the startle-induced USV-suppressive and antinociceptive effects of morphine and DPDPE. The antinociceptive effects of DAMGO were likewise obtained at lower doses in defeated rats. Finally, the USV-suppressive effects of morphine and DAMGO were reversed with the mu receptor antagonist naltrexone (0.1 mg/kg i.p.), but the USV-suppressive effects produced by DPDPE were not reversed with the delta receptor antagonist naltrindole (1 mg/kg i.p.). These results confirm mu, but not delta opioid receptor activation as significant in affective vocal, passive-submissive behavior, as well as reflexive antinociception. Furthermore, similar to previous studies with restraint and electric shock stress, the facilitation of mu opioid effects on vocal responses and antinociception is consistent with the proposal that defeat stress activated endogenous opioid mechanisms.
Use of Amniotic Microparticles Coated with Fibroblasts Overexpressing SDF-1a to Create an Environment Conducive to Neovascularization for Repair of Full-Thickness Skin Defects

As angiogenesis and vasculogenesis involve the complex network structures of various types of cells, extracellular matrix components, and cytokines, it is still difficult to exactly mimic the microenvironment of vascularization in vivo. In our study, we constructed a complex containing highly proliferative fibroblasts that can secrete extracellular matrix components and growth factors to chemotaxize endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in an attempt to create an ideal microenvironment for quick vascularization. Amniotic membrane microparticles (mAM) rich in type IV collagen (COL IV) and laminin (LN) were prepared, and human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) were infected with lentivirus (LV) of overexpression of SDF-1α to construct SDF-1αovHDF. Using the rotary cell culture system (RCCS), mAM was loaded with HDF or SDF-1αovHDF to construct HDF-mAM and SDF-1αovHDF-mAM complexes. The complexes were able to secrete various types of active peptides (IL-6, IL-8, TGF-β, and bFGF) during in vitro culture. In addition, SDF-1αovHDF-mAM complex highly expressed SDF-1α. Transwell assay showed SDF-1αovHDF-mAM complex had an apparent chemotactic effect on EPCs. Transplantation of complexes onto full-thickness skin defects of C57BL mice further demonstrated that SDF-1α expression and the number of peripheral EPCs at days 3, 5, and 7 in the SDF-1αovHDF-mAM group were significantly higher than that in other groups (p < 0.01). The local microvascular density at day 10 of transplantation showed that the microvascular density in the SDF-1αovHDF-mAM group was significantly higher than that in HDF-mAM group (p < 0.01). In conclusion, HDF-mAM had a strong proliferative activity and could be used to create a sound microenvironment for quick vascularization by secreting multiple cytokines and extracellular matrix components. Overexpression of SDF-1α could chemotaxize EPCs to reach local wounds, thus further accelerating angiogenesis in the transplant site. The technique described may prove to be a new model for accelerating vascularization of tissue and organ transplants and chronic ischemic wounds.
External Compensation of Nonuniform Electrical Characteristics of Thin-Film Transistors and Degradation of OLED Devices in AMOLED Displays

The variation of electrical characteristics of polycrystalline-silicon thin-film transistor (TFT) and degradation of organic light-emitting-diode (OLED) device cause nonuniform intensity of luminance and image sticking in active-matrix OLED (AMOLED) displays. An external compensation method that senses and compensates variations of threshold voltage and mobility of TFTs and degradation of OLED device is proposed. The effect of the external compensation method on AMOLED pixel is experimentally verified by measuring the luminance of OLEDs and the electrical characteristics of TFTs in AMOLED pixels.
Does democratization foster state consolidation ?

The established view in political science is that a sound and functioning state has to be in place before democracy can be introduced. State first, and then democracy. While acknowledging that the basic infrastructure of state authority and administration has to be there for a democratic system to be established and work, this paper examines the possibility that democratisation itself may play an important role in the further development and consolidation of a state, particularly in developing regions. It does so by empirically analysing the relationship between, on the one hand, the level of democracy and the duration of a democratic system and, on the other hand, the key dimensions of the state, notably political order and administrative capacity. A panel analysis, covering a population of over 100 countries, sheds light on the relationship between democratization and the state. The degree of democracy of country’s political system, in particular, appears to positively and significantly affect the consolidation of the state and of its individual dimensions.
Forest health condition in New South Wales, Australia, 1996–2005. I. Fungi recorded from eucalypt plantations during forest health surveys

Forests New SouthWales manages over 26 000 ha of young eucalypt (Eucalyptus and Corymbia) plantations, established since 1994. Forest health surveillance of these plantations was initiated in late 1995 to help protect this valuable and expanding resource. Fungi recorded during surveys from 1996 to 2005 are reported here. Over 50 species of fungi were identified, the majority being leaf spot fungi. The most commonly recorded were Quambalaria pitereka from leaves and shoots, Aulographina eucalypti, Kirramyces (=Phaeophleospora) epicoccoides and Mycosphaerella cryptica, all foliar fungi, and Botryosphaeria eucalypticola from both leaves and stems. Several species of fungi were recorded from many hosts, including A. eucalypti (18 hosts), M. cryptica (20 hosts), K. epicoccoides (14 hosts) and Botryosphaeria spp. (11 hosts). Others were restricted in their host range, such as Q. pitereka, Stigmina eucalypti, Kirramyces corymbiae prov. nom. and Lembosina corymbiae prov. nom. , which were only found on species of Corymbia during these surveys. The published host range for several foliar fungi has been expanded from observations from these surveys, including for A. eucalypti, K. epicoccoides, M. cryptica, Mycosphaerella marksii, Mycosphaerella suberosa, Kirramyces eucalypti, Phaeothyriolum microthyrioides and S. eucalypti. Six new species of foliar fungi were identified during these surveys: Mycosphaerella tumulosa prov. nom. , Mycosphaerella associata prov. nom. , Mycosphaerella exentricum prov. nom. , K. corymbiae, L. corymbiae and Lembosina eucalypticola prov. nom. Some foliar fungi were observed for the first time from New South Wales during these surveys, including M. marksii, M. suberosa, M. parva, Cryptosporiopsis eucalypti and Trimmatostroma excentricum. Tubercularia lateritia and Caliciopsis sp. spleomorpha, both stem fungi, are reported from eucalypts in New South Wales for the first time.
Um modelo estocástico para o apreçamento de derivativos com penalidades em vendas a descoberto.

In this work we present a financial theory with penalty costs on short selling positions. Penalty costs differ from transaction costs for they do not depend on changes on trading positions (strategies). In the case of short selling in stocks, the investor borrows and then sells the position; in this case, the penalty costs are associated with the borrowing rate. For the risk free asset the penalty costs are associated with the spread between the credit and deposit rates. The work is developed in a discrete and finite framework; the mathematics involved is the same found in traditional financial literature; roughly, it runs through concepts of linear algebra, linear programming and discrete stochastic calculus. This framework is aligned with the objectives of this work which consist of developing a new theory without losing its financial intuition or the computational feasibility to implement solutions; in other words, the ability to apply the theory in practical applications. We begin by studding the Single-Period case and then extend the results to the Multi-Period case. In particular we present the necessary and sufficient conditions for the non existence of arbitrage, these conditions become the same as in the traditional model if the penalty costs are zero. Also, we show that the necessary and sufficient conditions for the model to be complete are the same in both cases. The introduction of penalty costs induces a difference in the costs of replicating the contingent claims −X and X; the replicating prices will be denominated bid and ask prices, respectively. To finish, we show that under certain conditions we can build an algorithm to calculate the maximal replicating strategy in a consistent manner, that is, we can calculate the bid and ask prices free of arbitrage.
Fiber-Tracking Techniques Can Predict the Degree of Neurologic Impairment for Periventricular Leukomalacia

OBJECTIVE. Preterm or low birth weight infants display a greater propensity for white matter injury caused by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in the perinatal period. Such episodes can result in periventricular leukomalacia, which may substantially influence later brain development. Noninvasive methods of assessing the severity of injury at the earliest stage of life have not yet been established. METHODS. We used diffusion tensor imaging to evaluate sensorimotor fibers in periventricular leukomalacia. Region-of-interest measurements and tractography-based measurements were performed for 10 patients with periventricular leukomalacia. The mean age of the patients was 19 ± 9.5 months (range: 9–41 months). Motor functions were assessed at a mean age of 28 ± 14.5 months. RESULTS. Measured fractional anisotropy values of the motor tract were significantly higher in all mild periventricular leukomalacia cases than in severe cases. A fractional anisotropy cutoff value of <0.5 was useful for predicting severe periventricular leukomalacia. Region-of-interest measurements were less sensitive, compared with tractography-based measurements. CONCLUSIONS. Fiber-tracking techniques can provide information on the pathophysiologic features of motor disability in patients with periventricular leukomalacia. Early screening of patients with a history of asphyxia may facilitate early intervention (eg, rehabilitation), to achieve better motor function.
Classification of organisms previously reported as the SP and Stewart-Letscher groups, with descriptions of Necropsobacter gen. nov. and of Necropsobacter rosorum sp. nov. for organisms of the SP group.

To allow classification of bacteria previously reported as the SP group and the Stewart-Letscher group, 35 isolates from rodents (21), rabbits (eight), a dog and humans (five) were phenotypically and genotypically characterized. Comparison of partial rpoB sequences showed that 34 of the isolates were closely related, demonstrating at least 97.4 % similarity. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison of 20 selected isolates confirmed the monophyly of the SP group and revealed 98.5 %-100 % similarity between isolates. A blast search using the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the highest similarity outside the SP group was 95.5 % to an unclassified rat isolate. The single strain, P625, representing the Stewart-Letscher group showed the highest 16S rRNA gene similarity (94.9-95.5 %) to members of the SP group. recN gene sequence analysis of 11 representative strains resulted in similarities of 97-100 % among the SP group strains, which showed 80 % sequence similarity to the Stewart-Letscher group strain. Sequence similarity values based on the recN gene, indicative for whole genome similarity, showed the SP group being clearly separated from established genera, whereas the Stewart-Letscher group strain was associated with the SP group. A new genus, Necropsobacter gen. nov., with only one species, Necropsobacter rosorum sp. nov., is proposed to include all members of the SP group. The new genus can be separated from existing genera of the family Pasteurellaceae by at least three phenotypic characters. The most characteristic properties of the new genus are that haemolysis is not observed on bovine blood agar, positive reactions are observed in the porphyrin test, acid is produced from (+)-L-arabinose, (+)-D-xylose, dulcitol, (+)-D-galactose, (+)-D-mannose, maltose and melibiose, and negative reactions are observed for symbiotic growth, urease, ornithine decarboxylase and indole. Previous publications have documented that both ubiquinones and demethylmenaquinone were produced by the proposed type strain of the new genus, Michel A/76(T), and that the major polyamine of representative strains (type strain not included) of the genus is 1,3-diaminopropane, spermidine is present in moderate amounts and putrescine and spermine are detectable only in minor amounts. The major fatty acids of strain Michel A/76(T) are C(14 : 0), C(16 : 0), C(16:1)ω7c and summed feature C(14 : 0) 3-OH/iso-C(16 : 1) I. This fatty acid profile is typical for members of the family Pasteurellaceae. The G+C content of DNA of strain Michel A/76(T) was estimated to be 52.5 mol% in a previous investigation. The type strain is P709(T) ( = Michel A/76(T) = CCUG 28028(T) = CIP 110147(T) = CCM 7802(T)).
Appearance of a metronidazole-resistant Helicobacter pylori strain in an infected-ICR-mouse model and difference in eradication of metronidazole-resistant and -sensitive strains

We tested whether antibiotic-resistant strains appeared in vivo after the failure of treatment using the Helicobacter pylori-infected euthymic mouse model. The numbers of colonies isolated from 56 ICR mice 2 weeks after 4 days of treatment with metronidazole (3.2, 10, or 32 mg/kg of body weight) or amoxicillin (1, 3.2 or 10 mg/kg), with treatment started 4 days after H. pylori CPY2052 inoculation, were counted, and the isolated strains were tested for their sensitivities to two antibiotics to rule out the presence of antibiotic-resistant strains. One metronidazole-resistant strain was detected in a mouse treated with 10 mg of metronidazole per kg, and the MIC of metronidazole for this strain was 25 microg/ml, compared to a MIC of 1.56 microg/ml for the original strain. However, no resistant strain was detected in the amoxicillin treatment group. After the examination described above, mice challenged with a metronidazole-resistant or -sensitive strain isolated from the stomach of a mouse were treated with metronidazole or amoxicillin. The metronidazole-resistant strain was more difficult to eradicate in vivo than the sensitive strain after treatment with metronidazole but not after treatment with amoxicillin. Thus, a metronidazole-resistant H. pylori strain was selected by insufficient treatment, but no resistant strain was selected with amoxicillin. Eradication of a metronidazole-resistant H. pylori strain in vivo required a higher dosage than eradication of a metronidazole-sensitive H. pylori strain. These results may explain one of the reasons for H. pylori treatment failure.