Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High Frequency of Recurrent Viremia After Hepatitis B e Antigen Seroconversion and Consolidation Therapy

Background: The primary treatment endpoint for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B is HBeAg seroconversion; however, data on the durability of response are inconsistent. Goals: Our goal was to investigate the rate of recurrent viremia after HBeAg seroconversion and subsequent discontinuation of therapy. Methods: We retrospectively studied 88 consecutive Asian American patients who achieved HBeAg seroconversion [loss of HBeAg and development of antibody to HBeAg (anti-HBe)] among 458 HBeAg-positive patients who received oral antiviral therapy at 3 US clinics between March 1998 and November 2010. Recurrent viremia was defined as reappearance of detectable serum hepatitis B virus DNA (>100 IU/mL) on 2 consecutive laboratory tests from previously undetectable levels. Results: Antiviral medications used at the time of HBeAg seroconversion included: lamivudine (23%), adefovir (34%), entecavir (36%), tenofovir (4%), and combination therapy (3%). Antiviral therapy was continued after HBeAg seroconversion in 49 patients (group I) and discontinued in the other 39 patients after consolidation therapy [median=12 months (range, 1 to 55 mo)] (group II). No patients in group I experienced recurrent viremia, whereas 90% in group II did. Elevated alanine aminotransferase also occurred in 38% of group II patients [median peak alanine aminotransferase 249 IU/mL (range, 93 to 1070 IU/mL)]. Conclusions: Despite consolidation therapy, almost all patients who discontinued therapy after achieving HBeAg seroconversion and complete viral suppression experienced recurrent viremia, and close to half also experienced biochemical flares. HBeAg seroconversion does not seem to be a durable treatment endpoint for many patients, and they should be monitored carefully for virologic relapse and biochemical flares if antiviral therapy is withdrawn.
Comparative neuronal morphology of the cerebellar cortex in afrotherians, carnivores, cetartiodactyls, and primates

Although the basic morphological characteristics of neurons in the cerebellar cortex have been documented in several species, virtually nothing is known about the quantitative morphological characteristics of these neurons across different taxa. To that end, the present study investigated cerebellar neuronal morphology among eight different, large-brained mammalian species comprising a broad phylogenetic range: afrotherians (African elephant, Florida manatee), carnivores (Siberian tiger, clouded leopard), cetartiodactyls (humpback whale, giraffe) and primates (human, common chimpanzee). Specifically, several neuron types (e.g., stellate, basket, Lugaro, Golgi, and granule neurons; N = 317) of the cerebellar cortex were stained with a modified rapid Golgi technique and quantified on a computer-assisted microscopy system. There was a 64-fold variation in brain mass across species in our sample (from clouded leopard to the elephant) and a 103-fold variation in cerebellar volume. Most dendritic measures tended to increase with cerebellar volume. The cerebellar cortex in these species exhibited the trilaminate pattern common to all mammals. Morphologically, neuron types in the cerebellar cortex were generally consistent with those described in primates (Fox et al., 1967) and rodents (Palay and Chan-Palay, 1974), although there was substantial quantitative variation across species. In particular, Lugaro neurons in the elephant appeared to be disproportionately larger than those in other species. To explore potential quantitative differences in dendritic measures across species, MARSplines analyses were used to evaluate whether species could be differentiated from each other based on dendritic characteristics alone. Results of these analyses indicated that there were significant differences among all species in dendritic measures.
Incidental Learning of Incongruent Items in a Manual Version of the Stroop Task

Two experiments refine the incidental learning hypothesis of incongruent items during color-naming. In Exp. 1, the size of the incongruent item set was manipulated in a manual Stroop task. In Version 4, four different incongruent items were presented; in Version 8, eight different incongruent items were presented; and in Version 12, 12 different incongruent items were presented. Analysis showed color-naming response time was roughly equivalent for neutral and incongruent items in Version 4. Conversely, the Stroop effect not only was manifest but also was equivalent in Versions 8 and 12. In Exp. 2, the role of the phonological loop in the Stroop effect was investigated using Version 4 of Exp. 1. The Experimental group repeated aloud the syllable “LA” during the Incongruent color-naming condition. Articulatory suppression resulted in a significant increase in Incongruent color-naming response time. Implications for the interpretation of Stroop data are discussed.
Renal Effects of Theophylline and Caffeine in Newborn Rabbits

Abstract: Renal hemodynamics and functions were assessed in four groups of anaesthetized newborn rabbits receiving a single intravenous dose of methylxanthines, i.e.: aminophylline: 3 mg/kg (Al) or 6 mg/kg (A2); sodium benzoate caffeine: 5 mg/kg (Cl) or 10 mg/kg (C2). Each animal acted as its own control. The mean PAH extraction ratio was not modified by the methylxanthines. Renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate were determined by clearances of paraaminohippuric acid and inulin, respectively. No changes in renal hemodynamics or renal functions were observed in group Cl. In group C2, renal blood flow and filtration fraction did not vary significantly but renal vascular resistance showed a delayed increase. Systemic infusion of the two aminophylline regimens induced a delayed increase in renal vascular resistance with a concomitant fall in renal blood flow and an increase of filtration fraction in group A2. Glomerular filtration rate was either reduced (3 mg/kg aminophylline) or increased (6 mg/kg aminophylline and 10 mg/kg caffeine). Moreover, diuresis increased and tubular water reabsorption declined in groups Al, A2, and C2. High dose caffeine enhanced sodium fractional excretion. The acute renal effects of methylxanthines appeared dose- and time-related in immature animals and caffeine proved safer than aminophylline at doses used in human neonates.
Glucose Tolerance and Insulin Action in Rats With Renovascular Hypertension

To test whether hypertension can cause hyperinsulinemia or insulin resistance, we performed intravenous glucose tolerance tests at 1 month and euglycemic clamps at 3 months after induction of two-kidney, one clip renovascular hypertension in rats. At 1 month, systolic pressure was higher in 21 clipped than in 12 control animals (161 ±5 mm Hg, range 134-187 mm Hg versus 119±3 mm Hg, range 108-146 mm Hg;p<0.001). Glucose tolerance, assessed as the glucose fractional disappearance rate between 3 and 11 minutes after the glucose injection, was similar in the clipped and sham groups (0.059±0.002 versus 0.056±0.002 min 1, respectively,p>0.4). The total area under the insulin curve during glucose tolerance tests was also similar in the clipped and sham groups (926 ±95 versus 869 ±126 microunits/mlxmin; p>0.4). There was no significant relation between systolic blood pressure and insulin area during glucose tolerance tests in the clipped group, but there was a positive rectilinear relation in the control group (r=0.66;p=0.01). Fourteen animals had euglycemic clamps 2 months after glucose tolerance tests. At that time, systolic pressure (direct femoral measurement) was higher in the seven clipped animals (189±13 mm Hg versus 122±5 mm Hg in controls; p<0.001). Insulin infusions of 1 and 4 milliunits/min/kg body wt effected similar plasma insulin levels in the two groups. Glucose requirements during 1 milliunit/min/kg insulin were higher in the clipped than the control group (6.1 ±0.7 versus 2.4±0.6 mg/min/kg, respectively; p<0.001). Glucose requirements during 4 milliunits/min/kg insulin were similar in the two groups (28.4±1.1 versus 26.8±2.8 mg/min/kg; p>0.5). Our data indicate that neither mechanisms leading to renovascular hypertension nor elevated blood pressure per se caused sustained hyperinsulinemia or insulin resistance in this rat model.
Localization of neuropeptide Y mRNA and peptide in the chicken hypothalamus and their alterations after food deprivation, dehydration, and castration

Localization of neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA in the hypothalamus of chickens was studied by in situ hybridization with digoxigenin‐labeled chicken NPY cRNA probe. The largest number of perikarya‐expressing NPY mRNA was found within the mediobasal hypothalamus, including the infundibular nucleus, inferior hypothalamic nucleus, and median eminence. Many NPY perikarya were noted to surround the nucleus rotundus and to be present in the supraoptic nucleus. Moreover, some perikarya were detected in the nucleus of basal optic root, bed nucleus pallial commissure, and nucleus striae terminalis close to the lateral forebrain bundle. NPY‐immunoreactive nerve fibers were densely distributed in these regions containing the NPY mRNA‐expressing perikarya. Following food deprivation for four days, perikarya‐expressing NPY mRNA and peptide were markedly increased in the mediobasal hypothalamus and particularly so in the infundibular nucleus. No changes, however, were detected in other regions containing NPY‐positive perikarya. Water deprivation induced less increase in NPY‐positive perikarya in the mediobasal hypothalamus compared to food deprivation. After gonadectomy, the number of NPY‐positive perikarya in the mediobasal hypothalamus was unaltered. Northern blot analysis with 32P‐labeled chicken NPY cDNA probe demonstrated that a 2.7‐fold increase of NPY mRNA was induced by starvation and a 1.5‐fold increase was induced by dehydration, whereas the NPY mRNA band remained unchanged after gonadectomy. Thus, it seems that NPY neurons located in the mediobasal hypothalamus are involved in feeding behavior but not reproductive activity. J. Comp. Neurol. 436:376–388, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Psychosocial skills training on social functioning and quality of life in the treatment of schizophrenia: a controlled study in Turkey

OBJECTIVE This study assessed the impact of a psychosocial skills training program, consisting of psychoeducation, interpersonal group therapy and family education incorporated into social skills training, as an integrative approach on social functioning and quality of life of patients with schizophrenia, in comparison to standard care for an 8-month period. METHOD Thirty patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia were included in the study. Patients were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Quality of Life Scale (QLS), Social Functioning Scale (SFS), and Global Assessment of Function (GAF) at baseline. Fifteen patients underwent an 8-month psychosocial skills training group program and another fifteen patients (waiting list) continued in standard care. Both groups were reassessed and analyzed at the end of the study. RESULTS Two groups were not statistically different in terms of total PANSS, QLS, SFS, GAF scores, and demographic characteristics at baseline. However, there was a significant improvement in the mean total QLS, SFS, GAF, and even in total PANSS scores (respectively from 64.46±19.58 to 89.67±24.10, P<0.001, from 93.20±22.85 to 132.60±33.85, P<0.002, from 57.40±8.78 to 63.86±7.57, P<0.012, and from 63.53±14.48 to 53.33±15.71, P<0.029) for those who underwent the PSST program, but there was no statistically significant change for those on standard care at the end of the study. CONCLUSION This study highlights the ‘social functioning’ and ‘quality of life’ benefits of the psychosocial skills training program for patients with schizophrenia. It can be concluded that this comprehensive psychosocial skills training program might be an important contribution to the functioning of the patients.
Glycogen depletion pattern in human muscle fibres during distance running.

Costill, D. L. , P. D. Gollnick, E. D. Jansson, B. Saltin and E. M. STEIN. Glycogen depletion pattern in human muscle fibres during distance running. Acta physiol. scand. 1973. 89. 374–383. Muscle biopsy and venous blood samples were taken from 9 subjects before and after a 30 km race. Additional measurements were made when 8 subjects ran 20.5 km of the course 2-3 weeks later. Information about total metabolism and the glycogen depletion pattern in the fibres of the thigh muscle during prolonged running has been obtained from these measurements. The average oxygen uptake and respiratory exchange ratio were 4.7 1×min-1 (83 % ot maximal oxygen uptake) and 0.90, respectively. An average intramuscular tryglyceride reduction of 2.2 mmoles×kg-1 (30 %) accounted for only part of the lipid combusted. Muscle glycogen declined 56 % (from 98 to 42 mmoles of glucose units × kg-1) during the race. Histochemical staining of the muscle for glycogen revealed a marked depletion in the slow twitch fibres. Only a small glycogen depletion occurred in the fast twitch fibres. This suggests a primary reliance upon slow twitch fibres during prolonged running. The results also point to the limitations of assessing substrate utilization or availability in working fibres from muscle samples with mixed fibre populations.
Thinking, feeling and deciding: The influence of emotions on the decision making and performance of traders

We report on a qualitative investigation of the influence of emotions on the decision making of traders in four City of London investment banks, a setting where work has been predominantly theorized as dominated by rational analysis. We conclude that emotions and their regulation play a central role in traders' decision making. We find differences between high and low performing traders in how they engage with their intuitions, and that different strategies for emotion regulation have material consequences for trader behavior and performance. Traders deploying antecedent-focused emotional regulation strategies achieve a performance advantage over those employing primarily response-focused strategies. We argue that, in particular, response-focused approaches incur a performance penalty, in part because of the reduced opportunity to combine analysis with the use of affective cues in making intuitive judgments. We discuss the implications for our understanding of emotion and decision making, and for traders' practice.
Beating the ‘world champion’ evolutionary algorithm via REVAC tuning

We present a case study demonstrating that using the REVAC parameter tuning method we can greatly improve the ‘world champion’ EA (the winner of the CEC-2005 competition) with little effort. For ‘normal’ EAs the margins for possible improvements are likely much bigger. Thus, the main message of this paper is that using REVAC great performance improvements are possible for many EAs at moderate costs. Our experiments also disclose the existence of ‘specialized generalists’, that is, EAs that are generally good on a set of test problems, but only w.r. t. one performance measure and not along another one. This shows that the notion of robust parameters is questionable and the issue requires further research. Finally, the results raise the question what the outcome of the CEC-2005 competition would have been, if all of EAs had been tuned by REVAC, but without further research it remains an open question whether we crowned the wrong king.
Hybrid no-reference video quality metric based on multiway PLSR

In real-life applications, no-reference metrics are more useful than full-reference metrics. To design such metrics, we apply data analysis methods to objectively measurable features and to data originating from subjective testing. Unfortunately, the information about temporal variation of quality is often lost due to the temporal pooling over all frames. Instead of using temporal pooling, we have recently designed a H.264/AVC bitstream no-reference video quality metric employing multiway Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR), which leads to an improved prediction performance. In this contribution we will utilize multiway PLSR to design a hybrid metric that combines both bitstream-based features with pixel-based features. Our results show that the additional inclusion of the pixel-based features improves the quality prediction even further.
[Molecular analysis of tumor suppressor genes p16INK4 and TP53 of osteosarcomas in Spanish children].

OBJECTIVE Alterations affecting tumor suppressor genes, specifically p16INK4 and TP53, have been shown to be involved in the development of human cancer due to their important role in the control of normal cell cycle progression. As the genetic events leading to the development of pediatric osteosarcoma remain partially unclear, we have tested the possibility that a significant number of pediatric osteosarcoma patients harbor mutations in these genes. PATIENTS AND METHODS We have analyzed 64 samples (fresh tissues, paraffin embedded biopsies and peripheral blood lymphocytes) corresponding to 38 pediatric osteosarcoma patients. TP53 mutations were analyzed by DGGE (Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis) analysis of exons 5 through 8. We searched for deletions in the p16INK4 gene by PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) analysis and point mutations were screened by means of SSCP (Single Strand Conformation Polymorphisms). RESULTS Our analysis showed that 18.4% of the samples harbored mutations in the coding region of TP53 and that 7% had a homozygous deletion of the p16INK4 gene. Our results suggest that p16INK4 deletions may constitute a bad prognostic factor and that TP53 alterations may be correlated, although not statistically, with reduced survival time. CONCLUSIONS Mutations of the TP53 and deletion of p16INK4 tumor suppressor genes seem to be involved in the development of pediatric osteosarcoma. Moreover, alterations of these genes may constitute a prognostic factor related with poor prognosis or decreased survival time.
Improving Tenderness of Forage-Finished Beef Using a Low-voltage Electrical Stimulator

What was done (summary) This study was designed to examine the effectiveness of low-voltage electrical stimulation (ES) in improving meat tenderness of forage-finished beef when used in a small-scale, low-volume slaughter plant. In experiment 1, the effect of ES on postmortem glycolysis was inves­ tigated by measuring metabolite concentrations in 10 cattle (5 ES and 5 control). ES accelerated postmortem glycolysis, as demonstrated by the faster depletion of ATP and glycogen and rapid decline of pH in muscles from the ES cattle than those from the control cattle. In experiment 2, loin eye muscle samples from 31 electri­ cally stimulated and 28 non-stimulated cattle were col­ lected to evaluate meat quality traits and to measure cooked meat shear force at day 2, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after slaughter. ES did not affect meat color and firmness. The shear force of the ES group was about 10% lower (P=0.06) than that of the control group throughout the 28-day aging period.
Identification of an Agonist-induced Conformational Change Occurring Adjacent to the Ligand-binding Pocket of the M3 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor*

To study the conformational changes that convert G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) from their resting to their active state, we used the M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, a prototypical class A GPCR, as a model system. Specifically, we employed a recently developed in situ disulfide cross-linking strategy that allows the formation of disulfide bonds in Cys-substituted mutant M3 muscarinic receptors present in their native membrane environment. At present, little is known about the conformational changes that GPCR ligands induce in the immediate vicinity of the ligand-binding pocket. To address this issue, we generated 11 Cys-substituted mutant M3 muscarinic receptors and characterized these receptors in transfected COS-7 cells. All analyzed mutant receptors contained an endogenous Cys residue (Cys-5327.42) located within the exofacial segment of transmembrane domain (TM) VII, close to the agonist-binding site. In addition, all mutant receptors harbored a second Cys residue that was introduced into the exofacial segment of TM III, within the sequence Leu-1423.27-Asn-1523.37. Disulfide cross-linking studies showed that muscarinic agonists, but not antagonists, promoted the formation of a disulfide bond between S1513.36C and Cys-532. A three-dimensional model of the inactive state of the M3 muscarinic receptor indicated that Cys-532 and Ser-151 face each other in the center of the TM receptor core. Our cross-linking data therefore support the concept that agonist activation pulls the exofacial segments of TMs VII and III closer to each other. This structural change may represent one of the early conformational events triggering the more pronounced structural reorganization of the intracellular receptor surface. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first direct demonstration of a conformational change occurring in the immediate vicinity of the binding site of a GPCR activated by a diffusible ligand.
Comparative genomics explains the evolutionary success of reef-forming corals

Transcriptome and genome data from twenty stony coral species and a selection of reference bilaterians were studied to elucidate coral evolutionary history. We identified genes that encode the proteins responsible for the precipitation and aggregation of the aragonite skeleton on which the organisms live, and revealed a network of environmental sensors that coordinate responses of the host animals to temperature, light, and pH. Furthermore, we describe a variety of stress-related pathways, including apoptotic pathways that allow the host animals to detoxify reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that are generated by their intracellular photosynthetic symbionts, and determine the fate of corals under environmental stress. Some of these genes arose through horizontal gene transfer and comprise at least 0.2% of the animal gene inventory. Our analysis elucidates the evolutionary strategies that have allowed symbiotic corals to adapt and thrive for hundreds of millions of years. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.13288. 001