Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How Does MBCT for Depression Work? Studying Cognitive and Affective Mediation Pathways

Mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce current symptoms and to prevent recurrence of major depressive disorder. At present, it is not well understood which underlying mechanisms during MBCT are associated with its efficacy. The current study (n = 130) was designed to examine the roles of mindfulness skills, rumination, worry and affect, and the interplay between those factors, in the mechanisms of change in MBCT for residual depressive symptoms. An exploratory but systematic approach was chosen using Sobel-Goodman mediation analyses to identify mediators on the pathway from MBCT to reduction in depressive symptoms. We replicated earlier findings that therapeutic effects of MBCT are mediated by changes in mindfulness skills and worry. Second, results showed that changes in momentary positive and negative affect significantly mediated the efficacy of MBCT, and also mediated the effect of worry on depressive symptoms. Third, within the group of patients with a prior history of ≤ 2 episodes of MDD, predominantly changes in cognitive and to a lesser extent affective processes mediated the effect of MBCT. However, within the group of patients with a prior history of ≥ 3 episodes of MDD, only changes in affect were significant mediators for the effect of MBCT. Trail Registration: Nederlands Trial Register NTR1084
ENALAPRIL IN RAYNAUD'S PHENOMENON

The effect of enalapril in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon was assessed in a prospective double‐blind cross‐over trial in 17 patients (nine primary Raynaud's, eight Raynaud's associated with scleroderma). Each patient received 20 mg enalapril daily and placebo for 3 weeks with a 2‐week washout period in between. The severity and frequency of Raynaud's attacks were measured subjectively by a diary count and objectively by measurement of finger systolic pressure changes in response to cooling (cold challenge test). Enalapril was associated with a reduction in the frequency of Raynaud's attacks, especially in patients with primary Raynaud's, compared with placebo, but there was no effect on the cold challenge test. We conclude that enalapril, like other vasodilator drugs, helps the symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon, especially in patients with idiopathic or primary disease.
SciRoKo: a new tool for whole genome microsatellite search and investigation

UNLABELLED SciRoKo is a user-friendly software tool for the identification of microsatellites in genomic sequences. The combination of an extremely fast search algorithm with a built-in summary statistic tool makes SciRoKo an excellent tool for full genome analysis. Compared to other already existing tools, SciRoKo also allows the analysis of compound microsatellites. AVAILABILITY free for use: www.kofler. or.at/Bioinformatics. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Protein interactome analysis of 12 mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase kinase in rice using a yeast two‐hybrid system

The mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade is composed at least of MAP3K (for MAPK kinase kinase), MAP2K, and MAPK family modules. These components together play a central role in mediating extracellular signals to the cell and vice versa by interacting with their partner proteins. However, the MAP3K‐interacting proteins remain poorly investigated in plants. Here, we utilized a yeast two‐hybrid system and bimolecular fluorescence complementation in the model crop rice (Oryza sativa) to map MAP3K‐interacting proteins. We identified 12 novel nonredundant interacting protein pairs (IPPs) representing 11 nonredundant interactors using 12 rice MAP3Ks (available as full‐length cDNA in the rice KOME (http://cdna01.dna.affrc.go.jp/cDNA/) at the time of experimental design and execution) as bait and a rice seedling cDNA library as prey. Of the 12 MAP3Ks, only six had interacting protein partners. The established MAP3K interactome consisted of two kinases, three proteases, two forkhead‐associated domain‐containing proteins, two expressed proteins, one E3 ligase, one regulatory protein, and one retrotransposon protein. Notably, no MAP3K showed physical interaction with either MAP2K or MAPK. Seven IPPs (58.3%) were confirmed in vivo by bimolecular fluorescence complementation. Subcellular localization of 14 interactors, together involved in nine IPPs (75%) further provide prerequisite for biological significance of the IPPs. Furthermore, GO of identified interactors predicted their involvement in diverse physiological responses, which were supported by a literature survey. These findings increase our knowledge of the MAP3K‐interacting proteins, help in proposing a model of MAPK modules, provide a valuable resource for developing a complete map of the rice MAPK interactome, and allow discussion for translating the interactome knowledge to rice crop improvement against environmental factors.
The role of subregions of the rat major histocompatibility complex in the rejection and passive enhancement of renal allografts

The laboratory recombinant haplotype H-1acl of the Norway rat has been used in studies of the rejection and passive enhancement of kidney allografts. While the full H-1a haplotype provoked acute rejection, neither of the isolated subregions, H-1Aa and H-1Ba, did so. It was also found that alloantisera raised against either the H-1Aa or the H- 1Ba antigens would enhance the grafts. It is suggested that both MHC subregions contain a histocompatibility locus (i) for kidney (as they do for skin) and that in the genetic combinations studied only incompatibility for both provokes a response sufficient for rejection. In other combinations, however, single region incompatibilities may be sufficient.
A Dominant-Negative Form of Transcription Factor MEF2 Inhibits Myogenesis*

A biological role for MEF2 (myocyteenhancer factor 2) activity during mammalian myogenesis has been inferred but not directly proven because of its role in the transcriptional activation of many muscle-specific genes. Therefore, our purpose was to determine whether MEF2 activity is absolutely required for mammalian myogenesis. Using a dominant-negative approach to address this question, we constructed a mutated MEF2A protein comprised of the amino-terminal DNA binding/dimerization domain of MEF2A without itstrans-activation domain as a bacterial fusion protein (GST-131) or in a eukaryotic expression vector (pcDNA-131). GST-131 and the protein encoded by pcDNA-131 bind specifically to the MEF2cis element and abrogate trans-activation of a MEF2-responsive luciferase reporter gene by wild type MEF2A, thus serving a role as trans-dominant inhibitors of MEF2 function. In congruence with their ability to interfere with wild type MEF2 function, microinjection of GST-131 or pcDNA-131 into L6E9 or C2C12 myoblasts inhibited myotube formation. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that the expression of myogenin, myosin heavy chain, and MEF2A were inhibited in the GST-131 or pcDNA-131-injected cells compared with GST or pcDNA-injected controls. We also document that this trans-dominant MEF2 inhibitor impairs the myogenic conversion of C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts by MyoD. Thus, these data provide evidence that the trans-activation function of the MEF2 proteins during mammalian myogenesis is required for muscle-specific gene expression and differentiation.
Are Fourth and Fifth Grade Children Better Scientists through Metacognitive Learning

Introduction. A way to find out how scientific thinking in children develops is to focus on the processes that are involved. As such, scientific thinking can be seen as a particular form of problem solving in which the problem solver selects a strategy from the space of possible experiments that can reveal the cause of an event. Notwithstanding the acquisition of such a skill may be a strong constraint on search in the space of experiments, it was questioned whether children‟s problem solving could be supported by metacognitive instructions. Method. With the aid of a quasi-experimental study it was investigated whether children of 9 and 11 years old were able to design a scientific experiment with material available to them after they were taught how to control the variables in the experiment. A first group of 45 children was taught the technique together with metacognitive support (a step-by-step plan). A second group did so whithout metacognitive support. Finally, a third group received no specific intstructions. Results. Results with 11-year-olds showed that children who were taught to design a scientific experiment together with metacognitive support outperformed those who didn‟t receive such instructions. In addition, children who received metacognitive support showed longer problem solving times indicating that their impulsiveness was inhibited. No significant differences were found with children of 9 years old. Discussion and Conclusion. Children should be encouraged to use metacognitive support in classrooms so that awareness on the level of their thoughts and actions leads to better scientific problem solving.
Safety and efficacy of long-acting injectable risperidone in daily practice: an open-label, noninterventional, prospective study in schizophrenia and related disorders

This postauthorization safety study evaluated the long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of risperidone long-acting injectable (RLAI) in routine clinical practice. In this 6-month, multicenter, European, naturalistic study, patients were included if, during routine clinical practice, long-term antipsychotic therapy with RLAI was deemed necessary by the treating physician. Efficacy measures included Clinical Global Impression-Severity and Global Assessment of Functioning. Safety was evaluated by recording treatment-emergent adverse events (AE). RLAI was initiated in 5134 patients (aged 14–94 years); predominantly male (58.6%) with paranoid schizophrenia (69.8%). RLAI initial doses were 25 mg every 2 weeks (37.0% patients), 37.5 mg (18.0%), and 50 mg (44.4%). Treatment was completed by 4314 patients (84.0%). RLAI was discontinued on account of loss to follow-up (n=346; 6.7%), insufficient response (n=116; 2.3%), and AEs (n=106; 2.1%). Clinical Global Impression-Severity significantly improved from baseline to endpoint (P<0.001). Patient functioning on the Global Assessment of Functioning scale also significantly improved from baseline to endpoint (45.4±16.0 vs. 62.4±17.7, respectively, P<0.001). Treatment-emergent AEs were recorded by 1018 (20%) of patients. AEs occurring in ≥5% of patients were akathisia, extrapyramidal disorders, depression, psychotic disorder, anxiety, and weight gain. Serious AEs were reported by 384 (8%) patients. This study confirms good safety, tolerability, and efficacy with RLAI in routine clinical practice.
Prevalence and risk factors for carcinogenic human papillomavirus infections in rural Rakai, Uganda

Objective: To investigate self-administered vaginal swabs for assessing prevalence and correlates of carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in rural Rakai, Uganda. Methods: 1003 sexually experienced women enrolled in a community cohort provided self-administered vaginal swabs collected at annual, home-based surveys. Carcinogenic HPV prevalence, adjusted odds ratios (AOR), 95% confidence intervals (CI) and associated risk factors were determined. Results: Carcinogenic HPV prevalence was 19.2%: 46.6% among HIV positive and 14.8% among HIV negative women (p<0.001). Type-specific prevalence ranged from 2.0% (HPV 16 and 52) to 0.2% (HPV 31). Age-specific HPV prevalence decreased significantly (p<0.001) among HIV negative women; however, the decrease among HIV positive women was not as pronounced (p = 0.1). Factors independently associated with carcinogenic HPV infection were HIV (AOR 4.82, CI 3.10 to 7.53), age (AOR 4.97, 95% CI 2.19 to 11.26 for 15–19 year olds compared to 40+ years), more than two sex partners in the past year (AOR 2.21, CI 1.10 to 4.43) and self-reported herpes zoster, candidiasis or tuberculosis (AOR 4.52, CI 1.01 to 20.31). Married women were less likely to have prevalent carcinogenic HPV (AOR 0.46, CI 0.30 to 0.70). Conclusions: HPV prevalence and correlates measured using self-administered vaginal swabs were similar to studies that use cervical samples. Thus, self-collection can be used as a substitute for cervical specimens and provide an important tool for research in populations unwilling to undergo pelvic exam.
Local Dividend Clienteles

We exploit demographic variation to identify the effect of dividend demand on corporate payout policy. Retail investors tend to hold local stocks and older investors prefer dividend-paying stocks. Together, these tendencies generate geographically-varying demand for dividends. Firms headquartered in areas in which seniors constitute a large fraction of the population are more likely to pay dividends, initiate dividends, and have higher dividend yields. We also provide indirect evidence as to why managers may respond to the demand for dividends from local seniors. Overall, these results are consistent with the notion that the investor base affects corporate policy choices.
The mediational effect of self-regulatory capacity on the relationship between temperament, childhood invalidation and interpersonal functioning : testing a new neuro-regulatory model

Based on existing theories of personality and socio-emotional functioning (e.g. Clark, 2005; Lynch, Hempel & Clark, in press) a new model is proposed and tested. The model hypothesises that (i) temperament (reward and threat sensitivity) and childhood invalidation predict problems with interpersonal functioning, (ii) this effect is mediated by self-regulatory capacity; where self-regulatory capacity comprises self-control (ranging from emotional over-control to emotional under-control) and flexible control and (iii) self-regulatory capacity itself has a quadratic relationship with interpersonal functioning. A UK community sample (n= 512) completed a self-report survey, measuring each of the aforementioned latent variables. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to determine the goodness-of-fit of this and variations of this model. SEM identified that a non-mediation model provided the best fit (χ2=49.403, p< 0.001; CFI=0.98; RMSEA=0.056). Good-fit was obtained for a model including flexible control as a partial mediator (χ2=269.06, p< 0.001; CFI=0.956; RMSEA=0.081) and adequate-fit for a model including over-control as a partial mediator (χ2= 91.744, p < 0.001, CFI=0.932; RMSEA= 0.096). Correlation analyses suggested that over-control and under-control correlated positively with interpersonal problems. Results from SEM provided promising initial evidence for the mediating role of self-regulatory capacity, particularly for the flexible control component. Correlation analyses provided support for the non-linear relationship between self-regulatory capacity and interpersonal functioning, whereby extreme over-control or extreme under-control is associated with interpersonal problems. Findings have implications for identifying mechanisms of change for therapeutic approaches to emotion dysregulation and for understanding the over-controlled population, which has previously been overlooked.
Regulation of penicillin-binding protein activity: description of a methicillin-inducible penicillin-binding protein in Staphylococcus aureus

The penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) of two methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (R2 and R1) were analyzed in cells grown in the absence and in the presence of methicillin. Under the former condition, strain R2 showed the typical PBP pattern of beta-lactam-susceptible strains, while strain R1 showed a markedly increased amount of PBP-3. Under the latter condition, on the other hand, a novel PBP (PBP-2a) located between PBP-2 and -3 was detected in strain R2, while strain R1 appeared to synthesize an even greater amount of PBP-3, in respect to untreated cells. Both R2 PBP-2a and R1 PBP-3 showed a very low affinity for methicillin, which was consistent with the MICs for the respective strains.
Oleanolic Acid and Its Derivatives: Biological Activities and Therapeutic Potential in Chronic Diseases

The increasing demand for natural products as an alternative therapy for chronic diseases has encouraged research into the pharmacological importance of bioactive compounds from plants. Recently, there has been a surge of interest in the therapeutic potential of oleanolic acid (OA) in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Oleanolic acid is a pentacyclic triterpenoid widely found in plants, including fruits and vegetables with different techniques and chromatography platforms being employed in its extraction and isolation. Several studies have demonstrated the potential therapeutic effects of OA on different diseases and their symptoms. Furthermore, oleanolic acid also serves as a framework for the development of novel semi-synthetic triterpenoids that could prove vital in finding therapeutic modalities for various ailments. There are recent advances in the design and synthesis of chemical derivatives of OA to enhance its solubility, bioavailability and potency. Some of these derivatives have also been therapeutic candidates in a number of clinical trials. This review consolidates and expands on recent reports on the biological effects of oleanolic acid from different plant sources and its synthetic derivatives as well as their mechanisms of action in in vitro and in vivo study models. This review suggests that oleanolic acid and its derivatives are important candidates in the search for alternative therapy in the treatment and management of chronic diseases.
Repopulation of Zooxanthellae in the Caribbean Corals Montastraea annularis and M. faveolata following Experimental and Disease-Associated Bleaching

Caribbean corals of the Montastraea annularis species complex associate with four taxa of symbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae; genus Symbiodinium) in ecologically predictable patterns. To investigate the resilience of these host-zooxanthella associations, we conducted field experiments in which we experimentally reduced the numbers of zooxanthellae (by transplanting to shallow water or by shading) and then allowed treated corals to recover. When depletion was not extreme, recovering corals generally contained the same types of zooxanthellae as they did prior to treatment. After severe depletion, however, recovering corals were always repopulated by zooxanthellae atypical for their habitat (and in some cases atypical for the coral species). These unusual zooxanthellar associations were often (but not always) established in experimentally bleached tissues even when adjacent tissues were untreated. Atypical zooxanthellae were also observed in bleached tissues of unmanipulated Montastraea with yellow-blotch disease. In colonies where unusual associations were established, the original taxa of zooxanthellae were not detected even 9 months after the end of treatment. These observations suggest that zooxanthellae in Montastraea range from fugitive opportunists and stress-tolerant generalists (Symbiodinium A and E) to narrowly adapted specialists (Symbiodinium B and C), and may undergo succession.
Combining treatment for written and spoken naming

Individuals with left-hemisphere damage often have concomitant impairment of spoken and written language. Whereas some treatment studies have shown that reading paired with spoken naming can benefit both language modalities, little systematic research has been directed toward the treatment of spelling combined with spoken naming. The purpose of this study was to examine the therapeutic effect of pairing a lexical spelling treatment referred to as Copy and Recall Treatment (CART) with verbal repetition of target words. This approach (CART + Repetition) was compared with treatment using verbal repetition without the inclusion of orthographic training (Repetition Only). Two individuals with moderate aphasia and severe impairment of spelling participated in the study using a multiple baseline design across stimulus sets and treatment conditions. Both participants improved spelling of targeted words as well as spoken naming of those items, but improvement in spoken naming was marked for one individual in the CART + Repetition condition, while the other participant made smaller gains in spoken than written naming irrespective of treatment condition. Consideration of the participant profiles suggested that CART + Repetition provides greater benefit when there is some residual phonological ability and the treatment serves to stimulate links between orthography and phonology. (JINS, 2006, 12, 816–827.)
Neural Coding of Cooperative vs. Affective Human Interactions: 150 ms to Code the Action's Purpose

The timing and neural processing of the understanding of social interactions was investigated by presenting scenes in which 2 people performed cooperative or affective actions. While the role of the human mirror neuron system (MNS) in understanding actions and intentions is widely accepted, little is known about the time course within which these aspects of visual information are automatically extracted. Event-Related Potentials were recorded in 35 university students perceiving 260 pictures of cooperative (e.g., 2 people dragging a box) or affective (e.g., 2 people smiling and holding hands) interactions. The action's goal was automatically discriminated at about 150–170 ms, as reflected by occipito/temporal N170 response. The swLORETA inverse solution revealed the strongest sources in the right posterior cingulate cortex (CC) for affective actions and in the right pSTS for cooperative actions. It was found a right hemispheric asymmetry that involved the fusiform gyrus (BA37), the posterior CC, and the medial frontal gyrus (BA10/11) for the processing of affective interactions, particularly in the 155–175 ms time window. In a later time window (200–250 ms) the processing of cooperative interactions activated the left post-central gyrus (BA3), the left parahippocampal gyrus, the left superior frontal gyrus (BA10), as well as the right premotor cortex (BA6). Women showed a greater response discriminative of the action's goal compared to men at P300 and anterior negativity level (220–500 ms). These findings might be related to a greater responsiveness of the female vs. male MNS. In addition, the discriminative effect was bilateral in women and was smaller and left-sided in men. Evidence was provided that perceptually similar social interactions are discriminated on the basis of the agents' intentions quite early in neural processing, differentially activating regions devoted to face/body/action coding, the limbic system and the MNS.
Assessment of regenerated oil through accelerated thermal ageing experiments

Laboratory-based accelerated thermal ageing experiments were conducted in order to compare the performance of oils before and after being subject to oil regeneration. Three commercially available new mineral oils were used as a benchmark for the performance of the regenerated oil. Samples consisting of oil, paper and copper were aged at 120 °C under sealed conditions for a period of up to 63 days. Key ageing indicators, namely Total Acid Number (TAN) and moisture for oil, and moisture, Low Molecular Weight Acids (LMA), and Tensile Index (TI) for paper, were measured regularly. It was found that the performance of the regenerated oil is better than that of the non-regenerated oil, and is also comparable to that of other new mineral oils. Slower reduction of TI of paper aged in oil after regeneration compared to paper aged in oil before regeneration conforms to previous findings that oil condition plays a role in determining the ageing rate of paper, and supports the premise that oil regeneration can slow down paper degradation in transformers.