Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation of muscarinic receptors in hippocampus following cholinergic denervation and reinnervation by septal and striatal transplants

The regulation of hippocampal muscarinic M1 and M2 receptors was studied by autoradiographic methods following cholinergic denervation and reinnervation from embryonic septal transplant. In young adult male rats the density of M1 sites, labeled either with 3H-pirenzepine (PZ) or 3H-N-methylscopolamine (NMS, in the presence of excess carbachol), exceeded by 4- to 5-fold the density of M2 sites, labeled with 3H-NMS in the presence of excess PZ. Both receptors appeared to be densest in hippocampal regions lowest in acetylcholinesterase or 3H-hemicholinium- 3 binding. The distribution of M1 receptors did differ from the distribution of M2 receptors within subregions of the hippocampus. Along the mediolateral axis from the subiculum to the lateral CA 1, the density of M1 receptors is uniform, but the density of M2 receptors decreases. Also apparent is the relatively small difference in density between the CA1 and dentate gyrus for M1 receptors but a significantly greater difference for M2 receptors. However, the response of M1 and M2 receptors to long-term cholinergic denervation following fimbriafornix transection of the septal cholinergic input and to cholinergic innervation by embryonic septal transplants was similar. Long-term denervation (40–60 d) resulted in a 30–60% increase in both M1 and M2 receptors within regions of the hippocampal formation. Receptor levels were reduced to normal in regions innervated by septal transplants. For both receptors, the changes in the density of sites were due to alterations in the Bmax and not the Kd for the radioligands. The specificity of this regulation is supported by the evidence that (1) the degree and topography of the normalization of muscarinic receptor density was entirely dependent on the degree and pattern of cholinergic reinnervation by the fibers of the septal transplant, (2) cholinergic fiber reinnervation by embryonic striatal grafts also down-regulated the density of M1 and M2 receptors, and (3) successfully surviving transplants (e.g., cerebellar and striatal) that did not provide innervation to the hippocampus did not induce down-regulation of muscarinic receptors. Changes in the density of sites were not related to changes in the width of the hippocampus following denervation and reinnervation. The data support the view that the majority of M1 and M2 receptors are located postsynaptically on neurons within the hippocampus and not presynaptically on cholinergic fibers.
Unitary space-time modulation for multiple-antenna communications in Rayleigh flat fading

Motivated by information-theoretic considerations, we propose a signaling scheme, unitary space-time modulation, for multiple-antenna communication links. This modulation is ideally suited for Rayleigh fast-fading environments, since it does not require the receiver to know or learn the propagation coefficients. Unitary space-time modulation uses constellations of T/spl times/M space-time signals (/spl Phi//sub i/, l=1, ., L), where T represents the coherence interval during which the fading is approximately constant, and M<T is the number of transmitter antennas. The columns of each /spl Phi//sub i/ are orthonormal. When the receiver does not know the propagation coefficients, which between pairs of transmitter and receiver antennas are modeled as statistically independent, this modulation performs very well either when the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is high or when T/spl Gt/M. We design some multiple-antenna signal constellations and simulate their effectiveness as measured by bit-error probability with maximum-likelihood decoding. We demonstrate that two antennas have a 6-dB diversity gain over one antenna at 15-dB SNR.
Worldwide , stroke remains the leading Reconciling Marriage and Care after Stroke

Most research on stroke’s impact on couples has focused on the transition to caregiving/receiving. Despite considerable evidence that marriage is the primary source of support in the face of chronic conditions, little is known about what happens to marriage in the context of care after stroke. To address this gap, we undertook a qualitative grounded-theory study of 18 couples in which one partner had experienced a stroke. Findings revealed two interrelated themes of the couple processes: working out care, which involved discovering and addressing disruptions in day-to-day activities; and rethinking marriage, which involved determining the meaning of their relationship within the new context of care and disability. Three distinct types of marriages evolved from these processes: reconfirmed around their pre-stroke marriage; recalibrated around care; and a parallel relationship, “his” and “her” marriage. Our findings highlight the need to consider relationship dynamics in addition to knowledge about stroke and care. 1 Department of Human Ecology, University of Alberta 2 College of Human Sciences & Health Sciences, Swansea University, Wales, and Optentia Research Focus Area, North-West University, South Africa 3 Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta Manuscript received: / manuscrit reçu : 22/06/16 Manuscript accepted: / manuscrit accepté : 10/12/16
Crossing the Cultural Boundaries: Developing Intercultural Competence of Prospective Teachers of English

Intercultural competence can be viewed as the ability to communicate successfully with culturally different others using one's intercultural knowledge, skills and attitudes. This also is the ultimate goal of learning a foreign language. Nevertheless, this aspect of having an intercultural dimension to foreign Language learning is a completely neglected aspect of English language learning in Sri Lanka, though English is prescribed as the lingua franca or the link language by the country's constitution. On the other hand, to become a competent teacher in English, one needs to be interculturally competent as the teachers of English are constantly required to handle students in linguistically and ethnically segregated Sinhala and Tamil medium schools. Thus, this study is very significant as there have been no empirical studies conducted in the similar nature, in the country and few elsewhere in the world. The study explores the possibilities of developing Intercultural Competence of prospective teachers of English at a preservice teacher education institute in Sri Lanka, through a curriculum intervention which provides them with extensive opportunities to engage in intercultural interactions while learning English in the classroom together with their counterparts from other major ethnic groups. A specially designed intercultural syllabus was implemented in order to facilitate new understandings and insights around cultural diversity and contribute to development of intercultural competence of the student teachers improving their English language skills at the same time. Using an approach of action research the project tried to identify answers for four broad research questions by using both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods. It attempted to identify teacher trainees' perceptions on cultural diversity and understand effective strategies to develop intercultural competence by assessing their response to a specially designed intercultural syllabus.
Lexical Collocations and their Relation to the Online Writing of Taiwanese College English Majors and Non-English Majors

The present study investigates the use of English lexical collocations and their relation to the online writing of Taiwanese college English majors and non-English majors. Data for the study were collected from 41 English majors and 21 non-English majors at a national university of science and technology in southern Taiwan. Each student was asked to take a 45-minute online English writing test, administered by the web-based writing program, Criterion Version 7.1 (Educational Testing Service) to examine the subjects’ use of lexical collocations (i.e. frequency and variety). The test was also used to measure writing scores of the two student groups. Test results were examined to answer two major questions for correlation (1) between the subjects’ frequency of lexical collocations and their writing scores and (2) between the subjects’ variety of lexical collocations and their writing scores. The study findings indicate that: (1) there seems to be a significant correlation between Taiwanese college EFL learners’ frequency of lexical collocations and their online writing scores; and (2) there also seems to be a significant correlation between the subjects’ variety of lexical collocations and their online writing scores. This present study further reports on a pattern of lexical collocation development observed among writers of different scores, ranging from the lowest to the highest.
Rate of Decline in Alzheimer Disease Measured by a Dementia Severity Rating Scale

ObjectiveTo measure clinically relevant change in Alzheimer disease (AD) using a family member-completed Dementia Severity Rating Scale (DSRS) questionnaire. BackgroundMeasuring rate of change provides important clinical information. Most neuropsychologic scores change nonlinearly, complicating their use as a predictor of change throughout the illness. MethodsDSRS and Mini Mental State scores were prospectively collected on 702 patients with AD from first evaluation until they became too impaired to return to clinic. ResultsDSRS score increased an average of 4.48 points/y [95% confidence intervel (CI): 4.14-4.82] throughout the entire range of severity. In contrast, the Mini Mental State declined an average of 2.15 points/y (95% CI: 1.85-2.46) during the first 2 years, accelerated to 3.83 points/y (95% CI: 3.28-4.38) during the subsequent 3 years, and then slowed to an annual decline of 1.63 points during the last 2 years (95% CI: 0.21-3.05). A younger age of symptom onset was associated with an increased rate of DSRS change (P=0.03). ConclusionsThe DSRS provides a clinical measure of functional impairment in AD that increases about 4.48 points/y from the earliest symptomatic stage until patients become too severely impaired to return to clinic.
The Misallocation of Finance

We ask whether financial assets are well-allocated in the cross-section of firms. Extending the framework of Hsieh and Klenow (2009) to the liabilities side of the balance sheet, we estimate the real losses that accrue from the cross-sectional misallocation of financial liabilities across firms. Using U.S. and Chinese data on manufacturing firms, we find significant misallocation of debt and equity. Although financial liabilities appear well-allocated in the United States, they are not in China. If China's debt and equity markets were as developed as those in the United States, China would realize gains of 40-55% in real firm value. We also back out the cost of debt and equity for each firm with our model, taking into account allocation distortions. We find that larger firms and firms located in more developed cities face markedly lower costs.
Domestic violence intervention calls for more than treating injuries.

BATTERING appears to be the single most common cause of injury to women—more common than automobile accidents, muggings, and rapes combined (Stark ED, Flitcraft A. Violence among intimates: an epidemiological review. In: Hasselt VN, et al, eds. Handbook of Family Violence . New York, NY: Plenum Pub Corp; 1988:293-318). While most clinicians wouldn't consider discharging a patient with a life-threatening condition, data from emergency department records show that a majority of women who are victims of domestic abuse are discharged without any arrangements made for their safety, to return to the same abusive relationships that caused their injuries ( Gender and Society . 1989;3:506-517). Despite the widespread presence of domestic violence (see p 940) and its major role in women's health, the medical community has yet to consistently identify victims of domestic violence and extend treatment beyond the physical manifestations of an abusive relationship. Several studies have shown that 22% to 35% of
Distinct allelic expression patterns of imprinted IGF2 in adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

The insulin-like growth factor 2 gene (IGF2) is an imprinting gene, which mediates cell growth and apoptosis. The loss of imprinting (LOI) of IGF2 has been associated with the development of cancer. In the present study, loss LOI of IGF2 in lung cancer was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in combination with DNA sequencing of samples collected by laser capture microdissection. The status of each sample was assigned as imprinting when PCR-RFLP revealed only one band or sequence with a single peak; otherwise, the case was classified as LOI. LOI was identified in eight out of 13 adenocarcinoma cases (62%), but was not detected in any of the nine squamous cell carcinoma cases (0%). These results suggest that IGF2 LOI is involved in the molecular pathogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma, but not squamous cell carcinoma, and that LOI may be detected through increased IGF2 expression levels.
Plasma and Erythrocyte Glutathione Peroxidase Activity, Serum Selenium Concentration, and Plasma Total Antioxidant Capacity in Cats with IRIS Stages I–IV Chronic Kidney Disease

Background Serum selenium concentrations and the activity of plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPx) decrease with the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in human patients. Selenium is considered a limiting factor for plasma GPx synthesis. Plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) is decreased in CKD cats in comparison to healthy cats. Hypothesis Serum selenium concentrations and plasma and erythrocyte GPx activity in cats with CKD are lower than in healthy cats. Serum selenium concentrations, the activity of enzymes, and plasma TAC progressively decrease with the progression of kidney disease according to IRIS (International Renal Interest Society) classification. Animals Twenty‐six client‐owned cats in IRIS stages I–IV of CKD were compared with 19 client‐owned healthy cats. Methods A CBC, serum biochemical profile, urinalysis, plasma and erythrocyte GPx activity, serum selenium concentration, and plasma TAC were measured in each cat. Results Cats in IRIS stage IV CKD had a significantly higher (P = .025) activity of plasma GPx (23.44 ± 6.28 U/mL) than cats in the control group (17.51 ± 3.75 U/mL). There were no significant differences in erythrocyte GPx, serum selenium concentration, and plasma TAC, either among IRIS stages I–IV CKD cats or between CKD cats and healthy cats. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Erythrocyte GPx activity, serum selenium concentration, and plasma TAC do not change in CKD cats compared with healthy cats. Selenium is not a limiting factor in feline CKD. Increased plasma GPx activity in cats with stage IV CKD suggests induction of antioxidant defense mechanisms. Antioxidant defense systems might not be exhausted in CKD in cats.
Developmental Switch in the Short-Term Modification of Unitary EPSPs Evoked in Layer 2/3 and Layer 5 Pyramidal Neurons of Rat Neocortex

Amplitudes of EPSPs evoked by repetitive presynaptic action potentials can either decrease (synaptic depression) or increase (synaptic facilitation). To determine whether facilitation and depression in the connections between neocortical pyramidal cells varied with the identity of the pre- or the postsynaptic cell and whether they changed during postnatal development, whole-cell voltage recordings were made simultaneously from two or three pyramidal cells in layers 2/3 and 5 of the rat sensorimotor cortex. Unitary EPSPs were evoked when pre- and postsynaptic neurons were in the same and in different layers. In young [postnatal day 14 (P14)] cortex, EPSPs evoked in all connected neurons depressed. The degree of depression was layer specific and was determined by the identity of the presynaptic cell. EPSPs evoked by stimulation of presynaptic layer 5 neurons depressed significantly more than did those evoked by stimulation of layer 2/3 neurons. In mature cortex (P28), however, the EPSPs evoked in these connected neurons facilitated to a comparable degree regardless of the layer in which pre- and postsynaptic neurons were located. The results suggest that in young cortex the degree of synaptic depression in connected pyramidal cells is determined primarily by whether the presynaptic cell was in layer 2/3 or 5 and that maturation of the cortex involves a developmental switch from depression to facilitation between P14 and P28 that eliminates the layer-specific differences. A functional consequence of this switch is that in mature cortex the spread of excitation between neocortical pyramidal neurons is enhanced when action potentials occur in bursts.
Symposium: ovarian tumors of borderline malignancy.

This symposium on ovarian borderline tumors is based on the scientific program of the International Society of Gynecological Pathologists that was held in conjunction with the U.S.-Canadian Division of the International Academy of Pathology in March 1996. Four eminent gynecological pathologists who have had a special interest in these tumors were asked to focus on their more controversial aspects. The discussions reflect the enormous growth in our understanding of borderline tumors that has occurred over the past two decades but also reflect the lack of consensus regarding important aspects of nomenclature, histogenesis, and biology of the ovarian tumors and the extraovarian peritoneal lesions with which they are often associated. Dr. Silva, who organized the symposium, was hoping that an agreement could be reached among the participants. Although no consensus on the issues was attained, it is hoped that this symposium will highlight for the readers of the Journal the problem areas in borderline tumors while clarifying the various points of view held by the discussants.
Vocal process granuloma and glottal insufficiency: An overlooked etiology?

Vocal process granuloma has been attributed to intubation, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and phonotraumatic/hyperfunctional vocal behaviors. Vocal process granuloma has recurrence rates following surgical excision approaching 92%. We hypothesize that a portion of persistent or idiopathic cases of vocal process granuloma result from underlying glottal insufficiency (GI) caused by paresis, scar, or atrophy. Our goal was to examine our vocal process granuloma population and determine the incidence of GI, treatment interventions, and outcomes.
Clinical predictive factors of pathologic tumor response after preoperative chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer

Purpose The aim of this study was to identify clinical predictive factors for tumor response after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods The study involved 51 patients who underwent preoperative CRT followed by surgery between January 2005 and February 2012. Radiotherapy was delivered to the whole pelvis at a dose of 45 Gy in 25 fractions, followed by a boost of 5.4 Gy in 3 fractions to the primary tumor with 5 fractions per week. Three different chemotherapy regimens were used (5-fluorouracil and leucovorin, capecitabine, or tegafur/uracil). Tumor responses to preoperative CRT were assessed in terms of tumor downstaging and pathologic complete response (ypCR). Statistical analyses were performed to identify clinical factors associated with pathologic tumor response. Results Tumor downstaging was observed in 28 patients (54.9%), whereas ypCR was observed in 6 patients (11.8%). Multivariate analysis found that predictors of downstaging was pretreatment relative lymphocyte count (p = 0.023) and that none of clinical factors was significantly associated with ypCR. Conclusion Pretreatment relative lymphocyte count (%) has a significant impact on the pathologic tumor response (tumor downstaging) after preoperative CRT for locally advanced rectal cancer. Enhancement of lymphocyte-mediated immune reactions may improve the effect of preoperative CRT for rectal cancer.
No infectious hepatic complications following radioembolization with 90Y microspheres in patients with biliodigestive anastomosis.

AIM To retrospectively evaluate infectious hepatic complications of transarterial radioembolization (RE) of the liver in patients with pre-existing biliodigestive anastomosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients who underwent RE were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had at least a contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging or contrast-enhanced triple-phase computed tomographic scan before and 6-8 weeks after RE. RESULTS Overall, 143 patients (67 women, 76 men; median age = 65 ± 11.2 years) were analyzed. Nine patients had a biliodigestive anastomosis. The complications were as follows: one case of cholecystitis, three of gastroduodenal ulcer with one ulcer perforation, and six of radioembolization-induced liver disease. There were no infectious complications. There were no major or minor complications in the group with previous biliodigestive anastomosis. CONCLUSION Pre-existing bilioenteric anastomoses are not a negative predictive factor for the development of infectious hepatic complications after RE. RE with (90)Y microspheres can be safely performed following careful patient selection.
A new guaianolide sesquiterpene lactone from Curcuma leucorrhiza Roxb.

A naturally occurring guaianolide sesquiterpene lactone (1), along with 10 known compounds (2–11), was isolated from the chloroform extract of the dried rhizomes of Curcuma leucorrhiza Roxb. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic studies and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compound 1 expressed antioxidant activity. The taxonomic status of C. leucorrhiza is briefly discussed based on the chemotaxonomic significance of these findings.
Process-Specific Slowing with Advancing Age: Evidence Derived from the Analysis of Sequential Effects

In the current study we examined the generalized slowing hypothesis on the mechanisms underlying sequential effects in serial two-choice reaction time tasks. For young adults, sequential effects of conditions with a high and a low stimulus presentation rate respectively pointed to an automatic and an expectancy mechanism. Older adults' low presentation rate data corroborated the general slowing hypothesis for expectancy, whereas the high presentation rate results did not. The observation of a differential influence of age on the automatic and the expectancy mechanism poses a problem for notions assuming that higher level processes are more vulnerable to advancing age than lower level processes.