Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
State Dependency of Chemosensory Coding in the Gustatory Thalamus (VPMpc) of Alert Rats

The parvicellular portion of the ventroposteromedial nucleus (VPMpc) is the part of the thalamus that processes gustatory information. Anatomical evidence shows that the VPMpc receives ascending gustatory inputs from the parabrachial nucleus (PbN) in the brainstem and sends projections to the gustatory cortex (GC). Although taste processing in PbN and GC has been the subject of intense investigation in behaving rodents, much less is known on how VPMpc neurons encode gustatory information. Here we present results from single-unit recordings in the VPMpc of alert rats receiving multiple tastants. Thalamic neurons respond to taste with time-varying modulations of firing rates, consistent with those observed in GC and PbN. These responses encode taste quality as well as palatability. Comparing responses to tastants either passively delivered, or self-administered after a cue, unveiled the effects of general expectation on taste processing in VPMpc. General expectation led to an improvement of taste coding by modulating response dynamics, and single neuron ability to encode multiple tastants. Our results demonstrate that the time course of taste coding as well as single neurons' ability to encode for multiple qualities are not fixed but rather can be altered by the state of the animal. Together, the data presented here provide the first description that taste coding in VPMpc is dynamic and state-dependent. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Over the past years, a great deal of attention has been devoted to understanding taste coding in the brainstem and cortex of alert rodents. Thanks to this research, we now know that taste coding is dynamic, distributed, and context-dependent. Alas, virtually nothing is known on how the gustatory thalamus (VPMpc) processes gustatory information in behaving rats. This manuscript investigates taste processing in the VPMpc of behaving rats. Our results show that thalamic neurons encode taste and palatability with time-varying patterns of activity and that thalamic coding of taste is modulated by general expectation. Our data will appeal not only to researchers interested in taste, but also to a broader audience of sensory and systems neuroscientists interested in the thalamocortical system.
Retention of the Placenta

T HE foetal membranes and the placentae are foetal outgrowths and, in reality, belong to the foetus. During the act of birth, the umbilical cord is ruptured and as soon as that happens, they become functionless and are foreign to the mother and are expelled from the uterus. During intra uterine life, they are vital to the life of the developing foetus for they are the medium through which it receives the elements of food from which its body is formed. They also act as lungs for the foetus because the oxygen required for foetal life is obtained through the placenta and CO2 is eliminated through the same channel. They commence to develop in the embryonic stage of foetal life and their growth and enlargement is as continuous and persistent as the growth and development of the foetus itself. This, of course, is necessary in order to meet with the requirements of the ever-growing and developing foetus. In their character, they are membranous structures, the chorionic one being very vascular and profusely supplied with blood vessels. The chorionic tufts are, in reality, endothelial outgrowths from the capillaries of the umbilical vessels. In the bovine species, these chorionic tufts grow only in circumscribed areas which correspond to the cotyledons of the maternal uterus. To understand the reason for placental retention, it is necessary to know the factors responsible for the normal maintenance of their attachment during pregnancy and also the reason for their normal expulsion following the birth of the foetus.
Dry eye disease and oxidative stress

Dry eye, an age‐related condition, is a multifactorial disease of the tears and ocular surface that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance and tear film instability. Environmental factors are also often implicated in dry eye including exposure to pollutants, ultraviolet (UV) radiation and ozone as well as the chronic use of preserved eyedrops such as in the treatment of glaucoma. These factors increase oxidative stress and ocular surface inflammation. Here, we reviewed the cellular, animal and clinical studies that point to the role of oxidative stress in dry eye disease. The biomarkers used to indicate oxidative damage in ocular surface tissues include 8‐hydroxy‐2 deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG), 4‐hydroxynonenal (HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDD). Antioxidative defences in the ocular surface occur in the form of tear proteins such as lactoferrin and S100A proteins, and enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase, catalase and mitochondrial oxidative enzymes. An imbalance between the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the action of protective enzymes will lead to oxidative damage, and possibly inflammation. A small number of interventional studies suggest that oxidative stress may be directly targeted in topical therapy of dry eye treatment. For example, in vitro studies suggest that L‐carnitine and pterostilbene, a blueberry component may reduce oxidative stress, and in animal studies, alpha‐lipoic acid (ALP) and selenoprotein P may be helpful. Examples of treatments used in clinical trials include vitamin B12 eyedrops and iodide iontophoresis. With recent emphasis on ageing medicine and preventive holistic health, as well as the role of environmental science, research on oxidative stress in the ocular surface is likely to have increasing impact in the coming years.
Learning to Generate Diversified Query Interpretations using Biconvex Optimization

The wealth of information present in the World Wide Web has made internet search a de-facto medium for obtaining any required information. Users typically specify short and/or ambiguous queries and expect the answer to appear at the top. Hence, it can be extremely important to produce a diverse but relevant set of results in the precious top k positions. This calls for addressing two types of needs: (i) producing relevant results for queries that are often short and ambiguous and (ii) selecting a set of k diverse results to satisfy different classes of information needs. In this paper, we present a novel technique using a Biconvex optimization formulation as well as adaptations of existing techniques from other areas, for addressing these two problems simultaneously. We propose a graph based iterative method to choose diversified results. We evaluate these approaches on the QRU (Query Representation and Understanding) dataset used in SIGIR 2011 workshop as well as on the AMBIENT (Ambiguous Entities) dataset and present results on generating diversified query interpretations. We also compare these approaches against other online systems such as Surf Canyon, Carrot2, Exalead and DBpedia and empirically demonstrate that our system produces competitive results.
Mildly raised tricuspid regurgitant velocity 2.5–3.0 m/s in pregnant women with sickle cell disease is not associated with poor obstetric outcome – An observational cross-sectional study

Pulmonary hypertension is associated with 36% mortality in pregnancy, and 6–10% of patients with sickle cell disease have pulmonary hypertension. Tricuspid regurgitant velocity ≥2.5 m/s on echocardiography is a well validated means of screening for pulmonary hypertension in the non-pregnant population. This is a pilot study to determine if this is a useful non-invasive screening test for pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy, and whether raised tricuspid regurgitant velocity ≥2.5 m/s was associated with poor outcomes. This is a cross-sectional study over a five-year period in a tertiary referral centre with a specialised multidisciplinary clinic for pregnant women with sickle cell disease. Women with sickle cell disease, no prior pulmonary hypertension and singleton pregnancies who had echocardiography with a measurable tricuspid regurgitant velocity in pregnancy were included. There were 34 pregnancies, of which eight had tricuspid regurgitant velocity ≥2.5 m/s. There were no significant differences in their characteristics, sickle cell-related complications or medical co-morbidities. The women with tricuspid regurgitant velocity ≥2.5 m/s had similar obstetric and perinatal outcomes as those with a tricuspid regurgitant velocity <2.5 m/s.
RECOMBINATION BETWEEN NOCARDIA ERYTHROPOLIS AND NOCARDIA CANICRURIA

Adams, James N. (University of South Dakota, Vermillion). Recombination between Nocardia erythropolis and Nocardia canicruria. J. Bacteriol. 88:865–876. 1964. —Nutritionally complementary auxotrophic mutants derived from Nocardia erythropolis did not yield prototrophic recombinants when progeny from mixed cultures or newly mixed strains were inoculated onto minimal medium. Similarly, complementary auxotrophic mutants of N. canicruria did not produce prototrophic recombinants. When interspecific mating was attempted between complementary mutants of N. erythropolis and N. canicruria, prototrophic recombinants were recovered at frequencies dependent, in part, upon the auxotrophic strains used in the test crosses. Growth of the parental types in mixed cultures was necessary for the production of recombinant progeny. Direct selection for recombinants by inoculating the selective medium with a mixture of parental types without prior mixed growth did not result in the recovery of recombinants. Varying the medium upon which mixed growth occurred, or varying the ratio of N. erythropolis to N. canicruria cells used as inocula, did not greatly affect the recovery of recombinants. Heat-killing one or the other of the parental types prevented recombinant production. The lack of recovery of recombinants from crosses of homologously derived strains suggested that a mating factor controls recombination. The mating factor was not eliminated by acriflavine treatment. The recovery of a recombinant strain capable of forming recombinants with either N. erythropolis or N. canicruria, and the recovery of another strain which mated only with N. erythropolis in backcrosses, suggests that the mating factor may be of a multiple nature.
Geographical variation in admissions due to poisoning in Sri Lanka: a time series analysis.

OBJECTIVES To carry out time series analyses of hospital admissions for poisoning between 1995-2008 in all districts in Sri Lanka to identify trends and geographical variations in the substances used in poisoning. METHODS Data of hospital admissions from 1995-2008 due to poisoning were obtained from the Annual Health Bulletins published by the Ministry of Health. Data were converted to annual rates per 100,000 population. Time trends in the rates of suicide and self-poisoning were calculated using univariate time series analysis. RESULTS All districts except Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu showed an increase in the rates of admissions due to poisoning with drugs, medicaments and biological substances. Colombo, Hambantota, Kalutara and Anuradhapura showed an exponential increase. Hambantota, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya and Colombo show an increase in the rate of admissions after pesticide poisoning. All other districts showed a linear decrease. Admissions due to all types of poisoning showed a negative trend in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Matale and Batticoloa districts. Other districts show a positive trend in the rate of admissions for all types of poisoning. CONCLUSIONS Results should be viewed with caution because they are based on analysis of secondary data. Although the rate of suicides has reduced since 1995, admissions due to self poisoning have increased in almost all districts. While pesticide poisoning is becoming less, there is a gradual shift to the use of drugs and medicaments in self poisoning. Poisoning with drugs, medicaments and biological substances are increasing both in urban and rural areas.
Blood Pressure and Medication During Long-Term Antihypertensive Therapy Based on Morning Home SBP in Hypertensive Patients: Hypertension Control Based On Home Systolic Pressure (HOSP) Substudy

We examined blood pressure (BP) and medication over 5 years in 80 hypertensive patients who participated in the Hypertension Control Based on home systolic pressure (HOSP) study that compares effects of strict and mild control of morning home systolic blood pressure (SBP) as well as amlodipine- and losartan-based regimens. Average morning home SBP after 5 years was 126 mmHg in the strict control group and 135 mmHg in the mild control group. The strict control group and the losartan group required more combination therapy than the other groups. These results show that long-term strict control of morning BP is feasible. Amlodipine appears to be more effective in controlling morning BP than losartan when the medication is administered alone in the morning.
Advanced paternal age at birth: phenotypic and etiologic associations with eating pathology in offspring

Background Advanced paternal age at birth has been linked to several psychiatric disorders in offspring (e.g. schizophrenia) and genetic mechanisms are thought to underlie these associations. This study is the first to investigate whether advanced paternal age at birth is associated with eating disorder risk using a twin study design capable of examining both phenotypic and genetic associations. Method In a large, population-based sample of female twins aged 8–17 years in mid-puberty or beyond (n = 1722), we investigated whether advanced paternal age was positively associated with disordered eating symptoms and an eating disorder history [i.e. anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN) or binge eating disorder (BED)] in offspring. Biometric twin models examined whether genetic and/or environmental factors underlie paternal age effects for disordered eating symptoms. Results Advanced paternal age was positively associated with disordered eating symptoms and an eating disorder history, where the highest level of pathology was observed in offspring born to fathers ⩾40 years old. The results were not accounted for by maternal age at birth, body mass index (BMI), socio-economic status (SES), fertility treatment or parental psychiatric history. Twin models indicated decreased genetic, and increased environmental, effects on disordered eating with advanced paternal age. Conclusions Advanced paternal age increased risk for the full spectrum of eating pathology, independent of several important covariates. However, contrary to leading hypotheses, environmental rather than genetic factors accounted for paternal age–disordered eating associations. These data highlight the need to explore novel (potentially environmental) mechanisms underlying the effects of advanced paternal age on offspring eating disorder risk.
The Bologna Complete Sample of Nearby Radio Sources

We present a new, complete sample of 95 radio sources selected from the B2 Catolog of Radio Sources and the Third Cambridge Revised Catalog (3CR), with z < 0.1. Since no selection effect on the core radio power, jet velocity, or source orientation is present, this sample is well suited for statistical studies. In this first paper we present the observational status of all sources on the parsec (milliarcsecond) and kiloparsec (arcsecond) scale; we give new parsec-scale data for 28 sources and discuss their parsec-scale properties. By combining these data with those in the literature, information on the parsec-scale morphology is available for a total of 53 radio sources with different radio power and kiloparsec-scale morphologies. We investigate their properties. We find a dramatically higher fraction of two-sided sources in comparison with that of previous flux-limited VLBI surveys.
Reduced Heart Rate Variability and Altered Cardiac Conduction after Pre-Eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that is associated with elevated maternal risk for cardiovascular disease. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of normal pregnancy on postpartum parameters of the electrocardiogram, and furthermore to determine how a history of pre-eclampsia may affect these parameters. Ten-minute high-resolution (1000 Hz) orthogonal Holter electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings were used to measure heart rate variability (HRV). Signal-averaged P-wave and QRS complex durations were determined. Participants included non-pregnant controls, normotensive parous controls and women with a recent history of PE. While reductions in HRV induced by uncomplicated pregnancy returned to non-pregnant levels by 6–8 months postpartum HRV remained reduced in women with a history of PE compared to control groups. In addition, P-Wave and QRS complex durations were prolonged in PE subjects at 6–8 months postpartum compared to control groups. Only QRS duration was independent of differences in blood pressure. These results suggest increased sympathetic cardiac activity, and delayed myocardial conduction in women after PE; alterations consistent with cardiac remodeling and increased risk for arrhythmia. In examining the association between PE and cardiovascular disease, identification of ECG abnormalities soon after pregnancy in women with a history of PE highlights a unique opportunity for early identification and screening in this population before other risk factors become apparent.
Evolving Molecular Genetics of Glioblastoma

Objective:To summary the recent advances in molecular research of glioblastoma (GBM) and current trends in personalized therapy of this disease. Data Sources:Data cited in this review were obtained mainly from PubMed in English up to 2015, with keywords “molecular”, “genetics”, “GBM”, “isocitrate dehydrogenase”, “telomerase reverse transcriptase”, “epidermal growth factor receptor”, “PTPRZ1-MET”, and “clinical treatment”. Study Selection:Articles regarding the morphological pathology of GBM, the epidemiology of GBM, genetic alteration of GBM, and the development of treatment for GBM patients were identified, retrieved, and reviewed. Results:There is a large amount of data supporting the view that these recurrent genetic aberrations occur in a specific context of cellular origin, co-oncogenic hits and are present in distinct patient populations. Primary and secondary GBMs are distinct disease entities that affect different age groups of patients and develop through distinct genetic aberrations. These differences are important, especially because they may affect sensitivity to radio- and chemo-therapy and should thus be considered in the identification of targets for novel therapeutic approaches. Conclusion:This review highlights the molecular and genetic alterations of GBM, indicating that they are of potential value in the diagnosis and treatment for patients with GBM.
Intimate partner violence.

1. Megan H. Bair-Merritt, MD, MSCE* 1. *Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Associate Director, Primary Care Fellowship Program, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Describe the prevalence of intimate partner violence and childhood exposure to intimate partner violence. 2. Identify risk factors associated with intimate partner violence. 3. Explain the relationship of child maltreatment in the setting of intimate partner violence. 4. Recognize the impact of intimate partner violence exposure on children's social-emotional and physical health and health-care use. 5. Discuss strategies for screening and responding to intimate partner violence in the pediatric setting. You are seeing a healthy 4-month-old infant for a health supervision visit. As part of a routine social history, you inquire about intimate partner violence (IPV). The infant's mother discloses that her partner frequently yells at her, pushes her, and makes her feel afraid. On additional questioning, she describes the infant as “fussy. ” The baby's physical examination findings are unremarkable, but you note that he missed his 2-month visit and is behind on his immunizations. How do you proceed? Family violence and domestic violence often are used synonymously and refer to violence occurring between any family member dyad, including parent-child, intimate partner-intimate partner, or sibling-sibling. IPV refers specifically to violence perpetrated between romantic partners and has been defined by the Family Violence Prevention Fund as “a pattern of purposeful coercive behaviors that may include inflicted physical injury, psychological abuse, sexual assault, progressive social isolation, stalking, deprivation, intimidation and threats. These behaviors are perpetrated by someone who is, was, or wishes to be involved in an intimate or dating relationship with an adult or adolescent victim and are aimed at establishing control of one partner over the other. ” (1) Over the course of a lifetime, between one fourth …
Standardizing Lightweight Deflectometer Modulus Measurements for Compaction Quality Assurance

The mechanistic-empirical pavement design method requires the elastic resilient modulus as the key input for characterization of geomaterials. Current density-based QA procedures do not measure resilient modulus. Additionally, the density-based methods do not incorporate the stiffness changes in unconventional materials over time due to moisture content changes or curing. The high costs associated with the radiationsafe operation of nuclear density gauges (NDG) also encourage the search for an alternative procedure. The Lightweight Deflectometer (LWD) is a portable device that can be used to measure the surface modulus of unbound layers directly in the field. LWDs are being employed for pavement construction QA in a few states but their broader implementation has been hampered by the lack of a widely recognized standard for interpreting the measured stiffness data obtained.
Olfactory projections in the white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus: An experimental study

Telencephalic evolution in ray‐finned fishes shows increasing complexity from polypteriform fishes through sturgeons to teleosts. Telencephalic organization in sturgeons is thus critical to our understanding of ray‐finned fish evolution, but it is poorly understood, particularly as regards the roof or pallium. Two major hypotheses exist regarding the medial part of area dorsalis (Dm): that Dm is extended; and that Dm is restricted. The extent and topography of secondary olfactory projections to the pallium are critical in evaluating these hypotheses, but there is little agreement regarding these projections. Olfactory projections in the white sturgeon were therefore examined by using the carbocyanine probe DiI, biocytin, and biotinylated dextrin amine (BDA). Both DiI and BDA revealed primary olfactory projections to the olfactory bulb and primary extrabulbar projections widely in the telencephalon and to more restricted regions of the diencephalon. Myelinated secondary olfactory fibers caused DiI to be less effective in labeling secondary olfactory projections, which terminate in all subpallial nuclei and in the pallium: sparsely in the medial pallial division (Dm); heavily in the posterior pallial division (Dp); and more lightly in the lateral pallial division (Dl). In the diencephalon, substantial secondary olfactory projections were seen to the habenular nuclei, the rostral pole of the inferior lobe, and several nuclei of the posterior tubercle. All secondary olfactory projections were bilateral but heavier ipsilaterally. Bulbopetal neurons were located in both pallial and subpallial centers and were more numerous ipsilaterally. These results corroborate an earlier experimental study on the shovelnose sturgeon and indicate a restricted Dm in sturgeons. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:1999–2022, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.