Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cognitive deficit awareness in schizophrenia: absent, intact, or somewhere in-between?

Introduction. Cognitive impairment is a pervasive feature of schizophrenia, and is a major determinant of the functional disability that is characteristic of the disorder. However, research investigating whether patients with schizophrenia show a deficit awareness remains unclear. The present study aimed to replicate and extend previous research comparing subjective and objective measures of cognition. Methods. Thirty patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were administered the subjectively assessed Schizophrenia Cognitive Rating Scale (SCoRS) and the objective Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS), which each assess overall global functioning and four specific neurocognitive domains (i.e., Verbal Memory, Working Memory, Processing Speed, and Reasoning and Problem Solving). Because deficit awareness may influence the likelihood of patients engaging in treatments designed to improve cognitive functioning, patients' attitudes towards such therapies were also contrasted with these subjective and objective measures of cognitive functioning. Results. Patients' subjective appraisals did not significantly correlate with the objective neuropsychological assessments for global functioning or any specific neurocognitive domains. However, patients accurately deduced that their memory domains were more impaired than the other domains, and there was a trend for patients to exaggerate their Reasoning and Problem Solving deficits. This suggests that patients show some level of deficit awareness, when overestimating “deficits” for domains that are not impaired. Finally subjective, but not objective, measures of cognitive functioning correlated significantly with willingness to participate in cognitive-enhancing therapies. Conclusions. These results suggest that although patients' perceptions of their cognitive function are no substitute for objective neuropsychological test data, patients do possess a level of deficit awareness which may, in turn, influence willingness to participate in interventions such as cognitive rehabilitation.
Validation of the Geriatric Depression Scale Among Nursing Home Residents

The Geriatric Depression Scale has been found to be a helpful screening instrument for depression among psychiatric and community elderly, but has never been validated among elderly nursing home residents. The reliability and validity of the Geriatric Depression Scale was examined among 51 nursing home residents. Reliability was assessed using several methods and was found to be acceptable. Validity was established using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Major Depression as the classification criterion. The Geriatric Depression Scale significantly differentiated between residents with (a) no depression, (b) depressive features, and (c) Major Depression. Using recommended cutoff scores, the sensitivity rate for the Geriatric Depression Scale was 100 percent for residents with Major Depression. The results indicate that the Geriatric Depression Scale appears to be a helpful screening instrument for depression among nursing home residents.
Facial affect recognition in autism, ADHD and typical development

ABSTRACT Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have been associated with facial affect recognition (FAR) alterations. Methods: This study examined accuracy and response times for general and specific FAR in whole face and eye-region stimuli. FAR was assessed in matched samples of children and adolescents with ASD (n = 35), ADHD (n = 32), and typical development (TD) (n = 32) aged 8.6–15.9 years (M = 11.6; SD = 2.0). Results: Compared to TD, the ASD group performed less accurate and showed longer response times for general and specific FAR, mostly driven by problems in neutral and happy face identification. The ADHD group responded faster than the ASD group for global FAR. No differences between ADHD and TD were found. Attentional distractibility had a significant effect on FAR performance in ASD and ADHD. Conclusions: Findings confirm FAR alterations in ASD, but not ADHD, and endorse effects of attentional distractibility on FAR in ASD and ADHD. FAR and attention function training is clinically meaningful in ASD. Future studies should include control for visual attention and facial configuration skills, use naturalistic FAR material and also investigate implicit FAR.
Expression pattern of mRNA A and mRNA B of alpha sarcoglycan gene during mouse embryonic development and regulation of their expression by myogenic and cardiogenic transcription factors

Background: Type 2D limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy (LGM2D) is a progressive disorder caused by mutations in the alpha sarcoglycan (α‐SG) gene. In mice, the α‐SG gene contains two promoters that regulate the expression of two different mRNAs (A and B). However, their gene expression pattern during embryonic development has not been explored and their regulation by myogenic and cardiogenic transcription factors has been only partially studied. Results: During embryonic development, mRNA A and B of α‐SG gene were initially detected in hypaxial muscles, heart, stomach, tongue, and mesenchymal cells, which surround the dorsal region of the somites. Moreover, mRNA B was exclusively expressed in the floor plate and notochord and in the interdigits of limbs. In vitro, MyoD and myogenin positively regulated the transcription of mRNA B during skeletal myogenesis, whereas mRNA A was activated only for MyoD in differentiated skeletal muscle. In addition, Gata‐4 together with Mef2c may regulate the expression of mRNA B in heart development, whereas Nkx2.5 and myocardin may activate expression of mRNA A in the differentiated cardiomyocyte. Conclusions: The differential expression of α‐SG mRNAs during mouse embryonic development may be a consequence of the differential regulation of both promoters by myogenic and cardiogenic factors. Developmental Dynamics 243:1416–1428, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On Gerasimov’s Plastic Facial Reconstruction Technique: New Insights to Facilitate Repeatability *

Abstract: Gerasimov’s plastic facial reconstruction method is notoriously difficult to repeat from the published literature. Primarily, this is because of the method’s underlying qualitative basis but other factors contribute including: misreports in the secondary literature of Gerasimov’s method essence; a lack of published details concerning Gerasimov’s modeling mastic; Gerasimov’s deviation from his own published nose projection prediction guidelines; and continued refinement of the methods in the 15 years following their foremost publication. As Gerasimov cannot be consulted to resolve these issues, we provide solutions via one of his five former principal students. This includes clarification of Gerasimov’s method and use of soft tissue depths; the constitution of his modeling mastic; methods used for nose projection prediction; and refinements made to his methods following their primary publication.
Induction of cytochrome P450 1A1 expression in captive river otters fed Prudhoe Bay crude oil: evaluation by immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR

Numerous studies have explored the relationships between exposure to a variety of environmental contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and induction of cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) in different vertebrates. Few controlled studies, however, simulated chronic long-term exposure with repeated non-lethal sampling of the same individuals, which should better represent repeated exposure incidents in animals inhabiting polluted areas. In this study, we investigated the effects of chronic exposure to crude oil on levels of CYP1A1 in endothelial cells of skin biopsies and peripheral mononuclear blood cells in captive river otters (Lontracanadensis) using repeated sampling of the same individuals. We hypothesized that ingestion of oil would result in an increase in levels of CYP1A1 in both targets, and predicted that the relationship between prolonged exposure and expression of CYP1A1 would reach a plateau indicative of continuous detoxification of hydrocarbons. Fifteen wild-caught male otters were acclimated to captivity, and then fed diets containing no oil (control) or diets containing weathered crude oil at 5 mg day-1 kg-1 body weight (low-dose) and 50 mg day-1 kg-1 body weight (high-dose), at the Alaska Sealife Center in Seward, Alaska, USA. Expression of CYP1A1 was assessed with immunohistochemical analysis of CYP1A1 protein in skin biopsies and by quantitative RT-PCR analysis of CYP1A1 mRNA in mononuclear blood cells. Both assays revealed a decrease between capture and the transfer to captivity, indicating that the enclosure at the Alaska Sealife Center, and the food we offered to the otters were free of potential inducers of CYP1A1. During the exposure period, increases in CYP1A1 expression were registered by both techniques, followed by a decline in CYP1A1 after oil administration ended. Levels of endothelial CYP1A1 in the high-dose group were comparable to those recorded for wild river otters in PWS in 1996 and 1997. Levels of CPY1A1 mRNA in mononuclear blood cells, however, were well below levels recorded for river otters in Prince William Sound, and no correlation was detected between values obtained from the two methods. Thus, our results from this longitudinal study with repeated sampling of the same individuals provide support for the use of cytochrome P450 1A1 as a biomarker for hydrocarbon exposure. Nonetheless, our results also suggest that the induction process of CYP1A1 may be complicated and interacting with other processes in vivo. Such interactions may obscure our ability to describe specific, quantitative, predictable, dose-response relationships between exposure to hydrocarbons and induction of CYP1A1, which are required of reliable biomarkers. Evaluations of such interactions based on theoretical physiological models in live-animals merit further investigation.
Expression of cytochrome P450 1A1/2 and 3A4 in liver tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma cases and controls from Taiwan and their relationship to hepatitis B virus and aflatoxin B1-and 4-aminobiphenyl-DNA adducts

Cytochrome P450 enzymes play a major role in the metabolism of several of the chemical carcinogens involved in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To investigate by immunohistochemistry interindividual differences in these enzymes, polyclonal antisera and immunoperoxidase staining were used to detect the expression of CYP1A1/2 and 3A4 in 37 surgical control tissues and 105 tumour and adjacent nontumour tissues of HCC cases from Taiwan. There was variability in the expression and staining pattern for both CYP1A1/2 and 3A4 in all tissue types. In tissues from controls, there was no correlation between P450 expression and smoking history or hepatitis B virus antigen status. Since these samples had been previously analysed for the DNA adducts of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a dietary mould contaminant, and 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP), a component of cigarette smoke, we also investigated the relationship between P450 levels and DNA adducts. 4-ABP-DNA adducts were higher in tissues with elevated levels of CYP1A1/2 (p = 0.02). Overall there was no relationship between CYP1A1/2 or CYP3A4 and AFB1-DNA adducts in control tissues. Staining intensity for CYP1A1/2 and 3A4 followed the order: tumour tissues < control tissues < adjacent non-tumour tissues. CYP1A1/2 levels tended to be lower in tumour and adjacent non-tumour tissues than for CYP3A4. In HCC cases, 4-ABP-DNA adducts were higher in subjects with higher levels of CYP1A1/2, stratified by tissue type, but these differences were not significant. For CYP3A4, in contrast to control tissues, there was a significant association with AFB1-DNA adducts in tumour and adjacent non-tumour tissue of HCC cases. These results suggest that one factor influencing carcinogen-DNA adducts is levels of specific P450 enzymes. However, adduct formation in vivo is a complex processes dependent upon numerous genetic and environmental factors.
Higher risk of injury in overweight novice runners

Background Increased physical activity is often recommended for weight maintenance and loss. Therefore many overweight persons want to take up running as a form of exercise. Although running has positive effects on health and fitness, the incidence of a running related injury (RRI) is high. Objective To examine the risk of sustaining a RRI in overweight novice runners. Design prospective cohort design. Setting Novice runners (N=848) preparing for a recreational 4-mile (6.7-km) running event. Participants Participants were recruited by local newspapers. 334 novice runners with a Body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more and 514 novice runners with a BMI less than 25 started with a beginners training program. Assessment of risk factors After completing a baseline questionnaire and orthopaedic examination all novice runners registered information on running characteristics and RRI using an Internet-based running log. Main outcome measurement The primary outcome measure was RRIs per 100 participants. An RRI was defined as any musculoskeletal complaint of the lower extremity or back causing a restriction of running for at least 1 week. Secondary outcome measure was exposure time during follow-up. Results 25% (82 of 334) of the overweight novice runners sustained a RRI during follow-up compared to 15% (76 of 514) in the group of participants with BMI<25. The difference in proportion was significant (χ2=4.77, df=1, p=0.03). Furthermore, the mean exposure time in both groups was equal, that is, 346 versus 349 min in the overweight group. Conclusion Overweight novice runners that take up running are more prone to a RRI. Although the proportion of injured runners in the overweight group was significantly higher, the exposure time was equal in both groups.
Ten years of rituximab in NHL

Background: Rituximab, a chimeric mouse/human monoclonal antibody targeting the pan-B-cell antigenic marker CD20, was the first monoclonal antibody licensed for use in the treatment of cancer. Objective: This review focuses on the impact of rituximab in the treatment of patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Methods: Three key areas related to the use of rituximab in B-cell NHL are discussed: mechanism of action, clinical efficacy in both indolent and aggressive disease, and safety of its use as both monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy. Results/conclusions: Rituximab has demonstrated significant clinical efficacy in the treatment of NHL, particularly in combination with chemotherapy, and its use has revolutionized the treatment of both indolent and aggressive B-cell NHL over the past decade. Furthermore, consistent toxicity data have been obtained with a safe and tolerable profile in most patients.
A Comparative Study of Maternal Burnout in Autism and Hearing Impairment

Maternal burnout is a combination of fatigue, shame, guilt, anger, frustration and ailments from sacrificing personal needs and desires for the sake of children. The present study uses a cross sectional two-group random survey design to investigate maternal burnout independently as well as comparatively between autism vis-a-vis hearing impairment and in relation to severity of their conditions. Based on a comprehensive review of available scales for measurement of ‘burnout’, and also by accounting for the local cultural factors, a needbased 35-item individually administered paper–pencil ‘Maternal Burnout Scale’ (MB-35) was exclusively developed for the purpose of this study and administered on a sample of 60 mothers covering equally children with autism and those with hearing impairment. Results of the study indicate that although maternal burnout appears to be pervasive phenomena across both the clinical groups, the nature, characteristics and content of the felt experience vary between them. Evidently, autism entails both ‘physical’ and ‘psychological’ forms of maternal burnout, whereas hearing impairment appears to provoke overly ‘psychological’ symptoms of maternal burnout. Furthermore, evidence shows that maternal burnout is like a type of nurture-overload; wherein periodic rest, respite, recuperation, relaxation and recreation, combined with support services and counselling is discussed as essential to cut, combat or cope with it.
Studies of the Development and Decay of the Human Frame

Anyone fortunate enough to do both research and clinical medicine has the unique chance to transmit ideas between these disciplines and thereby advance both. The author, having had this opportunity, herein presents a summary of his studies and thoughts of 40 years. Superb microradiographs and photomicro-angiographs proclaim a meticulous mastery of these techniques, especially as they are applied to normal bone and epiphyseal cartilage and to that altered by experiment or disease. Some chapters on clinical disorders (osteomyelitis, fractures) indicate extensive clinical experience. The author draws frequently upon the writings of others to emphasize certain points. The bibliography is extensive and useful. The author falls short of his avowed purpose of organizing the presentation in a logical sequence. The table of contents forewarns of a prevailing element of disorganization and repetition which at times makes reading difficult. Many figures are an awkward distance from captions which all too often fail
Identification of a novel progenitor cell marker, grainyhead‐like 2 in the developing pituitary

Background: Pituitary stem/progenitor cells give rise to all of the endocrine cell types within the pituitary gland and are necessary for both development and gland homeostasis. Recent studies have identified several key factors that characterize the progenitor cell population. However, little is known about the factors that regulate progenitor cell differentiation and maintenance. Therefore, it is crucial to identify novel factors that help elucidate mechanisms of progenitor cell function in the developing pituitary. Our studies are the first to characterize the expression of Grainyhead‐like 2 (GRHL2), a transcription factor known to regulate progenitor cell plasticity, in the developing pituitary. Results: Our studies show GRHL2 expression is highest in the embryonic and early postnatal pituitary and is localized in pituitary progenitor cells. We demonstrate GRHL2 expression is changed in Notch2 cKO and Prop1df/df mice, mouse models that display progenitor cell number defects. In addition, our studies indicate a potential relationship between Notch signaling and GRHL2 expression in the developing pituitary. Conclusions: Taken together, our results indicate GRHL2 as a novel progenitor cell maker in the developing pituitary that may contribute to progenitor cell function and maintenance. Developmental Dynamics 245:1097–1106, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hair as a Specimen to Document Tetramethylene Disulfotetramine Exposure *

Abstract: Tetramethylene disulfotetramine (tetramine) is a rodenticide that has been banned for many years in China. Since 2005, inhabitants of a village in the Henan Province have been suffering from grand mal seizures. To investigate the possibility of tetramine as the cause, we developed a method to determine tetramine in human hair. Sample preparation involved external decontamination, frozen pulverization, and ultrasonication in 2 mL ethyl acetate in the presence of cocaine‐d3 as an internal standard. The method exhibited good linearity; calibration curve was linear over a range of 0.1–20 ng/mg hair. The limit of detection for the assay was 0.05 ng/mg hair. Except for one subject (No. 4), all head and pubic hair samples were positive for tetramine. The concentrations of tetramine in pubic hair were significantly higher than those in the same subjects’ head hair samples. Because of a long retention in body, segmental head hair analysis cannot provide an accurate exposure history of tetramine in the body.
Performance Evaluation of Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems for Specific Conditions Observed in Casework Using Simulated Fingermarks

Abstract: Few studies have been reported on the performance evaluation of automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS) for fingermark‐to‐fingerprint comparisons. This paper aims to illustrate to fingerprint examiners the relevance of evaluating the AFIS performance under specific conditions by carrying out five types of performance tests. The conditions addressed are the number of minutiae assigned to a fingermark, manual and automatic assignment of the minutiae, the finger region from which the fingermark originates, the degree of distortion in the fingermark, and the difference in orientation between fingermarks and fingerprints. In these tests, the magnitude of the influence for each condition was quantified. The comparisons were performed using a research AFIS technology with simulated fingermarks. Simulated fingermarks provide a practical way to create fingermarks for specific conditions in large quantities. The results showed that each condition influences the performance significantly, emphasizing the relevance of developing, and applying performance tests for specific conditions.
Mutations in the Katnb1 gene cause left–right asymmetry and heart defects

Background: The microtubule‐severing protein complex katanin is composed two subunits, the ATPase subunit, KATNA1, and the noncatalytic regulatory subunit, KATNB1. Recently, the Katnb1 gene has been linked to infertility, regulation of centriole and cilia formation in fish and mammals, as well as neocortical brain development. KATNB1 protein is expressed in germ cells in humans and mouse, mitotic/meiotic spindles and cilia, although the full expression pattern of the Katnb1 gene has not been described. Results: Using a knockin‐knockout mouse model of Katnb1 dysfunction we demonstrate that Katnb1 is ubiquitously expressed during embryonic development, although a stronger expression is seen in the crown cells of the gastrulation organizer, the murine node. Furthermore, null and hypomorphic Katnb1 gene mutations show a novel correlation between Katnb1 dysregulation and the development of impaired left–right signaling, including cardiac malformations. Conclusions: Katanin function is a critical regulator of heart development in mice. These findings are potentially relevant to human cardiac development. Developmental Dynamics 246:1027–1035, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Skeletal development in the heterocercal caudal fin of spotted gar (lepisosteus oculatus) and other lepisosteiformes

Background: The caudal fin of actinopterygians experienced substantial morphological changes during evolution. In basal actinopterygians, the caudal fin skeleton supports an asymmetrical heterocercal caudal fin, while most teleosts have a symmetrical homocercal caudal fin. The transition from the ancestral heterocercal form to the derived homocercal caudal fin remains poorly understood. Few developmental studies provide an understanding of derived and ancestral characters among basal actinopterygians. To fill this gap, we examined the development of the caudal fin of spotted gar Lepisosteus oculatus, one of only eight living species of Holostei, the sister group to the teleosts. Results: Our observations of animals from fertilization to more than a year old provide the most detailed description of the development of caudal fin skeletal elements in any Holostean species. We observed two different types of distal caudal radials replacing two transient plates of connective tissue, identifying two hypaxial ensembles separated by a space between hypurals 2 and 3. These features have not been described in any gar species, but can be observed in other gar species, and thus represent anatomical structures common to lepisosteiformes. Conclusions: The present work highlights the power and importance of ontogenic studies and provides bases for future evolutionary and morphological investigations on actinopterygians fins. Developmental Dynamics 247:724–740, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.