Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vestibuloocular reflex inhibition and gaze saccade control characteristics during eye-head orientation in humans.

1. In natural conditions, gaze (i.e., eye + head) orientation is a complex behavior involving simultaneously the eye and head motor systems. Thus one of the key problems of gaze control is whether or not the vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) elicited by head rotation and saccadic eye movement linearly add. 2. Kinematics of human gaze saccades within the oculomotor range (OMR) were quantified under different conditions of head motion. Saccades were visually triggered while the head was fixed or passively moving at a constant velocity (200 deg/s) either in the same direction as, or opposite to, the saccade. Active eye-head coordination was also studied in a session in which subjects were trained to actively rotate their head at a nearly constant velocity during the saccade and, in another session, during natural gaze responses. 3. When the head was passively rotated toward the visual target, both maximum and mean gaze velocities increased with respect to control responses with the head fixed; these effects increased with gaze saccade amplitude. In addition, saccade duration was reduced so that corresponding gaze accuracy, although poorer than for control responses, was not dramatically affected by head motion. 4. The same effects on gaze velocity were present during active head motion when a constant head velocity was maintained throughout saccade duration, and gaze saccades were as accurate as with the head fixed. 5. During natural gaze responses, an increased gaze velocity and a decreased saccade duration with respect to control responses became significant only for gaze displacement larger than 30 degrees, due to the negligible contribution of head motion for smaller responses. 6. When the head was passively rotated in the opposite direction to target step, gaze saccades were slower than those obtained with the head fixed; but their average accuracy was still maintained. 7. These results confirm a VOR inhibition during saccadic eye movements within the OMR. This inhibition, present in all 16 subjects studied, ranged from 40 to 96% (for a 40 degree target step) between subjects and increased almost linearly with target step amplitude. Furthermore, the systematic difference between instantaneous VOR gain estimated at the time of maximum gaze velocity and mean VOR gain estimated over the whole saccadic duration indicates a decay of VOR inhibition during the ongoing saccade. 8. A simplified model is proposed with a varying VOR inhibition during the saccade. It suggests that VOR inhibition is not directly controlled by the saccadic pulse generator. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Factors Influencing Teen Mothers' Enrollment and Participation in Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission Services in Limpopo Province, South Africa

In this article, we examine barriers to HIV testing uptake and participation in prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) services among adolescent mothers aged 15 to 19 years in rural and urban Limpopo Province, South Africa. We used the narrative research method involving key informants constructing typical case studies of adolescent experiences with HIV testing and entry into PMTCT. Case studies formed the basis of a community-based questionnaire and focus group discussions with adolescent mothers. Client—counselor dynamics during pretest counseling were pivotal in determining uptake and participation, and counselor profile strongly influenced the nature of the interaction. Other factors found to influence adherence to PMTCT recommendations included HIV and early premarital pregnancy stigma, fear of a positive test result, and concerns over confidentiality and poor treatment by health care providers. Adolescents described elaborate strategies to avoid HIV disclosure to labor and delivery staff, despite knowing this would mean no antiretroviral therapy for their newborn infants. Theoretical, methodological, and programmatic implications of study findings are also discussed.
Long-term observation of the perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody status in ulcerative colitis patients.

BACKGROUND Perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (p-ANCA) have been regarded as a possible immunogenetic marker of ulcerative colitis. If this were true, the p-ANCA status of a given patient should be constant over time; however, little information is available on this issue. METHODS One hundred and forty-five sera collected from 40 ulcerative colitis patients during a mean follow-up period of 50.6 months were tested for p-ANCA reactivity by indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS At base line 24 patients (60%) were p-ANCA-positive, with no relationship to gender distribution, age at diagnosis, disease activity, or extension. During follow-up, changes in p-ANCA status occurred in 10 patients (25%). P-ANCA positivity during follow-up was associated with more aggressive forms of disease, whereas p-ANCA negativity was associated with stable remission. CONCLUSIONS Changes in the p-ANCA status over time occur in some ulcerative colitis patients. P-ANCA behaviour is associated with different clinical patterns of disease.
LATENCY AND THE LUNG CANCER EPIDEMIC AMONG UNITED STATES URANIUM MINERS

The latency of occupational cancer was a key factor in the recent epidemic of lung cancer among U.S. uranium miners. A review of the epidemic and analysis of latency periods with a near lifetime follow-up found that among former and nonsmokers, the mean mid-induction latent period is nearly a constant at about 25 y, regardless of age at starting or magnitude of exposure. Among cigarette smokers, the mean is shorter (about 19 y). It is not influenced by age at start of smoking, amount smoked, or magnitude of exposure, but there is a marked shortening as the age at start of radiation exposure rises. These latency variables affect lifetime risk models. By disregarding the European radon mine exposures and waiting for strong evidence of lung cancer among U.S. uranium miners (ignoring the exposures occurring while waiting during the latency period), the epidemic became inevitable.
Interleukin-10 Suppresses Proliferation and Remodeling of Extracellular Matrix of Cultured Human Skin Fibroblasts

When we previously examined the participation of local expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) in wound healing of an intestinal anastomosis under septic conditions in mice, we found that IL-10 and TNFα expressions were markedly enhanced around the anastomosis and that wound healing was impaired in this animal model. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the combined effect of IL-10 on proliferation and remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of cultured human skin fibroblasts. Human skin fibroblasts were cultured for 48 h with IL-10 and/or TNFα at various concentrations, then the proliferation rates were determined using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. The concentration of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) in cell culture supernatants was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and type I collagen protein and matrix metalloproteinase-I (MMP-I) were detected by indirect immunofluorescence in cultured cells incubated for 48 h with 10 ng/ml of IL-10 and/or 10 ng/ml of TNFα. IL-10 itself had no effect on fibroblast proliferation, but reduced TNFα-induced fibroblast proliferation. The concentration of TGFβ1 in cell culture supernatants was significantly lower in the presence of TNFα and IL-10 than in the presence of TNFα alone. Immunolabeling of fibroblasts for type I collagen protein was decreased in cells incubated with IL-10 and/or TNFα compared to controls. MMP-I immunolabeling was increased in cells incubated with IL-10, IL-10 and TNFα compared to control and cells incubated with TNFα. It is suggested that IL-10 is an inhibitory factor for the remodeling of the ECM during wound healing.
Dopamine transporter is essential for the maintenance of spontaneous activity of auditory nerve neurones and their responsiveness to sound stimulation

Dopamine, a neurotransmitter released by the lateral olivocochlear efferents, has been shown tonically to inhibit the spontaneous and sound‐evoked activity of auditory nerve fibres. This permanent inhibition probably requires the presence of an efficient transporter to remove dopamine from the synaptic cleft. Here, we report that the dopamine transporter is located in the lateral efferent fibres both below the inner hair cells and in the inner spiral bundle. Perilymphatic perfusion of the dopamine transporter inhibitors nomifensine and N‐[1‐(2‐benzo[b]thiophenyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine into the cochlea reduced the spontaneous neural noise and the sound‐evoked compound action potential of the auditory nerve in a dose‐dependent manner, leading to both neural responses being completely abolished. We observed no significant change in cochlear responses generated by sensory hair cells (cochlear microphonic, summating potential, distortion products otoacoustic emissions) or in the endocochlear potential reflecting the functional state of the stria vascularis. This is consistent with a selective action of dopamine transporter inhibitors on auditory nerve activity. Capillary electrophoresis with laser‐induced fluorescence (EC‐LIF) measurements showed that nomifensine‐induced inhibition of auditory nerve responses was due to increased extracellular dopamine levels in the cochlea. Altogether, these results show that the dopamine transporter is essential for maintaining the spontaneous activity of auditory nerve neurones and their responsiveness to sound stimulation.
The barren camel with endometritis--isolation of Trichomonas fetus and different bacteria.

This study constitutes the first reported isolation of Trichomonas fetus from the uterus of breeding camels. Twenty-four of 68 camels, which were barren for 1-4 years were found to be positive for T. fetus. One preputial washing of a camel bull which had served the herd was found to be positive for T. fetus. The uterine flora of all camels were examined. Ten different bacterial and 2 fungal species were isolated. All samples were negative for Campylobacter sp. , Taylorella equigenitalis and Streptococcus zooepidemicus.
Antioxidant activities of Sarcodon imbricatum wildly grown in the Black Sea Region of Turkey

The antioxidant activities of the methanol extract of Sarcodon imbricatum wildly grown in the Black Sea Region of Turkey were investigated in this study. Antioxidant activities were evaluated in terms of total antioxidant activity, reducing power, metal chelating ability, inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation, superoxide, peroxide and hydrogen peroxide scavenging effects. Various antioxidant activities were compared to references antioxidants such as α-tocopherol, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and trolox. In total antioxidant (12674.45 μmol α-tocopherol/g of extract), superoxide scavenging (53.74%) and peroxide scavenging activity (45.73%), the methanol extract of Sarcodon imbricatum showed stronger activity patterns than that of references antioxidants. Reducing power, metal chelating activity and free radical (DPPH•) scavenging activity was increased with the increasing concentration. The contents of total phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin, ascorbic acid, β-carotene and lycopene of Sarcodon imbricatum were determined and found to be noteworthy.
Oral microbial colonization in laryngectomized patients as a possible cofactor of biofilm formation on their voice prostheses.

AIM Biofilm formation on voice prostheses, which are used for voice rehabilitation in laryngectomized patients, is a main cause of device failure. The aim of this study was to assess whether the presence of periodontal pathogens in the biofilm on voice prostheses is related to that in the oral cavity and associated with the periodontal status of the patients. METHODS Thirty-one laryngectomized patients were invited to participate, 13 of whom met exclusion criteria. The remaining 18 were classified according to the community periodontal index of treatment needs (community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN), grades 0-4). Biofilm samples from the oral cavity and voice prostheses were analysed by PCR-based hybridization for 11 pathogens. RESULTS All dentate patients required periodontal treatment (CPITN-3: n = 4, CPITN-4: n = 8); the remaining six were edentulous. The diversity (i.e. number of bacterial species detected) of pathogens detected on the voice prostheses correlated significantly positively with the diversity of pathogens in the oral cavity and with clinical parameters. Furthermore, the diversity of pathogens differed significantly between dentate and edentulous patients. CONCLUSIONS Results emphasize the oral cavity as an important source of bacteria for biofilm formation on voice prostheses. Whether these pathogens reduce the lifetime of the device by increased biofilm formation and/or increase the risk of silicone deterioration requires further study.
Moderating effects of self-image congruity on the relationship between advertisement message strength and revisiting intention

ABSTRACT This research note delineates the effect of restaurant customers’ perceived self-image congruity (i.e., the match between the image of a product or brand and customers’ image of themselves) on the relationship between the strength of a restaurant advertisement and customers’ intention to revisit that restaurant. This study posits that customers’ preference for a restaurant brand, formed by their perceived self-image congruity, can alter the effects of ad message strength on their revisiting intention. More specifically, due to the biasing effect caused by self-image congruity, the effect of an ad’s argument strength on behavioral intentions may be diminished when customers have a high perceived level of self-image congruity. The findings indicate that strong ad messages elicit significantly higher revisiting intentions than weak ad messages when customers perceive a mismatch between the image, the brand, and themselves; however, no significant difference in revisiting intentions was detected between strong and weak ad messages when customers perceived a match between image and restaurant brand. Furthermore, this study examines how gender-based information-processing tendencies influence this effect of self-image congruity on the relationship between ad message strength and revisiting intention. Overall, this study provides a theoretical understanding of the biasing effect of self-image congruity on customers’ information processing and has important managerial implications for restaurant marketing.
Postsynaptic ERG Potassium Channels Limit Muscle Excitability to Allow Distinct Egg-Laying Behavior States in Caenorhabditis elegans

Caenorhabditis elegans regulates egg laying by alternating between an inactive phase and a serotonin-triggered active phase. We found that the conserved ERG [ether-a-go-go (EAG) related gene] potassium channel UNC-103 enables this two-state behavior by limiting excitability of the egg-laying muscles. Using both high-speed video recording and calcium imaging of egg-laying muscles in behaving animals, we found that the muscles appear to be excited at a particular phase of each locomotor body bend. During the inactive phase, this rhythmic excitation infrequently evokes calcium transients or contraction of the egg-laying muscles. During the serotonin-triggered active phase, however, these muscles are more excitable and each body bend is accompanied by a calcium transient that drives twitching or full contraction of the egg-laying muscles. We found that ERG-null mutants lay eggs too frequently, and that ERG function is necessary and sufficient in the egg-laying muscles to limit egg laying. ERG K+ channels localize to postsynaptic sites in the egg-laying muscle, and mutants lacking ERG have more frequent calcium transients and contractions of the egg-laying muscles even during the inactive phase. Thus ERG channels set postsynaptic excitability at a threshold so that further adjustments of excitability by serotonin generate two distinct behavioral states.
Achilles tendon pain and related pathologies: diagnosis by ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND When encountering complaints of pain in the area of the Achilles tendon, the clinician seldom reaches a correct and precise diagnosis based solely on the grounds of physical examination and standard X-rays. OBJECTIVES To assess the usefulness of ultrasound in diagnosing pathologies of the Achilles tendon. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of patients presenting at our orthopedic clinics. RESULTS Sonography was used to evaluate 41 patients with achillodynia. This modality enabled the diagnoses of 19 abnormal tendons (46%), peritendinous and other lesions; a complete rupture in two patients (5%); a partial rupture of the Achilles tendon in 3 (7%); various degrees of calcification of the tendon in 7 (17%); and peritendinous lesions discerned by the tendon's hypoechoic regions with disorganized arrangement of collagen fibrils in 4 patients (10%). Other lesions included tendonitis (3 patients, 7%), retrocalcaneal bursitis (3 patients, 7%), lipoma (1 patient, 2%), and foreign bodies (2 patients, 5%). The mean diameter of the pathological tendons was 10.4 +/- 2.7 mm, while normal tendons measured 5.2 +/- 0.8 mm (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION As in many other soft tissue lesions, ultrasonography is a useful tool in the evaluation of the underlying pathology in patients presenting with achillodynia.
Assignment of fingerprint vibrations in the resonance Raman spectra of rhodopsin, isorhodopsin, and bathorhodopsin: implications for chromophore structure and environment.

13C- and 2H-labeled retinal derivatives have been used to assign normal modes in the 1100-1300-cm-1 fingerprint region of the resonance Raman spectra of rhodopsin, isorhodopsin, and bathorhodopsin. On the basis of the 13C shifts, C8-C9 stretching character is assigned at 1217 cm-1 in rhodopsin, at 1206 cm-1 in isorhodopsin, and at 1214 cm-1 in bathorhodopsin. C10-C11 stretching character is localized at 1098 cm-1 in rhodopsin, at 1154 cm-1 in isorhodopsin, and at 1166 cm-1 in bathorhodopsin. C14-C15 stretching character is found at 1190 cm-1 in rhodopsin, at 1206 cm-1 in isorhodopsin, and at 1210 cm-1 in bathorhodopsin. C12-C13 stretching character is much more delocalized, but the characteristic coupling with the C14H rock allows us to assign the "C12-C13 stretch" at approximately 1240 cm-1 in rhodopsin, isorhodopsin, and bathorhodopsin. The insensitivity of the C14-C15 stretching mode to N-deuteriation in all three pigments demonstrates that each contains a trans (anti) protonated Schiff base bond. The relatively high frequency of the C10-C11 mode of bathorhodopsin demonstrates that bathorhodopsin is s-trans about the C10-C11 single bond. This provides strong evidence against the model of bathorhodopsin proposed by Liu and Asato [Liu, R. , & Asato, A. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82, 259], which suggests a C10-C11 s-cis structure. Comparison of the fingerprint modes of rhodopsin (1098, 1190, 1217, and 1239 cm-1) with those of the 11-cis-retinal protonated Schiff base in methanol (1093, 1190, 1217, and 1237 cm-1) shows that the frequencies of the C-C stretching modes are largely unperturbed by protein binding. In particular, the invariance of the C14-C15 stretching mode at 1190 cm-1 does not support the presence of a negative protein charge near C13 in rhodopsin. In contrast, the frequencies of the C8-C9 and C14-C15 stretches of bathorhodopsin and the C10-C11 and C14-C15 stretches of isorhodopsin are significantly altered by protein binding. The implications of these observations for the mechanism of wavelength regulation in visual pigments and energy storage in bathorhodopsin are discussed.
Oomycete Interactions with Plants: Infection Strategies and Resistance Principles

SUMMARY The Oomycota include many economically significant microbial pathogens of crop species. Understanding the mechanisms by which oomycetes infect plants and identifying methods to provide durable resistance are major research goals. Over the last few years, many elicitors that trigger plant immunity have been identified, as well as host genes that mediate susceptibility to oomycete pathogens. The mechanisms behind these processes have subsequently been investigated and many new discoveries made, marking a period of exciting research in the oomycete pathology field. This review provides an introduction to our current knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms used by oomycetes, including elicitors and effectors, plus an overview of the major principles of host resistance: the established R gene hypothesis and the more recently defined susceptibility (S) gene model. Future directions for development of oomycete-resistant plants are discussed, along with ways that recent discoveries in the field of oomycete-plant interactions are generating novel means of studying how pathogen and symbiont colonizations overlap.
Trend in HIV-1 prevalence in an antenatal clinic in North Uganda and adjusted rates for the general female population

ObjectivesTo estimate HIV-1 prevalence among women attending an antenatal clinic in the Gulu District (North Uganda) and, based on these data, among the district's female population. MethodsAnonymous HIV-1 screening was performed for 8555 antenatal clinic attendees aged 15–39 years in the period 1993–1997. The results were used to estimate the prevalence among the district's female population, accounting for differences in fertility rates by HIV-1 serostatus. ResultsAmong antenatal clinic attendees, HIV-1 prevalence showed a significant linear decrease (P < 0.001), from 26.0% in 1993 [95% confidence Interval (CI), 23.2–29.0%] to 16.1% in 1997 (95% CI, 14.8–17.5%). This decrease was mostly due to a marked decrease until 1995 (14.3%; 95% CI, 12.7–16.0%) and was more pronounced among women aged under 30 years (P < 0.001), from both urban and rural areas (P < 0.001). The risk of being infected was higher among women from urban areas (Gulu Municipality), both over the entire period (adjusted prevalence proportion ratio = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.40–1.68) and by individual year. The estimated prevalence for the 15–39-year-old female population, standardized by age and area of residence, decreased from 25.4% in 1993–1994 to 17.8% in 1996–1997; these rates were 1.22 and 1.28 times higher, respectively, than those among antenatal clinic attendees. ConclusionsThe trend of decrease among young women, for whom changes in HIV-1 prevalence more closely reflect incidence, could be partially due to a reduction in risk behaviour and a consequent decreasing incidence. Differences in fertility rates by HIV-1 serostatus should be addressed when using antenatal clinic data to estimate prevalence among the general female population.