Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are solar UV-B- and UV-A-dependent gene expression and metabolite accumulation in Arabidopsis mediated by the stress response regulator RADICAL-INDUCED CELL DEATH1?

Wavelengths in the ultraviolet (UV) region of the solar spectrum, UV-B (280-315 nm) and UV-A (315-400 nm), are key environmental signals modifying several aspects of plant physiology. Despite significant advances in the understanding of plant responses to UV-B and the identification of signalling components involved, there is limited information on the molecular mechanisms that control UV-B signalling in plants under natural sunlight. Here, we aimed to corroborate the previous suggested role for RADICAL-INDUCED CELL DEATH1 (RCD1) in UV-B signalling under full spectrum sunlight. Wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana and the rcd1-1 mutant were used in an experimental design outdoors where UV-B and UV-A irradiances were manipulated using plastic films, and gene expression, PYRIDOXINE BIOSYNTHESIS1 (PDX1) accumulation and metabolite profiles were analysed in the leaves. At the level of transcription, RCD1 was not directly involved in the solar UV-B regulation of genes with functions in UV acclimation, hormone signalling and stress-related markers. Furthermore, RCD1 had no role on PDX1 accumulation but modulated the UV-B induction of flavonoid accumulation in leaves of Arabidopsis exposed to solar UV. We conclude that RCD1 does not play an active role in UV-B signalling but rather modulates UV-B responses under full spectrum sunlight.
Predicting Factors for Health related Quality of Life among Older Adults at Senior Centers in Korea

Purpose: The purpose was to identify factors affecting health related quality of life among older adults in Korea. Methods: Participants were 334 people, 60 or over, and registered at senior centers. Health related quality of life was measured using EuroQol 5-Dimension Questionnaire (EQ-5D). Results: Order of frequency for EQ-5D was pain/discomfort, mobility, anxiety/depression, usual activity, and self-care. Of the participants, 27.5% reported no problem in any of the dimensions of EQ-5D. Mean score for the EQ-5D was 0.82±0.14, and EQ-VAS (Visual Analog Scale), 60.26±22.28. Socio-demographic factors (age, gender, education, spouse) and health factors (self-rated health status, symptom experience, IADL, depression, waist circumference, and regular exercise) explained 43% of variance in health related quality of life using EQ-5D, whereas they explained 34% variance in health related quality of life using EQ-VAS. Symptom experience was the most significant factor affecting health related quality of life according to EQ-5D, and depression, for health related quality of life according to EQ-VAS. Conclusion: Finding indicate that to increase elders' health related quality of life as measured by the EQ-5D, staff at senior centers should pay attention to older adults when they have more experiences of symptoms and when they are depressed.
Cap‐Dependent Translation Initiation Factor eIF4E: An Emerging Anticancer Drug Target

Cancer cells tend to be more highly dependent on cap‐dependent translation than normal tissues. Thus, proteins involved in the initiation of cap‐dependent translation have emerged as potential anti‐cancer drug targets. Cap‐dependent translation is initiated by the binding of the factor eIF4E to the cap domain of mRNA. Detailed x‐ray crystal and NMR structures are available for eIF4E in association with cap‐analogs, as well as domains of other initiation factors. This review will summarize efforts to design potential antagonist of eIF4E that could be used as new pharmacological tools and anti‐cancer agents and. Insights drawn from these studies should aid in the design of future inhibitors of eIF4E dependent translation initiation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev., 32, No. 4, 786‐814, 2012
The varying impact of type, timing and frequency of exposure to childhood adversity on its association with adult psychotic disorder

Background Childhood adversity has been associated with onset of psychosis in adulthood but these studies have used only general definitions of this environmental risk indicator. Therefore, we sought to explore the prevalence of more specific adverse childhood experiences amongst those with and without psychotic disorders using detailed assessments in a large epidemiological case-control sample (AESOP). Method Data were collected on 182 first-presentation psychosis cases and 246 geographically matched controls in two UK centres. Information relating to the timing and frequency of exposure to different types of childhood adversity (neglect, antipathy, physical and sexual abuse, local authority care, disrupted living arrangements and lack of supportive figure) was obtained using the Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire. Results Psychosis cases were three times more likely to report severe physical abuse from the mother that commenced prior to 12 years of age, even after adjustment for other significant forms of adversity and demographic confounders. A non-significant trend was also evident for greater prevalence of reported severe maternal antipathy amongst those with psychosis. Associations with maternal neglect and childhood sexual abuse disappeared after adjusting for maternal physical abuse and antipathy. Paternal maltreatment and other forms of adversity were not associated with psychosis nor was there evidence of a dose–response effect. Conclusions These findings suggest that only specific adverse childhood experiences are associated with psychotic disorders and only in a minority of cases. If replicated, this greater precision will ensure that research into the mechanisms underlying the pathway from childhood adversity to psychosis is more fruitful.
Race/ethnic differences in exposure to traumatic events, development of post-traumatic stress disorder, and treatment-seeking for post-traumatic stress disorder in the United States

Background To identify sources of race/ethnic differences related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we compared trauma exposure, risk for PTSD among those exposed to trauma, and treatment-seeking among Whites, Blacks, Hispanics and Asians in the US general population. Method Data from structured diagnostic interviews with 34 653 adult respondents to the 2004–2005 wave of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) were analysed. Results The lifetime prevalence of PTSD was highest among Blacks (8.7%), intermediate among Hispanics and Whites (7.0% and 7.4%) and lowest among Asians (4.0%). Differences in risk for trauma varied by type of event. Whites were more likely than the other groups to have any trauma, to learn of a trauma to someone close, and to learn of an unexpected death, but Blacks and Hispanics had higher risk of child maltreatment, chiefly witnessing domestic violence, and Asians, Black men, and Hispanic women had higher risk of war-related events than Whites. Among those exposed to trauma, PTSD risk was slightly higher among Blacks [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.22] and lower among Asians (aOR 0.67) compared with Whites, after adjustment for characteristics of trauma exposure. All minority groups were less likely to seek treatment for PTSD than Whites (aOR range: 0.39–0.61), and fewer than half of minorities with PTSD sought treatment (range: 32.7–42.0%). Conclusions When PTSD affects US race/ethnic minorities, it is usually untreated. Large disparities in treatment indicate a need for investment in accessible and culturally sensitive treatment options.
Impulsivity and neural correlates of response inhibition in schizophrenia

Background The clinical picture of schizophrenia is frequently worsened by manifestations of impulsivity. However, the neural correlates of impulsivity in this disorder are poorly known. Although impulsivity has been related to disturbances of the neural processes underlying response inhibition, no studies have yet examined the relationship between these processes and psychometric measures of impulsivity in schizophrenia. This was the aim of the current investigation. Method Event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging in conjunction with a Go/NoGo task was employed to probe the neural activity associated with response inhibition in 26 patients with schizophrenia and 30 healthy comparison subjects. All participants also completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale – version 11 (BIS-11). Voxel-wise regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between the BIS-11 score and brain activation during response inhibition in each group. Results Patients with schizophrenia were more impulsive than healthy subjects, as indicated by higher BIS-11 scores. Patients, but not healthy subjects, were found to display a positive correlation between these scores and cerebral activation associated with response inhibition. This correlation involves a unique cluster localized within the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC), a key node of the brain network subserving response inhibition. Conclusions We evidenced in patients with schizophrenia that greater BIS-11 scores are associated with greater activation within the right VLPFC during response inhibition. This finding suggests that the efficiency of this brain region to process inhibitory control is reduced in the more impulsive patients.
Moonlighting Adenosine Deaminase: A Target Protein for Drug Development

Interest in adenosine deaminase (ADA) in the context of medicine has mainly focused on its enzymatic activity. This is justified by the importance of the reaction catalyzed by ADA not only for the intracellular purine metabolism, but also for the extracellular purine metabolism as well, because of its capacity as a regulator of the concentration of extracellular adenosine that is able to activate adenosine receptors (ARs). In recent years, other important roles have been described for ADA. One of these, with special relevance in immunology, is the capacity of ADA to act as a costimulator, promoting T‐cell proliferation and differentiation mainly by interacting with the differentiation cluster CD26. Another role is the ability of ADA to act as an allosteric modulator of ARs. These receptors have very general physiological implications, particularly in the neurological system where they play an important role. Thus, ADA, being a single chain protein, performs more than one function, consistent with the definition of a moonlighting protein. Although ADA has never been associated with moonlighting proteins, here we consider ADA as an example of this family of multifunctional proteins. In this review, we discuss the different roles of ADA and their pathological implications. We propose a mechanism by which some of their moonlighting functions can be coordinated. We also suggest that drugs modulating ADA properties may act as modulators of the moonlighting functions of ADA, giving them additional potential medical interest.
Understanding dignity and care: an exploratory qualitative study on the views of older people of African and African‐Caribbean descent

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on a qualitative exploratory study conducted in Wales to explore what dignity and care mean from the perspectives of men and women aged 50 years and older who self‐identified as being either African‐Caribbean/West Indian, or Black Welsh (third‐ or fourth‐generation, with links to Africa or the Caribbean). Design/methodology/approach – Twenty‐one semi‐structured interviews were undertaken, allowing for the collection of data on the participants' understanding of dignity (what it is, and what it “looks and feels like”) and of care.Findings – Dignity and respect for older people are revealed to be key aspects of the participants' personal value systems. The notion of care is understood as “caring about” and is seen to be a key indicator of dignity. Moreover, both care and dignity were understood and, for many of the participants, were both conceptualised on a personal basis and shaped by a sense of identity that was, in part and to varying extents, communally m.
Silicon-mediated changes in polyamines participate in silicon-induced salt tolerance in Sorghum bicolor L.

Silicon (Si) is generally considered a beneficial element for the growth of higher plants, especially under stress conditions, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Si improves salt tolerance through mediating important metabolism processes rather than acting as a mere mechanical barrier. Seedlings of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) growing in hydroponic culture were treated with NaCl (100 mm) combined with or without Si (0.83 mm). The result showed that supplemental Si enhanced sorghum salt tolerance by decreasing Na(+) accumulation. Simultaneously, polyamine (PA) levels were increased and ethylene precursor (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid: ACC) concentrations were decreased. Several key PA synthesis genes were up-regulated by Si under salt stress. To further confirm the role of PA in Si-mediated salt tolerance, seedlings were exposed to spermidine (Spd) or a PA synthesis inhibitor (dicyclohexylammonium sulphate, DCHA) combined with salt and Si. Exogenous Spd showed similar effects as Si under salt stress whereas exogenous DCHA eliminated Si-enhanced salt tolerance and the beneficial effect of Si in decreasing Na(+) accumulation. These results indicate that PAs and ACC are involved in Si-induced salt tolerance in sorghum and provide evidence that Si plays an active role in mediating salt tolerance.
A neurocognitive comparison of cognitive flexibility and response inhibition in gamblers with varying degrees of clinical severity

Background As a behavioral addiction with clinical and phenomenological similarities to substance addiction, recreational and pathological gambling represent models for studying the neurobiology of addiction, without the confounding deleterious brain effects which may occur from chronic substance abuse. Method A community sample of individuals aged 18–65 years who gamble was solicited through newspaper advertising. Subjects were grouped a priori into three groups (no-risk, at-risk, and pathological gamblers) based on a diagnostic interview. All subjects underwent a psychiatric clinical interview and neurocognitive tests assessing motor impulsivity and cognitive flexibility. Subjects with a current axis I disorder, history of brain injury/trauma, or implementation or dose changes of psychoactive medication within 6 weeks of study enrollment were excluded. Results A total of 135 no-risk, 69 at-risk and 46 pathological gambling subjects were assessed. Pathological gamblers were significantly older, and exhibited significant deficiencies in motor impulse control (stop-signal reaction times), response speed (median ‘go’ trial response latency) and cognitive flexibility [total intra-dimensional/extra-dimensional (IDED) errors] versus controls. The finding of impaired impulse control and cognitive flexibility was robust in an age-matched subgroup analysis of pathological gamblers. The no-risk and at-risk gambling groups did not significantly differ from each other on task performance. Conclusions Impaired response inhibition and cognitive flexibility exist in people with pathological gambling compared with no-risk and at-risk gamblers. The early identification of such illness in adolescence or young adulthood may aid in the prevention of addiction onset of such disabling disorders.
Seed set, pollen morphology and pollen surface composition response to heat stress in field pea.

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a major legume crop grown in a semi-arid climate in Western Canada, where heat stress affects pollination, seed set and yield. Seed set and pod growth characteristics, along with in vitro percentage pollen germination, pollen tube growth and pollen surface composition, were measured in two pea cultivars (CDC Golden and CDC Sage) subjected to five maximum temperature regimes ranging from 24 to 36 °C. Heat stress reduced percentage pollen germination, pollen tube length, pod length, seed number per pod, and the seed-ovule ratio. Percentage pollen germination of CDC Sage was greater than CDC Golden at 36 °C. No visible morphological differences in pollen grains or the pollen surface were observed between the heat and control-treated pea. However, pollen wall (intine) thickness increased due to heat stress. Mid-infrared attenuated total reflectance (MIR-ATR) spectra revealed that the chemical composition (lipid, proteins and carbohydrates) of each cultivar's pollen grains responded differently to heat stress. The lipid region of the pollen coat and exine of CDC Sage was more stable compared with CDC Golden at 36 °C. Secondary derivatives of ATR spectra indicated the presence of two lipid types, with different amounts present in pollen grains from each cultivar.
Effects of Rhodiola rosea extract on passive avoidance tests in rats

The purpose was to evaluate the effects of extract of Rhodiola rosea on learning and memory processes on rats. The two series of experiments were carried out — on naïve rats and on rats with scopolamine-impaired memory. The passive avoidance tests were performed — step-down and step-through. The latency of reactions in seconds was observed in both tests. Naïve rats treated with the extract in showed the prolongation of latency of reaction of both step-down and step-through passive avoidances compared to the controls. Rats with scopolamine-impaired memory showed shorter latency of reaction in both passive avoidance tests compared to the controls. Rats treated with the extract of Rh. Rosea with scopolamine-impaired memory prolonged the latency in both passive avoidance tests compared to scopolamine group. It was found that the extract of Rh. Rosea improved performance during learning session, short and long memory retrieval tests in naïve rats. Scopolamine impaired the learning and memory retrieval of rats, but Rh. Rosea pretreatment improved performance and turned off the deterioration effect of scopolamine on these brain functions probably by non-specific mechanisms on cholinergic neurons. The studied plant extract can be a candidate for treatment of dementia and other memory disturbances.
Affective functioning and social cognition in Noonan syndrome

Background Noonan syndrome (NS) is a common genetic disorder, characterized by short stature, facial dysmorphia, congenital heart defects and a mildly lowered IQ. Impairments in psychosocial functioning have often been suggested, without, however, systematic investigation in a clinical group. In this study, different aspects of affective processing, social cognition and behaviour, in addition to personal well-being, were assessed in a large group of patients with NS. Method Forty adult patients with NS were compared with 40 healthy controls, matched with respect to age, sex, intelligence and education level. Facial emotion recognition was measured with the Emotion Recognition Task (ERT), alexithymia with both the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Bermond–Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire (BVAQ), and mentalizing with the Theory of Mind (ToM) test. The Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90-R) and the Scale for Interpersonal Behaviour (SIB) were used to record aspects of psychological well-being and social interaction. Results Patients showed higher levels of cognitive alexithymia than controls. They also experienced more social distress, but the frequency of engaging in social situations did not differ. Facial emotion recognition was only slightly impaired. Conclusions Higher levels of alexithymia and social discomfort are part of the behavioural phenotype of NS. However, patients with NS have relatively intact perception of emotions in others and unimpaired mentalizing. These results provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of social daily life functioning in this patient group.
Tumor angiogenesis revisited: Regulators and clinical implications

Since Judah Folkman hypothesized in 1971 that angiogenesis is required for solid tumor growth, numerous studies have been conducted to unravel the angiogenesis process, analyze its role in primary tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenic diseases, and to develop inhibitors of proangiogenic factors. These studies have led in 2004 to the approval of the first antiangiogenic agent (bevacizumab, a humanized antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor) for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. This approval launched great expectations for the use of antiangiogenic therapy for malignant diseases. However, these expectations have not been met and, as knowledge of blood vessel formation accumulates, many of the original paradigms no longer hold. Therefore, the regulators and clinical implications of angiogenesis need to be revisited. In this review, we discuss recently identified angiogenesis mediators and pathways, new concepts that have emerged over the past 10 years, tumor resistance and toxicity associated with the use of currently available antiangiogenic treatment and potentially new targets and/or approaches for malignant and nonmalignant neovascular diseases.
The effects of gender on grey matter abnormalities in major psychoses: a comparative voxelwise meta-analysis of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Background Recent evidence from genetic and familial studies revitalized the debate concerning the validity of the distinction between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Comparing brain imaging findings is an important avenue to examine similarities and differences and, therefore, the validity of the distinction between these conditions. However, in contrast to bipolar disorder, most patient samples in studies of schizophrenia are predominantly male. This a limiting factor for comparing schizophrenia and bipolar disorder since male gender is associated with more severe neurodevelopmental abnormalities, negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Method We used a coordinate-based meta-analysis technique to compare grey matter (GM) abnormalities in male-dominated schizophrenia, gender-balanced schizophrenia and bipolar disorder samples based on published voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies. In total, 72 English-language, peer reviewed articles published prior to January 2011 were included. All reports used VBM for comparing schizophrenia or bipolar disorder with controls and reported whole-brain analyses in standard stereotactic space. Results GM reductions were more extensive in male-dominated schizophrenia compared to gender-balanced bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. In gender-balanced samples, GM reductions were less severe. Compared to controls, GM reductions were restricted to dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia and ACC and bilateral fronto-insular cortex in bipolar disorder. Conclusions When gender is controlled, GM abnormalities in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are mostly restricted to regions that have a role in emotional and cognitive aspects of salience respectively. Dorsomedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were the only regions that showed greater GM reductions in schizophrenia compared to bipolar disorder.