Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Losartan and isoproterenol promote alterations in the local renin-angiotensin system of rat salivary glands

Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) systemically or locally collaborates with tissue homeostasis, growth and development, which has been extensively studied for its pharmacological implications. This study was primarily aimed at finding and characterizing local RAS in rat parotid, sublingual and submandibular glands. It was also hypothesized that vasoactive drugs could affect the expression of RAS targets, as well as saliva flow and its composition. Therefore, another objective of this study was to compare the effects of losartan (angiotensin II receptor blocker) and isoproterenol (β-adrenergic receptor agonist). Forty-one Wistar rats were divided into three groups and administered a daily intraperitoneal dose of saline, losartan or isoproterenol solutions for one week. The following RAS targets were studied using qPCR: renin (REN), angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), ACE-2, elastase-2 (ELA-2), AT1-a and MAS receptors, using RPL-13 as a reference gene. Morphology of glands was analyzed by immunohistochemistry using REN, ACE, ACE-2, AT1, AT2 and MAS antibodies. The volume and total protein content of saliva were measured. Our results revealed that ACE, ACE-2, AT1-a, AT2 and MAS receptors were expressed in all salivary gland samples, but REN and ELA-2 were absent. Losartan decreased mRNA expression of RAS targets in parotid (MAS) and submandibular glands (ACE and both AT receptors), without affecting morphological alterations, and significantly decreased saliva and total protein secretions. Isoproterenol treatment affected gene expression profiles in parotid (ACE, ACE-2, AT1-a, MAS, AGT), and submandibular (ACE, AT2, AGT) glands, thus promoting acinar hypertrophy in serous acini, without significant changes in salivary flow or total protein content. These drugs affected mainly acini, followed by duct systems and myoepithelial cells, whereas blood vessels were not affected. In conclusion, there is a local RAS in major rat salivary glands and losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, affected not only the RAS-target gene expression but also decreased salivary flow and total protein content.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Males in the Juvenile Justice System

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a neurodevelopmental disorder of selfcontrol/self-regulation characterized by developmentally inappropriate and impairing levels of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity (Barkley, 2006), is a major risk factor in the developmental sequence that results in serious antisocial behavior. Consequently, it is widely prevalent in the juvenile justice system and should be included in every mental health screening that should take place when a juvenile becomes involved with the system as well as treatment planning. The objective of this chapter is to present the empirical support for these contentions for male juvenile offenders. The focus is restricted to males since, although the correlates of antisocial behavior in male and females have typically been found to be the same (Lahey et al., 2006; Odgers et al., 2008), the literature on females is slight compared to that of males and thus problematic with regard to the reliability of the findings.
Extraction Optimization, Antioxidant Capacity and Phenolic Profiling of Extracts from Flesh, Peel and Whole Fruit of New Zealand Grown Feijoa Cultivars

Feijoa fruit is becoming increasingly popular, yet limited studies have focused on the antioxidant capacity and phenolic profiling of its extracts. In this research, optimization of phenolic extraction from feijoa flesh, peel, and whole fruit from four New Zealand grown cultivars was conducted using orthogonal design. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were assessed, followed by phenolic profiling by a validated liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method. For feijoa flesh and whole fruit, the extraction was optimized using 70% ethanol, material to solvent ratio of 1:30, at extraction temperature of 50 °C for 30 min. For feijoa peel, extraction at 50 °C for 60 min using 50% ethanol with a material to solvent ratio of 1:30 were the optimized conditions. Results showed feijoa peel had higher total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activities than the flesh and whole fruit. Overall, the Unique cultivar had a relatively higher TPC and antioxidant activity than the other cultivars tested. A total of 15 phenolic compounds were identified, and seven of them were reported for the first time in feijoa fruit. This is the first systematic investigation on the extraction method, phenolic content, antioxidant activity and phenolic profile of feijoa emphasis on comparison of sample types and cultivars.
Using Behavioral Approaches to Assess Memory, Imitation and Motor Performance in Children with Angelman Syndrome: Results of a Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study was designed to assess memory, imitation of motor actions and motor performance by 12 children (age range 40–151 months) with Angelman syndrome (AS), a rare neurogenetic disorder associated with learning and memory impairments. Methods: Children’s functioning was assessed at several time points over a 3-month period. Results: Memory and motor performance tests had acceptable test-retest and inter-rater reliability whereas the motor imitation test did not. Children were able to recall action sequences after a 24-h delay. Memory and motor performance scores were correlated with children’s chronological age and raw scores on subdomains of the Vineland-II. Conclusions: These behavioral tests require further development and evaluation but may show promise to accompany standardized assessments that are currently in use with children with AS.
Prognostic Value of Microscopic Hematuria after Induction of Remission in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies-Associated Vasculitis

Background: Pauci-immune glomerulonephritis (PIGN) is a major prognostic factor in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-associated vasculitis (AAV). Renal remission is usually defined as improvement or stabilization of serum creatinine and proteinuria levels but the significance of hematuria is unclear. We evaluated the prognostic value of microscopic hematuria in patients in remission from a first flare of PIGN. Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted of all patients with histologically proven PIGN in northern France who presented a first renal flare of AAV between 2003 and 2013. All patients received conventional induction treatment and were considered in remission. Two groups were defined by the presence (H+) or absence (H–) of hematuria (dipstick 1+ and/or cytology ≥10,000 erythrocytes/mL). The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of renal relapse (RR) and/or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Results: Eighty-six patients were included: 41 (48%) had hematuria at remission. The median follow-up time was 44 ± 34 months. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the primary endpoint or the number of RR. However, the survival rate without RR was significantly lower in the H+ group (p = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, risk factors for RR were hematuria at remission for relapses within 44 months (hazard ratio [HR] 4.15; 95% CI 1.15–15.01; p = 0.03) and the duration of maintenance immunosuppressive therapy (HR 0.96 per additional month; 95% CI 0.94–0.99; p = 0.002). Conclusion: Hematuria at remission after a first PIGN flare was not associated with ESRD but with the occurrence of RR within 44 months of remission.
Allele frequency of pathogenic variants related to adult‐onset Mendelian diseases

An increasing number of variants related to Mendelian diseases have been discovered through analyses of next‐generation sequencing data, but the results related to adult‐onset Mendelian diseases are insufficient. One possible explanation is that the methods commonly used to evaluate pathogenic variants in patients with congenital Mendelian diseases may not be appropriate for adult‐onset diseases due to differences in selection pressure, particularly when assessing the frequency of variants in the general population. We established a well‐processed and filtered database of pathogenic variants with both phenotype and frequency information based on the ClinVar and GnomAD public database to better explore the genetic features of adult‐onset diseases under real‐world conditions. Compared with the control group, pathogenic variants related to adult‐onset dominant diseases had a higher allele frequency pattern. Further, the allele frequency patterns of both dominant and recessive variants were higher in patients with neurodegenerative diseases than those in patients with intellectual disabilities. Based on the mutation‐selection balance model, the above observation of allele frequency described the lower selection pressure on pathogenic variants related to adult‐onset Mendelian diseases and suggests a lower effectiveness of population and loss‐of‐function evidence in investigations of adult‐onset Mendelian diseases.
The value of anti-Mullerian hormone in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescents

Abstract A prospective study was carried out in 110 adolescents (13–19 years), 90 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (study group) and 20 healthy adolescents (control group). The study group was divided into two: Group I – patients without insulin resistance (n = 30) and Group II – patients with insulin resistance (n = 60). Group I was treated with oral contraceptives (OCs), while Group II was divided into treatment subgroups of 20 patients each: Subgroup A received OCs; Subgroup B − myo-inositol; subgroup C – OCs + myo-inositol. Data were analyzed at baseline, 3 and 6 months of treatment. Results showed average anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels were significantly higher in PCOS patients (11.8 ± 5.3 ng/ml) than in controls (2.98 ± 4.5 ng/ml). After treatment, in Group I and Group II Subgroup A: AMH, luteinizing hormone (LH), free testosterone (FT), total testosterone (T), Ov/v, antral follicle count (AFC), and Ferriman–Gallwey modified scale (mFG) significantly decreased, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), body mass index (BMI) did not change significantly. In Group II Subgroup B only HOMA-IR and BMI significantly decreased; in Subgroup C all the parameters decreased significantly. The correlation between AMH and hormonal, morphological characteristics of ovaries were established. The results indicate that AMH could possibly be a valuable marker for the diagnosis of PCOS in adolescents, and for the assessment of treatment efficacy as well.
Allogeneic vs. autologous intra-articular mesenchymal stem cell injection within normal horses: Clinical and cytological comparisons suggest safety.

BACKGROUND Allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMDMSCs) could provide multiple advantages over autologous BMDMSCs, including creating an 'off-the-shelf' treatment together with the ability to control for donor variation. OBJECTIVES The objective of the study was to compare the clinical and synovial fluid response of the normal equine joint to autologous and pooled-allogeneic BMDMSCs while controlling for individual variation and joint variations in response to intra-articular injections. We hypothesised that, by controlling for individual animal and joint variation, we could identify differences between allogeneic vs. autologous BMDMSCs in noninflamed joints. STUDY DESIGN Randomised-controlled experiment. METHODS Bone marrow was harvested from eight horses. Autologous BMDMSCs were culture expanded, cryopreserved and thawed immediately prior to administration. For allogeneic BMDMSC treatments, four horses' BMDMSCs were culture expanded, pooled, cryopreserved and thawed immediately prior to use. Ten million (autologous or pooled-allogeneic) BMDMSCs were administered into contralateral forelimb metacarpophalangeal joints so that every autologous and allogeneic injection could be compared within the same animal. Clinical parameters included subjective lameness, objective lameness (Lameness Locator™), response to flexion, joint circumference and joint effusion. Arthrocentesis was performed for assessment of the nucleated cell count, differential cell count, total protein, and synovial concentrations of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and c-reactive protein (CRP). All parameters were measured at baseline, 6, 12, 24, 72, 168 and 336 h post-injection. RESULTS No difference was detected in any parameters between forelimb metacarpophalangeal joints administered autologous or pooled-allogeneic BMDMSCs. MAIN LIMITATIONS This study did not attempt to measure efficacy of BMDMSCs for musculoskeletal disease and should be followed by properly controlled efficacy trials. CONCLUSIONS The study did not identify any clinical or cytological differences in the normal joint response to allogeneic or autologous BMDMSCs. A larger study to prove equivalence is warranted as allogeneic BMDMSCs may be a feasible alternative to autologous BMDMSCs.
Evolutionary integration and modularity in the archosaur cranium.

Complex structures, like the vertebrate skull, are composed of numerous elements or traits that must develop and evolve in a coordinated manner to achieve multiple functions. The strength of association among phenotypic traits (i.e., integration), and their organization into highly-correlated, semi-independent subunits termed modules, is a result of the pleiotropic and genetic correlations that generate traits. As such, patterns of integration and modularity are thought to be key factors constraining or facilitating the evolution of phenotypic disparity by influencing the patterns of variation upon which selection can act. It is often hypothesized that selection can reshape patterns of integration, parceling single structures into multiple modules or merging ancestrally semi-independent traits into a strongly correlated unit. However, evolutionary shifts in patterns of trait integration are seldom assessed in a unified quantitative framework. Here, we quantify patterns of evolutionary integration among regions of the archosaur skull to investigate whether patterns of cranial integration are conserved or variable across this diverse group. Using high-dimensional geometric morphometric data from 3D surface scans and CT scans of modern birds (n = 352), fossil non-avian dinosaurs (n = 27), and modern and fossil mesoeucrocodylians (n = 38), we demonstrate that some aspects of cranial integration are conserved across these taxonomic groups, despite their major differences in cranial form, function, and development. All three groups are highly modular and consistently exhibit high integration within the occipital region. However, there are also substantial divergences in correlation patterns. Birds uniquely exhibit high correlation between the pterygoid and quadrate, components of the cranial kinesis apparatus, whereas the non-avian dinosaur quadrate is more closely associated with the jugal and quadratojugal. Mesoeucrocodylians exhibit a slightly more integrated facial skeleton overall than the other grades. Overall, patterns of trait integration are shown to be stable among archosaurs, which is surprising given the cranial diversity exhibited by the clade. At the same time, evolutionary innovations such as cranial kinesis that reorganize the structure and function of complex traits can result in modifications of trait correlations and modularity.
Management of Severe Allergic Conjunctivitis With Topical Cyclosporin A 0.05% Eyedrops

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of topical cyclosporin A 0.05% in the management of severe allergic conjunctivitis. Methods: Seven patients with severe allergic conjunctivitis who were not responding to topical steroids, antihistamines, and mast cell stabilizers were given topical cyclosporin A 0.05%. All patients had an active disease when they were included in the study. Signs and symptoms were recorded before and after treatment. Results: Seven patients, 6 boys and 1 girl, 6-14 years old, 6 with vernal keratoconjunctivitis and 1 with atopic keratoconjunctivitis, were enrolled in the study. Treatment with topical cyclosporin A 0.05% decreased the severity of symptoms and clinical signs significantly after 6 months (P < 0.05, Wilcoxon signed rank test). In addition, the need for steroids was reduced or even stopped. The patients experienced no side effects during the follow-up periods (mean, 14.0 ± 2.1 months; range, 8-18 months). Conclusions: Topical cyclosporin A is an effective treatment in the management of severe allergic conjunctivitis with a benefit as a steroid-sparing agent.
Factors affecting lifetime reproduction, long-term territory-specific reproduction, and estimation of habitat quality in northern goshawks

One measure of habitat quality is a species’ demographic performance in a habitat and the gold standard metric of performance is reproduction. Such a measure, however, may be misleading if individual quality is a fitness determinant. We report on factors affecting lifetime reproduction (LR), the total number of lifetime fledglings produced by an individual, and long-term territory-specific reproduction in a multi-generational study of northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis). LR increased with longer lifespans and more breeding attempts and was strongly correlated with the number of recruits in two filial generations indicating that LR was a good fitness predictor. Extensive differences in LR attested to heterogeneity in individual quality, a requisite for the ideal pre-emptive distribution model (IPD) of habitat settling wherein high quality individuals get the best habitats forcing lower quality individuals into poorer habitats with lower reproduction. In response to 7‒9-year prey abundance cycles, annual frequency of territory occupancy by breeders was highly variable and low overall with monotonic increases in vacancies through low prey years. Occupancy of territories by breeders differed from random; some appeared preferred while others were avoided, producing a right-skewed distribution of total territory-specific fledgling production. However, mean fledglings per nest attempt was only slightly lower in less versus more productive territories, and, contrary to IPD predictions of increases in annual territory-specific coefficients of variation (CV) in reproduction as breeder densities increase, the CV of production decreased as density increased. Rather than habitat quality per se, conspecific attraction elicited territory selection by prospecting goshawks as 70% of settlers comprised turnovers on territories, resulting in occupancy continuity and increased territory-specific reproduction. Top-producing territories had as few as 2 long-lived (high LR) and up to 6 short-lived (low LR) sequential breeders. While individual quality appeared to effect territory-specific heterogeneity in reproductive performance, our data suggests that differences in individual quality may be washed-out by a random settling of prospectors in response to conspecific attraction.
Low delta and high alpha power are associated with better conflict control and working memory in high mindfulness, low anxiety individuals

Abstract Working memory capacity (WMC) can predict conflict control ability. Measures of both abilities are impaired by anxiety, which is often inversely linked with mindfulness. It has been shown that a combination of high mindfulness and low anxiety is associated with better conflict control and WMC. The current study explored the electrophysiology related to such behavioral differences. Two experimental groups, one with high mindfulness and low anxiety (HMLA) and one with low mindfulness and high anxiety (LMHA), performed a color Stroop task and a change detection task, both with simultaneous electroencephalogram (EEG) recording. An advanced EEG analytical approach, Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT) analysis, was employed. This is regarded as a robust method to analyze non-linear and non-stationary signals. Lower delta activity at posterior temporal and occipital regions was seen in the HMLA group for the Stroop conflict conditions and might be generally associated with higher accuracy in this group and indicative of higher attentiveness. Higher accuracy rates and WMC were seen in the HMLA group and might be specifically associated with the higher alpha activity observed in prefrontal cortex, fronto-central and centro-parietal regions in this group. Future studies should explore how mindfulness and anxiety can independently affect these cognitive functions and their associated neurophysiology.
The treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia, data from Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad

Abstract Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad presented data of total 840 patients, out of which 775 (90%) were in chronic phase. Complete hematological response (CHR) was seen in 96% of patients and median time to achieve (CHR) was 2 months. Complete cytogenetic response was seen in 36%.
Two-crossed-polarizers based optical property modulation method for ionizing radiation detection for positron emission tomography

Recent work shows that Pockels effect and optics pump-probe measurement could be utilized as a novel method for 511 keV ionizing radiation photon detection for positron emission tomography (PET) which could potentially overcome the inherent physical limitation for coincidence time resolution of around 100 ps (Tao et al 2016 Phys. Med. Biol. 61 7600–22). In this paper, we embrace this observation and introduce a two-crossed-polarizers based setup to achieve similar detection concept, which is a simpler and more compact setup with comparable ionizing radiation detection capability as the setup used in the previously proposed work. We evaluated the performance of our experimental setup with Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3) and Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) detector crystals, and the desired properties of an ideal detector crystal were discussed. The modulation signal induced by 511 keV photons in both LiNbO3 and CdTe can be detected with repeatable signal amplitude using two-crossed-polarizers based method, while CdTe could provide eight times higher detection sensitivity to 511 keV photons than LiNbO3 under the same bias voltage, suggesting high effective Z number and high density properties of CdTe, as well as a shorter carrier lifetime and lower carrier mobility of LiNbO3. In addition, the strength of modulation signal increased linearly with bias voltage before saturation. The modulation signal strength in LiNbO3 continued to increase after 2000 V due to its high resistivity which could reduce the dark current in the detector, while the modulation signal of CdTe with low resistivity tended to be saturated at a bias voltage higher than 1200 V. Therefore, further increasing the bias voltage for detector crystals (especially for LiNbO3) may enhance the modulation strength and improve the detection sensitivity for annihilation photons.