Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Colocalization of metabotropic glutamate receptors in rat dorsal root ganglion cells

Glutamate is the main excitatory transmitter in both central and peripheral nervous systems. Discovery of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) made it clear that glutamate can have excitatory or inhibitory effects on neuronal function, with group I mGluRs enhancing cell excitability but group II and III mGluRs decreasing excitability. The present study investigated the colocalization of mGluR subtypes representing groups I, II, or III in rat L5 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells. The analyses show that group III has the highest expression, with 75.0% of DRG cells expressing mGluR8, followed by group II, with 51.6% expressing mGluR2/3, followed by group I, with only 6.8% expressing mGluR1α. mGluR8 is expressed by small, medium, and large diameter cells. In contrast, mGluR1α and mGluR2/3 are expressed by mainly small and medium cells. Approximately half of cells expressing group I mGluR1α also express either group II mGluR2/3 or group III mGluR8. These mGluR1α double‐labeled populations are not likely to overlap since >1.0% of mGluR1α are triple‐labeled. As expected from the high percentage of single‐labeled mGluR2/3 and mGluR8 cells, there is a considerable population of double‐labeled cells with ≈30% of each population expressing both receptors. Due to the fact that the number of mGluR1α‐expressing cells in the DRG is low, the percentage of triple‐labeled cells is also low (≈1–2%). The prevalence of groups II and III indicate that glutamate could have a substantial inhibitory effect of primary afferent function, reducing and/or fine‐tuning sensory input before transmission to the spinal cord. These anatomical data highlight the potential inhibitory role glutamate may play in peripheral sensory transmission. J. Comp. Neurol. 501:780–789, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Elucidation of the Metabolic Network of Helicobacter pylori J99 and Malaysian Clinical Strains by Phenotype Microarray

Helicobacter pylori colonizes almost half of the human population worldwide. H. pylori strains are genetically diverse, and the specific genotypes are associated with various clinical manifestations including gastric adenocarcinoma, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD). However, our current knowledge of the H. pylori metabolism is limited. To understand the metabolic differences among H. pylori strains, we investigated four Malaysian H. pylori clinical strains, which had been previously sequenced, and a standard strain, H. pylori J99, at the phenotypic level.
Schizophrenics Remanded to the Forensic Psychiatric Institute of British Columbia, 1975–1990

Clinical and legal data were collected on 1265 schizophrenic patients remanded to a maximum security hospital, for psychiatric evaluation of fitness to stand trial. Schizophrenics accounted for over half of the remand population. When compared to the non-schizophrenic group, they had more previous admissions to the Forensic Psychiatric Institute and the Provincial Mental Hospital. They were also more likely to be found unfit to stand trial or to have their charges stayed by the Crown. However, approximately half of the schizophrenics in this study returned to Court, fit to stand trial and with no further psychiatric treatment provided. This study raises major questions about the purpose and value of remanding schizophrenics to a maximum security hospital for in-patient fitness evaluations.
Brain Lesions and IQ: Recovery Versus Decline Depends on Age of Onset

A growing literature suggests that early lesions are associated with poorer IQ outcome. Those studies covered a restricted age range in pediatric populations only and did not control for important moderator variables. The present investigation studied IQ change in brain-lesioned children and adults (age 0 to 84 years). Altogether, 725 cases with a documented unilateral focal lesion were gathered from hospital charts and from published cases in the literature, including 240 with repeated IQ testing. Multiple regression analyses isolated the contribution of age at lesion onset to IQ change. Important mediator variables included were lesion side, site, volume, etiology, and so on. An early lesion was significantly associated with poorer postlesion IQ in time and with decline of IQ in time. Later onset lesions were associated with better postlesion IQ and recovery in time. The so-called Kennard principle is refuted, with regard to IQ.
Characterization of Osteogenically Induced Adipose Tissue-Derived Precursor Cells in 2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional Environments

Earlier reports on a putative precursor cell population in adipose tissue showed differentiation along several mesodermal lineages, leading some to think that adipose tissue can be a source of cells applicable in regenerative medicine. However, characterizations of these adipose-derived precursor cells (ADPC) in the 3-dimensional (3-D) environment, especially within the area of bone-specific composite scaffolds, have been lacking. In this study, ADPC plated on culture flasks or seeded on medical grade polycaprolactone-tricalcium phosphate scaffolds (mPCL-CaP) were able to differentiate along the osteogenic lineages in both 2-D and 3-D environments as assessed with immunohistochemistry of osteo-related proteins, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions and alkaline phosphatase assay. The mPCL-CaP scaffolds provided adipose-derived cells (ADC) with a suitable environment as determined by DNA and metabolic assays, light, confocal and scanning electron microscopy. Flow cytometry revealed ADC to be CD29+, CD44+, CD73+, CD90+ and CD14–, CD31–, CD34–, CD45–, CD71–, and therefore showed the absence of hematopoietic stem cells but possibly the presence of pericytes and mescenchymal stem cells with osteogenic potential. The results of this study demonstrated the potential of using ADPC in combination with mPCL-CaP scaffolds for bone regenerative medicine.
Comply or Fail: Primary School PE Subject Leaders and the PE and Sport Premium for Primary Schools

The government is providing funding to maintained primary schools and academies that is specifically targeted at improving the provision of physical education (PE) and sport. Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI) commissioned a survey to identify and share good practice in 22 schools previously identified as performing well in PE. This survey complements a study in this area by the Department for Education (DfE) that surveyed headteachers between April and July 2014.
Do Earned Income Tax Credits for Older Workers Prolong Labour Market Participation and Boost Earned Income? Evidence from Australia's Mature Age Worker Tax Offset

We examine Australia's Mature Age Worker Tax Offset (MAWTO), a targeted earned income tax credit of up to $500 to incentivise participation of workers aged 55 and over that existed from 2004–2005 to 2014–2015. Using a difference‐in‐differences approach, we find an apparent impact of the MAWTO of around 0.5 percentage points of increased labour market participation. However, placebo tests and an examination of demographic patterns lead us to believe that this point estimate does not provide compelling evidence of a labour force participation impact of the MAWTO. For women only, it had a small impact on earnings of about 1.5 per cent. Using the point estimates, we estimate that the average cost for each person induced to work longer is between $37,000 and $78,000. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Multicenter Retrospective Analysis of Turkish Patients with Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Objective: Chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (CMPNs) that include polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) are Philadelphia-negative malignancies characterized by a clonal proliferation of one or several lineages. The aim of this report was to determine the demographic features, disease characteristics, treatment strategies, and survival rates of patients with CMPNs in Turkey. Materials and Methods: Across all of Turkey, 9 centers were enrolled in the study. We retrospectively evaluated 708 CMPN patients’ results including 390 with ET, 213 with PV, and 105 with PMF. Results: The JAK2V617F mutation was found positive in 86% of patients with PV, in 51.5% of patients with ET, and in 50.4% of patients with PMF. Thrombosis and bleeding at diagnosis occurred in 20.6% and 7.5% of PV patients, 15.1% and 9% of ET patients, and 9.5% and 10.4% of PMF patients, respectively. Six hundred and eight patients (85.9%) received cytoreductive therapy. The most commonly used drug was hydroxyurea (89.6%). Leukemic and fibrotic transformations occurred at rates of 0.6% and 13.2%. The estimated overall survival in PV, ET, and PMF patients was 89.7%, 85%, and 82.5% at 10 years, respectively. There were no significant differences between survival in ET, PV, and PMF patients at 10 years. Conclusion: Our patients’ results are generally compatible with the literature findings, except for the relatively high survival rate in PMF patients. Hydroxyurea was the most commonly used cytoreductive therapy. Our study reflects the demographic features, patient characteristics, treatments, and survival rates of Turkish CMPN patients.
Enlarged median nerve in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome

To delineate change in median nerve size in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), we compared ultrasonograms of nerve cross‐sections from patients (201 wrists of 125 women with idiopathic CTS) and controls (200 dominant wrists of 200 women). Major and minor axes, cross‐sectional area, and the flattening ratio (major axis/minor axis) were measured at four levels: 1, distal edge of the flexor retinaculum; 2, center of the hook of the hamate; 3, wrist crease; and 4, distal one‐third level of the forearm. Axes and areas were greater in the patients at levels 1, 2, and 3. The flattening ratio was greater in the controls at levels 1 and 2, and in the patients at level 3. When the groups were combined, there were linear correlations between the cross‐sectional nerve area and electrophysiologic severity at levels 1, 2, and 3. These findings indicate that idiopathic CTS is characterized by severity‐correlated intracarpal enlargement of the median nerve and not by compressive deformation, such as a reduction in the caliber of the nerve. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 23: 1713–1718, 2000
EFFECTS OF INTRAVITREAL CORTICOSTEROID IN THE TREATMENT OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS–INDUCED EXPERIMENTAL ENDOPHTHALMITIS

Purpose: To investigate whether intravitreal injection of dexamethasone in addition to antibiotics can minimize intraocular tissue injury caused by Staphylococcus aureus endophthalmitis. Methods: Albino rabbits were infected with an intravitreal injection of 1000 colony-forming units of S. aureus. The rabbits were randomized to receive no treatment (control group; n = 2), intravitreal vancomycin and amikacin (n = 5), or a combination of intravitreal vancomycin, amikacin, and dexamethasone (n = 5) 20 hours following inoculation of bacteria. All rabbits except for the control group also received intravenous imipenem every 8 hours for 4 days. The eyes were evaluated by clinical examination, electroretinogram (ERG), and histologic studies. Results: Eyes treated with intravitreal dexamethasone demonstrated less inflammation on clinical examination compared with eyes that received antibiotics alone. The ERG responses of eyes that received both intravitreal antibiotics and steroid were significantly better at 45 hours, 7 and 14 days following inoculation (P < 0.05) compared to eyes that received antibiotics alone. Histologic studies 14 days following infection demonstrated less tissue destruction for eyes treated with dexamethasone. Conclusion: Compared to intravitreal antibiotics alone, intravitreal corticosteroids may improve visual outcome of S. aureus endophthalmitis by reducing inflammation and preserving electrophysiologic retinal function.
Transient Osteoporosis of the Hip in Pregnancy Associated with Generalized Low Bone Mineral Density - A Case Report

Transient osteoporosis of the hip (TOH) in pregnancy is characterized by severe pain in unilateral or bilateral hips and has been diagnosed as localized osteopenia. However, we evaluated a case of unilateral TOH with generalized profound osteoporosis involving both the hips and the lumbar vertebrae by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The diagnosis was based on the clinical course and confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Three-dimensional helical computed tomography (3D-CT), which has not been used in patients with TOH, revealed a markedly thin bilateral proximal femoral cortex, particularly in the symptomatic femoral head. Despite the difference in the severity of bone destruction between the two femora, they both showed the same pattern of damage on 3D-CT. Furthermore, despite continuing treatment with the same dose of alendronate and calcitriol, a high rate of bone mineral density gain, involving both the femora and lumbar vertebrae, was limited to the early postpartum months. A majority of reported female patients with TOH are pregnant. Thus, the association between TOH and pregnancy was not considered to be fortuitous, and chemical or hormonal factors related to pregnancy may play an etiologic role in this disease. The possible etiologies of TOH in pregnancy are also discussed.
Density–Yield Relationships and Economic Injury Levels for Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) in Cantaloupe in Texas

Abstract A range of infestation levels of the whitefly Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring were established across experimental field plots of cantaloupe by varying insecticide treatments to evaluate the relationships between whitefly density and crop yield and quality. High levels of whitefly adults and immatures were associated with significant reductions in fruit yield, a decrease in fruit size, and an increase in the percentage of fruits with sooty mold. Yield loss rates (kg/ha/adult or nymph) decreased in a nonlinear fashion with increasing whitefly numbers. Estimated economic injury levels varied as a function of whitefly density, whitefly stage, control cost, crop cultivar, and crop season. Estimates of economic injury levels for one ($31.2/ha), five ($156/ha), and 10 ($312/ha) insecticide treatments ranged from 0.02 to 0.39, from 0.12 to 1.96, and from 0.24 to 3.92 adults/leaf, and from 0.20 to 5.43, from 0.98 to 27.17, and from 1.97 to 54.35 nymphs/6.45 cm2, respectively.
Effective and Reduced-Cost Modified Selective Medium for Isolation of Clostridium difficile

ABSTRACT Both for epidemiologic studies and for diagnostic testing, there is a need for effective, economical, and readily available selective media for the culture of Clostridium difficile. We have developed a reduced-cost substitute for cycloserine-cefoxitin-fructose agar (CCFA), which is an effective but expensive selective medium for C. difficile. The modified medium, called C. difficile brucella agar (CDBA), includes an enriched brucella base as a substitute for proteose peptone no. 2, and the concentration of sodium taurocholate has been reduced from 0.1% to 0.05%. To compare the sensitivities and selectivities of CDBA and CCFA, cultures for C. difficile were performed using stool samples from patients with C. difficile-associated disease. CDBA was as sensitive as CCFA for the recovery of C. difficile, with a similar frequency of breakthrough growth of stool microflora (25% versus 31%, respectively). A liquid formulation of the modified medium, termed C. difficile brucella broth (CDBB), stimulated rapid germination and outgrowth of C. difficile spores, at a rate comparable to that in cycloserine-cefoxitin-fructose broth. Our results suggest that CDBA and CDBB are sensitive, selective, and reduced-cost media for the recovery of C. difficile from stool samples.
Marginal Cells in the Spinal Cord of Four Elasmobranchs (Torpedo marmorata, T. torpedo, Raja undulata and Scyliorhinus canicula): Evidence for Homology with Lamprey lntraspinal Stretch Receptor Neurons

This study reports for the first time the presence of marginal cells, probably with stretch receptor function, in the spinal cord of four elasmobranch species, two electric rays, Torpedo marmorata and T. torpedo, the skate Raja undulata and the dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula. In all four species, the marginal cells were located close to the lateroventral surface of the cord and possessed thick dendrites which formed part of characteristic glomerular structures. In vitro retrograde labelling of the spinal cord of the dogfish with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) showed that some of these cells have contralateral projections. Ultrastructural study of normal and retrograde HRP‐labelled material showed that the glomerular dendrites of marginal cells give rise to numerous fingerlike structures and are associated with a rich plexus of nerve terminals. Characteristically, these dendrites contain numerous mitochondria. Immunocytochemical studies revealed a rich plexus of somatostatin‐ and GABA‐immunoreactive fibres in the glomeruli. These results strongly suggest that the marginal cells of the elasmobranch spinal cord are stretch receptors homologous to lamprey edge cells and to the marginal nucleus cells of the spinal cord of urodeles and snakes. We discuss the possible role of these cells in the modulation of swimming movements.
Reflections on the Swiss Consensus Statement in the context of qualitative interviews with heterosexuals living with HIV

Abstract In 2008, the Swiss Federal AIDS Commission released a statement concluding that people with HIV who are on treatment and have an undetectable viral load are non-infectious and can safely practice unprotected sex with their HIV-negative partner under certain conditions. Contradicting over 25 years of HIV prevention messages, the so called Swiss Consensus Statement sparked a polarised international debate. One key concern is that the Statement will be misinterpreted to imply that everybody on treatment can have unprotected sex. Therefore, critics warn against any departure from the emphasis on condoms as the most effective prevention method. Given this concern, it is useful to reflect on what relevance the Swiss Statement may have for those concerned. This paper draws on qualitative interviews with HIV-positive heterosexuals and HIV-negative partners in Australia. Conducted both before and after the release of the Statement, these interviews revealed that sexual decision-making was not based solely on calculations of risk, but shaped by complex emotions and relationship priorities. The interviews also revealed that participants were sceptical towards the Statement's prevention message. These findings call into question the central concerns that drive this debate.
The pattern of the coronary arterial orifices in hearts with congenital malformations of the outflow tracts: a marker of rotation of the outflow tract during cardiac development?

Outflow tract defects, including cardiac neural crest defects (so‐called conotruncal defects) and transposition of the great arteries, are due to an abnormal rotation of the outflow tract during cardiac development. Coronary orifices are often abnormal in outflow tract defects, particularly in common arterial trunk (CAT). A recent study indicates that abnormal coronary artery pattern in a mouse model with common arterial outlet (Tbx1−/− mouse mutant) could be due to a reduced and malpositioned subpulmonary coronary‐refractory myocardial domain. The aim of our study was to demonstrate the relation between coronary orifices pattern in outflow tract defects in human and the abnormal embryonic rotation of the outflow tract. We analyzed 101 heart specimens with outflow tract defects: 46 CAT, 15 tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), 29 TOF with pulmonary atresia (TOF‐PA), 11 double‐outlet right ventricle with subaortic ventricular septal defect (DORV) and 17 controls. The position of left and right coronary orifices (LCO, RCO) was measured in degrees on the aortic/truncal circumference. The anterior angle between LCO and RCO (α) was calculated. The LCO was more posterior in TOF (31 °), TOF‐PA (47 °), DORV (44 °), CAT (63 °), compared with controls (0 °, P < 0.05), and more posterior in CAT than in other outflow tract defects (P < 0.05). The RCO was more anterior in TOF (242 °), TOF‐PA (245 °) and DORV (271 °) than in controls (213 °, P < 0.05), but not in CAT (195 °). The α angle was similar in TOF, TOF‐PA, DORV and controls (149 °, 162 °, 133 °, 147 °), but significantly larger in CAT (229 °, P < 0.0001). In all outflow tract defects but CAT, the displacement of LCO (anterior) and RCO (posterior), while the α angle remains constant, might be due to incomplete rotation of the myocardium at the base of the outflow tract, leading to an abnormally positioned subpulmonary coronary‐refractory myocardial domain. The larger α angle in CAT could reflect its dual identity, aortic and pulmonary.
Recombinant Human Adenovirus: Targeting to the Human Transferrin Receptor Improves Gene Transfer to Brain Microcapillary Endothelium

ABSTRACT Some inborn errors of metabolism due to deficiencies of soluble lysosomal enzymes cause global neurodegenerative disease. Representative examples include the infantile and late infantile forms of the ceroid lipofuscinoses (CLN1 or CLN2 deficiency, respectively) and mucopolysaccharidoses type VII (MPS VII), a deficiency of β-glucuronidase. Treatment of the central nervous system component of these disorders will require widespread protein or enzyme replacement, either through dissemination of the protein or through dissemination of a gene encoding it. We hypothesize that transduction of brain microcapillary endothelium (BME) with recombinant viral vectors, with secretion of enzyme product basolaterally, could allow for widespread enzyme dissemination. To achieve this, viruses should be modified to target the BME. This requires (i) identification of a BME-resident target receptor, (ii) identification of motifs targeted to that molecule, (iii) the construction of modified viruses to allow for binding to the target receptor, and (iv) demonstrated transduction of receptor-expressing cells. In proof of principal experiments, we chose the human transferrin receptor (hTfR), a molecule found at high density on human BME. A nonamer phage display library was panned for motifs which could bind hTfR. Forty-three clones were sequenced, most of which contained an AKxxK/R, KxKxPK/R, or KxK motif. Ten peptides representative of the three motifs were cloned into the HI loop of adenovirus type 5 fiber. All motifs tested retained their ability to trimerize and bind transferrin receptor, and seven allowed for recombinant adenovirus production. Importantly, the fiber-modified viruses facilitated increased gene transfer (2- to 34-fold) to hTfR expressing cell lines and human brain microcapillary endothelia expressing high levels of endogenous receptor. Our data indicate that adenoviruses can be modified in the HI loop for expanded tropism to the hTfR.