Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anomalous somatosensory cortical localization in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE Schizophrenia has been reported to be associated with altered localization of regions responding to sound in the auditory cortex, suggesting possible cortical reorganization accompanying the disorder, but it is not clear whether such disturbances are present in any primary sensory cortex other than the auditory. This study examines magnetoencephalographic localization of field sources evoked by tactile stimulation generated in area 3b of the primary somatosensory cortex in patients with schizophrenia compared with normal subjects. METHOD A total of 29 subjects participated; 14 were patients with schizophrenia, and 15 were normal comparison subjects. Equivalent current dipole generators in both hemispheres were used to model the sources of the 50-msec latency somatosensory evoked field (M50) components produced by contralateral tactile mechanoreceptor stimulation of the tip of the index finger. RESULTS Compared with normal subjects, patients with schizophrenia demonstrated reversed asymmetry (left anterior to right) and relatively anterior and inferior displacement of the M50 equivalent current dipole location in the left hemisphere. CONCLUSIONS Cerebral lateralization and localization of the M50 distinguished patients with schizophrenia from normal subjects. These findings suggest the possibility of anatomical displacement and/or disturbed organization of the primary sensory cortex in schizophrenia.
How accurate are the United Nations world population projections

This paper investigates the accuracy of the UN world population forecasts of the age structure and crude birth and death rates in seven major regions of the world. Focus is on comparative accuracy across regions and over time utilizing data from 12 UN forecasts for Africa Asia Europe the former Soviet Union Latin America northern America and Oceania prepared between 1950 and 1985. Overall it is noted that the strength of these projections is that they contain detailed results for each country of the world computed on the basis of one consistent methodology and that they are updated frequently in the light of the most available data and methods. Compared with ex-post observed real trends the 12 sets of projections show a clear tendency over time toward greater accuracy. Part of the accuracy improvement is attributable to better data for base populations. In addition there is considerable regional heterogeneity in the accuracy of the UN projections. It is recommended however that the UN should include more than one variant for mortality in the projections due to difficulties with extrapolation and the considerable impact of exempting a variant on the results.
Expression and Trans-synaptic Regulation of P2x4 and P2z Receptors for Extracellular ATP in Parotid Acinar Cells

Trans-synaptic regulation of muscarinic, peptidergic, and purinergic responses after denervation has been reported previously in rat parotid acinar cells (McMillian, M. K., Soltoff, S. P., Cantley, L. C., Rudel, R., and Talamo, B. R. (1993) Br. J. Pharmacol. 108, 453–461). Characteristics of the ATP-mediated responses and the effects of parasympathetic denervation were further analyzed through assay of Ca2+ influx, using fluorescence ratio imaging methods, and by analysis of P2x receptor expression. ATP activates both a high affinity and a low affinity response with properties corresponding to the recently described P2x4 and the P2z (P2x7)-type purinoceptors, respectively. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis reveals mRNA for P2x4 as well as P2x7 subtypes but not P2x1, P2x2, P2x3, P2x5, or P2x6. P2x4 protein also is detected by Western blotting. Distribution of the two types of ATP receptor responses on individual cells was stochastic, with both high and low affinity responses on some cells, and only a single type of response on others. Sensitivity to P2x4-type activation also varied even among cells responsive to low concentrations of ATP. Parasympathetic denervation greatly enhanced responses, tripling the proportion of acinar cells with a P2x4-type response and increasing the fraction of highly sensitive cells by 7-fold. Moreover, P2x4 mRNA is significantly increased following parasympathetic denervation. These data indicate that sensitivity to ATP is modulated by neurotransmission at parasympathetic synapses, at least in part through increased expression of P2x4mRNA, and suggest that similar regulation may occur at other sites in the nervous system where P2x4 receptors are widely expressed.
Relation between renin substrate and acute phase proteins. Studies of normal and adrenalectomized rats.

In adrenalectomized rats, renin substrate was, as previously found, extremely low in non-substituted animals, markedly decreased in salt- substituted animals, but only slightly decreased in both salt- and DOCA-substituted animals. After three of four injuries, known to increase acute phase proteins, there was also an adrenal-dependent increase in renin substrate. A similar adrenal-dependent increase in substrate was further found in 24-hour uninephrectomized rats and in rats with ceased urine excretion, while the increase after binephrectomy is non-adrenal-dependent and thus not due to ceased urine excretion.
Functional Link between BLM Defective in Bloom's Syndrome and the Ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated Protein, ATM*

Chromosome aberrations, genomic instability, and cancer predisposition are hallmarks of a number of syndromes in which the defective genes recognize and/or repair DNA damage or are involved in some aspect of DNA processing. We report here direct interaction between BLM, mutated in Bloom's Syndrome (BS), and ATM, mutated is ataxia-telangiectasia, and we have mapped the sites of interaction. Full-length BLM cDNA corrected sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and radiosensitivity in BS cells. Mitotic phosphorylation of BLM was partially dependent on ATM, and phosphorylation sites on BLM were identified. A phosphospecific antibody against one of these sites (Thr-99) revealed radiation-induced phosphorylation, which was defective in ataxia-telangiectasia cells. Stable cell lines expressing phosphorylation site mutants failed to correct radiosensitivity in BS cells but corrected SCE. These mutants also sensitized normal control cells to radiation and increased radiation-induced chromosome aberrations but did not cause SCE numbers to increase. These data suggest that ATM and BLM function together in recognizing abnormal DNA structures by direct interaction and that these phosphorylation sites in BLM are important for radiosensitivity status but not for SCE frequency.
Carbon footprints of cities and other human settlements in the UK

A growing body of literature discusses the CO2 emissions of cities. Still, little is known about emission patterns across density gradients from remote rural places to highly urbanized areas, the drivers behind those emission patterns and the global emissions triggered by consumption in human settlements—referred to here as the carbon footprint. In this letter we use a hybrid method for estimating the carbon footprints of cities and other human settlements in the UK explicitly linking global supply chains to local consumption activities and associated lifestyles. This analysis comprises all areas in the UK, whether rural or urban. We compare our consumption-based results with extended territorial CO2 emission estimates and analyse the driving forces that determine the carbon footprint of human settlements in the UK. Our results show that 90% of the human settlements in the UK are net importers of CO2 emissions. Consumption-based CO2 emissions are much more homogeneous than extended territorial emissions. Both the highest and lowest carbon footprints can be found in urban areas, but the carbon footprint is consistently higher relative to extended territorial CO2 emissions in urban as opposed to rural settlement types. The impact of high or low density living remains limited; instead, carbon footprints can be comparatively high or low across density gradients depending on the location-specific socio-demographic, infrastructural and geographic characteristics of the area under consideration. We show that the carbon footprint of cities and other human settlements in the UK is mainly determined by socio-economic rather than geographic and infrastructural drivers at the spatial aggregation of our analysis. It increases with growing income, education and car ownership as well as decreasing household size. Income is not more important than most other socio-economic determinants of the carbon footprint. Possibly, the relationship between lifestyles and infrastructure only impacts carbon footprints significantly at higher spatial granularity.
Monitoring trends in recreational drug use from the analysis of the contents of amnesty bins in gay dance clubs.

BACKGROUND In 2011/12, 8.9% of the UK population reported use of recreational drugs. Problems related to drug use is a major financial burden to society and a common reason for attendance to hospital. AIM The aim of this study was to establish current trends in recreational drug use amongst individuals attending gay-friendly nightclubs in South London. METHOD Contents of drug amnesty bins located at two night clubs were documented and categorized into powders, herbal products, liquids, tablets and capsules. These were then sent to a Home Office licensed laboratory for identification through a pre-existing database of almost 25 000 substances. If required, further qualitative analysis was performed. RESULTS A total of 544 samples were obtained. Of them, 240 (44.1%) were liquids, 220 (40.4%) powders, 42 (7.7%) herbal and 41 (7.5%) tablets or capsules. Gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) was the most common liquid drug (n = 160, 66.7%) followed by poppers (n = 72, 30.0%). Powders provided the widest range of drugs with mephedrone being the most common (n = 105, 47.7%) followed by ketamine (n = 28, 12.7%), 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) (n = 26, 11.8%), and cocaine (n = 21, 9.5%). Tablets and capsules included medicinal drugs, recreational drugs and plaster of Paris tablets that mimicked the appearance of 'ecstasy' tablets. CONCLUSION This study has provided a snapshot of the pattern of drug use in the gay community which compliments findings of the self-reported surveys and other studies from the same population. The information obtained will be helpful in guiding in designing harm reduction interventions in this community and for monitoring the impact of changes in legislation.
Update on Diabetic Nephropathy: Core Curriculum 2018.

Diabetic kidney disease and diabetic nephropathy are the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease in the United States and most developed countries. Diabetes accounts for 30% to 50% of the incident cases of end-stage kidney disease in the United States. Although this represents a significant public health concern, it is important to note that only 30% to 40% of patients with diabetes develop diabetic nephropathy. Specific treatment of patients with diabetic nephropathy can be divided into 4 major arenas: cardiovascular risk reduction, glycemic control, blood pressure control, and inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Recommendations for therapy include targeting a hemoglobin A1c concentration < 7% and blood pressure < 140/90mmHg with therapy anchored around the use of a RAS-blocking agent. The single best evidence-based therapy for diabetic nephropathy is therapy with a RAS-blocking medication. This Core Curriculum outlines and discusses in detail the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of diabetic nephropathy.
Effective Audit Committee as a Mechanism to Improve Corporate Governance: An Exploratory Study

Recently, an audit co mmittee (AC) is being looked upon as a distinct culture for improving corporate governance (CG) and has received wide-publicity across the globe. Government authorities, regulators and international bodies have indicated that they view an AC as a powerful mechanism that can enhance the reliability and transparency of financial information. Being mandatory under SEBI's Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement, an AC can be of great help to the board in imp lementing, mon itoring and continuing 'good' CG practices to the benefit of the corporation and all its stakeholders. This study performs a 'content' analysis on the AC reports of the top 500 listed companies in India during 2005 to 2008 to determine the in formation content of these reports and the extent to which these reports conform to the Clause 49 requirements of the SEBI. A lso, discussed are the various trends about an AC characteristics viz., size, co mposition, activity, as well as, the e xtent of non-audit services provided by auditors in the listed Indian co mpanies. No doubt, it is essential for the Indian corporations to accept and continue with the CG reforms that are 'demarcated' by the challenges of the 'new' millenniu m.
Publication rates of otolaryngology theses from Turkey in peer-reviewed journals.

OBJECTIVES This study aims to examine the publication or presentation rates of theses in scientific journals and scientific meetings in the field of otorhinolaryngology in Turkey. PATIENTS AND METHODS We randomly surveyed 2,705 specialists in the field of otorhinolaryngology in Turkey as of April 2014. Of these, 245 were applied a questionnaire on the continuation of their academic education, qualifications of the institutions where they were graduated from and worked and the status of their theses in terms of whether their theses were converted into a scientific article or presentation. RESULTS Overall, 47.8% of the participants were still continuing their academic education, while 52.2% were not. The rate of the presentation of the theses at a national meeting was 58.4% and at an international meeting was 10.6%. The rates of publication in a national and international journal were 26.1% and 36.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION As the physical and economic opportunities for experimental researches have increased, students have been encouraged to conduct researches and supportive solutions for the publication of theses have been created.
Alveolar macrophage kinetics and multinucleated giant cell formation after lung injury

Multinucleated giant cells (MGC) are a prominent feature of some chronic inflammatory states in the lung. These cells are formed by macrophage fusion, but how this process relates to the kinetics of alveolar macrophage (AM) production and proliferation is not clear. In this serial study, we compare AM kinetics and MGC formation after instilling carbon, silica, asbestos, bleomycin, and saline into the lungs of mice. Animals were killed up to 16 weeks later with [3H]thymidine injected 1 h before death. Counts of AM and MGC were carried out after bronchoalveolar lavage, and cell labeling was assessed by autoradiography. All test substances induced an inflammatory response with equal AM numbers recovered up to 2 weeks. Subsequently, the number returned to normal after carbon but remained elevated in the other groups. After carbon the lung structure was normal, there was no increase in AM label, and no MGC formed. Bleomycin‐injected lungs progressed to fibrosis with only a brief, small increase in AM labeling and no MGC formation. After silica, and particularly asbestos, the lungs showed fibrosis, and many granulomas with large MGC were seen. Lavaged AM from these lungs showed a significant increase in DNA synthesis after 2 weeks, followed by higher numbers of MGC, none of which were labeled. Labeled AM tended to be free of particles, whereas MGC after 4 weeks contained many particles. The results indicate a relationship between AM proliferation and fusion, whereby AM growth appears to be prerequisite for cell fusion and MGC formation as a feature of granulomatous disease.
Improved detection of respiratory syncytial virus in nasal aspirates by seminested RT‐PCR

A seminested RT‐PCR for amplification of Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)‐RNA in nasal aspirates has been developed and used to test nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) from 132 infants hospitalized with acute respiratory tract infections during winter epidemics. The results were compared with those obtained by virus isolation in tissue culture and antigen detection with an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (Ag‐ELISA). RSV‐RNA was detected by seminested RT‐PCR in 57 of the 59 samples that were positive by virus isolation and/or ELISA, as well as in 25 of 73 samples negative by virus isolation and ELISA. Eighteen of these 25 samples were obtained from children older than one year of age, 17 of whom were experiencing reinfection, as indicated by the presence of preexisting serum RSV‐IgG antibodies. These results indicate that seminested RT‐PCR is more sensitive than conventional methods for the detection of RSV in patients experiencing reinfections and suggest that this assay might also be useful for rapid diagnosis of RSV infections in older people. J. Med. Virol. 53:366–371, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impacts of European livestock production: nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus and greenhouse gas emissions, land-use, water eutrophication and biodiversity

Livestock production systems currently occupy around 28% of the land surface of the European Union (equivalent to 65% of the agricultural land). In conjunction with other human activities, livestock production systems affect water, air and soil quality, global climate and biodiversity, altering the biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon. Here, we quantify the contribution of European livestock production to these major impacts. For each environmental effect, the contribution of livestock is expressed as shares of the emitted compounds and land used, as compared to the whole agricultural sector. The results show that the livestock sector contributes significantly to agricultural environmental impacts. This contribution is 78% for terrestrial biodiversity loss, 80% for soil acidification and air pollution (ammonia and nitrogen oxides emissions), 81% for global warming, and 73% for water pollution (both N and P). The agriculture sector itself is one of the major contributors to these environmental impacts, ranging between 12% for global warming and 59% for N water quality impact. Significant progress in mitigating these environmental impacts in Europe will only be possible through a combination of technological measures reducing livestock emissions, improved food choices and reduced food waste of European citizens.
Know When to Hold Them, Know When to Fold Them: Dealer Behavior in Highly Illiquid Risky Assets

This study examines dealer behavior in a sample of 14,749 corporate bonds that vary in credit rating and liquidity. Our unique data set allows us to identify purchases and sales by individual dealers, enabling us to determine how long a dealer holds a bond purchase in inventory and how much of that initial purchase the dealer sold to customers, and the spread on those sales to customers, and how these vary with credit rating and liquidity of the bond in the past 30 days. We examine 1,477,286 different institutional size purchases by individual dealers and their subsequent sales across 14,749 bonds from August 7, 2002 to July 31, 2008. We find that as dealers holding periods do not necessarily decline as liquidity increases; in fact, dealer’s holding periods for some of the most illiquid bonds (with trades less often than once every three days) are shorter than those bonds that trade five times a day or more. Dealers are also more likely to sell all of their purchase for the less liquid bonds. These effects become stronger as credit quality decreases. Interestingly, previous liquidity or illiquidity has little effect on the spreads dealers charge customers.
Cardiovascular benefits of SGLT2 inhibition in diabetes and chronic kidney diseases

In addition to being a leading cause of end-stage renal disease, diabetes mellitus is also associated with an elevated risk of heart failure. A new class of anti-hyperglycaemic drugs are the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, which attenuate postprandial increases in blood glucose by targeting its reabsorption along the early proximal tubule and enhancing urinary glucose excretion. Because the transport of glucose and Na+ in the proximal tubule is coupled, inhibition of SGLT2 also reduces proximal tubular Na+ and fluid reabsorption, and induces natriuresis and diuresis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Parathyroid hormone fragments may stimulate bone growth in ovariectomized rats by activating adenylyl cyclase

PTH is regarded conventionally as a catabolic hormone that stimulates osteoclastic resorption of bone. However, it has been known since 1932 that intermittent pulses of PTH stimulate bone formation in animals and humans. PTH independently activates two signal mechanisms: one that stimulates adenylyl cyclase and one that stimulates protein kinase C (PKC). The goal of this study was to use the 3‐ to 5‐month‐old ovariectomized (OVX) rat model to determine which of the two signal mechanisms is responsible for the anabolic action of PTH on bone. OVX triggered a large loss of trabecular bone without significantly affecting the normal slow growth of cortical bone in the distal halves of the femora. Daily injections of human hPTH(1–34) fragment (1 nmol/100 g body weight), which stimulated both adenylyl cyclase and membrane‐associated PKC activity in osteoblast‐like ROS 17/2 rat osteosarcoma cells, stimulated the growth of both cortical and trabecular bone in the OVX rats. Daily injections of the same dose of hPTH(1–31), which stimulated adenylyl cyclase but not PKC in ROS 17/2 cells, stimulated trabecular bone growth in the OVX rats less effectively than hPTH(1–34), but it stimulated cortical bone growth as rapidly and as dramatically as hPTH(1–34). Injections of equimolar amounts of desamino‐hPTH(1–34) [N‐propionyl(2–3)hPTH‐amide], which stimulated PKC as strongly as hPTH(1–34) in ROS 17/2 cells but had a drastically reduced ability to stimulate adenylyl cyclase, or injections of recombinant hPTH(8–84) which stimulated PKC only in the ROS 17/2 cells, did not stimulate cortical or trabecular bone growth in the OVX animals. Thus, cyclic AMP and cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinases may be the primary mediators of the anabolic action of intermittent pulses of PTH on bone in OVX rats.
Simultaneous occurrence of two independent vagal reflexes: a possible cause of vagal sudden death

A vagal origin of sudden death has been hypothesised in humans, but it has not yet been clearly demonstrated. Two vagal reflexes have been widely investigated: the diving reflex and the fear-induced central reaction, which are responsible for diving bradycardia and alarm bradycardia, respectively. The latter occurs in humans mainly in the context of emotional presyncope/syncope. A simultaneous occurrence of these two vagal reflexes has been observed in animals that are threatened while diving, and heart rates (HR) as low as two to six beats/min have been reported. In experiments carried out in rats, a high percentage of animals that were stressed before immersion in water died suddenly due to progressive slowing of HR; autopsy revealed no signs of drowning. No animals died if they had not been previously stressed. These data show that vagal sudden death can occur when the vagal cardiac fibres are synergically stimulated by two independent reflexes. In humans, it has been reported that in 10–15% of people who die after falling into water, autopsy reveals little or no water in the lungs. These sudden deaths could be due to vagal overactivity. The development of an adequate laboratory model may improve knowledge of the pathophysiology of this type of vagal sudden death and of its prevention.