Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences a Dual-systems Perspective on Addiction: Contributions from Neuroimaging and Cognitive Training

Dual-systems theories explain lapses in self-control in terms of a conflict between automatic and deliberative modes of behavioral control. Numerous studies have now tested whether the brain areas that control behavior are organized in a manner consistent with dual-systems models. Brain regions directly associated with the mesolimbic dopamine system, the nucleus accumbens and ventromedial prefrontal cortex in particular, capture some of the features assumed by automatic processing. Regions in the lateral prefrontal cortex are more closely linked to deliberative processing and the exertion of self-control in the suppression of impulses. While identifying these regions crudely supports dual-systems theories, important modifications to what constitutes automatic and deliberative behavioral control are also suggested. Experiments have identified various means by which automatic processes may be sculpted. Additional work decomposes deliberative processes into component functions such as generalized working memory, reappraisal of emotional stimuli, and prospection. The importance of deconstructing dual-systems models into specific cognitive processes is clear for understanding and treating addiction. We discuss intervention possibilities suggested by recent research, and focus in particular on cognitive training approaches to bolster deliberative control processes that may aid quit attempts.
Promoting the health and wellbeing of young Black men using community-based drama.

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the role of drama and theatre in promoting the emotional and social wellbeing of a group of young Black men living in south London.Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative methodology was used in a process and outcome evaluation of a drama‐based initiative that aimed to promote young Black men's sexual and emotional health.Findings – The research found that this community‐based initiative was able to promote young people's self‐esteem and a positive sense of agency. This was achieved by creating opportunities for self‐expression, reflection and self‐understanding, and through the development of relationships between participants characterised by trust and reciprocity.Originality/value – The evaluation points to the strengths of youth and community work and arts‐based approaches in engaging young people around health issues and in promoting emotional wellbeing and a positive sense of identity among young people. The evaluation also highlights the usefulness of proces.
Host suitability analysis of the bark beetle Scolytus amygdali (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Abstract Scolytus amygdali is a polyphagous insect pest that feeds on fruit trees and forest trees. Our study assessed the host preference and reproductive potential of S. amygdali on four tree species: almond (Prunus dulcis), apricot (Prunus armeniaca), peach (Prunus persica), and plum (Prunus domestica). Females of S. amygdali produced maternal galleries that were longer on peach than the other three trees, and female fecundity was highest on peach. Females with longer maternal galleries produced more eggs, indicating a positive correlation between maternal gallery length and female fertility. The under-bark development time of S. amygdali is significantly shorter on plum (45 days) and almond (56 days) than on apricot (65 days) and peach (64 days). Despite this longer development time on peach, our results still suggest that, of the four types of tree tested, peach is the most preferred host for S. amygdali.
Dance and the brain: a review

Dance is a universal form of human expression that offers a rich source for scientific study. Dance provides a unique opportunity to investigate brain plasticity and its interaction with behavior. Several studies have investigated the behavioral correlates of dance, but less is known about the brain basis of dance. Studies on dance observation suggest that long‐ and short‐term dance training affect brain activity in the action observation and simulation networks. Despite methodological challenges, the feasibility of conducting neuroimaging while dancing has been demonstrated, and several brain regions have been implicated in dance execution. Preliminary work from our laboratory suggests that long‐term dance training changes both gray and white matter structure. This article provides a critical summary of work investigating the neural correlates of dance. It covers functional neuroimaging studies of dance observation and performance as well as structural neuroimaging studies of expert dancers. To stimulate ongoing dialogue between dance and science, future directions in dance and brain research as well as implications are discussed. Research on the neuroscience of dance will lead to a better understanding of brain–behavior relationships and brain plasticity in experts and nonexperts and can be applied to the development of dance‐based therapy programs.
Evaluation of competition between a native and an invasive hornet species: do seasonal phenologies overlap?

Abstract One common dogma in ecology is based on the competitive exclusion principle. Hence, competition is often considered to be one of the primary determinants of the structure and functioning of ecosystems. In this paper, we investigate how the native Vespa crabro and the recently introduced Vespa velutina show some degree of niche differentiation that potentially minimizes their interspecific competition, the two dimensions investigated here being seasonal activity patterns and preferences for food. These two species share common characteristics: they are closely related, live in the same areas, belong to the same guild (predators), exploit the same kind of food sources, and exhibit a similar annual life cycle. Considering all these similarities, interspecific competition may occur if the two species exhibit identical seasonal phenologies. Our data show that their seasonal phenologies overlap to some extent probably due to biological constraints common to Vespinae. The shifts in time observed here allow the hornet species to not directly compete for food sources at the same time. It does not however exclude indirect competition, especially in a ‘first-come, first-served’ fashion.
Identification of a cKit(+) colonic crypt base secretory cell that supports Lgr5(+) stem cells in mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Paneth cells contribute to the small intestinal niche of Lgr5(+) stem cells. Although the colon also contains Lgr5(+) stem cells, it does not contain Paneth cells. We investigated the existence of colonic Paneth-like cells that have a distinct transcriptional signature and support Lgr5(+) stem cells. METHODS We used multicolor fluorescence-activated cell sorting to isolate different subregions of colon crypts, based on known markers, from dissociated colonic epithelium of mice. We performed multiplexed single-cell gene expression analysis with quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction followed by hierarchical clustering analysis to characterize distinct cell types. We used immunostaining and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analyses with in vivo administration of a Notch inhibitor and in vitro organoid cultures to characterize different cell types. RESULTS Multicolor fluorescence-activated cell sorting could isolate distinct regions of colonic crypts. Four major epithelial subtypes or transcriptional states were revealed by gene expression analysis of selected populations of single cells. One of these, the goblet cells, contained a distinct cKit/CD117(+) crypt base subpopulation that expressed Dll1, Dll4, and epidermal growth factor, similar to Paneth cells, which were also marked by cKit. In the colon, cKit(+) goblet cells were interdigitated with Lgr5(+) stem cells. In vivo, this colonic cKit(+) population was regulated by Notch signaling; administration of a γ-secretase inhibitor to mice increased the number of cKit(+) cells. When isolated from mouse colon, cKit(+) cells promoted formation of organoids from Lgr5(+) stem cells, which expressed Kitl/stem cell factor, the ligand for cKit. When organoids were depleted of cKit(+) cells using a toxin-conjugated antibody, organoid formation decreased. CONCLUSIONS cKit marks small intestinal Paneth cells and a subset of colonic goblet cells that are regulated by Notch signaling and support Lgr5(+) stem cells.
Susceptibility and possible resistance mechanisms in the palm species Phoenix dactylifera, Chamaerops humilis and Washingtonia filifera against Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier, 1790) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Abstract Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, known as the Red Palm Weevil (RPW), is reported as a pest of up to 40 palm species. However, the susceptibility degree and the defense mechanisms of these species against this weevil are still poorly known. In Europe, the RPW is a major pest of Phoenix canariensis while other palm species, including the congeneric Phoenix dactylifera, seem to be less suitable hosts for this insect. The aim of our study was to compare the defensive response of P. dactylifera, Chamaerops humilis and Washingtonia filifera against R. ferrugineus and try to define the mechanisms of resistance that characterize these species. Bioassays were carried out to evaluate the mortality induced on RPW larvae by extracts from the leaf rachis of the studied palm species. Tests at semi-field scale were also conducted, based either on forced palm infestation, with larvae of RPW, or on natural infestation, with adult females. Rachis extracts from C. humilis and W. filifera caused 100% larval mortality after 2 days of exposure, while extracts of P. dactylifera did not impair larval survival. Independently of the effect of the leaf extracts, the weevils were unable to naturally infest the three palm species, although larval survival was high after forced infestation of the plants. We concluded that the observed lack of infestation of P. dactylifera by RPW is due to factors other than antibiosis. In W. filifera and C. humilis, although the presence of antixenosis mechanisms cannot be excluded, resistance to R. ferrugineus seems to rely on the presence of antibiosis compounds.
Selection by mating competitiveness improves the performance of Anastrepha ludens males of the genetic sexing strain Tapachula-7

Abstract The sexual performance of Anastrepha ludens males of the Tapachula-7 genetic sexing strain, produced via selection based on mating success, was compared with that of males produced without selection in competition with wild males. Mating competition, development time, survival, mass-rearing quality parameters and pheromone production were compared. The results showed that selection based on mating competitiveness significantly improved the sexual performance of offspring. Development time, survival of larvae, pupae and adults, and weights of larvae and pupae increased with each selection cycle. Differences in the relative quantity of the pheromone compounds (Z)-3-nonenol and anastrephin were observed when comparing the parental males with the F4 and wild males. The implications of this colony management method on the sterile insect technique are discussed.
Prevalence of Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance Genes in Clinical Enterobacteria from Argentina.

This first nationwide study was conducted to analyze the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes in phenotypically unselected (consecutive) clinical enterobacteria. We studied 1,058 isolates that had been consecutively collected in 66 hospitals of the WHONET-Argentina Resistance Surveillance Network. Overall, 26% of isolates were nonsusceptible to at least one of the three quinolones tested (nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin). The overall prevalence of PMQR genes was 8.1% (4.6% for aac(6')-Ib-cr; 3.9% for qnr genes; and 0.4% for oqxA and oqxB, which were not previously reported in enterobacteria other than Klebsiella spp. from Argentina). The PMQR prevalence was highly variable among the enterobacterial species or when the different genes were considered. The prevalent PMQR genes were located in class 1 integrons [qnrB2, qnrB10, and aac(6')-Ib-cr]; in the ColE1-type plasmid pPAB19-1 or Tn2012-like transposons (qnrB19); and in Tn6238 or bracketed by IS26 and blaOXA-1 [aac(6')-Ib-cr]. The mutations associated with quinolone resistance that were located in the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR mutations) of gyrA, parC, and gyrB were also investigated. The occurrence of QRDR mutations was significantly associated with the presence of PMQR genes: At least one QRDR mutation was present in 82% of the PMQR-harboring isolates but in only 23% of those without PMQR genes (p < 0.0001, Fisher's Test). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the prevalence of PMQR genes in consecutive clinical enterobacteria where all the genes currently known have been screened.
Intergenerational Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence as Familial Risk Factors for Lifetime Attempted Suicide Among Battered Women

This study examines the impact of two factors, intergenerational substance abuse and exposureto domestic violence, on the lifetime attempted suicide histories of adult, minority, batteredwomen residing in a domestic violence shelter. A total of 122 women, mostly African Americanand Latina, were interviewed to obtain their retrospective reports of the frequency and use ofsubstances and on the incidences of domestic violence among their immediate (first-degree) andextended (second-degree) family members. Results revealed that battered women with a historyof suicide attempts (n = 45) were more likely to report substance abuse among both first-degree(specifically fathers) and second-degree relatives than were women without such suicide attempthistories (n = 77). Attempters were also more likely to report witnessing the physical abuse oftheir mothers. The multiple impacts of the extended family are discussed in light of thesefindings.
Clinical and functional outcomes for patients with schizophrenia treated with olanzapine: One-year naturalistic outcomes for inpatients and outpatients in Japan

Purpose: To assess the clinical and functional outcomes of olanzapine treatment for schizophrenia in a 1-year naturalistic study of inpatients and outpatients in Japan. Methods: We used data from a large (N=1850), prospective, observational study of Japanese schizophrenia patients who were initiated on olanzapine. Clinical and functional outcomes of inpatients and outpatients were contrasted using chi-square tests, t-tests, and mixed models for repeated measures controlling for baseline demographics. Results: At study entry, 43.2% were outpatients and 56.8% were inpatients. The mean (± SD) dosage for olanzapine was 11.4 ± 5.7 mg/day. Outpatients were significantly younger and more likely to be female. The most common reason for switching to olanzapine was poor medication efficacy (outpatients: 71.8%, inpatients: 74.3%), followed by medication intolerability (outpatients: 21.5%, inpatients: 28.0%). Most outpatients (63.8%) and inpatients (71.6%, p=.003) completed the study. Outpatients and inpatients experienced clinically and statistically significant improvements in global symptom severity, positive, negative, depressive, and cognitive symptoms, health-related quality of life, paid work, and social activities. Many outpatients (60.9%) and inpatients (50.5%, p<.001) demonstrated symptomatic response, with 51.0% of outpatients and 32.8% of inpatients (p<.001) experiencing remission. Mean weight gain was 2.06 kg, with 26.5% of patients experiencing clinically significant weight gain (≥ 7%). Discussion: In this 1-year naturalistic study, inpatients and outpatients who initiated treatment with olanzapine experienced significant improvements in their clinical and functional outcomes. One-fourth of patients experienced clinically significant weight gain. Current findings highlight the favorable benefit to risk profile of olanzapine for the treatment of schizophrenia in Japan.
Analytical Methods in Gravitational Microlensing

We discuss analytical results dealing with photometric and astrometric gravitational microlensing. The first two sections concern approximation methods that allow us to get solutions of the general lens equation near fold caustics and cusp points up to any prescribed accuracy. Two methods of finding approximate solutions near the fold are worked out. The results are applied to derive new corrections to total amplifications of critical source images. Analytic expressions are obtained in case of the Gaussian, power-law, and limb-darkening extended source models; here we present the first nonzero corrections to the well-known linear caustic approximation. Possibilities to distinguish different source models in observations are discussed on the basis of statistical simulations of microlensed light curves. In the next section, we discuss astrometric microlensing effects in various cases of extended sources and extended lenses, including a simple model of weak statistical microlensing by extended dark matter clumps. Random walks of a distant source image microlensed by stochastic masses are estimated. We note that the bulk motion of foreground stars induces a small apparent rotation of the extragalactic reference frame. Compact analytical relations describing the statistics of such motions are presented.
Sustained responses and loss of HBsAg in HBeAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis B who stop long-term treatment with adefovir.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Little is known about the biochemical and virological effects of stopping long-term nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS We performed a cohort observational study, following 33 HBeAg-negative patients with CHB, undetectable serum HBV DNA, and normal levels of aminotransferases after long-term (4 or 5 years) treatment with adefovir dipivoxil (ADV). All patients were followed for 5.5 years; follow-up visits included measurements of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and HBV DNA monthly for the first 6 months and every 3-6 months thereafter. Various factors were measured at baseline, the end of treatment (EOT), and following treatment to identify those associated with clearance of HBsAg. RESULTS During the first few months of the postdiscontinuation period, all patients experienced virological and 25 (76%) had biochemical relapse. During the follow-up period, 18 patients (55%) who had discontinued antiviral therapy achieved sustained response (HBV DNA level <2000 IU/L, persistently normal level of ALT). Among these, 13 (72%) cleared HBsAg. Fifteen patients (45%) with virological and/or biochemical relapse were re-treated with oral antiviral agents (11 during the first 18 months and 4 after the third year), without evidence of liver decompensation; only 1 lost HBsAg (6%). Higher pretreatment and EOT levels of ALT, no previous treatment with interferon, and lower level of HBsAg at the EOT were significantly associated with HBsAg clearance based on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS In HBeAg-negative patients with CHB, it is safe and effective to discontinue ADV therapy after 4 or 5 years; 55% of patients have sustained responses, and 39% of patients lose HBsAg.
Dilution of body fluid electrolytes affects bioelectrical impedance measurements

This study was designed to assess how acute perturbation in electrolyte concentration of body fluids affects the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) measurement of resistance (R) and derived total body water (TBW) in humans. After an initial measurement of R, subjects drank either water (group W: n = 8, 1211 ± 119 ml) or a hypotonic rehydration beverage (group H: n = 8, 1211 ± 118 ml, 18 mEq/L) or an isotonic solution composed of the rehydration beverage supplemented with 209 mEq/L sodium chloride (group I: n = 8, 1196 ± 118 ml, 308 mEq/L) to produce a 3% increase in TBW. R was measured approximately 3 to 5 minutes following fluid intake, and three additional times at 30‐minute intervals. In all groups, R increased significantly immediately following fluid intake (p ≤0.05). However, the subsequent changes in R were dependent on beverage electrolyte concentration. Ninety minutes after fluid ingestion, the mean R for groups W and H remained elevated, whereas R for group I had decreased significantly (p <.
Persistent effects of chlorine inhalation on respiratory health

Chlorine gas is a toxic respiratory irritant that is considered a chemical threat agent because of the potential for release in industrial accidents or terrorist attacks. Chlorine inhalation damages the respiratory tract, including the airways and distal lung, and can result in acute lung injury. Some individuals exposed to chlorine experience a full recovery from acute injury, whereas others develop persistent adverse effects, such as respiratory symptoms, inflammation, and lung‐function decrements. In animal models, chlorine can produce persistent inflammation, remodeling, and obstruction in large or small airways, depending on species. Airways with pseudostratified epithelia are repaired efficiently, with surviving basal epithelial cells serving as progenitor cells that repopulate the complement of differentiated cell types. Distal airways lacking basal cells are repaired less efficiently, leading to chronic inflammation and fibrosis at these sites. Persistent chlorine‐induced airway disease in humans is treated with asthma medication to relieve symptoms. However, such treatment does not ameliorate the underlying disease pathogenesis, so treatments that are more effective at preventing initial development of airway disease after irritant gas exposure and at reversing established disease are needed.
Neurosteroids for the potential protection of humans against organophosphate toxicity

This article describes the therapeutic potential of neurosteroids as anticonvulsant antidotes for chemical intoxication caused by organophosphate pesticides and nerve agents or gases like sarin and soman. Toxic manifestations following nerve agent exposure, as evident in chemical attacks in Japan and Syria, include hypersecretion, respiratory distress, tremors, convulsions leading to status epilepticus (SE), and death. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, are the current anticonvulsants of choice for controlling nerve agent–induced life‐threatening seizures, SE, and brain injury. Benzodiazepines can control acute seizures when given early, but they are less effective for delayed treatment of SE, which is characterized by rapid desensitization of synaptic GABAA receptors, benzodiazepine resistance, and brain injury. Neurosteroid‐sensitive extrasynaptic GABAA receptors, however, remain unaffected by such events. Thus, anticonvulsant neurosteroids may produce more effective protection than benzodiazepines against a broad spectrum of chemical agents, even when given late after nerve agent exposure.