Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age-related trends in Stroop and conflicting motor response task findings

Inhibition problems are reportedly at the heart of several childhood pathologies and learning disorders, but few instruments are available for their in-depth investigation. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the development of a capacity to inhibit automatic responses in young and middle childhood. For this purpose, 100 children between 6 and 11 years old were administered two tests that measure executive inhibition: an animal Stroop task (in a paper-and-pencil version of the computerized original proposed by Wright and colleagues in 2003) and a conflicting motor response task. Our results indicate that performance clearly improves in both tests during the course of a child's development and the data obtained with the paper-and-pencil animal Stroop task overlap with those obtained with the computerized version. When the task calls for a stronger inhibitory control (the incongruent situation in the Stroop task and in the opposite condition in the conflicting motor response test) the trend of the response times is less homogeneous, peaking in the youngest and oldest age brackets considered. The positivity and significance of the correlation coefficients between the two tests also suggest that the two measures are tapping cognitive abilities that are developing in a parallel fashion.
The influence of epidural blockade on gut permeability in patients undergoing open surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

BACKGROUND Abdominal aortic clamping during aneurysm repair may cause a decrease in splanchnic blood flow and deterioration of gut barrier integrity. Epidural blocks have beneficial effects on vital organs during abdominal surgery, but sparse data are available on the influence on gut permeability during open aortic surgery. The aim of this study was to verify the hypothesis that epidural blocks may have beneficial effects on intestine permeability changes. METHODS Seventy individuals undergoing elective open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair were randomly assigned to receive either balanced anaesthesia (continuous epidural and general anaesthesia, group E&G) or only general anaesthesia (group G). For group E&G, an epidural catheter was inserted into the epidural space before the induction of general anaesthesia. Ropivacaine was used for intraoperative and postoperative blocks. For both groups general anaesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane. For group G, analgesia was provided with remifentanil. The assessments of gut function were based on measurements of the absorption and percentages of urinary excretion of four sugars (m 3-O-methyl-D-glucose, D-xylose, L-rhamnose and lactulose) and the lactulose/rhamnose (L/R) ratio. RESULTS No intergroup differences were observed for sugar recovery or L/R ratio. Significant decreases in 3-O-methyl-D-glucose, D-xylose, and L-rhamnose recoveries were revealed in both examined groups when comparing the results obtained at 12 and 24 hours following the administration of anaesthesia. The rate of blood pressure decrease was significantly higher in group E&G. CONCLUSIONS Aortic clamping during open abdominal aortic repair led to unfavorable changes in intestinal permeability. Epidural block did not attenuate this deterioration.
Lipoprotein Lipase Immobilization onto Porous Chitosan Beads

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) was covalently immobilized onto the surface of porous chitosan beads (ChB) without or with spacers of different lengths. The relative activity (RA) of the immobilized LPL was found to be high toward a small ester substrate, p‐nitrophenyl laurate (pNPL). LPL immobilized with spacer gave an almost constant activity, in marked contrast with the immobilized LPL without spacer, whose activity decreased with decreasing surface concentration. Further, the RA of LPL immobilized with spacer was higher than that of LPL immobilized without a spacer. The pH, thermal, and storage stabilities of the immobilized LPL were higher than those of the free one. LPL immobilized directly to the surface of ChB without any spacer gave a higher stability than that immobilized with spacer, in spite of the lower RA. The spacer effect on RA could be explained in terms of the mobility of the immobilized LPL molecule.
Classification strategies for the grading of renal cell carcinomas, based on nuclear morphometry and densitometry

The various grading systems proposed for renal cell carcinomas all suffer from problems related to inter‐observer variability. Some of these grading systems are based, either partially or wholly, on morphonuclear criteria, such as nuclear size and shape, anisonucleosis, and chromatin pattern. These criteria can be quantitatively (and thus objectively) evaluated by means of the computer‐assisted microscopic analysis of Feulgen‐stained nuclei. In the present work, 39 quantitative variables, including two morphometric, 28 chromatin pattern‐related, and nine DNA ploidy level‐related, were computed for 65 renal cell carcinomas. The actual diagnostic information contributed by each variable was determined by means of multifactorial statistical analysis (discriminant analysis) and two artificial intelligence‐related methods of data classification (the decision tree and production rule methods). The results show that quantitative information, as provided by the computer‐assisted microscopy of Feulgen‐stained nuclei and analysed by means of artificial intelligence‐related methods of data classification, contributes significant diagnostic information for the grading of renal cell carcinoma, thus reducing the problem of inter‐observer reproducibility. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
JunB Is Involved in the Inhibition of Myogenic Differentiation by Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2*

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) constitute a family of multifunctional growth and differentiation factors structurally related to transforming growth factor-β. BMPs were first identified by their osteoinductive effects, inducing ectopic bone formation when implanted in skeletal muscle, and have an important role as regulators of skeletal development in vivo. In vitro, BMP-2 is able to transdifferentiate myogenic C2C12 cells into the osteoblastic phenotype. In this report, we show that the osteoinductive effects of BMP-2 in C2C12 cells are mediated by bone morphogenetic protein receptor type-IA in combination with both activin receptor type II and bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II. We also analyzed the expression levels of nuclear protooncogenes to understand early transcriptional events induced by BMP-2. We show thatjunB is an immediate early gene induced by BMP-2 and transforming growth factor-β. BMP-2 induces transcriptional activation of JunB expression as early as 30 min after ligand addition, reaching maximal levels after 90 min. Increase of JunB mRNA correlates with a higher AP-1 binding activity. Furthermore, ectopic overexpression of JunB is sufficient to inhibit expression of myoblast differentiation markers in C2C12 cells. These data, taken together, show the involvement of JunB in the early steps of inhibition of myogenic differentiation induced by transforming growth factor-β family members.
Peripheral Circadian Clocks—A Conserved Phenotype?

The circadian system of mammals regulates the timing of occurrence of behavioral and physiological events, thereby optimizing adaptation to their surroundings. This system is composed of a single master pacemaker located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and a population of peripheral clocks. The SCN integrates time information from exogenous sources and, in turn, synchronizes the downstream peripheral clocks. It is assumed that under normal conditions, the circadian phenotype of different peripheral clocks would be conserved with respect to its period and robustness. To study this idea, we measured the daily wheel-running activity (WRA; a marker of the SCN output) in 84 male inbred LEW/Crl rats housed under a 12 h:12 h light-dark cycle. In addition, we assessed the mRNA expression of two clock genes, rPer2 and rBmal1, and one clock-controlled gene, rDbp, in four tissues that have the access to time cues other than those emanating from the SCN: olfactory bulbs (OBs), liver, tail skin, and white blood cells (WBCs). In contrast with the assumption stated above, we found that circadian clocks in peripheral tissues differ in the temporal pattern of the expression of circadian clock genes, in the robustness of the rhythms, and possibly in the number of functional ∼24-h-clock cells. Based on the tissue diversity in the robustness of the clock output, the hepatic clock is likely to house the highest number of functional ∼24-h-clock cells, and the OBs, the fewest number. Thus, the phenotype of the circadian clock in the periphery is tissue specific and may depend not only on the SCN but also on the sensitivity of the tissue to non-SCN-derived time cues. In the OBs and liver, the circadian clock phenotypes seem to be dominantly shaped by the SCN output. However, in the tail skin and WBC, other time cues participate in the phenotype design. Finally, our study suggests that the basic phenotype of the circadian clock is constructed at the transcript level of the core clock genes. Yet, additional posttranscriptional and translational events can contribute to the robustness and periodicity of the clock output. (Author correspondence: shimon.amir@concordia.ca)
What are the functional outcomes of right hemisphere stroke patients with or without hemi-inattention complications? A critical narrative review and suggestions for further research

Abstract Purpose: There is widespread acceptance that patients demonstrating neglect/hemi-inattention (HI) following right hemisphere stroke (RHS) underachieve functionally compared to their counterparts without neglect. However, empirical evidence for this view needs examination. The purpose of this review is to critically appraise relevant studies that compared outcomes from RHS patients with/without hemi-attention and suggest more robust follow-up research. Method: Twelve studies published in 1995–2013 were critically reviewed. Two independent reviewers appraised design features including sample representation, assessment and data analysis methods. Strengths and limitations were highlighted. Results: Results were largely inconsistent. Considerable heterogeneity within patient groups and across studies complicated interpretation. Evidence suggested average group disparity in scores between patients with and without HI at discharge but the cause of functional disparity could not be attributed specifically to HI from the data and modelling results available. Conclusion: The relationship between HI status and functional recovery warrants further investigation in studies with stronger methodology to ensure rigour and robustness in the results. Pending further research, HI status should not be regarded as a key predictor of functional recovery or rehabilitation potential in patients with RHSs. This group should continue to receive appropriate therapeutic intervention aimed at maximising their functional recovery post-stroke. Implications for Rehabilitation Findings from this review demonstrate a paucity of evidence to support the presence of hemi-inattention as a key predictor of functional recovery in patients with right hemisphere stroke; as such, practitioners should take this into consideration when planning rehabilitation programmes of their patients. In the initial months following right hemisphere stroke, there are wide-ranging differences in the rate and amount of functional recovery in patients, with and without hemi-inattention. Practitioners should not limit the aspirations of their patients based on the presence or absence of hemi-inattention. This review has identified a number of measurement limitations in commonly employed assessment tools for hemi-inattention and overall functional recovery. As such, practitioners should take the limitations of specific measures into account when interpreting the results contextually and with respect to their patients’ situation.
Noncooperative Game-Based Distributed Charging Control for Plug-In Electric Vehicles in Distribution Networks

Increasing penetration of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) has a substantial impact on the operation of power distribution networks. Given the fast-growing load demands from PEVs and unmatched infrastructure investment in transformer and feeder capacity, the PEV charging is subjected to both spatially and temporally security constraints beyond which the network failure may occur. This paper proposes a game-theory-based distributed charging control method to coordinate large-scale PEVs without compromising the security of the distribution network. Under a noncooperative game framework, a price-driven charging model is designed to minimize the cost of each individual PEV customer while satisfying the network loading constraints. Then, a Newton-type method is developed to find a better Nash equilibrium of the game model at a superlinear convergence rate. Furthermore, an accelerated gradient method is proposed to tackle the subproblem for each user's best response. The update of the user's best response is implemented in a distributed way in order to protect user's privacy. The convergence rate of the proposed algorithms is rigorously proved. The effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed methods are tested on the IEEE 13-bus system.
Linearity of Refractive Change with Age in Childhood Myopia Progression

ABSTRACT Refractive records of young myopic patients were collected from six optometry practices. Statistical tests for linearity (F‐test and statistical significance of the correlation coefficient) were applied to the myopic measurements made between 6 and 15 years of age. In 90 to 94% of these patients, refractive changes with time were linear. Refractive changes are greater when a patient is myopic rather than hyperopic or emmetropic.
A Comparison of HIV Detection Rates Using Routine Opt-out Provider-Initiated HIV Testing and Counseling Versus a Standard of Care Approach in a Rural African Setting

Background:Routine opt-out provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling (PITC) remains underutilized in sub-Saharan Africa. By selectively targeting clients who either volunteer or have clinical indications of HIV disease, standard approaches to HIV counseling and testing are presumed more cost-efficient than PITC. Methods:One thousand two hundred twenty-one patients aged 15-49 years were seen by 22 practitioners in a mobile clinic in southern Zambia. A random sample of physicians was assigned to administer PITC, whereas the remaining practitioners offered standard non-PITC (ie, voluntary or diagnostic). Questionnaires assessed patient demographics and attitudes toward HIV. HIV detection rates were stratified by referral type, demographics, and HIV-related knowledge and attitudes. Results:HIV prevalence was 10.6%. Infection rates detected using PITC [11.1%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 8.8% to 13.5%] and standard non-PITC (10.0%; 95% CI: 7.5% to 12.5%) did not significantly differ (odds ratio = 1.01; 95% CI: 0.67 to 1.52; P = 0.95). Patients who did not request testing or demonstrate clinical indicators of HIV did not have significantly higher HIV prevalence than those who did (odds ratio = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.55 to 1.24; P = 0.36). Implementation of PITC was highly acceptable and produced a 3-fold increase in patients tested per practitioner compared with standard non-PITC (114 vs. 34 patients per practitioner, respectively). Conclusions:PITC detected a comparable HIV infection rate as a standard non-PITC approach among rural adults seeking primary care services. Widespread implementation of PITC may therefore lead to significantly more cases of HIV detected.
Spatial Compression Produced by a Stationary Low-Vision Telescope

Purpose. Geometrical analysis of the monocular information for visual space perception predicts that the magnification produced by a low-vision telescope will compress the depth dimension of space. To test this prediction we measured the compression in depth of perceived shape while looking through a stationary telescope. To control for the other aspects of telescopic viewing, apart from magnification, we also measured perception while looking through a plain tube having the same field of view. Methods. A 2.75× Keplarian telescope was mounted 40 cm above a tabletop patterned with receding stripes. The 11.6° field of view was centered on a series of rectangular stimulus cards lying flat on the table at a distance of 100 cm. Participants monocularly viewed each card through the telescope, or through a tube having the same field of view, and verbally judged the card’s perceived length (in depth) relative to its width (in the frontal plane). Results. Perceptual compression of shape was calculated by dividing the perceived proportion (length/width) by the actual proportion. The telescope and the tube both produced significant perceptual compression, but perception was significantly more compressed through the telescope (0.43) than through the tube (0.52). Conclusions. The magnification produced by a stationary low-vision telescope can result in a compression of perceived depth. In addition, other aspects of telescopic viewing, such as monocular vision, restricted head movements, and a restricted field of view, can together contribute substantially to such compression. Further research is needed to assess the clinical implications of these results.
Ethnic differences in early pregnancy maternal n-3 and n-6 fatty acid concentrations: an explorative analysis

Ethnicity-related differences in maternal n-3 and n-6 fatty acid status may be relevant to ethnic disparities in birth outcomes observed worldwide. The present study explored differences in early pregnancy n-3 and n-6 fatty acid composition of maternal plasma phospholipids between Dutch and ethnic minority pregnant women in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with a focus on the major functional fatty acids EPA (20 : 5n-3), DHA (22 : 6n-3), dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA; 20 : 3n-6) and arachidonic acid (AA; 20 : 4n-6). Data were derived from the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD) cohort (inclusion January 2003 to March 2004). Compared with Dutch women (n 2443), Surinamese (n 286), Antillean (n 63), Turkish (n 167) and Moroccan (n 241) women had generally lower proportions of n-3 fatty acids (expressed as percentage of total fatty acids) but higher proportions of n-6 fatty acids (general linear model; P < 0·001). Ghanaian women (n 54) had higher proportions of EPA and DHA, but generally lower proportions of n-6 fatty acids (P < 0·001). Differences were most pronounced in Turkish and Ghanaian women, who, by means of a simple questionnaire, reported the lowest and highest fish consumption respectively. Adjustment for fish intake, however, hardly attenuated the differences in relative EPA, DHA, DGLA and AA concentrations between the various ethnic groups. Given the limitations of this observational study, further research into the ethnicity-related differences in maternal n-3 and n-6 fatty acid patterns is warranted, particularly to elucidate the explanatory role of fatty acid intake v. metabolic differences.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the antibiotic treatment for infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis: an update

Abstract Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) is a common and important disease of calves. Without effective vaccines, antibiotic therapy is often implemented to minimize the impact of IBK. This review updates a previously published systematic review regarding comparative efficacy for antibiotic treatments of IBK. Available years of Centre for Biosciences and Agriculture International and MEDLINE databases were searched, including non-English results. Also searched were the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and World Buiatrics Congress conference proceedings from 1996 to 2016, reviews since 2013, reference lists from relevant trials, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration New Animal Drug Application summaries. Eligible studies assessed antibiotic treatment of naturally-occurring IBK in calves randomly allocated to group at the individual level. Outcomes of interest were clinical score, healing time, unhealed ulcer risk, and ulcer surface area. A mixed-effects model comparing active drug with placebo was employed for all outcomes. Heterogeneity was assessed visually and using Cochran's Q-test. Thirteen trials assessing nine treatments were included. Compared with placebo, most antibiotic treatments were effective. There was evidence that the treatment effect differed by day of outcome measurement. Visually, the largest differences were observed 7–14 days post-treatment. These results indicate improved IBK healing with many antibiotics and suggest the need for randomized trials comparing different antibiotic treatments.
Functional Dissociation within the Entorhinal Cortex for Memory Retrieval of an Association between Temporally Discontiguous Stimuli

Anatomical connectivity and single neuron coding suggest a segregation of information representation within lateral (LEC) and medial (MEC) portions of the entorhinal cortex, a brain region serving as the primary input/output of the hippocampus and maintaining widespread connections to many association cortices. The present study aimed to expand this idea by examining whether these two subregions differentially contribute to memory retrieval for an association between temporally discontiguous stimuli. We found that reversible inactivation of the LEC, but not the MEC, severely impaired the retrieval of the recently and remotely acquired memory in rat trace eyeblink conditioning, in which a stimulus-free interval was interposed between the conditioned and unconditioned stimulus. Conversely, inactivation of the LEC had no effect on retrieval in delay eyeblink conditioning, where two stimuli were presented without an interval. Therefore, the LEC, but not the MEC, plays a long-lasting role in the retrieval of a memory for an association between temporally discontiguous stimuli.
The Coronatine Toxin of Pseudomonas syringae Is a Multifunctional Suppressor of Arabidopsis Defense[W][OA]

The bacterial phytotoxin coronatine mimics a plant hormone, jasmonic acid, and thus antagonizes signaling by another plant hormone, salicylic acid, important for plant defense. This study demonstrates that coronatine also suppresses SA-independent host defense, including the production of defense-promoting indole glucosinolates and has a target other than the jasmonic acid receptor. The phytotoxin coronatine (COR) promotes various aspects of Pseudomonas syringae virulence, including invasion through stomata, growth in the apoplast, and induction of disease symptoms. COR is a structural mimic of active jasmonic acid (JA) conjugates. Known activities of COR are mediated through its binding to the F-box–containing JA coreceptor CORONATINE INSENSITIVE1. By analyzing the interaction of P. syringae mutants with Arabidopsis thaliana mutants, we demonstrate that, in the apoplastic space of Arabidopsis, COR is a multifunctional defense suppressor. COR and the critical P. syringae type III effector HopM1 target distinct signaling steps to suppress callose deposition. In addition to its well-documented ability to suppress salicylic acid (SA) signaling, COR suppresses an SA-independent pathway contributing to callose deposition by reducing accumulation of an indole glucosinolate upstream of the activity of the PEN2 myrosinase. COR also suppresses callose deposition and promotes bacterial growth in coi1 mutant plants, indicating that COR may have multiple targets inside plant cells.