Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant micronutrients for lung disease in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND Airway infection leads to progressive damage of the lungs in cystic fibrosis (CF), partly due to oxidative stress. Supplementation of antioxidant micronutrients (vitamin E, vitamin C, ß-carotene and selenium) may help maintain an oxidant-antioxidant balance. Current literature suggests a relationship between oxidative status and lung function. OBJECTIVES To synthesize existing knowledge of the effect of vitamin C, vitamin E, ß-carotene and selenium in CF lung disease. SEARCH STRATEGY The Cochrane CF and Genetic Disorders Group CF Trials Register, PubMed, CINAHL and AMED were searched using detailed search strategies. We contacted authors of included studies and checked reference lists of these studies for additional, potentially relevant studies.Last search of CF Trials Register: 09 September 2010. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized controlled trials of people with CF with explicitly stated diagnostic criteria, comparing vitamin E, vitamin C, ß-carotene and selenium (individually or in combination) to placebo or standard care. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently selected trials, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. We contacted trialists to obtain missing information. Primary outcomes are lung function and quality of life; secondary outcomes are oxidative stress, inflammation, body mass index, days on antibiotics and adverse events during supplementation. If meta-analysed, studies were subgrouped according to combined or single antioxidant supplementation. MAIN RESULTS Four randomized controlled trials and one quasi-randomized controlled trial were included; only three trials (87 participants) presented data suitable for analysis. Based on two trials, there was no significant improvement in lung function; one trial indicated significant improvement in quality of life favouring control, mean difference -0.06 points on the quality of well-being scale (95% confidence interval -0.12 to -0.01). Based on two trials, selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase enzyme significantly improved in favour of combined supplementation, mean difference 1.60 units per gram of haemoglobin (95% CI 0.30 to 2.90) and selenium supplementation, mean difference 10.20 units per gram of haemoglobin (95% CI 2.22 to 18.18). All plasma antioxidant levels, except vitamin C, significantly improved with supplementation. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There appears to be conflicting evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness of antioxidant supplementation in CF. Based on the evidence, antioxidants appear to decrease quality of life and oxidative stress; however, few trials contributed data towards analysis. Further trials examining clinically important outcomes and elucidation of a clear biological pathway of oxidative stress in CF are necessary before a firm conclusion regarding effects of antioxidants supplementation can be drawn.
A comparison of neuropsychiatric adverse events during 12 weeks of treatment with etravirine and efavirenz in a treatment-naive, HIV-1-infected population

Background:Although efavirenz is a universally recommended treatment for naive HIV-infected individuals, neuropsychiatric adverse events are common. Methods:The Study of Efavirenz NeuropSychiatric Events versus Etravirine (SENSE) trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which 157 treatment-naive individuals with HIV-RNA higher than 5000 copies/ml were randomized to etravirine 400 mg once daily (n = 79) or to efavirenz 600 mg once daily (n = 78), with two investigator-selected nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). The primary end point was the percentage of patients with grade 1–4 drug-related treatment-emergent neuropsychiatric adverse events up to week 12. Results:The study population were 81% men and 85% whites, with a median age of 36 years, baseline CD4 cell counts of 302 cells/μl and HIV-RNA of 4.8 log10 copies/ml. In the intent-to-treat analysis, 13 of 79 individuals (16.5%) in the etravirine arm and 36 of 78 individuals (46.2%) in the efavirenz arm showed at least one grade 1–4 drug-related treatment-emergent neuropsychiatric adverse event (P < 0.001). The number with at least one grade 2–4 drug-related treatment-emergent neuropsychiatric adverse event was four of 79 individuals (5.1%) in the etravirine arm and 13 of 78 individuals (16.7%) in the efavirenz arm (P = 0.019). The change in HIV-RNA to week 12 was −2.9 log10 in both treatment arms. The median rise in CD4 cell counts was 146 cells/μl in the etravirine arm and 121 cells/μl in the efavirenz arm. Conclusions:After 12 weeks, first-line treatment with etravirine 400 mg once daily with two NRTIs was associated with significantly fewer neuropsychiatric adverse events when compared with efavirenz with two NRTIs. The virological and immunological efficacy profile was similar between the two arms.
Blocking of feline immunodeficiency virus infection by a monoclonal antibody to CD9 is via inhibition of virus release rather than interference with receptor binding

A monoclonal antibody, MAb vpg15, inhibits feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection in tissue culture. The antibody is directed to a determinant of the feline cell surface marker, CD9, implying that CD9 may serve as a viral receptor or coreceptor in this system. In cells expressing CD9, MAb vpg15 markedly delayed acute virus infection in terms of reverse transcriptase activity detected in cell culture supernatants. This effect was evident if the antibody was added before, immediately after, or 24 h after virus infection. Binding experiments showed that MAb vpg15 did not block virus binding to the cells. PCR analyses at various intervals postinfection also indicated that MAb vpg15 did not block virus uptake, reverse transcription of viral RNA, or integration into host cell DNA. Multiply spliced mRNAs were detected up to 24 h postinfection in both control and MAb vpg15-treated cells. However, viral mRNAs were markedly diminished in MAb vpg15-treated cells after this time, consistent with a failure of the FIV infection to spread in the cell culture. Treatment of chronically infected cells with MAb vpg15 also caused a sharp diminution in viral particle production, while viral mRNA levels were the same in both untreated and MAb-treated infected cells. Analyses of intracellular and extracellular levels of virus-associated antigens showed an enhanced accumulation of intracellular p24. These findings are consistent with the interpretation that MAb vpg15 acts at a posttranscriptional stage by interfering with the assembly and/or release of virus from the cell.
The neural architecture of expert calendar calculation: A matter of strategy?

Savants and prodigies are individuals with exceptional skills in particular mental domains. In the present study we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine neural correlates of calendar calculation in two individuals, a savant with Asperger's disorder and a self-taught mathematical prodigy. If there is a modular neural organization of exceptional performance in a specific mental domain, calendar calculation should be reflected in a considerable overlap in the recruitment of brain circuits across expert individuals. However, considerable individual differences in activation patterns during calendar calculation were noted. The present results indicate that activation patterns produced by complex mental processing, such as calendar calculation, seem to be influenced strongly by learning history and idiosyncratic strategy usage rather than a modular neural organization. Thus, well-known individual differences in complex cognition play a major role even in experts with exceptional abilities in a particular mental domain and should in particular be considered when examining the neural architecture of complex mental processes and skills.
El Sistema Internacional de Imágenes Afectivas (IAPS): Adaptación Española. Segunda parte

Resumen Se presentan los valores normativos de la adaptacion espanola de los conjuntos 9-14 (segunda parte) del International Affective Picture System (IAPS). Los resultados muestran una alta consistencia con los obtenidos en la primera parte de la adaptacion espanola y con los valores originales norteamericanos. La distribucion de las diapositivas en el espacio bidimensional valencia-arousal adopta la tipica forma de boomerang, observandose una menor inclinacion, junto con una mayor dispersion, en el brazo que se extiende hacia el polo agradable que en el brazo que se extiende hacia el polo desagradable. Las correlaciones entre las evaluaciones norteamericanas y espanolas son todas altamente significativas. No obstante, se confirman las diferencias encontradas en la primera parte del trabajo, en el sentido de que los espanoles perciben las imagenes afectivas, en su conjunto, con mayor nivel de activacion y menor nivel de control que los norteamericanos. Asimismo, se confirman las diferencias de genero encontradas anteriormente: las mujeres otorgan a las imagenes un mayor nivel de activacion y un nivel menor de control que los varones. Aunque no existen diferencias significativas en las estimaciones globales de la valencia afectiva, las imagenes evaluadas como mas agradables por varones y mujeres son claramente diferentes. Las implicaciones de los resultados con respecto al modelo teorico que subyace al IAPS son resaltadas. Palabras clave: emocion, valencia afectiva, arousal, dominancia, diferencias transculturales, diferencias de genero.
Congenital sensory neuropathy

Two infants with sporadic congenital sensory neuropathy are described. The criteria of generalized lack of superficial sensory appreciation, hypotonia, areflexia, together with histological evidence of abnormalities of sensory neural structures in skin and peripheral nerves have been met. No abnormality of motor or autonomic nerves was shown.
Oncostatin M regulates neural precursor activity in the adult brain

The regulation of neural precursor cell (NPC) activity is the major determinant of the rate of neuronal production in neurogenic regions of the adult brain. Here, we show that Oncostatin M (Osm) and its receptor, OsmRβ, are both expressed in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and that in contradistinction to leukemia inhibitory factor and ciliary neutrophic factor, Osm directly inhibits the proliferation of adult NPCs as measured by a decreased level of neurosphere formation in vitro. Similarly, intraventricular infusion of Osm dramatically decreases the pool of NPCs in both the SVZ and the hippocampus. In keeping with the inhibitory action of Osm, we reveal that mice lacking OsmRβ have substantially more NPCs in the SVZ, the hippocampus and the olfactory bulb, demonstrating that endogenous Osm signaling is important for NPC homeostasis. Finally, we show that Osm can also inhibit clonal growth of glioblastoma‐derived neurospheres, further supporting the close link between NPCs and tumor stem cells. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 71: 619–633, 2011
Criterion and predictive validity of the diagnosis of adjustment disorder: a prospective study of youths with new-onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE The authors examined the criterion and predictive validity of the diagnosis of adjustment disorder in a pediatric study group. METHOD Ninety-two school-age children with new-onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were evaluated repeatedly and were diagnosed by using DSM-III. The criteria for adjustment disorder were further operationalized by requiring four clinically significant symptoms or signs; the time frame for its onset was extended to 6 months after the diagnosis of insulin-dependent diabetes. Predictive validity was assessed in terms of new psychiatric disorders other than adjustment disorder during the next 5 years. RESULTS Of the 92 children, 33 developed adjustment disorder and five developed other psychiatric disorders in response to the diagnosis of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Mean time from diabetes diagnosis to onset of adjustment disorder was 29 days, the average episode length was 3 months, and the recovery rate was 100%. Among youths with adjustment disorder in response to the medical diagnosis, the 5-year cumulative probability of a new psychiatric disorder was 0.48, compared to 0.16 among the other youths. CONCLUSIONS The findings generally support the criterion validity of the diagnosis of adjustment disorder. However, episode duration and the predictive validity of the diagnosis appear to be functions of the study group being examined. In nonpsychiatrically referred pediatric patients, early problems in adaptation to the stress of changed health status, as evidenced by adjustment disorder, appear to signal vulnerability to later psychopathology.
Increased carotid plaque burden in men with the fibrillin‐1 2/3 genotype

Fibrillin‐1 (FBN1) is an important constituent of the vascular wall and earlier studies have indicated an effect of the FBN1 2/3 genotype on blood pressure as well as aortic stiffness in men. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the FBN1 2/3 genotype was associated with the presence of carotid plaque and incident cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in middle‐aged subjects. The FBN1 genotype was characterized in 5765 subjects (2424 men, 3341 women; age 45–69 years) recruited from the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study Cardiovascular Cohort, Sweden. Plaque occurrence and intima–media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery were assessed by ultrasound. The incidence of first cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction and stroke) and cause‐specific mortality were monitored over a mean follow‐up period of 13.2 years. The most common FBN1 genotypes were 2/2, 2/3 and 2/4, which accounted for 92.2% (n = 5317) of subjects. There were no differences between the three genotypes regarding age, blood pressure, glucose, lipids, smoking habits, common carotid artery diameter and intima–media thickness in men and women. The presence of plaque in the carotid artery was higher in men with the 2/3 genotype compared with the 2/2 and 2/4 genotypes (55% vs 46% and 50%, respectively; P = 0.007). No similar differences were observed in women. No significant relationship was observed between FBN1 genotypes and the incidence of cardiovascular disease or all‐cause mortality. The increased prevalence of plaque in the carotid artery of middle‐aged men with the FBN1 2/3 genotype indicates pathological arterial wall remodelling with a more pronounced atherosclerotic burden.
Inducible Cre recombinase activity in mouse cerebellar granule cell precursors and inner ear hair cells

A transgenic mouse line expressing the CreERTM fusion protein under the control of the Math1 enhancer was generated. Expression of the transgene in the postnatal mouse was restricted to hair cells of the inner ear and granule neurons in the external granule layer of the cerebellum in a temporally regulated manner. Cre activity was virtually nonexistent in uninduced mice; however, treatment of newborn pups with tamoxifen, leading to nuclear translocation of the fusion protein, resulted in efficient recombination at LoxP sites in the appropriate cell types. Up to two thirds of cerebellar granule neurons and 80–90% of cochlear hair cells underwent Cre‐specific recombination. This mouse line provides a powerful tool to dissect gene function at early and late stages in development of the cerebellum and inner ear. Developmental Dynamics 235:2991–2998, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinicians' Implicit and Explicit Attitudes about Weight and Race and Treatment Approaches to Overweight for American Indian Children.

PURPOSE Obesity is one of the most serious health problems among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children. We investigated Indian Health Service (IHS) primary care providers' implicit and explicit attitudes about weight and race and their association with treatment approaches to overweight in children. METHODS We conducted an online survey of long-term primary care clinicians in two western regions of the IHS. We used the existing Weight Attitude Implicit Association Test (IAT) and developed a new Native American Attitude IAT to measure implicit attitudes. Explicit attitudes about weight and race were assessed through self-report. We assessed self-rated treatment approaches to childhood overweight. We used linear regression models to evaluate the association of attitudes about weight and race with treatment approaches. RESULTS Our sample included 75 clinicians (56% response rate) who, on average, saw 74 patients per week. Fifty-five percent of clinicians reported that 30-60% of their child and adolescent patients were overweight or obese, and 25% of clinicians reported that 60-100% of their patients were overweight or obese. We found strong implicit bias favoring thin people (Cohen's d=1.44) and weak implicit bias favoring whites (Cohen's d=0.35). We found no association between implicit or explicit bias scores and self-reported treatment of childhood overweight. Continuing education on obesity was associated with self-rated success and competence in weight management. CONCLUSIONS Weight and race bias exists among long-term IHS clinicians, but may not influence treatment approaches for overweight AI/AN children. Further research should assess the effect of clinicians' attitudes on real-world weight management.
2 Role of Anthocyanins in Plant Defence

In addition to their well-documented beneficial effects on plant physiological processes, anthocyanins have also been proposed to function in a diverse array of plant/animal interactions. These include the attraction of pollinators and frugivores, as well as the repellence of herbivores and parasites. The optical properties of anthocyanins may serve as visual signals to potential herbivores, indicating a strong metabolic investment in toxic or unpalatable chemicals. Anthocyanins have also been implicated in the camouflage of plant parts against their backgrounds, in the undermining of insect crypsis, and in the mimicry of defensive structures. These hypotheses have in recent years attracted strong theoretical support and increasing experimental evidence. We emphasize that both the defensive and the physiological functions of anthocyanins may operate in plants simultaneously.
Exploring Multiplexity: Social Network Structures in a Computer-Supported Distance Learning Class

A computer-mediated group is a complex entity whose members exchange many types of information via multiple means of communication in pursuit of goals specific to their environment. Over time, they coordinate technical features of media with locally enacted use to achieve a viable working arrangement. To explore this complex interaction, a case study is presented of the social networks of interactions and media use among members of a class of computer-supported distance learners. Results show how group structures associated with project teams dominated who communicated with whom, about what, and via which media over the term, and how media came to occupy their own communication niches: Webboard for diffuse class-wide communication; Internet Relay Chat more to named others but still for general communication across the class; and e-mail primarily for intrateam communication. Face-to-face interaction, occurring only during a short on-campus session, appears to have had a catalytic effect on social and emotional exchanges. Results suggest the need to structure exchanges to balance class-wide sharing of ideas with subgroup interactions that facilitate project completion, and to provide media that support these two modes of interaction.
Eléments sur la croissance de la crevette grise, Crangon crangon (L.), en Manche-Est et en Sud mer du Nord.

A partir d'une base de donnees tres importantes de mensurations acquises de 1977 a 1982, une approche de la croissance suivant la methode de Petersen est abordee. Une discrimination des sexes a ete realisee et, selon l’hypothese d'un gonochorisme, ce sont les femelles qui sont l’objet d'une etude plus precise (methode d'HASSELBALD). Les structures demographiques entre les deux secteurs etudies sont comparees.
Stable knockdown of Aurora-A by vector-based RNA interference in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line inhibits tumor cell proliferation, invasion and enhances apoptosis

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most malignant cancers, and the existing treatment approaches have not been able to effectively manage this dreaded cancer. Therefore, continuing efforts are ongoing to explore novel targets and strategies for the management of ESCC. It has been shown that amplification and overexpression of the Aurora-A occur in several types of human tumors, including ESCC. Moreover, overexpression of Aurora-A is shown to associate with the grades of tumor differentiation and metastasis of ESCC. These render Aurora-A an interesting target for antitumor therapy. Recently, vector-based RNA interference (RNAi) expression systems have been successfully used to silence gene expression, but knockdown of Aurora-A by vector-based RNAi as a therapeutic model for ESCC treatment is not fully established. In this study, we used a DNA vector-based RNAi approach by expressing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) to knock down Aurora-A. Western blotting analysis and reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) showed that expressions of Aurora-A were efficiently downregulated at both the protein and mRNA levels by stable transfection with Aurora-A siRNA expression vector. The stable suppression of Aurora-A expression inhibited the proliferation and invasion of EC9706 cells. Furthermore, when Aurora-A was stably downregulated, cisplatin-induced cytotoxic effects and apoptosis were increased dramatically. These data indicate that vector-mediated silencing of the Aurora-A gene may provide new avenues toward the study of the role of Aurora-A overexpression in tumor cells. Make a novel therapeutic approach to treatment of ESCC and other malignant tumors overexpressing Aurora-A.