Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrophysiological and morphological characteristics of three subtypes of rat globus pallidus neurone in vitro

1 Neurones of the globus pallidus (GP) have been classified into three subgroups based on the visual inspection of current clamp electrophysiological properties and morphology of biocytin‐filled neurones. 2 Type A neurones (132/208; 63 %) were identified by the presence of the time‐ and voltage‐dependent inward rectifier (Ih) and the low‐threshold calcium current (It) giving rise to anodal break depolarisations. These cells were quiescent or fired regular spontaneous action potentials followed by biphasic AHPs. Current injection evoked regular activity up to maximum firing frequency of 350 Hz followed by moderate spike frequency adaptation. The somata of type A cells were variable in shape (20 × 12 μm) while their dendrites were highly varicose. 3 Type B neurones (66/208; 32 %) exhibited neither Ih nor rebound depolarisations and only a fast monophasic AHP. These cells were spontaneously active while current injection induced irregular patterns of action potential firing up to a frequency of 440 Hz with weak spike frequency adaptation. Morphologically, these cells were the smallest encountered (15 × 10 μm), oval in shape with restricted varicose dendritic arborisations. 4 Type C neurones were much rarer (10/208; 5 %). They were identified by the absence of Ih and rebound depolarisations, but did possess a prolonged biphasic AHP. They displayed large A‐like potassium currents and ramp‐like depolarisations in response to step current injections, which induced firing up to a maximum firing frequency of 310 Hz. These cells were the largest observed (27 × 15 μm) with extensive dendritic branching. 5 These results confirm neuronal heterogeneity in the adult rodent GP. The driven activity and population percentage of the three subtypes correlates well with the in vivo studies ( Kita & Kitai, 1991 ). Type A cells appear to correspond to type II neurones of Nambu & Llinas (1994, 1997) while the small diameter type B cells display morphological similarities with those described by Millhouse (1986) . The rarely encountered type C cells may well be large cholinergic neurones. These findings provide a cellular basis for the study of intercellular communication and network interactions in the adult rat in vitro.
A Case of Carbapenem Resistant Non-K1/K2 Serotype Klebsiella pneumoniae Liver Abscess

Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess (KPLA) has been described as an invasive syndrome with extrahepatic complications. The majority of KPLA is caused by capsular serotype K1 and K2 isolates. We report a case of carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess. The patient initially presented with infected right above-the-knee amputation and was later found with a large liver abscess. Initial antimicrobial susceptibility showed carbapenem resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP). Further molecular workup revealed that the isolate was a less virulent non-K1/K2 serotype, and both rmpA and kfu genes were negative. The lack of outer membrane porins likely contributed to the carbapenem resistance. To our knowledge, this is a first reported case of carbapenem resistant, non-K1/K2 serotype K. pneumoniae liver abscess in the United States.
National trends and practices in breast MRI.

OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to report on the current practices of radiologists involved in the performance and interpretation of breast MRI in the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS We invited the 1,696 active physician members of the Society of Breast Imaging to participate in a survey addressing whether and how they performed and interpreted breast MRI. Respondents were asked to select one member of their practice to complete the survey. A total of 754 surveys were completed. Every respondent did not reply to every question. RESULTS Contrast-enhanced breast MRI was offered at 557 of 754 (73.8%) practices. Of these, 346 of 553 (62.6%) performed at least five breast MRI examinations per week, and only 56 of 553 (10.1%) performed > 20 per week. Radiologists qualified under the Mammography Quality Standards Act supervised the performance of and interpreted breast MRI in the majority of facilities. Of 552 respondents, breast MRI was interpreted as soft copy with computer-aided detection (CAD) in 280 practices (50.7%), as soft copy without CAD in 261 (47.3%), and as hard copy in 11 (2.0%). Of 551 respondents, 256 (46.5%) never and 207 (37.6%) rarely interpreted breast MRI without correlating mammography or sonography findings. The majority of respondents never (269/561, 48.0%) or rarely (165/561, 29.4%) interpreted breast MRI performed at an outside facility. Screening breast MRI was offered at 359 of 561 (64.0%) practices. Of the practices performing contrast-enhanced examinations, 173 of 557 (31.1%) did not perform MRI-guided interventional procedures. CONCLUSION Contrast-enhanced breast MRI is now widely used in the United States. The information gained from this survey should provide reasonable approaches for the development of professional practice guidelines.
The Vascular Pathogen Verticillium longisporum Requires a Jasmonic Acid-Independent COI1 Function in Roots to Elicit Disease Symptoms in Arabidopsis Shoots1[W]

Verticillium longisporum is a soil-borne vascular pathogen that causes reduced shoot growth and early senescence in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Here, we report that these disease symptoms are less pronounced in plants that lack the receptor of the plant defense hormone jasmonic acid (JA), CORONATINE INSENSITIVE1 (COI1). Initial colonization of the roots was comparable in wild-type and coi1 plants, and fungal DNA accumulated to almost similar levels in petioles of wild-type and coi1 plants at 10 d post infection. Completion of the fungal life cycle was impaired in coi1, as indicated by the reduced number of plants with microsclerotia, which are detected on dead plant material at late stages of the disease. Contrary to the expectation that the hormone receptor mutant coi1 should display the same phenotype as the corresponding hormone biosynthesis mutant delayed dehiscence2 (dde2), dde2 plants developed wild-type-like disease symptoms. Marker genes of the JA and the JA/ethylene defense pathway were induced in petioles of wild-type plants but not in petioles of dde2 plants, indicating that fungal compounds that would activate the known COI1-dependent signal transduction chain were absent. Grafting experiments revealed that the susceptibility-enhancing COI1 function acts in the roots. Moreover, we show that the coi1-mediated tolerance is not due to the hyperactivation of the salicylic acid pathway. Together, our results have unraveled a novel COI1 function in the roots that acts independently from JA-isoleucine or any JA-isoleucine mimic. This COI1 activity is required for a yet unknown root-to-shoot signaling process that enables V. longisporum to elicit disease symptoms in Arabidopsis.
Mental health reform in post-conflict areas: a policy analysis based on experiences in Bosnia Herzegovina and Kosovo.

This policy analysis provides insight into the ongoing process of mental health reform and the difficulty of sustaining such reform in post-conflict areas. It is based on experiences in Bosnia Herzegovina and Kosovo in the former Yugoslavia. This could be the first health policy analysis specifically on the subject of mental health reform in post-conflict areas. Mental health reforms started in 1995 in Bosnia Herzegovina and in Kosovo in 1999, immediately following the end of armed conflict in these regions. As a result, there are now sufficient literature studies and experience available in both areas to make an initial evaluation and policy analysis. Both areas were studied during various stages of the implementation of mental health reform, and because of this provided insight into the different phases of this ongoing process. The insights provided by this study could have implications for things such as the development of strategies for improving the sustainability of mental health reform in similar situations in future. Mental health problems account for five of the 10 leading causes of disability worldwide, which amounts to 12% of the total global burden of disease.1 In general, war-related disabilities (physical injuries) and mental disorders have an increasing impact on the global burden of disease. Projections for 2020 rank unipolar major depression and war-related disabilities in first and eighth place, respectively, in their impact on the global burden of diseases; in 1990 they ranked fourth and sixteenth.1 Mental health reform refers to a shift from institutional mental health care towards community mental health and mental health care. The WHO's World Health Report 2001 showed worldwide interest in community mental health care, considered to be more cost-effective than institutional care. Care of this kind makes it possible to intervene early when mental disorders are developing, and to limit the …
Steering policies for controlled Markov chains under a recurrence condition

The authors consider the class of steering policies for controlled Markov chains under a recurrence condition. A steering policy is defined as one adaptively alternating between two stationary policies in order to track a sample average cost to a desired value. Convergence of the sample average costs is derived via direct sample path arguments, and the performance of the steering policy is discussed. Steering policies are motivated by, and particularly useful in, the discussion of constrained Markov chains with a single constraint.
Heterogeneity of clinical response during placebo treatment.

OBJECTIVE The authors attempted to identify different patterns of improvement among patients receiving placebo during clinical trials. It was hypothesized that patients who improved abruptly would differ from patients whose improvement was gradual in that they would tend to improve earlier and would tend to have less persistent improvement. METHOD The subjects were 144 patients who met the DSM-III criteria for depressive illness and were randomly assigned to placebo medication in four double-blind antidepressant drug trials. All studies lasted 6 weeks. Mood change was rated each week on a 7-point scale; a rating of 1 or 2 was considered an indication of improvement. Improvement was judged to be abrupt if the first score of 1 or 2 was immediately preceded by a score of 4 or worse, and it was classified as gradual if the first score of 1 or 2 was preceded by a score of 3 in at least 1 week. Improvement was considered persistent if a score of 1 or 2 was not followed by a score of 3 or worse in any subsequent week. RESULTS Of the 144 patients, 72 showed clinical improvement during at least one weekly visit; 33 improved abruptly and 39 improved gradually. The abrupt improvements occurred significantly earlier in the trial and were less likely to persist than the gradual improvements regardless of when they occurred. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that among patients receiving placebo abrupt improvements are a form of placebo response and gradual responses may be the result of spontaneous remission. These preliminary observations require validation.
CD3ζ-Chain Expression of Human T Lymphocytes Is Regulated by TNF via Src-like Adaptor Protein-Dependent Proteasomal Degradation

Decreased expression of the TCR ζ-chain has been reported in several autoimmune, inflammatory, and malignant diseases, suggesting that ζ-chain downregulation is common at sites of chronic inflammation. Although ζ-chain is critically important in T lymphocyte activation, the mechanism of the decreased ζ-chain expression is less clear. Src-like adaptor protein (SLAP) is a master regulator of T cell activation; previous data have reported that SLAP regulates immunoreceptor signaling. We have examined the mechanism and the functional consequences of CD3 ζ-chain downregulation. TNF treatment of human T lymphocytes (15–40 ng/ml) selectively downregulates CD3 ζ-chain expression in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05) and decreases activation-induced IL-2 expression (p < 0.01). Although blocking of the lysosomal compartment fails to restore TNF-induced CD3 ζ-chain downregulation, inhibition of the proteasome prevented the effect of TNF. Both SLAP expression and the colocalization of SLAP with CD3 ζ-chain was enhanced by TNF treatment (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively), whereas TNF-induced ζ-chain downregulation was inhibited by gene silencing of SLAP with small interfering RNA. SLAP levels of the CD4+ T lymphocytes isolated from patients with rheumatoid arthritis were more than 2-fold higher than that of the healthy donors’ (p < 0.05); moreover, TNF treatment did not alter the SLAP expression of the CD4+ cells of anti-TNF therapy-treated patients. Our present data suggest that TNF modulates T cell activation during inflammatory processes by regulating the amount of CD3 ζ-chain expression via a SLAP-dependent mechanism. These data provide evidence for SLAP-dependent regulation of CD3 ζ-chain in the fine control of TCR signaling.
Cephalometric Measurements and Morphological Evaluation for Head and face of an Iraqis adult for cephalic x-ray

ABSTRUCT The aim of this study is to establish cephalometric norms using Jarabak’s analysis for an Iraqi community sample and to compare these norms with the norms used by Jarabak’s analysis. In this study mean values of Jarabak’s cephalometric analysis for Iraqi was determined. There are no previous studies establishing cephalometric norms for Iraqi population according to Jarabak’s analysis and there are no previous studies published about Cephalic Index (CI) of Iraqi community.the present study identified the shape of the head for Iraqi community. The mean cephalic indices in Iraqi male and female were found to be 79.45 And 74.34 respectively, the shape of the head for Iraqi community is distinguished as Mesocephalic. The mean of Facial Proportion are significantly much less in Iraqi community (55.38% ) compared with Saudi community(64.65%),and also was significantly much less compared with Jarabak’s norms (63.5%). The numbers of cases used in this study were 100 for females and 120 for males of young adults; the ages were between 18-32 years. The results of this study will be of importance in forensic medicine, anthropology and in genetics.The present study, the cephalic algorithm, was conducted through application c++ programming.
Eliminating side products and increasing succinate yields in engineered strains of Escherichia coli C

Derivatives of Escherichia coli C were previously described for succinate production by combining the deletion of genes that disrupt fermentation pathways for alternative products (ldhA::FRT, adhE::FRT, ackA::FRT, focA‐pflB::FRT, mgsA, poxB) with growth‐based selection for increased ATP production. The resulting strain, KJ073, produced 1.2 mol of succinate per mol glucose in mineral salts medium with acetate, malate, and pyruvate as significant co‐products. KJ073 has been further improved by removing residual recombinase sites (FRT sites) from the chromosomal regions of gene deletion to create a strain devoid of foreign DNA, strain KJ091(ΔldhA ΔadhE ΔackA ΔfocA‐pflB ΔmgsA ΔpoxB). KJ091 was further engineered for improvements in succinate production. Deletion of the threonine decarboxylase (tdcD; acetate kinase homologue) and 2‐ketobutyrate formate‐lyase (tdcE; pyruvate formate‐lyase homologue) reduced the acetate level by 50% and increased succinate yield (1.3 mol mol−1 glucose) by almost 10% as compared to KJ091 and KJ073. Deletion of two genes involved in oxaloacetate metabolism, aspartate aminotransferase (aspC) and the NAD+‐linked malic enzyme (sfcA) (KJ122) significantly increased succinate yield (1.5 mol mol−1 glucose), succinate titer (700 mM), and average volumetric productivity (0.9 g L−1 h−1). Residual pyruvate and acetate were substantially reduced by further deletion of pta encoding phosphotransacetylase to produce KJ134 (ΔldhA ΔadhE ΔfocA‐pflB ΔmgsA ΔpoxB ΔtdcDE ΔcitF ΔaspC ΔsfcA Δpta‐ackA). Strains KJ122 and KJ134 produced near theoretical yields of succinate during simple, anaerobic, batch fermentations using mineral salts medium. Both may be useful as biocatalysts for the commercial production of succinate. Biotechnol. Bioeng. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Double-blind, Crossover, Placebo-controlled Trial of Bromocriptine in Patients with Sleep Bruxism

This study was designed to assess the effects of bromocriptine, a dopamine D2 receptor agonist, on sleep bruxism. Seven otherwise healthy patients with severe and frequent sleep bruxism participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The study used a crossover design that included 2 weeks of active treatment or placebo with a washout period of 1 week. To further evaluate whether bromocriptine influences striatal D2 receptor binding, we used iodine-123-iodobenzamide single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) under both placebo and bromocriptine regimens. Bromocriptine did not reduce the frequency of episodes of bruxism during sleep (mean ± SEM, 9.0 ± 1.0 and 9.6 ± 1.5 bruxism episodes per hour for placebo and bromocriptine, respectively) or the amplitude of masseter muscle contractions (root mean square values, 48.2 ± 15.5 &mgr;V and 46.9 ± 12.7 &mgr;V for placebo and bromocriptine, respectively). SPECT also failed to reveal that either treatment had any influence on striatal D2 binding (values for total binding in counts/pixel, 1.80 [1.72–1.93] and 1.79 [1.56–1.87] for placebo and bromocriptine, respectively). This study shows that a nightly dose of bromocriptine does not exacerbate or reduce sleep bruxism motor activity.
Low HDL‐C predicts the onset of transplant vasculopathy in pediatric cardiac recipients on pravastatin therapy

Abstract: The levels and protein/lipid compositions of major lipoprotein particles of 19 pediatric cardiac transplant recipients (4–18 yr of age) were studied in this prospective, open clinical follow‐up study before and at one yr of pravastatin therapy (10 mg/day). The recipients were grouped into those with (n = 6; group A) and those without (n = 13; group B) angiographically detectable vasculopathy. Twenty‐one pediatric non‐transplant controls were studied at baseline. At baseline, the group A recipients had 29% lower HDL‐C concentrations (p = 0.031) and 29% higher apoB‐100/apoA‐I ratios (p = 0.034) than the group B recipients. At one yr of pravastatin, the respective figures were 29% (p = 0.013) and 33% (p = 0.005). Compared with the healthy pediatric controls, the transplant recipients had significantly higher serum TG before pravastatin [median (range): 1.3 mmol/L (0.6–3.2) vs. 0.7 mmol/L (0.3–2.4), p = 0.0002] and at one yr [1.3 mmol/L (0.5–3.5) vs. 0.7 mmol/L (0.3–2.4), p = 0.0004]. The baseline apoB‐100/apoA1 ratios of the recipients were 33% higher (p = 0.005). In conclusion, low HDL‐C and high apoB‐100/apoA‐I ratio were associated with angiographically detectable vasculopathy. Even though pravastatin effectively lowered the TC and LDL‐C and improved compositional properties of LDL and HDL2 particles, it failed to normalize the elevated TG and, in some patients, to prevent the progression of transplant vasculopathy.
au Building and Measuring Employee-Based Brand Equity

Purpose: This paper presents the first known empirically-tested model of Employee Based Brand Equity (EBBE). In doing so, it provides insight into not only how organisations can effectively manage the internal brand building process but, more importantly, appreciate the subsequent employee effects and organisational benefits. Methodology/Approach: Data were collected via an online survey of 371 employees that work in service organisations, sourced from a market research database list. Findings: Strong support was found for nine out of the ten hypothesised relationships thus providing strong validation for the proposed model. Research limitations: The employment of surveys can present data collection problems stemming from such things as lack of willingness to participate on behalf of the respondent, loss of validity when using structured questionnaires and inherent challenges of wording questions properly. However, in acknowledging these limitations, actions, such as the utilisation of a national database of ‘opt in’ survey participants coupled with the good reliability results and the methodical four-stage survey design process undertaken, it is suggested that every effort was made to negate this limitation. Practical implications: Knowledge gained from empirically validating a model of EBBE 1) further enriches the application of traditional brand management techniques; 2) provides a framework for brand communication training; 3) increases organisational understanding of how to engender positive employee actions and; 4) increases the accountability of such an internal investment by identifying measurable organisational benefits that accrue as a result of such efforts. Value of the Paper: This paper makes three important contributions including 1) expanding the existing brand equity literature to incorporate a third, yet equally
Prevalence of Eye Disorders in Elderly Population of Tehran, Iran

A B S T R A C T Introduction: The decline of visual function with increasing age is a significant concern in elderly. Despite previous work on prevalence of specific ophthalmic pathologies, there has not been enough valid data about overall eye disorders in Tehran yet, and it is poorly defined and not underpinned by strong evidence. The purpose of this study was to investigate the common eye disorders in the elderly population of Tehran. Methods: A total of 392 elderly community residents aged 60 to 96 were enrolled. The 278 older adults referred to Tehran's Polyclinic of 6th Region of municipality and 114 older adults referred to the health centers of 9th Region of municipality between 2013 and 2014 were examined. All participants underwent an extensive ophthalmologic screening examination including cataract, diabetic retinopathy of optic nerve, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. The prevalence of various eye disorders was calculated as percentages of the total study population and categorized by age and sex. Results: Of the 392 participants, 152 subjects (38.8%) had no eye disease. Common visual impairments in elderly were cataract (39.3%), macular degeneration (11.5%), diabetic retinopathy of optic nerve (5.6%) and glaucoma (4.8%). It has also showed cataract prevalence increased with age from (6.3%) in the 60-64 age group to (47.6%) for the patients 85years of age and older. Conclusion: Cataract is the most frequent eye disease in community dwelling older adults that should be considered at a younger age by health officials to provide preventive programs. Improving accessibility to surgery for the treatment of cataract among the old people will help diminish of untreated cataract that lead to visual impairment.
Cornea, refractive surgery, and contact lens.

This volume is the product of the 35th Annual Session of the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology held in March 1986. Traditionally, this series has provided state-of-the-art presentations, and this most recent addition to the series upholds these standards well. This volume cannot be a comprehensive review of all of the significant recent developments in corneal and refractive therapeutics. Rather, this symposium emphasizes some particular areas of interest and controversy, with eight contributors well known for their original observations and insightful analysis. Michael Lemp reviews the current understanding of the tear film and management of the dry eye as well as the effects of extended-wear contact lenses on the cornea, and provides an overview of our current understanding of corneal structural implications for refractive surgery. Richard Lembach reviews bandage contact lenses, extended-wear contact lenses, and the particular challenges of contact lens fitting for keratoconus and after keratoplasty. J. James Rowsey