Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Barfly: Sculpting membranes at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction

The ability of a cell to change the shape of its membranes is intrinsic to many cellular functions. Proteins that can alter or recognize curved membrane structures and those that can act to recruit other proteins which stabilize the membrane curvature are likely to be essential in cell functions. The BAR (Bin, amphiphysin, RVS167 homology) domain is a protein domain that can either induce lipidic membranes to curve or can sense curved membranes. BAR domains are found in several proteins at neuronal synapses. We will review BAR domain structure and the role that BAR domain containing proteins play in regulating the morphology and function of the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. In flies the BAR domain containing proteins, endophilin and syndapin affect synaptic vesicle endocytosis, whereas CIP4, dRich, nervous wreck and syndapin affect synaptic morphology. We will review the growing evidence implicating mutations in BAR domain containing proteins being the cause of human pathologies. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 72: 33–56, 2012
Does Early Administration of Epidural Analgesia Affect Obstetric Outcome in Nulliparous Women Who Are in Spontaneous Labor?

BackgroundSome studies suggest that epidural analgesia prolongs labor and increases the incidence of cesarean section, especially if it is administered before 5 cm cervical dilation. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether early administration of epidural analgesia affects obstetric outcome in nulliparous women who are in spontaneous labor. MethodsInformed consent was obtained from 344 healthy nulliparous women with a singleton fetus in a vertex presentation, who requested epidural analgesia during spontaneous labor at at least 36 weeks' gestation. Each patient was randomized to receive either early or late epidural analgesia. Randomization occurred only after the following conditions were met: (1) the patient requested pain relief at that moment, (2) a lumbar epidural catheter had been placed, and (3) the cervix was at least 3 cm but less than 5 cm dilated. Patients in the early group immediately received epidural bupivacaine analgesia. Patients in the late group received 10 mg nalbuphlne intravenously. Late-group patients did not receive epidural analgesia until they achieved a cervical dilation of at least 5 cm or until at least 1 h had elapsed after a second dose of nalbuphine. Ten of the 344 patients were excluded because of a protocol violation or voluntary withdrawal from the study. ResultsEarly administration of epidural analgesia did not increase the incidence of oxytocin augmentation, prolong the interval between randomization and the diagnosis of complete cervical dilation, or increase the incidence of malposition of the vertex at delivery. Also, early administration of epidural analgesia did not result in an increased incidence of cesarean section or instrumental vaginal delivery. Seventeen (10%) of 172 women in the early group and 13 (8%) of 162 women in the late group underwent cesarean section (relative risk for the early group 1.22; 95% confidence interval 0.62–2.40). Patients in the early group had lower pain scores between 30 and 150 min after randomization. Infants in the late group had lower umbilical arterial and venous blood pH and higher umbilical venous blood carbon dioxide tension measurements at delivery. ConclusionsEarly administration of epidural analgesia did not prolong labor, increase the incidence of oxytocin augmentation, or increase the incidence of operative delivery, when compared with intravenous nalbuphlne followed by late administration of epidural analgesia, in nulliparous women who were in spontaneous labor at term.
THE COST OF MERISTEM LIMITATION IN POLYGONUM ARENASTRUM: NEGATIVE GENETIC CORRELATIONS BETWEEN FECUNDITY AND GROWTH

Growth and reproduction in higher plants depend on meristems, which have three developmental fates. A meristem can become reproductive, but doing so terminates its activity, it can differentiate vegetatively, or it can remain quiescent for extended periods. The first two fates are mutually exclusive, and only the second leads to the production of additional meristems for subsequent growth and reproduction. In Polygonum arenastrum (frequently referred to as P. aviculare in North American Floras), an annual species lacking quiescent meristems, a quantitative genetic analysis of inbred full‐sibling families revealed genetic variation in the developmental pattern of axillary meristem commitment to vegetative growth versus reproduction. Developmental variation resulted in family differences in the age of first reproduction, in age‐specific fecundity and growth, and in final plant size and reproductive output. Furthermore, there were strong negative genetic correlations between age‐specific growth and fecundity. Early commitment of meristems to reproduction favors high early fecundity, but reduces the number of meristems available for vegetative differentiation, and leads to lowered growth rates and fecundity later in life, when meristems are limiting. Conversely, meristem commitment to vegetative growth early in life results in low early fecundity but high late fecundity and growth. Meristem limitation, like resource limitation, is a proximate mechanism that generates trade‐offs between life history traits. Differences between meristem limitation and resource limitation are discussed. Meristem limitation leads automatically to a senescent life history because of the determinate fate of reproductive meristems.
Religio and Superstitio Reconsidered

En reprenant l'histoire des idees, on remarque que les philologues ont privilegie la definition de la religion donnee par Ciceron qui affirme que le mot religion vient du verbe legere (lire). Les theologiens ont prefere la definition de Lucrece chez qui la religion est assimilee au verbe ligare (lier). L'A. montre que si les deux interpretations sont en principe possibles sur le plan philologique, seule l'etymologie ciceronienne est capable de rendre compte de l'idiome latin. En outre, elle correspond aux decouvertes de l'histoire comparee des religions
Geographical and genetic factors do not account for significant differences in the clinical spectrum of giant cell arteritis in southern europe.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether genetic and geographical differences may influence the clinical spectrum of giant cell arteritis (GCA), we compared the demographic and clinical features of patients with biopsy-proven GCA from Reggio Emilia (Northern Italy) and Lugo (Northwest Spain) during a 15-year period. METHODS We performed a retrospective review of the case records of all patients diagnosed with biopsy-proven GCA at Hospital Xeral-Calde (Lugo, Spain) and Hospital Santa Maria Nuova (Reggio Emilia, Italy) between 1 January 1986 and 31 December 2001. Both hospitals are the only referral centers for populations living in central Galicia and central Emilia Romagna, respectively. RESULTS During the period of study, 194 Lugo residents and 126 Reggio Emilia residents were diagnosed with biopsy proven GCA. Reggio Emilia patients were more likely to be female (74% vs 54%; p = 0.0001). Although Lugo patients complained of headache (86%) more commonly than did those from Reggio Emilia (77%), the difference was only marginally significant (p = 0.05). The proportion of patients with visual manifestations or visual loss was remarkably similar (22% for visual manifestations and 17% for visual loss in Lugo and 29% and 21% for Reggio Emilia residents). The mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate prior to the onset of therapy was also similar. CONCLUSION Apart from differences in sex, the clinical spectrum of GCA in these 2 Southern European regions was similar.
Variation on the amount of winter cover crops residues on weeds incidence and soil seed bank during an agricultural year

This study analyzed possible interferences associated to the amount of crop residues produced by the black oats and the consortium of black oats, common vetch and forage turnip on weeds incidence and soil seed bank. It was a field trial with seven treatments and five replications. The cover crop was sown at throwing, cut at 100 days and residues were put on each respective plot, using a proportion of normal amount of produced straw, either its half and double. The heaviest weights were obtained from cover crop consortium and their application decreased weeds incidence in such area. The seeds bank and other analyzed parameters did not show statistical differences. According to these results, it was concluded that winter cover crop could be used in crops rotation with soybean.
Continuous Flow Peritoneal Dialysis: Assessment of Fluid and Solute Removal in a High-Flow Model of “Fresh Dialysate Single Pass”

♦ Background Growing concern over the limited capacity of the peritoneal dialysis (PD) system has revived interest in continuous flow peritoneal dialysis (CFPD), a modality in which continuous circulation of PD fluid is maintained at a high flow rate using two separate catheters or one dual-lumen catheter. The CFPD regimen contrasts the “inflow/outflow” regimen, which requires specific times devoted to filling and draining the peritoneum via a single-lumen catheter. Historical data established CFPD capabilities in providing higher solute clearance and ultrafiltration rate (UFR) using either an open loop system with a single pass of fresh PD fluid, or various external purifications of the spent dialysate. ♦ Objective To compare, in patients with various peritoneal transport patterns, fluid and solute removal achieved during a standardized program of CFPD versus two control schedules: nightly intermittent peritoneal dialysis (NIPD) and nightly tidal peritoneal dialysis (NTPD). This study focused on small solute clearances and UFR using only isotonic PD solution (Dianeal PD1 1.36%; Baxter Healthcare, Castlebar, Ireland). The model of fresh dialysate, single pass, was used to optimize solute gradients and to characterize the impact of a continuous flow regimen on peritoneal transport characteristics. ♦ Methods In a crossover trial, 4-hour CFPD sessions were performed at a fixed dialysate flow rate (100 mL/minute) in 5 patients being treated with automated PD. A hemofiltration monitor (BM25; Baxter Healthcare, Brussels, Belgium) was adapted to the CFPD technique. The peritoneal cavity was filled through a temporary second catheter and simultaneously drained using the permanent peritoneal access. Fluid and solute removal were compared to data obtained from a control period based on 8-hour sessions of NIPD or NTPD using 13 L of isotonic dialysate. ♦ Results High-flow CFPD enhanced the diffusive transport coefficient compared with the alternative flow regimen in patients ranging from low to high transporters. Weekly creatinine clearance increased from 36.9 L (22.3 – 49.6 L) and 37.3 L (27.5 – 45.0 L) with NIPD and NTPD respectively, to 74.9 L (42.3–107.5 L) with CFPD. Mean UFR was 2.44 mL/min with CFPD versus 0.92 and 0.89 mL/min with NIPD and NTPD respectively. The mass transfer area coefficient (MTAC) of creatinine with CFPD was 2.5-fold that obtained from the peritoneal equilibration test data. ♦ Conclusion Our results confirm that CFPD is highly effective in increasing fluid and solute removal. Furthermore, consistent with historical data, our findings indicate that the enhanced solute transfer is not due only to steeper solute gradients, but also depends on increased MTAC in a wide range of peritoneum transport characteristics.
Interhemispheric communication through the corpus callosum: mnemonic carry-over between the hemispheres.

The early brain anatomists assumed highly important functions for the corpus callosum in relating and coordinating the activities of the two cerebral hemispheres. Likewise, the early clinical neurologists believed that destruction of this largest of all fiber tracts in the brain would result in serious functional defects, even in a general intellectual deterioration. However, actual observations on the effect of complete surgical section or of total agenesis of the corpus callosum in man and other animals have indicated a surprising absence of deficit. 1-6,8,9 This wide discrepancy between the expected and the actual effects of callosal damage has remained one of the enigmas of brain function. Recent investigations of contralateral transfer of training in callosum-intact and callosum-sectioned animals, however, begin to reveal a definite role for the corpus callosum in the realm of "psychic" function. In the cat with the crossed retinal fibers divided at the optic chiasm, visual discriminations
The Lattice Structure and Optical Properties of Neodymium-Doped Gadolinium Vanadate Crystals Induced by Ion Irradiation

In recent times, the neodymium-doped gadolinium vanadate (Nd:GdVO4) crystal has attracted significant attention as one of the most valuable functional materials, but its lattice structure can be easily modified in an irradiation environment, which determines its related optical properties and affects the performance of devices based on the Nd:GdVO4 crystal. The near-surface lattice structure change and damage are studied through the displacement per atom (dpa), X-Ray diffraction, hardness and elastic (Young's) modulus, and micro-Raman spectroscopy techniques. We discover that the intensity and peak position of micro-Raman have obvious changes between waveguide and substrate region in Nd:GdVO4 crystal. The related optical properties induced by the structural changes, including the absorption bands and refractive index profiles, are investigated. A new absorption peak was observed after irradiation of the Nd:GdVO4 crystals by C3+ ions. Thus, waveguide optical-coupling techniques identified that the ion- irradiated Nd:GdVO4 crystal can support single-mode or multimode propagation at 633 nm. The fabricated waveguide structures emerge as promising candidate for photonic design and integrated optical devices, which will have a huge application prospect in multimedia and internet.
Community context of sober living houses

The success or failure of programs designed to address alcohol and drug problems can be profoundly influenced by the communities where they are located. Support from the community is vital for long-term stability and conflict with the community can harm a program's reputation or even result in closure. This study examined the community context of sober living houses (SLHs) in one Northern California community by interviewing key stakeholder groups. SLHs are alcohol- and drug-free living environments for individuals attempting to abstain from substance use. Previous research on residents of SLHs showed they make long-term improvements on measures of substance use, psychiatric symptoms, arrests, and employment. Interviews were completed with house managers, neighbors, and key informants from local government and community organizations. Overall, stakeholders felt SLHs were necessary and had a positive impact on the community. It was emphasized that SLHs needed to practice a “good neighbor” policy that prohibited substance use and encouraged community service. Size and density of SLHs appeared to influence neighbor perceptions. For small (six residents or less), sparsely populated houses, a strategy of blending in with the neighborhood seemed to work. However, it was clear that larger, densely populated houses need to actively manage relationships with community stakeholders. Strategies for improving relationships with immediate neighbors, decreasing stigma, and broadening the leadership structure are discussed. Implications for a broad array of community-based programs are discussed.
Expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Its Cognate Receptor, TrkB, in the Rat Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

Photic entrainment of mammalian circadian rhythms occurs because the pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus is endowed with a rhythmic sensitivity to photic signals conveyed by the retinohypothalamic tract. Since brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in the functional modulation of other retinal targets, the rat SCN was examined for expression and cellular distribution of this neurotrophin and TrkB, the tyrosine kinase receptor that preferentially binds BDNF. The rat SCN was found to express the mature BDNF peptide and mRNA by Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses. BDNF-immunoreactivity and hybridization signal for its mRNA were coextensively localized within a number of SCN cells throughout the rostrocaudal axis of each nucleus. In addition, some cells intercalated within the optic chiasm were distinguished by expression of BDNF immunoreactivity or mRNA. Immunostaining for the TrkB receptor was also evident in the SCN within terminals or fibers predominantly located along the SCN/optic chiasm interface and within scattered perikarya near the medial border of each nucleus. Combined in situ hybridization and immunocytochemical analysis revealed that BDNF mRNA-expressing cells within the ventrolateral SCN were often closely apposed to TrkB-positive fibers extending from the optic chiasm. These findings raise the possibility that target-derived interactions between BDNF and TrkB receptors could play a role in the circadian modulation of SCN pacemaker sensitivity to photic input transmitted by the retinohypothalamic tract.
A Role for the Intestinal Microbiota and Virome in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)?

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a heterogeneous disorder of significant societal impact that is proposed to involve both host and environmentally derived aetiologies that may be autoimmune in nature. Immune-related symptoms of at least moderate severity persisting for prolonged periods of time are common in ME/CFS patients and B cell depletion therapy is of significant therapeutic benefit. The origin of these symptoms and whether it is infectious or inflammatory in nature is not clear, with seeking evidence of acute or chronic virus infections contributing to the induction of autoimmune processes in ME/CFS being an area of recent interest. This article provides a comprehensive review of the current evidence supporting an infectious aetiology for ME/CFS leading us to propose the novel concept that the intestinal microbiota and in particular members of the virome are a source of the “infectious” trigger of the disease. Such an approach has the potential to identify disease biomarkers and influence therapeutics, providing much-needed approaches in preventing and managing a disease desperately in need of confronting.
Radioimmunotherapy with Anti-CD66 Antibody: Improving the Biodistribution Using a Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model

To improve radioimmunotherapy with anti-CD66 antibody, a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed that was capable of describing the biodistribution and extrapolating between different doses of anti-CD66 antibody. Methods: The biodistribution of the 111In-labeled anti-CD66 antibody of 8 patients with acute leukemia was measured. The data were fitted to 2 PBPK models. Model A incorporated effective values for antibody binding, and model B explicitly described mono- and bivalent binding. The best model was selected using the corrected Akaike information criterion. The predictive power of the model was validated comparing simulations and 90Y-anti-CD66 serum measurements. The amount of antibody (range, 0.1–4 mg) leading to the most favorable therapeutic distribution was determined using simulations. Results: Model B was better supported by the data. The fits of the selected model were good (adjusted R2 > 0.91), and the estimated parameters were in a physiologically reasonable range. The median deviation of the predicted and measured 90Y-anti-CD66 serum concentration values and the residence times were 24% (range, 17%−31%) and 9% (range, 1%−64%), respectively. The validated model predicted considerably different biodistributions for dosimetry and therapeutic settings. The smallest (0.1 mg) simulated amount of antibody resulted in the most favorable therapeutic biodistribution. Conclusion: The developed model is capable of adequately describing the anti-CD66 antibody biodistribution and accurately predicting the time–activity serum curve of 90Y-anti-CD66 antibody and the therapeutic serum residence time. Simulations indicate that an improvement of radioimmunotherapy with anti-CD66 antibody is achievable by reducing the amount of administered antibody; for example, the residence time of the red marrow could be increased by a factor of 1.9 ± 0.3 using 0.27 mg of anti-CD66 antibody.
Age Differences in Effects of Family Structure and Quality on Attachment to Family and Romantic Partners

The aim of this research was to examine the differences in attachment to romantic partners and family members between individuals whose parents had divorced, those whose parents had high quality marriages and those whose parents had low quality marriages, as well as to find out whether the effects of family structure and the quality of relationship between parents vary with age and gender. A total of 1478 participants (433 high-school students, 621 undergraduate students and 424 adults) were included in the research. Data about family structure and the quality of parental relationship were obtained and modifications of the Experiences in Close Relationship Inventory were applied in order to assess attachment to family and romantic partners. Significant effect of relationship between parents was found on anxiety in attachment to romantic partners. Specifically, individuals whose parents had low marital quality while they were teenagers appear to be more anxious in their romantic relationships in comparison to those from well-functioning families as well as those whose parents divorced. However, when it comes to attachment to family, we found main effects of age, gender and the type of family, as well as interaction effect of gender and age on avoidance dimension. Both high-school boys and girls scored higher on avoidance of closeness with family members than all other subsamples, but men generally scored higher on avoidance to family then women. Overall, the quality of relationship between parents proved to be more important than family structure, with effects on avoidant attachment to family and anxious attachment to romantic partners for both genders and across the age groups.
Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Analysis of Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte (CTL) Responses and their Relationship to Vertical HIV Transmission

The ARIEL Project for the Prevention of HIV Transmission from Mother to Infant was established to evaluate virologic and immunologic parameters during vertical transmission. To determine the strength and breadth of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response and its correlation with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, a cross-sectional study was done of 31 HIV-infected pregnant women, of whom 15 transmitted and 16 did not transmit HIV to their infants. The precursor frequencies of CTL specific for HIV-1 gag, pol, nef, and env from 5 different isolates of the clade B of HIV-1 were determined by limiting dilution analysis. Results showed that variable levels of HIV-specific CTL response were present in HIV-infected pregnant women during and after pregnancy. In addition, CTL precursor frequencies specific for pol and nef were higher during pregnancy in nontransmitters than in transmitters. Thus, CTL responding to different HIV antigens may not be contributing equally to the prevention of vertical transmission.