Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Projections from visual areas of the middle suprasylvian sulcus onto the lateral posterior complex and adjacent thalamic nuclei in cat

The distribution of corticothalamic projections from lateral suprasylvian areas AMLS, PMLS, ALLS, and PLLS was investigated with the autoradiographic method. Areas AMLS and PMLS were both found to project retinotopically upon the medial interlaminar nucleus and the lateral and pulvinar zones of the lateral posterior complex, as well as to the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus, intralaminar nuclei, and thalamic reticular complex. Retinotopic projections to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus were demonstrated from PMLS but not AMLS, and projections to zona incerta were demonstrated from AMLS but not PMLS. Areas PLLS and ALLS were both found to project retinotopically upon the interjacent zone of the lateral posterior complex, as well as to the intermediate and suprageniculate divisions of the posterior nuclear group, the magnocellular division of the medial geniculate complex, the thalamic reticular complex, and central lateral nucleus. Area ALLS was also found to project onto the dorsal division of the medial geniculate complex and lateral division of the posterior nuclear group. Differences between the four cortical areas in the pattern and density of their thalamic projections supports the parcellation of these areas as proposed by Palmer et al. ('78).
Survival of Purkinje Cells in Cerebellar Cultures is Increased by Insulin‐like Growth Factor I

Insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) is a trophic factor for both neurons and glia. Its presence in the developing and adult cerebellum suggests a role for this growth factor in this area of the brain. Recently, we have described the existence of an IGF‐I‐containing pathway in afferents of Purkinje neurons arising from the inferior olive. In addition, IGF‐I receptors are present in the molecular layer of the cerebellar cortex. These observations prompted us to investigate whether the Purkinje cell is a target for IGF‐I. Addition of IGF‐I to rat cerebellar cultures produced a 7‐fold increase in the number of Purkinje cells (calbindin‐positive) together with an increase in the calbindin content of the cultures. IGF‐I also doubled the number of surviving neurons and produced a moderate, non‐significant increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation by the cultures. On the other hand, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), which is also present in the cerebellum, produced a dramatic increase in both the proportion of astrocytes and in the mitotic activity of the cultures, without affecting neuron survival. We conclude that IGF‐I is a specific promoter of Purkinje cell survival and that its effects differ from those produced by bFGF in fetal cerebellar cultures. These findings reinforce our hypothesis that the Purkinje cell is a target neuron for IGF‐I action in the developing cerebellum.
Association of calcium channel blocker use and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A among older adults with hypertension: results from the ilSIRENTE study.

BACKGROUND Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) is a zinc-binding matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) that was shown to increase in acute coronary syndromes. Calcium channel blockers (CCB) can influence the production of several MMPs, but no study, so far, has assessed the association between use of CCB and PAPP-A levels. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to evaluated if, among older hypertensive adults, PAPP-A levels differ according to use of CCB. METHODS Data are from the baseline evaluation of the ilSIRENTE study, which enrolled 364 participants 80 years old or older. For the present study, we selected 314 participants with hypertension. Analyses of covariance were performed to evaluate the differences in PAPP-A levels according to use of CCB. RESULTS Mean age of participants was 85.6 years (standard deviation [SD] 4.8), 206 (66%) were women; 58 participants (19%) were using a CCB. After adjusting for potential confounders, concentration of PAPP-A was significantly lower in CCB users than in nonusers (1.58 mIU/L, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37-1.81 vs 1.86 mIU/L, 95% CI, 1.74-1.98; p =.03). This association was still consistent after exclusion of participants with cardiovascular disease (1.53 mIU/L, 95% CI, 1.30-1.80 vs 1.90 mIU/L, 95% CI, 1.78-2.03; p =.01). CONCLUSIONS Use of CCB is associated with lower levels of PAPP-A. These findings need to be confirmed in prospective studies.
Expression of Toll-like Receptor 2 and Toll-like Receptor 4 in Tuberculous Pleural Effusion.

BACKGROUND Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2) and Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) have been reported to play a crucial role in tuberculosis, however, little is known about their expression in tuberculous pleuritis. OBJECTIVE The goal of this work is to explore the expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 in tuberculous pleuritis and their predominant expressions on cells. METHODS Levels of soluble TLR2 and TLR4 by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 58 patients with tuberculous pleural effusion (PE) and 43 patients with malignant PE were determined. The related genes were analyzed by RT-PCR and the membrane expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 on CD3+, CD14+, and CD19+ monocytes were assessed by using flow cytometry in 20 of 58 patients with tuberculous pleuritis. RESULTS Our results showed that the levels of ADA, IL-27 and IFN-γ in tuberculous PE were obviously higher than in malignant PE. Moreover, the concentrations of soluble TLR2 and soluble TLR4 in PE were significantly higher than those in peripheral blood of the same patients, as well as the levels of soluble TLR2 in tuberculous PE were significantly higher than those in malignant effusions. Furthermore, the levels of TLR2, TLR4 and IFN-γ mRNA expression were marked increased in the tuberculous PE when compared with the correspondent serum. Importantly, we found that the predominant expressions of TLR2 in monocyte were on CD19 B cells, and the predominant expressions of TLR4 were on CD14 monocytes/macrophages. CONCLUSION Our findings provided the evidence of a role for TLRs expression in tuberculous PE.
Fetal jaw movement affects development of articular disk in the temporomandibular joint

ABSTRACT Previous studies suggest that jaw movement is an important factor in the development of cartilage in the temporomandibular joint during the prenatal and postnatal periods. In the present study, the effects of fetal jaw movement on the articular disk were studied in mice by restraining the opening movement of the mouth using the mouse exo utero development system. At embryonic day 18.5, the articular disk was reduced in size in the embryos whose maxilla and mandible were sutured (sutured group) and there were changes in the cellular morphology of the mesenchymal cells in the disk. The volume of the articular disk, the total number of cells and the number of 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine‐positive cells in the articular disk were significantly lower in the sutured group than in the non‐sutured control group. Our data revealed that fetal jaw movement affects the development of the articular disk in the temporomandibular joint.
Engaging Adolescents Through Participatory and Qualitative Research Methods to Develop a Digital Communication Intervention to Reduce Adolescent Obesity

Background. The complexity of the childhood obesity epidemic requires the application of community-based participatory research (CBPR) in a manner that can transcend multiple communities of stakeholders, including youth, the broader community, and the community of health care providers. Aim. To (a) describe participatory processes for engaging youth within context of CBPR and broader community, (b) share youth-engaged research findings related to the use of digital communication and implications for adolescent obesity intervention research, and (c) describe and discuss lessons learned from participatory approaches. Method. CBPR principles and qualitative methods were synergistically applied in a predominantly African American part of the city that experiences major obesity-related issues. A Youth Research Advisory Board was developed to deeply engage youth in research that was integrated with other community-based efforts, including an academic–community partnership, a city-wide obesity coalition, and a primary care practice research network. Volunteers from the youth board were trained to apply qualitative methods, including facilitating focus group interviews and analyzing and interpreting data with the goal of informing a primary care provider–based obesity reduction intervention. Results. The primary results of these efforts were the development of critical insights about adolescent use of digital communication and the potential importance of messaging, mobile and computer apps, gaming, wearable technology, and rapid changes in youth communication and use of digital technology in developing adolescent nutrition and physical activity health promotion. Conclusions. The youth led work helped identify key elements for a digital communication intervention that was sensitive and responsive to urban youth. Many valuable lessons were also learned from 3 years of partnerships and collaborations, providing important insights on applying CBPR with minority youth populations.
Helicobacter pylori Strikes Again: Gastric Mucosa‐Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) Lymphoma

Infection with Helicobacter pylori is common. Over 50% of the world's population is estimated to be colonized with the bacteria. The association between Helicobacter pylori and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is well documented. Anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment and the successful eradication of the bacteria can potentially cure patients who test positive for the bacteria and who are diagnosed with low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma. The purpose of this article is to review the evidence implicating Helicobacter pylori as a causal pathogen for the development of gastric MALT lymphoma and to determine that anti-Helicobacter pylori therapy is an effective first-line treatment. The clinical presentation, endoscopic findings, diagnosis, staging, treatment, and follow-up of patients with gastric MALT lymphoma who are treated with anti-Helicobacter pylori therapy are also discussed.
Subcellular localization of seven VirB proteins of Agrobacterium tumefaciens: implications for the formation of a T-DNA transport structure

Plant cell transformation by Agrobacterium tumefaciens involves the transfer of a single-stranded DNA-protein complex (T-complex) from the bacterium to the plant cell. One of the least understood and important aspects of this process is how the T-complex exits the bacterium. The eleven virB gene products have been proposed to specify the DNA export channel on the basis of their predicted hydrophobicity. To determine the cellular localization of the VirB proteins, two different cell fractionation methods were employed to separate inner and outer membranes. Seven VirB-specific antibodies were used on Western blots (immunoblots) to detect the proteins in the inner and outer membranes and soluble (containing cytoplasm and periplasm) fractions. VirB5 was in both the inner membrane and cytoplasm. Six of the VirB proteins were detected in the membrane fractions only. Three of these, VirB8, VirB9, and VirB10, were present in both inner and outer membrane fractions regardless of the fractionation method used. Three additional VirB proteins, VirB1, VirB4, and VirB11, were found mainly in the inner membrane fraction by one method and were found in both inner and outer membrane fractions by a second method. These results confirm the membrane localization of seven VirB proteins and strengthen the hypothesis that VirB proteins are involved in the formation of a T-DNA export channel or gate. That most of the VirB proteins analyzed are found in both inner and outer membrane fractions suggest that they form a complex pore structure that spans both membranes, and their relative amounts in the two membrane fractions reflect their differential sensitivity to the experimental conditions.
Gastroesophageal Reflux and Tracheobronchial Contamination After Cardiac Surgery: Should a Nasogastric Tube Be Routine?

Nasogastric (NG) tubes are routinely used in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.This randomized study was designed to assess gastroesophageal reflux (GER) without a NG tube (control) compared with a NG tube managed either by gravity drainage (gravity) or continuous low-grade suction (suction). Antimony pH probes were placed in the lower esophagus and trachea after induction of anesthesia in 51 patients, and pH was recorded every 5 s until the time of tracheal extubation. GER was defined as reversible decrease in esophageal pH to less than 4.0. No significant difference was found between groups in age, weight, gender, duration of postoperative ventilation, morphine use, or antiemetic use. All indicators of GER were seen more frequently in the gravity group compared with the two other groups (P < 0.001). One episode of sudden decrease in tracheal pH was observed in a patient in the gravity group, indicating tracheal aspiration, which was associated with delayed extubation and postoperative pneumonia. The absence of a NG tube is not associated with reflux, probably since the gastroesophageal sphincter remains competent. NG tubes are not routinely necessary for cardiac surgery in patients without risk factors for GER, and increase reflux risk if managed without low-grade suction. (Anesth Analg 1996;83:228-32)
Survival of patients with familial dilated cardiomyopathy on optimal heart failure therapy.

BACKGROUND Familial dilated cardiomyopathy (FDCM) is characterized by clinical and genetic heterogeneity. There are still few survival studies concerning this subgroup of patients. AIM To determine the prognosis of patients with FDCM on optimal medical therapy and attending a heart failure clinic. METHODS This is a prospective study including patients with FDCM, defined according to the guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology. Cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause mortality were evaluated. RESULTS Thirty-six patients, 23 (64%) men, were followed for 3.8 +/- 2.5 years. Age at baseline was 42 +/- 14 years and 67% were in NYHA class II. In 22% heart failure symptoms first occurred after a respiratory infection, and in 6%, after pregnancy/delivery. Most patients were in sinus rhythm (89%) and 33% had left bundle branch block (LBBB). Baseline left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction was 28 +/- 9%, LV end-diastolic diameter was 68 +/- 8 mm and left atrial dimension was 46 +/- 9 mm. Baseline serum sodium was 140 +/- 3 mEq/l. All patients were taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs), 81% beta-blockers and 47% spironolactone. During follow-up, 5 patients died, 4 underwent heart transplantation and one received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Five-year survival was 68%. CONCLUSIONS Five-year survival of our patients with FDCM, under optimal medical therapy, was similar to that of other forms of nonischemic DCM reported in the literature.
Plasma creatine kinase activity and glutathione after eccentric exercise.

PURPOSE This study examined whether plasma total glutathione levels could explain the intersubject variability in the creatine kinase (CK) response to eccentric exercise. We hypothesized that the increase in plasma CK activity after eccentric exercise would be lower for individuals with low plasma total glutathione (<2.5 micromol x L-1) compared with individuals with high total glutathione (>3.8 micromol x L-1), but other indicators of muscle damage would be the same between groups. METHODS Resting blood samples were obtained over 2 d from 60 subjects and analyzed for plasma total glutathione. Eight subjects who had total glutathione values below 2.5 micromol x L-1 (LG), and nine who had values above 3.8 micromol x L-1 (HG) performed 50 maximal eccentric actions of the elbow flexors. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC), relaxed arm angle (RANG), and blood samples for CK, myoglobin (Mb), and total glutathione were obtained pre, post (except blood samples), 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h after exercise. RESULTS There was a significant group-by-time interaction in analysis of MVC, RANG, total glutathione, CK, and Mb response to exercise. Although LG showed a smaller CK response to eccentric exercise compared with HG, LG also showed a smaller increase in plasma Mb, a faster recovery of MVC and RANG, and an increase in plasma total glutathione. CONCLUSION Subjects with low plasma total glutathione levels had a smaller plasma CK and Mb response and a faster recovery from eccentric exercise compared with subjects having high plasma total glutathione levels. We suggest that a blunted inflammatory response in subjects with low plasma glutathione may be one explanation for these findings.
Attachment Working Models Twist Memories of Relationship Events

The information that people remember about their relationships should be affected by their attachment orientations. This study investigated changes in individuals’ memories of their own behavior during conflict-resolution discussions with their romantic partners. One week after each couple engaged in two videotaped conflict discussions, each partner’s memory of the discussions was assessed. Memory biases were systematically related to attachment orientations. More avoidant individuals, for example, remembered being less supportive than they reported initially if they were relatively distressed during the discussions, whereas the opposite was true of less avoidant persons. More anxious individuals remembered being less emotionally distant than they reported initially if they were relatively distressed during the discussions, whereas the opposite was true of less anxious persons. We discuss the implications of these memory changes.
Characterization of Glcci1 expression in a subpopulation of lateral ganglionic eminence progenitors in the mouse telencephalon

Background: The lateral ganglionic eminence (LGE) in the ventral telencephalon is a diverse progenitor domain subdivided by distinct gene expression into a dorsal region (dLGE) that gives rise to olfactory bulb and amygdalar interneurons and a ventral region (vLGE) that gives rise to striatal projection neurons. The homeobox gene, Gsx2, is an enriched marker of the LGE and is expressed in a high dorsal to low ventral gradient in the ventricular zone (VZ) as development proceeds. Aside from Gsx2, markers restricted to the VZ in the dLGE and/or vLGE remain largely unknown. Results: Here, we show that the gene and protein expression of Glucocorticoid‐induced transcript 1 (Glcci1) has a similar dorsal to ventral gradient of expression in the VZ as Gsx2. We found that Glcci1 gene and protein expression are reduced in Gsx2 mutants, and are increased in the cortex after early and late Gsx2 misexpression. Moreover, Glcci1 expressing cells are restricted to a subpopulation of Gsx2 positive cells on the basal side of the VZ and co‐express Ascl1, but not the subventricular zone dLGE marker, Sp8. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Glcci1 is a new marker of a subpopulation of LGE VZ progenitor cells in the Gsx2 lineage. Developmental Dynamics 247:222–228, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Do patients with glaucoma have difficulty recognizing faces?

PURPOSE To compare face recognition performance of glaucomatous patients with age-similar visually healthy people. METHODS Percentage of correctly identified faces in the Cambridge Face Memory Test was assessed in glaucomatous patients (n = 54; mean age = 69) with a range of visual field (VF) defects and visually healthy controls (n = 41; mean age = 67). All participants underwent cognitive and visual assessment (binocular visual acuity [BVA], contrast sensitivity [CS], and Humphrey VFs, both 10-2 and 24-2) and had BVA of at least 0.18 logMAR. Patients were classified as having "early," "moderate," or "advanced" VF defects using the Hodapp, Parrish and Anderson Method: Patients were also stratified by better-eye 10-2 mean deviation (MD) being better or worse than the 1% normative value. RESULTS There were no significant differences in age (P = 0.25) or cognitive ability (P = 0.31) between groups; however, differences in BVA and CS were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Patients with advanced VF defects identified fewer faces on average (±SD) (66% ± 15%) than those with early (75% ± 11%) and moderate (75% ± 13%) defects and controls (75% ± 11%); P < 0.05. Patients with a best-eye 10-2 MD P < 1% identified fewer faces (67% ± 13%) than those with 10-2 MD P > 1% (77% ± 11%) and controls P < 0.01 (75% ± 11%). Multiple regression analysis revealed CS was important for face recognition. CONCLUSIONS When compared with age-similar people with healthy vision, glaucomatous patients with advanced bilateral 24-2 VF loss, significant 10-2 VF loss, or poor CS are more likely to experience problems with face recognition.
Episodic Social Stress-Escalated Cocaine Self-Administration: Role of Phasic and Tonic Corticotropin Releasing Factor in the Anterior and Posterior Ventral Tegmental Area

Intermittent social defeat stress escalates later cocaine self-administration. Reward and stress both activate ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons, increasing downstream extracellular dopamine concentration in the medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens. The stress neuropeptide corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and its receptors (CRF-R1, CRF-R2) are located in the VTA and influence dopaminergic activity. These experiments explore how CRF release and the activation of its receptors within the VTA both during and after stress influence later cocaine self-administration in rats. In vivo microdialysis of CRF in the VTA demonstrated that CRF is phasically released in the posterior VTA (pVTA) during acute defeat, but, with repeated defeat, CRF is recruited into the anterior VTA (aVTA) and CRF tone is increased in both subregions. Intra-VTA antagonism of CRF-R1 in the pVTA and CRF-R2 in the aVTA during each social defeat prevented escalated cocaine self-administration in a 24 h “binge. ” VTA CRF continues to influence cocaine seeking in stressed animals long after social defeat exposure. Unlike nonstressed controls, previously stressed rats show significant cocaine seeking after 15 d of forced abstinence. Previously stressed rats continue to express elevated CRF tone within the VTA and antagonism of pVTA CRF-R1 or aVTA CRF-R2 reverses cocaine seeking. In conclusion, these experiments demonstrate neuroadaptive changes in tonic and phasic CRF with repeated stress, that CRF release during stress may contribute to later escalated cocaine taking, and that persistently elevated CRF tone in the VTA may drive later cocaine seeking through increased activation of pVTA CRF-R1 and aVTA CRF-R2. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) has emerged as a likely candidate molecule underlying the fundamental link between stress history and escalated drug self-administration. However, the nature of CRF release in the VTA during acute and repeated stress, as well as its role in enduring neuroadaptations driving later drug taking and seeking, are poorly understood. These experiments explore how CRF is released and interacts with its receptors in specific regions of the VTA both during and after stress to fuel later escalated cocaine taking and seeking behavior. Understanding these acute and persistent changes to the VTA CRF system may lead to better therapeutic interventions for addiction.