Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of single and split-dose flubendazole treatment for the nematode parasite Trichostrongylus tenuis in experimentally infected grey partridges Perdix perdix

SUMMARY Different therapeutic regimes using flubendazole for the treatment of Trichostrongylus tenuis infection in experimentally infected grey partridges Perdix perdix were examined. Flubendazole dosages of 4, 8 and 20 mg/kg were administered orally as a single dose or split into 3 or 9 parts given over 9 days. The efficacy against adult worms in the caeca improved with dose rate. Split doses were at least as effective as single doses, which removed up to 83% of adult T. tenuis. A dose of 20 mg/kg administered on a daily basis over 3 or 9 days gave the best clearance of T. tenuis, resulting in a reduction of at least 95% in worm burden.
Visual hallucinations in Parkinson's disease: Theoretical models

One of the most challenging tasks in neuroscience is to be able to meaningfully connect information across the different levels of investigation, from molecular or structural biology to the resulting behavior and cognition. Visual hallucinations are a frequent occurrence in Parkinson's disease and significantly contribute to the burden of the disease. Because of the widespread pathological processes implicated in visual hallucinations in Parkinson's disease, a final common mechanism that explains their manifestation will require an integrative approach, in which consideration is taken across all complementary levels of analysis. This review considers the leading hypothetical frameworks for visual hallucinations in Parkinson's disease, summarizing the key aspects of each in an attempt to highlight the aspects of the condition that such a unifying hypothesis must explain. These competing hypotheses include implications of dream imagery intrusion, deficits in reality monitoring, and impairments in visual perception and attention. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Investigations of Vascular Responses of Human Umbilical Vessels from Normal and Preeclamptic Pregnancies

Objective: We have investigated the isometric contractions produced by vasoactive agents in human umbilical arteries and veins from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies.Methods: Umbilical cords were collected from 70 normotensive and 20 preeclamptic women. Ring segments of umbilical vessels were suspended in organ baths under tension. Cumulative concentration response curves were carried out to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2(V) and endothelin 1 (ET-1). Conclusions: There were no differences in the responsiveness of vessels from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies to 5-HT, PGF2α and ET-1, in terms of either EC50 or maximum response.Results: In human umbilical arteries, 5-HT produced EC50 (concentration producing 50% of maximum response: mean and 95% confidence limits) values of 89.1 nM (38.7-204) and 158 nM (75.3-333); PGF2α produced EC50 values of 3.3 μM (1.71-6.37) and 3.94 μM (1.72-9.02); and ET-1 produced EC50 values of 12.1 nM (4.2-35.1) and 24.3 nM (7.71-76.7) in normal and pre.
Primary familial brain calcification: Genetic analysis and clinical spectrum

Primary familial brain calcification (PFBC) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder with bilateral calcification of basal ganglia and other cerebral regions, movement disorders, and neuropsychiatric disturbances. So far, three causative genes have been discovered: SLC20A2, PDGFRB and PDGFB, accounting for approximately 50% of cases.
Assessment of nutritional depletion and immune competence: a comparison of clinical examination and objective measurements

: The ability of two surgeons to assess accurately nutritional depletion and immune state in surgical patients by clinical examination has been studied. The clinical status of all the surgical patients (198) in a large teaching hospital was assessed by two surgeons without knowledge of the results of objective testing. One of the surgeons had had a formal training in nutritional assessment techniques, the other had not. Each was asked to make two clinical assessments, one of nutritional depletion the other of immune competence. On the same day each patient also had an objective assessment of nutritional depletion (relative weight index) and immune competence (delayed hypersensitivity skin testing to four antigens). While the two surgeons identified more than 80% of the patients objectively assessed as being not depleted, they could pick only 40% of the patients who were depleted. Similarly, they identified 60% of the patients who reacted normally to the skin tests but they picked only 31% of the patients with impaired reactivity. The surgeon with nutritional training performed better than the untrained surgeon. This study suggests that malnourished patients cannot be adequately identified by clinical examination
The power in numbers: Gut microbiota in Parkinson's disease

There is strength in numbers. The 100 trillionstrong human-gut bacterial population, referred to as microbiota, validate this aphorism with the growing recognition of their effect on health and disease. 1 Over 500 of these gastrointestinal (GI) tract resident species have had their genomes, collectively known as the microbiome, identified since 2007, as part of the National Institutes of Health Human Microgenome Project. 2 These efforts have led to new clinical applications of these data. For example, microbiota composition can be used in the screening of colorectal cancer, improving the pretest to posttest probability of adenoma diagnosis more than 50-fold. 3 Manipulating microbiota has been shown in preliminary studies to assist in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and other GI diseases. 4-7 But perhaps more surprising is that gut microbiota are now increasingly understood to influence pathologies beyond their immediate colonic realm, including chronic diseases, such as asthma, obesity, and cardiovascular and renal diseases. 8 Even the central nervous system is not exempt from the effects of intestinal bacterial residents. The presence of epsilon toxin‐secreting Clostridium perfringens was reported to be a possible mechanism for emergent demyelinating lesions. 9 Furthermore, reductions in microbiota concentration with oral antibiotics delay the onset and reduce the severity of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, the animal model of multiple sclerosis. 10 Within this context, the revelation that microbiota may influence a neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) seemed all but inevitable. In this issue of Movement Disorders, Scheperjans and colleagues demonstrate that variations in gut microbiota can be found in PD patients and may contribute to its major clinical phenotypes. 11 The outcome of this first-of-a-kind case-control study showed a reduced abundance of the Prevotellaceae bacteria family in PD compared with healthy controls, and greater abundance of Enterobacteriaceae bacteria family among those with the postural instability and gait difficulty (PIGD) phenotype compared with those with tremor-dominant PD. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was seen between Enterobacteriaceae concentration and severity of motor impairment in those with the PIGD phenotype. Scheperjans and colleagues employed several mechanisms that contribute to the validity of their findings. For example, subjects were matched by age and sex, and those living in the same household and thus with similar diets, were excluded. Possible confounders and biases were appropriately accounted for with statistical analyses, adding further reliability to their findings. As with any study of limited sample size, further research is needed to understand its external validity in relation to factors that have an impact in microbiota composition such as age, sex, diet, geographical
Incidence and prevalence of Parkinson's disease among Navajo people living in the Navajo nation

Parkinson's disease (PD) is largely unstudied among American Indians. Unique populations might harbor clues to elusive causes. We describe the incidence and prevalence of PD among Navajo people residing in the Navajo Nation, home to the largest American Indian tribe in the United States. We analyzed 2001‐2011 inpatient and outpatient visit data for Navajo people obtained from the Indian Health Service, which provides health care to American Indian people living on the Navajo Reservation. Cases were defined by at least two inpatient or outpatient visits with the diagnosis of PD. Crude and age‐adjusted incidence and prevalence rates were calculated overall as well as by age, sex, region of residence, and time period. Five hundred twenty‐four Navajo people with median age‐at‐onset of 74.0 years were diagnosed with PD during the study period, yielding an average annual crude incidence rate of 22.5/100,000. Age‐specific incidence was 232.0 for patients 65 years of age or older and 302.0 for 80 years of age or older. Age‐adjusted incidence was 35.9 overall (238.1 for ≥65 years), was higher in men than in women (47.5 vs. 27.7; P < 0.001), varied by region (P = 0.03), and was similar between time periods (2002‐2004 vs. 2009‐2011). The age‐adjusted point prevalence rate was 261.0. The rate of PD among Navajo People appears to be as high as or higher than rates reported in many other populations. Rates increased to the highest age group, consistent with population‐based studies. Further investigation is warranted to examine risk factors for PD in this remote population. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Urban forests as hubs for novel zoonosis: blood meal analysis, seasonal variation in Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) vectors, and avian haemosporidians

SUMMARY Culicoides vectors can transmit a diverse array of parasites and are globally distributed. We studied feeding preferences and seasonal variation of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) vectors in an urban forest of Germany to determine whether humans living nearby are readily exposed to vector-borne parasites from wild animals. We used a fragment of the mtDNA COI gene to identify hosts from blood meals. We amplified a fragment of the mtDNA cyt b to detect haemosporidian infections in Culicoides abdomens and thoraxes. We detected a total of 22 Culicoides species. Fifty-eight blood meals (84%) were from humans, 10 from birds, and one from livestock. We found Culicoides kibunensis (considered ornithophilic) with 29 human blood meals. Host generalist Culicoides festivipennis and Culicoides obsoletus had 14 human blood meals. Culicoides clastrieri and Culicoides semimaculatus fed on birds; previously humans were their only known host. Six thoraxes and three abdomens were infected with either Haemoproteus pallidulus or Haemoproteus parabelopolskyi. There were changes in Culicoides community structure across months. Culicoides pictipennis was the dominant species during spring, C. kibunensis and C. clastrieri were dominant during summer, and C. obsoletus was dominant by early autumn. All dominant species were generalists feeding on birds, livestock and humans. Our results indicate that humans can serve as a blood source for dominant Culicoides species instead of the normal wild animal hosts in urban areas.
Barriers and facilitators to recruitment in mental health services: care coordinators' expectations and experience of referring to a psychosis research trial.

OBJECTIVE High-quality research trials are necessary to provide evidence for the effective management of mental health difficulties, but successful recruitment can be challenging. DESIGN This qualitative study examines the perceived barriers and facilitators to referring mental health service users to research trials. Seven care coordinators (n = 7) who facilitated the recruitment of participants to a cognitive behaviour therapy - informed psychosis intervention trial were interviewed. METHOD Demographic information was collected by questionnaire and a semi-structured guide was used to explore barriers and facilitators to referring to a partially randomized participant preference trial. Qualitative data were thematically analysed. RESULTS Four key themes, each with a number of sub-themes, were identified: (1) engage the care coordinator in the recruitment process, (2) barriers to referring to research studies, (3) facilitators to referring to research studies; (4) organisational constraints impact on implementing research outcomes into routine clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS Understanding the barriers and facilitators to recruitment in mental health research could improve recruitment strategies. Our findings highlight the need for researchers' to closely consider their recruitment strategies as service users are not always given the choice to participate in research. Several key recommendations are made based on these findings in order to maximize successful recruitment to research studies. Overall, we recommend that researchers' adopt a flexible, tailor-made approach for each clinical team to ensure a collaborative relationship is developed between research staff and clinicians. PRACTITIONER POINTS A qualitative approach to understanding recruitment challenges provides a useful opportunity to explore the barriers and facilitators to recruiting participants to research studies. These findings have practical implications that highlight the need for a collaborative partnership between researchers and clinical services. Understanding the challenges and issues related to recruitment can help researchers consider strategies to overcome recruitment issues. More research with a larger sample, across a broader population and in different mental health services is required.
Does rumination mediate the relationship between mindfulness and depressive relapse?

OBJECTIVES Major depressive disorder is a significant mental illness that is highly likely to recur, particularly after three or more previous episodes. Increased mindfulness and decreased rumination have both been associated with decreased depressive relapse. The aim of this study was to investigate whether rumination mediates the relationship between mindfulness and depressive relapse. DESIGN This prospective design involved a secondary data analysis for identifying causal mechanisms using mediation analysis. METHODS This study was embedded in a pragmatic randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in which 203 participants (165 females, 38 males; mean age: 48 years), with a history of at least three previous episodes of depression, completed measures of mindfulness, rumination, and depressive relapse over a 2-year follow-up period. Specific components of mindfulness and rumination, being nonjudging and brooding, respectively, were also explored. RESULTS While higher mindfulness scores predicted reductions in rumination and depressive relapse, the relationship between mindfulness and relapse was not found to be mediated by rumination, although there appeared to be a trend. CONCLUSIONS Our results strengthen the argument that mindfulness may be important in preventing relapse but that rumination is not a significant mediator of its effects. The study was adequately powered to detect medium mediation effects, but it is possible that smaller effects were present but not detected. PRACTITIONER POINTS Mindfulness may be one of several components of MBCT contributing to prevention of depressive relapse. Although the original rationale for MBCT rested largely on a model of relapse causally linked to rumination, our findings suggest that the mechanism by which mindfulness impacts relapse is more complex than a simple effect on rumination.
Development of the feline lungworms Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior in Helix aspersa snails

SUMMARY Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Strongylida, Angiostrongylidae) and Troglostrongylus brevior (Strongylida, Crenosomatidae) are regarded as important lungworm species of domestic felids, with the latter considered an emerging threat in the Mediterranean region. The present study aimed to assess their concurrent development in the mollusc Helix aspersa (Pulmonata, Helicidae). Thirty snails were infested with 100 first-stage larvae (L1) of A. abstrusus and T. brevior, isolated from a naturally infested kitten. Larval development was checked by digesting five specimens at 2, 6 and 11 days post infestation. Larvae retrieved were morphologically described and their identification was confirmed by specific PCR and sequencing. All H. aspersa snails were positive for A. abstrusus and T. brevior, whose larval stages were simultaneously detected at each time point. In addition, snails were exposed to outdoor conditions and examined after overwintering, testing positive up to 120 days post infestation. Data herein presented suggest that A. abstrusus and T. brevior develop in H. aspersa snails and may eventually co-infest cats. Data on the morphology of both parasitic species in H. aspersa provide additional information on their development and identification, to better understand the population dynamics of these lungworms in receptive snails and paratenic hosts.
Does empowerment mediate the effects of psychological factors on mental health, well‐being, and recovery in young people?

OBJECTIVES There is consensus that empowerment is key to recovery from mental health problems, enabling a person to take charge of their life and make informed choices and decisions about their life. However, little is known about the mechanisms through which empowerment affects mental health in young people. The current study involved young people aged 16-29 years and examined empowerment as a potential mediator of the relationship between psychological factors (psychosocial, cognition, coping, and control) and mental health, well-being, and recovery from personal problems. METHODS A cross-sectional, Internet-based questionnaire study recruited 423 young people aged between 16 and 29 attending universities in England (n = 336) and Ireland (n = 87). Psychological factors, mental well-being, empowerment, and recovery from personal problems were measured using self-report measures. RESULTS Mediation analysis in both the single and one over-arching mediator models revealed that empowerment mediates the relationship between psychological factors (psychosocial, self-efficacy, thinking style, coping, and control) and mental health, well-being, and recovery from general life problems. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the importance of empowerment, showing that it mediates the relationship between psychological processes and mental health, well-being, and recovery in young people. Clinical implications for working with young people within mental health services, and facilitating their empowerment are discussed. PRACTITIONER POINTS Empowerment is currently a poorly defined concept. This study demonstrates how empowerment mediates the relationship between psychological processes and mental health, well-being, and recovery in young people. Clinicians working with young people might benefit from a structured means of understanding and assessing the different ways in which individuals manage their thinking styles. Empowerment in young people is influenced by the manner in which clinicians facilitate them in establishing social networks in support of employment, education, family/social relations and to encourage young people to take an assertive role in their own care.
Experiential acceptance and trait‐mindfulness as predictors of analogue post‐traumatic stress

OBJECTIVES Experiential acceptance and trait-mindfulness are associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after traumatic events. This study was a preliminary attempt to examine (1) associations of experiential acceptance and trait-mindfulness with post-traumatic stress (PTS) associated with negative, but not necessarily traumatizing, life events ('analogue' PTS), (2) the role of these variables in the context of neuroticism as well as worry and rumination - two other regulatory strategies associated with PTS, and (3) the impact of pre-trauma tendencies towards experiential acceptance and mindfulness on analogue PTS. DESIGN Data were obtained from two distinct student samples. A first sample provided cross-sectional data. In a second sample, indices of acceptance, mindfulness, neuroticism, worry, and rumination were tapped at inclusion into the study, and analogue PTS and confrontation with stressful life events were subsequently assessed 1 year later. RESULTS In the cross-sectional sample, higher acceptance and mindfulness were associated with lower analogue PTS, even when controlling for neuroticism, worry, and rumination. In the prospective sample, pre-trauma mindfulness (but not experiential acceptance, neuroticism, worry, and rumination) assessed at baseline predicted levels of analogue PTS 1 year later. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that experiential acceptance and trait-mindfulness are incrementally related to PTS beyond neuroticism, worry, and rumination and that pre-trauma trait-mindfulness may be a resilience factor protecting against severe PTS. PRACTITIONER POINTS We examined associations of experiential acceptance and trait-mindfulness with post-traumatic stress (PTS) associated with negative life events ('analogue' PTS). Experiential acceptance and trait-mindfulness were associated with concurrent analogue PTS, over and above neuroticism, worry, and rumination. Pre-trauma trait-mindfulness (but not pre-trauma experiential acceptance) significantly predicted analogue PTS in prospective analyses. Enhancing mindfulness skills could be a useful tool to reduce the risk of PTS in trauma-exposed samples.
Striatal and Cortical β‐Amyloidopathy and Cognition in Parkinson's Disease

Although most previous cognitive studies of β‐amyloidopathy in PD focused on cortical plaque deposition, recent postmortem studies point to an important role of striatal β‐amyloid plaque deposition. The aim of this study was to investigate the relative contributions of striatal and cortical β‐amyloidopathy to cognitive impairment in PD.