Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Combination of Long-term Ketamine and Extinction Training Contributes to Fear Erasure by Bdnf Methylation

A combination of antidepressant drugs and psychotherapy exhibits more promising efficacy in treating fear disorders than either treatment alone, but underlying mechanisms of such treatments remain largely unknown. Here we investigated the role of DNA methylation of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) gene in the therapeutic effects of ketamine in combination with extinction training in a mouse model of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) induced by inescapable electric foot shocks (IFS). Male mice received ketamine for 22 consecutive days starting 1 h after the IFS (long-term ketamine treatment) or 2 h prior to the extinction training on days 15 and 16 after the IFS (short-term ketamine treatment). The Open Field (OF) and Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) tests were conducted on days 18 and 20. The spontaneous recovery and fear renewal tests were performed on day 23. Mice, subjected to IFS, exhibited anxiety-like behavior and fear relapse, accompanied by the increased levels of DNA methyltransferases, hyper-methylation of Bdnf gene, and decreased BDNF mRNA expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus (HIP). Long-term treatment with ketamine combined with extinction training alleviated the IFS-induced abnormalities. These results suggest that long-term ketamine treatment in combination with extinction training may ameliorate fear relapse in the murine model of PTSD, at least in part, by normalizing DNA methylation of Bdnf gene.
Informal Logic

At the panel entitled “What Counts as Scholarship in Argumentation Theory? A Conversation Between Informal Logicians and Rhetoricians about Developments in Contemporary Scholarship in Argumentation Theory” at the National Communication Association meeting in November 2001, rhetoricians Michael Leff and David Zarefsky and informal logicians J. Anthony Blair and Hans V. Hansen (among others) continued a conversation about rhetorical studies of argument and informal-logic studies of argument. The topic had already been addressed, as Blair and Hansen pointed out, by an informal logician. Christopher Tindale addressed the importance of rhetorical perspectives in the study of argument in his Acts of Arguing (1999). But, the informal logicians noted with a twinkle, we in rhetoric have yet to address the work of informal logicians as it might expand our perspective. In this review essay, I begin that task. I briefly define one aspect of the project for informal logic—the dialectical core of argumentation study— drawing on Ralph Johnson’s early work. Then, I assess Johnson’s recent monograph, Manifest Rationality, arguing that Johnson’s understanding of dialectical approaches to argument does not go far enough to meet the needs of rhetorical critics, who typically see argument as more dialogic than Johnson’s model will allow. Rhetorical critics have long sought a middle ground between the dialectical and the dialogic. Gregory Clark’s (1990) Dialogue, Dialectic, and Conversation outlines the richness of this area of study from the composition tradition. Michael Hyde and Jeffrey L. Bineham (2000) survey and critique this tradition from the perspective of speech communication in their article “From Debate to THE REVIEW OF COMMUNICATION 3.3 (July 2003): 254–259  2003 National Communication Association
Surface Run-Off Water Quality from Agricultural Lands and Residential Areas

This study was conducted to characterize surface run-off water quality from sugar cane fields, pasturelands and residential areas, and to assess the effectiveness of best management practices (BMPs) in controlling non-point source pollution. From October 2002 to September 2005, the five-day biological oxygen demand (BOD5), total suspended solids (TSS), nitrate/nitrite-N (NO3/NO2-N), soluble reactive phosphate (SRP), total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN) and pH were determined in surface run-off water from two sugar cane fields, two pasturelands and two residential areas in south-western Louisiana. Faecal coliform counts were carried out on run-off samples from the two pasturelands. The BMPs implemented in one of the sugar cane fields included drop-pipe structures, nutrient management, reduced tillage and the application of herbicides to eliminate summer cultivations, while those implemented in one of the pasturelands included drop-pipe structures, cross-fencing, water points, nutrient management, improved forage planting and managed rotational grazing. Average TSS concentration in surface run-off from the sugar cane fields was significantly higher than the average TSS concentration in the surface run-off from the pastureland and residential areas. Average BOD5 concentrations in surface run-off from the sugar cane fields and pasturelands were significantly higher than the average BOD5 concentration in surface run-off from the residential site. Average TN and NO3/NO2-N concentrations in surface run-off from the sugar cane fields were significantly higher than the average concentration for the pasturelands and residential areas surface run-off. Average TP and SRP concentrations in surface run-off from the pasturelands were significantly higher than the average TP and SRP concentrations in surface run-off from the sugar cane fields and residential areas. The BOD5 was significantly positively correlated with TSS, TN, TP, SRP and NO3/NO2-N. Surface run-off from the sugar cane field with BMPs showed relatively lower median values of TN, TP, NO3/NO2-N and SRP and a slightly higher BOD5 value than the surface run-off from the sugar cane field without BMPs. Similarly, the surface run-off from pastureland with BMPs showed lower median values for TSS, TN and NO3/NO2-N than the surface run-off from pastureland without BMPs.
Neisseria meningitidis-Induced Caspase-1 Activation in Human Innate Immune Cells Is LOS-Dependent

Meningococcal disease such as sepsis and meningitidis is hallmarked by an excessive inflammatory response. The causative agent, Neisseria meningitidis, expresses the endotoxin lipooligosaccharide (LOS) that is responsible for activation of immune cells and the release of proinflammatory cytokines. One of the most potent proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), is activated following caspase-1 activity in the intracellular multiprotein complex called inflammasome. Inflammasomes are activated by a number of microbial factors as well as danger molecules by a two-step mechanism—priming and licensing of inflammasome activation—but there are no data available regarding a role for inflammasome activation in meningococcal disease. The aim of this study was to investigate if N. meningitidis activates the inflammasome and, if so, the role of bacterial LOS in this activation. Cells were subjected to N. meningitidis, both wild-type (FAM20) and its LOS-deficient mutant (lpxA), and priming as well as licensing of inflammasome activation was investigated. The wild-type LOS-expressing parental FAM20 serogroup C N. meningitidis (FAM20) strain significantly enhanced the caspase-1 activity in human neutrophils and monocytes, whereas lpxA was unable to induce caspase-1 activity as well as to induce IL-1β release. While the lpxA mutant induced a priming response, measured as increased expression of NLRP3 and IL1B, the LOS-expressing FAM20 further increased this priming. We conclude that although non-LOS components of N. meningitidis contribute to the priming of the inflammasome activity, LOS per se is to be considered as the central component of N. meningitidis virulence, responsible for both priming and licensing of inflammasome activation.
Do Analysts Strategically Employ Cash Flow Forecast Revisions to Offset Negative Earnings Forecast Revisions?

Abstract We investigate whether analysts use cash flow forecasts to reduce the impact of earnings forecast revisions (EFRs) on market participants. In particular, we focus on conflict between an analyst's concurrent cash flow and earnings forecast revisions. We hypothesize and find that analysts are more likely to issue a positive cash flow forecast revision when they issue a negative earnings forecast revision concurrently, but not the opposite, particularly for Fortune 500 firms. Furthermore, our supplementary analyses suggest that (1) some analysts optimistically bias cash flow forecasts when they issue negative earnings forecast revisions; (2) the market pays less attention to the historical accuracy of analyst cash flow forecasts, so analysts have some latitude to present their cash flow forecasts in an optimistic way; and (3) the market reacts mainly to the direction, not the magnitude, of cash flow forecast revisions. Overall, these findings suggest that analysts may strategically use cash flow forecasts in conjunction with earnings forecasts to maintain good management relationships.
Neural tube defects in the Sikhs.

Background information on the incidence of neural tube defects (NTD) in Sikhs in India and elsewhere is given. The incidence of NTD in the Sikh population of British Columbia is estimated for 4 years and found to be 2.86 per 1,000 births. The overall rate for NTD in all B.C. births for these same years is 1.26 per 1,000 births. This difference is statistically significant. Analysis of cases showed that a greater proportion of Sikh cases are stillborn, and these account for much of the excess over expected. It appears that the incidence of NTD in Sikhs is increased compared to the general population incidence of these birth defects in B.C.
Physical and psychological capabilities during substitution therapy with recombinant growth hormone in adults with growth hormone deficiency.

In a double-blind cross-over study with recombinant methionyl growth hormone (GH) and placebo during 12 weeks, the effect of GH substitution therapy (0.5-06 IU.kg-1.week-1) on physical performance, muscle strength, bone mineral density, and mood and cognitive functions was investigated in 6 GH-deficient adults. During GH substitution serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I and procollagen-III peptide increased in all 6 patients, whereas concentrations of serum urea decreased. Five of the patients identified the GH period and reported improved well-being with increased mental alertness and vitality and improved physical capacity and muscle strength. There was, however, no change of the isokinetic muscle strength during GH substitution therapy, and the working capacity on the bicycle ergometer was just slightly improved in some patients. The bone mineral density was low and unchanged in all patients. Mood and cognitive functions did not change during GH therapy. A reversible fluid retention was observed in one patient during the GH period. In conclusion, short-term GH substitution therapy to GH-deficient adults induced a subjective improvement of general well-being. Longer treatment periods will be necessary to establish the effect on physical capacity, muscle strength, bone mineral density, and mood and cognitive functions.
Ralfuranone Thioether Production by the Plant Pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum

Ralfuranones are aryl‐substituted furanone secondary metabolites of the Gram‐negative plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum. New sulfur‐containing ralfuranone derivatives were identified, including the methyl thioether‐containing ralfuranone D. Isotopic labeling in vivo, as well as headspace analyses of volatiles from R. solanacearum liquid cultures, established a mechanism for the transfer of an intact methylthio group from L‐methionine or α‐keto‐γ‐methylthiobutyric acid. The methylthio acceptor molecule ralfuranone I, a previously postulated biosynthetic intermediate in ralfuranone biosynthesis, was isolated and characterized by NMR. The highly reactive Michael acceptor system of this intermediate readily reacts with various thiols, including glutathione.
Learning By Doing in New Firms and the Optimal Rate of Inflation

Empirical data suggest that new fi rms tend to grow faster than incumbent firms in terms of their productivity. A sticky-price model with learning-by-doing in new firms fi ts this data and predicts that for plausible calibrations, the optimal long-run inflation rate is positive and between 0.5% and 1.5% per year. A positive long-run inflation rate helps the fast-growing new fi rms to align their real price with their idiosyncratic productivity growth. In contrast, the standard sticky-price model without learning-by-doing in new fi rms predicts an optimal long-run inflation rate near zero. In a two-sector model with learning-by-doing in new firms, the policy tradeo that arises between new and incumbent firms is considerably more severe than the policy tradeo that arises between economic sectors.
Descriptions of help by Finnish adolescents who self-mutilate.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to describe help from the viewpoint of self-mutilating Finnish adolescents. METHODS Methodological triangulation was used in data collection. Written descriptions were provided by 62 self-mutilating adolescents (aged 12-21 years) of the help they received and wished to receive, and individual interviews were conducted with 10 self-mutilating adolescents (aged 15-22 years). Qualitative content analysis was applied. FINDINGS Three groups of people that can be of help were identified by the self-mutilating adolescents: age-mates, including peers and fellow self-mutilating adolescents; loved ones; and adults, including unknown adults, health and social care professionals, teachers and school counsellors, and parents. Factors contributing and hindering to help were identified. CONCLUSIONS Self-mutilating adolescents want to be helped and, in their opinion, adults are duty-bound to help and care for them.
Early functional echocardiogram and inhaled nitric oxide: Usefulness in managing neonates born following extreme preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM)

Aim: Poor neonatal outcome of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) <24 weeks' gestational age (GA) is probably a result of abnormalities in both airway and vascular developments, ventilation perfusion mismatch, and possibly persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). Perinatal mortality of 50–90% has been reported in the past, with recent literature reporting significant improvement in neonatal survival. We report our 8‐year experience in this group of infants using early diagnostic functional echocardiography (fECHO), high‐frequency ventilation (HFV) and inhaled nitric oxide (iNO).
Adrenal cortex reactivity in dairy cows differs between lactational stages and between different feeding levels

Changes in ACTH challenge test characteristics in dairy cows changing their physiological status at different lactational stages and different feeding levels were not investigated in terms of repeatability yet. In 23 multiparous Holstein cows (10 cows fed a sole fresh herbage diet without concentrate, 13 cows fed with concentrate), three ACTH challenge tests were performed: once during pregnancy shortly prior to drying off (T1), and in week 3 (T2) and 8 (T3) after parturition. Test characteristics were correlated to performance and metabolic parameters: DMI, BW, energy balance (EB), plasma concentrations of free fatty acids (NEFA) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Basal plasma cortisol concentrations were higher at T1 compared with T2 and T3 (p < .05). The adrenal cortex sensitivity (expressed as total AUC (AUCt ) of cortisol response after ACTH application) was lowest at T2 compared with T1 and T3 (p < .05). Ranking of the individual animals' responses was not repeatable between time points of the ACTH tests. Enhancing the energy deficiency during early lactation by omission of concentrate did not affect baseline cortisol concentrations in plasma, but decreased peak height at T2 (p < .05). Baseline plasma cortisol concentrations were positively correlated with cortisol peak values after ACTH application, previous lactation performance, milk yield and BW (p < .05). The AUCt was positively correlated with baseline cortisol concentrations, EB and DMI. Cortisol release after ACTH injection was lower in animals with high plasma concentrations of NEFA, BHB and with higher contents of fat and free fatty acids in milk (p < .05). Cortisol peak height after ACTH administration was higher in cows with a more positive EB, higher DMI and lower plasma concentrations of NEFA and BHB. In summary, cortisol responses to ACTH challenges in this study were not repeatable in dairy cows changing their physiological status.
Similar Roles of Substantia Nigra and Ventral Tegmental Dopamine Neurons in Reward and Aversion

Dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are implicated in affective functions. However, it is unclear to what extent dopamine neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) play such roles. TH-Cre transgenic mice received adeno-associated viral vectors encoding channelrhodopsin2 (ChR2), halorhodopsin (NpHR), or control vector into the VTA or SNc, resulting in selective expression of these opsins in dopamine neurons. Mice with ChR2 learned instrumental responding to deliver photostimulation into the VTA or SNc and also sought for the compartment where they received photostimulation (i.e., operant place preference). Operant place preference scores were highly correlated with self-stimulation responses. In contrast, mice with NpHR avoided the compartment where they received photostimulation into the VTA, SNc, or dorsal striatum, whereas control mice did not. These observations suggest that the excitation and inhibition of SNc dopamine neurons elicit positive and negative affective effects, respectively, similar to those of VTA dopamine neurons.
The Accuracy oi Dispositional Judgment : Four Areas of Study

People are motivated to understand each other's psychological states as well as each other's personality traits. As a consequence, the more traditional study of accuracy in trait inference can be complemented by, and potentially benefit from, the insights provided by the more recent study of empathic accuracy. Findings in this area suggest that future research should devote more attention to (a) the history of the perceiver-target relationship; {b) the perceiver's desired future relationship with the target; (c) the possibility that perceivers have little or no "metaknowledge" regarding their own empathic ability; and {d) the possibility that, under certain conditions, perceivers might be motivated to be inaccurate, rather than accurate, in their inferences about other people's dispositions. People are not just motivated to understand each other's personality traits; they seek to understand each other's psychological states as well. For this reason, the process of getting to know other people involves more than making correct inferences about such stable and enduring dispositions as their abilities and aptitudes, their traits and temperament, and their long-term motives and goals. It also involves making correct inferences about such unstable and transient dispositions as the thoughts they are having, the feelings they are experiencing, and the more immediate, short-term goals they are pursuing. Indeed, it may be reasonable to assume that the accurate perception of states is a necessary (if not sufficient) prerequisite to the accurate perception of traits (e.g., how can I know that you are consistently morose unless I know that you are in a bad mood today, just as you were yesterday? ). This article was written while the author was on sabbatical, and the support of the Department of Psychology, University of Washington, is gratefully acknowledged. Correspondence should be sent to William Ickes, Department of Psychology, University of Texas, Arlington, TX 76019-0528. Journal cf Personality 61:4, December 1993. Copyright © 1993 by Duke University Press. CCC0022-3506/93/$! 50
SEM-EDS and X-ray micro computed tomography studies of skeletal surface pattern and body structure in the freshwater sponge Spongilla lacustris collected from Goczalkowice reservoir habit (Southern Poland).

INTRODUCTION Freshwater sponges are common animals of most aquatic ecosystems. They feed by filtering small particles from the water, and so are thought to be sensitive indicators of pollution. Sponges are strongly associated with the abiotic environment and are therefore used as bioindicators for monitoring of water quality in water habitats. Among the freshwater sponges, Spongilla lacustris is one of the classic models used to study evolution, gene regulation, development, physiology and structural biology in animal water systems. It is also important in diagnostic of aquatic environments. The aim of this study was to characterize and visualize three-dimensional architecture of sponge body and measure skeleton elements of S. lacustris from Goczalkowice reservoir for identification purposes. MATERIAL AND METHODS The scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM- -EDS) and X-ray micro computed tomography (micro-CT) were used to provide non-invasive visualization of the three-dimensional architecture of Spongilla lacustris body. RESULTS We showed that sponge skeleton was not homogeneous in composition and comprised several forms of skeleton organization. Ectosomal skeleton occurred as spicular brushes at apices of primary fibres with cementing spongin material. Choanosomal skeletal architecture was alveolate with pauci- to multispicular primary fibres connected by paucispicular transverse fibres, made by megascleres embedded in a scanty spongin matrix both in the choanosome and at the sponge surface. In contrast, microscleres were irregularly scattered in choanosome and skeletal surface. Furthermore, SEM-EDS studies showed that the distribution of silica in megascleres and microscleres was observed along the spicules and sponge surface areas. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we showed that the combination of SEM-EDS and micro-CT microscopy techniques allowed obtaining a complete picture of the sponge spatial architecture.
Can early oral prolonged-release oxycodone with or without naloxone reduce the duration of epidural analgesia after cystectomy? A 3-arm, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) enhances recovery after bowel surgery. Early postoperative prolonged-release oral formulation of oxycodone or oxycodone/naloxone is potentially useful as a second analgesic step to reduce the duration of TEA. We hypothesized that oxycodone would decrease the duration of TEA and combined with naloxone preserve gastrointestinal function. Ninety patients undergoing open cystectomy and urinary diversion were enrolled in this randomized double-blind, three-arm, parallel-group, placebo-controlled single-center trial between September 2015 and February 2017. Exclusion criteria were known allergy to oxycodone/naloxone, pulmonary diseases, hepatopathy, and analgesics nonnaïve patients. From postoperative day 3, patients received batches with oxycodone, oxycodone/naloxone, or placebo every 12 hours (n = 30 in each arm). Reduction of the epidural drug infusion rate was attempted with the goal to maintain a pain intensity <3 at rest and <5 (numeric rating score) at mobilization during 6 hours. Primary endpoint was duration of TEA and secondary endpoint return of gastrointestinal function. The median duration of TEA did not differ between patients treated with oxycodone/naloxone (6.7 [range 3.1-10.3] days), oxycodone (7.0 [3.0-9.1]), or placebo (6.4 [3.1-8.4]); P = 0.88. Time to the first defecation was prolonged in the oxycodone group compared to the placebo group (difference 22.48 hours ±8.95; P = 0.037). In the oxycodone group, we found 8/30 patients with ileus (27%) compared to 2/28 (7%) in the oxycodone/naloxone group and to 2/30 (7%) in the placebo group; (P = 0.031). Oxycodone, with or without naloxone, did not reduce the duration of TEA. Oxycodone alone led to a delayed return of bowel function, whereas the combination was not different from placebo.