Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abnormal lateralization of fine motor actions in Tourette syndrome persists into adulthood

Youth with Tourette syndrome (TS) exhibit, compared to healthy, abnormal ability to lateralize digital sequential tasks. It is unknown whether this trait is related to inter-hemispheric connections, and whether it is preserved or lost in patients with TS persisting through adult life. We studied 13 adult TS patients and 15 age-matched healthy volunteers. All participants undertook: 1) a finger opposition task, performed with the right hand (RH) only or with both hands, using a sensor-engineered glove in synchrony with a metronome at 2 Hz; we calculated a lateralization index [(single RH–bimanual RH)/single RH X 100) for percentage of correct movements (%CORR); 2) MRI-based diffusion tensor imaging and probabilistic tractography of inter-hemispheric corpus callosum (CC) connections between supplementary motor areas (SMA) and primary motor cortices (M1). We confirmed a significant increase in the %CORR in RH in the bimanual vs. single task in TS patients (p<0.001), coupled to an abnormal ability to lateralize finger movements (significantly lower lateralization index for %CORR in TS patients, p = 0.04). The %CORR lateralization index correlated positively with tic severity measured with the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (R = 0.55;p = 0.04). We detected a significantly higher fractional anisotropy (FA) in both the M1-M1 (p = 0.036) and the SMA-SMA (p = 0.018) callosal fibre tracts in TS patients. In healthy subjects, the %CORR lateralization index correlated positively with fractional anisotropy of SMA-SMA fibre tracts (R = 0.63, p = 0.02); this correlation was not significant in TS patients. TS patients exhibited an abnormal ability to lateralize finger movements in sequential tasks, which increased in accuracy when the task was performed bimanually. This abnormality persists throughout different age periods and appears dissociated from the transcallosal connectivity of motor cortical regions. The altered interhemispheric transfer of motor abilities in TS may be the result of compensatory processes linked to self-regulation of motor control.
Pharmacological manipulations of the alpha 2-noradrenergic system. Effects on cognition.

Electrophysiological and neurosurgical lesion studies with experimental animals have implicated the ascending dorsal noradrenergic bundle of the locus coeruleus system in cognitive process such as memory, learning and selective attention. However, it has also been suggested that noradrenaline (norepinephrine) is crucial in certain cognitive functions associated with the frontal lobes, particularly the prevention of distractibility by irrelevant stimuli. The alpha 2-receptors of the prefrontal cortex appear to be of particular importance in this respect. Studies with humans and experimental primates provide substantial support for this view. The aged primate brain is prone to degeneration of the locus coeruleus, as well as profound catecholamine depletion in the prefrontal cortex, and so is ideal for psychopharmacological investigation of the role of noradrenaline in frontal lobe function. Elderly monkeys show deficits in performance of the delayed response task, which can be reversed directly by both the mixed alpha 1/alpha 2-agonist clonidine, the more specific alpha 2-agonist guanfacine and also, indirectly, by the alpha 2-antagonist yohimbine. It is suggested that these results can be explained by an attenuation of the distracting properties of irrelevant stimuli following stimulation of noradrenergic activity. Conversely, distractibility is magnified whenever noradrenergic activity is reduced. This is supported by similar findings in psychopharmacological studies of healthy humans. The exception to this is when the locus coeruleus is likely to be firing, e.g. in times of stress or when novel stimuli are encountered. Clonidine attenuates locus coeruleus firing on such occasions, and so counteracts any beneficial (or deleterious) effects of stress on task performance. alpha 2-Adrenoceptor agents have little therapeutic value in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer's type. However, they may have some clinical use in patients who have a cognitive symptomatology similar to that of patients who have received neurosurgical excisions to the frontal lobes, e.g. deficits in working memory, executive function or focused attention, with relative sparing of episodic short term memory. Patients with Korsakoff's disease, attention deficit disorder or schizophrenia may benefit from treatment with alpha 2-agents. In particular, idazoxan has putative therapeutic effects in patients with a neurodegenerative disorder, namely dementia of frontal type.
Awareness of Value Addition of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) In Osun State, Nigeria

— Awareness of value addition of sweet potato has received comparatively little attention in Nigeria despite its potential to reduce perishability and enhanced utilization of the crop in diverse products forms. This study assessed the awareness of value addition of sweet potato in Osun State, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents for the study. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. Findings showed that most (75.00%) of the respondents were male with mean age of 42.10 years and 96.70% of the respondents had formal education. The mean farm size was 2.30 hectares. Majority (75.00%) of the respondents had more than 10 years farming experience. Awareness of value addition of sweet potato was very low among the respondents. It was recommended that sweet potato farmers should be empowered through effective and efficient extension training on the use of modern processing techniques in order to enhance value addition of sweet potato.
A comparative study on attitudes towards SMS advertising and mobile application advertising

The objective of the present study is to determine the major factors influencing consumers' attitudes towards two major types of mobile marketing activities: SMS advertising and mobile application advertising. It also discusses the potential differences in antecedents of attitude between the two types of advertisements. The study was carried out in Turkey among university students, who are commonly targeted in mobile marketing studies due to their high mobile phone ownership rates and familiarity with new technologies. A total of 489 valid questionnaires were obtained and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. The findings indicate that overall attitudes towards both mobile advertisement types are negative, SMS marketing being the inferior type. Differences in perceptions of the antecedents of attitudes towards SMS and mobile app ads were detected. On the other hand, the way variables affect attitudes (paths) among the two wireless advertisements types were quite similar.
Development of the Crying Proneness Scale: Associations Among Crying Proneness, Empathy, Attachment, and Age

Crying is a unique form of human emotional expression that is associated with both positive and negative evocative antecedents. This article investigates the psychometric properties of a newly developed Crying Proneness Scale by examining the factor structure, test–retest reliability, and theoretically hypothesized relationships with empathy, attachment, age, and gender. Based on an analysis of data provided by a Dutch panel (Time 1: N = 4,916, Time 2: N = 4,874), exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses suggest that crying proneness is a multidimensional construct best characterized by four factors called attachment tears, societal tears, sentimental/moral tears, and compassionate tears. Test–retest reliability of the scale was adequate and associations with age, gender, empathy, and attachment demonstrated expected relations. Results suggest that this scale can be used to measure crying proneness, and that it will be useful in future studies that aim to gain a better understanding of normal and pathological socioemotional development.
Validation of Reference Genes for Gene Expression Studies in Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

ABSTRACT Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is a common and robust tool for accurate quantification of mRNA transcripts. To normalize results, a housekeeping gene ([HKG], reference gene or endogenous control gene) is mandatory. Soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a significant soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. , pest, yet gene expression and functional genomics studies are hindered by a lack of stable HKGs. We evaluated seven potential HKGs (SDFS, succinate dehydrogenase flavoprotein subunit; EF1a, elongation factor-1&agr;; HEL, helicase; GAPDH, glyceraldehyde-3 phosphate dehydrogenase; RPS9, ribosomal protein S9; TBP, TATA-box binding protein; and UBQ, ubiquitin-conjugating protein) to determine the most efficient HKGs that have stable expression among tissues, developmental stages, and aphids fed on susceptible and host plant—resistant soybean. HKG stability was determined using GeNorm and NormFinder. Results from three different experimental conditions revealed high stability of TBP compared with the other HKGs profiled across the samples assayed. RPS9 showed stable expression among aphids on susceptible and resistant plants, whereas EF1a showed stable expression in tissues and developmental stages. Therefore, we recommend the TBP as a suitable HKG for efficient normalization among treatments, tissues, and developmental stages of A. glycines. In addition, RPS9 may be used for host-plant resistance experiments and EF1a could be considered for testing differential expression across tissues or developmental stages. These results will enable a more accurate and reliable normalization of qRT-PCR data in A. glycines.
In Vitro Metabolism of Styrene to Styrene Oxide in Liver and Lung of Cyp2E1 Knockout Mice

Styrene is a widely used chemical. In mice it is both hepatotoxic and pneumotoxic, and this toxicity is thought to be associated with its metabolism to styrene oxide. In vitro studies by several investigators suggest that this bioactivation in mice is primarily due to CYP2E1 and CYP2F2. However, in vivo studies demonstrate that CYP2E1 knockout mice can metabolize styrene to a similar extent as the wild-type mice. The current studies compared the in vitro metabolism of styrene by hepatic and pulmonary microsomes from CYP2E1 knockout and wild-type mice. There was no difference in the hepatic microsomal metabolism of styrene to styrene oxide between the two strains. The metabolism of styrene was lower in the lungs of the knockout mice than in the wild-type. Chemical inhibitors were used to ascertain the contributions made by various cytochromes P-450: imipramine for CYP2C, f -methylbenzylaminobenzotriazole for CYP2B, f -naphthoflavone for CYP1A, 5-phenyl-1-pentyne for CYP2F2, and diethyldithiocar-bamate for CYP2E1. The data indicate that CYP2E1 and CYP2F2 may be important in wild-type mice, but they do not clearly indicate what cytochromes P-450 are responsible for the metab-olism in the knockout mice. Inhibition of styrene metabolism in the knockout mice by diethyl-dithiocarbamate indicates this inhibitor is not completely selective for CYP2E1. These in vitro data support the in vivo finding of styrene metabolism in CYP2E1 knockout mice and indicate that other enzymes are contributing to styrene metabolism in these mice.
A structured dynamic model for the baculovirus infection process in insect‐cell reactor configurations

A mathematical description of the infection of insect cells with baculovirus in a continuously operated reactor configuration is presented. The reactor configuration consists of one bioreactor in which insect cells (Spodoptera frugiperda) are grown followed by one or two bioreactors in which cells are infected by a baculovirs (Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus). It was demonstrated that the so‐called passage effect is responsible for the observed difference in run time between a configuration with one or with two infection vessels. Furthermore, a model is presented based on the hypothesis that the limited run time of series of continuously operated bioreactors is associated with the occurrence of a virus particle (so‐called virion) that is defective and has interfering properties. With the assumption that not all nonoccluded virions are capable of establishing a correct infection leading to new virus production, infection levels in continuously operated reactor configurations could be described well with the model. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Phyto-oestrogen content of berries, and plasma concentrationsand urinary excretion of enterolactone after asingle strawberry-meal in human subjects

Quantitative data on phyto-oestrogen, particularly lignan, content in edible plants are insufficient. We, therefore, measured isoflavonoids and lignans in nine edible berries using an isotope dilution gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method for foods and found substantial concentrations of the lignan secoisolariciresinol (1·39–37·18 mg/kg DM), low amounts of matairesinol (0–0·78 mg/kg DM) and no isoflavones. To determine pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion pattern of the mammalian lignan enterolactone derived from plant lignans, a study with human subjects was conducted. Five healthy women and two men consumed, after a 72 h period of a phyto-oestrogen-free regimen, a single strawberry-meal containing known amounts of plant lignans. Basal and post-meal blood and urine samples were collected at short intervals. The samples were analysed using time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay of enterolactone. The meal increased plasma concentration of enterolactone after 8–24 h and in urine in the 13–24 h and 25–36 h urine collections. High individual variability of the metabolic response was observed. Enterolactone excreted in the urine collected throughout the 48 h post-meal yielded on average 114 % of the plant lignans consumed. It is concluded that berries containing relatively high concentrations of plant lignans contribute to plasma and urinary levels of mammalian enterolactone in human subjects.
Selenium supplementation and premature (pre-labour) rupture of membranes: A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial

The aim was to determine if selenium supplementation during pregnancy reduces the occurrence of premature (pre-labour) rupture of membranes (PROM). A total of 166 primigravid pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy, were randomised to receive 100 μg of selenium (n = 83, drop-outs = 22) or a placebo (n = 83, drop-outs = 19) per day until delivery. The incidence of PROM, as well as serum selenium concentrations were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the study. Supplementation with selenium was associated with a significant increase in mean serum selenium concentration at term (p < 0.001). In contrast, mean serum selenium concentration remained unchanged in the control group (p > 0.05). The incidence of PROM was significantly lower in the selenium group (n = 8, 13.1%) than in the control group (n = 22, 34.4%) (p < 0.01). Our findings indicate that selenium supplementation (100 μg/day) in pregnant women effectively reduces the incidence of PROM.
Mechanisms for sensitization to TNF‐induced apoptosis by acute glutathione depletion in murine hepatocytes

We previously reported that depletion of glutathione in murine hepatocytes by diethylmaleate (DEM) or acetaminophen (APAP) leads to oxidative stress—dependent necrosis and sensitizes to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐induced apoptosis in an oxidative stress—independent fashion, which could not be explained by interference with nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) nuclear translocation. The present report explores the mechanisms of these effects. We observed that DEM led to necrosis when both mitochondrial and cytosol glutathione were depleted profoundly but sensitized to TNF‐induced apoptosis when cytosol glutathione was depleted selectively. DEM and APAP lead to a significant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH)/glutathione disulfide (GSSG) ratio. Glutathione depletion by DEM or APAP was associated with inhibition of TNF‐induced NF‐κB transactivation of anti‐apoptotic genes, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (i‐NOS). Provision of exogenous NO partially abrogated the sensitization to TNF in response to glutathione depletion. Glutathione depletion alone led to sustained increase in phospho‐jun levels and c‐Jun‐N‐terminal kinase (JNK) activity. JNK inhibitor partially blocked the sensitization to TNF‐induced apoptosis accompanying glutathione depletion. In conclusion, these findings suggest that extramitochondrial glutathione depletion alters the thiol‐disulfide redox state, leading to inhibition of NF‐κB transactivation of survival genes and to sustained activation of JNK, both of which contribute to the sensitization to TNF‐induced apoptosis.
Donor Site Morbidity After Anterior Iliac Crest Bone Harvest for Single-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Study Design. This retrospective, questionnaire-based investigation evaluated iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) site morbidity in patients having undergone a single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedure performed by a single surgeon (T.J.A.). Objective. To evaluate acute and chronic problems associated with anterior ICBG donation, particularly long-term functional outcomes and impairments caused by graft donation. Summary of Background Data. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion procedures frequently use autologous anterior ICBG to facilitate osseous union. Although autologous ICBG offers several advantages over alternative grafting materials, donor site morbidity can be significant. Acute and chronic complications of donor sites have been reported, yet there are currently no reports of long-term functional outcomes after autologous anterior ICBG donation after single-level ACDF. Methods. A questionnaire was mailed to 187 consecutive patients who were retrospectively identified to have undergone autologous anterior ICBG harvest for single-level ACDF between 1994 and 1998. The questionnaire divided items into symptomatic (acute and chronic) and functional assessments. Patients answered yes, no, or not applicable; pain was assessed with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results. Surveys were completed either by mail or follow-up telephone interview by 134 patients (71.6%). Average follow-up was 48 months (range, 24–72 months). Acute symptoms were reported at the following rates: ambulation difficulty, 50.7%; extended antibiotic usage, 7.5%; persistent drainage, 3.7%; wound dehiscence, 2.2%; and incision and drainage, 1.5%. The chronic symptom questionnaire demonstrated a high degree of satisfaction with the cosmetic result (92.5%). Pain at the donor site was reported by 26.1% of patients with a mean VAS score of 3.8 in 10, and 11.2% chronically use pain medication. Twenty-one patients (15.7%) reported abnormal sensations at the donor site, but only 5.2% reported discomfort with clothing. A unique functional assessment revealed current impairments at the following rates: ambulation, 12.7%; recreational activities, 11.9%; work activities, 9.7%; activities of daily living, 8.2%; sexual activity, 7.5%; and household chores, 6.7%. Conclusions. A large percentage of patients report chronic donor site pain after anterior ICBG donation, even when only a single-level ACDF procedure is performed. Moreover, long-term functional impairment can also be significant. Patients should be counseled regarding these potential problems, and alternative sources of graft material should be considered.
Genetic modification of human T lymphocytes for the treatment of hematologic malignancies

Modern chemotherapy regimens and supportive care have produced remarkable improvements in the overall survival of patients with hematologic malignancies. However, the development of targeted small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, and biological therapies that demonstrate greater efficacy and lower toxicity remains highly desirable in hematology, and oncology in general. In the context of biological therapies, T-lymphocyte based treatments have enormous potential. Donor lymphocyte infusion in patients relapsed after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant pioneered the concept that T lymphocytes can effectively control tumor growth, and this was then followed by the development of cell culture strategies to generate T lymphocytes with selective activity against tumor cells. Over the past decade, it has become clear that the adoptive transfer of ex vivo expanded antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes promotes sustained antitumor effects in patients with virus-associated lymphomas, such as Epstein-Barr virus related post-transplant lymphomas and Hodgkin's lymphomas. Because of this compelling clinical evidence and the concomitant development of methodologies for robust gene transfer to human T lymphocytes, the field has rapidly evolved, offering new opportunities to extend T-cell based therapies. This review summarizes the most recent biological and clinical developments using genetically manipulated T cells for the treatment of hematologic malignancies.
Hypoglycaemia in the elderly.

AIM To determine the prevalence, presentation, causes and consequences of hypoglycaemia in the elderly, and to make preventive recommendations. METHOD Retrospective review of case records. RESULTS The definition of hypoglycaemia is defined as symptoms with a capillary blood sugar of less than 3 mmol/L measured on the Reflolux II or Accutrend glucometer. Out of 1,919 admissions to our department from November 1993 to January 1996, there were 45 cases of hypoglycaemia. The average age was 76.2 years (range 66 to 89 years); 32 were females, 13 males, 35 had diabetes mellitus and 10 were non-diabetics. Forty patients presented with neuroglycopaenic symptoms and 5 patients presented with adrenergic symptoms. Thirteen patients presented were solely due to drugs (mainly glibenclamide); 9 cases were due only to disease (mainly psychiatric illnesses with poor intake); 23 cases were due to both drugs and diseases (mainly a combination of glibenclamide, tolbutamide and psychiatric illness with poor intake, renal failure, gastroenteritis and sepsis). All were easily reversed with an intravenous bolus of 50% glucose or continuous 10% glucose infusions. Forty-three patients did not suffer any morbidity, one suffered a stroke and another fell because of giddiness. CONCLUSION We recommend that: (1) the importance of having regular meals be emphasised to elderly patients and their carers, especially if they are taking hypoglycaemic agents; (2) regular home glucose monitoring for diabetic patients; (3) assessment and monitoring of renal function before prescribing hypoglycaemic agents; (4) avoidance of the use of long or medium acting sulphonylureas eg. chlorpropamide, glibenclamide in the elderly; (5) adjustment of hypoglycaemic agents (in consultation with a trained nurse/doctor) if the patient suffers from gastroenteritis and (6) less stringent blood glucose control in those with psychiatric illnesses who may have variable food intake.