Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accepting unfairness by a significant other is associated with reduced connectivity between medial prefrontal and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex

ABSTRACT Conflict is a ubiquitous feature of interpersonal relationships, yet many of these relationships preserve their value following conflict. Our ability to refrain from punishment despite the occurrence of conflict is a characteristic of human beings. Using a combination of behavioral and neuroimaging techniques, we show that prosocial decision-making is modulated by relationship closeness. In an iterated social exchange, participants were more likely to cooperate with their partner compared to an unknown person by accepting unfair exchanges. Importantly, this effect was not influenced by how resources were actually being shared with one’s partner. The medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) was activated when the partner, rather than the unknown person, behaved unfairly and, in the same context, the MPFC demonstrated greater functional connectivity with the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (DACC). MPFC–DACC connectivity was inversely associated with participants’ tendency to “forgive” their partner for unfairness as well as performance outside the scanner on a behavioral measure of forgiveness. We conclude that relationship closeness modulates a neural network comprising the MPFC/DACC during economic exchanges.
[Analysis on accuracy and influencing factors of oral fluid-based rapid HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men].

OBJECTIVE To understood the accuracy of oral fluid-based rapid HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men (MSM) and related factors. METHODS Survey was conducted among MSM selected through non-probability sampling to evaluate the quality of their rapid HIV self-testing, and related information was analyzed. RESULTS The most MSM were aged 21-30 years (57.0%). Among them, 45.7% had educational level of college or above, 78.5% were unmarried, 59.3% were casual laborers. The overall accuracy rate of oral fluid based self-testing was 95.0%, the handling of"inserting test paper into tube as indicated by arrow on it"had the highest accuracy rate (98.0%), and the handling of"gently upsetting tube for 3 times"had lowest accuracy rate (65.0%); Chi-square analysis showed that educational level, no touch with middle part of test paper, whether reading the instruction carefully, whether understanding the instruction and inserting test paper into tube as indicated by the arrow on it were associated with the accuracy of oral fluid-based rapid HIV self-testing, (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that educational level, no touch with middle part of test paper and understanding instructions were associated with the accuracy of oral fluid-based rapid HIV self-testing. CONCLUSIONS The accuracy of oral fluid-based rapid HIV self-testing was high among MSM, the accuracy varied with the educational level of the MSM. Touch with the middle part of test paper or not and understanding the instructions or not might influence the accuracy of the self-testing.
High‐Resolution Three‐Dimensional Computer Simulation of Hominid Cranial Mechanics

In vivo data demonstrates that strain is not distributed uniformly on the surface of the primate skull during feeding. However, in vivo studies are unable to identify or track changes in stress and strain throughout the whole structure. Finite element (FE) analysis, a powerful engineering tool long used to predict the performance of man‐made devices, has the capacity to track stress/strain in three dimensions (3‐D) and, despite the time‐consuming nature of model generation, FE has become an increasingly popular analytical device among biomechanists. Here, we apply the finite element method using sophisticated computer models to examine whether 3‐D stress and strain distributions are nonuniform throughout the primate skull, as has been strongly suggested by 2‐D in vivo strain analyses. Our simulations document steep internal stress/strain gradients, using models comprising up to three million tetrahedral finite elements and 3‐D reconstructions of jaw adducting musculature with both cranium and mandible in correct anatomical position. Results are in broad concurrence with the suggestion that few regions of the hominid cranium are clearly optimized for routine feeding and also show that external stress/strain does not necessarily reflect internal distributions. Findings further suggest that the complex heterogeneity of bone in the skull may act to dissipate stress, but that consequently higher strain must be offset by additional strain energy. We hypothesize that, despite energetic costs, this system may lend adaptive advantage through enhancing the organism's ability to modify its behavior before reaching catastrophic failure in bony or dental structures. Anat Rec, 290:1248–1255, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tumorigenesis in transgenic mice: Identification and characterization of synergizing oncogenes

Transgenic mice carrying oncogenes present a useful model with which to assess the tissue‐specific action of oncogenes. These mice are usually predisposed to a specific type of neoplastic growth. The tumors that arise are usually monoclonal in origin and become only apparent after a variable latency period, suggesting that additional events are required for tumor formation. Identification of these additional events is highly relevant: it might give access to the genes that can synergize with a preselected oncogene in tumorigenesis and could facilitate the identification of the biochemical pathways in which these genes act. Retroviruses can be instrumental in identifying cooperating oncogenes. Proto‐oncogene activation or tumor suppressor gene inactivation by insertional mutagenesis is an important mechanism by which the non‐acute transforming retroviruses can induce tumors in several species. Owing to the sequence tag provided by the provirus, the relevant proto‐oncogene can be directly identified by cloning of the DNA flanking the proviral insertion site. We have exploited this potential of retroviruses by infecting Eμ‐pim‐1 and Eμ‐myc transgenic mice, which are predisposed to lymphomagenesis, with Moloney murine leukemia virus (MuLV). A strong acceleration of tumor induction ensued upon infection of these mice with MuLV. More importantly, it allowed us to identify a number of additional common insertion sites marking both previously known as well as new (putative) oncogenes. In a significant portion of the tumors more than one oncogene was found to be activated, indicating that within this system the synergistic effect of at least three genes can be established. Furthermore, the distribution of proviruses over these common insertion sites suggests that this methodology enables us to assign each of these genes to distinct complementation groups in tumorigenesis. To get insight into the function of these oncogenes, we have inactivated one of them, the pim‐1 oncogene, via homologous recombination in ES cells. We have shown that by using a pim‐1 targeting vector in which transcription and translation of the resistance marker was made dependent on the acquisition of both a promoter and an in‐frame translational initiation codon, the gene could be inactivated with high efficiency. Subsequently, we inactivated the second allele by using a different selectable marker. The absence of the pim‐1 gene product does not appear to have any detrimental effect on the growth of ES cells and hematopoietic cells derived from these ES cells in vitro, despite the fact that pim‐1 is highly expressed in wild‐type ES cells. More detailed analysis of pim‐1‐less cells and mice will be necessary to gain insight into the relevance of the highly conserved pim‐1 proto‐oncogene in development and maintenance of mammalian organisms.
A Battery-Powered Activity-Dependent Intracortical Microstimulation IC for Brain-Machine-Brain Interface

This paper describes an activity-dependent intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) system-on-chip (SoC) that converts extracellular neural spikes recorded from one brain region to electrical stimuli delivered to another brain region in real time in vivo. The 10.9-mm2 SoC incorporates two identical 4-channel modules, each comprising an analog recording front-end with total input noise voltage of 3.12 μVrms and noise efficiency factor (NEF) of 2.68, 5.9-μW 10-bit successive approximation register analog-to-digital converters (SAR ADCs), 12.4-μW digital spike discrimination processor, and a programmable constant-current microstimulating back-end that delivers up to 94.5 μA with 6-bit resolution to stimulate the cortical tissue when triggered by neural activity. For autonomous operation, the SoC also integrates biasing and clock generation circuitry, frequency-shift-keyed (FSK) transmitter at 433 MHz, and dc-dc converter that generates a power supply of 5.05 V for the microstimulating back-end from a single 1.5-V battery. Measured results from electrical performance characterization and biological experiments with anesthetized rats are presented from a prototype chip fabricated in AMS 0.35 μm two-poly four-metal (2P/4M) CMOS. A noise analysis for the selected low-noise amplifier (LNA) topology is presented that obtains a minimum NEF of 2.33 for a practical design given the technology parameters and power supply voltage. Future considerations in the SoC design with respect to silicon area and power consumption when increasing the number of channels are also discussed.
Delegation practices between registered nurses and nursing assistive personnel.

AIM To understand registered nurses' (RNs) and nursing assistive personnel's (NAP) perceptions of delegation practices in delivery of oncology patient care. BACKGROUND No research to date describes how RNs and NAP communicate and interact during the delegation process. An understanding of the nature of communication during delegation offers direction for how RNs and NAP can improve collaboration. METHOD Qualitative descriptive study. RESULTS Participants described conflict as a central theme during delegation. Sources of conflict varied between RNs and NAP. Successful delegation is characterised by effective communication, teamwork and initiative. CONCLUSION Successful delegation depends on the quality of RN and NAP working relationships, timely ongoing communication, initiative and a willingness to collaborate. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Nurse managers play a key role in the facilitation of delegation practices. Developing clear guidelines for RN and NAP patient reporting and providing opportunities to discuss conflict-related issues is essential. RNs would benefit from acquiring competency in how to conduct reports, resolve conflicts, and how to convey their role in patient care management. Nursing assistive personnel would benefit from developing competency in using effective communication skills for giving feedback, clarifying tasks and patient status and resolving conflict.
The complex world of oligodendroglial differentiation inhibitors

Myelination is a central nervous system (CNS) process wherein oligodendrocyte‐axon interactions lead to the establishment of myelin sheaths that stabilize, protect, and electrically insulate axons. In inflammatory demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), the degeneration and eventual loss of functional myelin sheaths slows and blocks saltatory conduction in axons, which results in clinical impairment. However, remyelination can occur, and lesions can be partially repaired, resulting in clinical remission. The recruitment and activation of resident oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) play a critical role in the repair process because these cells have the capacity to differentiate into functional myelinating cells. Mature oligodendrocytes, however, are thought to have lost the capacity to develop new myelin sheaths and frequently undergo programmed cell death in MS. The endogenous capacity to generate new oligodendrocytes in MS is limited, and this is predominantly due to the presence of inhibitory components that block OPC differentiation and maturation. Here, we present an overview of recently identified negative regulators of oligodendroglial differentiation and their potential relevance for CNS repair in MS. Because currently available immunomodulatory drugs for MS mainly target inflammatory cascades outside the brain and fail to repair existing lesions, achieving more efficient lesion repair constitutes an important goal for future MS therapies. Ann Neurol 2011;69:602–618
Wheat BAX inhibitor-1 ontributes to wheat resista ce to Puccinia striiformis

In mammals, cadmium is widely considered as a non-genotoxic carcinogen acting through a methylation-dependent epigenetic mechanism. Here, the effects of Cd treatment on the DNA methylation patten are examined together with its effect on chromatin reconfiguration in Posidonia oceanica. DNA methylation level and pattern were analysed in actively growing organs, under short(6 h) and long(2 d or 4 d) term and low (10 mM) and high (50 mM) doses of Cd, through a Methylation-Sensitive Amplification Polymorphism technique and an immunocytological approach, respectively. The expression of one member of the CHROMOMETHYLASE (CMT) family, a DNA methyltransferase, was also assessed by qRT-PCR. Nuclear chromatin ultrastructure was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Cd treatment induced a DNA hypermethylation, as well as an up-regulation of CMT, indicating that de novo methylation did indeed occur. Moreover, a high dose of Cd led to a progressive heterochromatinization of interphase nuclei and apoptotic figures were also observed after long-term treatment. The data demonstrate that Cd perturbs the DNA methylation status through the involvement of a specific methyltransferase. Such changes are linked to nuclear chromatin reconfiguration likely to establish a new balance of expressed/repressed chromatin. Overall, the data show an epigenetic basis to the mechanism underlying Cd toxicity in plants.
Fetal allogeneic umbilical cord cell transplantation improves motor function in spinal cord-injured rats.

AIM The objective of this study was to investigate whether the transplantation of fetal umbilical cord tissue cells as a source of stem cells into the acutely injured spinal cord would produce some regenerations and/or functional recovery in a rat model of spinal cord injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS Five pregnant albino Wistar rats of 12 days gestation were used for obtaining an umbilical cord cell graft. At the second stage of the experiment only Th8-Th9 laminectomy was performed in Group A animals while Group B animals underwent spinal cord hemitransection. The cultured fetal umbilical cord cells coated with Alginate Gel were placed into the lesion cavity immediately after surgery in Group C animals. Group D animals received only Alginate gel sponges into the injured area. All experiment groups were analyzed histologically and immunohistochemically (GFAP, Ki-67, and Pan cadherin) and for motor function after surgery. RESULTS The umbilical cord cell transplanted animals showed a significant motor recovery compared to non-transplanted animals at 8 and 21 days after spinal cord injury (p=0.008). Significant GFAP and Ki-67 expressions were noted in transplanted animals (p=0.048) suggesting astroglial proliferation. CONCLUSION Our findings support the possibility of some functional recovery after umbilical cord cell transplantation following spinal cord injury.
Major Basic Protein from Eosinophils and Myeloperoxidase from Neutrophils Are Required for Protective Immunity to Strongyloides stercoralis in Mice

ABSTRACT Eosinophils and neutrophils contribute to larval killing during the primary immune response, and neutrophils are effector cells in the secondary response to Strongyloides stercoralis in mice. The objective of this study was to determine the molecular mechanisms used by eosinophils and neutrophils to control infections with S. stercoralis. Using mice deficient in the eosinophil granule products major basic protein (MBP) and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO), it was determined that eosinophils kill the larvae through an MBP-dependent mechanism in the primary immune response if other effector cells are absent. Infecting PHIL mice, which are eosinophil deficient, with S. stercoralis resulted in development of primary and secondary immune responses that were similar to those of wild-type mice, suggesting that eosinophils are not an absolute requirement for larval killing or development of secondary immunity. Treating PHIL mice with a neutrophil-depleting antibody resulted in a significant impairment in larval killing. Naïve and immunized mice with neutrophils deficient in myeloperoxidase (MPO) infected with S. stercoralis had significantly decreased larval killing. It was concluded that there is redundancy in the primary immune response, with eosinophils killing the larvae through an MBP-dependent mechanism and neutrophils killing the worms through an MPO-dependent mechanism. Eosinophils are not required for the development or function of secondary immunity, but MPO from neutrophils is required for protective secondary immunity.
Selective Predation on Wing Morphology in Sympatric Damselflies

Although predation is thought to affect species divergence, the effects of predator‐mediated natural selection on species divergence and in nonadaptive radiations have seldom been studied. Wing melanization in Calopteryx damselflies has important functions in sexual selection and interspecific interactions and in species recognition. The genus Calopteryx and other damselfly genera have also been put forward as examples of radiations driven by sexual selection. We show that avian predation strongly affects natural selection on wing morphology and male wing melanization in two congeneric and sympatric species of this genus (Calopteryx splendens and Calopteryx virgo). Predation risk was almost three times higher for C. virgo, which has an exaggerated degree of wing melanization, than it was for the less exaggerated, sympatric congener C. splendens. Selective predation on the exaggerated species C. virgo favored a reduction and redistribution of the wing melanin patch. There was evidence for nonlinear selection involving wing patch size, wing patch darkness, and wing length and width in C. splendens but weaker nonlinear selection on the same trait combinations in C. virgo. Selective predation could interfere with species divergence by sexual selection and may thus indirectly affect male interspecific interactions, reproductive isolation, and species coexistence in this genus.
Rabies immunization of travelers in a canine rabies endemic area.

BACKGROUND Travelers to countries where rabies is endemic may be at risk of rabies exposure. We assessed rabies immunization of travelers attending a travel clinic in Thailand. METHODS The medical charts of international travelers who came for preexposure (PrEP) or postexposure (PEP) rabies prophylaxis at the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute (QSMI), Bangkok, Thailand between 2001 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS A total of 782 travelers, including 188 patients who presented with mammal-associated injuries and possible rabies exposures and 594 persons who came requesting PrEP, were studied. Of the travelers who received PEP, only 27 (14.3%) had been previously immunized against rabies and 141 (75.0%) cases experienced high-risk WHO category III exposure. Most of the incidents were unprovoked. Although promptly seeking medical services after the injuries, 114 (60.7%) travelers did not undertake any first-aid care for their wounds. Of these travelers, 19 (10.3%) received intradermal rabies vaccination as they could complete the series here. Rabies immunoglobulin was given to 118 of 121 (97.5%) patients. About one fourth of recipients could accomplish the full schedule at QSMI. Among visitors who requested PrEP, 454 (76.4%) persons had just started their first dose. Among all visitors, 263 (44.3%) were Japanese. The number of Japanese asking for PrEP was higher in 2006, the year when cases of imported human rabies to Japan were reported. This trend has sustained since then. Two (0.3%) travelers were bitten by suspected rabid dogs before they completed their PrEP program. CONCLUSION Rabies prophylaxis is an important decision for each traveler. It should be made before visiting endemic areas.
Astrocyte development: A Guide for the Perplexed

Astrocytes are the predominant cell type in the brain and perform key functions vital to CNS physiology, including blood brain barrier formation and maintenance, synaptogenesis, neurotransmission, and metabolic regulation. To fully understand the contributions of astrocytes to brain function, it will be important to bridge the existing gap between development and physiology. In this review, we provide an overview of Astrocyte development, including recent insights into molecular mechanisms of astrocyte specification, regional patterning and proliferation. This developmental perspective is complemented with recent findings that describe the functional maturation of astrocytes and their prospective diversity. Future progress in understanding Astrocyte development will depend on the development of astrocyte‐ stage specific markers and tools for manipulating astrocytes without affecting neuron production. Ultimately, a mechanistic approach to Astrocyte development will be crucial to developing new treatments for the many neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, neuroimmune, and neoplastic diseases involving astrocyte dysfunction. GLIA 2015;63:1320–1329
Modification of survival pathway gene expression in human breast cancer cells by tetraiodothyroacetic acid (tetrac)

Tetraiodothyroacetic acid (tetrac) inhibits the cellular actions of thyroid hormone initiated at the hormone receptor on plasma membrane integrin αvβ3. Via interaction with the integrin, tetrac is also capable of inhibiting the angiogenic effects of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. MDA-MB-231 cells are estrogen receptor-negative human breast cancer cells shown to be responsive to tetrac in terms of decreased cell proliferation. Here we describe actions initiated at the cell surface receptor by unmodified tetrac and nanoparticulate tetrac on a panel of survival pathway genes in estrogen receptor-negative human breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cells. Nanoparticulate tetrac is excluded from the cell interior. Expression of apoptosis inhibitors XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis) and MCL1 (myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1) was downregulated by nanoparticulate tetrac in these breast cancer cells whereas apoptosis-promoting CASP2 and BCL2L14 were upregulated by the nanoparticulate formulation. Unmodified tetrac affected only XIAP expression. Expression of the angiogenesis inhibitor thrombospondin 1 (THBS1) gene was increased by both formulations of tetrac, as was the expression of CBY1, a nuclear inhibitor of catenin activity. The majority of differentially regulated Ras-oncogene family members were downregulated by nanoparticulate tetrac. The latter downregulated expression of epidermal growth factor receptor gene and unmodified tetrac did not. Nanoparticulate tetrac has coherent anti-cancer actions on expression of differentially-regulated genes important to survival of MDA-MB-231 cells.