Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of Antiplatelet Drugs in Ischaemic Stroke Prevention – Update on New Trials

Meta-analysis shows that the absolute risk reduction of antiplatelet therapy for the prevention of fatal and non-fatal stroke is only 1%. This stresses the need for further studies that explore the use of combination therapy and focus on more homogeneous stroke populations such as acute-stroke patients. Recent studies are reviewed that extended the database on antiplatelet drugs in ischaemic stroke prevention.
In vivo and in vitro effect of bendiocarb on rabbit testicular structure and spermatozoa motility

In this study the effect of bendiocarb on the rabbit testicular structure and spermatozoa motility was investigated. For testicular structure evaluation the animals were fed with bendiocarb tablets daily at a dose of 5 mg/kg of body weight for 13 days. The relative volume of the germinal epithelium, interstitium and lumen was measured. The testicular structure evaluation showed decreased relative volume of germinal epithelium in both experimental groups in comparison with the control group. The relative volume of the interstitium was increased in both experimental groups. An increase of the relative volume of the lumen was registered also in both experimental groups. Qualitative analysis detected a dilatation of blood vessels in the interstitium, undulation of the basal membrane and some empty spaces in the germinal epithelium after bendiocarb administration. The spermatozoa motility was evaluated by the computer assisted semen analyzer (CASA) method in various time intervals (0–180 minutes) and the bendiocarb concentration in the culture medium added to experimental groups varied from 0.054 to 0.268 mg/mL. Spermatozoa motility and progressive motility significantly decreased with increased bendiocarb administration and with extending the period of incubation. For other fine motility parameters, a decrease dependent on the time of incubation and on the bendiocarb concentration almost in all experimental groups in comparison to the control was detected. These results clearly suggest that in vitro also in vivo bendiocarb administration decrease male fertility.
Models of vocal learning in the songbird: Historical frameworks and the stabilizing critic

Birdsong is a form of sensorimotor learning that involves a mirror‐like system that activates with both song hearing and production. Early models of song learning, based on behavioral measures, identified key features of vocal plasticity, such as the requirements for memorization of a tutor song and auditory feedback during song practice. The concept of a comparator, which compares the memory of the tutor song to auditory feedback, featured prominently. Later models focused on linking anatomically‐defined neural modules to behavioral concepts, such as the comparator. Exploiting the anatomical modularity of the songbird brain, localized lesions illuminated mechanisms of the neural song system. More recent models have integrated neuronal mechanisms identified in other systems with observations in songbirds. While these models explain multiple aspects of song learning, they must incorporate computational elements based on unknown biological mechanisms to bridge the motor‐to‐sensory delay and/or transform motor signals into the sensory domain. Here, I introduce the stabilizing critic hypothesis, which enables sensorimotor learning by (1) placing a purely sensory comparator afferent of the song system and (2) endowing song system disinhibitory interneuron networks with the capacity both to bridge the motor‐sensory delay through prolonged bursting and to stabilize song segments selectively based on the comparator signal. These proposed networks stabilize an otherwise variable signal generated by both putative mirror neurons and a cortical‐basal ganglia‐thalamic loop. This stabilized signal then temporally converges with a matched premotor signal in the efferent song motor cortex, promoting spike‐timing‐dependent plasticity in the premotor circuitry and behavioral song learning. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 75: 1091–1113, 2015
Pregnancy in teenagers in Ile-Ife, Nigeria–problems and perinatal outcome

SummaryA nine year review in a Nigerian teaching hospital revealed that teenagers were responsible for 5.9 per cent of ectopic pregnancies, 14.7 per cent of spontaneous abortions, 59.9 per cent of illegal abortions and 3.7 per cent of all deliveries, and accounted for 11.5 per cent of maternal deaths. Among the teenagers whose pregnancies were carried to viability, the incidences of premature rupture of the membranes, preterm labour, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia were increased compared to the general obstetric population. Moreover, there was a higher caesarean section rate, increased low birth weight and perinatal mortality rates and a lower mean birth weight compared to the general obstetric population. The maternal morbidity and perinatal outcome were worse among the unbooked teenagers, the unmarried and among those aged 13–16 years.
Blastocrithidia triatomae n. sp. found in Triatoma infestans from Argentina.

SYNOPSIS. Blastocrithidia triatomae n. sp. found in the digestive tract of T. infestans in Argentina is described. Cysts attached to the flagellum, a conspicuous characteristic of the new species, are described and shown in photomicrographs. Since T. infestans may harbor both T. cruzi and B. triatomae, or either one independently, it is essential that they be distinguished in xenodiagnosis.
Euplotespora binucleata n. gen., n. sp. (Protozoa: Microsporidia), a Parasite Infecting the Hypotrichous Ciliate Euplotes woodruffi, with Observations on Microsporidian Infections in Ciliophora

ABSTRACT. A new microsporidian species, Euplotespora binucleata n. gen., n. sp. , from the brackish‐water ciliate Euplotes woodruffi is described and defined on the basis of life history characteristics, light and electron microscopic features, and small subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequencing. The life cycle of E. binucleata n. sp. probably has rather short merogonic and relatively long sporogonic phases. Some uninuclear meronts and sporonts, along with diplokaryotic sporoblasts and spores, were found in experimentally infected host cells. Such a peculiar life cycle has been induced experimentally in Euplotes eurystomus and constitutively microsporidian‐free stocks of E. woodruffi. Spores of E. binucleata n. sp. are monomorphic, ovoid–cylindrical in shape, 3.44±0.17 × 1.65±0.22 μm in size, and characterized by a diplokaryotic condition and a large posterior vacuole. The polar tube is isofilar, 4.5–5.5 μm in length when ejected, and lacking a distinctive coiled region (half‐coiled). The polaroplast is divided into two regions: the anterior part has a few lamellae close to the anchoring disc; and the posterior part is a rounded body (sack), about one‐quarter of the spore length. Spores do not appear to cluster together as a group. Each spore is surrounded by a sporophorous membrane closely adjacent to the exospore layer. A phylogenetic analysis of SSU rDNA sequences by different methods placed E. binucleata n. sp. in a clade with representatives of the microsporidian genera Cystosporogenes and Vittaforma. Observations of microsporidia in several other ciliates are discussed in view of the microsporidian infection frequency in the phylum Ciliophora.
Photosynthetic Eukaryotes of Freshwater Wetland Biofilms: Adaptations and Structural Characteristics of the Extracellular Matrix in the Green Alga, Cosmarium reniforme (Zygnematophyceae, Streptophyta)

ABSTRACT. Cosmarium reniforme (Zygnematophyceae, Streptophyta) is a green alga that is commonly found in biofilms of wetlands of the Adirondack region, NY (USA). Two distinctive characteristics that are critical to this alga's survival in a benthic biofilm are its elaborate cell morphology and extracellular matrix (ECM). In this study, ultrastructural, immunocytochemical, and experimental methodologies were employed in order to elucidate the cellular characteristics that are critical for survival in a biofilm. The ECM consists of a thick, outwardly lobed cell wall (CW), which contains a patterned network of structurally complex pores. Each pore consists of a narrow channel, terminating internally at a bulb that invaginates localized regions of the plasma membrane. The outer region of the pore contains arabinogalactan protein‐like and extensin epitopes that are likely involved in adhesion mechanisms of the cell. External to the CW is the extracellular polymeric substance that is employed in ensheathment of the cell to the substrate and in gliding motility. The architectural design/biochemical make‐up of the CW and a secretory system that encompasses the coordinated activities of the endomembrane and cytomotile/cytoskeletal systems provide the organism with effective mechanisms to support life within the biofilm complex.
Phylogeny and Systematic Position of Zosterodasys (Ciliophora, Synhymeniida): A Combined Analysis of Ciliate Relationships Using Morphological and Molecular Data

ABSTRACT. The Synhymeniida is characterized both by a band of somatic dikinetids, the synhymenium, extending across the surface of the cell and by a ventral cell mouth lacking specialized feeding cilia but subtended by a well‐developed cyrtos. The synhymeniids have been hypothesized to be members of the class Nassophorea but our previous ultrastructural study of the synhymeniid genus Zosterodasys did not show any clear synapomorphies that would permit definitive placement in the Nassophorea or as a sister taxon to any of the other ciliate groups possessing a cyrtos. In the present study, simultaneous analysis of morphological and small subunit rDNA molecular data indicates that the Synhymeniida are sister to the class Phyllopharyngea and that this clade is, in turn, sister to the remaining Nassophorea, although this result is sensitive to dataset inclusion and alignment parameters. While this suggests that taxa with a ventral cyrtos might be united into a named taxon (e.g. resurrecting the Hypostomata), additional data are needed to reach a definitive conclusion.
Transient ipsilateral retinal ganglion cell projections to the brain: Extent, targeting, and disappearance

During development of the mammalian eye, the first retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) that extend to the brain are located in the dorsocentral (DC) retina. These RGCs extend to either ipsilateral or contralateral targets, but the ipsilateral projections do not survive into postnatal periods. The function and means of disappearance of the transient ipsilateral projection are not known. We have followed the course of this transient early ipsilateral cohort of RGCs, paying attention to how far they extend, whether they enter targets and if so, which ones, and the time course of their disappearance. The DC ipsilateral RGC axons were traced using DiI labeling at E13.5 and E15.5 to compare the proportion of ipsi‐ versus contralateral projections during the first period of growth. In utero electroporation of E12.5 retina with GFP constructs was used to label axons that could be visualized at succeeding time points into postnatal ages. Our results show that the earliest ipsilateral axons grow along the cellular border of the brain, and are segregated from the laterally positioned contralateral axons from the same retinal origin. In agreement with previous reports, although many early RGCs extend ipsilaterally, after E16 their number rapidly declines. Nonetheless, some ipsilateral axons from the DC retina enter the superior colliculus and arborize minimally, but very few enter the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus and those that do extend only short branches. While the mechanism of selective axonal disappearance remains elusive, these data give further insight into establishment of the visual pathways. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 75: 1385–1401, 2015
Impaired cortical neurogenesis in plexin‐B1 and ‐B2 double deletion mutant

Mammalian cortical expansion is tightly controlled by fine‐tuning of proliferation and differentiation of neural progenitors in a region‐specific manner. How extrinsic cues interface with cell‐intrinsic programs to balance proliferative versus neurogenic decisions remains an unsolved question. We examined the function of Semaphorin receptors Plexin‐B1 and ‐B2 in corticogenesis by generating double mutants, whereby Plexin‐B2 was conditionally ablated in the developing brain in a Plexin‐B1 null mutant background. Absence of both Plexin‐Bs resulted in cortical thinning, particularly in the caudomedial cortex. Plexin‐B1/B2 double, but not single, mutants exhibited a reduced neural progenitor pool, attributable to decreased proliferation and an altered division mode favoring cell cycle exit. This resulted in deficient production of neurons throughout the neurogenic period, proportionally affecting all cortical laminae. Consistent with the in vivo data, cultured neural progenitors lacking both Plexin‐B1 and ‐B2 displayed decreased proliferative capacity and increased spontaneous differentiation. Our study therefore defines a novel function of Plexin‐B1 and ‐B2 in transmitting extrinsic signals to maintain proliferative and undifferentiated states of neural progenitors. As single mutants displayed no apparent cortical defects, we conclude that Plexin‐B1 and ‐B2 play redundant or compensatory roles during forebrain development to ensure proper neuronal production and neocortical expansion. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 76: 882–899, 2016
Speciation of heavy metals in water and sediments of an urban lake system

The speciation pattern of heavy metals namely chromium, nickel, copper and lead in water and sediments of an urban lake system of high ecological significance was studied. The total available metal (dissolved) in water follows the sequence Ni>Cr>Pb>Cu. However, a different pattern Pb>Cu>Ni>Cr is observed for total available metal (metal in non-residual phases) in sediments. Significant spatial variations are observed in different geochemical forms of the metals as indicated by two-way ANOVA. This is attributed to localized anthropogenic activities. The anthropogenic parameters of water not only show statistically significant correlations among themselves but also positively correlate with the particulate forms of Cr, Cu and Pb. The total available forms of copper and lead correlate with the organic content of the sediments. Principal component analysis (PCA) separates the metals into three groups: I (Cr); II (Ni); III (Cu and Pb). The polluted sites were identified using hierarchical cluster analysis. Risk assessment code (RAC) analysis indicates low to medium risk due to Cr at most of the sites. However, Ni, Cu and Pb pose medium to high risk. But Pb at a few sites presents very high risk (RAC > 50%).
Connective Tissue Disease and Autoantibodies in the Kindreds of 63 Patients with Systemic Sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) tends to occur in a sporadic fashion and familial occurrence of the disease is unusual. Nevertheless, reports of related connective tissue diseases (CTD), autoantibodies, or both in family members together with associations of certain HLA class II phenotypes with SSc suggest that genetic factors might play a part in susceptibility to the disease. Because of the relative rarity of SSc only a small number of family pedigrees have been studied previously. This report represents the largest study to date, to our knowledge, of family members of patients with scleroderma, and provides the opportunity to investigate the relative importance of genetic and environmental factors operating in the disease. The family pedigrees of 63 patients with systemic sclerosis were examined with respect to clinical, serologic, and immunogenetic features. Multiple cases of SSc were seen only in 1 family, in which the disease affected a father and daughter. Disease expression in these 2 individuals was very similar both clinically and serologically; relatives with other connective tissue diseases were found in 9 families, and nonspecific features of CTD such as Raynaud phenomenon, and arthralgia or arthritis, occurred commonly, especially in female relatives. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were also detected more frequently in relatives than in controls. However, antibodies previously demonstrated to have a high degree of specificity for SSc were confined to patients with this disease. Probands had an increase in the frequency of HLA-DR3, DR5, and C4AQO. Patients with diffuse scleroderma had an increased frequency of HLA-DR3, while those with the limited form of the disease had an increased frequency of HLA-DR5. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Temporal trends analysis of 2004 to 2012 toxicity and pesticide data for California's Central Valley water quality coalitions

This study was designed to assess temporal trends of 2004–2012 toxicity data from three water column tests, one sediment test and concentrations of three pesticides from four Central Valley Water Quality Coalitions in California. Major conclusions based on this extensive toxicity and pesticide data from 150 mainstem and tributary sites showed a significant decline in toxicity over 9 years from Ceriodaphnia dubia water column toxicity tests and a significant decline in toxicity from three water column and one sediment toxicity test combined. The organophosphate insecticides diazinon and chlorpyrifos also showed a significant decline in concentrations from 2004 to 2012 and also a significant decline in the percent of samples that exceeded water quality objectives for both of these insecticides. The analysis conducted did not show any cases of either increased toxicity or pesticide concentrations over the 9-year period. The final conclusion from this analysis is that water quality conditions in the Central Valley Region of California, as measured by the toxicity and pesticide data from this study, have improved from 2004 to 2012.
Characterization of Selenaion koniopes n. gen., n. sp., an Amoeba that Represents a New Major Lineage within Heterolobosea, Isolated from the Wieliczka Salt Mine

A new heterolobosean amoeba, Selenaion koniopes n. gen., n. sp. , was isolated from 73‰ saline water in the Wieliczka salt mine, Poland. The amoeba had eruptive pseudopodia, a prominent uroid, and a nucleus without central nucleolus. Cysts had multiple crater‐like pore plugs. No flagellates were observed. Transmission electron microscopy revealed several typical heterolobosean features: flattened mitochondrial cristae, mitochondria associated with endoplasmic reticulum, and an absence of obvious Golgi dictyosomes. Two types of larger and smaller granules were sometimes abundant in the cytoplasm—these may be involved in cyst formation. Mature cysts had a fibrous endocyst that could be thick, plus an ectocyst that was covered with small granules. Pore plugs had a flattened dome shape, were bipartite, and penetrated only the endocyst. Phylogenies based on the 18S rRNA gene and the presence of 18S rRNA helix 17_1 strongly confirmed assignment to Heterolobosea. The organism was not closely related to any described genus, and instead formed the deepest branch within the Heterolobosea clade after Pharyngomonas, with support for this deep‐branching position being moderate (i.e. maximum likelihood bootstrap support—67%; posterior probability—0.98). Cells grew at 15–150‰ salinity. Thus, S. koniopes is a halotolerant, probably moderately halophilic heterolobosean, with a potentially pivotal evolutionary position within this large eukaryote group.
Effects of natural acids on surface properties of asbestos minerals and kaolinite

Serpentine, and other asbestos minerals, are considered potential hazards to human respiratory health. It has been postulated that the surface characteristics of these substances, such as surface charge and adsorbed metals, notably Fe and other transition metals, may be the major agents responsible for their toxicity. There is a general consensus that the amphibole group of minerals possesses a greater health risk than serpentines dominated by chrysotile. There have been suggestions that natural processes can alter the surfaces of these minerals and reduce their potency. This study examined the effects of carbonic acid, oxalic acid and hydrochloric acid on the surface characteristics of two trioctahedral minerals, actinolite (amphibole) and chrysotile (serpentine), and compared the results to a non-asbestiform, dioctahedral mineral, kaolinite. Results confirm that the treatments alter the mineral surfaces by changing the zeta potential of the asbestiform minerals from positive to negative and by removing considerable amounts on non-crystalline Fe and other metals. X-ray analyses indicated that mineral structure was little affected by the treatments, and TOF-SIMS revealed that treatments did remove surface adsorbed metals and cations in octahedral coordination within the samples.
Early postnatal development of electrophysiological and histological properties of sensory sural nerves in male rats that were maternally deprived and artificially reared: Role of tactile stimulation

Early adverse experiences disrupt brain development and behavior, but little is known about how such experiences impact on the development of the peripheral nervous system. Recently, we found alterations in the electrophysiological and histological characteristics of the sensory sural (SU) nerve in maternally deprived, artificially reared (AR) adult male rats, as compared with maternally reared (MR) control rats. In the present study, our aim was to characterize the ontogeny of these alterations. Thus, male pups of four postnatal days (PND) were (1) AR group, (2) AR and received daily tactile stimulation to the body and anogenital region (AR‐Tactile group); or (3) reared by their mother (MR group). At PND 7, 14, or 21, electrophysiological properties and histological characteristics of the SU nerves were assessed. At PND 7, the electrophysiological properties and most histological parameters of the SU nerve did not differ among MR, AR, and AR‐Tactile groups. By contrast, at PND 14 and/or 21, the SU nerve of AR rats showed a lower CAP amplitude and area, and a significant reduction in myelin area and myelin thickness, which were accompanied by a reduction in axon area (day 21 only) compared to the nerves of MR rats. Tactile stimulation (AR‐Tactile group) partially prevented most of these alterations. These results suggest that sensory cues from the mother and/or littermates during the first 7–14 PND are relevant for the proper development and function of the adult SU nerve. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 78: 351–362, 2018
Diabetic foot care: assessing the impact of care on the whole patient

There is little doubt that provision of special care for people with diabetic foot ulcers reduces morbidity and amputation. Global efforts have been made to improve care for those who have or are prone to develop diabetic foot ulcers. However, equal to successful treatment and prevention is the need to understand how people feel about having a foot ulcer and its impact on their lifestyle. This information is important in choosing the optimum treatment approach—one that is effective as well as acceptable to the patients themselves and their carers. Recent major advances in wound care research have resulted in new treatments for people with diabetic foot ulcers. It is important to understand how these treatments differ from traditional ones in the way they affect patient well-being. Because of the fears, emotions and worries frequently underlying a consultation concerning diabetic foot problems it can be useful for clinicians to have access to a method of assessing these psychological issues in a systematic and comprehensive manner. The assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is one such method that may contribute to the evaluation of future foot ulcer treatments and care practices. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.