Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hippocampal neuronal responses during signaled licking of gustatory stimuli in different contexts

Neuroanatomical studies suggest that hippocampal formation (HF) receives information from all sensory modalities including taste via the parahippocampal cortices. To date, however, no neurophysiological study has reported that HF neurons encode taste information. In the present study, we recorded CA1 HF neurons from freely behaving rats during performance of a visually‐guided licking task in two different triangular chambers. When a cue lamp came on, the rats were required to press a bar to trigger a tube to protrude into the chambers for 3 s. During this period, the rats could lick one of six sapid solutions: [0.1M NaCl (salty), 0.3M sucrose (sweet), 0.01M citric acid (sour), 0.0001M quinine HCl (bitter), 0.01M monosodium L‐glutamate (MSG, umami), and a mixture of MSG and 0.001M disodium‐5′‐inosinate (IMP) (MSG+IMP)], and distilled water. Of a total 285 pyramidal and interneurons, the activity of 173 was correlated with at least one of the events in the task—illumination of cue lamps, bar pressing, or licking the solution. Of these, 137 neurons responded during licking, and responses of 62 of these cells were greater to sapid solutions than to water (taste neurons). Multivariate analyses of the taste neurons suggested that, in the HF, taste quality might be encoded based on hedonic value. Furthermore, the activity of most taste neurons was chamber‐specific. These results implicate the HF in guiding appetitive behaviors such as conditioned place preference. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A situational analysis methodology to inform comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment programming, applied in rural South Africa

ABSTRACT Successful HIV prevention programming requires engaging communities in the planning process and responding to the social environmental factors that shape health and behaviour in a specific local context. We conducted two community-based situational analyses to inform a large, comprehensive HIV prevention programme in two rural districts of North West Province South Africa in 2012. The methodology includes: initial partnership building, goal setting and background research; 1 week of field work; in-field and subsequent data analysis; and community dissemination and programmatic incorporation of results. We describe the methodology and a case study of the approach in rural South Africa; assess if the methodology generated data with sufficient saturation, breadth and utility for programming purposes; and evaluate if this process successfully engaged the community. Between the two sites, 87 men and 105 women consented to in-depth interviews; 17 focus groups were conducted; and 13 health facilities and 7 NGOs were assessed. The methodology succeeded in quickly collecting high-quality data relevant to tailoring a comprehensive HIV programme and created a strong foundation for community engagement and integration with local health services. This methodology can be an accessible tool in guiding community engagement and tailoring future combination HIV prevention and care programmes.
Perirhinal cortex hyperexcitability in pilocarpine‐treated epileptic rats

The perirhinal cortex (PC), which is heavily connected with several epileptogenic regions of the limbic system such as the entorhinal cortex and amygdala, is involved in the generation and spread of seizures. However, the functional alterations occurring within an epileptic PC network are unknown. Here, we analyzed this issue by using in vitro electrophysiology and immunohistochemistry in brain tissue obtained from pilocarpine‐treated epileptic rats and age‐matched, nonepileptic controls (NECs). Neurons recorded intracellularly from the PC deep layers in the two experimental groups had similar intrinsic and firing properties and generated spontaneous depolarizing and hyperpolarizing postsynaptic potentials with comparable duration and amplitude. However, spontaneous and stimulus‐induced epileptiform discharges were seen with field potential recordings in over one‐fifth of pilocarpine‐treated slices but never in NEC tissue. These network events were reduced in duration by antagonizing NMDA receptors and abolished by NMDA + non‐NMDA glutamatergic receptor antagonists. Pharmacologically isolated isolated inhibitory postsynaptic potentials had reversal potentials for the early GABAA receptor‐mediated component that were significantly more depolarized in pilocarpine‐treated cells. Experiments with a potassium‐chloride cotransporter 2 antibody identified, in pilocarpine‐treated PC, a significant immunostaining decrease that could not be explained by neuronal loss. However, interneurons expressing parvalbumin and neuropeptide Y were found to be decreased throughout the PC, whereas cholecystokinin‐positive cells were diminished in superficial layers. These findings demonstrate synaptic hyperexcitability that is contributed by attenuated inhibition in the PC of pilocarpine‐treated epileptic rats and underscore the role of PC networks in temporal lobe epilepsy. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The conflation of gender and sex: Gaps and opportunities in HIV data among transgender women and MSM

ABSTRACT Historically, HIV studies have conflated men who have sex with men (MSM) with transgender (trans) women, explicitly excluded trans individuals, or included sample sizes of trans people that are too small to reach meaningful conclusions. Despite the heavy burden of HIV among trans women, conflation of this population with MSM has limited the information available on the social and behavioural factors that increase HIV vulnerability among trans women and how these factors may differ from MSM. Using data sets from quantitative studies among MSM (n = 645) and trans women (n = 89), as well as qualitative in-depth interviews with 30 trans women in Baltimore, we explore what these data tell us about similarities and differences in HIV vulnerability between the two groups and where they leave gaps in our understanding. We conclude with implications for data collection and intervention development.
Minimal driving of hippocampal theta by the supramammillary nucleus during water maze learning

Previous studies have shown only modest effects of supramammillary nucleus (SuM) dysfunction on theta frequency and learning in the water maze (WM), with larger effects in other tasks. However, theta recorded from SuM, and used to trigger the production of theta‐like oscillations in the hippocampus, produced reversal of the deficit in WM learning produced by theta blocking. We explored this apparent inconsistency by analyzing the relationship between SuM and hippocampal theta in the control group of this theta‐blocking experiment using coherence, phase analysis, and the directed transfer function. We found little evidence of an influence of SuM on the hippocampus in the bulk of WM learning—with some possibility of SuM becoming involved briefly later in learning. A learning‐related increase in coherence was observed in conjunction with gradual phase reorganization of hippocampal theta in relation to SuM theta. This change in phase dynamics between the two structures was also correlated with a relative increase of the estimated direction of theta propagation from the SuM to the hippocampus. These results are consistent with the previous weak effects of SuM lesions and suggest that the use of SuM as a source to trigger hippocampal theta and recover function is likely to be due to coherence between SuM and some other structure that normally controls hippocampal theta during WM learning. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Free for All: Lessons from the RAND Health Insurance Experiment

The results of the RAND Health Insurance Experiment are important in the debates on access to and financing of health services, and direct charges to patients. The study randomly assigned people in six areas in the United States to different health insurance plans for periods of three or five years. Elderly people were excluded (as most already had access to free care through Medicare). Around 2000 families were included in the experiment. The aim of the study was to test in experimental conditions the response of people to different charges for using health services. Some people were enrolled in plans that provided care free at the point of use. Others had to pay varying proportions of the cost. For those paying some …
Family, neighbourhood, and children’s health: Trends and racial/ethnic disparities between 2003 and 2007 in the U.S.

ABSTRACT The present study examined the race/ethnicity-specific trend of parent-reported health among children aged 17 years and under in the U.S. between 2003 and 2007, and its relationship with family background, neighbourhood support and neighbourhood safety. Data from the 2003 and 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) were merged and analysed after taking into account the weighting and the complex sampling design of the data. Trends in children’s health and racial/ethnic disparities were identified for this time period. Multivariate models were analysed to examine the association between children’s health and their family background variables, neighbourhood support and safety, and other socio-demographic variables. Race/ethnicity-specific stratified models were also performed. Our findings indicated an adverse trend in the parent-reported health among children in the U.S. from 2003 to 2007, and little progress has been made towards reducing the health disparities by race/ethnicity. Racial/ethnic disparities also existed in children’s family background and neighbourhood support and safety. Further, the health effects of family background and neighbourhood characteristics differed in magnitudes and directions by race/ethnicity. These findings suggest that different intervention/prevention strategies should be employed in improving childhood health for different racial/ethnic groups.
High Coexpression of Runt-related Transcription Factor 2 (RUNX2) and p53 Independently Predicts Early Tumor Recurrence in Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma Patients

Conventional prognostic factors for bladder cancer are inadequate to predict tumor recurrence and/or progression successfully; thus, the identification of adjunctive novel prognostic biomarkers is of paramount importance. In this study, the immunohistochemical expression patterns and clinical significance of RUNX2, WWOX, and p53 were investigated in a tissue microarray of 87 primary urothelial carcinomas and 17 control cases. We found that RUNX2, WWOX, and p53 were significantly correlated and overexpressed in urothelial carcinoma cases compared with the control group. RUNX2 and p53 were significantly upregulated in association with high-grade, nonpapillary pattern, and bilharziasis. Muscle-invasive tumors significantly overexpressed RUNX2. WWOX overexpression was significantly associated with high-grade tumors and inversely correlated with age. In a bivariate analysis, the risk of early tumor recurrence and progression was significantly associated with RUNX2 and p53 overexpression and bilharziasis. A multivariate Cox regression analysis proved that RUNX2 and p53 were independent predictors of early tumor recurrence. The ROC curve analysis showed that combined RUNX2 and p53 high expression (scores >3 and >5, respectively) had the highest accuracy (73.6%) for the prediction of early tumor recurrence. We conclude that RUNX2 and p53 might be functionally related and are likely involved in bladder tumor carcinogenesis and aggressiveness, which provides a new perspective for targeted therapy. RUNX2 and p53 independently predict early tumor recurrence in bladder carcinoma patients, with the highest prediction accuracy being achieved on their combined high expression. The role of WWOX in bladder urothelial carcinoma and its relationship with RUNX2 and p53 remains unclear and warrants further investigation.
An examination of the maternal social determinants influencing under-5 mortality in Nigeria: Evidence from the 2013 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey

ABSTRACT Nigeria is the second largest contributor to child (under-5) mortality in the world, with an average of 128 child deaths per 1000 live births, and is not on track to meet the Millennium Development Goals of reducing childhood mortality rates to 64 per 1000. Data from the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) report were analysed to explore the relationship between structural and intermediary maternal characteristics and likelihood of childhood mortality. Binary logistic regressions for the first three reported births were conducted with childhood mortality (e.g. death before 59 months of age) as a dependent variable. Maternal characteristics investigated included age, education, region, antenatal care, and breastfeeding. Significant factors for birth 1 included region of residence, breastfeeding, literacy, wealth, number of children, and antenatal care. For second birth, not breastfeeding and attending antenatal care with a nurse were negatively associated with survival. For third birth, wealth and number of children were positively associated with survival. The results point to some maternal characteristics that may be influential in childhood mortality. However, community and systems level factors should be accounted for in interventions, as maternal characteristics do not offer a full explanation for why children are dying so young in Nigeria.
Sleep and academic performance in Hong Kong adolescents.

BACKGROUND Sleep problems may have different influences on students' academic performance. We investigated the prevalence of sleep patterns, naps, and sleep disorders, and their associations with academic performance in Hong Kong adolescents. METHODS In 2007-2008, 22,678 students aged 12-18 (41.6% boys) completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, sleep patterns and problems, and lifestyle factors including exercise, smoking, alcohol drinking, and academic performance. RESULTS The prevalence of having >8 hours of sleep was higher on holiday nights (86.4%) than on school-day nights (27.4%). Sleeping after midnight was more common before holidays (49.3%) than before school days (19.9%). Symptoms of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were reported by 21.5% and 34.4% of students. Having >2 hours of weekend sleep delay was associated with poor academic performance with an odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval) of 1.46 (1.29-1.65). However, having 1-2 hours and >2 hours of weekend wake-up delay were both associated with less likelihood of poor academic performance with ORs of 0.64 (0.56-0.73) and 0.69 (0.59-0.80). Other factors associated with poor academic performance included >2 hours of sleep debt, OR of 1.17 (1.03-1.33); having any insomnia symptoms in the past 30 days, OR of 1.27 (1.17-1.37); and having any OSA symptoms at least weekly, OR of 1.23 (1.14-1.32). Napping in the past 5 school days was only marginally associated with poor school performance with an OR of 1.08 (1.00-1.16). CONCLUSION Poorer academic performance was associated with sleep debt, and symptoms of insomnia and OSA. Sleep compensation but not naps may be a protective factor of poor academic performance.
Looking good but doing harm? Perceptions of short-term medical missions in Nicaragua

ABSTRACT In this paper, we present findings from a qualitative study that gathered Nicaraguans’ perceptions of short-term foreign medical missions, towards deepening the understanding of what Nicaraguans value or find limited in the work of such foreign missions operating in their country. Fifty-two interviews were conducted with patients, relatives of patients, Nicaraguan physicians and nurses who partnered with or observed missions at work, ‘beneficiary’ community leaders, and individuals who were unable or unwilling to access mission-provided healthcare. Factors underlying participants’ positive and more critical accounts of foreign primary and surgical missions are described and analysed. Empirical investigation on how, whether or not, or on what bases short-term medical missions (STMs) have been perceived as beneficial, harmful, or otherwise by those on the receiving end of these efforts is limited. This study aims to contribute to the evidence base for reflecting on the ethical performance of trans-national STMs.
CDX-2 Expression in Primary Lung Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma with enteric differentiation is a rare subtype of lung adenocarcinoma that is recognized as a variant type of primary adenocarcinoma in the 2015 World Health Organization classification of lung tumors. Published immunohistochemistry studies show variable staining pattern for CDX-2 ranging from positivity in 71% of the cases to no staining. As little is known about CDX-2 expression in lung adenocarcinomas lacking histologic features of enteric differentiation, our aim was to determine the rate of CDX-2 positivity in non–enteric-type lung adenocarcinomas. We performed immunohistochemistry for CDX-2, CK7, CK20, TTF-1, napsin A, and p40 using 4-&mgr;m sections of a previously constructed tissue microarray containing 93 primary lung adenocarcinomas that lack morphologic evidence of enteric differentiation. The cohort included 22 well, 54 moderately, and 17 poorly differentiated tumors (55 female, 38 male; age range: 42 to 86, median: 64.5). All 93 tumors were strongly CK7 positive, whereas variable CK20 staining was seen in 4 tumors (1 strong, 1 moderate, and 2 focal). Both TTF-1 and napsin A were positive in 81 of 93 (87%) tumors with only 6 of 93 (6.5%) tumors negative for both the markers. Eleven tumors were CDX-2 positive (5 strong, 3 moderate, and 3 weak), all of which were also TTF-1 and napsin A positive and p40 negative. One CDX-2-positive tumor showed focal CK20 staining. Mutation studies for EGFR/K-ras/ALK were performed in four CDX-2-positive tumors and detected a K-ras mutation in one of them. CDX-2 positivity can be seen in a subset (12%) of lung adenocarcinoma. These tumors are CK7, TTF-1, and napsin A positive and p40 negative. Focal CK20 staining is only seen in rare cases. CDX-2 positivity should not be used as the only criteria to exclude lung origin.
Collaboration or renunciation? The role of traditional medicine in mental health care in Rwanda and Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

ABSTRACT Traditional medicine (TM) and biomedicine represent parallel health systems in many developing countries; the latter dominating in public policies, while the former still retain considerable influence among the general public. This study investigates how mental health care professionals responsible for mental health care implementation comprehend and relate to the intersection between TM and biomedicine in the cases of Rwanda and the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The material is based on semi-structured interviews with mental health care stakeholders in Eastern Cape, South Africa and Rwanda. The findings confirm an impact of TM in the treatment of mental health issues in Rwanda and South Africa due to TM being more accessible than biomedical medicine, widespread traditional perceptions of mental illness in society, and the lack of knowledge of biomedical treatments. Furthermore, the respondents identified three strategies to manage the impact of TM; improved accessibility of biomedical facilities, outreach education about mental illness, and, in the Eastern Cape case, collaboration between traditional healers and biomedicine. The study points to the necessity to take TM into consideration as an important component of health systems and policies in the Global south.
Neurons generated in senescence maintain capacity for functional integration

Adult‐born neurons in the dentate gyrus (DG) can survive for long periods, are capable of integrating into neuronal networks, and are important for hippocampus‐dependent learning. Neurogenesis is dramatically reduced during senescence, and it remains unknown whether those few neurons that are produced remain capable of network integration. The expression of Arc, a protein coupled to neuronal activity, was used to measure activity among granule cells that were labeled with BrdU 4 months earlier in young (9 months) and aged (25 months) Fischer344 rats. The results indicate that while fewer cells are generated in the senescent DG, those that survive are (a) more likely to respond to spatial processing by expressing Arc relative to the remainder of the granule cell population and (b) equally responsive to spatial exploration as granule cells of the same age from young animals. These findings provide compelling evidence that newborn granule cells in the aged DG retain the capacity for participation in functional hippocampal networks. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Requirement of phospholipase C and protein kinase C in cholecystokinin‐mediated facilitation of NMDA channel function and anxiety‐like behavior

Although cholecystokinin (CCK) has long been known to exert anxiogenic effects in both animal anxiety models and humans, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are ill‐defined. CCK interacts with CCK‐1 and CCK‐2 receptors resulting in up‐regulation of phospholipase C (PLC) and protein kinase C (PKC). However, the roles of PLC and PKC in CCK‐mediated anxiogenic effects have not been determined. We have shown previously that CCK facilitates glutamate release in the hippocampus especially at the synapses formed by the perforant path and dentate gyrus granule cells via activations of PLC and PKC. Here we further demonstrated that CCK enhanced NMDA receptor function in dentate gyrus granule cells via activation of PLC and PKC pathway. At the single‐channel level, CCK increased NMDA single‐channel open probability and mean open time, reduced the mean close time, and had no effects on the conductance of NMDA channels. Because elevation of glutamatergic functions results in anxiety, we explored the roles of PLC and PKC in CCK‐induced anxiogenic actions using the Vogel Conflict Test (VCT). Our results from both pharmacological approach and knockout mice demonstrated that microinjection of CCK into the dentate gyrus concentration‐dependently increased anxiety‐like behavior via activation of PLC and PKC. Our results provide a novel unidentified signaling mechanism whereby CCK increases anxiety. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.