Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Presenting With Auditory Hallucinations and Illusions

ObjectiveCerebral venous sinus thrombosis may present with seizures or neuropsychiatric symptoms, but does not typically present with hallucinations. We present a case of venous thrombosis of the right sigmoid and transverse sinuses that presented with auditory hallucinations and illusions. MethodsWe describe a 45-year-old woman with a history of myasthenia gravis, stable on oral prednisone and monthly intravenous immunoglobulin infusions, who started on a progesterone/estrogen combination contraceptive pill for menorrhagia 3 weeks before admission and presented with symptoms of headache, fever, and auditory hallucinations and illusions. ResultsThe patient's cerebrospinal fluid showed lymphocytic pleocytosis. Two electroencephalograms showed significant right temporal lobe slowing. Magnetic resonance venogram of the brain showed venous sinus thrombosis of the right sigmoid and transverse sinuses. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a cortical venous infarct in the right middle temporal gyrus. The patient's auditory hallucinations and illusions resolved spontaneously weeks after presentation. ConclusionsThis case suggests that auditory hallucinations and illusions should be added to the already broad spectrum of presenting features of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. The nondominant right middle temporal gyrus may play a role in such auditory hallucinations.
Dopamine.-β-Hydroxylase Deficits in the Brains of Schizophrenic Patients

Postmortem brain specimens from 18 schizophrenic patients and 12 normal controls were assayed for dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH), the enzyme responsible for the final step in norepinephrine biosynthesis. There was a significant reduction in the DBH activity of the schizophrenic group in all brain regions examined. Enzyme deficits in hippocampus and diencephalon were somewhat larger than that in pons-medulla. Since various extraneous factors, such as non-specific deterioration, drug treatment, duration of hospitalization, cause of death, sex, and age could be ruled out, the deficits in DBH mnay be associated with the schizophrenic disease process. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that noradrenergic "reward" pathways are damaged in schizophrenia.
Beneficial effects of a neurotrophic peptidergic mixture persist for a prolonged period following treatment interruption in a transgenic model of Alzheimer's disease

Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) are characterized by the loss of neurotrophic factors, and experimental therapeutical approaches to AD have investigated the efficacy of replacing or augmenting neurotrophic factor activity. Cerebrolysin, a peptide mixture with neurotrophic‐like effects, has been shown to improve cognition in patients with AD and to reduce synaptic and behavioral deficits in transgenic (tg) mice overexpressing the amyloid precursor protein (APP). However, it is unclear how long‐lasting the beneficial effects of Cerebrolysin are and whether or not behavioral and neuropathological alterations will reappear following treatment interruption. The objective of the present study was to investigate the consequences of interrupting Cerebrolysin treatment (washout effect) 3 and 6 months after the completion of a 3‐month treatment period in APP tg mice. We demonstrate that, in APP tg mice, Cerebrolysin‐induced amelioration of memory deficits in the water maze and reduction of neurodegenerative pathology persist for 3 months after treatment interruption; however, these effects dissipate 6 months following treatment termination. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the decrease in neocortical and hippocampal amyloid plaque load observed in Cerebrolysin‐treated APP tg mice immediately after treatment was no longer apparent at 3 months after treatment interruption, indicating that the beneficial effects of Cerebrolysin at this time point were independent of its effect on amyloid‐β deposition. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that the effects of Cerebrolysin persist for a significant period of time following treatment termination and suggest that this prolonged effect may involve the neurotrophic factor‐like activity of Cerebrolysin. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gender segregation in gene expression and vulnerability to oxidative stress induced injury in ventral mesencephalic cultures of dopamine neurons

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC). Most epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that PD has a higher prevalence in males than in females. Both hormones and genetic factors have been considered to be contributors to this phenomenon. In the present study, we used primary cultures of ventral mesencephalic (VM) neurons from E13.5 Balb/C mice to investigate whether there were any gender differences in gene expression and cell sensitivity to oxidative stress in sex segregated cultures. We also investigated the role of SRY, the sex‐determining region on the Y chromosome, and the female hormone estrogen in the gender dimorphism. We measured the expression levels of genes that previously were thought to be related to PD or DA neuron development and functions by real‐time PCR, and found six of them, ATP13A2, ERβ, MAO‐A, D2, DAT, and Pitx3, showing significantly differential expression between males and females in the normal physiological state or under stress conditions. Furthermore, we demonstrated that male VM neurons are more vulnerable than female neurons to rotenone‐induced cytotoxicity and that 17β‐estrogen has a moderate protective effect in both male and female VM neurons. Moreover, we document that SRY can upregulate monoamine oxidase A and downregulate estrogen receptor‐β, and SRY‐overexpressing N2A cells enhance the resistance to oxidative stress‐induced cell injury. Our results suggest that gender indeed influences several PD‐related gene expressions in VM neurons, and SRY and estrogen are involved in the different responses to oxidative stress in culture. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of Patient Positioning on Cerebrospinal Fluid Opening Pressure

Background: Prone is the preferred patient position for fluoroscopic-guided lumbar puncture (LP). Normative data for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure (OP) exist for lateral decubitus (LD) positioning only and have not been defined for the prone position. This study compares CSF OP values in the prone and LD positions and examines the effect of body mass index (BMI) on OP. Methods: Patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic fluoroscopic-guided LP were recruited prospectively at 2 tertiary care centers from 2009 to 2012. Following prone fluoroscopic-guided LP, patients were rolled to the LD position for repeat CSF OP measurement. In addition to comparing the mean OP in each position, the relationships between OP, body position, and BMI were also explored. Results: Fifty-two patients were enrolled. A mean OP difference of 1.2 cm H2O was observed (prone: 26.5 cm H2O; LD: 27.7 cm H2O; P = 0.07). No correlation between CSF OP and BMI was seen in either position. Conclusions: No statistically or clinically significant difference between prone and LD OP was identified. BMI does not appear to affect CSF OP measurement in either position.
Induction of interferon‐λ contributes to toll‐like receptor 3‐mediated herpes simplex virus type 1 inhibition in astrocytes

Toll‐like receptor 3 (TLR3) recognizes double‐stranded RNA and induces type I interferon (IFN)‐mediated antiviral immunity against a number of viral infections. Type III IFN (IFN‐λ) is a newly identified antiviral cytokine that has biological functions similar to those of type I IFNs. We thus investigated the role of IFN‐λ in TLR3 activation‐mediated inhibition of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) in human primary astrocytes. Human astrocytes express endogenous IFN‐λ1 and IFN‐λ receptor complex, interleukin‐28 receptor α subunit (IL‐28Rα), and IL‐10Rβ. The activation of TLR3 by poly‐I:C treatment significantly induced the expression of IFN‐λ1 and IFN‐λ2/3 in astrocytes. The induction of IFN‐λ contributed to TLR3 activation‐mediated HSV‐1 inhibition in astrocytes. Investigation of the mechanisms showed that treatment of astrocytes with specific antibody against IFN‐λ receptor attenuated the anti‐HSV‐1 activity of poly‐I:C, indicating that endogenous IFN‐λ contributes to the anti‐HSV‐1 effect of TLR3 activation. The anti‐HSV‐1 effect of endogenous IFN‐λ was also confirmed by the finding that recombinant IFN‐λ treatment inhibited HSV‐1 infection of astrocytes. These results provide direct and compelling evidence that endogenous IFN‐λ participates in TLR3‐mediated antiviral activity, which may have important implications in host cell innate immunity against HSV‐1 infection in the CNS. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Art therapy's contribution to the psychological care of adults with cancer: A survey of therapists and service users in the UK

Abstract While art therapy in cancer care has been documented for over 60 years, there remains a lack of awareness of art therapists within the UK cancer workforce. The study addressed this knowledge gap. This cross-sectional mixed-methods survey used web-based questionnaires for art therapists and service users, and semi-structured interviews with service users. The sampling frame covered England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; data collection occurred in May–July 2011. Inclusion criteria were cancer, art therapy experience and an age of at least 18 years. Art therapists had to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. Therapists' questionnaires used the cancer care pathway and NICE four levels model of psychological difficulties. Thirty-two art therapists and 55 service users participated. Service users found art therapy helpful (92%), agreeing that it benefited coping, aided communication, facilitated expression of feelings, provided new perspectives and assisted distraction from worries. Thematic analysis identified five themes: accessibility; mental wellbeing; creativity; support; and multiple perspectives. Art therapists are part of the UK cancer workforce, contributing their services from diagnosis to end of life. Service users confirmed the psychological importance of art therapy. The non-verbal, embodied, aesthetic aspects of art therapy provide a distinctive addition to verbal psychosocial support.
Effect of ovarian steroids on gene expression related to synapse assembly in serotonin neurons of macaques

Dendritic spines are the elementary structural units of neural plasticity. In a model of hormone replacement therapy (HT), we sought to determine the effect of estradiol (E) and progesterone (P) on gene expression related to synapse assembly in a laser‐captured preparation enriched for serotonin neurons from rhesus macaques. Microarray analysis was conducted (n = 2 animals/treatment), and the results were confirmed for pivotal genes with qRT‐PCR on additional laser‐captured material (n = 3 animals/treatment). Ovariectomized rhesus macaques were treated with placebo, E, or E + P via Silastic implants for 1 month. The midbrain was obtained, sectioned, and immunostained for tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH). TPH‐positive neurons were laser captured using an arcturus laser dissection microscope (Pixel II). RNA from laser‐captured serotonin neurons was hybridized to Rhesus Affymetrix GeneChips for screening purposes. There was a twofold or greater change in the expression of 63 probe sets in the cell adhesion molecule (CAM) category, and 31 probe sets in the synapse assembly category were similarly altered in E‐ and E + P‐treated animals. qRT‐PCR assays showed that E treatment induced a significant increase in ephrin receptor A4 (EPHA4) and in integrin A8 (ITGA8) but not in ephrin receptor B4 (EPHB4) or integrin B8 (ITGB8) expression. E also increased expression of cadherin 11 (CDH11), neuroligin 3 (NLGN3), neurexin 3 (NRXN3), syndecan 2 (SCD2), and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) compared with placebo. Supplemental P treatment suppressed E‐induced gene expression. In summary, ovarian steroids target gene expression of adhesion molecules in serotonin neurons that are important for synapse assembly. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of active assortment in spousal similarity.

Previous research has established the existence of active assortment, that is, a preference for similarity in a potential mate. Few studies, however, have directly related mate preferences to dyadic similarity by examining them in the same participants. We collected both similarity and mate preference data in two studies: undergraduate students (N = 519) and newlyweds (N = 335). In both studies, women placed a higher value on desirable personality characteristics (e.g., higher Conscientiousness and Agreeableness, lower Neuroticism) than did men. Nevertheless, our data also provided strong evidence of consensual mate preferences: Men and women both desired partners who were agreeable, conscientious, emotionally stable, intelligent, and physically attractive; furthermore, participants desired partners who were better (e.g., more agreeable and attractive) than they were. In contrast, attitudinal variables such as religiousness and political orientation displayed much weaker consensus but showed significant dyadic similarity in both samples; similarity coefficients for personality tended to be positive, but lower. Finally, analyses revealed a direct link between actual and desired similarity: Couples displayed the strongest similarity on those variables for which participants expressed the strongest preference for similarity. Our findings strongly suggest that active assortment is partly responsible for dyadic similarity.
Anything but 'empowerment'? Smokers, tar and nicotine data and cigarette design

While there are important differences between the public health policies of Conservative governments of the 1980s and 90s and the current British Labour government a significant element of continuity is the emphasis on government facilitating informed choice by consumers as a key public health objective. The article considers such approaches to disclosure of health risks with respect to policy on the regulation of smoking. It argues that regulation, in this area, under the Conservatives has not served to 'empower' consumers and that such regulatory weaknesses appear to be replicated under its successor. Defects in regulation are traced with respect to disclosure of information on tar and nicotine 'yields'; and cigarette design with respect to tip ventilation and the use of additives to increase nicotine delivery. It is argued that lack of disclosure and insufficient controls on the industry have led to consumers being misled concerning the relative risks of different types of cigarette. Equally, it is also likely that such deficiencies have enabled manufacturers to represent some cigarette types as 'safe'. The paper concludes by arguing that, while the weaknesses of the current regulatory regime suggest the need for measures of increased disclosure and control of product design, there is also an unresolved tension as to whether 'empowerment' is an intrinsic goal of policy or a means to the achievement of public health targets.
Inhibition by morphine and its analogs of action potentials in adult rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

Although opioids inhibit action potential (AP) conduction in primary‐afferent fibers, this has not yet been fully examined. We investigated by using the sharp glass microelectrode technique how opioids (morphine, codeine, and ethylmorphine) affect APs recorded from adult rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in response to sciatic nerve stimulation. The DRG neurons were classified into three types, Aα/β, Aδ, and C, according to AP characteristics, including the fiber conduction velocity (CV) of the neuron. AP of the Aα/β neuron was reduced in peak amplitude by each of the opioids in a reversible and concentration‐dependent manner. The potency sequence was ethylmorphine > codeine = morphine (IC50 = 0.70, 2.5, and 2.9 mM, respectively), indicating that this AP inhibition is related to the chemical structure of the opioid. Each of the Aδ and C neuron APs was also inhibited by the opioids; ethylmorphine had a tendency to inhibit APs more effectively than codeine and morphine. This inhibition was variable in extent among neurons and was either comparable to or greater than that of the Aα/β neuron AP. The opioid‐induced AP inhibitions were unaffected by nonspecific opioid‐receptor antagonist naloxone; opioid‐receptor agonists did not affect APs. In conclusion, the opioids inhibited APs in DRG neurons without opioid‐receptor activation; this inhibition was different among neurons having different primary‐afferent fiber CVs and also among the three kinds of opioid. The inhibition by opioid of primary‐afferentfiber AP conduction is suggested to be distinct in extent among fibers conveying distinct types of nociceptive information. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Valine but not leucine or isoleucine supports neurotransmitter glutamate synthesis during synaptic activity in cultured cerebellar neurons

Synthesis of neuronal glutamate from α‐ketoglutarate for neurotransmission necessitates an amino group nitrogen donor; however, it is not clear which amino acid(s) serves this role. Thus, the ability of the three branched‐chain amino acids (BCAAs), leucine, isoleucine, and valine, to act as amino group nitrogen donors for synthesis of vesicular neurotransmitter glutamate was investigated in cultured mouse cerebellar (primarily glutamatergic) neurons. The cultures were superfused in the presence of 15N‐labeled BCAAs, and synaptic activity was induced by pulses of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (300 μM), which results in release of vesicular glutamate. At the end of the superfusion experiment, the vesicular pool of glutamate was released by treatment with α‐latrotoxin (3 nM, 5 min). This experimental paradigm allows a separate analysis of the cytoplasmic and vesicular pools of glutamate. Amount and extent of 15N labeling of intracellular amino acids plus vesicular glutamate were analyzed employing HPLC and LC‐MS analysis. Only when [15N]valine served as precursor did the labeling of both cytoplasmic and vesicular glutamate increase after synaptic activity. In addition, only [15N]valine was able to maintain the amount of vesicular glutamate during synaptic activity. This indicates that, among the BCAAs, only valine supports the increased need for synthesis of vesicular glutamate. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optic Perineuritis in Behçet Disease

Background: Optic perineuritis (OPN), an uncommon optic neuropathy, has previously not been described in patients with Behçet disease (BD). We conducted this study to describe the clinical features, response to treatment, and outcome of OPN due to BD, with particular emphasis on those features that might distinguish this from the idiopathic variety. Methods: This is a retrospective, case series review of all patients with a diagnosis of OPN seen in a hospital-based neurology department from 2008 to 2014 who also met the international criteria for the diagnosis of BD. Results: Twenty-one patients with OPN were identified, of whom 10 (12 eyes) met the criteria for BD. OPN developed 2–10 years (mean, 4 years) after onset of BD, but the diagnosis of BD was made only after onset of OPN in 6. Nine of 12 eyes (75%) had severe visual loss (⩽20/200), and 80% of patients progressed over several days from onset. After high-dose corticosteroid treatment, all patients experienced relief of pain, and 5 patients (50%) showed improved visual acuity. At last follow-up (mean, 25 months) 7 of 11 (64%) of affected eyes had good visual outcome (≥14/20), and no patient experienced a subsequent neurological event. Conclusions: OPN may occur as a manifestation of BD and, in non-Western countries, this may be more common than the idiopathic variety. In contrast to idiopathic cases, OPN in BD is more likely to demonstrate initial rapid progression of visual loss and more severe loss at presentation. Patients show less recovery of vision in response to corticosteroids but carry a lower rate of subsequent relapse. Patients with OPN should be specifically questioned regarding symptoms of BD.
Empathy development in adolescence predicts social competencies in adulthood.

This 23-year study explored the predictive associations between empathy development in adolescence and self-reported social competencies and outcomes in adulthood. Participants were 1,527 adults aged 35 years (48.3% female). The predictor variable (adolescent empathy) was measured yearly at the ages of 12 to 16 years. The outcome variables (adult empathy, communication skills, social integration, relationship satisfaction, and conflicts in relationships) were measured at the age of 35 years. Five important results stand out. First, longitudinal measurement invariance was established for the measure of adolescent empathy. Second, empathy tended to increase during the adolescent years. Third, significant interindividual differences in level and change of adolescent empathy were found. Fourth, gender was related to level of adolescent empathy, favoring girls over boys. Fifth, not only level but also change in adolescent empathy predicted individual differences in social competencies in adulthood two decades later. These findings demonstrate that developmental processes that are relevant for adjustment reveal long-term social consequences beyond the adolescent years.
Calpain inhibition attenuated morphological and molecular changes in skeletal muscle of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis rats

Muscle weakness and atrophy are important manifestations of multiple sclerosis (MS). To investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms of skeletal muscle change in MS, we induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in Lewis male rats and examined morphological and molecular changes in skeletal muscle. We also treated EAE rats with calpepetin, a calpain inhibitor, to examine its beneficial effects on skeletal muscle damage. Morphological changes in muscle tissue of EAE rats included smaller and irregularly shaped muscle fibers and fibrosis. Western blot analysis demonstrated increased calpain:calpastatin ratio, inflammation‐related transcription factors (nuclear factor‐κB:inhibitor of κB α ratio), and proinflammatory enzymes (cyclooxygenase‐2). TUNEL‐positive myonuclei in skeletal muscle cells of EAE rats indicated cell death. In addition, markers of apoptotic cell death (Bax:Bcl‐2 ratio and caspase‐12 protein levels) were elevated. Expression of muscle‐specific ubiquitin ligases (muscle atrophy F‐box and muscle ring finger protein 1), was upregulated in muscle tissue of EAE‐vehicle animals. Both prophylactic and therapeutic treatment with calpeptin partially attenuated muscle changes noted in EAE animals. These results indicate that morphological and molecular changes including apoptotic cell death and protein breakdown develop in skeletal muscle of EAE animals and that these changes can be reversed by calpain inhibition. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.