Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Evaluation of the Usefulness of the MMPI-2 F(p) Scale

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) F(p) scale was developed by Arbisi and Ben-Porath (1995) by identification of 27 items endorsed by fewer than 20% of individuals in both normal and psychiatric samples. The F(p) scale was designed for applications in settings characterized by high base rates of serious psychopathology, such as psychiatric inpatient units, and is proposed as a useful scale in discriminating overreported protocols from those produced by patients with serious psychopathology. In this study we investigated the characteristics of this scale in a sample of 617 psychiatric inpatients who responded to the MMPI-2 under standard conditions, and 203 overreported protocols derived in research studies conducted with normal adult participants instructed to simulate various forms of serious psychopathology. Results of this study are consistent with prior reports of a relatively low frequency of item endorsement for F(p) scale items in psychiatric samples, and intercorrelations between the F(p) scale and the MMPI-2 basic clinical scales in clinical samples that are generally lower than those produced between either F or Fb and the basic clinical scales. However, this intercorrelational pattern between F(p) and the MMPI-2 basic scales was not as consistent for the overreported sample. Additionally, the F(p) scale appears to be effective in discriminating overreported from accurate MMPI-2 protocols, with some evidence that the optimal cutting scores for this and other MMPI-2 infrequency scales may differ as a function of gender. Finally, these findings do not show clear evidence of improved group prediction derived from the use of the F(p) scale in contrast to results obtainable through the use of the MMPI-2 F scale.
Role of the Amygdala in Fear Extinction Measured with Potentiated Startle

Abstract: Although much is now known about the neural basis of excitatory fear conditioning, much less is known about the neural basis of inhibitory conditioning. One type of inhibitory conditioning is extinction, a process in which stimuli that elicit fear by virtue of previous associations with aversive stimuli such as shock (excitatory fear conditioning) are now presented in the absence of the aversive stimuli (extinction training). As a result, the ability of the conditioned stimulus to elicit fear gradually diminishes. Extinction is different from forgetting and does not reflect an erasure of the original fear memory. Instead, extinction is an active form of inhibitory learning that competes with excitatory fear conditioning. Infusions into the amygdala (a brain area essential for excitatory fear conditioning) of either NMDA receptor antagonists or inhibitors of the NMDA‐receptor‐linked mitogen‐activated protein kinase cascade block extinction learning. Conversely, the NMDA receptor agonist D‐cycloserine facilitates extinction after either systemic administration or intra‐amygdala infusion. Because therapeutic interventions based on extinction procedures are commonly used to treat fear disorders, and because D‐cycloserine is a widely available and safe compound, D‐cycloserine or similar agents might be usefully combined with traditional extinction‐based approaches in the treatment of clinical fear.
Apoptosis and Autophagy Induction in Mammalian Cells by Small Interfering RNA Knockdown of mRNA Capping Enzymes

ABSTRACT Addition of a 5′ cap to RNA polymerase II transcripts, the first step of pre-mRNA processing in eukaryotes from yeasts to mammals, is catalyzed by the sequential action of RNA triphosphatase, guanylyltransferase, and (guanine-N-7)methyltransferase. The effects of knockdown of these capping enzymes in mammalian cells were investigated using T7 RNA polymerase-synthesized small interfering RNA and also a lentivirus-based inducible, short hairpin RNA system. Decreasing either guanylyltransferase or methyltransferase resulted in caspase-3 activation and elevated terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining characteristic of apoptosis. Induction of apoptosis was independent of p53 tumor suppressor but dependent on BAK or BAX. In addition, levels of the BH3 family member Bim increased, while Mcl-1 and Bik levels remained unchanged during apoptosis. In contrast to capping enzyme knockdown, apoptosis induced by cycloheximide inhibition of protein synthesis required BAK but not BAX. Both Bim and Mcl-1 levels decreased in cycloheximide-induced apoptosis while Bik levels were unchanged, suggesting that apoptosis in siRNA-treated cells is not a direct consequence of loss of mRNA translation. siRNA-treated BAK−/− BAX−/− double-knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts failed to activate capase-3 or increase TUNEL staining but instead exhibited autophagy, as demonstrated by proteolytic processing of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and translocation of transfected green fluorescent protein-LC3 from the nucleus to punctate cytoplasmic structures.
The prenatal development of the cat's retinogeniculate pathway

The prenatal development of connections between the retina and the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) was studied by means of the anterograde axonal transport of 3H-amino acids or horseradish peroxidase injected intraocularly in fetal cats older than embryonic day 27 (E27) and in newborn cats. (Gestation is 65 days.) A retinothalamic pathway exists as early as E28, when label can be seen in both ipsilateral and contralateral optic tracts. Afferents from the contralateral eye are the first to invade the anlage of the LGN by E32 with those from the ipsilateral eye following about 3 days later. Initially, the pattern of labeling within the nucleus is uniform, suggesting that the two sets of afferents must share a good deal of territory at early ages. By E47, however, gaps appear in the labeling pattern contralaterally, indicating that afferents from the two eyes are beginning to segregate from each other. Segregation continues so that by E54 it is possible to identify unambiguously regions of the LGN destined to comprise ipsilateral and contralateral eye layers. By birth, afferent input appears adult-like in organization, with the two sets of afferents almost completely segregated from each other into their appropriate layers. Cellular lamination of the nucleus has just commenced, however, thereby lagging the onset of afferent segregation by about 2 weeks. Prenatal development could be followed much more easily in the horizontal than in the coronal plane of section due to the finding here that the LGN is displaced approximately 90 degrees in the horizontal plane between E40 and E60. Measurements of the area occupied by the ipsilateral and contralateral afferents within the LGN indicated that even prior to segregation, the two sets of afferents are not completely intermixed within the LGN. On the contrary, those from the contralateral eye retain almost exclusive control of some territory throughout development. This detail contrasts with development in primates, in which intermixing of afferents from the two eyes is thought to be complete early on (Rakic, P. (1976) Nature 261: 467–471). Nevertheless, in the cat, as in other mammals, development of the retinogeniculate pathway is broadly characterized by an initial period of overlap followed by a period of segregation that gives rise to the adult pattern of afferent input.
Expert Decision-Making in Naturalistic Environments: A Summary of Research

Abstract : Effective and efficient decision-making in the Australian Army is integral to successful performance. Therefore, understanding the decision-making process is a research priority. In order to conduct such research, a summation of previous knowledge addressing the decision-making process and the climate within which it is embedded, is important. This report provides a theoretical platform on which to ground future research. It focuses on topics such as: decision theories, previous experience and expert functioning, levels of expertise, teamwork and naturalistic decision-making and decision error. The interrelations between these concepts are discussed, and recommendations for future research are given. Future research would be expected to inform the development of advanced decision support tools, and superior training techniques.
On the Evolutionary Origin of Cyclooxygenase (COX) Isozymes

In vertebrates, COX-1 and COX-2, two cyclooxygenase isozymes with different physiological functions and gene regulation, catalyze identical reactions in prostaglandin synthesis. It is still not understood why there are multiple forms of COX enzyme in the same cell type and when the evolutionary duplication of the COX gene occurred. Here we report the structure of two genes encoding for COX isozymes in the coral Gersemia fruticosa, the first non-vertebrate organism from which a cyclooxygenase was characterized. Both genes are about 20 kb in size and consist of nine exons. Intron/exon boundaries are well conserved between coral and mammalian COX genes. mRNAs of the previously reported G. fruticosa COX-A (GenBank™ accession number AY004222) and the novel COX-B share 94% sequence identity in the coding regions and less than 30% in the 5′- and 3′-untranslated region. Transcripts of both COX genes are detectable in coral cells, although the transcriptional level of COX-A is 2 orders of magnitude higher than COX-B. Expression of both coral genes in mammalian cells gave functional proteins with similar catalytic properties. By data base analyses we also detected and constructed different pairs of COX genes from the primitive chordates, Ciona savignyi and Ciona intestinalis. These two gene pairs encode proteins with 50% intra-species and only 70% cross-species sequence identity. Our results suggest that invertebrate COX gene pairs do not correspond to vertebrate COX-1 and COX-2 and are consistent with duplication of the COX gene having occurred independently in corals, ascidians, and vertebrates. It is evident that due to the importance and complexity of its regulatory role, COX has multiple isoforms in all organisms known to express it, and the genes encoding for the isozymes may to be regulated differently.
Structure of Ascochyta lentis in Australia revealed with random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers

The genetic variation of Ascochyta lentis in Australia was investigated using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of 23 isolates. Of the 87 loci assessed, 86 were polymorphic. The most closely related isolates were from Victoria and South Australia, and they shared identical banding profiles. The most genetically distant isolates were from South Australiaand Western Australia (83% dissimilar). Analysis of molecular variance showed low genetic variation between groups of isolates originating from either within or outside Australia (4%). Large variation within each group (96%) indicated similar pathogen variability within and outside Australia. Partitioning of variation within Australian states was shown. Isolates collected within South Australia were least variable (1%) and isolates collected within Western Australia were most variable (61%). Increased variation in Western Australia is thought to have occurred through multiple introductions andlor the frequent presence of both mating types. Furthermore, two RAPD markers used in unison were able to explaino ver 50% of the variation in isolate pathogenicity. No RAPD markers were found that discriminated mating type.
Hypomanic trait is associated with a hypovigilant automatic attentional response to social cues of danger.

OBJECTIVES Hypomania in bipolar disorders is characterized by disinhibited, fearless and reward-seeking behavior. This behavioral pattern suggests that early and automatic responding to socio-emotional cues such as facial expressions might be aberrant in hypomania. The present study tested the predictions that participants selected on hypomania-like trait would show hypovigilant responses to facial cues of danger and increased responses to facial cues of reward. METHODS From a group of 513, the 16 most trait-hypomanic individuals were selected by use of a shortened version of an established self-report instrument, the General Behavior Inventory (GBI). Their spatial-attentional responses after perception of dynamic fearful and happy facial gaze cues were compared with those of 12 controls. RESULTS The group difference for full GBI hypomania scores was reliable (p=0.000). Individuals with elevated hypomanic traits clearly demonstrated attentional hypovigilance after perception of fearful, laterally gazing faces (p=0.009). In addition, unlike controls, they demonstrated reliable attentional responding to happy gaze cues (p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS These data provide the first experimental evidence that hypomania-like trait is associated with hypovigilant, fearless responding to the social cue of an emotionally expressive gaze.
Effect of 21 Different Nitrogen Sources on Global Gene Expression in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

ABSTRACT We compared the transcriptomes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells growing under steady-state conditions on 21 unique sources of nitrogen. We found 506 genes differentially regulated by nitrogen and estimated the activation degrees of all identified nitrogen-responding transcriptional controls according to the nitrogen source. One main group of nitrogenous compounds supports fast growth and a highly active nitrogen catabolite repression (NCR) control. Catabolism of these compounds typically yields carbon derivatives directly assimilable by a cell's metabolism. Another group of nitrogen compounds supports slower growth, is associated with excretion by cells of nonmetabolizable carbon compounds such as fusel oils, and is characterized by activation of the general control of amino acid biosynthesis (GAAC). Furthermore, NCR and GAAC appear interlinked, since expression of the GCN4 gene encoding the transcription factor that mediates GAAC is subject to NCR. We also observed that several transcriptional-regulation systems are active under a wider range of nitrogen supply conditions than anticipated. Other transcriptional-regulation systems acting on genes not involved in nitrogen metabolism, e.g., the pleiotropic-drug resistance and the unfolded-protein response systems, also respond to nitrogen. We have completed the lists of target genes of several nitrogen-sensitive regulons and have used sequence comparison tools to propose functions for about 20 orphan genes. Similar studies conducted for other nutrients should provide a more complete view of alternative metabolic pathways in yeast and contribute to the attribution of functions to many other orphan genes.
Time Course of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Muscle Damage Markers for 5 Days After a Soccer Match: Effects of Sex and Playing Position

Abstract Souglis, A, Bogdanis, GC, Chryssanthopoulos, C, Apostolidis, N, and Geladas, ND. Time course of oxidative stress, inflammation and muscle damage markers for 5 days after a soccer match: Effects of sex and playing position. J Strength Cond Res 32(7): 2045–2054, 2018—This study examined the influence of sex and playing position on the time course of selected oxidative stress, inflammation, and muscle damage markers after an official soccer match. Sixty professional soccer players (30 men and 30 women) were divided into 3 groups, according to their playing position: defenders, midfielders, and attackers. Each group consisted of 10 male and 10 female players. Sixty healthy volunteers (30 men and 30 women) served as control. Blood samples were taken before and after the match and daily for 5 days after the match. Analysis of variance revealed different responses over time between sex and playing positions, as shown by the 3-way interaction, for creatine kinase (CK), protein carbonyls (PCs), catalase, fibrinogen, uric acid (UA), lactate dehydrogenase, reduced glutathione, C-reactive protein, and interleukin 6 (p < 0.01). Male players had higher values compared with women of the same playing position, for all oxidative, inflammatory, and muscle damage indices (p < 0.01). Also, in both sexes, midfielders had higher peaks in all indices compared with defenders (p < 0.05). Five days after the game CK and UA concentrations had not returned to pregame levels in any exercise group, whereas PCs were still elevated in male midfielders and attackers (p < 0.05). These results show that sex and playing position influence the time course of selected oxidative stress, inflammation, and muscle damage markers after an official soccer game. This information should be taken into account by practitioners for the design of training programs after match play.
Reduced Incidence of Lower-Limb Amputations in the Diabetic Population of a German City, 1990–2005

OBJECTIVE—We evaluated whether the incidence of amputations in one German city (Leverkusen, population ∼160,000) had decreased between 1990 and 2005. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—From all three hospitals in the city, we obtained complete lists of nontraumatic lower-limb amputations in 1990–1991 and 1994–2005. Only the first observed amputation in residents of Leverkusen was counted. A total of 692 patients met the inclusion criteria. Data about the population stucture, separately for each year of the observation period, were received from the city administration and the Federal Office of Statistics. To test for time trend, we fitted Poisson regression models. RESULTS—Of all subjects, 72% had known diabetes and 58% were male. Mean age was 71.7 years. Incidence rates in the diabetic population (standardized to the estimated German diabetic population per 100,000 person-years) varied considerably between years (maximum 549 in 1990, minimum 281 in 2004). In the diabetic population, the estimated relative risk (RR) per year was 0.976 (95% CI 0.958–0.996, P = 0.0164). The same trend was observed when only amputations above the ankle (n = 352) (RR 0.970 [95% CI 0.943–0.997], P = 0.0318) were considered. Over 15 years, an estimated reduction of amputations above the toe level by 37.1% (95% CI 12.3–54.8) results. There was no significant change of incident amputations in the nondiabetic population (RR 1.022 [0.989–1.056], P = 0.1981). CONCLUSIONS—This finding is likely to be due to improved management of the diabetic foot syndrome after a network of specialized physicians and defined clinical pathways for wound treatment and metabolic control were introduced.
Type II pneumocytes in the evaluation of drug antimycobacterial activity

In order to combat the worldwide increase in the prevalence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium complex infections, a number of new antimycobacterial drugs has been synthesised and developed. There is great promise for drugs designed by new strategies, especially those based on the information on mycobacterial genome sequences and a host-parasite relationship. Moreover, the development of new protocols for chemotherapy of intractable mycobacterioses is also needed. For this purpose, better in vitro drug activity assay models that enable prediction of therapeutic activity, particularly those predicting the in vivo sterilising activity, are urgently needed, since the ordinary in vitro methods are inefficient indicators of clinical efficacy. In this context, the in vitro models using Type II pneumocytes, which play an important role in the establishment of mycobacterial pulmonary infections as a portal of mycobacterial organisms to the lungs, are considerably useful, especially in predicting the in vivo activity of certain drugs against Mycobacterium avium complex infection.
Does ethylene play a role in the release of lateral buds (tillers) from apical dominance in oats?

The growth of lateral buds (tillers), which are undergoing release from apical dominance, was measured in upright and gravistimulated intact Avena sativa L. cv. ;Victory' (oat) shoots as well as in isolated Avena stem segments treated with kinetin and sucrose. During release, the tiller bud initially shows a slow rate of elongation accompanied by swelling. It is followed by a more rapid rate of elongation. Ethylene (C(2)H(4)) production in shoot segments containing a tiller bud was found to occur at the onset of tiller swelling during gravistimulation as well as during inflorescence emergence. Exogenous application of indoleacetic acid or C(2)H(4) inhibits kinetin-induced tiller bud swelling and elongation. However, stem segments pulsed for 24 hours in C(2)H(4) or the C(2)H(4) biosynthesis precursor, 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and then transferred to kinetin and sucrose, showed a significant increase in swelling elongation as compared with segments maintained under the same conditions but without C(2)H(4) or ACC in the pulse. Segments pulsed for 24 hours with kinetin and sucrose plus the ACC biosynthesis inhibitor, aminoethoxyvinylglycine, or the C(2)H(4) action inhibitor, CO(2), then transferred to kinetin and sucrose medium, showed inhibition of tiller swelling during the pulse and of subsequent elongation. These results indicate that C(2)H(4) plays a role in promoting tiller swelling during the onset of tiller release from apical dominance and may act as a modulator hormone in promoting tiller elongation in the presence of cytokinin.
Investigation of the oxidative stress condition for occupational exposure to methyl methacrylate

The purpose of this study is the evaluation of possible toxicological effects on dental personnel, who are exposed to the production materials of prostheses during their entire working life. In this study, the level of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in ambient air was measured as an indicator of external exposure on the personnel. In order to evaluate the possible toxic effects of oxidative stress, which is thought to play an important role in the formation process of many diseases such as cancer, blood samples of volunteers were examined via the ultraviolet-spectroscopic determination of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase antioxidant enzyme activities, comparing occupationally MMA-exposed (n = 69) and control (n = 67) groups. In these groups, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione levels were also determined by the same method. The results showed that SOD activity and MDA and glutathione levels were significantly higher in the exposed group when compared with the control group (p < 0.001). A significant decrease was determined in the glutathione peroxidase activities of the exposed group (p < 0.05). No significant difference in CAT activities between the groups has been found. When the results obtained in the study are considered, it is suggested that an adaptive response might be developed by dental technicians against low-level MMA exposure.