Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chemogenetic inhibition of direct pathway striatal neurons normalizes pathological, cue‐induced reinstatement of drug‐seeking in rats

Addiction to drugs such as cocaine is marked by cycles of compulsive drug‐taking and drug‐seeking behavior. Although the transition to addiction is thought to recruit neural processes in dorsal striatum, little is known regarding the role of dorsal striatal projections to the substantia nigra (i.e. the direct pathway) in regulating these behaviors. Combining a Cre‐recombinase‐dependent chemogenetic approach with a cocaine self‐administration paradigm that produces both low‐risk and high‐risk addiction phenotypes, we examined the effect of transiently decreasing direct pathway activity in the dorsomedial striatum on drug‐taking and drug‐seeking under conditions of normal and pathological drug use. Surprisingly, transient inhibition of direct pathway striatal neurons had no effect on several measures of addictive behavior during ongoing drug use, including loss of control over drug intake, high motivation to obtain drug and drug use despite negative consequences (i.e. drug use paired with foot shock). However, chemogenetic inhibition of these neurons during reinstatement reduced cue‐induced drug‐seeking, but only in the high‐risk addiction phenotype group. Cue‐induced reinstatement was relatively normal in the low‐risk addiction phenotype group, as well as following reinstatement to cues associated with sucrose pellet consumption. These results demonstrate that dorsomedial direct pathway striatal neurons play a very specific role in addictive behaviors, which is to regulate the pathological drug‐seeking that accompanies relapse.
Bit error rate analysis of OTDM system based on moment generation function

The performance of optical time division multiplexing (OTDM) system is limited by a complex combination of noise. In this paper we present a theoretical framework for the optical receiver in OTDM system based on the moment generation function. The proposed receiver model is showed to be more accurate in predicting the bit error rate (BER) performance than the former ones. Its validity is also verified by the experimental results.
Application of the polaron-transport theory to sigma ( omega ) in Tl2Ba2Ca1-xGdxCu2O8, YBa2Cu3O7- delta, and La2-xSrxCuO4.

Analyse de la conductivite infra-rouge photoinduite, fonction de la frequence, obtenue a partir des mesures d'absorption photoinduites des ces isolants. On part de la theorie du transport des polarons non adiabatiques. La conductivite calculee est en bon accord avec la conductivite experimentale dans l'infra-rouge moyen dans les supraconducteurs et dans les dielectriques «parents», les porteurs sont des polarons habilles avec un nuage de polarisation de phonons
Automated biometrics-based personal identification of the Hunter–Schreger bands of dental enamel

The use of automated biometrics-based personal identification systems is a ubiquitous procedure in present times. Biometrics has certain limitations, such as in cases when bodies are decomposed, burned, or only small fragments of calcified tissues remain. Dental enamel is the most mineralized tissue of organisms and resists post-mortem degradation. It is characterized by layers of prisms of regularly alternating directions, known as Hunter–Schreger bands (HSB). In this article, we show that the pattern variation of the HSB, referred here as toothprint, can be used as a biometric-based parameter for personal identification in automated systems.
Temporal and between-site variation in helminth communities of bank voles (Myodes glareolus) from N.E. Poland. 2. The infracommunity level

SUMMARY The relative importance of temporal and spatial effects was assessed in helminth communities of bank voles (Myodes glareolus) in 3 woodland sites in N.E. Poland in the late summers of 1999 and 2002. Among common species the rank order of sites in relation to prevalence and abundance of infection was maintained between surveys. Site effects accounted for most of the deviance (in statistical models), and time was less important, so the exact location from which voles were sampled was of critical importance. The only exception was Syphacia petrusewiczi. In contrast, for derived measures such as species richness and diversity, most deviance was accounted for by host age, and the interaction between site and year was significant, implying that rank order of sites changed between years. Temporal effects on derived measures were generated primarily by a combination of relatively small changes in prevalence and abundance of the common, rather than the rare, species between the years of the study. In the medium-term, therefore, helminth communities of bank voles in N.E. Poland had a stable core, suggesting a substantial strong element of predictability.
Evidence-based analysis of risk factors for postoperative nausea and vomiting.

BACKGROUND /st> In assessing a patient's risk for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), it is important to know which risk factors are independent predictors, and which factors are not relevant for predicting PONV. METHODS /st> We conducted a systematic review of prospective studies (n>500 patients) that applied multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify independent predictors of PONV. Odds ratios (ORs) of individual studies were pooled to calculate a more accurate overall point estimate for each predictor. RESULTS /st> We identified 22 studies (n=95 154). Female gender was the strongest patient-specific predictor (OR 2.57, 95% confidence interval 2.32-2.84), followed by the history of PONV/motion sickness (2.09, 1.90-2.29), non-smoking status (1.82, 1.68-1.98), history of motion sickness (1.77, 1.55-2.04), and age (0.88 per decade, 0.84-0.92). The use of volatile anaesthetics was the strongest anaesthesia-related predictor (1.82, 1.56-2.13), followed by the duration of anaesthesia (1.46 h(-1), 1.30-1.63), postoperative opioid use (1.39, 1.20-1.60), and nitrous oxide (1.45, 1.06-1.98). Evidence for the effect of type of surgery is conflicting as reference groups differed widely and funnel plots suggested significant publication bias. Evidence for other potential risk factors was insufficient (e.g. preoperative fasting) or negative (e.g. menstrual cycle). CONCLUSIONS /st> The most reliable independent predictors of PONV were female gender, history of PONV or motion sickness, non-smoker, younger age, duration of anaesthesia with volatile anaesthetics, and postoperative opioids. There is no or insufficient evidence for a number of commonly held factors, such as preoperative fasting, menstrual cycle, and surgery type, and using these factors may be counterproductive in assessing a patient's risk for PONV.
Physical activity and angiotensin‐converting enzyme gene polymorphism in mild hypertensives

It has been suggested that the insertion(I) allele of the I/deletion(D) polymorphism of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with endurance exercise and increased physical conditioning in response to this type of exercise. To investigate the association between the ACE I/D polymorphism and physical activity status in 355 never treated, stage I hypertensives (265 men, 90 women, mean age: 33 ± 9 years), in whom power exercise is contraindicated, participants of the HARVEST study. Physical activity was assessed using a standardized questionnaire. BMI and age did not vary among genotypes. None of active subjects performed power oriented exercises. ACE I/D frequencies (II‐18%, ID‐55%, DD‐27%) were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Sedentary lifestyle was more common among DD than II hypertensives (76% in DD, and 48% in II, Chi2 = 13.9, P = 0.001). In stepwise MANOVA using age, marital status, profession, sex, and ACE genotype as predictors of physical activity, marital status (F = 24.4, P < 0.0001) and ACE genotype (F = 16.03, P < 0.0001) contributed to more than 50% of the variance in physical activity status of the population. Our results suggest that the ACE I/D polymorphism may be a specific genetic factor associated with physical activity levels in free‐living borderline and mild hypertensive subjects. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thyroid hormone—induced haemoglobin changes and antioxidant enzymes response in erythrocytes

Thyroid hormones modulate haemoglobin and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, leading to antioxidant changes. This study evaluated the antioxidant response to ROS in erythrocytes in hypothyroid and hyperthyroid rats. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control; hyperthyroid (T4‐12 mg l−1 in drinking water); sham operated (simulation of thyroidectomy); and hypothyroid (thyroidectomized). Four weeks after, blood was collected and haemoglobin and T4 levels, lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein oxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) , glutathione S‐transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, and total radical antioxidant potential (TRAP) were measured. SOD, CAT and GST immunocontent was evaluated. Haemoglobin levels were increased in hyperthyroid erythrocytes. LPO and carbonyls were augmented (65% and 55%, respectively) in hyperthyroid and reduced (31% and 56%, respectively) in hypothyroid group. SOD and CAT activities have not changed, as well as CAT immunocontent. TRAP was diminished in both hyperthyroid and hypothyroid groups (36% and 37%, respectively). GST activity and immunocontent, as well as GPx activity, were increased in hyper and hypothyroid rats. The data suggest that thyroid hormone changes determine ROS concentration changes and decrease of some antioxidant defences that would lead to a compensatory answer of the GST and GPx enzymes, which could be consider as credible biomarkers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical research and statistical analysis of a visual field awareness system.

This article discusses the clinical research and applications of the statistical analysis of a system called "The Visual Field Awareness System. " This medical lens system allows patients with a visual field loss to 1) scan toward area of the loss, to see objects sooner and more clearly, and 2) demonstrate increased function and safety. Seventy-nine percent (27 of 34) of the patients in the sample received and accepted the prism treatment. Of this group, a minimum of 70 percent (19 of 27) continue to benefit from this treatment strategy. Statistically significant predictors of success are discussed. This study demonstrates that patients suffering visual field loss may show functional benefit by the utilization of this prism treatment along with vision rehabilitation.
Interrogating Parkinson's disease LRRK2 kinase pathway activity by assessing Rab10 phosphorylation in human neutrophils

There is compelling evidence for the role of the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) and in particular its kinase function in Parkinson's disease. Orally bioavailable, brain penetrant and potent LRRK2 kinase inhibitors are in the later stages of clinical development. Here, we describe a facile and robust assay to quantify LRRK2 kinase pathway activity by measuring LRRK2-mediated phosphorylation of Rab10 in human peripheral blood neutrophils. We use the selective MJFF-pRab10 monoclonal antibody recognising the Rab10 Thr73 phospho-epitope that is phosphorylated by LRRK2. We highlight the feasibility and practicability of using our assay in the clinical setting by studying a few patients with G2019S LRRK2 associated and sporadic Parkinson's as well as healthy controls. We suggest that peripheral blood neutrophils are a valuable resource for LRRK2 research and should be considered for inclusion in Parkinson's bio-repository collections as they are abundant, homogenous and express relatively high levels of LRRK2 as well as Rab10. In contrast, the widely used peripheral blood mononuclear cells are heterogeneous and only a minority of cells (monocytes and contaminating neutrophils) express LRRK2. While our LRRK2 kinase pathway assay could assist in patient stratification based on LRRK2 kinase activity, we envision that it may find greater utility in pharmacodynamic and target engagement studies in future LRRK2 inhibitor trials.
Molecular Characterization of Multidrug Resistant Strains of Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated from Intensive Care Units in West of Iran.

INTRODUCTION According to the results of various studies using phenotypic methods, the prevalence of Multidrug Resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) isolates has been increasing worldwide. Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) technique is known as the gold standard method to determine clonal characterization of bacterial species, especially A. baumannii. AIM To determine the clonal relatedness and investigate the prevalence of integron classes 1 and 2 and genes encoding OXA-23 and 24 in A.baumanii isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2011 to January 2013. A total of 140 A.baumannii isolates collected from three hospitals of Kermanshah were considered out of which 75 ICU isolates were included in this study. Antibiotics susceptibility test was done by disk diffusion method. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed in order to detect class 1 and 2 integrons and blaOXA-23-like, blaOXA-24-like genes. Isolates identified as MDR from a total of 75 Intensive Care Units (ICU) strains were subjected to genotyping for clonal relatedness. RESULTS A total of 37 isolates among 75 ICU isolates were identified as MDR. The maximum drug resistance was observed against ceftriaxone, mezlocycline, cefotaxime, piperacilin, ciprofloxacin and imipenem. Frequency of Class 1 and Class 2 Integrons, blaOXA-23-like and blaOXA-24-like genes were 33(44%), 27(36%), 60(80%) and 14(18.6%) respectively. Four clusters with high level of similarity were obtained showing homogeneity among MDR isolates. CONCLUSION Significant correlation between presence of integrons and resistance to different classes of antibiotic was observed in this study. Monitoring of drug resistance using gene integrase PCR and blaOXA gene by cluster analysis is very important to plan specific infection control measures due to MDR A. baumannii.
Influence of Post-cam Design on Stresses on Posterior-stabilized Tibial Posts

Polyethylene wear and fracture at the tibial post of posterior- stabilized knee prostheses are common complications. Analyzing the stresses on various designs of tibial posts should predict the risk of damage. The post-cam of knee prostheses generally are designed either as flat-on-flat or curve-on- curve contact surfaces. We investigated stress on such tibial posts using a finite element method. We applied a 500-N anteroposterior shear force to the knee at neutral contact and 10° tibial internal rotation when the knee was flexed at 60°, 90°, 120°, and 150°. There was more stress during tibial rotation compared with during neutral contact. The greatest increments of maximum von Mises stress and contact stress in the flat-on-flat model were from 20.4 to 46.1 MPa (126.3%) and from 22.2 to 55.7 MPa (151%), respectively, whereas in the curve-on-curve design they were from 20.5 to 22.7 MPa (10.7%) and from 33.0 to 35.4 MPa (7.2%), respectively. Increased stress concentration at the tibial post occurred at increased flexion angles along with axial tibial rotation. The curve-on-curve design reduced stress concentration when the knee sustained an anteroposterior shear force with tibial rotation.
The Portrayal of Women in the Fairy Tales

The article explores the wondrous fairy tales that have emanated from a wide variety of tiny tales having undergone numerous transformations by political and social forces over time. The prominence of feminine beauty ideal and the ways in which beauty is presented in these tales have been beautifully dealt with and also the link between beauty and goodness and between ugliness and evil are reflected through the various tales.
Crystal structure of a coagulogen, the clotting protein from horseshoe crab: a structural homologue of nerve growth factor.

The clotting cascade system of the horseshoe crab (Limulus) is involved in both haemostasis and host defence. The cascade results in the conversion of coagulogen, a soluble protein, into an insoluble coagulin gel. The clotting enzyme excises the fragment peptide C from coagulogen, giving rise to aggregation of the monomers. The crystal structure of coagulogen reveals an elongated molecule that embraces the helical peptide C fragment. Cleavage and removal of the peptide C would expose an extended hydrophobic cove, which could interact with the hydrophobic edge of a second molecule, leading to a polymeric fibre. The C‐terminal half of the coagulogen molecule exhibits a striking topological similarity to the neurotrophin nerve growth factor (NGF), providing the first evidence for a neurotrophin fold in invertebrates. Similarities between coagulogen and Spatzle, the Drosophila ligand of the receptor Toll, suggest that the neurotrophin fold might be considered more ancient and widespread than previously realized.
Topic-Relevant Reference Groups and Dimensions of Distance

This article argues for using topic-relevant reference groups in examining first and third-person effects. It also proposes using topic-relevant dimensions of distance to assess relationships not only between self and target groups but also relationships both have with communicators. The study showed 2000 presidential primary ads from Al Gore and George W. Bush to a combined sample of student and nonstudent partisans (N = 140). Participants perceived greater effects on the out-group and on the general public then on themselves for ads from the out-group candidate. A third-person effect was also observed for ads from the in-group candidate in self-in-group and self-public comparisons. The only first-person effect was found for the self-out-group comparison of responses to the in-group candidate ads. Self-candidate political distance, an analogue of message desirability, was negatively related to perceived effects on self and target groups, whereas self-group and group-candidate distance measures showed only sporadic relationships to perceived effects.
XXXV The Development and Adult Structure of the Malleus, Incus and Stapes

The early reports dealt chiefly with the following subjects: the development of the stapes;1,4 the developmental and normal adult structure of the fissula ante fenestram ;" the aberrant form and pathological contents of the fissula ;" the development of the otic capsule and of the extracapsular tissues. ": 7, 8 Later, the original program was extended to include those special portions of the capsule in which late histological alteration regularly occurs; these are the cochlear aqueduct and periotic duct," the tympanic wall of the lateral semicircular canal (the region of surgical fenestration), the cranial (external) aperture of the vestibular aqueduct'': 11, 14 and the cochlear fenestra (round window) . 12
Structures of the Common Cyclodextrins and Their Larger Analogues-Beyond the Doughnut.

If the amylose fraction of starch is degraded by glucosyltransferases, one or several turns of the amylose helix are hydrolyzed off and their ends are joined together, thereby producing cyclic oligosaccharides called cyclodextrins (CDs) or cycloamyloses (CAs).
Teleconsultation via the web: an analysis of the type of questions that Iranian patients ask

We evaluated an ask-the-doctor service which was set up as one of the accessory services of a health education website in Iran. The study lasted for five months. A total of 500 enquiries were submitted to the question and answer system. Eighty enquiries were excluded because they were duplicated submissions, not replied to by doctors or gave insufficient information for a reply. Most enquirers (33%) were female and aged 21–35 years. The most frequently asked questions were about embarrassing and sensitive topics, particularly on women's health and mental health. The majority of the questions were submitted on behalf of the enquirers themselves, with only 13% asking for others (children, parents, friends). Although there are various problems associated with online consultation, it does at least overcome one of the great drawbacks of some cultures, where people are reluctant to talk openly about certain matters, even with their doctors.
Presynaptic changes associated with post‐tetanic potentiation in the spinal cord

Lloyd (1949) has put forward the following hypothesis of the mechanism of post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) of the monosynaptic reflex in the spinal cord of cats. After a tetanus, the presynaptic nerve fibre undergoes a phase of hyperpolarization, associated with larger spike potentials which initiate synaptic transmission more effectively. How much experimental evidence is available in support of this hypothesis? Gasser & Grundfest (1936) have analysed the post-tetanic hyperpolarization of mammalian peripheral nerves in some detail; they described a prolonged second phase (P2) which could last 1 min or even longer. Woolsey & Larrabee (1940) observed a similar phase of hyperpolarization in the dorsal spinal roots of cats, whose occurrence was later confirmed by Lloyd (1952). Koketsu (1956) and Wall & Johnson (1958) also found in cats evidence of reduced excitability of primary afferent fibres within the cord after a tetanus. In a preceding paper (Eccles & Krnjevic, 1959b) we have demonstrated in the cat's spinal cord a prolonged phase of membrane hyperpolarization in primary afferent fibres. There is much less evidence that the spike potential is enhanced after a tetanus. Woronzow (1924) suggested that spikes are larger in frog nerves and, in a recent paper, Gasser (1958) mentions that augmented spikes were often seen in the cat phrenic nerve, but the increases were very small, usually only of 1% or less. Lloyd (1949) himself recorded the intramedullary spike potential evoked by afferent volleys. This triphasic spike was appreciably greater after a tetanus, and it gradually declined to its original size with a time course similar to that of the concurrent PTP of the monosynaptic reflex. Comparable changes in the presynaptic spike during PTP were seen by Liley & North (1953) at the neuromuscular junction in rats. Lloyd's observation was only
Hedge Fund Activism and Bank Loan Contracting

Using a large sample of loans initiated by firms targeted by hedge fund activists during 1994-2008, we show that hedge fund activism has significant impacts on firms’ bank loan contracts. After the targeting announcement, and relative to firms that are not targeted, the targeted firms pay significantly higher spreads, are more likely to be required to secure their loans, face more covenant restrictions on their financial and investment policies, and have shorter loan maturities. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that hedge fund activism increases credit risk by exacerbating shareholder expropriation of bondholder wealth (the “expropriation effect”). Cross-sectional evidence indicates that the increase in the cost of debt after the activism is greater when the activism targets firms’ capital structure. There is also evidence that activism targeting firms’ corporate governance reduces the cost of debt. Our results imply that firms could face higher costs of debt and greater restrictions on financial flexibility when firms are targeted by activist shareholders.