Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non-dopaminergic Alterations in Depression-Like FSL Rats in Experimental Parkinsonism and L-DOPA Responses

Depression is a common comorbid condition in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Patients with depression have a two-fold increased risk to develop PD. Further, depression symptoms often precede motor symptoms in PD and are frequent at all stages of the disease. However, the influence of a depressive state on the responses to antiparkinson treatments is largely unknown. In this study, the genetically inbred depression-like flinders sensitive line (FSL) rats and control flinders resistant line (FRL) rats were studied in models of experimental parkinsonism. FSL rats showed a potentiated tremorgenic response to tacrine, a cholinesterase inhibitor used experimentally to induce 6 Hz resting tremor reminiscent of parkinsonian tremor. We also studied rats lesioned with 6-OHDA to induce hemiparkinsonism. No baseline differences in dopaminergic response to acute apomorphine or L-DOPA was found. However, following chronic treatment with L-DOPA, FRL rats developed sensitization of turning and abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs); these effects were counteracted by the anti-dyskinetic 5-HT1A agonist/D2 partial agonist sarizotan. In contrast, FSL rats did not develop sensitization of turning and only minor AIMs in response to L-DOPA treatment. The roles of several non-dopamine systems underlying this discrepancy were studied. Unexpectedly, no differences of opioid neuropeptides or serotonin markers were found between FRL and FSL rats. The marked behavioral difference between the FRL and FSL rats was paralleled with the striatal expression of the established marker, c-fos, but also the GABAergic transporter (vGAT), and a hitherto unknown marker, tamalin, that is known to regulate mGluR5 receptor function and postsynaptic organization. This study demonstrates that behavioral and transcriptional responses of non-dopaminergic systems to experimental parkinsonism and L-DOPA are modified in a genetic rat model of depression.
Persistent Organic Pollutants and Mercury in Genetically Identified Inner Estuary Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Residents of the Guayaquil Gulf, Ecuador: Ecotoxicological Science in Support of Pollutant Management and Cetacean Conservation

The bottlenose dolphin is one of the most common cetaceans found in the coastal waters, estuaries, and mangroves of Ecuador. However, its population size is gradually declining in the Gulf of Guayaquil, and anthropogenic factors including habitat degradation, uncontrolled dolphin watching, dredging activities, increasing maritime traffic, underwater noise, bycatch, and marine pollution have been implicated in their decline. Very little is known about contamination by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury in bottlenose dolphins from the Pacific coast of South America. To address this research gap, the first assessment of total mercury (THg) and POPs, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins in mangroves (El Morro Mangrove Wildlife Refuge) of the Gulf of Guayaquil, was conducted in Ecuador in 2018. Dolphin samples (i.e., skin and blubber; n = 9), were obtained using dart biopsy field methods for contaminant analysis. POP concentrations ranged from 0.56 to 13.0 mg/kg in lipid weight, while THg ranged from 1.92 to 3.63 mg/kg in dry weight. The predominant POPs were OCPs (50% of ΣPOP), followed by PCBs (46%) and PBDEs (6.0%); particularly, p,p′-DDE, the main DDT metabolite and a potent anti-androgenic, accounting for 42% of ΣPOP, ranging from 0.12 to ∼7.0 mg/kg lw, followed by PCB 153 (8.0%) and PCB 180 (5.0%). PBDE 47 accounted for 2.0% of ΣPOP. While the POP concentrations are lower than those found in dolphins from many other regions of the world, some of the THg concentrations are within the concentration range found in dolphins from the southeastern coast of the United States. The ecotoxicological risk assessment showed that some of the sampled dolphins are exposed to immunotoxic and endocrine disruption effects by POPs and mercury. The low genetic diversity of this distinctive dolphin population, likely exhibiting genetic isolation and a unique evolutionary heritage, could be lost if the population continues to decline in the face of anthropogenic threats, including chemical pollution. Our finding shows that bottlenose dolphins in coastal Ecuador are exposed to environmental contaminants and can be used as sentinel species for ecosystem health to monitor pollution in the region and to support ecotoxicological risk assessment and regional pollutant management.
Constraining Stroke Order During Manual Symbol Learning Hinders Subsequent Recognition in Children Under 4 1/2 Years

In the age of technology, writing by hand has become less common than texting and keyboarding. Learning letters by hand, however, has been shown to have profound developmental importance. One aspect of writing by hand that has been understudied is the effect of learning symbols stroke-by-stroke, a dynamic action that does not occur with keyboarding. We trained children to draw novel symbols in either an instructed stroke order or in a self-directed stroke order and tested: (1) whether learning novel symbols in a self-directed stroke order benefits subsequent recognition more than learning in a specified stroke order, (2) whether seeing novel symbols unfold in the stroke order that was taught would aid in recognition, and (3) whether any effects are age-dependent. Our results demonstrate that producing a symbol with a self-directed stroke order provides more benefit to symbol recognition than instructed stroke orders in 4.0–4.5-year-old children but not in 4.5–5.0-year-old children. We found, further, that the observed recognition benefits were not affected by seeing the symbol unfold in the same stroke order it was learned during testing, suggesting that the learning was not reliant upon the exact stroke order experienced during learning. These results stress the importance of allowing children to produce symbols in a self-directed manner and, by extension, that constraining how a child learns to write can adversely affect subsequent recognition.
Monthly Variation and Annual Trends of Rainfall across Major Climatic Zones in Nigeria

This study focused on analysing variability and trends in rainfall in ten meteorological stations across Nigeria namely, Port Harcourt (4.51 ̊N, 7.01 ̊E),Ikeja (6.35 ̊N, 3.20 ̊E), and Benin ( 6.34 0 N, 5.63 0 E ) in the Rain forest, Makurdi (7.7 0 N, 8.5 0 E), Ilorin (8.48 0 N, 4.54 0 E) and Enugu (6.28 ̊N, 7.33 ̊E) in Guinea savanna,Kaduna (10.5°N, 7.44°E,) and Bauchi (10.30 0 N , 10.0 0 E) in Sudan Savanna while Sokoto (13.01 ̊N, 5.15 ̊E) Maiduguri (11.51 ̊N, 13.05 ̊E) in Sahel savanna. Monthly rainfall data for this study for the period of 31years (1985 2015) were obtained from the archives of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) Oshodi, Lagos.The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to determine the mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation in all the study areas.Simple linear regression analysis and a modified non-parametric Mann-Kendall trend test were used to analyse the trends exhibited by the variable. The monthly analysis shows that period of highest rainfall falls in June or July for the locations nearest to the coast and August or September for the locations closer to the Sahara desert. The annual rates of increase /decrease in rainfall over the period of investigation 1985 2015 were; -0.44mm/year forPort Harcourt, 0.693mm/year for Ikeja, 1.581mm/year for Benin,0.316mm/year for Makurdi, 1.268mm/year for Ilorin, 0.754mm/year for Enugu, 0.668mm/year for Kaduna, 1.873mm/year for Bauchi, 0.294mm/year for Sokoto and 0.821mm/year for Maiduguri. Both linear regression analysis and Mann-Kendall test results show increasing rainfall trend in all the studied locations except in Port Harcourt that shows a decreasing trend. However, rainfall trends were only statistically significant in Benin, Ilorin, Bauchi and Maiduguri (at p < 0.05) at 95% confidence level. This study reveals that Nigeria is experiencing a rise in rainfall. The implication of this is that Nigeria is susceptible to the attendant consequences of global warming. In this regard the human population in Nigeria dependent on economic activities that are rainfall sensitive such as agriculture are vulnerable to risks. This study recommends the provision of accurate and timely weather and climate information for planning in the sectors of the economy that are rainfall sensitive such as agriculture,health, water resources management. This would prevent rainfall extremes from becoming disasters and threats to livelihood across Nigeria.
Developing a Distribution Pricing Model for the Case Company

Author Title Number of Pages Date Samu Ketola Developing a Distribution Pricing Model for the Case Company 61 pages + 8 appendices 7 May 2017 Degree Master of Engineering Degree Programme Logistics Instructors Dr. Juha Haimala, Principal Lecturer, Head of Department of Industrial Management Zinaida Grabovskaia, PhL, Senior Lecturer Jussi Peltonen, National Distribution Manager This Master’s Thesis aims to develop a new distribution pricing model for the case company. The company has outsourced its distribution to several distribution contractors, which get paid through the company’s distribution pricing model. The fact that the payment to the contractors that are operating in different areas and with different vehicle types, is based on the same pricing model, brings a great challenge to the equality and transparency of the pricing model. Therefore, this study aimed to revise the current pricing model with the view to possibly change into a better one. This study, conducted as a single case study, is based on a large scale worktime measurement, key stakeholders interviews and literature review of best practice on the pricing models used in logistics. The study revealed that the current pricing model and system have got to the end of their lifecycle, and it proposes a new simplified pricing model, which is tailormade for the case company, and aimed to be taken into use. The new pricing model is based on the fit of the relevant elements from the three commonly known pricing models. First, the elements for fixed costs and actual transactions came from the activity-based costing model. Second, the new model got time-drivers from the timedriven activity-based costing model. Third, quality was included into the model, based on the learnings from the performance-based logistics. The validation and testing phase of the study shows that the new model can capture the complexity of the activities on a sufficient level, without losing the transparency and cost efficiency. Therefore, next steps towards the implementation of the model relate to the suggested improvements to the route planning and starting the system development to support the calculation of the monthly payments for the distribution contractors. As the distribution takes a major part of the company’s logistics costs and makes a visible part of the logistics activities for the customers, the importance of the pricing model should not be underestimated. The proposed pricing model can improve the quality of the activities, without losing the cost efficiency.
PRMT5-dependent transcriptional repression of c-Myc target genes promotes gastric cancer progression

The proto-oncogene c-Myc regulates multiple biological processes mainly through selectively activating gene expression. However, the mechanisms underlying c-Myc-mediated gene repression in the context of cancer remain less clear. This study aimed to clarify the role of PRMT5 in the transcriptional repression of c-Myc target genes in gastric cancer. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of PRMT5, c-Myc and target genes in gastric cancer patients. PRMT5 and c-Myc interaction was assessed by immunofluorescence, co-immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assays. Bioinformatics analysis, immunoblotting, real-time PCR, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and rescue experiments were used to evaluate the mechanism. Results: We found that c-Myc directly interacts with protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) to transcriptionally repress the expression of a cohort of genes, including PTEN, CDKN2C (p18INK4C), CDKN1A (p21CIP1/WAF1), CDKN1C (p57KIP2) and p63, to promote gastric cancer cell growth. Specifically, we found that PRMT5 was required to promote gastric cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo, and for transcriptional repression of this cohort of genes, which was dependent on its methyltransferase activity. Consistently, the promoters of this gene cohort were enriched for both PRMT5-mediated symmetric di-methylation of histone H4 on Arg 3 (H4R3me2s) and c-Myc, and c-Myc depletion also upregulated their expression. H4R3me2s also colocalized with the c-Myc-binding E-box motif (CANNTG) on these genes. We show that PRMT5 directly binds to c-Myc, and this binding is required for transcriptional repression of the target genes. Both c-Myc and PRMT5 expression levels were upregulated in primary human gastric cancer tissues, and their expression levels inversely correlated with clinical outcomes. Conclusions: Taken together, our study reveals a novel mechanism by which PRMT5-dependent transcriptional repression of c-Myc target genes is required for gastric cancer progression, and provides a potential new strategy for therapeutic targeting of gastric cancer.
Investigating Novel BCI Displays that Support Personalised Engagement and Interpersonal Connections

DREAM 2.2 is an immersive art installation that gives form to our mind's ephemeral data. Participants wear an EEG headset and use their neural activity to alter visuals that are projection-mapped, in real-time, onto an explorable maze in an exhibition space. Their neural data also influences interactive audio. Audiences wear an EEG headset and help shape the installation audio-visuals, or they can explore the exhibition maze and be immersed in audio-visuals that are being shaped by another person's neural data. This case study investigates ways of personalising Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) displays so that people can feel a closer connection to their neural data. It also provides insights into how BCIs can support novel interpersonal engagement.
"Textures"

❖ Home ❖ Color ❖ Shape Textures commonly are used in ads to create a sense of depth and amplify the mood. They also can affect the viewer's perception of the product itself. Notice how pieces of torn paper were used to make the West Virginia ad seem to have layers even though you know that a printed page has only one surface. The fibers in the papers also convey the impression of earthy and ruggedness.
History of human tuberculosis in lithuania : Possibilities and limitations of paleoosteological evidences : Les épidémies: Passé et présent

Histoire de la tuberculose humaine en Lithuanie \ possibilites et limites des observations osteo-archeologiques. Resume. — La tuberculose, en tant qu'evenement social particulier, est connue depuis l'antiquite. Souvent responsable de lesions osseuses specifiques, la tuberculose est une infection accessible aux investigations paleopathologiques. Dans cet article sont analyses differents cas paleopathologiques attnbuables a une infection tuberculeuse, observes sur des series osteo- archeologiques lithuaniennes qui peuvent ouvrir sur une approche paleoepidemiologique. Dans les echantillons du 1er millenaire apres J-C, 4 cas de spondylodiscites tuberculeuses et un cas de possible tuberculose crânienne ont ete identifies. Ces observations, ajoutees a celles connues dans la litterature, montrent que la maladie etait deja presente a cette periode, sous une forme non sporadique. Pour la periode suivante (second millenaire), des signes de tuberculose s'observent sous trois formes differentes : atteinte osseuse directe (14 cas de spondylodiscite tuberculeuse, 5 cas d'atteinte articulaire), atteinte costale (1 1 ou 12 cas) sur un echantillon randomise de sujets subadultes, signes d'atteinte meningee (meme echantillon). Si l'on considere l'epidemiologie et la mortalite selective, il apparait que l'exposition au risque infectieux due a Mycobacterium tuberculosis approcherait 100 %. Les lesions osseuses specifiques n'ont pas d'impact significatif sur la mortalite. La question de criteres de diagnostic et d'interpretation appropries, ainsi que celle d'une recherche pluridisciplinaire est ainsi posee.
Development and in vitro characterization of rifapentine microsphere-loaded bone implants: a sustained drug delivery system.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to develop and evaluate a sustained drug delivery system for the treatment of osteoarticular tuberculosis (TB) to address the issues surrounding low drug concentration in lesions and bone defects or nonunion after debridement. METHODS The effects of rifapentine on the proliferation and cell cycle of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry. Rifapentine polylactic acid (PLA) sustained-release microspheres (RPSMs) were prepared through the double emulsion solvent evaporation method and investigated the antibacterial activity in vitro. In this study, two sustained drug delivery systems were prepared by integrating RPSMs and BMSCs into hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate (HA/β-TCP) or allogeneic bone. We evaluated these drug delivery systems for dynamics of drug release and osteogenic ability by in vitro release test, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alizarin red staining, and real-time PCR. RESULTS The results showed that rifapentine concentrations up to 45.0 μg/mL had no effect on cell proliferation and cell cycle. The encapsulation and drug loading efficiency of the fabricated RPSMs were 78.11%±1.16% and 35.57%±0.85%, respectively. The RPSMs had uniform particle size distribution and a long-term anti-bacterium effect. The HA/β-TCP-implanted drug delivery system was found to be more effective in reducing the burst release and having a longer duration of sustained release and retention compared to allogeneic bone. The ALP and alizarin red staining and real-time PCR results showed that it had excellent osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the sustained drug delivery system with HA/β-TCP as scaffold material represents a potential new strategy for TB infections and bone defects.
Low-Dose Aspirin Use During Pregnancy

Low-dose aspirin has been used during pregnancy, most commonly to prevent or delay the onset of preeclampsia. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued the Hypertension in Pregnancy Task Force Report recommending daily low-dose aspirin beginning in the late first trimester for women with a history of early-onset preeclampsia and preterm delivery at less than 34 0/7 weeks of gestation, or for women with more than one prior pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published a similar guideline, although the list of indications for low-dose aspirin use was more expansive. Daily low-dose aspirin use in pregnancy is considered safe and is associated with a low likelihood of serious maternal, or fetal complications, or both, related to use. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine support the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guideline criteria for prevention of preeclampsia. Low-dose aspirin (81 mg/day) prophylaxis is recommended in women at high risk of preeclampsia and should be initiated between 12 weeks and 28 weeks of gestation (optimally before 16 weeks) and continued daily until delivery. Low-dose aspirin prophylaxis should be considered for women with more than one of several moderate risk factors for preeclampsia. Women at risk of preeclampsia are defined based on the presence of one or more high-risk factors (history of preeclampsia, multifetal gestation, renal disease, autoimmune disease, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and chronic hypertension) or more than one of several moderate-risk factors (first pregnancy, maternal age of 35 years or older, a body mass index greater than 30, family history of preeclampsia, sociodemographic characteristics, and personal history factors). In the absence of high risk factors for preeclampsia, current evidence does not support the use of prophylactic low-dose aspirin for the prevention of early pregnancy loss, fetal growth restriction, stillbirth, or preterm birth.
Challenges Of The Teaching And Learning Of French As A Foreign Language In Ghana : The Way Forward

This paper focuses on the grand challenges, which are difficult but solvable facing the teaching and learning of French as a foreign language in Ghana. The paper attempts to identify, define the big challenges and propose suggestions that can provide new opportunities for professionals of every human endeavour, spur new directions and innovation in order to change the Ghanaian public opinion about the role and importance of foreign language teaching and learning. Bilingualism or Multilingualism (knowing more than one language) is no longer a choice or an option but a must for businesses communication, offers employment opportunities and promotes global economic growth. Empirical evidence and research findings confirm and add to our understanding that French is among the principal languages of diplomacy and of important international organizations, a language of instruction, language of government and lingua franca of business. However, there are grand challenges facing the teaching and learning of French in Ghana. The researcher therefore attempts to address these challenges, focusing on priority areas in foreign language education, policy formulation and implementation, monitoring, and suggesting the way forward
Vitamin D Metabolism is Dysregulated in Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

RATIONALE Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with asthma and COPD. Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels may represent a cause or a consequence of these conditions. OBJECTIVE To determine whether vitamin D metabolism is altered in asthma or COPD. METHODS We conducted a longitudinal study in 186 adults to determine whether the 25(OH)D response to six oral doses of 3 mg vitamin D3, administered over one year, differed between those with asthma or COPD vs. controls. Serum concentrations of vitamin D3, 25(OH)D3 and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1α,25[OH]2D3) were determined pre- and post-supplementation in 93 adults with asthma, COPD or neither condition, and metabolite-to-parent compound molar ratios were compared between groups to estimate hydroxylase activity. Additionally, we analyzed fourteen datasets to compare expression of 1α,25[OH]2D3-inducible gene expression signatures in clinical samples taken from adults with asthma or COPD vs. controls. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The mean post-supplementation 25(OH)D increase in participants with asthma (20.9 nmol/L) and COPD (21.5 nmol/L) was lower than in controls (39.8 nmol/L; P=0.001). Compared with controls, patients with asthma and COPD had lower molar ratios of 25(OH)D3-to-vitamin D3 and higher molar ratios of 1α,25(OH)2D3-to-25(OH)D3 both pre- and post-supplementation (P≤0.005). Inter-group differences in 1α,25[OH]2D3-inducible gene expression signatures were modest and variable where statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Attenuation of the 25(OH)D response to vitamin D supplementation in asthma and COPD associated with reduced molar ratios of 25(OH)D3-to-vitamin D3 and increased molar ratios of 1α,25(OH)2D3-to-25(OH)D3 in serum, suggesting that vitamin D metabolism is dysregulated in these conditions.