Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Feedback‐dependent neuronal properties make focal dystonias so focal

Focal dystonia, by definition, affects a specific body part; however, it may have a widespread neural substrate. We tested this hypothesis by examining the intrinsic behaviour and the neuronal properties that are modulated by changes in the physiological behaviour of their connections, that is feedback dependence, of the isolated pallidal neurons. During deep brain stimulation surgery in 12 patients with isolated cervical dystonia (without hand involvement), we measured spontaneous as well as evoked single‐unit properties in response to fist making (hand movement) or shoulder shrug (neck movements). We measured the activity of isolated neurons that were only sensitive to the neck movements, hand movement, or not responsive to hand or neck movements. The spontaneous firing behaviour, such as the instantaneous firing rate and its regularity, was comparable in all three types of neurons. The neck movement‐sensitive neurons had prominent bursting behaviour in comparison with the hand neurons. The feedback dependence of the neck movement‐sensitive neurons was also significantly impaired when compared to hand movement‐sensitive neurons. Motor‐evoked change in firing rate of neck movement‐sensitive neurons rapidly declined; the decay time constant was much shorter compared to hand movement‐sensitive neurons. These results suggest that in isolated cervical dystonia, at the resolution of single neurons, the deficits are much widespread, affecting the neurons that drive the neck movement as well as the hand movements. We speculate that clinically discernable dystonia occurs when additional abnormality is added to baseline dysfunctional network, and one source of such abnormality may involve feedback.
Gene expression profile of Li23, a new human hepatoma cell line that enables robust hepatitis C virus replication: Comparison with HuH‐7 and other hepatic cell lines

Aim: Human hepatoma cell line HuH‐7‐derived cells are currently the only cell culture system used for robust hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication. We recently found a new human hepatoma cell line, Li23, that enables robust HCV replication. Although both cell lines had similar liver‐specific expression profiles, the overall profile of Li23 seemed to differ considerably from that of HuH‐7. To understand this difference, the expression profile of Li23 cells was further characterized by a comparison with that of HuH‐7 cells.
IDENTIFICATION OF RAPD MARKERS LINKED TO MYMV RESISTANCE IN MUNGBEAN (VIGNA RADIATA (L). WILCZEK)

The present study was undertaken to identify random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker associated with mungbean yellow mosaic virus (MYMV) resistance in mungbean (Vigna radiata (L). Wilczek) by employing bulk segregant analysis in recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Out of 20 random decamers, only ten primers viz; OPA-03, A-06, A-03, OPA-09, A-09, OPB 7, UBC-391, OPC-08, UBC 499 and A-04 showed polymorphism between parents Chinamung and BL 849. Out of these ten primers only one primer i.e. UBC 499 amplified a single 700 bp band in the genotype BL 849 (resistant parent) and MYMV resistant bulk which was absent in Chinamung (susceptible parent) and MYMV susceptible bulk. PCR amplified 700 bp marker band was detected in individuals of F 5 RILs constituting the MYMV resistant bulk indicating that primer UBC 499 was linked to MYMV resistance. This marker can be used in screening mungbean genotypes for resistance to MYMV disease.
The effects of perceived website usability on trust of online stores

Malvela, Maria The Effects of Perceived Website Usability on Trust of Online Stores Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä, 2018, 90 p. Cognitive Science, Master’s Thesis Supervisors: Rousi, Rebekah; Kujala, Tuomo Within online retail, the excellence of customer experience is not only mediated through a compelling online experience, but also other traits associated with usability and willingness to engage with the website. That is, performing online transactions also presumes that a consumer perceives a website to be both easy to use, reliable and trustworthy. This emphasizes an online store in terms of consumer’s perceptions about its usability and trust. Relating to this, the current study aimed to discover the influence of perceived website usability on trust of online stores. First section of the thesis, implemented as a literature review, inspected the relationship between user experience and customer experience. Based on the literature, user experience may be considered influential to customer experience through perceived customer value. Basically, the more value-in-use experienced along with highly estimated website quality may enhance consumer’s overall experience about an online store. The second section of the thesis, instead, focuses on inspecting factors related to website usability and trust via an online survey. The data (N=318) was collected in March 2018 from both students at the University of Jyväskylä and other online store users. The results gained from the survey confirmed the relationship between perceived website usability and online store trust. This relationship was especially valid in terms of aesthetic formality. The results gained may be utilized when designing customer experience in online stores. For one, the results offer insight into consumers’ meaning-making of online stores’ website usability. Further, they may illustrate those website attributes of usability and aesthetics which are reflected against the evaluation of an online store’s trustworthiness.
Does Agro-injection to soybean pods transform embryos?

In planta and agroinfiltration technologies for plant transformation have gained attention in recent years. These technologies pass laborious tissue culture steps but bear low transformation efficiencies. Over-night grown Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA105 harboring pROKIILFYGUSint plasmid was injected into soybean pods at three developmental stages. The seeds obtained were assessed for transformation through GUS histochemical analysis and PCR. Three plants of NARC-7 and two plants of NARC-4 (transformation efficiencies 14.2 and 6.45%, respectively) showed GUS activity in plant tissue when Agrobacterium was injected after 2-3 days of pod formation; i.e. stage I. Highest GUS expression (39.16 %) was observed on NARC-7 seeds when pods were treated at the late stage of development; i.e. stage III. To our knowledge, this is the first report that demonstrates transformation of developing embryo by pod agroinjection. Using this procedure, transformed seeds can directly be produced and can be further analyzed at progeny level.
Simultaneous Optimization of Acetaldehyde and DMS Concentrations for Better Sensory Quality of Beer Fermented on an Industrial Scale

The levels of selected volatile components that affected the sensory properties of a lager beer were optimized under high-gravity brewing conditions (15.5 °P) in an industrial plant. The influence of different pitching rates (6–10 million cells/mL), aeration levels (8–12 mg/L), times (4.5–13.5 h) of filling CCTs (cylindroconical tanks, 3850 hl), and fermentation temperatures (8.5–11.5 °C) on the contents of acetaldehyde, diacetyl, acetone, 2,3-pentanedion, dimethyl sulfide (DMS), and on the sensory properties of beer were investigated. Response surface methodology (RSM, Box–Behnken design) was used to research the possibilities for optimizing the concentration of selected volatile components and sensory properties of bottom-fermented lager beers. Statistical analyses of the results showed that the experimental factors had a significant influence (R-squared for the original model with no significant lack-of-fit) on some of the volatile components. Based on the Multiple Response Optimization analysis, the values of independent factors that ensured the highest beer sensory quality were the following: a pitching rate of 10 million cells per mL; a fermentation temperature of 11.5 °C; an aeration level of 12 mg/L; and a CCT filling time of 4.5 h. These results proved that RSM modelling can be successfully applied to optimize fermentation and lagering processes in an industrial plant to manufacture lagers of enhanced sensory quality.
Stoichiometry of nitrogen and carbon utilization in cultured populations of Trichodesmium IMS101: Implications for growth

Rates of particulate organic carbon (POC) and particulate organic nitrogen (PON) accumulation, N2 and CO2 fixation, and NH4+ uptake were measured in cultures of Trichodesmium IMS101 growing on an artificial culture medium without added N substrates. Cultures exhibited a doubling time of about 4 d based on the accumulation of PON, POC, chlorophyll a, and cell number. Cell‐specific rates of N2 and CO2 fixation were highest during midday and during the initial stages of the growth cycle. Up to midlog phase, integrated estimates of CO2 fixation (based on short‐term 13CO2 uptake) closely tracked increases in POC. However, after day 8, estimates of C accumulation based on CO2 fixation exceeded observed POC increases. Within the error of the measurements, N2 fixation estimates (based on C2H2 reduction) also closely tracked, and could largely account for, PON increases over most of the experiment. N demand based on CO2 fixation also followed PON increases during early to midlog phase but diverged during late exponential phase and thereafter by greater than 100%. Estimates of short‐term C fixation rates during and after late exponential phase overestimate net growth of Trichodesmium IMS101, whereas estimates of N2 fixation rates approximated net growth. These observations may partially explain the disparity of estimates of growth in field populations based on 14CO2 fixation compared to N2 fixation. Ammonium accumulated in the culture medium during the experiment, and rates of NH4+ uptake were high throughout the day and over the whole growth cycle. Rates of NH4+ uptake generally exceeded N2 fixation. The turnover of N was therefore much greater than the net accumulation of N in biomass and implies a concurrent high rate of NH4+ release.
Splicing Factor Transcript Abundance in Saliva as a Diagnostic Tool for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women above 60 years in the US. Screening mammography is recommended for women above 50 years; however, 22% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women below this age. We set out to develop a test based on the detection of cell-free RNA from saliva. To this end, we sequenced RNA from a pool of ten women. The 1254 transcripts identified were enriched for genes with an annotation of alternative pre-mRNA splicing. Pre-mRNA splicing is a tightly regulated process and its misregulation in cancer cells promotes the formation of cancer-driving isoforms. For these reasons, we chose to focus on splicing factors as biomarkers for the early detection of breast cancer. We found that the level of the splicing factors is unique to each woman and consistent in the same woman at different time points. Next, we extracted RNA from 36 healthy subjects and 31 breast cancer patients. Recording the mRNA level of seven splicing factors in these samples demonstrated that the combination of all these factors is different in the two groups (p value = 0.005). Our results demonstrate a differential abundance of splicing factor mRNA in the saliva of breast cancer patients.
Application of Simultaneous 18F-FDG PET/MRI for Evaluating Residual Lesion in Pyogenic Spine Infection: a Case Report

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred imaging method for evaluating treatment response in spine infection. However, there are still no definite correlation between follow-up MRI findings and clinical status. Recently, Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) shows great potential as diagnostic and monitoring options. Simultaneous 18F-FDG PET/MRI makes us to expect a huge synergic effect on diagnosis and evaluation of treatment response with metabolic and anatomical advantages in spine infection. We introduce an application of 18F-FDG PET/MRI for evaluating residual lesion in the patient with pyogenic spine infection.
Identification of truncated C‐terminal fragments of the Alzheimer’s disease amyloid protein precursor derived from sequential proteolytic pathways

Recent evidence supports the emerging hypothesis that the amyloid‐β precursor protein C‐terminal fragments (APP‐CTFs) and dysregulations in both their qualitative and quantitative productions may actively and directly contribute to the neuronal toxicity in early phases of Alzheimer's disease (AD). These new findings revealed the urgent needs and gaps in better understanding the metabolism and full spectrum of APP‐CTFs. In this study, we characterized by mass spectrometry the full patterns of APP‐CTFs in different cell types and in the brain of an AD APPPS1 mouse model. In these systems, we first discovered a series of 71–80 amino acids long N‐terminally truncated APP‐CTFs of unknown functions. We next demonstrated that these N‐terminally truncated APP‐CTFs are sequentially produced by the proteolytic processing of APP‐C80, by an as yet unidentified protease. Finally, these N‐terminally truncated APP‐CTFs are likely protein substrates recognized and processed by the γ‐secretase complex, leading to the production of N‐terminally truncated Aβ peptides. Together, our findings provide new insights into the metabolism of APP and offer potential new strategies to modulate the production of toxic Aβ peptides in AD.
PostTraumatic Stress Symptoms And Beliefs Regarding Parenting And Children’s Development Among Trauma-Exposed Parents

ABSTRACT Posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) have been associated with increased risk for parenting difficulties; however, cognitive factors related to parenting, such as parenting perceptions and beliefs regarding children’s development, remain unexplored. This is problematic as negative and unrealistic beliefs regarding parenthood and children may be a key mechanism by which PTSS increases vulnerability for adverse parenting outcomes. The aims of the study were to examine whether PTSS and the specific posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom clusters were related to more negative parenting perceptions and to more unrealistic beliefs regarding children’s development among 212 trauma-exposed parents (Mage = 36.68 SD = 7.38; 60.9% female; 54.3% White). Higher levels of PTSS corresponded with more negative parenting perceptions and more unrealistic expectations of children. Intrusion, avoidance, and negative alterations in cognitions and mood were not associated with parenting perceptions. Trauma-related alterations in arousal and reactivity were related to more negative parenting-related beliefs regarding one’s child and oneself. PTSS, particularly trauma-related changes in arousal and reactivity symptoms, may be relevant in understanding perceptions of parenthood and beliefs regarding children’s development. These symptoms may be targeted via trauma-focused treatments to increase adaptive parenting outcomes for parents who have experienced trauma.
Poly I:C‐induced maternal immune challenge reduces perineuronal net area and raises spontaneous network activity of hippocampal neurons in vitro

Activation of the maternal immune system (MIA) during gestation is linked to neuropsychiatric diseases like schizophrenia. While many studies address behavioural aspects, less is known about underlying cellular mechanisms. In the following study, BALB/c mice received intraperitoneal injections of polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) (20 µg/ml) or saline (0.9%) at gestation day (GD) 9.5 before hippocampal neurons were isolated and cultured from embryonic mice for further analysis. Interestingly, strongest effects were observed when the perineuronal net (PNN) wearing subpopulation of neurons was analysed. Here, a significant reduction of aggrecan staining intensity, area and soma size could be detected. Alterations of PNNs are often linked to neuropsychiatric diseases, changes in synaptic plasticity and in electrophysiology. Utilizing multielectrode array analysis (MEA), we observed a remarkable increase of the spontaneous network activity in neuronal networks after 21 days in vitro (DIV) when mother mice suffered a prenatal immune challenge. As PNNs are associated with GABAergic interneurons, our data indicate that this neuronal subtype might be stronger affected by a prenatal MIA. Degradation or damage of this subtype might cause the hyperexcitability observed in the whole network. In addition, embryonic neurons of the Poly I:C condition developed significantly shorter axons after five days in culture, while dendritic parameters and apoptosis rate remained unchanged. Structural analysis of synapse numbers revealed an increase of postsynaptic density 95 (PSD‐95) puncta after 14 DIV and an increase of presynaptic vesicular glutamate transporter (vGlut) puncta after 21 DIV, while inhibitory synaptic proteins were not altered.
Exploring patient-safety culture in the community pharmacy setting: a national cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Objective The community pharmacy is one setting that plays a crucial role in patient safety. To develop tailored patient safety improvement programs in this setting, it is essential to know the perspectives of the pharmacies’ staffs on patient safety. Thus, in this study, we assessed patient-safety culture in the community pharmacy setting in Saudi Arabia. Methods Between January and August of 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional study among staff working in the community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia. Data on patient safety culture were collected using the Pharmacy Survey on Patient Safety Culture (PSOPSC). Analyses were performed with descriptive statistics (frequency/percentages), Fisher’s Exact test, Chi-square analysis, and multivariable ordinal logistic regression with proportional odds model analysis. Results PSOPSC data from 805 community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia were received (response rate: 78%). The overall average positive response rate for the 11 dimensions of the PSOPSC survey was 60.2%, with a range from 34.8% in the dimension of Staffing, Work Pressure, and Pace to 76.4% in the dimension of Teamwork. Most participants responded positively, as in total, 504 (62.6%) of the participants rated their pharmacy as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ on patient safety. Gender and work experience in a pharmacy were important predictors of the overall patient safety grade. Conclusions The study revealed that all dimensions are scope for further improvement, and critical consideration ought to be given to the areas of weakness, for the most part in the dimension of Staffing, Work Pressure, and Pace.
Biodeterioration of dental materials: Influence of bacterial adherence

The aim of this work was to carry out a comparative study of microbial adhesion on dental alloys and glass ionomers that release fluoride. The action of NaF on the early stages of biofilm development and on the corrosion of the metallic dental materials was analysed. Open circuit potential measurements and potentiostatic electrochemical techniques with different perturbation programs as well as SEM observations, and optical and epifluorescence microscopy were employed. A notable effect of topography and the nature of the substratum on bacterial distribution was observed. In addition, changes in the density and thickness of microbial colonies were noticed when fluoride was present. The results show that the antimicrobial effect of fluoride was significant against planktonic but not against sessile microorganisms. Fluoride released by glass ionomers did not impede bacterial adhesion to the surface. With respect to corrosion, fluoride did not alter significantly the passivity of the dental metallic biomaterials assayed, except for Cu‐Al alloy. Titanium dissolution could occur at high fluoride concentrations (8gl‐1) during oxide layer formation. Consequently, bacterial adherence was influenced by the nature and topography of the substratum and by the presence of fluoride which could also affect the electrochemical behaviour of some metallic substrata.
Maternal plasma levels of oxytocin during breastfeeding—A systematic review

Introduction Oxytocin is a key hormone in breastfeeding. No recent review on plasma levels of oxytocin in response to breastfeeding is available. Materials and methods Systematic literature searches on breastfeeding induced oxytocin levels were conducted 2017 and 2019 in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. Data on oxytocin linked effects and effects of medical interventions were included if available. Results We found 29 articles that met the inclusion criteria. All studies had an exploratory design and included 601 women. Data were extracted from the articles and summarised in tables. Breastfeeding induced an immediate and short lasting (20 minutes) release of oxytocin. The release was pulsatile early postpartum (5 pulses/10 minutes) and coalesced into a more protracted rise as lactation proceeded. Oxytocin levels were higher in multiparous versus primiparous women. The number of oxytocin pulses during early breastfeeding was associated with greater milk yield and longer duration of lactation and was reduced by stress. Breastfeeding-induced oxytocin release was associated with elevated prolactin levels; lowered ACTH and cortisol (stress hormones) and somatostatin (a gastrointestinal hormone) levels; enhanced sociability; and reduced anxiety, suggesting that oxytocin induces physiological and psychological adaptations in the mother. Mechanical breast pumping, but not bottle-feeding was associated with oxytocin and prolactin release and decreased stress levels. Emergency caesarean section reduced oxytocin and prolactin release in response to breastfeeding and also maternal mental adaptations. Epidural analgesia reduced prolactin and mental adaptation, whereas infusions of synthetic oxytocin increased prolactin and mental adaptation. Oxytocin infusion also restored negative effects induced by caesarean section and epidural analgesia. Conclusions Oxytocin is released in response to breastfeeding to cause milk ejection, and to induce physiological changes to promote milk production and psychological adaptations to facilitate motherhood. Stress and medical interventions during birth may influence these effects and thereby adversely affect the initiation of breastfeeding.
Baetis atlanticus n. sp., a new species of the subgenus Rhodobaetis JACOB, 2003 from Madeira, Portugal (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae)

A new species of mayfly, Baetis atlanticus n. sp. belonging to the subgenus Rhodobaetis J ACOB, 2003 is described and illustrated in the larval, subimaginal and imaginal stage based on the material collected nn Madeira, Portugal (type locality Ribeira do Inferno near Sao Vicente). Critical characters distinguishing this species from other representatives of Rhodobaetis are proposed and comments on its distribution, vertical distribution, habitat and substrate preference, mating flight and life cycle are given.