Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Naïve to expert: Considering the role of previous knowledge in memory

In humans, most of our new memories are in some way or another related to what we have already experienced. However, in memory research, especially in non-human animal research, subjects are often mostly naïve to the world. But we know that previous knowledge will change how memories are processed and which brain areas are critical at which time point. Each process from encoding, consolidation, to memory retrieval will be affected. Here, we summarise previous knowledge effects on the neurobiology of memory in both humans and non-human animals, with a special focus on schemas – associative network structures. Furthermore, we propose a new theory on how there may be a continuous gradient from naïve to expert, which would modulate the importance and role of brain areas, such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
Network mediation of pathology pattern in sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease

Abstract Sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease is a rare fatal rapidly progressive dementia caused by the accumulation and spread of pathologically misfolded prions. Evidence from animal models and in vitro experiments suggests that prion pathology propagates along neural connectivity pathways, with the transmission of misfolded prions initiating a corruptive templating process in newly encountered brain regions. Although particular regional patterns of disease have been recognized in humans, the underlying mechanistic basis of these patterns remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the spatial pattern of disease derived from publicly available human diffusion-weighted MRI data demonstrates stereotypical features across patient cohorts and can be largely explained by intrinsic connectivity properties of the human structural brain network. Regional diffusion-weighted MRI signal abnormalities are predicted by graph theoretical measures of centrality, with highly affected regions such as cingulate gyrus demonstrating strong structural connectivity to other brain regions. We employ network diffusion modelling to demonstrate that the spatial pattern of disease can be predicted by a diffusion process originating from a single regional pathology seed and operating on the structural connectome. The most likely seeds correspond to the most highly affected brain regions, suggesting that pathological prions could originate in a single brain region and spread throughout the brain to produce the regional distribution of pathology observed on MRI. Further investigation of top seed regions and associated connectivity pathways may be a useful strategy for developing therapeutic approaches.
Proposed strategies for easing COVID-19 lockdown measures in Africa

As SARS-CoV-2 rapidly spread across the globe, short-term modeling forecasts provided time-critical information for containment and mitigation strategies. Global projections had so far incorrectly predicted large numbers of COVID-19 cases in Africa and that its health systems would be overwhelmed. Significantly higher COVID-19-related mortality were expected in Africa mainly because of its poor socio-economic determinants that make it vulnerable to public health threats, including diseases of epidemic potential. Surprisingly as SARS-CoV-2 swept across the globe, causing tens of thousands of deaths and massive economic disruptions, Africa has so far been largely spared the impact that threw China, USA, and Europe into chaos. To date, 42 African countries imposed lockdowns on movements and activities. Experience from around the world suggests that such interventions effectively suppressed the spread of COVID-19. However, lockdown measures posed considerable economic costs that, in turn, threatened lives, put livelihoods at risk, exacerbated poverty and the deleterious effects on cultures, health and behaviours. Consequently, there has been great interest in lockdown exit strategies that preserve lives while protecting livelihoods. Nonetheless in the last few weeks, African countries have started easing restrictions imposed to curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2. WHO recommends lifting of lockdowns should depend on the ability to contain SARS-CoV-2 and protect the public once restrictions are lifted. Yet, the greatest challenge is the critical decision which must be made in this time of uncertainties. We propose simple strategies on how to ease lockdowns in Africa based on evidence, disease dynamics, situational analysis and ability of national governments to handle upsurges.
Prefrontal gating of sensory input differentiates cognitively impaired and unimpaired aging adults with HIV

Abstract Despite effective therapies that have extended the life expectancy of persons living with HIV, 35–70% of these adults still develop some form of cognitive impairment, and with a growing population of aging adults with HIV, the prevalence of these cognitive deficits is likely to increase. The mechanisms underlying these HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders remain poorly understood but are often accelerated by the aging process and accompanied by disturbances in sensory processing, which may contribute to the observed cognitive decline. The goal of the current study was to identify the impact of aging on HIV-related alterations in inhibitory processing and determine whether such alterations are related to cognitive impairment in neuroHIV. We used magnetoencephalographic imaging, advanced time series analysis methods, and a paired-pulse stimulation paradigm to interrogate inhibitory processing in 87 HIV-infected aging adults and 92 demographically matched uninfected controls (22–72 years old). Whole-brain maps linking age and neural indices were computed for each group and compared via Fisher’s Z transformations. Peak voxel time-series data were also extracted from the resulting images to quantify the dynamics of spontaneous neural activity preceding stimulation onset in each group. Whole-brain analyses using the somatosensory gating index, a metric of inhibitory processing and age distinguished impaired adults with HIV from unimpaired HIV-infected adults and controls. Briefly, younger cognitively impaired adults with HIV strongly utilized the prefrontal cortices to gate somatosensory input, and the role of this region in gating was uniquely and significantly modulated by aging only in impaired adults with HIV. Spontaneous neural activity preceding stimulus onset was also significantly elevated in the prefrontal cortices of those with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder, and this elevation was significantly related to the CD4 nadir across both HIV-infected groups. This is the first study to examine the impact of aging on inhibitory processing in HIV-infected adults with and without cognitive impairment. Our findings suggest that young adults with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder utilize the prefrontal cortices to gate (i.e. suppress) redundant somatosensory input, and that this capacity uniquely diminishes with advancing age in impaired adults with HIV.
Prevalence of onchocerciasis after seven years of continuous community-directed treatment with ivermectin in the Ntui health district, Centre region, Cameroon

Introduction onchocerciasis is one of the major infectious diseases caused by Onchocerca volvulus. This parasite is responsible for chronic cutaneous and ocular diseases affecting more than 37 million people of whom 99% are in Africa. The study was conducted in the health district of Ntui from June to September 2016 to determine the prevalence of O. volvulus infection after seven years of massive administration of ivermectin. Methods two cutaneous snips were made at the iliac crests level in volunteers. These tissues were incubated in physiological saline water and were examined for parasitological investigations in the laboratory. Results a total of 310 participants were randomly selected, of whom 170 (54.8%) were women and 140 (45.1%) were men aged 6 to 83 years, thus giving a sex ratio of 1.2 in favour of women. After parasitological analysis, 26 participants had microfilaraemia, of whom 15 (10.7%) were men and 11 (6.4%) were women. The most infected age group was 16 to 26 years (12.5%). The highest infection rates were found among farmers (11%) and participants living in the village of Essougly (26.6%). No significant differences in prevalence values between the different groups were noted, whatever the parameter considered. Conclusion the prevalence of onchocerciasis in the health district of Ntui has declined from a hyperendemic to a hypoendemic state after seven years of massive administration of ivermectin. However, careful monitoring of onchocerciasis should be continued to prevent the area from returning to its original hyperendemicity.
COVID - 19 post Hematopoietic Cell Transplant, a Report of 11 Cases from a Single Center

In late 2019 the coronavirus disease - 2019 (COVID - 19) pandemic caused by SARS Coronavirus 2 (SARS - CoV - 2) started in Wuhan, China. Life has changed radically since then. Data emerging from the first hit countries show a tendency for a complicated course and higher mortality in some subgroups of infected patients. Cancer patients are immunosuppressed from their disease and the therapy they receive. Hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients are a subgroup of patients that are severely immunocompromised and may be at an even higher risk of a complicated course during this infection. Reports describing the course of these patients with COVID-19 disease are limited. We herein report the onset, progression, and outcome of 11 sequential cases of HCT recipients infected by SARS - CoV - 2 treated in our center. The patients’ age ranged from 17 to 60 years, the duration from transplant to infection ranged from day +5 to 192 months, six patients were post-allo-HCT, four post-auto-HCT, and one had both allo and auto-HCT. The presenting symptoms were not different from other viral illnesses. The majority (seven patients) had mild COVID-19 stage, while 3 had a moderate stage on presentation. None of the patients required oxygen supplementation nor mechanical ventilation.
Differences in oxidative stress profile in adolescents smoking waterpipe versus cigarettes: The Irbid TRY Project

Waterpipe (Wp) tobacco smoking is widely spreading, especially among adolescents. It has also been associated with organ damage and disease risk resulting from oxidative stress. However, no studies have examined the effect of smoking Wp on oxidative stress among adolescents. In the current study, we evaluated serum levels of oxidative stress biomarkers and activities of antioxidant enzymes between adolescents smoking cigarette (Cg only), Wp only, both (CgWp) versus never. The results showed higher GSSG levels in the Cg only, Wp only, and CgWp versus the none group. Similarly, the activity of GPx was greater in the Cg only versus the Wp only and CgWp. The activity of catalase was higher in the Wp only/CgWp groups versus none. No main effect of smoking on GSH, or GSH/GSSH, SOD, or TBARS was detected. In conclusion, Wp smoking among adolescents is associated with induction of stress oxidative to a similar extend of Cg smoking. Interventions and studies for smoking cessation and harm reduction that target Wp smoking among adolescents are needed.
Incentivizing co‐management for impact: mechanisms driving the successful national expansion of Tonga's Special Management Area program

The expansion of coastal marine protected areas can suffer from two key drawbacks: (a) the difficulty of incentivizing local communities to manage areas for conservation when their livelihoods also depend on resource use; and (b) that many protected areas get situated residually, or in locations with limited value for either biodiversity conservation or livelihoods. Here, we discuss and analyze key characteristics of Tonga's Special Management Area (SMA) program, including both the mechanisms that have motivated its successful national expansion and its ability to configure no‐take reserves in areas that are considered to have high value to resource users. Granting communities exclusive access zones in exchange for implementing no‐take reserves has encouraged conservation actions while fostering long‐term relationships with resources. Ensuring no‐take reserves occurred within the boundaries of exclusive access zones enabled communities to protect areas of greater extractive values than they would have otherwise. We conclude that the success of this program offers a way forward for achieving targets in the global expansion marine protected areas.
Bright localized patterns and spikes in Kerr cavities

P. Parra-Rivas, D. Gomila, L. Gelens, and E. Knobloch 1 Laboratory of Dynamics in Biological Systems, KU Leuven Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium 2 Applied Physics Research Group, APHY, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium 3 Instituto de Fisica Interdisciplinar y Sistemas Complejos, IFISC (CSIC-UIB), Campus Universitat de les Illes Balears, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley CA 94720, USA
Acute urinary tract infection in patients with underlying benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer

Introduction the occurrence of urinary tract infection in patients with obstructing prostate causes reduction in their health-related quality of life and overall well-being. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of pathogens causing urinary tract infection in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. Methods all patients who presented to our urology division with bladder outlet obstruction secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer between January 2016 and January 2019 were included. Information on age, co-morbid conditions, presence of an indwelling catheter, bacteriologic analysis, imaging findings and histological diagnosis were obtained and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results de-novo urinary tract infection occurred in 35.6% of patients while recurrent infection occurred in 5.9% of them. The most commonly isolated organisms were gram-negative bacteria with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, Citrobacter spp and Aerobacter spp accounting for 62.2%, 27.0%, 8.1% and 2.7% respectively. Nitrofurantoin (64.3%), Ceftriaxone (46.3%) and Genticin (42.9%) were the three most sensitive antimicrobials to the organisms isolated. Only the presence of an indwelling catheter in the bladder was an independent predictor of urinary tract infection in the study population. Conclusion about one-third of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer develop urinary tract infection. The predominant bacterial cause was Escherichia coli, which had a high degree of sensitivity to Nitrofurantoin. The presence of an indwelling catheter was the only independent predictor of this infection. Appropriate measures should be re-enforced to prevent the occurrence of catheter-associated infections.
Is there an association between orthostatic hypotension and cerebral white matter hyperintensities in older people? The Irish longitudinal study on ageing

Introduction Orthostatic Hypotension (OH) is an abnormal drop in blood pressure (BP) that occurs following orthostatic challenge. OH is associated with increased risk of falls, cognitive impairment and death. White Matter Hyperintensities (WMH) on MR Brain are associated with vascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and age. We examined whether extent White matter intensities were associated with presence of OH detected in a community dwelling population of older people. Methods Individuals from the MR sub-study of the Irish Longitudinal Study of Ageing underwent a 3 Tesla MR Brain scan to assess WMH severity (Schelten’s Score). The scans were performed during the Wave 3 TILDA health assessment phase when the subjects also underwent assessment for OH with an active stand protocol. Data was analysed for association between WMH and vascular risks and orthostatic change in BP 10 second intervals during the OH evaluation. Results 440 subjects were investigated; median age 72 years (65–92 years) and 228 (51.5%) female. Range of Scheltens’ Scores was 0–32. Mean score was 9.72 (SD 5.87). OH was detected in 68.4% (301). On linear regression, positive associations were found between Scheltens’ Score and age, hypertension, prior history of stroke and TIA, and with OH at 30, 70, 90 and 100 seconds following standing (p < 0.05, O.R. 1.9–2.5). Conclusion WMD is associated with OH detected at multiple time points using active stand in community dwelling older subjects. Further research is necessary to evaluate the direction of this association.
Tactile direction discrimination in humans after stroke

Abstract Sensing movements across the skin surface is a complex task for the tactile sensory system, relying on sophisticated cortical processing. Functional MRI has shown that judgements of the direction of tactile stimuli moving across the skin are processed in distributed cortical areas in healthy humans. To further study which brain areas are important for tactile direction discrimination, we performed a lesion study, examining a group of patients with first-time stroke. We measured tactile direction discrimination in 44 patients, bilaterally on the dorsum of the hands and feet, within 2 weeks (acute), and again in 28 patients 3 months after stroke. The 3-month follow-up also included a structural MRI scan for lesion delineation. Fifty-nine healthy participants were examined for normative direction discrimination values. We found abnormal tactile direction discrimination in 29/44 patients in the acute phase, and in 21/28 3 months after stroke. Lesions that included the opercular parietal area 1 of the secondary somatosensory cortex, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or the insular cortex were always associated with abnormal tactile direction discrimination, consistent with previous functional MRI results. Abnormal tactile direction discrimination was also present with lesions including white matter and subcortical regions. We have thus delineated cortical, subcortical and white matter areas important for tactile direction discrimination function. The findings also suggest that tactile dysfunction is common following stroke.
Effects of dietary probiotic on growth,immunity and intestinal bacteria of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei

A 10-week feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of single and compound probiotic on growth,digestive enzyme activities of intestine,bacteria of intestine and fecal, and immunity of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei [initial body weight (0.11 ± 0.00)g]. Basic diet was made of fish meal and defatted soybean meal as main protein sources,menhaden fish oil and soybean lecithin oil as lipid source,wheat meal as the carbohydrate source. Shrimps were fed six different diets: control (nonsupplemented basic diet);or basic diet supplemented with 107 CFU/g Bacillus licheniformis;or with 107 CFU/g B.subtilis;or with 107 CFU/g compound probiotic xiale 333(compound probiotic);or with 0.5×107 CFU/g B.licheniformis and 0.5×107 CFU/g B.subtilis;or with 0.33×107 CFU/g xiale 333 and 0.33×107 CFU/g B.licheniformis and 0.33×107 CFU/g B.subtilis, respectively. Each diet was randomly fed to triplicate groups of 300 shrimps reared in cement tank (2.0 m× 2.0 m×1.5 m). The water temperature was (29±3)℃ and the salinity was 26±3 during the experimental period. Results showed that shrimp fed compound probiotic showed relatively higher growth rate compared with those fed control diet (P0.05). However,no significant differences in growth were observed between single probiotic groups and the control group. The survival rates ranged from 76.83% to 85.67% and were not significantly different among dietary treatments (P0.05). Diet with supplementation of probiotic could improve the activities of protease and amylase in intestine,that is,the activities of amylase was significantly higher in shrimps fed the compound probitic (P0.05) than those in shimps fed control diet. The probiotic could significantly decrease the number of Vibrio bacteria in intestine and fecal and improve immune indicators of shrimp(P0.05) which were total hemocyte counts,serum protein concentration,serum lysozyme activity,serum phenoloxidase activity (PO),serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and antioxidative capacity (T-AOC). The compound probiotic could significantly increase (P0.05) serum protein concentration and lysozyme activity compared with the control. However,no significant differences were observed between the single probiotic groups and the control group. The present results suggested that the diet supplemented with probiotic could improve growth and immunity of shrimp, and compound probiotic showed better effects than single one.
Impact of climatic factors on the incidence of soybean leaf feeders

Present study was carried out at R.A. K. collage of agriculture, Sehore (M.P.) during experimental year Kharif 2016, four varieties of soybean JS-335, JS-9305, JS-9560 and RVS-2001-04 were studied upon the impact of climatic factors on the incidence of soybean’s Grey semi-looper (Gesonia gemma) and Green semi-looper (Chrysodeixis acuta). Weather data of maximum, minimum temperature, rainfall, relative humidity of Kharif-2016 was collected (June standard weather week 26 to October Standard weather week 42) from the national observatory. Monsoon arrival and date of sowing and difference in number of days between these two parameters was also taken into consideration for correlation with the incidence of Gesonia gemma and Chrysodeixis acuta. Activity of the Gesonia gemma on different varieties of soybean was observed at low level. The season mean of pest population per 2 meter row length was 0.83 in JS–335, 0.69 in JS-95-60, 0.71 in JS-9305, and 1.12 in RVS-2001-04 varieties. Larval population of Chrysodeixis actua was also remained at very low level in all the four varieties of soybean. The correlation study revealed that the population of Chrysodeixis acuta was not correlated with date of sowing after monsoon. The maximum temperature in 2016 was negative but significantly correlated with the season mean larval population of both insects while larval population of only Gesonia gemma was negatively and significantly correlated with minimum temperature in 2016. Data of first appearance of pest in day after germination was correlated with the seasons mean larval population the correlation was negative and significant in case of Gesonia gemma while in Chrysodeixis acuta it was positively significant.