Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus of the gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus): Organization of connections with the cochlear nucleus and the inferior colliculus

The spatial organization of projections from the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) to the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus (VNLL) and from the VNLL to the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (CNIC) was investigated by using neuroanatomical tracing methods in the gerbil. In order to label cells in the VNLL that project to the CNIC, focal injections of biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) were made into different CNIC regions. Retrogradely labeled cells were distributed throughout the dorsal‐to‐ventral axis of the VNLL in all cases. In contrast, the distribution of labeled cells across the lateral‐to‐medial dimension of the VNLL was related to the location of the injection site along the dorsolateral to ventromedial (frequency) axis of the CNIC. Cells projecting to dorsolateral (low‐frequency) regions of the CNIC were located peripherally in the VNLL, mainly laterally and caudally, whereas those projecting to ventromedial (high‐frequency) regions of the CNIC tended to be clustered centrally. Projections to the VNLL were labeled anterogradely following injections of BDA in the VCN. The distribution of terminal fields in the VNLL closely paralleled the topographic arrangement of cells projecting to the CNIC; projections from ventrolateral (low‐frequency) areas of the VCN terminated mainly along the lateral and caudal borders of the VNLL, whereas projections from dorsomedial (high‐frequency) areas terminated in more central regions. The results demonstrate a topographic organization of the major afferent and efferent connections of the gerbil VNLL. J. Comp. Neurol. 510:673–690, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Selenium deficiency increases susceptibility to glutamate‐induced excitotoxicity

Excitotoxic brain lesions, such as stroke and epilepsy, lead to increasing destruction of neurons hours after the insult. The deadly cascade of events involves detrimental actions by free radicals and the activation of proapoptotic transcription factors, which finally result in neuronal destruction. Here, we provide direct evidence that the nutritionally essential trace element selenium has a pivotal role in neuronal susceptibility to excitotoxic lesions. First, we observed in neuronal cell cultures that addition of selenium in the form of selenite within the physiological range protects against excitotoxic insults and even attenuates primary damage. The neuroprotective effect of selenium is not directly mediated via antioxidative effects of selenite but requires de novo protein synthesis. Gel shift analysis demonstrates that this effect is connected to the inhibition of glutamate‐induced NF‐κB and AP‐1 activation. Furthermore, we provide evidence that selenium deficiency in vivo results in a massive increase in susceptibility to kainate‐induced seizures and cell loss. These findings indicate the importance of selenium for prevention and therapy of excitotoxic brain damage.
CARDIOVASCULAR SCREENING OF YOUNG ATHLETES: A REVIEW OF ECONOMIC EVALUATIONS

Objectives: Some experts have promoted preparticipative cardiovascular screening programs for young athletes and have claimed that such programs were cost-effective without performing a critical analysis of studies supporting this statement. In this systematic review, a critical assessment of economic evaluations on these programs is performed to determine if they really provide value for money. Methods: A systematic review of economic evaluations was performed on December 24, 2014. Web sites of health technology assessment agencies, the Cochrane database of systematic review, the National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database of the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Medline, Psychinfo, and EconLit were searched to retrieve (reviews of) economic evaluations. No language or time restrictions were imposed and predefined selection criteria were used. Selected studies were critically assessed applying a structured data extraction sheet. Results: Five relevant economic evaluations were critically assessed. Results of these studies were mixed. However, those in favor of screening made (methodological) incorrect choices, of which the most important one was not taking into account a no-screening alternative as comparator. Compared with no screening, other strategies (history and physical examination or history and physical examination plus electrocardiogram) were not considered cost-effective. Conclusions: Results of primary economic evaluations should not be blindly copied without critical assessment. Economic evaluations in this field lack the support of robust evidence. Negative consequences of screening (false positive findings, overtreatment) should also be taken into account and may cause more harm than good. A mass screening of young athletes for cardiovascular diseases does not provide value for money and should be discouraged.
Codelivery of CCR7 Ligands as Molecular Adjuvants Enhances the Protective Immune Response against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1

ABSTRACT Humoral and cellular immunity, associated with long-term protective immunological memory, defines the efficacy of a given vaccine formulation. However, few vaccines achieve this target without the aid of a suitable adjuvant. Molecular adjuvants in vaccination against infectious agents offer a noninvasive means of enhancing the immune response against target antigens. To examine the potency of two β-chemokines as immunomodulators, plasmid DNA encoding β-chemokines CCL19 and CCL21 (CCR7L) was codelivered intranasally with plasmid DNA or recombinant vaccinia virus encoding herpes simplex virus (HSV) gB (HSV-gB) in a prime-and-boost vaccination strategy. This vaccination regimen increased serum and vaginal immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA, respectively, as well as the numbers of HSV-gB498-505 peptide-specific gamma interferon-producing CD8+ T cells. Distinctively, a high number of cytotoxic T lymphocytes was achieved when pCCR7L was applied at both prime and boost as opposed to omission of pCCR7L. A rapid-recall response was induced in the genital tract upon challenge with the HSV McKrae strain, affording a high level of protection and survival of vaccinated mice. Our results demonstrate that high innate immune kinetics and distribution of adaptive response induced in the nasal mucosa appears to be key factors in generating protective memory responses against HSV. Thus CCR7L expressed ectopically may serve as a molecular adjuvant to boost the immune response to a codelivered antigen in mucosal surfaces.
Perceived muscular tension predicts future neck–shoulder and arm–wrist–hand symptoms

Objectives The aim of the study was to investigate if perceived muscular tension predicts future neck–shoulder symptoms and arm–wrist–hand symptoms in symptomfree office workers. Methods Data were used of a prospective cohort of 1951 office workers with a follow-up duration of 2 years (the Prospective Research On Musculoskeletal disorders among Office workers (PROMO) study). Perceived muscular tension and covariates were measured using self-report at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Symptoms were assessed every 3 months using self-report. According to their perceived muscular tension, participants were classified into three groups: ‘never tensed’, ‘sometimes tensed’ and ‘often tensed’. Neck–shoulder cases and arm–wrist–hand cases were identified based on the transition of ‘no’ or ‘sometimes’ pain to ‘regular’ or ‘prolonged’ pain. Generalised estimating equations were used to estimate rate ratios (RRs) for becoming a new case. Results Perceived muscular tension predicted future neck–shoulder symptoms and arm–wrist–hand symptoms, even when adjusted for symptoms in the past. The RRs for perceived muscular tension in relation to future neck–shoulder symptoms were higher than for future arm–wrist–hand symptoms. Participants who were sometimes or often tensed had a 2.9 and 4.4 times higher risk, respectively, of becoming a future neck–shoulder case than those who were never tensed. For arm–wrist–hand symptoms, the risk of becoming a future case was 1.5 and 2.3, respectively. Conclusions Perceived muscular tension predicted future neck–shoulder symptoms and arm–wrist–hand symptoms. Future research should further explore the concept of perceived muscular tension and what role it has in the onset of symptoms in order to make use of it in interventions to prevent symptoms.
Does moralization motivate smokers to quit? A longitudinal study of representative samples of smokers in the United States and Denmark.

INTRODUCTION Moralization refers to the gradual cultural and personal process by which objects or activities move from being morally neutral to morally contemptuous. Research suggests important cross-cultural differences in how smokers react to being targets of moralization. However, research has not examined whether smokers who agree with moralized sentiments about smoking are more willing to quit or reduce their smoking. Additionally, the mediating role of perceived personal risk has not been examined. METHODS In this study, representative samples of smokers in Denmark (a smoking lenient country; N = 429) and the United States (a smoking prohibitive country; N = 431) completed surveys 6 months apart. RESULTS As expected, Danish smokers (compared to U.S. smokers) moralized less and estimated that their personal risk of lung cancer was smaller. Furthermore, moralization at T1 predicted an increase in perceived personal risk at T2 (for Danish smokers and marginally for U.S. smokers), a decrease in smoking behaviors (for Danish smokers only), and an increase in quitting intentions (marginally for Danish smokers only). For Danish smokers, perceived personal risk mediated the relationship between moralization and quitting intentions. CONCLUSIONS Moralization predicted an increase in perceived personal risk, an increase in quitting intentions, and a reduction in smoking behaviors, especially for the Danish sample. Future research should examine the effects of moralization in different cultural contexts.
Pellet Size Estimation Using Spherical Fitting

Evaluation of spherical fitting as a technique for sizing iron ore pellets is performed. Size measurement of pellet in industry is usually performed by manual sampling and sieving techniques. Automatic on-line analysis of pellet size would allow non-invasive, frequent and consistent measurement. Previous work has used an assumption that pellets are spherical to estimate pellet sizes. In this research we use a 3D laser camera system in a laboratory environment to capture 3D surface data of pellets and steel balls. Validation of the 3D data against a spherical model has been performed and demonstrates that pellets are not spherical and have physical structures that a spherical model cannot capture.
A Sub-Harmonic Injection-Locked Quadrature Frequency Synthesizer With Frequency Calibration Scheme for Millimeter-Wave TDD Transceivers

This paper proposes a sub-harmonic injection-locked frequency synthesizer with frequency calibration scheme for millimeter-wave Time-division Duplexing (TDD) transceivers. The proposed synthesizer is capable of supporting all 60 GHz channels (58.1-65 GHz) including channel-bonding defined by 60 GHz wireless standards for short-range high-speed wireless communications. In order to guarantee a robust performance over process-voltage-temperature (PVT) variations of the conventional frequency synthesizer, a frequency calibration scheme is proposed to automatically correct a frequency drift of quadrature injection locked oscillators. Implemented by a 65 nm CMOS process, the frequency synthesizer achieves a typical phase noise of -117 dBc/Hz @ 10 MHz offset from a carrier frequency of 61.56 GHz while consuming 72 mW from a 1.2 V supply. The calibration system consumes 65 mW additionally.
Why does the investment rate not increase? Capital accumulation and stabilization policy in the 1990s and 2000s in Brazil

ABSTRACT The stabilization of inflation was conquered in the mid-1990s, but since then the Brazilian economy has not shown a stable growth trend. This article discusses how the maintenance of a high interest rate in Brazil has affected growth through its impact on investment decision. In a macroeconomic environment with a relatively high degree of uncertainty, decisions to accumulate capital rely heavily on retained earnings and are negatively affected by the persistent high level of interest rates. Our econometric exercise reveals that the interest rate is the most important variable to explain the investment rate, and that financialization negatively impacts physical capital accumulation.
The Impacts of the Digital Divide on Citizens’ Intentions to Use Internet Voting

– Internet voting is increasingly used by governments and corporations as a means for individuals to cast their votes. However, not everyone has access to and is comfortable with the use of technology. This digital divide is composed of the access divide and the skills divide. This study explores the impact of the digital divide on Internet voting (I-voting). We propose a model of the effects of the digital divide on I-voting, which suggests that age, income, education and frequency of Internet use have an impact on I-voting utilization. Online and paper-based surveys were administered to a large sample of citizens of varied backgrounds to test the model. The results of multiple linear regressions indicate that age, income, and Internet use (representing the access and skills divide) have a significant impact on Internet voting. Education was not found to be significant. These findings indicate that, like other e-government services, I-voting is subject to the barriers associated with the digital divide, and this digital divide introduces several challenges to government agencies.
Financial development, trade openness and economic growth in MENA countries: TYDL panel causality approach

This paper examines the causal relationship between financial development (measured as Kaopen index and Line and Milesi-Ferreti index), trade openness and economic growth for 16 MENA countries within the panel co-integration techniques, panel VAR model and TYDL (Toda, Yamamoto, Dolado and Lutkepohl) Granger causality (1996), the empirical results show that both of finance-led growth and trade-led growth hypothesis seem to be rejected for the group as a whole. The results imply that financial development and trade liberalization do not seem to have made a significant impulse on economic growth for the period 1980-2014.
Characterization of a FOXG1:TLE1 transcriptional network in glioblastoma‐initiating cells

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and deadly malignant brain cancer of glial cell origin, with a median patient survival of less than 20 months. Transcription factors FOXG1 and TLE1 promote GBM propagation by supporting maintenance of brain tumour‐initiating cells (BTICs) with stem‐like properties. Here, we characterize FOXG1 and TLE1 target genes in GBM patient‐derived BTICs using ChIP‐Seq and RNA‐Seq approaches. These studies identify 150 direct FOXG1 targets, several of which are also TLE1 targets, involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, chemotaxis and angiogenesis. Negative regulators of NOTCH signalling, including CHAC1, are among the transcriptional repression targets of FOXG1:TLE1 complexes, suggesting a crosstalk between FOXG1:TLE1 and NOTCH‐mediated pathways in GBM. These results provide previously unavailable insight into the transcriptional programs underlying the tumour‐promoting functions of FOXG1:TLE1 in GBM.
ANALYSIS OF SHORT‐TERM REPRODUCIBILITY OF ARTERIAL VASOREACTIVITY BY PULSE‐WAVE ANALYSIS AFTER PHARMACOLOGICAL CHALLENGE

1 Pulse‐wave analysis (PWA) is an established method to assess arterial wave reflections and arterial vasoreactivity in humans. A high short‐term reproducibility of baseline augmentation index (AIx) has been reported. However, the short‐term reproducibility of AIx changes following pharmacological challenge with either inhaled salbutamol (endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation) or sublingual glyceryl trinitrate (GTN; endothelium‐independent vasodilatation), using appropriate statistical methods, is largely unknown. 2 Baseline AIx and GTN‐ and salbutamol‐mediated changes in AIx (all corrected for a heart rate of 75 b.p.m.) were measured on two separate occasions, 1 h apart, in 22 healthy controls (mean (±SD) age 52.0 ± 13.4 years) and 11 elderly patients with chronic heart failure (CHF; 73.1 ± 8.7 years). Reproducibility was assessed by measuring intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), coefficients of variation (CV) and Bland–Altman plots. 3 Baseline AIx showed good short‐term reproducibility with high ICC in both the control and CHF groups (0.90 and 0.87, respectively). In contrast, in the control and CHF groups, the ICC of GTN‐ (0.58 and 0.17, respectively) and salbutamol‐mediated (0.18 and 0.04, respectively) changes in AIx were substantially low. The CV was relatively low for baseline AIx in control and CHF groups (25.0 and 22.5%, respectively), but not for GTN‐ (22.3 and 59.8%, respectively) or salbutamol‐mediated (45.1 and 184.0%, respectively) changes in AIx. Bland–Altman analysis revealed poor reproducibility, with limits of agreement beyond either +15% or –15% for changes in AIx after GTN and salbutamol for both control and CHF groups. The changes in blood pressure and heart rate following pharmacological challenge were similar between the two measurements. 4 The poor reproducibility of changes in AIx following pharmacological challenge questions the use of this method in acute studies.
Changing Epidemiology of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Iceland from 2000 to 2008: a Challenge to Current Guidelines

ABSTRACT The epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is continuously changing. Iceland has a low incidence of MRSA. A “search and destroy” policy (screening patients with defined risk factors and attempting eradication in carriers) has been implemented since 1991. Clinical and microbiological data of all MRSA patients from the years 2000 to 2008 were collected prospectively. Isolates were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), sequencing of the repeat region of the Staphylococcus protein A gene (spa typing), staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing, and screening for the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene. Two hundred twenty-six infected (60%) or colonized (40%) individuals were detected (annual incidence 2.5 to 16/100,000). From 2000 to 2003, two health care-associated outbreaks dominated (spa types t037 and t2802), which were successfully controlled with extensive infection control measures. After 2004, an increasing number of community-associated (CA) cases without relation to the health care system occurred. A great variety of clones (40 PFGE types and 49 spa types) were found, reflecting an influx of MRSA from abroad. The USA300 and Southwest Pacific (SWP) clones were common. SCCmec type IV was most common (72%), and 38% of the isolates were PVL positive. The incidence of MRSA in Iceland has increased since 1999 but remains low and has been stable in the last years. The search and destroy policy was effective to control MRSA in the health care setting. However, MRSA in Iceland is now shifting into the community, challenging the current Icelandic guidelines, which are tailored to the health care system.
Development of a quantitative PCR assay for measurement of trichechid herpesvirus 1 load in the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris)

Trichechid herpesvirus 1 (TrHV-1) is currently the only known herpesvirus in any sirenian. We hypothesized that stress may lead to recrudescence of TrHV-1 in manatees, thus making TrHV-1 a potential biomarker of stress. We optimized and validated a TrHV-1 real-time quantitative probe hybridization PCR (qPCR) assay that was used to quantify TrHV-1 in manatee peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Average baseline TrHV-1 loads in a clinically healthy wild Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) population (n = 42) were 40.9 ± SD 21.2 copies/100 ng DNA; 19 of 42 manatees were positive. TrHV-1 loads were significantly different between the 2 field seasons (p < 0.025). This optimized and validated qPCR assay may be used as a tool for further research into TrHV-1 in Florida manatees.
Predictors of Depressive Symptoms Among Community-Dwelling Stroke Survivors

Background:Depression is a common yet often unrecognized consequence of stroke, affecting between 25% and 70% of all survivors. Untreated depression post-stroke leads to a poorer prognosis and increased mortality. However, the pattern and profile of post-stroke depression in chronic stroke are poorly understood. Objective:The aim of this study was to examine the independent predictors of depressive symptoms in chronic stroke. Methods:Community-dwelling stroke survivors (n = 100) completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression (CES-D) scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Functional disability and cognitive impairment were assessed using standardized procedures. Multiple linear regression was conducted to explore potential independent predictors of depressive symptoms. Results:Subjects were, on average, 70 ± 10 years old and 39 ± 49 months post-stroke. The majority were white/European-American (78%), college educated (79%), and retirees (77%). Annual income was $50 000 or greater for 32%. Hemiparesis was common (right side, 39%; left side, 42%); 35% had a Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression scale score of 16 or higher, and 21% had a history of major depression. Approximately 64% of the variance in depressive symptoms could be explained by the independent variables in the model: quality of life, sleep quality, social support, cognitive impairment, functional disability, months post-stroke, age, gender, history of major depression, and lesion location (R2 = 0.64, F12,87 = 12.97, P < .01). Only poor quality of life (t1,87 = −6.99, P < .01) and low social support (t1,87 = −2.14, P = .04) contributed uniquely and significantly to the severity of depressive symptoms among these stroke survivors. Conclusion:Depressive symptoms are prevalent in chronic stroke survivors, even among an educated and economically advantaged population. Our findings are similar to reports by others that poor quality of life and low social support are major contributors to depressive symptoms in chronic stroke and should be routinely assessed and monitored to improve long-term rehabilitation efforts and promote wellness and community reintegration.
Intrinsic properties of rostral ventrolateral medulla presympathetic and bulbospinal respiratory neurons of juvenile rats are not affected by chronic intermittent hypoxia

What is the central question of this study? What is the effect of chronic intermittent hypoxia (a neurogenic model of hypertension that also induces active expiration) on intrinsic electrophysiological properties of rostral ventrolateral medulla presympathetic and putative expiratory neurons recorded in brainstem slices of juvenile rats (postnatal day 35)? What is the main finding and its importance? Presympathetic neurons and phrenic nucleus‐projecting neurons of rostral ventrolateral medulla present characteristics of intrinsic pacemakers, and chronic intermittent hypoxia produces no changes in their intrinsic electrophysiological properties.