Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Signs of increased cortical hyperexcitability selectively associated with spontaneous anomalous bodily experiences in a nonclinical population

Introduction. The current study examined the presence of cortical hyperexcitability, in nonclinical hallucinators, reporting different forms of anomalous bodily experiences (ABEs). Groups reporting visual out-of-body experiences and nonvisual sensed-presence experiences were examined. It was hypothesised that only those hallucinators whose experiences contained visual elements would show increased signs of visual cortical hyperexcitability. Methods. One hundred and eighty-two participants completed the “Pattern-glare task” (involving the viewing of striped gratings with spatial frequencies irritable to visual cortex)—a task known to reflect degrees of cortical hyperexcitability associated with hallucinatory/aura experiences in neurological samples. Participants also completed questionnaire measures of anomalous “temporal-lobe experience” and predisposition to anomalous visual experiences. Results. Those reporting increased levels of anomalous bodily experiences provided significantly elevated scores on measures of temporal-lobe experience. Only the visual OBE group reported significantly elevated levels of cortical hyperexcitability as assessed by the pattern-glare task. Conclusions. Collectively, the results are consistent with there being an increased degree of background cortical hyperexcitability in the cortices of individuals predisposed to some ABE-type hallucinations, even in the nonclinical population. The present study also establishes the clinical utility of the pattern-glare task for examining signs of aberrant visual connectivity in relation to visual hallucinations.
Production of the Tubulin Destabilizer Disorazol in Sorangium cellulosum: Biosynthetic Machinery and Regulatory Genes

Myxobacteria show a high potential for the production of natural compounds that exhibit a wide variety of antibiotic, antifungal, and cytotoxic activities. 1 , 2 The genus Sorangium is of special biotechnological interest because it produces almost half of the secondary metabolites isolated from these microorganisms. We describe a transposon‐mutagenesis approach to identifying the disorazol biosynthetic gene cluster in Sorangium cellulosum So ce12, a producer of multiple natural products. In addition to the highly effective disorazol‐type tubulin destabilizers, 3 – 5 S. cellulosum So ce12 produces sorangicins, potent eubacterial RNA polymerase inhibitors, 6 bactericidal sorangiolides, and the antifungal chivosazoles. 7 , 8 To obtain a transposon library of sufficient size suitable for the identification of the presumed biosynthetic gene clusters, an efficient transformation method was developed. We present here the first electroporation protocol for a strain of the genus Sorangium. The transposon library was screened for disorazol‐negative mutants. This approach led to the identification of the corresponding trans‐acyltransferase core biosynthetic gene cluster together with a region in the chromosome that is likely to be involved in disorazol biosynthesis. A third region in the genome harbors another gene that is presumed to be involved in the regulation of disorazol production. A detailed analysis of the biosynthetic and regulatory genes is presented in this paper.
Pleistocene divergence of Dinaric Drusus endemics (Trichoptera, Limnephilidae) in multiple microrefugia within the Balkan Peninsula

The Balkan Peninsula is one of three major European refugial areas. It has high biodiversity and endemism, but data on the age and origin of its fauna, especially endemics, are limited. Mitochondrial sequence data (COI and 16S genes) were used to study the population structure and phylogeography of the caddisfly Drusus croaticus and the phylogeny and divergence of seven other Drusus species, mostly range‐restricted endemics of the Dinaric region of the Balkan Peninsula. The divergence of D. croaticus populations in Croatia and allopatric Drusus species in Bosnia dated to the Pleistocene, showing the importance of this time period for the origin and diversification of Balkan endemic taxa. The divergence of more distantly related species dated to the Late Miocene/Early Pliocene. Population genetic and phylogeographic analysis of 115 individuals from 11 populations of D. croaticus revealed a high level of genetic differentiation and absence of gene flow between populations separated by more than 10 km. The existence of allopatrically fragmented lineages in D. croaticus and the endemic Bosnian species is most likely the result of long‐term isolation in multiple microrefugia, probably due to the specific habitat requirements and life‐history traits of Drusinae coupled with the topographic complexity and historical changes in geomorphology of the region. Overall, these findings shed light on the processes generating the high genetic complexity of this refugial region that parallels the ‘refugia within refugia’ pattern widely reported from the Iberian refugium.
Processing Time, Accent, and Comprehensibility in the Perception of Native and Foreign-Accented Speech

In this study, a sentence verification task was used to determine the effect of a foreign accent on sentence processing time. Twenty native English listeners heard a set of English true/false statements uttered by ten native speakers of English and ten native speakers of Mandarin. The listeners assessed the truth value of the statements, and assigned accent and comprehensibility ratings. Response latency data indicated that the Mandarin-accented utterances required more time to evaluate than the utterances of the native English speakers. Furthermore, utterances that were assigned low comprehensibility ratings tended to take longer to process than moderately or highly comprehensible utterances. However, there was no evidence that degree of accent was related to processing time. The results are discussed in terms of the “costs” of speaking with a foreign accent, and the relevance of such factors as accent and comprehensibility to second language teaching.
Rationales for attending or not attending mammography screening – a focus group study among women in Sweden

Quantitative findings regarding factors that affect attendance in population-based outreach mammography programmes need to be complemented by descriptive data. The aim of this study was to obtain descriptive insights into the meanings that Swedish women attach to mammograms and their rationales for attending or not attending mammography screening. For this purpose a total of 31 women were recruited to eight focus group discussions. Through inductive analysis, six main themes were identified as important issues in reasoning about attendance or non-attendance in mammography screening: negative experiences, perceived risk factors, knowledge of one's own body, perceived problems with mammography, political, ideological and moral reasoning, and involuntary non-attendance, due to the inability of the screening programme to cover some women (e.g. those with breast implants). In conclusion, there is a need to reinforce the information that mammography is an examination aiming at detecting lumps at an asymptomatic stage. However, the nature and amount of information the women themselves desire is inconsistent. Furthermore, the personal encounter between the individual woman and the staff seems to be of particular importance. An improved dialogue appears an attractive way of adapting the screening situation to meet the varied needs and expectations of the women who are invited.
Antiphospholipid antibodies are a risk factor for early renal allograft failure.

BACKGROUND Biopsy specimens of transplanted kidneys that fail to function reveal cellular infiltrates, infarcts, and thrombi. Because antibodies to phospholipids (aPA) and/or phospholipid-binding proteins have been associated with thrombosis, we asked whether aPA are a risk factor for early allograft failure. METHODS Final crossmatch sera from 56 patients with primary nonfunctioning renal allografts were tested for aPA. Serum from the next consecutive patient to undergo transplantation served as transplantation controls. Both groups were compared with aPA values obtained from testing 252 control individuals. The ELISA was designed to detect IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies to phosphatidylserine, cardiolipin, and phosphatidylethanolamine. RESULTS Patients were evaluated based upon the aPA ELISA findings. aPA were present in 57% of the patients with early nonfunction renal allografts and 35% of the patients with functioning grafts (P=0.0234). aPA in previously hemodialyzed patients did not predict allograft failure or success (P=0.3766). In contrast, all nonhemodialysis patients who had aPA at the time of transplantation experienced early allograft failure (P=0.0022). CONCLUSIONS These data show that aPA are an important risk factor for early renal allograft failure. Furthermore, aPA-positive patients who have no history of hemodialysis are at the greatest risk. Pretransplantation aPA screening of renal transplant candidates forewarns of early graft failure and indicates which patients may benefit from anticoagulant therapy.
Levels of a Terpenoid Glycoside (Blumenin) and Cell Wall-Bound Phenolics in Some Cereal Mycorrhizas

Four cereals, Hordeum vulgare (barley), Triticum aestivum (wheat), Secale cereale (rye), and Avena sativa (oat), were grown in a defined nutritional medium with and without the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices. Levels of soluble and cell wall-bound secondary metabolites in the roots of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography during the first 6 to 8 weeks of plant development. Whereas there was no difference in the levels of the cell wall-bound hydroxycinnamic acids, 4-coumaric and ferulic acids, there was a fungus-induced change of the soluble secondary root metabolites. The most obvious effect observed in all four cereals was the induced accumulation of a terpenoid glycoside. This compound was isolated and identified by spectroscopic methods (nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry) to be a cyclohexenone derivative, i.e. blumenol C 9-O-(2[prime]-O-[beta]-glucuronosyl)-[beta]-glucoside. The level of this compound was found to be directly correlated with the degree of root colonization.
Epigenetic reprogramming and aberrant expression of PRAME are associated with increased metastatic risk in Class 1 and Class 2 uveal melanomas

Background We previously identified PRAME as a biomarker for metastatic risk in Class 1 uveal melanomas. In this study, we sought to define a threshold value for positive PRAME expression (PRAME+) in a large dataset, identify factors associated with PRAME expression, evaluate the prognostic value of PRAME in Class 2 uveal melanomas, and determine whether PRAME expression is associated with aberrant hypomethylation of the PRAME promoter. Results Among 678 samples analyzed by qPCR, 498 (73.5%) were PRAME- and 180 (26.5%) were PRAME+. Class 1 tumors were more likely to be PRAME-, whereas Class 2 tumors were more likely to be PRAME+ (P < 0.0001). PRAME expression was associated with shorter time to metastasis and melanoma specific mortality in Class 2 tumors (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively). In Class 1 tumors, PRAME expression was directly associated with SF3B1 mutations (P < 0.0001) and inversely associated with EIF1AX mutations (P = 0.004). PRAME expression was strongly associated with hypomethylation at 12 CpG sites near the PRAME promoter. MATERIALS AND METHODS Analyses included PRAME mRNA expression, Class 1 versus Class 2 status, chromosomal copy number, mutation status of BAP1, EIF1AX, GNA11, GNAQ and SF3B1, and genomic DNA methylation status. Analyses were performed on 555 de-identified samples from Castle Biosciences, 123 samples from our center, and 80 samples from the TCGA. Conclusions PRAME is aberrantly hypomethylated and activated in Class 1 and Class 2 uveal melanomas and is associated with increased metastatic risk in both classes. Since PRAME has been successfully targeted for immunotherapy, it may prove to be a companion prognostic biomarker.
Nutrient Pathways and Breast Cancer Risk: The Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project

The relative importance of biochemical pathways has not been previously examined when considering the influence of diet on breast cancer risk. To address this issue, we used interview data from a population-based sample of 1463 breast cancer cases and 1500 controls. Dietary intake was assessed shortly after diagnosis using a 101-item food frequency questionnaire. Age- and energy-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for individual micro- and macronutrients were estimated with logistic regression. Hierarchical modeling was used to account for biologically plausible nutrient pathways (1-carbon metabolism, oxidative stress, glycemic control, and phytoestrogens). Effect estimates from hierarchical modeling were more precise and plausible compared to those from multivariable models. The strongest relationship observed was for the glycemic control pathway, but confidence intervals (CI) were wide [OR (95% CI): 0.86 (0.62, 1.21)]. Little or no effect was observed for the 1-carbon metabolism, oxidative stress, and phytoestrogen pathways. Associations were similar when stratified by supplement use. Our approach that emphasizes biochemical pathways, rather than individual nutrients, revealed that breast cancer risk may be more strongly associated with glycemic control factors than those from other pathways considered. Our study emphasizes the importance of accounting for multiple nutrient pathways when examining associations between dietary intake and breast cancer.
Melatonin protects against alterations in hippocampal cholinergic system, trace metals and oxidative stress induced by gestational and lactational exposure to cadmium

Dietary exposure to cadmium, even at lower doses, can lead to free radical induced neurotoxicity, neurobehavioral changes and alteration in neurotransmitters. Such changes are likely to be more pronounced in the developing brain due to incompleteness of blood brain barrier (BBB). Hippocampus being the seat of intelligence has a role in learning and cognitive behavior and any damage to hippocampus during developmental stage is likely to result in neurodegenerative changes in later life. To this end, fetal and neonatal exposure to cadmium was induced by exposing pregnant dams of Swiss albino strain throughout the period of gestation and following parturition up till 5th day post partum (pp) through drinking water (3ppm/animal/day). The neonates were sacrificed on day 6 pp and indices of oxidative stress, levels of trace elements and changes in cholinergic system were evaluated in the hippocampus. Increased lipid peroxidation, surge in reactive oxygen species (ROS), depressed antioxidant defense, increased accumulation of cadmium, differential alterations in trace elements and decreased activity of AChE were the features of cadmium toxicity. Simultaneous administration of melatonin to cadmium challenged animals offset these detrimental changes. The results suggest that melatonin co-administration can effectively protect against the adverse effects of cadmium on endogenous antioxidant status, changes in trace metal concentrations and compromised hippocampal cholinergic system.
Seromic profiling of ovarian and pancreatic cancer

Autoantibodies, a hallmark of both autoimmunity and cancer, represent an easily accessible surrogate for measuring adaptive immune responses to cancer. Sera can now be assayed for reactivity against thousands of proteins using microarrays, but there is no agreed-upon standard to analyze results. We developed a set of tailored quality control and normalization procedures based on ELISA validation to allow patient comparisons and determination of individual cutoffs for specificity and sensitivity. Sera from 60 patients with pancreatic cancer, 51 patients with ovarian cancer, and 53 age-matched healthy donors were used to assess the binding of IgG antibodies against a panel of >8000 human antigens using protein microarrays and fluorescence detection. The resulting data interpretation led to the definition and ranking of proteins with preferred recognition by the sera from cancer patients in comparison with healthy donors, both by frequency and strength of signal. We found that 202 proteins were preferentially immunogenic in ovarian cancer sera compared to 29 in pancreatic cancer, with few overlaps. Correlates of autoantibody signatures with known tumor expression of corresponding antigens, functional pathways, clinical stage, and outcome were examined. Serological analysis of arrays displaying the complete human proteome (seromics) represents a new era in cancer immunology, opening the way to defining the repertoire of the humoral immune response to cancer.
Heterogeneity of KRAS Status May Explain the Subset of Discordant KRAS Status Between Primary and Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND: KRAS status is a useful predictive marker for anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody therapy. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the concordance rate of KRAS mutation status between corresponding primary and metastatic colorectal cancer lesions, and also among multiple metastatic tumors. Furthermore, we examined the heterogeneity of KRAS mutations with respect to discordant KRAS status between primary and metastatic tumors. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: This study was retrospective in design. PATIENTS: Forty-three patients with primary tumors and 113 metastatic tumors were studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The KRAS mutational status was determined by the peptide nucleic acid clamp real-time polymerase chain reaction TaqMan assay. We also performed sequencing analysis to validate the KRAS mutational status. When KRAS status differed between primary and metastatic tumors, we examined the heterogeneity of KRAS status within individual primary tumors by microdissecting multiple samples in each patient. RESULTS: The frequency of KRAS mutations in primary tumors was 34.9%. A high concordance rate of KRAS (88.4–91.7%) mutations was observed between primary and metastatic tumors. All 5 cases (11.6%) with discordant KRAS status had heterogeneous KRAS status in primary tumors. However, in 10 concordant cases all microdissected areas showed an identical KRAS mutational status within each patient. The KRAS mutational statuses in all multiple liver and/or lung metastatic tumors were the same as those of the primary tumor. LIMITATIONS: We could not validate KRAS status in microdissected samples by the direct sequence method that was used in the present study, because the quantity of DNA was not sufficient to perform direct sequencing. CONCLUSION: KRAS status in a primary site may be used for selecting patients who would benefit from anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy. However, KRAS status can be heterogeneous within a primary tumor, and thus different parts of such tumors should be examined for KRAS status to correctly predict the KRAS status in metastatic lesions.
Inhalation Carcinogenicity and Chronic Toxicity of Carbon Tetrachloride in Rats and Mice

Carcinogenicity and chronic toxicity of carbon tetrachloride were examined by inhalation exposure of 50 F344 rats and 50 BDF1 mice of both sexes to carbon tetrachloride at 0 (clean air), 5, 25, or 125 ppm (v/v) for 6 h/day, 5 days/wk, for 104 wk. Incidences of hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas in rats and mice of both sexes and of adrenal pheochromocytomas in mice of both sexes were significantly increased dose-dependently. Hepatocellular carcinomas and cirrhosis significantly occurred in the 125-ppm-exposed rats of both sexes, and 3 cases of hepatocellular carcinomas and increased incidences of hepatic altered cell foci were noted in the 25-ppm-exposed female rats. Hepatocellular carcinomas were induced in mice of both sexes at 25 and 125 ppm, and hepatocellular adenomas occurred in females at 5 ppm without any degenerative or necrotic change in hepatocytes. Hepatocellular carcinomas metastasized to the lung. The chronic hepatotoxicity was characterized by cirrhosis, fibrosis, and fatty change in rats, and ceroid deposition, bile-duct proliferation, and hydropic change in mice. Survival rates were decreased in the 125-ppm-exposed rats and mice of both sexes and in the 25-ppm-exposed female mice, in association with decreased body weights. The decreased survival rates were considered to be causally related to both various tumors including hepatocellular carcinomas and severe chronic progressive nephropathy in rats and to hepatocellular carcinomas in mice. This study provided clear evidence of carcinogenicity for carbon tetrachloride in rats and mice. A cytotoxic-proliferative and genotoxic mode of action for carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatocarcinogenesis was suggested.
The Extent and Nature of Depressive Phenomena in Primary Health Care

The extent and factor structure of depressive phenomena were investigated in three primary health care clinics in the city of Calcutta. The Self-Reporting Questionnaire and the Screening for Depression Questionnaire were used as the first-stage instruments, and the Clinical Interview Schedule and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression as the second-stage instruments. The implications of the findings are discussed.
Evolution of the Concept of Angulated Abutments in Implant Dentistry:14-year Clinical Data

This paper describes the evolution of the concept of selecting the abutment at first-stage surgery and presents clinical data accumulated over 14 years of the use of this concept with angulated abutments. The concept was developed for implants using internal and external hexed connections and has evolved in its use for implants using a Morse taper connection as a result of the considerable clinical advantages that this type of connection offers. A total of 3101 implants were restored using angled abutments ranging from 0 to 45 degrees and were observed over a period of up to 151 months. After an observation time of 120 months (10 years) after placement, the calculated 95% confidence interval of the mean survival estimation, according to Aalen et al, was 98.2% (± 0.7%). 16 The magnitude of the angles did not influence the survival rate. The need to refine the implant position in terms of the depth to which it was placed and the angulation and rotational orientation, as well as the size and pivot point of the final abutment, were recognized as contributing to the harmonious emergence profile of the restoration. Good esthetic and functional outcomes were achieved by the use of conventional cement-retained restorations made possible by parallel and aligned abutments.
Estimation of Electromagnetic of Libyan soil Properties by Stepped Frequency Radar

A vector network analyzer was used to measure the electromagnetic properties of two types of Libyan soil. The vector network analyzer was used to act as a stepped frequency ground probing radar. The frequency that was covered is from 1 to 3 GHz. A TEM horn antenna was used for transmission and reception. From the experiments the attenuation and time delay was measured. Then conductivity, permittivity and moisture content were estimated from the measurements. The samples were taken before and after it rained by a week following a long dry season. The experiments gave a reasonable estimation of the parameters and showed that clay retained its moisture for a longer period that sandy soil.