Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased prefrontal cortical D1 receptors in drug naïve patients with schizophrenia: a PET study with [11C]NNC112

D1 receptors are the main mediators of dopamine transmission in the cortex and subserve cognitive functions that are affected in patients with schizophrenia. Prior imaging studies have suggested abnormalities in the expression of these receptors in schizophrenia, but no conclusive picture has emerged yet. One source of discrepancy may have been prior antipsychotic exposure. We used positron emission tomography (PET) and a D1 radiotracer, [11C]NNC112, in drug naïve (DN, n = 12) and drug free (DF, n = 13) patients with schizophrenia and 40 healthy control subjects (HC, n = 40 total, n = 24 per comparison group) matched for age, gender, ethnicity, parental socioeconomic status and cigarette smoking. We measured the binding potential BPP, corrected for partial volume effects. The outcome measure was obtained in cortical and striatal subregions outlined on coregistered individual MRIs. Partial volume effect corrected BPP measures were significantly higher in DN vs controls in cortical regions. No such increases were found in the DF versus controls comparison. Furthermore, in the DF group, DF interval correlated positively with cortical BPP. We conclude that upregulation of D1 receptors in schizophrenia is related to the illness itself and may be corrected and normalized by chronic antipsychotic treatment.
Contemporary Circulating Enterovirus D68 Strains Infect and Undergo Retrograde Axonal Transport in Spinal Motor Neurons Independent of Sialic Acid

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) infections are on the rise worldwide. Since 2014, the United States has experienced biennial spikes in EV-D68-associated acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) that have left hundreds of children paralyzed. Much remains to be learned about the pathogenesis of EV-D68 in the central nervous system (CNS). Herein we investigated the mechanisms of EV-D68 CNS invasion through neuronal pathways. A better understanding of EV-D68 infection in experimental models may allow for better prevention and treatment strategies of EV-D68 CNS disease. ABSTRACT Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is an emerging virus that has been identified as a cause of recent outbreaks of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a poliomyelitis-like spinal cord syndrome that can result in permanent paralysis and disability. In experimental mouse models, EV-D68 spreads to, infects, and kills spinal motor neurons following infection by various routes of inoculation. The topography of virus-induced motor neuron loss correlates with the pattern of paralysis. The mechanism(s) by which EV-D68 spreads to target motor neurons remains unclear. We sought to determine the capacity of EV-D68 to spread by the neuronal route and to determine the role of known EV-D68 receptors, sialic acid and intracellular adhesion molecule 5 (ICAM-5), in neuronal infection. To do this, we utilized a microfluidic chamber culture system in which human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) motor neuron cell bodies and axons can be compartmentalized for independent experimental manipulation. We found that EV-D68 can infect motor neurons via their distal axons and spread by retrograde axonal transport to the neuronal cell bodies. Virus was not released from the axons via anterograde axonal transport after infection of the cell bodies. Prototypic strains of EV-D68 depended on sialic acid for axonal infection and transport, while contemporary circulating strains isolated during the 2014 EV-D68 outbreak did not. The pattern of infection did not correspond with the ICAM-5 distribution and expression in either human tissue, the mouse model, or the iPSC motor neurons. IMPORTANCE Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) infections are on the rise worldwide. Since 2014, the United States has experienced biennial spikes in EV-D68-associated acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) that have left hundreds of children paralyzed. Much remains to be learned about the pathogenesis of EV-D68 in the central nervous system (CNS). Herein we investigated the mechanisms of EV-D68 CNS invasion through neuronal pathways. A better understanding of EV-D68 infection in experimental models may allow for better prevention and treatment strategies of EV-D68 CNS disease.
Molecular Characterization of Primary Juvenile Hormone Responders Methoprene-Tolerant (Met) and Krüppel Homolog 1 (Kr-h1) in Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) with Clarification of Their Roles in Metamorphosis and Reproduction

Abstract Methoprene-tolerant (Met) is a putative JH intracellular receptor that transduces JH signal by activation of the inducible Krüppel homolog 1 (Kr-h1). We analyzed the gene sequences of Met and Kr-h1 and their patterns of expression in Grapholita molesta (Busck) immature and adult stages in order to better understand the roles of these primary JH responders in regulating the metamorphosis and reproduction of this global pest of fruit crops. The deduced amino acid sequences of both GmMet and GmKr-h1 were highly homologous to those of other Lepidoptera, especially the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Peak expression of GmMet occurred during the last 3 to 5 d of the final instar, followed by that of GmKr-h1, in the last 3 d of final instar. Similar patterns of GmMet and GmKr-h1 expression were detected across various tissue types in the fifth-instar larvae, with the highest expression observed in the head, followed by the epidermis, and the fat body. When expression of GmMet and GmKr-h1 was knocked down via dsRNA injection in the fifth instar, the results were increased larval mortality, abnormal pupation, delayed pupal duration, reduced adult emergence, extended preoviposition period, and reduced fecundity. We infer that both GmMet and GmKr-h1 participated in regulation of metamorphosis and reproduction in G. molesta, the former acting upstream of the latter, and could present biorational targets for novel pest control compounds.
The effect of platelet rich plasma on hair regrowth in patients with alopecia areata totalis: A clinical pilot study

Autologous rich plasma (PRP) is blood plasma with enhanced concentration of platelets and is enriched with several growth factors which stimulate tissue regeneration. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of PRP on hair regrowth in patients with alopecia areata (AA) totalis. Ten subjects (28.9 ± 6.28 years; five males and five females) with clinically diagnosed AA totalis for at least 3 years who had not received any treatment within 3 months prior to the study were recruited. Blood sample was collected in thrombocyte harvesting tubes. The PRP was separated via centrifugation. The patients' scalp was divided sagittally into two approximately equal parts. In each patient, 4 mL of PRP was injected intradermally into the left or right side of the scalp; in each point, 0.1 mL of PRP was injected. Each patient was followed up monthly for 4 months. No hair regrowth was seen in eight patients and in two patients only <10% hair regrowth was observed. Totally, no significant effect was found for PRP on hair regrowth (p > .05). There was no side effect during treatment. Single dermal PRP injection did not prove to have any effect on hair regrowth in these patients.
Characterization and correlations of behavioral and adrenocortical activities of zoo-housed lesser anteaters (Tamandua tetradactyla).

We characterized behavioral and adrenocortical activities of Tamandua tetradactyla under human care driven by the hypothesis that they vary between males and females. We also assessed the potential association between natural or abnormal behaviors and adrenocortical activity. We kept females and males T. tetradactyla in individual, contiguous enclosures at Córdoba Zoo (Argentina), under natural photoperiod and temperature. During 29 consecutive days we monitored the animals' behavior by recording their activity pattern every 5 min using infrared cameras (8352 records/individual). We collected all feces and measured fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) with an 11-oxoaetiocholanolone enzyme immunoassay. We found individual differences in all behavioral variables. We detected that females exhibited lower total activity than males (23.8 ± 0.2% and 32.3 ± 0.3%, respectively; p = .005). Females were more active at night and males during the day (p < .05) and exhibited less abnormal behaviors than males (p = .05). Although we did not find sex-related differences for average FGM, we detected individual differences (p < .0001). We found that daily FGM showed negative (-0.39) and positive (0.38) correlations with natural and abnormal behaviors, respectively (p < .0001). Thus, we consider that individual input and sex are factors to be considered in stress responses of the species in captivity. Natural and abnormal behaviors may demand different levels of adrenocortical activity. Our findings may prove useful as normative data for ex situ management of conservation programs.
Role of the ocular surface microbiome in allergic disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to provide an update regarding new and emerging data on the role of the ocular surface microbiome in allergic disease. RECENT FINDINGS Recent findings support the role of the microbiome in the pathophysiology of allergic disease of the ocular surface. SUMMARY Understanding the role of the ocular surface microbiome in allergic disease may provide a new target for the development of therapeutic interventions.
Nonhistone human chromatin protein PC4 is critical for genomic integrity and negatively regulates autophagy

Multifunctional human transcriptional positive co‐activator 4 (PC4) is a bona fide nonhistone component of the chromatin and plays a pivotal role in the process of chromatin compaction and functional genome organization. Knockdown of PC4 expression causes a drastic decompaction which leads to open conformation of the chromatin, and thereby altered nuclear architecture, defects in chromosome segregation and changed epigenetic landscape. Interestingly, these defects do not induce cellular death but result in enhanced cellular proliferation, possibly through enhanced autophagic activity. Moreover, PC4 depletion confers significant resistance to gamma irradiation. Exposure to gamma irradiation further induced autophagy in these cells. Inhibition of autophagy by small molecule inhibitors as well as by silencing of a critical autophagy gene drastically reduces the ability of PC4 knockdown cells to survive. On the contrary, complementation with wild‐type PC4 could reverse this phenomenon, confirming the process of autophagy as the key mechanism for radiation resistance in the absence of PC4. These data connect the unexplored role of chromatin architecture in regulating autophagy during stress conditions such as radiation.
Physical activity and its association with psychosocial health following bariatric surgery.

Physical activity (PA) helps sustain weight loss and may also provide psychological benefits in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Using a set of questionnaires, we demonstrated that bari-atric patients with increased level of PA at 1-year follow-up had better psychosocial outcomes including depressive symptoms and mental health-related quality of life compared with those who had reduced or unchanged level of PA. Our findings indicate the benefit of incorporating PA in the postoperative care for bariatric patients. • Postoperative behavioral change in terms of physical activity improves psychosocial health in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.
Mst1 contributes to nasal epithelium inflammation via augmenting oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in a manner dependent on Nrf2 inhibition

Nasal epithelium inflammation plays an important role in transmitting and amplifying damage signals for the lower airway. However, the molecular basis of nasal epithelium inflammation damage has not been fully addressed. Mst1 is reported to modulate inflammation via multiple effects. Thus, the aim of our study is to understand the pathological mechanism underlying Mst1‐related nasal epithelium inflammation in vitro. Our result indicated that Mst1 expression was rapidly increased in response to tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) treatment in vitro and this effect was a dose‐dependent manner. Interestingly, knockdown of Mst1 via transfecting small interfering RNA markedly reversed cell viability in the presence of TNF‐α. Further, we found that Mst1 deficiency reduced cellular oxidative stress and attenuated mitochondrial dysfunction, as evidenced by reversed mitochondrial complex‐I activity, decreased mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening rate, and stabilized mitochondrial membrane potential. Besides, we found that Nrf2 expression was increased after deletion of Mst1 whereas silencing of Nrf2 abolished the protective effects of Mst1 deletion on nasal epithelium survival and mitochondrial homeostasis. Moreover, Nrf2 overexpression also protected nasal epithelium against TNF‐α‐induced inflammation damage. Altogether, our data confirm that the Mst1 activation and Nrf2 downregulation seem to be the potential mechanisms responsible for the inflammation‐mediated injury in nasal epithelium via mediating mitochondrial damage and cell oxidative stress.
Chemotherapy in the treatment of leukemia and Wilms' tumor.

Twenty years ago, one fourth of patients with the many diseases grouped under the word "cancer" were cured because of the greatly improved skills of surgeons and radiotherapists, aided by many specialties which contributed to the care of the patient. Improved techniques for the early diagnosis of many forms of cancer, combined with public education, decreased the serious lag which too often occurred between onset of symptoms of the tumor and treatment. For the 75% with cancer incurable by methods of treatment then available, new therapeutic weapons, or methods of prevention were required. It seemed unlikely that even the constantly improving skills of surgeons alone would increase the cure rate to an important degree. The full potential of radiotherapy was not then fully developed, nor is it even today. Prevention of cancer is the ideal for which we must strive. It is possible that this could be accomplished by the
The Effect of Human Behavior on the Design of an Information Retrieval System Interface.

While current research trends concern such humanfactorsas physical and intellectual compatibility with an information system, little research exists that focuses on humanbehaviorin the information seeking process. The purpose of this paper is to identify some of the behavioral factors that influence the design effectiveness of an information retrieval system and to apply some principles of human behavior to the design of the user interface.
Metal Ion-Chelated Tannic Acid Coating for Hemostatic Dressing

Tannic acid (TA), a high-molecular-weight polyphenol, is used as a hemostasis spray and unguent for trauma wound remedy in traditional medical treatment. However, the use of tannic acid on a large-area wound would lead to absorption poisoning. In this work, a TA coating was assembled on a quartz/silicon slide, or medical gauze, via chelation interaction between TA and Fe3+ ions and for further use as a hemostasis dressing. Protein adsorption on the TA coating was further investigated by fluorescence signal, ellipsometry analysis and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The adsorbed bovine serum albumin (BSA), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and fibrinogen (Fgn) on the TA coating was in the manner of monolayer saturation adsorption, and fibrinogen showed the largest adsorption. Furthermore, we found the slight hemolysis of the TA coating caused by the lysed red blood cells and adsorption of protein, especially the clotting-related fibrinogen, resulted in excellent hemostasis performance of the TA coating in the blood clotting of an animal wound. Thus, this economic, environmentally friendly, flexible TA coating has potential in medical applications as a means of preparing novel hemostasis materials.
Challenges in the decomposition of 2D NMR spectra of mixtures of small molecules.

Analytical methods for mixtures of small molecules require specificity (is a certain molecule present in the mix? ) and speciation capabilities. NMR spectroscopy has been a tool of choice for both of these issues since its early days, due to its quantitative (linear) response, sufficiently high resolving power and capabilities of inferring molecular structures from spectral features (even in the absence of a reference database). However, the analytical performances of NMR spectroscopy are being stretched by the increased complexity of the samples, the dynamic range of the components, and the need for a reasonable turnover time. One approach that has been actively pursued for disentangling the composition complexity is the use of 2D NMR spectroscopy. While any of the many experiments from this family will increase the spectral resolution, some are more apt for mixtures, as they are capable of unveiling signals belonging to whole molecules or fragments of it. Among the most popular ones, one can enumerate HSQC-TOCSY, DOSY and Maximum-Quantum (MaxQ) NMR spectroscopy. For multicomponent samples, the development of robust mathematical methods of signal decomposition would provide a clear edge towards identification. We have been pursuing, along these lines, Blind Source Separation (BSS). Here, the un-mixing of the spectra is achieved relying on correlations detected on a series of datasets. The series could be associated with samples of different relative composition or in a classically acquired 2D experiment by the mathematical laws underlying the construction of the indirect dimension, the one not recorded by the spectrometer. Many algorithms have been proposed for BSS in NMR spectroscopy since the seminal work of Nuzillard. In this paper, we use rather standard algorithms in BSS in order to disentangle NMR spectra. We show on simulated data (both 1D and 2D HSQC) that these approaches enable us to accurately disentangle multiple components, and provide good estimates for the concentrations of compounds. Furthermore, we show that after proper realignment of the signals, the same algorithms are able to disentangle real 1D NMR spectra. We obtain similar results on 2D HSQC spectra, where the BSS algorithms are able to successfully disentangle components, and provide even better estimates for concentrations.
The Relative Importance of Sleep Duration and Bedtime Routines for the Social-Emotional Functioning of Chinese Children.

OBJECTIVE Although the importance of sleep has been widely supported by empirical research, researchers have only recently linked sleep to children's social-emotional development. This study aimed to investigate 2 aspects of sleep-namely, sleep duration and bedtime routines-in relation to the social skills and problem behavior in a group of Chinese school-aged children. METHOD This study involved 228 Chinese children (mean age = 8.32 years). Parents reported their child's sleep duration, the consistency of bedtime routines, and social-emotional functioning. RESULTS Both sleep duration and the consistency of bedtime routines had unique contributions to children's social-emotional functioning. Sex differences were found regarding the sleep-child adjustment link. Sleep duration was negatively associated with child problem behavior for both boys and girls. However, the relationship between bedtime routines and social skills was more pronounced for boys, while the relation between sleep duration and social skills was more evident for girls. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the importance of consistent bedtime routines and adequate sleep for the social-emotional development of Chinese school-aged children.
The use of carer perspectives and expert consensus to define key components of a biopsychosocial support intervention for stroke carers

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the key components of a biopsychosocial support intervention to improve mental wellbeing for informal stroke carers within the first year post-stroke based on the combined perspectives of experts in the field of psychological care after stroke and informal stroke carers themselves. Methods: After reviewing the existing literature a cross-sectional mixed-methods design was adopted comprising 1) focus groups with informal stroke carers about their psychological support needs, and 2) nominal group technique with academic and clinical stroke care experts to reach consensus on intervention priorities. Transcripts were thematically analyzed and combined with the ranked priorities from the nominal group to identify key components for intervention content. Results: Key themes for informal stroke carers were associated with: 1) changes in relationships, roles, and dynamics; 2) emotional impact and acceptance; 3) drawing on inner resources; 4) looking for information, solutions, and explanations; 5) support from others. The expert nominal group placed priority on eight ranked areas: 1) acknowledging “normal” emotions; 2) education about the effects of a stroke; 3) reactions to loss and adjustment; 4) recognizing signs and symptoms of not coping; 5) knowing how and when to access practical and emotional support; 6) strategies for taking care of own health; 7) dealing with difficult emotions; and 8) problem solving skills. Conclusions: Themes from the informal carer focus groups, and ranked priority areas will inform the development of a biopsychosocial support intervention for stroke carers to be tested in a feasibility randomized controlled trial.
Body mass index and outcomes of patients with laparoscopic adrenalectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Introduction Recent advances in the field of medical imaging and minimal invasive surgery have improved the diagnosis and treatment of adrenal incidentalomas. Recent studies suggest increased morbidity and mortality among patients with obesity following laparoscopic adrenalectomy compared with patients without obesity. However, this claim remains to be ascertained. This review seeks to assess the outcome of patients with and without obesity after adrenalectomy. Methods and design We will include cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies and case series with more than 30 participants. EMBASE, Medline and Web of Science (Web of Science Core Collection, Current Contents Connect, KCI-Korean Journal Database, SciELO Citation Index, Russian Science Citation Index) will be searched for relevant abstracts of studies published between 1 January 2000 and 31 May 2019, without language restriction. The review will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. After screening of abstracts, study selection, data extraction and methodological quality assessment, we shall assess the studies individually for clinical and statistical heterogeneity. Random-effect meta-analysis will be used to pool studies judged to be clinically homogenous. The Harbord’s test and visual inspection of funnel plots will be used to assess publication bias. Results will be presented by country and region. Ethics and dissemination Since primary data are not collected in this study, ethical approval is not required. This review is expected to provide relevant data on the impact of body mass index on the outcome of laparoscopic adrenalectomy. The final report will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO registration number CRD42018117070. Review status Preliminary searches.