Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can antidepressants be used to treat the schizophrenia prodrome? Results of a prospective, naturalistic treatment study of adolescents.

OBJECTIVE This study reports the results of a prospective, naturalistic treatment study of adolescents considered to be in the prodromal (i.e., prepsychotic) phase of schizophrenia. METHOD Forty-eight adolescents (mean age = 15.8 years) participating in the initial phase of the Recognition and Prevention (RAP) program (1998-2005) were included in the current report. Individuals were selected from the overall sample (N = 152) if they had: (1) displayed attenuated positive symptoms, (2) been treated pharmacologically for at least 8 weeks, and (3) been followed up for at least 6 months (mean follow-up = 30.5 months). RESULTS Two types of medication were naturalistically prescribed: antidepressants (N = 20) or second-generation antipsychotics (N = 28), with polypharmacy common. The 2 treatment groups did not differ in baseline symptom profiles, with the exception of disorganized thinking, which was more severe in second-generation antipsychotic-treated adolescents. Twelve of the 48 adolescents (25%) developed a psychotic disorder, with all converters having been prescribed second-generation antipsychotics. There were no conversions among antidepressant-treated adolescents (log-rank chi(2) = 7.36, df = 1, p = . 007). Treatment outcome, however, was confounded, since 11 of the 12 converters were nonadherent. Adolescents, in general, were more likely to be nonadherent to second-generation antipsychotics (61%, 17/28) than to antidepressants (20%, 4/20; chi(2) = 7.86, p = . 005). Improvement in 3 of 5 positive symptoms over time was significant (p < .001) and similar for both medications. Disorganized thought, however, did not improve regardless of treatment. CONCLUSIONS Nonrandom assignment limits comparisons between antidepressants and anti-psychotics in this study. However, with follow-up, a number of adolescents meeting criteria for prodromal schizophrenia were successfully treated with antidepressants. At present, a substantial number of false positives among the antidepressant-treated subgroup cannot be ruled out. However, the findings suggest that, in some cases, it might be preferable to begin treatment with antidepressants and progress to antipsychotics once symptoms intensify, since adherence to the latter is difficult to maintain.
Novel signal transduction pathway mediating endothelium‐dependent β‐adrenoceptor vasorelaxation in rat thoracic aorta

1 Isoprenaline (3 × 10−8−10−5 m), salbutamol (3 × 10−7−10−4 m) and forskolin (3 × 10−9−3 × 10−7 m) relaxed rat isolated thoracic aortic rings contracted with noradrenaline (10−7 m). Removal of the endothelium from the aortic rings abolished the effect of acetylcholine (10−6 m) and completely prevented the vascular relaxation induced by isoprenaline, salbutamol or forskolin. 2 The isoprenaline concentration‐relaxation curve was shifted in parallel to the right about 10 fold by propranolol (3 × 10−7 m) with no change in the maximum response, showing that the relaxation was mediated by a β‐adrenoceptor. 3 The inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine (l‐NOARG; 10−5 m), shifted the isoprenaline relaxation curve to the right and reduced the maximum response. 4 Isoprenaline (10−6 m) relaxed noradrenaline‐induced tone by approximately 95% and at the same time increased levels of adenosine 3′:5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) 4 fold and guanosine 3′:5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) 12 fold in the aortic rings. Sodium nitroprusside (3 × 10−8 m) relaxed noradrenaline‐evoked tone by 82% without changing levels of cyclic AMP but raised cyclic GMP 19 fold. 5 Forskolin (10−7 m) relaxed noradrenaline‐induced tone by approximately 41% and, like isoprenaline, increased levels of cyclic AMP (2.5 fold) and cyclic GMP (12 fold) in the aortic rings. 6 Removal of the endothelium abolished the relaxant effects of isoprenaline (10−6 m) and also the associated accumulation of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. 7 l‐NOARG (10−5 m) inhibited the relaxant responses and accumulation of cyclic GMP induced by isoprenaline (10−6 m) and forskolin (10−7 m) without affecting the associated cyclic AMP accumulation. 8 It is concluded that, in the rat aorta, isoprenaline acts through a β‐adrenoceptor on the endothelium to raise cyclic AMP and that this may, directly or indirectly, release nitric oxide to evoke vascular relaxation via the increase in cyclic GMP. The importance of this novel transduction pathway for cardiovascular regulation remains to be determined.
Ensuring Literacy Acquisition for Adolescent Pasifika Learners.

In an educational system based on equity, ensuring the achievement of Pasifika students in secondary education is seen as a key focus of the Government approach to education (Ministry of Education, 2013b) and a major step in addressing the social and economic inequities experienced by Pasifika peoples in New Zealand. While there has been a significant amount of research done since the 2000 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) report on Pasifika Education (Sturrock, 2004), in order to improve outcomes, research suggests that there are key areas which could be improved to raise the academic success of Pasifika students. This article focuses on this research, particularly in the area of literacy.
Late steps in cytoplasmic maturation of assembly-competent axonemal outer arm dynein in Chlamydomonas require interaction of ODA5 and ODA10 in a complex

In humans, homologues of Chlamydomonas ciliary docking complex subunit DC2 and assembly factor ODA10 are interacting axonemal proteins needed for outer dynein arm assembly. Surprisingly, Chlamydomonas ODA10 does not interact with DC2, localizes to a proximal axonemal domain, and is needed for cytoplasmic steps in dynein assembly, not for docking.
Étude sur la survenance des sinistres en Assurance Automobile

On sait que la loi de Poisson simple représente mal la distribution des sinistres d'un groupe observé d'automobilistes du fait que tout groupe que l'on peut étudier en pratique, même s'il est composé d'assurés présentant des caractéristiques communes (même zone de circulation, même type de véhicule, même utilisation de ce véhicule, …) est hétérogéne quant aux autres caractéristiques et surtout quant au comportement personnel des assurés, élément dont l'influence sur les résultats du risque est prépondérante. M. Delaporte a obtenu une représentation intéressante du phénomène en supposant que les sinistres d'un véhicule se répartis-sent suivant une loi de Poisson de moyenne donnée, et que les moyennes de chaque véhicule du groupe étudié se distribuent selon une loi de Pearson type III d'equation: où Γ(b) est la fonction eulérienne de 21ème espèce: a, b, et S0 étant des paramètres dont la valeur est calculée en égalant les expressions des 3 premiers moments théoriques aux moments correspondants observés. Cette formule conduit à des calculs assez longs. M. Depoid a proposé une formule plus simple.
Are Herbal Compounds the Next Frontier for Alleviating Learning and Memory Impairments? An Integrative Look at Memory, Dementia and the Promising Therapeutics of Traditional Chinese Medicines

Recent advances in neuroscience have revealed a greater, in‐depth understanding of the complexities associated with memory. Contemporary theories hold that an integral relationship between memory formation, stabilization and consolidation revolve around plasticity of neuronal networks. The associated requisite receptors α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) and N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) and cellular mechanisms surrounding plasticity (posed to incite molecular functionality), also display strong correlations in the pathogenesis of dementias. When the brain is in a diseased state as a result of malignant neurotransmission (i.e. in Alzheimer's disease; AD), the homeostatic balance required for normal neuronal processes is disrupted, which leads to degeneration of neural circuitry. Present efforts to find new treatments aimed at reversing or halting neurodegeneration are immense, with increasing attention being placed on investigating various herbal medicines. A wide variety of herbal plants (i.e. Panax ginseng, Polygala tenuifolia, Acorus gramineus and Huperzia serrata, examined here within), extracts and compounds have, to date, already presented advantageous results when tested against known pathogenic markers related to AD‐associated dementia. The efficaciousness of herbal medicines appears to be a modulatory effect on neurotrophins, kinases and their substrates that, in turn, initiate or take part in intracellular cascades related to memory processes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of hybridization in evolution

Hybridization may influence evolution in a variety of ways. If hybrids are less fit, the geographical range of ecologically divergent populations may be limited, and prezygotic reproductive isolation may be reinforced. If some hybrid genotypes are fitter than one or both parents, at least in some environments, then hybridization could make a positive contribution. Single alleles that are at an advantage in the alternative environment and genetic background will introgress readily, although such introgression may be hard to detect. ‘Hybrid speciation’, in which fit combinations of alleles are established, is more problematic; its likelihood depends on how divergent populations meet, and on the structure of epistasis. These issues are illustrated using Fisher’s model of stabilizing selection on multiple traits, under which reproductive isolation evolves as a side‐effect of adaptation in allopatry. This confirms a priori arguments that while recombinant hybrids are less fit on average, some gene combinations may be fitter than the parents, even in the parental environment. Fisher’s model does predict heterosis in diploid F1s, asymmetric incompatibility in reciprocal backcrosses, and (when dominance is included) Haldane’s Rule. However, heterosis arises only when traits are additive, whereas the latter two patterns require dominance. Moreover, because adaptation is via substitutions of small effect, Fisher’s model does not generate the strong effects of single chromosome regions often observed in species crosses.
Aldose reductase: new insights for an old enzyme

Abstract In the past years aldose reductase (AKR1B1; AR) is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of secondary diabetic complications such as retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy and cataractogenesis. Subsequently, several AR inhibitors have been developed and tested for diabetic complications. Although these inhibitors have found to be safe for human use, they have not been successful in clinical studies because of limited efficacy. Recently, the potential physiological role of AR has been reassessed from a different point of view. Diverse groups suggested that AR, in addition to reducing glucose, also efficiently reduces oxidative stress-generated lipid peroxidation-derived aldehydes and their glutathione conjugates. Because lipid aldehydes alter cellular signals by regulating the activation of transcription factors such as NF-κB and AP1, inhibition of AR could inhibit such events. Indeed, a wide array of recent experimental evidence indicates that the inhibition of AR prevents oxidative stress-induced activation of NF-κB and AP1 signals that lead to cell death or growth. Furthermore, AR inhibitors have been shown to prevent inflammatory complications such as sepsis, asthma, colon cancer and uveitis in rodent animal models. The new experimental in vitro and in vivo data has provided a basis for investigating the clinical efficacy of AR inhibitors in preventing other inflammatory complications than diabetes. This review describes how recent studies have identified novel plethoric physiological and pathophysiological significance of AR in mediating inflammatory complications, and how the discovery of such new insights for this old enzyme could have considerable importance in envisioning potential new therapeutic strategies for the prevention or treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Phenotypic and Functional Characterization of Circulating Polyomavirus BK VP1-Specific CD8+ T Cells in Healthy Adults

ABSTRACT The human polyomavirus BK virus (BKV) establishes a latent and asymptomatic infection in the majority of the population. In immunocompromised individuals, the virus frequently (re)activates and may cause severe disease such as interstitial nephritis and hemorrhagic cystitis. Currently, the therapeutic options are limited to reconstitution of the antiviral immune response. T cells are particularly important for controlling this virus, and T cell therapies may provide a highly specific and effective mode of treatment. However, little is known about the phenotype and function of BKV-specific T cells in healthy individuals. Using tetrameric BKV peptide-HLA-A02 complexes, we determined the presence, phenotype, and functional characteristics of circulating BKV VP1-specific CD8+ T cells in 5 healthy individuals. We show that these cells are present in low frequencies in the circulation and that they have a resting CD45RA− CD27+ memory and predominantly CCR7− CD127+ KLRG1+ CD49dhi CXCR3hi T-betint Eomesoderminlo phenotype. Furthermore, their direct cytotoxic capacity seems to be limited, since they do not readily express granzyme B and express only little granzyme K. We compared these cells to circulating CD8+ T cells specific for cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and influenza virus (Flu) in the same donors and show that BKV-specific T cells have a phenotype that is distinct from that of CMV- and EBV-specific T cells. Lastly, we show that BKV-specific T cells are polyfunctional since they are able to rapidly express interleukin-2 (IL-2), gamma interferon (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor α, and also, to a much lower extent, MIP-1β and CD107a.
An Image Quality Estimation Model Based on HVS

Based on characteristics of HVS (human visual system), we give a model for objective image quality estimation. We use MLR (multiple linear regression) to construct subjective image quality method, MOS (mean opinion score). Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients of some proposed methods under different kind of distortions, such as compression, noising etc, are analyzed. It's found that each method has different performance. But, however, our constructed quality estimation method is more accurate, monotone and consistent in predicting image quality. What's more, the constructed result is just keep accordance with our objective image quality estimation model. So our model is reasonable and perfect in predicting image quality
Practical implications of theoretical consideration of capsule filling by the dosator nozzle system

Eight lactose size fractions with mean particle sizes ranging from 15.6 to 155.2 μm were characterized by their failure properties using a Jenike shear cell. The effective angle of internal friction was found to be constant for all size fractions, with a mean value of 36.2°. Jenike flow factors could only be obtained for the two most cohesive size fractions presumably due to limitations of the shear cell. Angles of wall friction, ϕ, were determined for all size fractions on face ground and turned stainless steel surfaces. These decreased with increasing particle size up to around 40 μm, above which they became effectively constant for both surfaces. The rougher turned plate gave consistently higher values of ϕ for each particle size. Simple retention experiments with a dosator nozzle and a range of powder bed bulk densities showed good retention was possible only up to a particle size of around 40 μm. Retention was difficult or impossible above this size. Values of ϕ were applied to equations derived in the theoretical approach described previously (Jolliffe et al 1980). This showed that the strength required within a powder to ensure arching increases with increasing particle size up to around 40 μm. Above this size, this strength requirement becomes constant. This is related to the powder retention observations. Finally, the failure data was used to calculate the minimum compressive stresses required to ensure powder retention within the dosator nozzle, by employing the equations described by Jollife et al (1980). This suggested that, as powders became more free flowing, a larger compressive stress is necessary and that the angle of wall friction should be lower to ensure stress is transmitted to the arching zone.
Assembly of the Yersinia injectisome: the missing pieces

The assembly of the type III secretion injectisome culminates in the formation of the needle. In Yersinia, this step requires not only the needle subunit (YscF), but also the small components YscI, YscO, YscX and YscY. We found that these elements act after the completion of the transmembrane export apparatus. YscX and YscY co‐purified with the export apparatus protein YscV, even in the absence of any other protein. YscY‐EGFP formed fluorescent spots, suggesting its presence in multiple copies. YscO and YscX were required for export of the early substrates YscF, YscI and YscP, but were only exported themselves after the substrate specificity switch had occurred. Unlike its flagellar homologue FliJ, YscO was not required for the assembly of the ATPase YscN. Finally, we investigated the role of the small proteins in export across the inner membrane. No export of the reporter substrate YscP1–137‐PhoA into the periplasm was observed in absence of YscI, YscO or YscX, confirming that these proteins are required for export of the first substrates. In contrast, YscP1–137‐PhoA accumulated in the periplasm in the absence of YscF, suggesting that YscF is not required for the function of the export apparatus, but that its polymerization opens the secretin YscC.