Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automatic behavioural responses to valence: Evidence that facial action is facilitated by evaluative processing

Are motor schemata of facial action spontaneously activated upon the processing of evaluative information? In this case, the processing of positive evaluative information should immediately trigger the motor schema of smiling, and the processing of negative information should trigger frowning. This hypothesis was tested in two experiments in which participants were required to respond to positive and negative words by either smiling or frowning. Electromyogram (EMG) activity was recorded over the brow muscle region (corrugator supercilii) and over the cheek muscle region (zygomaticus major) in order to quantify the latency of muscular response as a dependent measure. In Experiment 1 we found that participants were faster at contracting their zygomaticus muscle (which is involved in smiling) when evaluating positive words, and faster at contracting their corrugator muscle (which is involved in frowning) when evaluating negative words. In Experiment 2, participants were required to respond with the contraction of one of the two muscles whenever a word appeared on the computer screen. Again, we found that responses were faster to congruent response valence combinations than to incongruent response valence combinations. These findings support the hypothesis that evaluative processing is directly linked to motor schemata of facial muscles.
Pretreatment with U74006F improves neurologic outcome following complete cerebral ischemia in dogs.

We examined the 21-aminosteroid U74006F, a potent inhibitor of lipid peroxidation, for potential neuroprotective effects in a canine model of complete cerebral ischemia. Two 1.5-mg/kg boluses were administered to six dogs, the first bolus 15 minutes prior to a 12-minute episode of complete cerebral ischemia and the second bolus after 11 minutes of ischemia, 1 minute prior to reperfusion. Using this dosage regimen, plasma U74006F levels of greater than 0.3 microgram/ml were maintained for up to an hour postischemia. An additional six animals received equal volumes of the citrate vehicle solution. At 24 and 48 hours postischemia, the dogs were neurologically evaluated by an observer blinded as to treatment selection. All six U74006F-treated animals had a normal neurologic outcome at 48 hours postischemia, while the citrate vehicle-treated animals all suffered moderate to severe neurologic deficits. The difference in outcome was significant at both 24 and 48 hours (p less than 0.005). Although U74006F is a 21-aminosteroid, it is not reported to possess glucocorticoid activity. This is supported by the present finding that no changes in plasma glucose concentration were observed following administration of the drug. The systemic vitamin E levels of citrate vehicle-treated animals decreased significantly (from 4.10 +/- 0.46 micrograms/ml to 2.95 +/- 0.38 micrograms/ml, p less than 0.05), whereas the vitamin E levels in U74006F-treated animals did not decrease significantly. These results suggest that U74006F may be of benefit in improving neurologic outcome when administered prior to an episode of complete cerebral ischemia. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Augmentation by eosinophils of gelatinase activity in the airway mucosa: comparative effects as a putative mediator of epithelial injury

1 We have studied the release of gelatin‐degrading enzymes from isolated sheets of bronchial mucosa in the presence and absence of eosinophils. 2 Isolated sheets of bovine bronchial mucosa released gelatin‐degrading activity in similar amounts from both the apical and basolateral aspects of the tissue. Gelatinolytic activity could not be increased by treatment of the mucosal sheets with calcium ionophore, A23187. 3 The activity of the released gelatinases could be inhibited by chelation of divalent cations or by the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors, BB‐94 and BB‐250. However, inhibitors of serine proteinases, or of cysteine proteinases were without effect. In zymography, major bands of gelatin‐degrading activity consistent with gelatinases A and B were identified. 4 Addition of guinea‐pig eosinophils to the basolateral aspect of bronchial mucosa for 60 min resulted in an increase in the gelatinolytic activity of the conditioned medium, irrespective of whether the eosinophils were stimulated with ionophore A23187 or not. However, only ionophore‐stimulated eosinophils reacted to produce sufficient tissue damage to increase the transepithelial flux of serum albumin. 5 Purified eosinophils were a poor source of gelatinolytic activity, indicating that when interacting with the bronchial mucosa their effect is to increase the apparent release and/or activation of gelatinases derived from the airway mucosa. 6 After organomercurial activation, recombinant human progelatinase A increased the permeability of the bronchial mucosa to mannitol. However, the activity of enzyme and duration of exposure required to do this were greater than the amounts of gelatinase activity detected during eosinophil‐mediated injury. Sheets of airway mucosa were also resistant to injury evoked by high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or plasmin. 7 Collectively, these results suggest that if gelatinases are involved in eosinophil‐mediated injury and repair of the bronchial mucosa, they require other mediators to act in concert to bring about outright epithelial cell detachment. This does not preclude the possibility that gelatinases are crucial in rendering the airway mucosa hyperfragile.
Understanding generational differences for competitive success

Purpose – The largest diversity of generations is represented in today's workplace than at any other time in history. With this diversity comes new challenges. The purpose of this article is to analyze the specific challenges, and also opportunities, inherent in managing – and working in – a multigenerational workforce. By focusing on research about the character traits of workers in each generation, and identifying the types of conflict that can result, managers can better understand these characteristics and work styles, and can leverage them to enhance both team and organizational success.Design/methodology/approach – A wide range of studies and research was reviewed, and all revealed the methods to recognize the key motivators for each generation. By understanding and appreciating each age group's work style and personality traits, existing friction can be minimized and the assets of managing – and coexisting within – a multigenerational workforce is maximized.Findings – Three primary generations exis.
Targeting the Hepatocyte Growth Factor/c-Met Signaling Pathway in Renal Cell Carcinoma

AbstractThe product of a proto-oncogene, the c-Met protein is a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase. Its only known ligand, hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor, regulates cell growth, motility, migration, invasion, proliferation, and angiogenesis. Dysregulation of c-Met and hepatocyte growth factor have been observed in both clear cell and non–clear cell renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), although only papillary RCCs harbor activating mutations in the MET gene. In clear cell RCC, there is evidence of a direct link between loss of von Hippel–Lindau and up-regulation of c-Met. As in other cancers, high expression of c-Met correlates with worse outcomes in RCC. In vitro and in vivo preclinical RCC models demonstrate cancer control with small molecule and antibodies against c-Met. Given these findings, the c-Met pathway is a logical therapeutic target in RCC, and several agents are in clinical testing with early signs of efficacy.
Effects of Methotrexate on Carotid Intima-media Thickness in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and antirheumatic drugs on atherosclerosis by comparing carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) as an indicator for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study included 44 female RA patients who met the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria and age-matched 22 healthy females. CIMT was measured on both carotid arteries using a B-mode ultrasound scan. The mean value of both sides was taken as the CIMT of the subject. The CIMT was evaluated according to the use of drugs, disease activity and CVD risk factors in RA patients as a case-control study. Higher CIMT was observed in RA patients as compared with healthy subjects (0.705 ± 0.198 mm, 0.611 ± 0.093 mm, respectively, P < 0.05). With adjustment for the CVD risk factors, disease activity and the use of anti-rheumatic drugs, methotrexate (MTX) only showed a favorable effect on CIMT in RA. A significantly lower CIMT was observed in RA with MTX as compared with RA without MTX (0.644 ± 0.136 mm, 0.767 ± 0.233 mm, respectively, P < 0.05). The effects were correlated with MTX dosage (β = -0.029, P < 0.01). The use of MTX should be considered in high priority not only to control arthritis but also to reduce the RA-related CVD risk to mortality.
Sex and Age Differences in Response to Informational and Controlling Feedback

This study examined two issues ensuing from cognitive evaluation theory (Deci, 1975; Deci & Ryan, 1980, 1985), through the manipulation of positive feedback to third, fifth, and eighth grade children. Analysis of self-reported interest revealed that, as predicted, controlling feedback significantly lowered interest relative to informational -and no-feedback groups. The hypothesis that informational feedback would raise interest levels relative to the no-feedback group was not supported, perhaps due to a ceiling effect. These results replicate and extend previous findings with adults to children in a classroom context. A mixed-feedback condition, containing components of both information and control, yielded sex differences. As predicted, in the mixed condition, females reported interest levels significantly lower than those reported by males in that condition and by females in the informational -and no-feedback conditions. Although interest declined across grade level, the decline was greatest in the mixed condition, between fifth and eighth grades.
Measuring intraocular pressure-adjustments for corneal thickness and new technologies

Purpose of review Central corneal thickness has become an important biometric factor and is an essential part of the evaluation of glaucoma. Goldmann applanation tonometry is the most widely used method of measuring intraocular pressure, but it is well known that corneal parameters affect the accuracy of this instrument. Intraocular pressure reduction is currently the only treatment available for decreasing the risk of glaucoma progression, so it is important to have an accurate reading of the true intraocular pressure. Recent findings New tonometers such as the dynamic contour tonometer and the Proview tonometer do not appear to be influenced by central corneal thickness. The ocular response analyzer provides a new measure of corneal biomechanics called corneal hysteresis. Rebound tonometry has been used in animal models of glaucoma, but has recently been compared to Goldmann applanation tonometry in humans. All of these technologies are presented in this review and the influence of corneal thickness on their accuracy is examined. Summary Confronted with the expanding evidence that central corneal thickness is an important ocular parameter that should be measured in clinical practice, eye-care professionals understandably wonder how to best obtain the measurements and what to do with the information. There is wide disagreement among investigators as to if there is an adequately validated ‘correction algorithm’; without a validated algorithm, the argument goes, clinicians cannot use the data. These newer technologies may allow clinicians to be able to accurately determine the true intraocular pressure without having to rely on a correction algorithm.
Dexamethasone modulates Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection in vivo independently of the glucocorticoid-inducible protein annexin-A1

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) infection causes an inflammatory response through activation of Toll-like receptor 4 by lipopolysaccharide. Dexamethasone, a glucocorticoid analogue, suppresses inflammatory responses by many mechanisms including inhibition of the lipopolysaccharide-induced production of proinflammatory mediators. There is little information on the effect of glucocorticoids on murine salmonellosis. In this study, we treated susceptible BALB/c mice by subcutaneous implantation of slow-release dexamethasone pellets before infection with S. Typhimurium. Dexamethasone promotes bacterial growth early in infection and induces a dose-dependent increase in bacterial growth within mouse livers and spleens. The bacterial load in organs from infected placebo-treated mice was lower than that in dexamethasone-treated mice. Glucocorticoids inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation partially through the steroid-inducible protein annexin-A1 (ANXA1). Infection of wild-type and ANXA1 knock-out mice with S. Typhimurium led to similar organ bacterial loads. ANXA1 also did not affect the bacterial load in organs from infected dexamethasone-treated mice. This suggests that glucocorticoids, independently of ANXA1, accelerate S. Typhimurium growth in vivo in susceptible BALB/c mice.
The sociolinguistics of Castilian dialects

Abstract This article reviews some variable processes active in urban Castilian speech: the yeísmo, the treatment of the intervocalic -|d|-, the relaxation or the emphasis of the implosive -|s| and -|d|, the leísmo, laísmo, and loísmo and the replacement of the subjunctive with the conditional. The objective here is to examine who is driving these changes, the direction they are taking, and what prompts their spread or disappearance. The analysis confirms a movement of convergence from the periphery with the center, which is becoming more marked among higher sociocultural levels, but is also affecting the lower strata whereby the dialectical variations lose the prestige that is enjoyed in the cities.
The background to this themed issue on neuropeptides

A meeting of the British Pharmacological Society in association with the European Neuropeptide Club and Americal Summer Neuropeptide Conference in June 2012 led to this themed issue on neuropetides. A wide range of neuropeptides are discussed, in various physiological and pathophysiological conditions, with respect to their upstream and downstream pathways. It is clear, at this point in time, that targeting neuropeptides has therapeutic potential in pathologies ranging from migraine to obesity. It is also clear from the reviews in this issue of the British Journal of Pharmacology that there is still so much to learn.
The endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonist anandamide impairs memory in rats

Anandamide was recently discovered to be an endogenous substance that acts as a partial agonist at cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system. Because exogenous cannabinoids such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the principal psychoactive ingredient of marijuana, have been found to impair memory, we undertook the present study to examine the mnemonic effects of anandamide. Memory was assessed in rats well-trained in a two-component instrumental discrimination task with a conditional discrimination to test reference memory and a delayed nonmatch-to-position to test working memory. Since anandamide has a short metabolic half-life, we examined the mnemonic effects of anandamide (0.0–2.0 mg/kg) in rats pretreated with the protease inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (2.0 mg/kg), serving to increase the metabolic half-life of anandamide. Under these conditions, a dose-dependent impairment of the nonmatch-to-position, but not the conditional discrimination component, was found, closely resembling that observed following Δ9-THC (0.0–4.0 mg/kg). This is the first report that anandamide impairs memory; results suggest that endogenous cannabinoids may be involved in cognitive processes influencing memory.
Catholic and Evangelical élites in dialogue and alliance

Throughout their histories the Evangelical and Catholic communities have been traditional opponents. Seldom have they agreed, and never have they joined to work as one within the US society and polity. However, beginning in the early 1990s some small, self‐identifying elites from each religious community sought out in the other visible persons of similar ideological and moral commitment. Advances the context of that dialogue between these micro‐elites, proposes the application of classical elite theory to explain the dialogue better. Generates a seven‐postulate hypothesis to answer the question posed by the context and the application of elite theory: can self‐selected micro‐elites maintain their alliance and accommodation for a significant period of time? Given that these are integrative and pattern maintenance elites (not the more usual ruling and adaptive ones) the application of elite theory offers an unconventional understanding of alliance building, as well as an uncommon insight into religious co‐o.
Variations in Normal Speech Disfluencies

College adults were asked to speak in each of three situations. All 40 subjects started in an Alone situation in which they simply talked spontaneously about any topic while sitting alone in a room. They then participated in a situation in which they were asked to speak alone in front of a TV camera and lights, or as if to an audience (Audience-TV situation). Finally, the experimenter entered the room and engaged the subject in casual Conversation for the final situation. Each situation was 12 minutes and was tape recorded. After the last session, the subjects filled out a brief questionnaire in which they rated each situation according to their judgment of the need to speak carefully and of their estimated disfluency in the situation. The most significant finding is that subjects were most disfluent in those situations they rated as least important. Contrary to usual observations, the greatest frequency of disfluencies occurred in the Conversation rather than the Audience-TV situation. It appeared that as subjects became more concerned about their speech, they monitored it more carefully and thus became more fluent.
Coherence Resonance of Excitable Chaotic Spiking Hindmarsh-Rose Neuron Model

In contrast to the previous researches on coherence resonance (CR), which have dealt with CR of periodic spiking neuron model, in this paper the characteristic of CR of chaotic neuron model, is researched. Whether CR of chaotic excitable neuron model can occur typically is of particular importance in neurophysiology, where CR is positive effect on transmission of neural information because noise can make the unordered chaotic spiking series of neurons more ordered. Here we show, based on a physical analysis and numerical evidence, that CR in the chaotic region of system bifurcation parameter can occur in the Hind marsh-Rose (HR) neuron model. Different from the previous results about CR that the occurrence and characterisitc of CR are dependent on the distance between the bifurcation point and bifurcation parameter, the occurrence and characterisitc of CR in this case are independent on the value of bifurcation parameter. CR in this case, which is relevant to an experimental phenomenon observed in neural electro physiology experiment, can be expected to occur commonly in other chaotic spiking neuron model.
The structure of chitinases and prospects for structure-based drug design

Many fungi, including pathogenic strains, require proper chitin metabolism to assure normal cell wall replication. Chitinase hydrolyzes chitin; inhibition of endogenous chitinases or application of extracellular chitinases can disrupt fungal division. It is possible that chitinase inhibitors could be used as antifungal agents. We have solved the X-ray structure of a class I1 chitinase from barley and proposed a mechanism of action. The enzyme has a structural core similar to lysozyme and probably acts in a similar catalytic manner. The enzyme structure can, in principle, be used to identify small molecules that will bind avidly to the active site and act as inhibitors. Those inhibitors that embody transition state geometry are likely to be particularly effective.
Online counselling: The motives and experiences of young people who choose the Internet instead of face to face or telephone counselling

This study used a Consensual Qualitative Research methodology to explore the motivations and experiences of young people who utilize the Internet for counselling over other counselling media. Semi-structured online group interviews (focus groups) were conducted with 39 participants from the Kids Help Line, a 24-hour national telephone and counselling service located in Australia. Analysis revealed five domains relevant to the adolescents’ motives and experiences and the frequency of categories within and across cases were analyzed to generate and understand themes and patterns. Specific motivators and barriers are identified and discussed, as are implications for practice and continued research.
Objective Clinical Regression of Metastatic Breast Cancer in Disparate Sites after Use of Whole‐Cell Vaccine Genetically Modified to Release Sargramostim

Abstract: A patient with recurrent breast cancer metastases following initial response to chemotherapy and hormonal maintenance was treated with a whole‐cell tumor vaccine, resulting in a prompt objective complete remission of a lung lesion on computed tomography (CT) scans and near‐complete regression of multiple breast lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Three months after completion of the protocol, metastases were again found in the breast and lung, with new lesions in the brain and liver. Reinstitution of vaccine inoculation resulted in major regression of the brain and breast lesions, improvement in all other areas, and no indication of new lesions. Therapy consisted of inoculation of 20 × 106 SV‐BR‐1‐GM cells, a unique breast cancer cell line transfected to release sargramostim (granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor [GM‐CSF]). Following lethal irradiation to 200 cGy, vaccine was injected intradermally in four divided doses to the back and thighs, every 2 weeks × 3, then every month × 3. Each treatment was preceded 48 hours earlier with low‐dose cyclophosphamide 300 mg/m2 to abrogate regulatory T‐cell activity. Interferon (IFN)‐α, 20,000 IU, was injected into each inoculation site at 48 and 96 hours postinoculation to provide an additional “danger signal. ” The patient developed positive delayed‐type hypersensitivity responses and also antibody reactivity to the vaccine cells.