Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased Risk of Dementia Among Veterans With Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia Receiving Care in the VA Health System.

OBJECTIVE The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides a continuum of care over the life course. Among U.S. adults, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are associated with increased risk of dementia. To inform service planning, this study assessed the incidence of dementia among veteran VHA patients with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, with adjustment for comorbid medical conditions. METHODS Using data from the VHA Corporate Data Warehouse, the authors identified all veterans who received VHA care in 2004 and 2005 without a dementia diagnosis and who were alive and between ages 18 and 100 as of January 1, 2006. Individuals were categorized as having bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or neither condition on the basis of diagnoses in 2004-2005. Among ongoing VHA users, incidence of dementia was assessed for up to 10 years (2006-2015). RESULTS The cohort included 3,648,852 individuals. After analyses controlled for baseline comorbid general medical conditions and substance use disorders, the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for dementia were 2.92 for those with schizophrenia and 2.26 for those with bipolar disorder, compared with VHA patients with neither condition. CONCLUSIONS Among veterans receiving VHA care, diagnoses of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia were each associated with increased risk of receiving a new diagnosis of dementia, even when analyses controlled for baseline medical comorbidities. IRRs were elevated for patients with either condition, compared with those with neither condition, and highest for those with schizophrenia. VHA clinicians should evaluate patients for dementia when signs or symptoms of cognitive impairment are present.
L’AMP-activated protein kinase hypothalamique, régulateur essentiel du poids et de la prise alimentaire

> Le poids est relativement stable malgre une grande variabilite des apports alimentaires et des efforts physiques. Afin de garder constante l’homeostasie energetique, l’hypothalamus controle la prise alimentaire et la depense energetique selon les informations recues des tissus peripheriques (en particulier via la leptine). L’AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), constituee de trois sous-unites (une sous-unite catalytique α1 ou α2, deux sous-unites regulatrices β et γ), est une enzyme ubiquitaire dont l’activite depend de l’etat energetique cellulaire. Ainsi, en cas de carence energetique, l’activite de l’enzyme augmente, ce qui inhibe les voies metaboliques consommatrices d’energie (afin de ne pas gaspiller l’energie disponible) et active les voies productrices d’energie (afin de restaurer un etat energetique satisfaisant). L’activation de l’AMPK reduit l’activite de l’acetyl-CoA carboxylase, ce qui reduit la production de malonyl-CoA intracellulaire et permet d’activer l’oxydation intra-mitochondriale des acides gras tout en favorisant leur oxydation. L’AMPK participe donc aux fonctions mitochondriales en orientant les acides gras disponibles vers la mitochondrie. Les actions metaboliques de l’AMPK semblent relayees par la sousunite catalytique α2 [1]. L’AMPK est exprimee dans le cerveau mais sa fonction exacte y est encore mal connue. Afin de comprendre les fonctions de l’AMPK intracerebrale et son eventuel role dans le controle de la prise alimentaire, M.S. Kim et al. ont etudie les effets de l’acide α-lipoique (α-LA), un acide gras particulier, a chaine courte, cofacteur essentiel des enzymes de la respiration mitochondriale (Figure1) [2]. L’α-LA reduit la prise alimentaire chez le rat Sprague-Dawley quelle que soit sa voie d’administration (orale, intraperitoneale ou intracerebro-ventriculaire). Cet effet est dependant de la dose. L’αLA reduit le poids et la masse grasse intraviscerale des rats genetiquement obeses (rats Otsuka, Long-Evans, Tokushima, Fatty ou rats OLETF) et ameliore leurs parametres metaboliques. L’effet anorexigene du α-LA est reversible a l’arret de son administration, suggerant que cet effet n’est pas dependant d’un eventuel effet toxique de l’acide gras. De plus, l’α-LA augmente la depense energetique (mesuree par calorimetrie indirecte) et augmente l’expression de la proteine decouplante UCP-1 dans le tissu adipeux brun. Ainsi, l’α-LA semble reduire le poids en diminuant la prise alimentaire mais egalement en stimulant la depense calorique journaliere. Ces effets, memes s’ils apparaissent similaires a ceux observes apres l’administration de leptine, sont independants de la voie de signalisation de la leptine. En effet, l’α-LA conserve son action chez les souris obeses deficientes en leptine ou en son recepteur. De plus, a l’inverse de ce qui est observe pour la leptine, l’administration intraperitoneale d’α-LA ne s’accompagne pas d’une diminution d’expression hypothalamique du neuropeptide Y (NPY), de la pro-opiomelanocortine (POMC) ou de la corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH). Quel est donc NOUVELLE
Scent-Mark Identification and Scent-Marking Behaviour in African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus)

Scent-marking is common in mammals, but where signals are carried by urine and faeces, distinguishing between scent-marking and mere elimination is problematic. To do so, we documented behaviours and context variables associated with urination and defecation in free-ranging endangered African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) and tested whether these were related to the responses of other dogs to deposits. We found that distinct postures were almost uniquely associated with deposits by dominant wild dogs, were more common during urination than defecation, and increased the likelihood that these deposits would be investigated by other wild dogs. The likelihood of investigation depended on the sex and dominance status of the depositor, the type of deposit and the substrate. Urine from dominant females was more likely to be investigated by other wild dogs than any other deposits, and deposits placed on vegetation were more likely to be investigated than those on bare ground. The likelihood that a deposit would be overmarked was affected by the deposit type and the sex and dominance status of the last depositor. Collectively, these results suggest that dominant wild dog urine is of greatest interest to other dogs. Our results show that some deposits by African wild dogs are not scent-marks and that detailed observations of behaviours and context variables during elimination events can be used to distinguish deposits that are likely to be of communication value.
A Male Genetic Map Designed for Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping in Norwegian Cattle

A male bovine linkage map was constructed using six half-sib families of the Norwegian Cattle population. The family material consisted of six sires and 285 sons, with the number of sons per sire ranging from 32 to 71. Of the 288 markers analysed, 261 were anonymous microsatellites and 27 were coding genes. Eleven of the coding genes were mapped by a two-step procedure involving intron/exon sequencing in the six sires and development of polymerase chain reaction-based methods for efficient genotyping in heterozygous families. Linkage analysis including both informative and non-informative sons was performed in order to obtain unbiased estimates of recombination fractions. The autosomal genome length of the Norwegian Cattle Map (NCM) was estimated as 2682 cM, with an average interval of 12.5 cM. The map provides sufficient marker density for scanning the whole bovine genome to locate quantitative trait loci. The large number of common markers between NCM and previously published maps will contribute to the comparison and integration of bovine maps.
High-performance liquid chromatography determination of phenolic acids in potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum) during wound healing

The content of phenolic acids formed during wound healing of γ-irradiated and nonirradiated potato tubers was determined. Chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid were detected in small quantities in resting whole tubers of irradiated and nonirradiated potatoes. During wound healing their content increased many fold, and in addition, the neo and crypto isomers of chlorogenic acid accumulated in the wound healing tissue. The increased formation of phenolics was accompanied by a parallel rise in phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity
Transducin-α C-terminal Peptide Binding Site Consists of C-D and E-F Loops of Rhodopsin*

The binding of heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G-proteins) to serpentine receptors involves several independent contacts. We have deduced the points of interaction between mutant bovine rhodopsins and αt-(340-350), a peptide corresponding to the C terminus of the α subunit (αt) of bovine retinal G-protein, transducin. Direct binding of αt-(340-350) to rhodopsin stabilizes the activated metarhodopsin II state (M II), consequently uncoupling the rhodopsin-transducin interaction. This peptide action requires two segments on the cytoplasmic domain of rhodopsin: the Tyr136-Val137-Val138-Val139 sequence on the C-D loop and the Glu247-Lys248-Glu249-Val250-Thr251 sequence on the E-F loop. We propose that a tertiary interaction of these two loop regions forms a pocket for binding the αt C terminus of the transducin during light transduction in vivo In most G-proteins, the C termini of α subunits are important for interaction with receptors, and, in several serpentine receptors, regions similar to those in rhodopsin are essential for G-protein activation, indicating that the interaction described here may be a generally applicable mode of G-protein binding in signal transduction.
The effect of sex on the quality of meat from farmed pheasants (Phasianus colchicus).

The present study aimed to investigate the influence of sex on the quality of meat from farmed pheasants. Male (roosters, n = 18) and female (hens, n = 18) pheasants were slaughtered at 25 weeks of age. The breast muscles (Pectoralis major) were cut out from chilled carcasses and analyzed to determine the proximate chemical composition, fatty acid profile, and physicochemical and sensory properties of meat. Chemical analyses revealed that the meat of male had higher (p ≤ .05) content of collagen, Na, Cu, and Zn, whereas meat from females had higher (p ≤ .05) concentrations of total nitrogen of water-soluble compounds, nitrogen of water-soluble non-protein compounds, K, and Mn. The meat of male was characterized by greater (p ≤ .05) cooking loss. A sensory evaluation revealed that meat from females had lower (p ≤ .05) taste intensity and aroma desirability. Meat from male and female pheasants revealed differences in the content of minerals as well as low-molecular-weight water-soluble nitrogen compounds, which may affect the flavor of cooked meat. Irrespective of these differences, the analyzed pheasant meat was characterized by high quality, which indicates that it could offer an attractive alternative to other types of meat.
Efficiency of secondary traits in selecting for improved grain yield in extra‐early maize under Striga‐infested and Striga‐free environments

A base index involving Striga damage, number of emerged Striga plants and ears per plant is used for selecting for maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield under Striga infestation. There are contradictory reports on the reliability of number of emerged Striga plants for selecting for Striga resistance. The objective of this study was to confirm reliability of the secondary traits for selecting for improved grain yield under Striga infestation. Ten Striga-resistant extra-early cultivars were evaluated for 3 years under artificial Striga-infested and Striga-free environments in Nigeria. Analysis of variance combined across years and locations showed significant mean squares for genotype, year, location and their interactions for most traits. Sequential path analysis identified ear aspect as the only trait with significant direct effect on yield under artificial Striga infestation, while GGE biplot confirmed ear aspect, ears per plant and Striga damage as the most reliable traits. Ear aspect should be included in the base index for selecting for improved grain yield of extra-early maize under Striga infestation, while the number of emerged Striga plants should be excluded.
EMERGING REVENUE MODELS IN SOCIAL NETWORKING PORTALS

This paper outlines the history of virtual communities and explores the current state of forprofit Web sites that use virtual communities and related strategies to attract visitors. The paper focuses on one type of virtual community Web site that has recently shown the potential to be very profitable, the targeted social networking portal. The paper explores the characteristics of such portals and examines the revenue models those portals use today and the revenue models they are likely to use in the future. HISTORY OF VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES
Editorial

During the last few months I have been fortunate enough to be able to assist in the planning and organising of three major mental health promotion conferences: the annual UK and Ireland conference (London), the Biennial World Conference on the Promotion of Mental Health and Prevention of Mental Disorders (Oslo) and an international conference scheduled for 2007 in Perth, Australia. During the course of this work it has been interesting to meet people from different cultural, academic and professional backgrounds, which has provided regular opportunity for debate, questioning and discussion. Of course there have been disagreements and intense discussions among colleagues about the nature and/or purpose of mental health promotion and the prevention of mental disorders, but what has really struck home is the increasing level of agreement. Even when agreement is not reached there is a noticeable change in the degree to which colleagues are now willing to listen to and appreciate contrasting points of view. To my mind this is welcome; for so long the subject of mental health promotion has been the focus of fierce debate, particularly with regard to the distinctions between mental health promotion and prevention of mental disorders. In many instances, this disagreement has unfortunately had a detrimental effect on fruitful collaboration. The controversial or contentious nature of mental health promotion and mental disorder prevention has been highlighted by both early and contemporary writers (Jahoda, 1958; Orley & Birrell Weisen, 1998), and has long been a subject of discussion among practitioners, policy makers, researchers and consumer groups. These two areas, promotion and prevention, while clearly overlapping, are informed by different sets of principles and hence derive from different conceptual frameworks (Barry, 2001). Mental health promotion has focused on positive mental health, and is essentially about promoting the capacity for mental health at three levels:
Incorporation of 13C-Labelled 5-epi-Aristolochene into Capsidiol in Green Pepper Seedlings

As a part of investigations on the biosynthesis and induction mechanisms of capsidiol, a green pepper phytoalexin, we focussed our attention on the enzymatic oxidation of 5-epi-aristolochene, a non-oxidized elemophilane biosynthetic intermediate, to capsidiol. We examined the optimum conditions for capsidiol production and the direct incorporation of 5-epi-aristolochene into capsidiol for enzymatic study. We found that green pepper seedlings were easily prepared and produced a large amount of capsidiol, and that it directly converted 13C-labelled 5-epi-aristolochene to capsidiol in 42%.
International Prize in Statistics Awarded to Sir David Cox for Survival Analysis Model: Cox Model Applied in Medicine, Science, and Engineering

ALEXANDRIA, VA (October 18, 2016) – Prominent British statistician Sir David Cox has been named the inaugural recipient of the International Prize in Statistics. Like the acclaimed Fields Medal, Abel Prize, Turing Award and Nobel Prizes, the International Prize in Statistics is considered the highest honor in its field. It will be bestowed every other year to an individual or team for major achievements using statistics to advance science, technology, and human welfare.
The evolutionary history of Nothofagus (Nothofagaceae)

A cladistic analysis of Nothofagus is presented. Comparison of potential outgroups (Fagus and Betulaceae) suggests that Fagus is most satisfactory, but clear morphological differences between it and Nothofagus support the placement of the latter in the monogeneric family Nothofagaceae. The cladistic analysis supports the four subgenera and four extant pollen groups proposed in the most recent revisions and is consistent with the extensive fossil record, although not especially supported by it. The evolution of the deciduous or evergreen habit. so long considered a singular event of importance in Nothofagus, probably occurred several times, and is an example of parallel evolution. Resolution within subgenera is not high in most cases, but subgenus Lophozonia offers a particularly interesting insight into the relationship among extant species and the role of rare long distance dispersal across significant ocean barriers in Nothofagus biogeography. More data are required to refine the phylogeny.
An outline of the dynamics of animal populations.

This article is itself a summarized statement concerning the various influences which affect population densities and the population systems these lead to. Known facts concerning animal populations have been analysed. systematized. and critically examined. using the experimental and mathematical approaches in the simpler situations. The more outstanding conclusions are listed below. Populations are self-governing systems. They regulate their densities in relation to their own properties and those of their environments. This they do by depleting and impairing essential things to the threshold of favourability, or by maintaining reactive inimical factors, such as the attack of natural enemies, at the limit of tolerance. The mechanism of density governance is almost always intraspecific competition, either amongst the animals for a critically important requisite, or amongst natural enemies for which the animals concerned are requisites. Governing reaction induced by density change holds populations in a state of balance in their environments. The characteristic of balance is sustained and effective compensatory reaction which maintains populations in being in spite of even violent changes in the environment, and which adjusts their densities in general conformity with prevailing conditions. Far from being a stationary state, balance is commonly a state of oscillation about the level of the equilibrium density which is for ever changing with environmental conditions. Destructive factors do not add to mortality when they continue to operate over long periods, but merely cause a redistribution of mortality, for the intensity of competition automatically relaxes sufficiently to make room for the destruction they cause. Such compensatory reaction causes the effect of destructive factors upon density to be much less when balance is reattained than that which they produce when they first operate.
Expression of BMP-2,4 Genes during Early Development in Xenopus

Abstract The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family has been implicated in the regulation of cell differentiation during early development. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are thought to play particularly important roles in the formation of the dorso-ventral axis of Xenopus laevis. We found by means of in situ hybridization that BMP transcripts were localized during early Xenopus embryogenesis. BMP-4 transcripts were localized first to neural crest cells, presumptive heart mesoderm and around the yolk plug at the neurula stage and to the eye, auditory vesicles, the heart and mesenchymal cells of fin at the tailbud stage. In sharp contrast, BMP-2 transcripts were strictly localized to olfactory placodes at the tailbud stage. These results showed temporal and spatial regulation of the genes and thus support the notion that BMP proteins are important for directing cell growth and differentiation during organogenesis in the amphibian embryo.
Pseudomonas tolaasii and tolaasin: comparison of symptom induction on a wide range of Agaricus bisporus strains

A wide range of Agaricus bisporus, including commercial, wild and hybrid strains, were tested for resistance to brown blotch disease caused by Pseudomonas tolaasii. Effects of toxin and living bacteria were compared. Wild and hybrid A. bisporus ranged in the same order from very poorly to highly susceptible whatever the inoculum type used, tolaasin or bacteria. Symptom aspects induced by both inocula were visually identical, but some differences occurred in response intensity. The data suggest that toxin is probably not the only factor involved in symptom development.
The physical environment and major plant communities of the Karoo National Park, South Africa

The major plant communities of the Karoo National Park are described using the methods of the Zurich-Montpellier school of phytosociology, to assist with the formulation of a management strategy for the park. The vegetation physiognomy consists of Montane Karoo grassy shrublands. Karoo grassy dwarf shrublands. Karoo succulent dwarf shrublands and riparian thicket. Steep elevation and precipitation gradients within the study area have a direct impact on gradients in the vegetation. High elevation (1 800 m), and relatively high rainfall (406 mm) montane grasslands occupy communities dominated by grasses (Merxmuellera disticha, Themeda triandra) and woody species (Diospyros austro-africana, Elytropappus rhinocerotis, Euryops annae, Passerina montana). The increasing aridity away from the escarpment edge in a northerly direction is steep, and Montane Karoo dwarf shrublands replace these mesic communities. Species such as Eriocephalus ericoides, Rosenia oppositifolia and Pteronia tricephala dominate. At lower elevation (800 m) the precipitation is very low (175 mm) and uncertain (coefficient of variation of 78 ). The substrata influence the vegetation, with the sandy substrata of the drainage lines supporting more woody taxa (Acacia karroo, Lycium cinereum) and grasses (Hyparrhenia hirta, Stipagrostis namaquensis, Cenchrus ciliaris). Moving away from the mesic environment of the riparian zone, rapid desiccation occurs and the most xeric communities are encountered, dominated by Stipagrostis obtusa, S. ciliata and Pent-da incana. This document provides descriptions of the general communities and their associated landscape, lithology and soils.
Histologia da pele da carpa prateada (Hypophtalmichthys molitrix) e testes de resistência do couro

The objectives of this trial were to analyze the skin histology and to evaluate the influence of tanning technique and the direction removal of samples on skin quality of silver-plated carp (Hypophtalmichthys molitrix). Twenty-three fishes were sacrificed and the skin was removed for tanning. Samples of three fishes were settled in formol 10% and, after inclusion in paraffin, the samples were cut with approximately 5 mm of thickness and colored by the hematoxylin-eosin technique (HE). After skin tanning, the samples were removed for resistance tests. The tests were done with EMIC dynamometer, at removal speed of 100 ± 20 mm/mm, in a climatized environment (23oC) and 50% air relative humidity for 24-h period. The skins tanned with chromium salts showed greater resistance to tensile strenght (16.96 N/mm2), elongation (51.49%) and progressive tearing (16.75 N/mm) than those tanned without chromium salts (tensile strenght = 9.12 N/mm2, elongation = 17.48% and 11.36 progressive tearing = N/mm). No effect of direction removal of samples on tensile strenght, elongation, rupture load, progressive tearing, maximum force, and force load was observed. The tanning technique (with or without chromium salts) affect the resistance of the silver-plated carp skin. The technique with chromium salts results in bigger resistance to leather.