Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence for Consolidation of Neuronal Assemblies after Seizures in Humans

The establishment of memories involves reactivation of waking neuronal activity patterns and strengthening of associated neural circuits during slow-wave sleep (SWS), a process known as “cellular consolidation” (Dudai and Morris, 2013). Reactivation of neural activity patterns during waking behaviors that occurs on a timescale of seconds to minutes is thought to constitute memory recall (O'Keefe and Nadel, 1978), whereas consolidation of memory traces may be revealed and served by correlated firing (reactivation) that appears during sleep under conditions suitable for synaptic modification (Buhry et al., 2011). Although reactivation has been observed in human neuronal recordings (Gelbard-Sagiv et al., 2008; Miller et al., 2013), reactivation during sleep has not, likely because data are difficult to obtain and the effect is subtle. Seizures, however, provide intense and synchronous, yet sparse activation (Bower et al., 2012) that could produce a stronger consolidation effect if seizures activate learning-related mechanisms similar to those activated by learned tasks. Continuous wide-bandwidth recordings from patients undergoing intracranial monitoring for drug-resistant epilepsy revealed reactivation of seizure-related neuronal activity during subsequent SWS, but not wakefulness. Those neuronal assemblies that were most strongly activated during seizures showed the largest correlation changes, suggesting that consolidation selectively strengthened neuronal circuits activated by seizures. These results suggest that seizures “hijack” physiological learning mechanisms and also suggest a novel epilepsy therapy targeting neuronal dynamics during post-seizure sleep.
Demand and Supply for Residential Housing in Urban China

This paper addresses the issue of demand and supply for residential housing in urban China since the late 1980s when the urban housing market became commercialized.We start with the basic premise that the standard theory of demand for and supply of consumer durable goods is applicable to urban housing in China after the market for housing was established.In a simultaneous equations framework we provide estimates of income and price elasticities of demand and price elasticity of supply.Analysis of aggregated annual data from 1987 to 2006 shows that the rapid increase of urban residential housing can be well explained by the forces of demand and supply,i.e.,growth in income and change in construction cost determines the aggregated movement in housing price to a large extent.We have found the(long-run)income elasticity of demand for urban housing to be about 1,and the price elasticity of demand to be between-0.5 and-0.6. The price elasticity of supply of the total stock of housing is about 0.83.
Histone RNA in amphibian oocytes visualized by in situ hybridization to methacrylate‐embedded tissue sections.

We present an in situ hybridization method for detecting cellular RNAs in tissue sections using methacrylate as the embedding medium. The technique offers the advantage of superior morphological preservation compared with previously published procedures. Since sections can be cut 1 micron or less in thickness, full advantage is taken of the short path length of 3H electrons. Applying this procedure to developing amphibian oocytes, we investigated the accumulation and localization of RNA complementary to the histone genes and their adjacent spacers. Histone RNA begins to accumulate in the cytoplasm of late pachytene‐early diplotene oocytes, rapidly reaching a maximum concentration during Dumont stage 1. After this stage the concentration of histone RNA declines. RNA transcribed from histone coding regions is located almost exclusively in the cytoplasm of oocytes. Transcripts of the spacer regions, which are known to be synthesized on oocyte lampbrush chromosomes, do not accumulate in the oocytes. [3H]RNA complementary to U2 small nuclear RNA, used in these experiments as a control, hybridized predominantly to the nucleus of the oocytes.
A cognitive behavioral case formulation framework for treatment planning in anxiety disorders

A cognitive behavioral case formulation framework (CBCFF) for anxiety disorders is presented, in which the etiological and maintaining factors for the anxiety disorders are outlined in a single, simple, visual framework. This CBCFF is then used to demonstrate the specific links of different cognitive and behavioural treatment components to aspects of the case formulation. An example is used to illustrate the use of the CBCFF, highlighting its utility with novel presentations for which no manualized treatments exist. Depression and Anxiety 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Changing body temperature affects the T  2* signal in the rat brain and reveals hypothalamic activity

This study was designed to determine brain activity in the hypothalamus—in particular the thermoregulatory function of the hypothalamic preoptic area (PO). We experimentally changed the body temperature in rats within the physiological range (37–39°C) and monitored changes in blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) MR signal. To explore PO activity we had to deal with general signal changes caused by temperature‐dependent alterations in the affinity of oxygen for hemoglobin, which contributes to BOLD contrast because it is partly sensitive to the amount of paramagnetic deoxyhemoglobin in the voxel. To reduce these overall temperature‐induced effects, we corrected the BOLD data using brain‐specific correction algorithms. The results showed activity of the PO during body warming from 38°C to 39°C, supported by an increased BOLD signal after correction. This is the first fMRI study on the autonomous nervous system in which hypothalamic activity elicited by changes in the internal environment (body temperature) was monitored. In this study we also demonstrate 1) that any fMRI study of anesthetized small animals should guard against background BOLD signal drift, since animals are vulnerable to body temperature fluctuations; and 2) the existence of a link between PO activity and the sympathetically‐mediated opening of the arteriovenous anastomoses in a parallel study on the rat tail, a peripheral thermoregulatory organ. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of Human Plasma Lysophospholipase D, a Lysophosphatidic Acid-producing Enzyme, as Autotaxin, a Multifunctional Phosphodiesterase*

We purified human plasma lysophospholipase D that produces physiologically active lysophosphatidic acid and showed that it is a soluble form of autotaxin, an ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase, originally found as a tumor cell motility-stimulating factor. Its lower K m value for a lysophosphatidylcholine than that for a synthetic substrate of nucleotide suggests that lysophosphatidylcholine is a more likely physiological substrate for autotaxin and that its predicted physiological and pathophysiological functions could be mediated by its activity to produce lysophosphate acid, an intercellular mediator. Recombinant autotaxin was found to have lysophospholipase D activity; its substrate specificity and metal ion requirement were the same as those of the purified plasma enzyme. The activity of lysophospholipase D for exogenous lysophosphatidylcholine in human serum was found to increase in normal pregnant women at the third trimester of pregnancy and to a higher extent in patients in threatened preterm delivery, suggesting its roles in induction of parturition.
Expression of LRP1 by Human Osteoblasts: A Mechanism for the Delivery of Lipoproteins and Vitamin K1 to Bone

Accumulating clinical and experimental data show the importance of dietary lipids and lipophilic vitamins, such as vitamin K1, for bone formation. The molecular mechanism of how they enter the osteoblast is unknown. Here we describe the expression of the multifunctional LRP1 by human osteoblasts in vitro and in vivo. We provide evidence that LRP1 plays an important role in the uptake of postprandial lipoproteins and vitamin K1 by human osteoblasts.
N-acetylcysteine and neurodegenerative diseases: Basic and clinical pharmacology

Increasing lines of evidence suggest a key role of oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases. Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, myoclonus epilepsy of the Unverricht-Lundborg type, spinocerebellar degeneration, tardive dyskinesia and Down’s syndrome have been associated with several mitochondrial alterations Oxidative stress can decrease cellular bioenergetic capacity, which will then increase the generation of reactive oxygen species resulting in cellular damage and programmed cell death. First, this review examines the mechanisms of action of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant and a free radical-scavenging agent that increases intracellular GSH, at the cellular level. NAC can act as a precursor for glutathione synthesis as well as a stimulator of the cytosolic enzymes involved in glutathione regeneration. The chemical properties of NAC include redox interactions particularly with other members of the group XIV elements (selenium, etc.) and ebselen, a lipid-soluble seleno-organic compound. Second, NAC has been shown to protect against oxidative stress-induced neuronal death in cultured granule neurons. Recent findings on the protective effect of NAC against 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE)-induced toxicity in cerebellar granule neurons are summarized. Finally, the protective pharmacokinetics of NAC in humans and the possible usefulness of NAC for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases are discussed with reference to basic and clinical studies.
Levantamento de determinantes sociais de saúde relacionados à adesão ao exame mamográfi co Social determinants of health related to adhesion to mammography screening

Objective: To identify proximal, intermediary and individual social determinants related to mammography adherence, according to the Social Determinants of Health model proposed by Dahlgren and Whitehead. Method : Correlational cross-sectional study, carried out with a sociodemographic and clinical data questionnaire and the Champion’s Health Belief Model Scale, translated and adapted for use in Brazil. Data analyzed by multiple linear regression, from the domains scale, and sociodemographic and clinical variables were used as predictors. Results : The age group of 60-64 years (55.0%) was highlighted, 22 (55.0%) women had a stable partner; and 14 (65.0%) completed higher education. The domain with the greatest infl uence on adhesion to mammography was perceived barriers. Conclusion : The social determinants of health are directly related to the levels of adherence to the exam among women, as well as the perceived benefi ts, susceptibilities and barriers.
Balance and walking performance are improved after resistance and aerobic training in persons with chronic stroke

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the effect of different types of physical training on balance performance and whether improved balance correlates with improved walking performance. Methods: Forty eight participants with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to aerobic training on cycle ergometer (AT-group), resistance training of the lower extremities (RT-group), or sham training of upper extremities (ST-group). Participants exercised 3 d/week for 12 weeks. Balance (Berg Balance Scale), peak oxygen uptake rate, isometric knee extensor strength, maximal gait speed, and 6 minute walk test were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. Results: Training specific effects were observed; the AT-group improved peak oxygen uptake rate by 15.5 (6.0–25.0)%, the RT-group improved non-paretic knee extensor strength by 35.1 (18.3–51.9)% and the ST-group improved non-paretic knee extensor strength by 8.9 (0.7–17.1)%. All groups improved balance (6.0 (95% CI: 3.2–8.8)%), maximal gait speed (10.2 (6.5–14.0)%), and 6 minute walk distance (12.4 (8.8–15.9)%) but balance improvements did not correlate with improvements in muscle strength, peak oxygen uptake rate, or walking. Conclusions: Physical exercise improves balance and walking performance, but improved balance is not a prerequisite for functional improvements in chronic stroke. Implications for Rehabilitation Aerobic training and progressive resistance training show small significant improvements in balance and walking, indicating a possible clinical relevance of these training modalities. Improvements in balance may not be a prerequisite for improvements in walking distance when assistive devices are allowed during walking tests.
A practical model for managing inventories with unknown costs and a budget constraint

The economic production quantity method is one of the simplest models to control production and inventory. However, the assumptions on which it is based make its application difficult in practical situations. In most companies, set-up and inventory costs are unknown, or may not even exist as such, although other data are known, such as available capacity in machining hours and limits set by the financing subsystem. The present work offers a multi-item inventory model that sets reference values using known values such as inventory investment limits and production capacity. In order to confer the proposed model’s larger practical content, a spreadsheet available to be downloaded has been implemented. Finally, the model dynamics is illustrated as a numerical example obtained from a real company.
Tongue-palate contact pressure, oral air pressure, and acoustics of clear speech.

PURPOSE The authors compared articulatory contact pressure (ACP), oral air pressure (Po), and speech acoustics for conversational versus clear speech. They also assessed the relationship of these measures to listener perception. METHOD Twelve adults with normal speech produced monosyllables in a phrase using conversational and clear speech. Target phonemes were /t, d, s, z, l, n/. ACP was measured at a point of articulatory contact; Po was sensed by a catheter open in the posterior oral cavity. RESULTS ACP was increased to a greater extent in clear speech for /t, d, z/. Po was increased to a greater extent for /t, d/. Acoustic changes also occurred in terms of segment durations, speaking rate, and CV dB ratio. Regression analysis indicated that segment duration was the strongest predictor of listener ratings of speech clarity, followed by an index of articulatory effort and speaking rate. CONCLUSION Articulatory effort, as indexed by ACP, Po, and CV dB ratio, was increased to varying degrees depending on the consonant. Greatest changes occurred for /t, d/. Durational measures at both the segment and the phrase level were also important for predicting listener ratings of speech clarity.
Quantitative analyses of neuronal development in the lateral motor column of mouse spinal cord. III. Generation and settling patterns of large and small neurons

The generation and settling patterns of large and small lateral motor column (LMC) neurons were compared in the spinal cords of three inbred strains of mice by means of tritiated thymidine autoradiography. No significant strain differences were observed for the number of large LMC cells (presumptive alpha motor neurons) that were heavily labeled on each injection day, although there were significant strain variations for this measure with regard to small LMC neurons (presumed gamma motor neurons and interneurons). The generation of both large and small LMC neurons began at the same time, but peak production of large cells preceded that of the small neurons. There were no strain differences observed for this relationship between the large and small cells. These findings indicate that the LMC, from the time of its initial formation contains cells destined to become large and small neurons. The positions of large and small neurons within the adult LMC relative to their times of origin (settling patterns) were analzyed statistically. A significant ventrodorsal sequence for early‐to‐late generated cells was observed for both large and small LMC neurons. No significant strain difference were found in the analysis of settling patterns. A ventrodorsal settling pattern also has been described for amphibia (Prestige, ′73) and, in conjunction with the proximodistal sequence of limb development describedby other investigators, the ventrodorsal sequence could play a key role in the development of motor neuronal somatotopic organization.
Escherichia coli shares T- and B-lymphocyte epitopes with Schistosoma mansoni.

BACKGROUND In this study, we tested the cross-reaction between crude Escherichia coli antigen (ECA) and 3 crude Schistosoma mansoni antigens. METHODOLOGY The schistosomal antigens used were cercarial antigen preparation (CAP), soluble worm antigen preparation (SWAP), and soluble egg antigen (SEA). Four groups each of 3 mice received 2 intraperotineal immunizations with the above-mentioned antigens at a two-week interval. The dose of the ECA was 20 microg/100 microl PBS/mouse and that of any of the used schistosomal antigens was 50 microg/100 microl PBS/mouse. IgM and IgG reactivities and cross-reactivities were tested in individual immunized mice sera (IMS) against the above-mentioned antigens by ELISA and Western blotting. The changes in the B, CD4+ and CD8+ -T cells' counts post immunization were recorded. RESULTS Priming with ECA caused significant increases in IgM (P<0.05) against CAP and SWAP, while both priming and boosting with ECA caused a significant elevation in the IgG only against SWAP. Priming and boosting with ECA or schistosomal antigens caused significant increases in IgM against ECA. Priming with ECA or SWAP caused significant elevation in IgG against ECA. In Western blotting, ECA-IMS recognized 16, 33, 38 and 94 kDa ECA peptides that cross-reacted with CAP-IMS. ECA peptides at 30 and 38 kDa cross-reacted among ECA, SWAP and SEA-IMS. CAP peptides at 40, 71, 85 and 97 kDa cross-reacted with ECA-IMS. A 59 kDa SWAP peptide cross-reacted with ECA. SEA peptides at approximately 55, 96 and 101 kDa cross-reacted with ECA-IMS. Immunization with ECA, CAP, SWAP or SEA caused significant increases in mesentric lymph nodes (MLN)-CD4+, CD8+ -T cells and MLN-B cells. For thymocytes, CD4+ -T cells significantly increased upon immunization with ECA and SWAP while CD8+-T cells significantly increased upon immunization with SWAP. CONCLUSION It is necessary to include E. coli antigens as controls while establishing schistosomal antigens-based diagnostic tests to ensure the specificity of the detected immune responses. Characterization of the cross-reactive ECA antigens with protective potential against S. mansoni infection remains a future research objective.
Insulin-induced hypoglycaemia increases colocalization of corticotrophin-releasing factor and arginine vasopressin mRNAs in the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus.

The regulation of ACTH secretion during stress is a multifactorial process that mainly involves two hypothalamic neurohormones: corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) and arginine vasopressin (AVP). In this report we measured, using semiquantitative in situ hybridization, the concentrations of CRF and AVP mRNA in hypophyseotrophic paraventricular parvocellular cell bodies of male rats after an acute (3-h) exposure to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. Insulin injection (2.5 IU/kg) induced a significant decrease in blood glucose levels and a strong increase in plasma ACTH concentrations. The concentration of CRF mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) was significantly increased after insulin-induced hypoglycaemia (150% of control levels), while the number of CRF mRNA-containing cell bodies was not changed. Double-labelling experiments demonstrated that the number of CRF mRNA-containing cell bodies that also contained AVP mRNA was doubled after insulin injection. These data demonstrate that the established increased colocalization of AVP immunoreactivity in nerve terminals immunoreactive for CRF after exposure to stress follows a pretranslational activation of AVP synthesis. Cell-by-cell analysis indicated that the mean CRF hybridization signal was increased in double-labelled cells (about 150% of control levels), suggesting that the increase in CRF gene expression occurs equally in the AVP-synthesizing and in the AVP-deficient CRF mRNA-containing cell bodies. The mean AVP hybridization signal in the double-labelled cells was decreased, suggesting that the amount of AVP mRNA was unchanged in the cell bodies that expressed both CRF and AVP in the basal state and that AVP mRNA levels in the cell bodies recruited after insulin-induced hypoglycaemia were below control values. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Isolation and characterization of the major serum albumin adduct formed by aflatoxin B1 in vivo in rats.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was shown to react primarily with one or more lysine residues in serum albumin (SA), accounting for more than half of the total binding to this protein. The radioactivity associated with SA following administration of [U-14C]AFB1 to rats was cleared with a half-life of 2.5 days, which is not significantly different from the half-life of unmodified albumin in the normal rat. The product isolated from a Pronase digest of in vivo-modified SA was identical by chromatographic retention time and u.v. and mass spectroscopy to the synthetic product obtained by the acylase-catalyzed deacetylation of the reaction product of N alpha-acetyl-L-lysine with 8,9-dihydro-8,9-dibromo-AFB1. The latter was characterized by u.v. , fluorescence, 500 MHz 1H-n.m. r. and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. The spectral data strongly support a structure in which the terminal dihydrofuran ring of AFB1 has been converted to a pyrrolinone ring. It is proposed that the initial adduct is formed by condensation of the dialdehyde tautomer of 8,9-dihydro-8,9-dihydroxy-AFB1, with the epsilon-amino group of lysine, to form a Schiff base, and that the Schiff base undergoes an Amadori rearrangement to an alpha-amino ketone. The pyrrolinone ring is formed by condensation of the amino group with the remaining aldehyde to yield the final product. The purified product was relatively stable but was shown to decompose significantly under the conditions used to isolate it from modified SA.
Does alcohol drinking have an influence on suicides in cancer sufferers? A population-based study of 1515 suicide victims.

BACKGROUND [corrected] We investigated whether alcohol drinking contributes to suicides in cancer sufferers when compared with non-cancer suicides. We also explored the suicide method used in cancer suicides. METHODS The population-based, prospectively collected data sample consisted of 1515 completed suicides committed in the province of Oulu, Finland, during the period 1988-99. Victims who suffered from cancer were compared with other suicides. RESULTS Cancer patients who committed suicide were significantly less commonly under the influence of alcohol than non-cancer suicide victims (84.8% vs 54.7%). Mental disorders were less prevalent among cancer patients than non-cancer patients. The cancer patients were significantly older and more often retired and a trend that a greater proportion of cancer suicide victims were male was noted. Shooting and poisoning were the most common suicide methods among cancer patients. CONCLUSION An early recognition and evaluation of the extent of the suicidal tendencies among cancer patients is of great importance in clinical oncology, since preventive interventions would be effective especially for those without comorbid alcoholism at the time of the suicide.