Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Apathy and disinhibition in frontotemporal dementia

Background: Aberrant social behavior is a defining symptom of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and may eventually occur in all syndromes composing the FTD spectrum. Two main behavioral abnormalities have been described: apathy and disinhibition, but their neuroanatomical correlates remain underspecified. Methods: Sixty-two patients with a clinical diagnosis of FTD participated in the study. Voxel-based morphometry of MRI data was performed to explore the association between gray matter loss and severity of the two behavioral profiles as measured by the Apathy and Disinhibition subscales of the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale. Results: Compared with a group of controls, the FTD group showed extensive bilateral atrophy predominantly involving frontal and temporal lobes. Within the FTD group, the severity of apathy correlated with atrophy in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The severity of disinhibition correlated with atrophy in the right nucleus accumbens, right superior temporal sulcus, and right mediotemporal limbic structures. Conclusions: Prefrontal and temporal regions are differentially associated with apathy and disinhibition. Our results support the view that successful execution of complex social behaviors relies on the integration of social knowledge and executive functions, represented in the prefrontal cortex, and reward attribution and emotional processing, represented in mesolimbic structures.
120- and 160-kDa Receptors for Endogenous Mitogenic Peptide, Phytosulfokine-α, in Rice Plasma Membranes*

Plant cells in culture secrete a sulfated peptide named phytosulfokine-α (PSK-α), and this peptide induces the cell division and/or cell differentiation by means of specific high and low affinity receptors. Putative receptor proteins for this autocrine type growth factor were identified by photoaffinity labeling of plasma membrane fractions derived from rice suspension cells. Incubation of membranes with a photoactivable 125I-labeled PSK-α analog, [N ε-(4-azidosalicyl)Lys5]PSK-α (AS-PSK-α), followed by UV irradiation resulted in specific labeling of 120- and 160-kDa bands in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The labeling of both bands was completely inhibited by unlabeled PSK-α and partially decreased by PSK-α analogs possessing moderate binding activities. In contrast, PSK-α analogs that have no biological activity showed no competition for125I-AS-PSK-α binding, confirming the specificity of binding proteins. Analysis of the affinity of 125I incorporation into the protein by ligand saturation experiments gave apparent K d values of 5.0 nm for the 120-kDa band and 5.4 nm for the 160-kDa band, suggesting that both proteins correspond to the high affinity binding site. Treatment of 125I-AS-PSK-α cross-linked proteins with peptide N-glycosidase F demonstrated that both proteins contained approximately 10 kDa of N-linked oligosaccharides. Specific cross-linking of 125I-AS-PSK-α was also observed by using plasma membranes derived from carrot and tobacco cells, indicating the widespread occurrence of the binding proteins. Together, these data suggest that the 120- and 160-kDa proteins are PSK-α receptors that mediate the biological activities of PSK-α.
Factors Associated With Being Pleased With a Female Partner Pregnancy Among Sexually Active U.S. Adolescent Males

Adolescent pregnancy remains a major U.S. public health problem. Little is known about pregnancy attitudes in U.S. adolescent males. The study objective was to identify factors from different domains that are associated with sexually active U.S. adolescent males who would be pleased with a female partner pregnancy (hereafter known as pleased with a pregnancy). The National Survey of Family Growth is a nationally representative survey of those 15 to 44 years old. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed of the 2002 and 2006-2010 cycles to examine factors associated with being pleased with a pregnancy among sexually active U.S. males. Among the 1,445 sexually active U.S. adolescent males surveyed, 25% would be pleased with a pregnancy. In bivariate analyses, ever being suspended from school, having sporadic health insurance, age, and ever HIV tested were significantly associated with being pleased with a pregnancy. In final multivariable analyses, sporadic insurance was associated with almost triple the odds, and being older and ever HIV tested with double the odds of being pleased with a pregnancy. Higher educational attainment for both adolescent males and adolescent males’ fathers was associated with reduced odds of a being pleased with a pregnancy. One quarter of sexually active U.S. adolescent males would be pleased with a pregnancy. Adolescent males who have been sporadically insured, are older, and ever HIV tested have higher odds of being pleased with a pregnancy. Targeting these adolescent males for more focused pregnancy-prevention counseling may prove useful in reducing adolescent pregnancy rates.
The GMRT EoR Experiment: Limits on Polarized Sky Brightness at 150 MHz

The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) reionization effort aims to map out the large-scale structure of the Universe during the epoch of reionization (EoR). Removal of polarized Galactic emission is a difficult part of any 21 cm EoR programme, and we present new upper limits to diffuse polarized foregrounds at 150 MHz. We find no high-significance evidence of polarized emission in our observed field at mid-galactic latitude (J2000 08^(h)26^(m)+26). We find an upper limit on the two-dimensional angular power spectrum of diffuse polarized foregrounds of (l^(2)C_l/2π)^(1/2) 0.03 h Mpc^(−1), k < 0.1 h Mpc^(−1). This can be compared to the expected EoR signal in total intensity of [k^(3)P(k)/2π^2]^(1/2) ~ 10 mK . We find that polarized structure is substantially weaker than suggested by extrapolation from higher frequency observations, so the new low upper limits reported here reduce the anticipated impact of these foregrounds on EoR experiments. We discuss the Faraday beam and depth depolarization models and compare predictions of these models to our data. We report on a new technique for polarization calibration using pulsars, as well as a new technique to remove broad-band radio frequency interference. Our data indicate that, on the edges of the main beam at the GMRT, polarization squint creates ~3 per cent leakage of unpolarized power into polarized maps at zero rotation measure. Ionospheric rotation was largely stable during these solar minimum nighttime observations.
How to manage a patient with glaucoma in Africa.

How to manage a patient with glaucoma in Africa? The simple answer is: having made the diagnosis by optic disc assessment and intraocular pressure measurements (visual field tests are usually unavailable and unnecessary), perform trabeculectomy surgery using a technique broadly similar to that described by Ian Murdoch in this issue. This article discusses the reasons for this relatively universal management principle. The focus of this article is primary open-angle glaucoma, which affects the large majority of glaucoma patients across the continent. Some brief principles concerning management of other types of glaucoma in Africa are included at the end.
Design and analysis of current controllers with active damped LCL filter for three-phase grid connected solar PV system

This paper discusses three types of current controllers with an active damped inductor-capacitor-inductor (LCL) filter for grid connected solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Grid current is considered as the feedback variable in the first controller. The filter capacitor is divided into two parts and the current between the split capacitor is considered in the feedback to actively damp the resonance peak and regulates the current being injected into the grid. Proportional-integral (PI) and proportional-resonant (PR) controllers are used along with the feedback of the split capacitor current and these are considered as a second and third type of current controllers. The small signal model (SSM) of the three-phase voltage source inverter (VSI) with LCL filter of the system is derived and each type of current controller is separately analyzed and discussed in steady state and also in the transient conditions. The workability and stability of the controllers are analyzed by using Bode diagrams. The proposed controllers are numerically simulated using MATLAB/Simulink and obtained results of the current controllers are analyzed and compared.
CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS REQUIREMENTS OF BROILER CHICKENS.

Abstract AFTER more than 35 years of investigation, there is considerable disagreement in the literature as to the levels of calcium and phosphorus required for optimum performance of growing chickens. A review of the more pertinent literature by Lillie et al. (1964) indicates that the range of discordant values is being narrowed to some extent and that the calcium level recommended by the National Research Council is higher than that which many investigators found to be adequate for optimum growth. The majority of the recent investigations (Formica et al., 1961, 1962; Vanderpopuliere, 1961; Waldroup et al. 1962a, b; Simco and Stephenson, 1961; Lillie et al., 1964) have been aimed at refinement of the requirement of the growing chick in the light of current nutritional knowledge. Such was the motive for the experiment reported herein. EXPERIMENTAL A 5×4×2 factorial arrangement was employed in the design of the experiment. The three-factor design included…
Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Methamphetamine-Induced Drug Dependence and Neurotoxicity

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a proinflammatory cytokine, is now emerging as an important modulator of the function of the CNS. Methamphetamine (METH) is a widely abused psychostimulant that causes euphoria, hyperactivity, and drug dependence. High doses of METH cause long-term neurotoxicity in dopaminergic neurons. In this study, we investigated a role of TNF-α in METH-induced dependence and neurotoxicity. Repeated treatment with METH (2 mg/kg for 5 d) in rats induced a significant increase in TNF-α mRNA and protein expression in the brain. Exogenous TNF-α (1-4 μg) blocked locomotor-stimulating and rewarding effects of METH, as well as METH (4 mg/kg; four times at 2 hr intervals)-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity in mice. To examine a role of endogenous TNF-α in behavioral and neurochemical effects of METH, we used mice with targeted deletions of the TNF-α gene. TNF-α-(-/-) mice showed enhanced responses to the locomotor-sensitizing, rewarding, and neurotoxic effects of METH compared with wild-type mice. We also examined the role of TNF-α in METH-induced dopamine (DA) release and uptake in vitro and in vivo in C57BL/6 mice. Exogenous TNF-α (4 μg) attenuated the METH-induced increase in extracellular striatal DA in vivo and potentiated striatal DA uptake into synaptosomes in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, TNF-α activated vesicular DA uptake by itself and diminished the METH-induced decrease in vesicular DA uptake. Our findings suggest that TNF-α plays a neuroprotective role in METH-induced drug dependence and neurotoxicity by activating plasmalemmal and vesicular DA transporter as well as inhibiting METH-induced increase in extracellular DA levels.
Aging in Esherichia coli: signals in the noise

Sir, The article by Conrad Woldringh in the last issue concerning aging in Escherichia coli raises an important point, namely that the apparently large variability in the physical parameters of growing bacterial cellsmakes it difficult to detect small, systematic differences. We find that old pole cells (whichwedefined as the parent cells) growabout 2%slower, on average, than new pole cells (offspring cells), within a population of cells where the coefficient of variation of the observed growth rate is approximately 12%. Woldringh points out in figure 2 of his review that, given previously reported coefficients of variation in time to divide and length at division (20% and 10% respectively), growth rate differences of a few per cent can result in cell division events that occur within an expected ‘‘division window’’ defined by these variances. From this, the author concludes that it is not evident that aging occurs in these cells. This conclusion, however, overlooks two critical factors. First, by analyzing a large number of cell divisions (about 35000), we were able to show that the old pole cells are statistically significantly biased (P< 0.00001) toward a shorter division length and a longer division time compared to the actual population distribution. Second, these old pole cells cumulatively grow more slowly (Fig. 3 of Ref. 2), divide at shorter lengths, and take longer to divide as they continue to reproduce. This is clearly not a sustainable situation for the cell; even if the division times and lengths happen to fall within a particular window of distributions, the cell is continually getting slower and shorter at each consecutive old pole division. In summary, it is a logical fallacy to conclude that, because certain values fall within a window of variability, there is no signal present. If this were the case, epidemiologists, for example, would not be able to identify the risk factors for disease among the enormous variability of the human population. The fact that the physical parameters that we have observed are consistently biased compared to the overall population reveals that there is a signal hidden within the apparent noise. This is perhapsmost intuitively revealed in the lineage shown in Fig. 2 of Ref. 2, where the small effects on growth rate result in an easily visible pattern of slowly growing old pole cells. Based on the results summarized here and described in Ref. 2, we conclude that E. coli is indeed aging. As Woldringh noted, it is difficult to imagine a priori the mechanisms that might be responsible for this; however, our ongoing research has enabled us to preliminarily identify one such process, which we are in the process of verifying and quantifying.
Cell sheet engineering for regenerative medicine: Current challenges and strategies

Substantial progress made in the areas of stem cell research and regenerative medicine has provided a number of innovative methods to repair or regenerate defective tissues and organs. Although previous studies regarding regenerative medicine, especially those involving induced pluripotent stem cells, have been actively promoted in the past decade, there remain some challenges that need to be addressed in order to enable clinical applications. Designed for use in clinical applications, cell sheet engineering has been developed as a unique, scaffold‐free method of cell processing utilizing temperature‐responsive cell culture vessels. Clinical studies using cell sheets have shown positive outcomes and will be translated into clinical practice in the near future. However, several challenges stand in the way of the industrialization of cell sheet products and the widespread acceptance of regenerative medicine based on cell sheet engineering. This review describes current strategies geared towards the realization of the regenerative medicine approach.
Hormonally modulated migraine is associated with single-nucleotide polymorphisms within genes involved in dopamine metabolism

Migraine is a complex trait in which multiple genetic loci, as well as environmental factors, likely contribute to its clinical manifestation. Many genetic associations reported in previous studies either have not been replicated to date or showed only marginal statistical significance, possibly due to the genetic heterogeneity of the common forms of migraine. One major phenotypic and possibly genetically identifiable migraine subgroup consists of women whose attacks are influenced by fluctuation in gonadal hormones. We hypothesized that for these women, the association between migraine attacks and the menstrual cycle might be attributable to an increased prevalence of genetic polymorphisms in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. We selected 21 such polymerphisms previously reported to be associated with the common forms of migraine and genotyped 1740 individuals (1132 migraineurs) to determine whether any of these selected polymorphisms occurred more frequently in females with hormonally modulated migraine. We were able to confirm the association of migraine with 3 genetic polymorphisms seen in previous studies (rs4680 [COMT], rs2283265 [DRD2], and rs7131056 [DRD2]). Interestingly, we found 2 additional genetic polymorphisms (rs2070762 [TH] and rs6356 [TH]) to be associated with migraine when defining the phenotype as hormonally modulated migraine.
Nucleotide-amino acid interactions in the L-His-IMP.MeOH.H(2)O complex.

In the crystal structure of the methanol-solvated monohydrated complex of L-histidine (His) with inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP), namely L-histidinium inosine-5'-phosphate methanol solvate monohydrate, C(6)H(10)N(3)O(2)(+). C(10)H(12)N(4)O(8)P(-). CH(3)OH.H(2)O, most of the interactions between IMP anions (anti/C3'-endo/gauche-gauche conformers) are realized between the riboses and hypoxanthine bases in a trans sugar-edge/sugar-edge geometry, and between the phosphate groups. The base Watson-Crick edge is involved in additional methanol-mediated IMP.MeOH. IMP contacts. Specific and nonspecific nucleotide-amino acid (IMP.His) interactions engage the Hoogsteen edges of the base and phosphate group, respectively. Additional stabilization of His.IMP contacts is provided by pi-pi stacking between the imidazolium ring of His and the hypoxanthine base of IMP. The results may indicate the possible recognition mechanism between His and IMP.
A Metrology Application of Reverberation Chambers: The Current Probe Calibration

This paper presents how it is possible to characterize a current probe in terms of its transfer impedance inside a reverberation chamber. The probe catches a floating wire placed inside the working volume of the chamber. The current on the wire is calculated from the knowledge of the total measured average field along the wire in the working volume. The current is calculated by representing the field in terms of a summation of random plane waves, where a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) code is used to compute the current induced by each plane wave along the wire caught by the probe under test. Results for the current distribution along the wire are reported for several frequencies. Finally, the transfer impedance of commercial probes is recovered from the knowledge of the current and compared to the values given by the manufacturers and by an external laboratory
Quantitative aspects of influenza virus multiplication.

Inoculation of large quantities of influenza virus into the allantoic cavity of embryonated hens' eggs has been shown to result in the production of “incomplete” haemagglutinating virus, which is incapable of further multiplication (1, 2) and which is smaller than the normal infective particle (3, 4). The work reported in this paper was undertaken to find out how many virus particles have to be taken up by a cell to result in the liberation of “incomplete” virus. Theoretical. The provisional hypothesis was adopted that the average yield of virus per cell is not related to the number of infective particles taken up by that cell until a critical number is reached beyond which there is complete suppression of yield. Since the production of “incomplete” virus occurs with large inocula, the critical number of infecting particles which suppresses haemagglutinin production must be greater than the number which suppresses the production of infective virus.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis in pasteurized milk.

SIR,-Scarcely a day passes without news of another drug haul from a chemist's shop. Thousands of tablets are stolen, and the majority are probably amphetamines. A glance at the Proprietary Drug Lists will show there are at least twenty-two preparations containing amphetamine alone or in combination with other drugs. Many are virtually identical and some preparations appear both as central nervous system stimulants and sedatives and tranquillizers. The chemist is obliged to keep a fairly large stock in order to meet all requirements. It is not necessary to reiterate the undesirability of these drugs being self-administered nor the consequent dangers of addiction, of toxic effects, and of antisocial behaviour, and yet the illegal use of amphetamines is increasing and constitutes a serious problem, and the stocks available in the chemists are one important source of supply. How much do we contribute to this problem by continuing to prescribe the drug when its use is unnecessary or outdated ? It is my belief that all these preparations could be scrapped with very little loss to the medical armamentarium. For mild depression there is now a very good range of antidepressants, more effective than temporary mood elevation, which is the way amphetamines work. For obesity there is a series of appetite suppressants claimed not to have central stimulating action, and for those patients who demand a tonic a pep talk might be more useful and certainly less potentially harmful than a pep pill (assuming, of course, there is no physical cause for debility). My experience in general practice convinced me there were far too many women habituated, if not actually addicted, to amphetamines ostensibly for the treatment of obesity. As a psychiatrist I have found it possible to avoid medication with amphetamine, except for abreaction purposes and the occasional rare case of narcolepsy. If we all tried to cut down our use of these drugs as much as possible smaller stocks would be needed, and one source of supply would be reduced. -I am, etc.,
How do people with intellectual disabilities and diabetes experience and perceive their illness?

INTRODUCTION Diabetes is a significant health problem amongst people with intellectual disabilities, yet there is a lack of qualitative literature looking specifically at their experiences and perceptions of living with this chronic illness. METHOD Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, this study explored the experiences and perceptions of four people with intellectual disabilities and diabetes. RESULTS Results showed that participants demonstrated some knowledge of the language surrounding diabetes, but considerable confusion and uncertainty about their illness. The impact of diabetes was described in terms of physical, emotional and social consequences, and participants spoke of diabetes in the context of co-existing health problems. CONCLUSIONS People with intellectual disabilities and diabetes face many challenges when perceiving and coping with their illness. Gaining insight into these challenges could help health professionals work together more effectively and provide appropriate support to people with intellectual disabilities and diabetes.