bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Anterior Thalamic Head-Direction Signal Is Abolished by Bilateral But Not Unilateral Lesions of the Lateral Mammillary Nucleus
Authors: Blair Hugh T. , Cho Jeiwon , Sharp Patricia E. 
Published: April 2018

Head-direction (HD) cells are neurons that signal a rat’s directional heading in the horizontal plane. Evidence suggests that the lateral mammillary nucleus (LMN) may play an important role in generating the HD signal. Here, we examined the role of LMN in the HD circuit by comparing the effects of unilateral and bilateral LMN lesions on the activity of HD cells in the anterodorsal thalamus (AD).HD cells were recorded from AD in freely behaving rats. In the middle of the recording session, the rat received either bilateral or unilateral lesions of LMN. Immediately after the lesion, we continued recording the same HD cell in AD that had been recorded before the lesion. Additional cells were recorded from lesioned animals for up to 3 weeks after the lesion.We found that bilateral lesions of LMN permanently abolish HD cells in AD. After bilateral lesions, AD exhibits unusual rhythmic oscillations and velocity-correlated spike activity. Unilateral lesions of LMN did not abolish HD cells in AD. After unilateral lesions, the firing properties of HD cells in AD become more similar to those of HD cells in the intact hemisphere of LMN. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding the role of LMN in the HD circuit.
Independent and Overlapping Effects of Corticosterone and Testosterone on Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone and Arginine Vasopressin mRNA Expression in the Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus and Stress-Induced Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Release
Authors: Viau Victor , Chu Alan , Soriano Liza , Dallman Mary F. 
Published: April 2018

Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) release is regulated by both glucocorticoids and androgens; however, the precise interactions are unclear. We have controlled circulating corticosterone (B) and testosterone (T) by adrenalectomy (ADX) ± B replacement and gonadectomy (GDX) ± T replacement, comparing these to sham-operated groups. We hoped to reveal how and where these neuroendocrine systems interact to affect resting and stress-induced ACTH secretion.ADX responses.In gonadal-intact rats, ADX increased corticotropin-releasing factor (CRH) and vasopressin (AVP) mRNA in hypothalamic parvocellular paraventricular nuclei (PVN) and ACTH in pituitary and plasma. B restored these toward normal. GDX blocked the increase in AVP but not CRH mRNA and reduced plasma, but not pituitary ACTH in ADX rats. GDX+T restored increased AVP mRNA in ADX rats, although plasma ACTH remained decreased.Stress responses.Restraint-induced ACTH responses were elevated in ADX gonadally intact rats, and B reduced these toward normal. GDX in adrenal-intact and ADX+B rats increased ACTH responses. Without B, T did not affect ACTH; together with B, T restored ACTH responses to normal. The magnitude of ACTH responses to stress was paralleled by similar effects on the number of c-fos staining neurons in the hypophysiotropic PVN.We conclude that gonadal regulation of ACTH responses to ADX is determined by T dependent effects on AVP biosynthesis, whereas CRH biosynthesis is B-dependent. Stress-induced ACTH release is not explained by B and T interactions at the PVN, but is determined by B- and T-dependent changes in drive to PVN motorneurons.
Trial-to-Trial Variability and State-Dependent Modulation of Auditory-Evoked Responses in Cortex
Authors: Kisley Michael A. , Gerstein George L. 
Published: April 2018

Recent experimental work has provided evidence that trial-to-trial variability of sensory-evoked responses in cortex can be explained as a linear superposition of random ongoing background activity and a stationary response. While studying single trial variability and state-dependent modulation of evoked responses in auditory cortex of ketamine/xylazine-anesthetized rats, we have observed an apparent violation of this model.Local field potential and unit spike trains were recorded and analyzed during different anesthesia depths—deep, medium, and light—which were defined by the pattern of ongoing cortical activity. Estimation of single trial evoked response was achieved by considering whole waveforms, rather than just one or two peak values from each wave. Principal components analysis was used to quantitatively classify waveforms on the basis of their time courses (i.e., shapes).We found that not only average response but also response variability is modulated by depth of anesthesia. Trial-to-trial variability is highest under medium levels of anesthesia, during which ongoing cortical activity exhibits rhythmic population bursting activity. By triggering the occurrence of stimuli from the spontaneously occurring burst events, we show that the observed variability can be accounted for by the background activity. In particular, the ongoing activity was found to modulate both amplitude and shape (including latency) of evoked local field potentials and evoked unit activity in a manner not predicted by linear superposition of background activity and a stereotyped evoked response. This breakdown of the linear model is likely attributable to rapid transitions between different levels of thalamocortical excitability (e.g., spike-wave discharges), although brain “state” is relatively fixed.
The Synaptic Properties of Cells Define the Hallmarks of Interval Timing in a Recurrent Neural Network
Authors: Pérez Oswaldo , Merchant Hugo 
Published: April 2018

Extensive research has described two key features of interval timing. The bias property is associated with accuracy and implies that time is overestimated for short intervals and underestimated for long intervals. The scalar property is linked to precision and states that the variability of interval estimates increases as a function of interval duration. The neural mechanisms behind these properties are not well understood. Here we implemented a recurrent neural network that mimics a cortical ensemble and includes cells that show paired-pulse facilitation and slow inhibitory synaptic currents. The network produces interval selective responses and reproduces both bias and scalar properties when a Bayesian decoder reads its activity. Notably, the interval-selectivity, timing accuracy, and precision of the network showed complex changes as a function of the decay time constants of the modeled synaptic properties and the level of background activity of the cells. These findings suggest that physiological values of the time constants for paired-pulse facilitation and GABAb, as well as the internal state of the network, determine the bias and scalar properties of interval timing.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTTiming is a fundamental element of complex behavior, including music and language. Temporal processing in a wide variety of contexts shows two primary features: time estimates exhibit a shift toward the mean (the bias property) and are more variable for longer intervals (the scalar property). We implemented a recurrent neural network that includes long-lasting synaptic currents, which cannot only produce interval-selective responses but also follow the bias and scalar properties. Interestingly, only physiological values of the time constants for paired-pulse facilitation and GABAb, as well as intermediate background activity within the network can reproduce the two key features of interval timing.
Modulation of Gq-Rho Signaling by the ERK MAPK Pathway Controls Locomotion in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Coleman Brantley , Topalidou Irini , Ailion Michael 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
The heterotrimeric G protein Gq regulates neuronal activity through distinct downstream effector pathways. In addition to the canonical Gq effector phospholipase Cβ, the small GTPase Rho was recently identified as a conserved effector of Gq. To identify additional molecules important for Gq signaling in neurons, we performed a forward genetic screen in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans for suppressors of the hyperactivity and exaggerated waveform of an activated Gq mutant. We isolated two mutations affecting the MAP kinase scaffold protein KSR-1 and found that KSR-1 modulates locomotion downstream of, or in parallel to, the Gq-Rho pathway. Through epistasis experiments, we found that the core ERK MAPK cascade is required for Gq-Rho regulation of locomotion, but that the canonical ERK activator LET-60/Ras may not be required. Through neuron-specific rescue experiments, we found that the ERK pathway functions in head acetylcholine neurons to control Gq-dependent locomotion. Additionally, expression of activated LIN-45/Raf in head acetylcholine neurons is sufficient to cause an exaggerated waveform phenotype and hypersensitivity to the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor aldicarb, similar to an activated Gq mutant. Taken together, our results suggest that the ERK MAPK pathway modulates the output of Gq-Rho signaling to control locomotion behavior in C. elegans.
Impact of lifestyle intervention on dry eye disease in office workers: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kawashima Motoko , Sano Kokoro , Takechi Sayuri , Tsubota Kazuo 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Objectives
To evaluate the effects of a 2month lifestyle intervention for dry eye disease in office workers.

Methods
Prospective interventional study (randomized controlled study) . Forty-one middle-aged Japanese office workers (men, 22; women, 19; 39.2±8.0 years) with definite and probable dry eye disease were enrolled and randomized to an intervention group (n = 22) and a control group (n = 19). The intervention aimed at modifying diet, increasing physical activity, and encouraging positive thinking. The primary outcome was change in dry eye disease diagnoses. Secondary outcome was change in disease parameters, including dry eye symptoms, as assessed using the Dry Eye-Related Quality of Life Score, corneal and conjunctival staining scores, tear break-up time, and Schirmer test results.

Results
A total of 36 participants (intervention group, 17; control group, 19) completed the study. The number of definite dry eye disease diagnoses decreased from four to none (p = .05), and the dry eye symptom score showed a significant decrease in the intervention group (p = .03). In contrast, the corneal and conjunctival staining scores, tear break-up time, and Schirmer test results did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusions
The 2-month lifestyle intervention employed in this study improved dry eye disease status among office workers, with a considerable decrease in subjective symptoms. Lifestyle intervention may be a promising management option for dry eye disease, although further investigation of long-term effects are required.
PEMBERDAYAAN PENGOLAH IKAN SKALA RUMAH TANGGA DI PROVINSI JAWA BARAT
Authors: Hudaya Yaya , Hubeis Aida Vitayala , Sugihen Basita , Fatchiya Anna 
Published: April 2018

Pemberdayaan pengolah ikan di Provinsi Jawa Barat dilakukan dengan tujuan untuk meningkatkan kesejahteraan pelaku usaha, menjamin keamanan pangan produk yang dihasilkan, dan ikut menjaga kelestarian sumber daya ikan yang ada. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis kinerja pemberdayaan pengolah ikan skala rumah tangga dan dampaknya di Provinsi Jawa Barat. Metode analisis menggunakan uji beda Man Whitney U. Hipotesis penelitian ini adalah ada perbedaan nyata proses pemberdayaan pengolah ikan dan dampaknya di pesisir utara Kabupaten Cirebon dan selatan Kabupaten Sukabumi, Provinsi Jawa Barat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan tidak ada perbedaan nyata proses pemberdayaan pengolah ikan dan dampaknya baik di pesisir utara Kabupaten Cirebon maupun di pesisir selatan Kabupaten Sukabumi. Kebijakan pemberdayaan pengolahan ikan skala rumah tangga di Provinsi Jawa Barat baik di pesisir utara maupun selatan tidak perlu dibedakan. Namun, intensitas pemberdayaan terutama penyuluhan perikanan, bantuan peralatan dan modal usaha perlu ditingkatkan lagi. Title: The Empowerment of Small Scale Fish Processorsin West Java Province Empowerment of fish processors in West Java Province was carried out in order to improve wellbeing of the fish processors, ensuring food security of the product, and maintaining sustainability of the fish resource. The purpose of this study was to analyze performance of the empowerment of small scale fish processors and its related impact in the West Java Province. The analytical method used different test Man Whitney U. Hypothesis of this research was that there was a significant difference between the process of fish processing empowerment and its related impact in the north coast of Cirebon District and in the south coast of Sukabumi district of West Java Province. The results indicated that there was no significant difference between the process of fish processing empowerment and its impact both in the north coast of Cirebon and in the south coast of Sukabumi. Hence, policy on empowerment small scale fish processing household in both north and south coast districts of West Java Province can be treated the same. However, the intensity of empowerment, especially in terms of fisheries extension, equipment and business capital assistance need to be improved.
In vitro study on antioxidant activity of methanolic leaf extract of Cassia fistula Linn.
Authors: Kamath Bindhu R. , Kizhedath Sabeena 
Published: April 2018

Background: The use of medicinal plants for maintaining good health is getting attention worldwide. Antioxidants play an important role to protect damage caused by oxidative stress. In the present study methanolic extracts of Cassia fistula was determined using DPPH for its antioxidant activity. Phytochemical investigation confirmed the presence of bioactive ingredients in the extract.Methods: The antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of Cassia fistula was evaluated using DPPH free radical assay. DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyine) free radical analysis is one of the accurate and frequently employed method for evaluating antioxidant activity.Results: The methanolic extracts showed increase in radical scavenging activity as concentration increases. The IC50 values were calculated for the methanolic extract. Ascorbic acid was used as control. Cassia fistula exhibited IC 50 of 79.42µg/ml.Conclusions: Scientific evidence suggests that antioxidants reduce the risk for chronic diseases including cancer and heart disease and infectious diseases. Further evaluation of pharmacological activities of Cassia fistula may prove useful in treatment of cancer and heart diseases.
Patterns and clinical presentation of Foreign Bodies in ENT among Sudanese Children in Khartoum state hospitals.
Authors: Nasir Rana Ahmed Abdelrahman , Ahmed Sharfi Abdelgadir Omer , Ibrahim Ibrahim Gaffar 
Published: April 2018

Abstract: -Background: Foreign bodies (FBs) in ENT are a common problem in Sudanese children and are associated with life threatening complications.Objectives: To study the patterns and presenting symptoms of children who are presented with foreign bodies Inhalation, Ingestion and insertion in the Nose and Ears.Methodology: This is a prospective hospital based descriptive study, conducted at Khartoum ENT Hospitals from March 2013 to January 2015.Result: 150 patients with foreign bodies were studied in Khartoum ENT Hospitals. The commonest age group between 3–6 years in 64% of patients. Male to Female ratio is1.3:1.F.Bs nose constituted higher percentage in (28%) of cases, F.Bs inhalations were presented in(24.7%), F.Bs ear were presented in (24.7%) and F.Bs ingestion were presented in (22.7%).Regarding the type of inhalations, peanut was presented in (56.8%) of cases and the commonest presenting symptoms was cough in (94%) of patients. Conclusion: Certain food items especially peanuts if given to children below the age of 2 years have to be given with caution and under close supervision. Bronchoscopy should always be considered in optimum conditions. Public health education is essential in order to prevent these avoidable problems.Key words: F.Bs , ENT ,Khartoum.
An 8-year retrospective review of gastrointestinal medical emergency conditions at a tertiary health facility in Nigeria
Authors: Oluwagbenga OGUNTOYE Oluwatosin , Musah YUSUF 
Published: April 2018

Background: Globally, gastrointestinal emergency conditions constitute a considerable proportion of the medical emergency cases seen in the emergency room.Objective: This study investigated the spectrum of gastrointestinal medical emergency conditions seen in the emergency room of Federal Teaching Hospital Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: The emergency room admission register was used to obtain the following information: Age, Sex, Diagnosis, Year of admission and the Outcome. The period under review was 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2016. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 21.0 software package.Results: A total number of 5,912 patients with medical emergency conditions were admitted into the emergency room during the period under review, out of which 813(13.7%) were gastrointestinal medical emergency conditions. The age range of the patients was 15 to 100years with a mean(±SD) of 47.32±18.938. Acute exacerbation of acid peptic disorders(29.3%) was the most common indication for emergency room admission followed by acute gastroenteritis(26.8%) and decompensated chronic liver disease(14.3%). Decompensated chronic liver disease and upper gastrointestinal bleeding were the conditions with the highest mortality being 31.8% and 29.5% respectively.Conclusion: Gastrointestinal medical conditions are common indications for emergency admission. Measures should be taken to avoid these preventable conditions in a bid to reduce their morbidity and mortality.
Association between serum uric acid and inflammation markers in ankylosing spondylitis patients treated with tumor necrosis factor-α or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Authors: Sargın Betül , Gürer Gülcan , Taşcı Bozbaş Gülnur , Öztürk Hakan 
Published: April 2018

Objectives: Uric acid has an important role in the production of various inflammatory
cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Although serum uric acid
levels in various rheumatic diseases have been performed the relationships
between serum uric acid levels with inflammatory markers and Bath Ankylosing
Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) scores in ankylosing spondylitis
patients treated with anti-TNF-α and nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) have not been described yet. The aim of this study was to compare the
relationships between serum uric acid levels, inflammatory markers and BASDAI
scores in ankylosing spondylitis patients treated anti-TNF-α and NSAIDs. Methods: A total of 132 ankylosing spondylitis patients fulfilling the 1984 Modified New
York Criteria who had serum uric acid, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and
C-reactive protein levels in medical records were included in this retrospective
cross-sectional study. Patients were divided in two groups (anti-TNF-α and
NSAIDs). Their files were examined in detail. Later demographic and laboratory
features were recorded to the research form. Results: Serum uric acid
levels were significantly lower in the anti-TNF-α group (mean: 4.9 mg/dL,
range: 4.10-5.45 mg/dL) than in the NSAIDs group (mean: 5.20 mg/dL, range
4.70-5.90 mg/dL) (p = 0.021). Also,
positive correlations were found between C-reactive protein (p = 0.003) and BASDAI (p = 0.009) with serum uric acid. Conclusions: According to this study, we can consider
that serum uric acid level could be used as an inflammatory laboratory marker,
such as C-reactive protein in ankylosing spondylitis patients. However, we
believe that more studies are needed about this research.
Tibetan Precious Pills as Therapeutics and Rejuvenating Longevity Tonics
Authors: Gerke Barbara 
Published: April 2018

Tibetan precious pills are frequently attributed with a variety of efficacies, from “magical” powers, prevention of poisoning and infectious diseases, protection from harmful spirits and exposure to diseases while travelling, to rejuvenating and prolonging life through clearing the senses and promoting strength and vigor. They are prescribed as strong medicines for severe diseases, but are also advertised as rejuvenating tonics for the healthy. This paper explores the rejuvenating qualities attributed to precious pills in terms of how they are currently advertised, how rejuvenation is and has been explained in Tibetan works on precious pills, and how Tibetan physicians understand these attributes. How do these domains interact and refer to each other?
I compare aspects of rejuvenation in precious pill formulas with contemporary presentations of precious pills online and on published leaflets given out to patients in India and elsewhere. In Tibetan medical texts certain precious pills that contain the complex and processed mercury-sulfide ash called tsotel in addition to a large variety of other medicinal substances are presented as “precious pills” or rinchen rilbu, and only some of those are said to have rejuvenating effects on the body; most are primarily prescribed for specific diseases. The practice of giving precious pills to the healthy emerges more prominently in eighteenth to nineteenth century manuals on administering precious pills (Czaja 2015), which parallels the establishment of influential medical and monastic networks that promoted the making of tsotel and precious pills. I argue that precious pills have more recently widened their specific therapeutic target beyond that of medicine into becoming popular pills for rejuvenation, even if they do not contain tsotel, as part of pharmaceutical commodification. I also show how presentations of precious pills as “rejuvenating” are deeply linked to their availability.
The Flame and the Breeze
Authors: Mukharji Projit Bihari 
Published: April 2018

This is a preliminary report on the longevity practices discussed in a Bengali Islamic Yogic text by Haji Muhammad called Nurjamal ba Suratnama written in the last decade of the sixteenth century. This and other similar texts were authored by Bengali literati in the kingdom of Roshang that encompassed at the time both the Arakan and eastern Bengal. I first present the unique cultural and political context in which these texts were produced. Next I discuss the particular text and its author. In doing this I also review the scant scholarship that exists on the material as well as advancing a different and parallel analytic strategy by which the texts might, in my view, be opened up to a broader range of inquiries. In the two subsequent sections I use the proposed strategy of 'figural history' to interrogate two different figures of 'life' that are found in the text under investigation. The entire discussion of longevity practices is organized around these figures of life and I suggest that they need to be explored more fully in their individuality. The conclusion pulls the strings together and reiterates the case for studying the longevity practices in this and other similar texts using figural history as an analytic strategy.