Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrical activity controls area-specific expression of neuronal apoptosis in the mouse developing cerebral cortex

Programmed cell death widely but heterogeneously affects the developing brain, causing the loss of up to 50% of neurons in rodents. However, whether this heterogeneity originates from neuronal identity and/or network-dependent processes is unknown. Here, we report that the primary motor cortex (M1) and primary somatosensory cortex (S1), two adjacent but functionally distinct areas, display striking differences in density of apoptotic neurons during the early postnatal period. These differences in rate of apoptosis negatively correlate with region-dependent levels of activity. Disrupting this activity either pharmacologically or by electrical stimulation alters the spatial pattern of apoptosis and sensory deprivation leads to exacerbated amounts of apoptotic neurons in the corresponding functional area of the neocortex. Thus, our data demonstrate that spontaneous and periphery-driven activity patterns are important for the structural and functional maturation of the neocortex by refining the final number of cortical neurons in a region-dependent manner.
Empowering the poor: A field study of the social psychological consequences of receiving autonomy or dependency aid in Panama

This field study investigated the consequences of receiving poverty aid through conditional transfer programmes in the form of autonomy‐oriented help (i.e., cash) or dependency‐oriented help (i.e., vouchers) in impoverished rural communities in Panama. The empowering effects of autonomy‐ (vs. dependency‐) help have so far only been studied in laboratory settings, or in settings where help could easily be refused. Little is known about the reactions of people who rely on help for extended periods of time. This study provides insights into how aid recipients are influenced by the type of aid they receive. Results showed that, as expected, recipients of cash reported more autonomy, empowerment, and life improvements than recipients of vouchers. Training, another type of autonomy‐oriented help, was positively related to empowerment, personal, and family change beliefs. These findings illustrate the benefits of autonomy‐oriented help programmes in empowering people from extremely poor communities around the world, who rely on aid for extended periods of time.
Hepatitis C viremia and genotype distribution among a sample of nonmedical prescription drug users exposed to HCV in rural Appalachia

Research has demonstrated that hepatitis C (HCV) genotype distribution varies geographically and demographically. This exploratory study examines HCV viremia, viral concentration, and genotype distribution among anti‐HCV positive, rural Appalachian nonmedical prescription drug users. The study population was randomly selected from a pool of 200 anti‐HCV positive participants in a longitudinal study. Those randomly chosen were representative of the overall pool in terms of demographics, drug use, and other risk behaviors. Participants were tested serologically for HCV RNA, viral concentration, and genotype, and interview‐administered questionnaires examined behavioral and demographic characteristics. Of the 81 participants, 69% tested RNA positive, 59% of which had viral loads exceeding 800,000 IU/ml. Approximately 66% of the RNA positive sample had genotype 1a; types 2b (16%) and 3a (13%) were less common. RNA positive participants were not significantly different than RNA negative participants demographically or behaviorally. Likewise, with the exception of education, genotype 1 participants were not significantly different than those with genotype 2 or 3. The prevalence of active HCV infection highlights a need for prevention and treatment in this population. However, the predominance of genotype 1 may present challenges due to its association with decreased responsiveness to drug treatment, although the novel class of direct‐acting antivirals such as telaprevir and boceprevir offer new hope in this regard. The prevalence of genotype 1 may also foreshadow heightened burden of hepatocellular carcinoma and elevated healthcare expenditures. More research is needed to characterize HCV infection and genotype in this population. J. Med. Virol. 84:1376–1387, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CD4-Transgenic Zebrafish Reveal Tissue-Resident Th2- and Regulatory T Cell–like Populations and Diverse Mononuclear Phagocytes

CD4+ T cells are at the nexus of the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. However, little is known about the evolutionary history of CD4+ T cells, and it is unclear whether their differentiation into specialized subsets is conserved in early vertebrates. In this study, we have created transgenic zebrafish with vibrantly labeled CD4+ cells allowing us to scrutinize the development and specialization of teleost CD4+ leukocytes in vivo. We provide further evidence that CD4+ macrophages have an ancient origin and had already emerged in bony fish. We demonstrate the utility of this zebrafish resource for interrogating the complex behavior of immune cells at cellular resolution by the imaging of intimate contacts between teleost CD4+ T cells and mononuclear phagocytes. Most importantly, we reveal the conserved subspecialization of teleost CD4+ T cells in vivo. We demonstrate that the ancient and specialized tissues of the gills contain a resident population of il-4/13b–expressing Th2-like cells, which do not coexpress il-4/13a. Additionally, we identify a contrasting population of regulatory T cell–like cells resident in the zebrafish gut mucosa, in marked similarity to that found in the intestine of mammals. Finally, we show that, as in mammals, zebrafish CD4+ T cells will infiltrate melanoma tumors and obtain a phenotype consistent with a type 2 immune microenvironment. We anticipate that this unique resource will prove invaluable for future investigation of T cell function in biomedical research, the development of vaccination and health management in aquaculture, and for further research into the evolution of adaptive immunity.
Cytotoxic T Cells and Granzyme B Associated with Improved Colorectal Cancer Survival in a Prospective Cohort of Older Women

Background: Host immune response may predict the course of colorectal cancer. We examined the survival of 468 colorectal cancer patients associated with two tumor-infiltrating immune biomarkers, the number of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and the activated CTLs, as reflected by the number of cells expressing granzyme B (GZMB) in the prospective Iowa Women's Health Study. Methods: Using paraffin-embedded tissue samples, we constructed and immunostained tumor microarrays with CD8 (for CTL) and GZMB antibodies. We scored CTL and GZMB densities in tumor epithelial and stromal tissues and also created a composite score for each biomarker (sum of the scores across tissue compartments). Cox regression estimated the HR and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all-cause and colorectal cancer–specific death associated with each composite score. Results: CTL and GZMB composite scores were positively correlated (r = 0.65) and each biomarker was inversely correlated with stage at diagnosis. Both composite scores were higher in proximal colon tumors and tumors characterized by MSI-high, CIMP-high, or BRAF mutation status. HRs (95% CI) were 0.53 (0.38–0.75; Ptrend = 0.0004) and 0.66 (0.51–0.86; Ptrend = 0.002) for all-cause death, respectively, and 0.30 (0.18–0.51; Ptrend < 0.0001) and 0.41 (0.27–0.63; Ptrend < 0.0001) for colorectal cancer–related death, respectively. Including CTL and GZMB scores simultaneously in the model significantly improved the predictive performance of the models for all-cause and colorectal cancer–related death. Conclusions: Higher tumor infiltration with CTL and GZMB cells is associated with improved all-cause and cancer-specific survival of colorectal cancer patients. Impact: Both the number of CTLs and GZMB appear to be useful prognostic factors in colorectal cancer, irrespective of stage. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(4); 622–31. ©2016 AACR.
Decoration of Cotton Fibers with a Water-Stable Metal–Organic Framework (UiO-66) for the Decomposition and Enhanced Adsorption of Micropollutants in Water

We report on the successful functionalization of cotton fabrics with a water-stable metal–organic framework (MOF), UiO-66, under mild solvothermal conditions (80 °C) and its ability to adsorb and degrade water micropollutants. The functionalized cotton samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). UiO-66 crystals grew in a uniform and conformal manner over the surface of the cotton fibers. The cotton fabrics functionalized with UiO-66 frameworks exhibited an enhanced uptake capacity for methylchlorophenoxypropionic acid (MCPP), a commonly used herbicide. The functionalized fabrics also showed photocatalytic activity, demonstrated by the degradation of acetaminophen, a common pharmaceutical compound, under simulated sunlight irradiation. These results indicate that UiO-66 can be supported on textile substrates for filtration and photocatalytic purposes and that these substrates can find applications in wastewater decontamination and micropollutant degradation.
Serum Trimethylamine N-oxide, Carnitine, Choline, and Betaine in Relation to Colorectal Cancer Risk in the Alpha Tocopherol, Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention Study

Background: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a choline-derived metabolite produced by gut microbiota, and its biomarker precursors have not been adequately evaluated in relation to colorectal cancer risk. Methods: We investigated the relationship between serum concentrations of TMAO and its biomarker precursors (choline, carnitine, and betaine) and incident colorectal cancer risk in a nested case–control study of male smokers in the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study. We measured biomarker concentrations in baseline fasting serum samples from 644 incident colorectal cancer cases and 644 controls using LC/MS-MS. Logistic regression models estimated the ORs and 95% confidence interval (CI) for colorectal cancer by quartile (Q) of serum TMAO, choline, carnitine, and betaine concentrations. Results: Men with higher serum choline at ATBC baseline had approximately 3-fold greater risk of developing colorectal cancer over the ensuing (median ± IQR) 14 ± 10 years (in fully adjusted models, Q4 vs. Q1, OR, 3.22; 95% CI, 2.24–4.61; Ptrend < 0.0001). The prognostic value of serum choline for prediction of incident colorectal cancer was similarly robust for proximal, distal, and rectal colon cancers (all P < 0.0001). The association between serum TMAO, carnitine, or betaine and colorectal cancer risk was not statistically significant (P = 0.25, 0.71, and 0.61, respectively). Conclusions: Higher serum choline concentration (but not TMAO, carnitine, or betaine) was associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer. Impact: Serum choline levels showed strong prognostic value for prediction of incident colorectal cancer risk across all anatomical subsites, suggesting a role of altered choline metabolism in colorectal cancer pathogenesis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(6); 945–52. ©2017 AACR.
Ultra-high aspect ratio copper nanowires as transparent conductive electrodes for dye sensitized solar cells

We report the synthesis of ultra-high aspect ratio copper nanowires (CuNW) and fabrication of CuNW-based transparent conductive electrodes (TCE) with high optical transmittance (>80%) and excellent sheet resistance (Rs <30 Ω/sq). These CuNW TCEs are subsequently hybridized with aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) thin-film coatings, or platinum thin film coatings, or nickel thin-film coatings. Our hybrid transparent electrodes can replace indium tin oxide (ITO) films in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) as either anodes or cathodes. We highlight the challenges of integrating bare CuNWs into DSSCs, and demonstrate that hybridization renders the solar cell integrations feasible. The CuNW/AZO-based DSSCs have reasonably good open-circuit voltage (Voc = 720 mV) and short-circuit current-density (Jsc = 0.96 mA/cm2), which are comparable to what is obtained with an ITO-based DSSC fabricated with a similar process. Our CuNW-Ni based DSSCs exhibit a good open-circuit voltage (Voc = 782 mV) and a decent short-circuit current (Jsc = 3.96 mA/cm2), with roughly 1.5% optical-to-electrical conversion efficiency.
A Programmed Cell Death‐1 Haplotype is Associated with Clearance of Hepatitis B Virus

Purpose. Programmed cell death 1 (PD‐1) is an important immune checkpoint of T cells response and plays a critical role in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between PD‐1 polymorphisms and susceptibility and disease progression of chronic HBV infection. Methods. In this case‐control study, 299 cases with chronic HBV infection comprised of 99 asymptomatic carriers (ASCs), 96 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and 104 patients with HBV‐related acute on chronic liver failure (HBV‐ACLF) were enrolled. A total of 82 spontaneously recovered subjects were enrolled as controls. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of PD‐1, including PD‐1.1, PD‐1.5, and PD‐1.9 were analyzed by Sequenom MassARRAY system. Results. The frequency of PD1.1 AA genotype was found to be significantly higher in the chronic HBV infection group compared with spontaneously recovered group (27.1% vs. 18.3%, P=0.049), and the frequency of PD‐1.5 TT genotype and allele T were both significantly lower in chronic HBV infection group compared with spontaneously recovered group (genotype: 4.7% vs. 9.8%, P=0.04; allele: 22.1% vs. 30.5%, P=0.025). The frequency of haplotype GTC (PD‐1.1 G, PD‐1.5 T, PD‐1.9 C) was significantly lower in patients with chronic HBV infection compared with spontaneous recovery cases (P=0.026). No significant differences were found in the genotype distributions of the three SNPs among the different clinical types of chronic HBV infection (P>0.53). Conclusions. Our results suggest that PD1 polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to chronic HBV infection in the Chinese population. Future studies with larger sample sizes and different ethnic populations are required to validate our findings.
Safety First: Instrumentality for Reaching Safety Determines Attention Allocation Under Threat

Theories of attention to emotional information suggest that attentional processes prioritize threatening information. In this article, we suggest that attention will prioritize the events that are most instrumental to a goal in any given context, which in threatening situations is typically reaching safety. To test our hypotheses, we used an attentional cueing paradigm that contained cues signaling imminent threat (i.e., aversive noises) as well as cues that allowed participants to avoid threat (instrumental safety signals). Correct reactions to instrumental safety signals seemingly allowed participants to lower the presentation rate of the threat. Experiment 1 demonstrates that attention prioritizes instrumental safety signals over threat signals. Experiment 2 replicates this finding and additionally compares instrumental safety signals to other action-relevant signals controlling for action relevance as cause of the effects. Experiment 3 demonstrates that when actions toward threat signals permit to avoid threat, attention prioritizes threat signals. Taken together, these results support the view that instrumentality for reaching safety determines the allocation of attention under threat.
Intake of dietary fibre and lifetime non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and the incidence of colorectal polyps in a population screened for colorectal cancer

Background There is suggestive evidence that increased intake of dietary fibre and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are generally associated with decreased colorectal cancer risk. However, the effects on precursors of colorectal cancer, such as adenomatous polyps, are mixed. We present the associations between dietary fibre intake and NSAID use on the presence and type of colorectal polyps in a screening population. Methods A cross-sectional study of 2548 individuals undergoing colonoscopy at the Forzani & MacPhail Colon Cancer Screening Centre (Calgary, Canada) was conducted. Dietary fibre intake and NSAID use were assessed using the Diet History Questionnaire I or II and the Health and Lifestyle Questionnaire. Colorectal outcomes were documented as a polyp or high-risk adenomatous polyp (HRAP; villous histology, high-grade dysplasia, ≥10 mm or ≥3 adenomas). Crude and ORs and 95% CIs were estimated using unconditional logistic regression. Results There were 1450 negative colonoscopies and 1098 patients with polyps, of which 189 patients had HRAPs. Total dietary fibre intake was associated with a decreased presence of HRAPs (OR=0.50, 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.86) when comparing the highest to lowest quartiles and was observed with both soluble (OR=0.51, 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.88) and insoluble (OR=0.51, 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.86) fibres. Ever use of NSAIDs was also inversely associated with HRAPs (OR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.47 to 0.89), observed with monthly (OR=0.60, 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.95) and daily (OR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.32 to 0.86) use. Conclusions Dietary fibre intake and NSAID use were associated with a decreased risk of having a HRAP at screening.
HYDRATION AND HARDENING OF CLASS G OILWELL CEMENT WITH AND WITHOUT SILICA SANDS UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES

The effects of temperature and silica sands on the hydration and hardening of Class G oilwell cement were studied for a temperature range of 80–240℃ by using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.The hydration products,microstructure and compressive strength of the hardening cement paste were tested and analyzed.The varying characteristics of composition and microstructure of hydration products and compressive strength of hardened paste were revealed.The major products of a clean cement slurry(without silica sands)changes from CSH(Ⅱ),C2SH2,C3S2H3 to dicalcium silicate hydrate(C2SH)when the temperature exceeds 110℃,while the microstructure of hardened paste changes from a three-dimensional fiber network to a blank-block or mass block for different curing temperature conditions.Also,the compressive strength of the hardened paste decreases with the increase of curing temperature.The major products of cement slurry with silica sands changes into C5S6H5,C6S6H(150℃),C5S5A0.5H5. 5, C3.2S2H0. 8 or other kinds of calcium silicate hydrate at high curing temperatures,while the microstructures are transformed into a fiber network,rough frame network,short-parallel-needle fiber or mass block structure.The compressive strength increases with the increase of temperature in the range of 100–150℃,but it decreases with the increase of temperature in the range of 150–240℃. For oilwell temperature exceeding 120℃,the optimal amount of silica sands to add to cement slurry to enhance the strength of hardened paste is determined to be 30%–40%.
The Morphological Power of Soap: How Surfactants Lower the Sheet Resistance of PEDOT:PSS by Strong Impact on Inner Film Structure and Molecular Interface Orientation

In the rapid development of organic electronics, there is a strong need for highly conductive and transparent electrode (TE) materials to act as charge transport layers. In this context, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is a highly promising candidate, because it can act directly as TE. This makes the use of brittle, rare, and expensive indium tin oxide electrodes dispensable. Modification of the inner film morphology, e.g., by solvent additives can dramatically reduce the sheet resistance of PEDOT:PSS. In this work, it is investigated how the (fluoro)surfactant Zonyl and the co‐solvent ethylene glycol influence the electrical and optical properties of the film, namely, the sheet resistance, the transmission, and the figure of merit for TEs. The electronic characteristics are then related to the morphological changes investigated with grazing incidence small angle X‐ray scattering (GISAXS) and polarized resonant soft X‐ray scattering (P‐SoXS). Using GISAXS, structure evolutions are related to sheet resistances and device characteristics in organic solar cells. Further, the influence of (fluoro)surfactant on the phase separation and relative molecular orientation at polymer interfaces is investigated utilizing P‐SoXS. Transparent PEDOT:PSS films with low sheet resistance are essential for market introduction and mark the next milestone for the success of future organic electronic materials.
Comparison of an anthropomorphic PRESAGE® dosimeter and radiochromic film with a commercial radiation treatment planning system for breast IMRT: a feasibility study

This work presents a comparison of an anthropomorphic PRESAGE® dosimeter and radiochromic film measurements with a commercial treatment planning system to determine the feasibility of PRESAGE® for 3D dosimetry in breast IMRT. An anthropomorphic PRESAGE® phantom was created in the shape of a breast phantom. A five‐field IMRT plan was generated with a commercially available treatment planning system and delivered to the PRESAGE® phantom. The anthropomorphic PRESAGE® was scanned with the Duke midsized optical CT scanner (DMOS‐RPC) and the OD distribution was converted to dose. Comparisons were performed between the dose distribution calculated with the Pinnacle3 treatment planning system, PRESAGE®, and EBT2 film measurements. DVHs, gamma maps, and line profiles were used to evaluate the agreement. Gamma map comparisons showed that Pinnacle3 agreed with PRESAGE® as greater than 95% of comparison points for the PTV passed a ±3%/±3mm criterion when the outer 8 mm of phantom data were discluded. Edge artifacts were observed in the optical CT reconstruction, from the surface to approximately 8 mm depth. These artifacts resulted in dose differences between Pinnacle3 and PRESAGE® of up to 5% between the surface and a depth of 8 mm and decreased with increasing depth in the phantom. Line profile comparisons between all three independent measurements yielded a maximum difference of 2% within the central 80% of the field width. For the breast IMRT plan studied, the Pinnacle3 calculations agreed with PRESAGE® measurements to within the ±3%/±3mm gamma criterion. This work demonstrates the feasibility of the PRESAGE® to be fashioned into anthropomorphic shape, and establishes the accuracy of Pinnacle3 for breast IMRT. Furthermore, these data have established the groundwork for future investigations into 3D dosimetry with more complex anthropomorphic phantoms. PACS number: 87.53. Jw, 87.55. D‐, 87.55. dk