Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elevation of Alanine Aminotransferase Activity Occurs after Activation of the Cell-Death Signaling Initiated by Pattern-Recognition Receptors ‎but before Activation of Cytolytic Effectors in NK or CD8+ T Cells in the Liver During Acute HCV Infection

Pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) promote host defenses against HCV infection by binding to their corresponding adapter molecules leading to the initiation of innate immune responses including cell death. We investigated the expression of PRR genes, biomarkers of liver cell-death, and T cell and NK cell activation/inhibition-related genes in liver and serum obtained from three experimentally infected chimpanzees with acute HCV infection, and analyzed the correlation between gene expression levels and clinical profiles. Our results showed that expression of hepatic RIG-I, TLR3, TLR7, 2OAS1, and CXCL10 mRNAs was upregulated as early as 7 days post-inoculation and peaked 12 to 83 days post-inoculation. All of the three HCV infected chimpanzees exhibited significant elevations of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity between 70 and 95 days after inoculation. Elevated levels of serum cytokeratin 18 (CK-18) and caspases 3 and 7 activity coincided closely with the rise of ALT activity, and were preceded by significant increases in levels of caspase 3 and caspase 7 mRNAs in the liver. Particularly we found that significant positive auto-correlations were observed between RIG-I, TLR3, CXCL10, 2OAS1, and PD-L1 mRNA and ALT activity at 3 to 12 days before the peak of ALT activity. However, we observed substantial negative auto-correlations between T cell and NK cell activation/inhibition-related genes and ALT activity at 5 to 32 days after the peak of ALT activity. Our results indicated cell death signaling is preceded by early induction of RIG-I, TLR3, 2OAS1, and CXCL10 mRNAs which leads to elevation of ALT activity and this signaling pathway occurs before the activation of NK and T cells during acute HCV infection. Our study suggests that PRRs and type I IFN response may play a critical role in development of liver cell injury related to viral clearance during acute HCV infection.
Online ascending auctions for gradually expiring items

In this paper we consider online auction mechanisms for the allocation of M items that are identical to each other except for the fact that they have different expiration times, and each item must be allocated before it expires. Players arrive at different times, and wish to buy one item before their deadline. The main difficulty is that players act "selfishly" and may mis-report their values, deadlines, or arrival times. We begin by showing that the usual notion of truthfulness (where players follow a single dominant strategy) cannot be used in this case, since any (deterministic) truthful auction cannot obtain better than an M-approximation of the social welfare. Therefore, instead of designing auctions in which players should follow a single strategy, we design two auctions that perform well under a wide class of selfish, "semi-myopic", strategies. For every combination of such strategies, the auction is associated with a different algorithm, and so we have a family of "semi-myopic" algorithms. We show that any algorithm in this family obtains a 3-approximation, and by this conclude that our auctions will perform well under any choice of such semi-myopic behaviors. We next turn to provide a game-theoretic justification for acting in such a semi-myopic way. We suggest a new notion of "Set-Nash" equilibrium, where we cannot pin-point a single best-response strategy, but rather only a set of possible best-response strategies. We show that our auctions have a Set-Nash equilibrium which is all semi-myopic, hence guarantees a 3-approximation. We believe that this notion is of independent interest.
Long-term effectiveness and compliance of positional therapy with the sleep position trainer in the treatment of positional obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To investigate effectiveness, long-term compliance, and effects on subjective sleep of the Sleep Position Trainer (SPT) in patients with position-dependent obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (POSAS). DESIGN Prospective, multicenter cohort study. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS Adult patients with mild and moderate POSAS were included. INTERVENTIONS Patients were [corrected] asked to use the SPT for 6 mo. At baseline and after 1, 3, and 6 mo, questionnaires would be completed: Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ), and questions related to SPT use. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS One hundred forty-five patients were included. SPT use and SPT data could not be retrieved in 39 patients. In the remaining 106 patients, median percentage of supine sleep decreased rapidly during SPT's training phase (day 3 to 9) to near-total avoidance of supine sleep. This decrease was maintained during the following months of treatment (21% at baseline versus 3% at 6 mo). SPT compliance, defined as more than 4 h of nightly use, was 64.4%. Regular use, defined as more than 4 h of usage over 5 nights/w, was 71.2%. Subjective compliance and regular use were 59.8% and 74.4%, respectively. Median ESS (11 to 8), PSQI (8 to 6), and FOSQ (87 to 103) values significantly improved compared with baseline. CONCLUSIONS Positional therapy using the Sleep Position Trainer (SPT) effectively diminished the percentage of supine sleep and subjective sleepiness and improved sleep related quality of life in patients with mild to moderate position-dependent obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. SPT treatment appeared to have sustained effects over 6 months. SPT compliance and regular use rate were relatively good. Subjective and objective compliance data corresponded well. The lack of a placebo-controlled group limited the efficacy of conclusions. CITATION van Maamen JP, de Vries N. Long-term effectiveness and compliance of positional therapy with the Sleep Position Trainer in the treatment of positional obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
Morphological Decomposition: Evidence from Crossed Phonological Dyslexia

In this paper we report some clinical data relevant to the issue of whether or not words are decomposed into their constituent morphemes prior to lexical access during reading. The data were obtained from a crossed phonological dyslexic patient who produced many derivational errors in reading aloud. The experimental investigation consisted of a series of tests requiring either reading words and non-words aloud or lexical decision tasks. The results are interpreted as supporting decomposition models of lexical access. In particular, a revised version of the logogen model—which postulates visual recognizers for affixes—seems to fit the data very well.
Retrospective appraisal of cancer patients from Vientiane Capital City, Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), seeking treatment in Thailand.

BACKGROUND Recent estimates suggest that in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) the burden of cancer in terms of DALYs lost is amongst the highest in South East Asia. As such, increasingly cancer is becoming an important public health concern in the country. Lao PDR however has no population-based cancer registry and only one hospital-based registry. Cancer treatment within the country is extremely limited. Patients who can, may travel to neighboring countries for treatment, but little information about this is available in the country. The aim of this study was to estimate some of the otherwise largely unknown parameters of the cancer burden in Lao PDR. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a retrospective, descriptive study based on the records of 847 Lao cancer cases treated with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, in Thailand between 1988 and 2010. RESULTS The annual rate of registration of Lao cancer cases fluctuated, but showed an increasing trend. Most cancers were diagnosed by histology (65.2%), and a combination of endoscopy and radiology (15.6%). In most cases (70.2%) the stage of cancer at diagnosis could not be determined. In those whose stage could be identified, 54.0% were at the final stage (Stage IV). Among males, the commonest cancer sites were the liver (16.1%), blood (12.3%) and nasopharynx (10.6%). Those in female patients were the cervix (22.2%), breast (14.6%) and blood (8.1%). CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that despite some fluctuations, the number of Lao cancer patients presenting at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, gradually increased between 1988 and 2010. The unfavorable pattern of late-stage cancer diagnosis among male and female patients suggests a need for cancer control interventions and the establishment of cancer registration and treatment facilities within Lao PDR.
Single image dehazing

In this paper we present a new method for estimating the optical transmission in hazy scenes given a single input image. Based on this estimation, the scattered light is eliminated to increase scene visibility and recover haze-free scene contrasts. In this new approach we formulate a refined image formation model that accounts for surface shading in addition to the transmission function. This allows us to resolve ambiguities in the data by searching for a solution in which the resulting shading and transmission functions are locally statistically uncorrelated. A similar principle is used to estimate the color of the haze. Results demonstrate the new method abilities to remove the haze layer as well as provide a reliable transmission estimate which can be used for additional applications such as image refocusing and novel view synthesis.
Copper-induced regression of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy is associated with enhanced vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 signalling pathway.

AIMS Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been well documented to stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation; however, we have observed that copper (Cu)-induced regression of heart hypertrophy was VEGF-dependent. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that Cu causes alterations in the distribution of VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes so that it switches the signalling pathway from stimulation of cell growth to reversal of cell hypertrophy. METHODS AND RESULTS Primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were exposed to phenylephrine (PE) at a final concentration of 100 microM in cultures for 48 h to induce cell hypertrophy. The hypertrophic cardiomyocytes were exposed to copper sulfate at a final concentration of 5 microM in cultures for 24 h with a concomitant presence of PE. Flow cytometry, gene silencing, and ELISA procedures were used to analyse the changes in VEGFRs and their relationship with regression of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Cu did not change the concentration of VEGF in culture media, but increased the ratio of VEGFR-1 to VEGFR-2 two-fold. Gene silencing of VEGFR-2, in the absence of Cu addition, reversed PE-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, which was suppressed by an anti-VEGF antibody. Gene silencing of VEGFR-1 blocked Cu-induced regression of cell hypertrophy and decreased the activity of cGMP-dependent protein kinase-1 (PKG-1). A PKG-1 antagonist, Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPS, blocked both Cu- and VEGFR-2 gene silencing-induced regression of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. CONCLUSION Enhanced VEGFR-1 signalling is involved in Cu regression of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and the PKG-1 pathway is likely associated with VEGFR-1.
Eating attitudes among adolescent girls in Tehran: A schoolbased survey between 2010-2011

Background: Eating attitude disorders may indicate an increased risk for eating disorders and their chronic health complications. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of eating attitude disorders and to identify the factors associated with them among female students in Tehran. Methods: A total of 14–18 year-old high school girls (N=619) completed a standardized selfreport Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) questionnaire and a demographic questionnaire. Mental health problems were investigated by means of the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorders-2. Results: Based on EAT-26 scores, 153 (24.7%) students had eating attitude disorders. There was no relationship between abnormal eating attitudes and both individual and socioeconomic factors (P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that eating attitude disorders were significantly associated with depression [OR=1.8 (1.2-2.8), P=0.007], anxiety [OR=1.6 (1.1- 2.4), P=0.04], and perception of body shape as overweight [OR=2.7 (1.7-4.3), P<0.001]. Conclusion: A relatively high rate of eating attitude disorders was found among adolescent school girls in Tehran. Related factors were body image and psychological issues including depression and anxiety. Preventive and screening programs in schools could identify students at risk and prevent development and complications of eating disorders.
Investigating Overlay Topologies and Dynamics of P2P-TV Systems: The Case of SopCast

Several successful commercial P2P-TV applications are already available. Unfortunately, some algorithms and protocols they adopt are unknown, since many follow a closed and proprietary design. This calls for tools and methodologies that allow the investigation of the application behavior. In this paper, we present a novel approach to analyze the graph properties and the traffic generated by P2P-TV applications run by customers in operative networks. The proposed methodology allows us to distinguish and investigate three different graphs: (i) the social networks that link users based on their interest, (ii) the overlay networks created by peers that are watching the same channel, and (iii) the distribution networks that involve the subset of peers that are contributing to the video distribution. We apply this methodology to the traffic collected for more than one year from three national ISPs in Europe, where SopCast is the largely preferred application. Considering users' behavior, we uncover the attitude to use the P2P-TV application mainly to follow live sport events. P2P-TV systems have then to deal with both flash crowd and sudden peer departures that happen at the beginning and end of an event. Furthermore, zapping among channels offering the same event is also relevant. SopCast deals with this by implementing a very robust and greedy overlay topology discovery process in which more than 170 peers are contacted every 60 s. Considering video distribution, we provide evidence that SopCast implements algorithms that restrict traffic within Autonomous System boundaries. Still, high bandwidth peers must be present to supply the necessary upload capacity to sustain the video service.
A Cooperative MARC Scheme Using Analogue Network Coding to Achieve Second-Order Diversity

A multiple access relay channel (MARC) is considered in which an analogue-like network coding is implemented in the relay node. This analogue coding is a simple addition of the received signals at the relay node. Using "nulling detection" structure employed in V-BLAST receiver, we propose a detection scheme in the destination which is able to provide a diversity order of two for all users. We analytically evaluate the performance of our proposed scheme for the MARC with two users where tight upper bounds for both uncoded and Convolutionally coded transmission blocks are provided. We verify our analytical evaluations by simulations and compare the results with those of noncooperative transmission and Alamouti's scheme for the same power and rate transmission. Our results indicate that while our proposed scheme shows a comparable performance compared to the Alamouti's scheme, it substantially outperforms the non-cooperate transmission.
e phosphorylation of the CENP-A NH 2-terminus in mitotic centromeric chromatin is required for kinetochore function

e role of the mitotic phosphorylation of the NH2-terminus of CENP-A, the histone variant epigenetic marker, remains elusive. Here, we show that the NH2-terminus of human CENP-A is essential for mitotic progression and that localization of CENP-C, another key centromeric protein, requires only phosphorylation of the CENP-A NH2-terminus, and is independent of the CENP-ANH2-terminus length and amino acid sequence. Mitotic CENP-A nucleosomal complexes contain CENP-C and phospho-binding 14-3-3 proteins. In contrast, mitotic nucleosomal complexes carrying non-phoshorylatable CENP-A-S7A contained only low levels of CENP-C and no detectable 14-3-3 proteins. Direct interactions between the phosphorylated form of CENP-A and 14-3-3 proteins as well as between 14-3-3 proteins and CENP-C were demonstrated. Taken together, our results reveal that 14-3-3 proteins could act as specificmitotic “bridges”, linking phosphorylated CENP-A and CENP-C, that are necessary for the platform function of CENP-A centromeric chromatin in the assembly and maintenance of active kinetochores.
BANK1 Regulates IgG Production in a Lupus Model by Controlling TLR7-Dependent STAT1 Activation

The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of the adaptor Bank1 in TLR7 signaling using the B6.Sle1. yaa mouse, a lupus model that develops disease through exacerbated TLR7 expression. Crosses of B6.Sle1. yaa with Bank1-/- mice maintained several B and myeloid cell phenotypes close to normal wild-type levels. Most striking was the reduction in total serum IgG antibodies, but not of IgM, and reduced serum levels of autoantibodies, IL-6, and BAFF. Bank1 deficiency did modify numbers of MZ B cells and total B cell numbers, as well as expression of CXCR4 by follicular helper T cells. Other T cell changes were not observed. Bank1 deficiency did not modify numbers of germinal center B cells or plasma cells or clinical disease outcomes. Purified B cells from Bank1 deficient mice had strongly reduced Ifnb, Ifna4, Irf7, Aicda and Stat1 gene expression following TLR7 agonist stimulation. Interestingly, phosphorylation of Tyr701, but not of Ser727 of STAT1, was impaired in splenic B cells from B6.Sle1. yaa.Bank1-/- mice, as was the nuclear translocation of IRF7 in response to TLR7 agonist stimulation. Further, Bank1 deficiency in B6.Sle1. yaa mice reduced the production of IgG2c after in vitro TLR7 agonist stimulation. Our results demonstrate that Bank1 controls TLR7-mediated type I interferon production. Combined with the control of the nuclear translocation of IRF7, the modulation of STAT1 transcription and phosphorylation, Bank1 contributes to IgG production during development of autoimmune disease.
Resident Endothelial Cells Surrounding Damaged Arterial Endothelium Reendothelialize the Lesion

Objective—To evaluate endothelial repair processes in denuded pial vessels to clarify mechanisms for reconstructing endothelium (because endothelial repair of the cerebral artery after its damage is critical for the prevention of thrombosis, the maintenance of vascular tone, and the protection of the brain by the blood-brain barrier). Methods and Results—Endothelial cells (ECs) in a 350-&mgr;m-long segment of the middle cerebral artery were damaged through a photochemical reaction. Tie2–green fluorescent protein transgenic mice were used for the identification of ECs. Six hours after the endothelial damage, ECs were detached from the luminal surface of the damaged artery, which was then covered with a platelet carpet. Within 24 hours, recovery of the denuded artery started at both edges, with EC elongation and migration. The repair rate was faster at the proximal edge than at the distal edge. Reendothelialization with EC proliferation peaked at 2 to 3 days and ended at 5 days, together with normalization of EC length, with no apparent involvement of foreign progenitor cells. Conclusion—Our in vivo study demonstrated a stepwise reendothelialization process by resident ECs of the pial artery. The prevention of thrombosis, vasospasm, and treatment for blood-brain barrier dysfunction should be considered during the reendothelialization period.
CD1-restricted CD4+ T cells in major histocompatibility complex class II-deficient mice

Rather unexpectedly, major histocompatibility complex class II- deficient mice have a significant population of peripheral CD4+ T lymphocytes. We have investigated these cells at the population and clonal levels. CD4+ T lymphocytes from class II-deficient animals are thymically derived, appear early in ontogeny, exhibit the phenotype of resting memory cells, are potentially functional by several criteria, and have a diverse T cell receptor repertoire. They do not include substantially elevated numbers of NK1.1+ cells. Hybridomas derived after polyclonal stimulation of the CD4+ lymphocytes from class II- deficient animals include a subset with an unusual reactivity pattern, responding to splenocytes from many mouse strains including the strain of origin. Most members of this subset recognize the major histocompatibility complex class Ib molecule CD1; their heterogeneous reactivities and T cell receptor usage further suggest the involvement of peptides and/or highly variable posttranslational modifications.
Twenty-eight loci that influence serum urate levels: analysis of association with gout

Objectives Twenty-eight genetic loci are associated with serum urate levels in Europeans. Evidence for association with gout at most loci is absent, equivocal or not replicated. Our aim was to test the loci for association with gout meeting the American College of Rheumatology gout classification criteria in New Zealand European and Polynesian case-control sample sets. Methods 648 European cases and 1550 controls, and 888 Polynesian (Ma¯ori and Pacific) cases and 1095 controls were genotyped. Association with gout was tested by logistic regression adjusting for age and sex. Power was adequate (>0.7) to detect effects of OR>1.3. Results We focused on 24 loci without previous consistent evidence for association with gout. In Europeans, we detected association at seven loci, one of which was the first report of association with gout (IGF1R). In Polynesian, association was detected at three loci. Meta-analysis revealed association at eight loci—two had not previously been associated with gout (PDZK1 and MAF). In participants with higher Polynesian ancestry, there was association in an opposing direction to Europeans at PRKAG2 and HLF (HLF is the first report of association with gout). There was obvious inconsistency of gout association at four loci (GCKR, INHBC, SLC22A11, SLC16A9) that display very similar effects on urate levels. Conclusions We provide the first evidence for association with gout at four loci (IGF1R, PDZK1, MAF, HLF). Understanding why there is lack of correlation between urate and gout effect sizes will be important in understanding the aetiology of gout.