Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cthrc1 is a negative regulator of myelination in schwann cells

The analysis of the molecular mechanisms involved in the initial interaction between neurons and Schwann cells is a key issue in understanding the myelination process. We recently identified Cthrc1 (Collagen triple helix repeat containing 1) as a gene upregulated in Schwann cells upon interaction with the axon. Cthrc1 encodes a secreted protein previously shown to be involved in migration and proliferation in different cell types. We performed a functional analysis of Cthrc1 in Schwann cells by loss‐of‐ and gain‐of‐function approaches using RNA interference knockdown in cell culture and a transgenic mouse line that overexpresses the gene. This work establishes that Cthrc1 enhances Schwann cell proliferation but prevents myelination. In particular, time‐course analysis of myelin formation intransgenic animals reveals that overexpression of Cthrc1 in Schwann cells leads to a delay in myelin formation with cells maintaining a proliferative state. Our data, therefore, demonstrate that Cthrc1 plays a negative regulatory role, fine‐tuning the onset of peripheral myelination. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transient Analysis of TSV Equivalent Circuit Considering Nonlinear MOS Capacitance Effects

An equivalent circuit model for the transient analysis of through-silicon vias (TSV) taking into account nonlinear metal-oxide-semiconductor effects is proposed. The model takes into account the nonlinear behavior of the doped silicon substrate in presence of the electric potential difference due to the transient voltage between the TSVs. The impact of time-variant capacitance between the via and the substrate on crosstalk and signal propagation is analyzed.
Active and passive smoking in married couples: results of 25 year follow up.

of atropine 0 3 mg intravenously was ineffective. She was given 10", mannitol 10 ml for any cerebral oedema and activated charcoal via the nasogastric tube. One hour later blood gas results showed correction of her acidosis (pH 7 5, carbon dioxide partial pressure 3-5 kPa (26-3 mm Hg), oxygen partial pressure 20 kPa (150 mm Hg), base excess -1-5 mmol/l, and bicarbonate 23 mmol/l). Shortly after this her pulse suddenly returned to 104 beats/min, and her blood pressure was 75 mm Hg systolic. Her electrocardiogram still showed widened QRS complexes (figure (b)), but there was a gradual improvement over the next few hours with narrowing of the QRS complexes, some ST depression, and ventricular ectopic beats (figure (c)). Ventilation was continued to maintain her respiratory alkalosis, and her electrocardiogram was monitored. Ten hours after ingestion of the tablets she responded to pain and showed some spontaneous limb movements. She was extubated after 48 hours and made an uneventful recovery. There were no residual symptoms or signs three months later.
Effectiveness and cost effectiveness of automated and semi-automated cervical screening devices: a systematic review of the literature.

Authors' conclusions 1. Estimates of test sensitivity and test specificity for the new devices could not be reliably determined. The research reviewed here provides no evidence for improved detection of high-grade abnormalities by new devices for cervical screening. New devices should demonstrate clinical effectiveness gains in detecting higher grade abnormalities. Highgrade squamous intraepithelial lesions have a much higher probability of progressing to cancer than low grade abnormalities that are likely to regress.
Making it in America: High school completion by immigrant and native youth

Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), we find that first-generation youth of Hispanic, Asian, and African heritage obtain more education than their parents, but the second generation and third or higher generations lose ground. Differences in dropout rates by race-ethnicity and immigrant generation are driven by differences in human, cultural, and social capital. Low levels of family human capital, school social capital, and community social capital place the children of immigrants at risk of dropping out. However, cultural capital and immigrant optimism buffer first-generation Hispanic youth and the children of Asian immigrants from the risk of dropping out of high school. While human and social capital resources improve with immigrant generation, cultural capital diminishes.
Development of the Talent Development Environment Questionnaire for Sport

Abstract As sporting challenge at the elite level becomes ever harder, maximizing effectiveness of the talent development pathway is crucial. Reflecting this need, this paper describes the development of the Talent Development Environment Questionnaire, which has been designed to facilitate the development of sporting potential to world-class standard. The questionnaire measures the experiences of developing athletes in relation to empirically identified “key features” of effective talent development environments. The first phase involved the generation of questionnaire items with clear content and face validity. The second phase explored the factor structure and reliability. This was carried out with 590 developing athletes through application of exploratory factor analysis with oblique rotation, principal axis factoring extraction and cronbach alpha tests. This yielded a 59-item, seven-factor structure with good internal consistency (0.616–0.978). The Talent Development Environment Questionnaire appears to be a promising psychometric instrument that can potentially be useful for education and formative review in applied settings, and as a measurement tool in talent development research.
Total Knee Arthroplasty After Varus Osteotomy of the Distal Part of the Femur

Background: There is little information in the literature regarding the outcome of total knee arthroplasty following distal femoral varus osteotomy. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the intermediate-term results of total knee arthroplasty following distal femoral varus osteotomy.Methods: The study group consisted of nine consecutive patients (eleven knees) who had had a total knee arthroplasty following varus osteotomy of the distal part of the femur. The average age of the patients was forty-four years (range, fifteen to seventy years) at the time of the arthroplasty. The results were evaluated with use of the Knee Society score preoperatively and after a mean duration of follow-up of 5.1 years. Radiographs made preoperatively and at the time of follow-up were evaluated for alignment in the coronal plane.Results: The mean Knee Society knee score was 35 points before the arthroplasty and 84 points after the arthroplasty. The mean Knee Society function score was 49 points before the arthroplasty and 68 points after the arthroplasty. The mean interval between the femoral osteotomy and the total knee replacement was fourteen years (range, two to thirty-two years). A constrained prosthesis was required in five of the eleven knees. Two knees had an excellent result, five had a good result, and four had a fair result. The mean arc of motion improved from 81.8° to 105.9°. The mean radiographic alignment was 3.6° of valgus (range, 7° of varus to 18° of valgus) before the arthroplasty and 3.3° of valgus (range, 1° of valgus to 6° of valgus) at the time of the latest follow-up. There were no infections or wound complications.Conclusion: Total knee arthroplasty following distal femoral varus osteotomy decreases pain and improves knee function, but the procedure is technically demanding and is associated with inferior results when compared with those of primary arthroplasty performed in a patient without a prior femoral osteotomy. In the present series, the use of an intramedullary femoral alignment guide increased the tendency to place the femoral component in relative varus angulation (that is, in <5° of valgus). We recommend checking the alignment of the femoral component with an extramedullary guide in knees that have had a previous distal femoral varus osteotomy.Level of Evidence: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series [no, or historical, control group]). See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Wind speed forecasting: Present status

A number of wind speed forecasting techniques are available in order to predict the uncertainty of the wind, which is key to estimate wind power generation availability for the grid. It is gaining more attention with the recent evolution of smart grid, which throws a challenge of integrating wind power into the grid. Several methods have been proposed to provide wind speed prediction. In the recent years there is a lot of research happening to predict wind speed with several mathematical methods and biologically inspired computing techniques to reduce the prediction error. In this paper a detailed survey of the wind speed forecasting techniques have been provided since past 15 years. An attempt is also made to identify different wind forecasting providers available in the market. This survey will be very useful to the new researchers working in this area of research. This survey will also be helpful to the wind farm owners to understand the current wind prediction model capabilities and will gives them an idea which model will be suitable for predicting the wind speed at their wind farms.
Supplétion et classes flexionnelles

This article presents a detailed analysis of suppletion phenomena in French conjugation. The analysis rests on the postulation of a network of dependency relations between the various stems of a verb lexeme. We then discuss the relevance on inflectional classes to the description of French conjugation; we conclude that there is no compelling case in favor of inflectional classes of French verbs.
Outcomes for HIV-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the modern combined antiretroviral therapy era

Objective: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) remains among the most frequent malignancies in persons living with HIV (PLWHIV). Survival among patients with HIV-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most frequent NHL subtype, has improved markedly in recent years. We aimed to analyze characteristics and outcomes of DLBCL in HIV-infected patients in the era of modern combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Design: PLWHIV with lymphoma were prospectively enrolled in the French ANRS-CO16 Lymphovir cohort between 2008 and 2015. We compared the patients treated with R-CHOP) (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, vin-cristine, prednisolone) with HIV-negative DLBCL patients enrolled simultaneously in the R-CHOP arms of Lymphoma Study Association trials. Results: Among 110 PLWHIV with NHL, 52 (47%) had systemic DLBCL. These 52 cases had frequent extranodal disease (81%), poor performance status (35%) and advanced age-adjusted international prognostic index (aaIPI) (58%), and were mainly treated with R-CHOP (n = 44, 85%). Their median CD4+ T-cell count was 233 cells/&mgr;l, and 79% of patients were on cART. The 2-year overall and progression-free survival rates were both 75% (95% confidence interval: 64%, 88%). Factors associated with progression or death in univariate analysis were poor performance status [hazard ratio: 3.3 (1.2, 8.9)], more than one extranodal site [hazard ratio: 3.4 (1.1, 10.5)] and an advanced aaIPI [hazard ratio: 3.7 (1.0, 13.1)]. Progression-free survival after R-CHOP therapy did not differ from that of the HIV-negative counterparts (P = 0.11). Conclusion: In the recent cART era, despite frequent high-risk features, the 2-year overall survival of HIV-DLBCL patients reaches 75%. Outcomes after R-CHOP therapy are similar to those of HIV-negative patients with similar aaIPI.
Corporate Social Responsibility Communication Through Corporate Websites

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a discourse constructed through the constant dialogue and negotiation between corporations and their different stakeholders. This article examines how leading corporations in the United States and China discuss the rationales, themes, and practices of CSR on their corporate websites through a quantitative content analysis. The results, based on data collected in 2008, indicate that leading U.S. companies demonstrate a higher level of comprehensiveness and standardization in their CSR communication, while Chinese companies in different industries take distinctive approaches to CSR. However, the differences between the CSR discourses of leading Chinese and U.S. companies have greatly diminished since 2008. Updated data collected in 2012 show that the Chinese companies have adopted an all-inclusive and homogeneous approach in CSR communication, which is very similar to the approach taken by their U.S. counterparts. Such convergence is attributed to the process of institutionalization, especially to the forces of coercive and mimetic isomorphism.
Aberrant Methylation of Multiple Genes in Gastric Carcinomas

In this study, we examined aberrant methylation of the E-cadherin, estrogen receptor, RB1 , p16, p15, p14, and MGMT genes by the methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction method in 101 gastric carcinomas. Hypermethylation was detected in E-cadherin, estrogen receptor, RB1, p16, p14, p15, and MGMT at the rates of 27.7%, 44.6%, 44.6%, 30.7%, 19.2%, 7.7%, and 6.9%, respectively. A total of 82.2% cases had methylation in at least 1 of these genes, and 44.6% had methylation in 2 or more of these genes. Methylation of RB1 was associated with absence of lymph node metastasis. Methylation of estrogen receptor was associated with age and tumor location. Methylation of E-cadherin coincided with methylation of p16 or estrogen receptor. Moreover, loss of p16 protein was strongly associated with its gene methylation. This study indicates that aberrant methylation of multiple genes is involved in gastric carcinogenesis.
Mapping the Polarity of Changes That Occur in Interrupted CAG Repeat Tracts in Yeast

ABSTRACT To explore the mechanisms by which CAG trinucleotide repeat tracts undergo length changes in yeast cells, we examined the polarity of alterations with respect to an interrupting CAT trinucleotide near the center of the tract. In wild-type cells, in which most tract changes are large contractions, the changes that retain the interruption are biased toward the 3′ end of the repeat tract (in reference to the direction of lagging-strand synthesis). In rth1/rad27mutant cells that are defective in Okazaki fragment maturation, the tract expansions are biased to the 5′ end of the repeat tract, while the tract contractions that do not remove the interruption occur randomly on either side of the interruption. In msh2 mutant cells that are defective in the mismatch repair machinery, neither the small changes of one or two repeat units nor the larger contractions attributable to this mutation are biased to either side of the interruption. The results of this study are discussed in terms of the molecular paths leading to expansions and contractions of repeat tracts.
Which Stem Cells Should be Used for Transplantation?

In view of the ever-increasing demand for human stem cells for transplantation, we initiated in vitro and in vivo studies of human fetal bone marrow stem/progenitor cells derived from lost pregnancies at 16–20 weeks. Utilizing non-human primates as models, we demonstrated that fetal tissue has distinctive biological and therapeutic properties that are optimal for transplantation. Subsequently, we tested and compared the phenotypic and functional characteristics of fetal bone marrow (FBM), adult bone marrow (ABM), and cord blood (CB) and peripheral blood (PB) sources of the most primitive stem/progenitor cells. A striking ontogenic difference in the proportion of CD34+ cells in FBM, ABM, PB and CB was observed (24.6 vs. 2.1 vs. 0.5 vs. 2%). The clonogenic potential, as measured by the CFU-c assay, was also higher in FBM when compared with ABM, PB and CB (202.5 vs. 73.5 vs. 40.8 vs. 65.5 colonies/105 cells). Moreover, there was a significant decrease in proliferative responsiveness in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assay of FBM and CB as compared to ABM and PB. The cytokinetic profiles of the cells from the four sources were also analyzed. This study revealed that both FBM and ABM had a higher proportion of S-phase (21.7 and 11.5%, respectively), compared to PB and CB cells (1.2 and 2.8%, respectively). FBM and ABM also showed a higher proportion of cells in the G2-M phase (6.4 and 2.6%, respectively) compared with PB and CB (1.7 and 1.2%, respectively). These data show that FBM has the highest number of proliferating cells. We have also investigated the ontogenic differences in stromal cells derived from FBM, ABM and CB, with a special focus on the expression of selected cytokines, such as CSF, GM-CSF, G-CSF, M-CSF, IL-3, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-11. FBM showed the highest levels of expression of CSF, IL-6 and IL-11 when compared to the other sources. These cytokines may have an important role in engraftment and homing of stem cells. The levels of expression of the other cytokines were similar in all sources of stromal cells, with the exception of G-CSF, which was not detected in CB. Moreover, the number of colonies FBM and ABM cells was higher when inoculated with fetal stromal cells. These results suggested an important regulatory role of cytokines in ontogeny of hematopoiesis. In summary, the foregoing observations indicate that each source of hematopoietic and stromal cells has different intrinsic properties, closely correlated with ontogenetic age, which is a vital determinant for phenotypic characteristics, lineage commitments, immunogenicity as well as proliferative potentials. Our data clearly indicate that FBM is the best source of stem cells for engraftment and therapeutic reconstitution due to its very high proliferative capacity, low immunogenicity and highest number of primitive stem/progenitor cells. It should also be stressed that FBM stem cells retrieved at their optimal stage of hematopoiesis (16–20 weeks) may be the cells of choice for both therapeutic cellular reconstitution and gene targeting.
EFFECTS OF NEUROPEPTIDE Y ON BAROREFLEX CONTROL OF HEART RATE AND MYOCARDIAL CONTRACTILITY IN CONSCIOUS RABBITS

1. The effects of intravenous (i.v.) neuropeptide Y (NPY, 10 μg/kg bolus) on the stimulus‐response curves relating changes in heart period (HP) and in peak left ventricular (LV) dP/dt to acute changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) were determined in conscious, normotensive rabbits.
Opposite Effects of IL-10 on the Ability of Dendritic Cells and Macrophages to Replicate Primary CXCR4-Dependent HIV-1 Strains1

We investigated the effect of IL-10 on replication of primary CXCR4-dependent (X4) HIV-1 strains by monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages (MΦs). MΦs efficiently replicated CXCR4-dependent HIV-1 (X4 HIV-1) strains NDK and VN44, whereas low levels of p24 were detected in supernatants of infected DCs. IL-10 significantly increased X4 HIV-1 replication by DCs but blocked viral production by MΦs as determined by p24 levels and semiquantitative nested PCR. IL-10 up-regulated CXCR4 mRNA and protein expression on DCs and MΦs, suggesting that IL-10 enhances virus entry in DCs but blocks an entry and/or postentry step in MΦs. The effect of IL-10 on the ability of DCs and MΦs to transmit virus to autologous CD4+ T lymphocytes was investigated in coculture experiments. DCs exhibited a greater ability than did MΦs to transmit a vigorous infection to CD4+ T cells despite their very low replication capacity. IL-10 had no effect on HIV-1 replication in DC:T cell cocultures but markedly decreased viral production in MΦ:T cell cocultures. These results demonstrate that IL-10 has opposite effects on the replication of primary X4 HIV-1 strains by DCs and MΦs. IL-10 increases X4-HIV-1 replication in DCs but does not alter their capacity to transmit virus to CD4+ T lymphocytes. These findings suggest that increased levels of IL-10 observed in HIV-1-infected patients with disease progression may favor the replication of X4 HIV-1 strains in vivo.
Central dopamine action modulates neuropeptide‐controlled appetite via the hypothalamic PI3K/NF‐κB‐dependent mechanism

Hypothalamic neuropeptides, including neuropeptide Y (NPY) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC), have been found to control the appetite‐suppressing effect of amphetamine (AMPH). In this study, we have examined whether dopamine receptor (DAR), phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) and nuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB) are involved in AMPH's action. We administered AMPH to rats once a day for 4 days and assessed and compared changes in hypothalamic NPY, melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R), PI3K, pAkt and NF‐κB expression. We found that the inhibition of DAR increased NPY, but decreased MC4R, PI3K and NF‐κB expression, compared with AMPH‐treated rats. Moreover, MC4R, PI3K, pAkt and NF‐κB increased with the maximum response on Day 2, which was consistent with the response of feeding behavior, but was opposite to the expression of NPY. Furthermore, we found that the intracerebroventricular infusion of the PI3K inhibitor or NF‐κB antisense could attenuate AMPH‐induced anorexia, and partially reverse the expression of NPY, MC4R, PI3K, Akt and NF‐κB back toward a normal level. We, therefore, suggest that DAR–PI3K–NF‐κB signaling in the hypothalamus plays functional roles in the modulation of NPY and POMC neurotransmissions and in the control of AMPH‐evoked appetite suppression.
Dephosphorylation of pCREB by protein serine/threonine phosphatases is involved in inactivation of Aanat gene transcription in rat pineal gland

The rat pineal gland is a suitable model to investigate neurotransmitter‐controlled gene expression, because it is well established that the stimulation of melatonin biosynthesis by norepinephrine (NE) depends on the activation of the gene that encodes arylalkylamine N‐acetyltransferase (AANAT), the melatonin rhythm enzyme. The mechanisms responsible for downregulation of Aanat transcription are less clear. In this in vitro study we investigated the role of pCREB dephosphorylation for termination of Aanat gene transcription. Immunosignals for pCREB, strongly induced after NE stimulation, rapidly decreased after withdrawal of NE. The immunoreactivity of the inhibitory transcription factor ICER increased twofold after NE treatment for 6 h, but did not change within 30 min after removal of the stimulus. Application of protein serine/threonine phosphatase (PSP) inhibitors prevented pCREB dephosphorylation and blocked the decreases in Aanat mRNA levels, AANAT protein amount and melatonin biosynthesis all of which occurred rapidly after NE withdrawal. PSPs in the rat pineal gland were characterized by immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting. NE‐stimulation for 8 h induced accumulation of PSP1‐catalytic subunit (CSU) in pinealocyte nuclei, but did not affect the distribution of PSP2A‐CSU. The results identify dephosphorylation of pCREB by PSPs as an essential mechanism for downregulation of Aanat transcription in the rat pineal gland.
Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Army Personnel in the Military Environment

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s) have always been a considerable problem in the military environment. The incidence of STD’s among soldiers participating in combat operations dates back to the very first military conflicts (Rasnake et al., 2005; Emerson, 1997; Holmes et al., 1970). Sex industry has always thrived in the vicinity of military quarters and bases, and services of female sex workers have routinely been used by military personnel – physically active men. A French commander living in the 17th century once claimed that commercial sex workers ‘killed ten times as many men as enemy fire’ (Greenberg, 1972).