Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IL28B genetic variation and cytomegalovirus‐specific T‐cell immunity in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients

A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), 3 kbp upstream of the IL28B gene (rs12979860; C/T), has been shown to influence the dynamics of cytomegalovirus (CMV) replication in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients (Allo‐SCT). We investigated whether this SNP had any effect on the dynamics of CMV‐specific T‐cell immunity in these patients. CMV pp65/IE‐1 IFN‐γ CD8+ and CD4+ T cells were enumerated by flow cytometry in 85 patients with no prior CMV DNAemia (group A) and in 57 after the onset of CMV DNAemia (group B). Donor IL28B genotype was determined by real‐time PCR and plasma levels of IL‐28B were quantitated by ELISA. CMV‐specific T‐cell counts and plasma IL‐28B levels in patients in group A were not significantly different among the IL28B genotype groups. Patients harboring the donor IL28B T/T genotype appeared to expand CMV‐specific IFN‐γ CD8+ cells to a higher level in response to viral replication than their C/T and C/C counterparts. Fewer patients in the T/T group received pre‐emptive antiviral therapy (P = 0.05). Overall, a significant inverse correlation was observed between median IL‐28B levels measured prior to the CMV DNAemia onset and the level of CMV‐specific CD8+ T cells enumerated after detection of CMV DNAemia (σ = −0.471; P = 0.013). In summary, the data suggested that the protective effect attributed to the rs12979860 SNP minor T allele could be mediated, at least in part, by eliciting robust CMV‐specific T‐cell responses. J. Med. Virol. 89:685–695, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Redrawing the margins of language: Lessons from research on ideophones

Ideophones (also known as expressives, mimetics or onomatopoeia) have been systematically studied in linguistics since the 1850s, when they were first described as a lexical class of vivid sensory words in West-African languages. This paper surveys the research history of ideophones, from its roots in African linguistics to its fruits in language description and linguistic theory around the globe. It shows that despite a recurrent narrative of marginalization, scholars working on ideophones have made important advances in our understanding of sensory language, iconicity, lexical typology, and morphosyntax. Due to their dual nature as vocal gestures that grow roots in linguistic systems, ideophones provide opportunities to reframe typological questions, reconsider the role of language ideology in linguistic scholarship, and rethink the margins of language. With ideophones increasingly being brought into the fold of the language sciences, this review synthesizes past theoretical insights and empirical findings in order to enable future work to build on them.
Corporate Social Responsibility, Public Service Motivation and Organizational Citizenship Behavior in the Public Sector

ABSTRACT This article examines the mediating role of public service motivation (PSM) on the relationship between employees’ perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). A sample of employees working in public sector banks in Egypt completed a structured questionnaire comprising of questions regarding CSR perceptions and PSM. Immediate supervisors rated the OCB of employees who responded to the survey. Results reported in the paper found the following: a) Employee perceptions of both internal and external CSR had a positive influence on the development of employee desire to serve the public; b) PSM partially mediated the relationship between internal CSR perceptions and employee OCB; c) PSM fully mediated the relationship between external CSR perceptions and OCB. This study extends current knowledge of the theoretical foundations surrounding CSR at the individual-level of analysis and offers practical implications by stressing the importance of employee desire to serve the public.
Decision-making difficulties experienced by adults with autism spectrum conditions

Autobiographical and clinical accounts, as well as a limited neuropsychological research literature, suggest that, in some situations, men and women with autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) may have difficulty making decisions. Little is known, however, about how people with ASCs experience decision-making or how they might best be supported to make decisions for themselves. In this study, we compared the decision-making experiences of adults with and without ASCs (n=38 and n=40, respectively) using a novel questionnaire and the General Decision Making Style inventory (GDMS, Scott & Bruce, 1995). The participants with ASCs reported experiencing several problems in decision-making more frequently than the comparison group, and were more likely to report avoidance of decision-making, as measured using the GDMS. The findings highlight areas of potential future research and inform suggestions for supporting adults with ASCs during decision-making
Cytogenetic effects of commercial formulations of deltamethrin and/or isoproturon on human peripheral lymphocytes and mouse bone marrow cells

The cytogenetic effects of deltamethrin (DEL) and/or isoproturon (ISO) were examined in human lymphocytes and mouse bone marrow cells. Peripheral lymphocytes were exposed to DEL (2.5, 5, 10, or 20 μM), ISO (25, 50, 100, or 200μM), or DEL + ISO (2.5 + 25, 5 + 50, 10 + 100, or 20 + 200 μM) and cytogenic effects were evaluated via chromosomal aberrations (CA) and the cytokinesis‐block micronucleus assay (CBMN). Mice were orally gavaged to single dose of DEL (6.6 mg/kg), ISO (670 mg/kg), or DEL+ISO (6.6 + 670 mg/kg) for 24 hr or to DEL (3.3 mg/kg/day), ISO (330 mg/kg/day), or DEL + ISO (3.3 + 330 mg/kg/day) for 30 days and analyzed for CA. DEL induced a significant frequency of CA at 10 μM whereas ISO (25–100μM) alone, or in combination with DEL, did not show any significant effect. Micronucleus (MN) induction was observed to be concentration‐dependent though significant frequencies were observed at 5 μM DEL, 100 μM ISO, or 5 + 50 μM DEL + ISO. In mice, DEL inhibited the mitotic index (MI) significantly (P < 0.001) at 24 hr while ISO alone, or in combination with DEL, did not cause any statistically significant effect. Following a 24 hr exposure, DEL and ISO alone induced significant (P < 0.01) frequencies of CA, whereas DEL + ISO in combination did not. Furthermore, 30 days exposure of ISO significantly inhibited the MI (P < 0.02 or < 0.01) and induced CA while DEL alone, or in combination with ISO, resulted in no significant effect on CA or the MI. The present findings indicate that the in vitro and in vivo exposure of a commercial formulation of DEL can cause genotoxic effects in mammals. However, the coexposure of DEL and ISO did not show additive effects, but instead demonstrated somewhat reduced genotoxicity. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. , 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Satellite-Earth K-band beacon measurements at Kjeller, Norway

The objective of this study is to characterise K-band (20 GHz) space-Earth propagation conditions at Kjeller, Norway. A brief literature study of propagation impairments for communication via geostationary satellites in Norway has been carried out. An experiment designed for beacon measurements and a first year of measurements are described. The satellite Astra 4A was selected for the beacon studies. The receive functionality is implemented utilising a spectrum analyser, having the ability to track weak attenuated signals and to simultaneously provide relative noise floor estimates. A temperature stabilised low noise block converter was selected for the experiment. Software for logging signal strength was developed, including also logging of meteorological variables such as precipitation. The experimental set-up works well and produces estimates of meteorological variables, signal level and relative noise floor. As expected there are large variations in measured monthly rain intensity and attenuation statistics. The measured yearly averaged rain intensity and attenuation distributions are comparable to the predicted ones at time percentages of around 0.01.
Racial and ethnic differences in knowledge and willingness to participate in HIV vaccine trials in an urban population in the Southeastern US

Racial/ethnic minorities in the Southeastern USA are disproportionately affected by HIV, and would benefit from a preventive vaccine. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 220 community college students in Atlanta to evaluate racial/ethnic differences in knowledge and willingness to participate in HIV vaccine trials. Willingness to participate did not differ by race/ethnicity, age, or gender, and was not associated with knowledge. African-Americans and Asians were more likely than Whites to: believe that an HIV vaccine exists, but is being withheld from the public; believe that AIDS was caused by a government conspiracy; feel that having other participants and investigators of their ethnic background in the trial was important. Misconceptions regarding HIV vaccines are common and differ by race/ethnicity. However, willingness to participate was not associated with knowledge or race/ethnicity. Efforts to increase participation should address the ethnic diversity of the trial personnel, and education to eliminate misconceptions about HIV vaccines and trials.
The Role of Change Content, Context, Process, and Leadership in Understanding Employees’ Commitment to Change: The Case of Public Organizations in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

In times of financial austerity, public organizations are forced, either by internally motivated goals or externally mandated policies, to implement reforms and changes to cut back on expenses. While organizational change happens with increasing magnitude and frequency in public sector organizations, much of public management research concerning organizational change has mainly focused on change at the sector or national level. This study, on the contrary, focuses on a more micro-level and individual perspective by investigating the simultaneous influence of content, context, process, and leadership on employees’ affective commitment to change (ACC) in a non-Western, Islamic setting. To test the study’s hypotheses, data were collected from a sample of 147 employees in five public sector organizations that recently witnessed major structural changes in Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Regression results reveal that process-related variables and transformational leadership behavior of direct supervisors enhance commitment to change while employees’ negative perception of his or her change history (a context-related factor) impedes commitment to change. The findings support the external validity of previous findings in Western, non-Islamic settings, and, thus, would increase our understanding of organizational change theories in non-Western settings.
China's economic integration with the Greater Mekong Sub-region: An empirical analysis by a panel dynamic gravity model

The purpose of this study is to fill an existing gap in the literature by addressing the following research question: what are the major determinants of China's regional economic integration with the Greater Mekong Sub-regional countries (GMS), namely; Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam? The author measures the economic integration in terms of bilateral trade and foreign direct investment (FDI). In accordance with the literature, the present study adopts a panel gravity framework method to analyze the significant factors affecting the bilateral aggregate exports flows of China with five economies of the Greater Mekong sub-region. Data were collected from both the Chinese national and the international sources over the period of 23 years, spanning from 1993 to 2016. The time period was chosen on the consideration of data availability. The result shows that the gravity model is econometrically fitted to our dataset. Among other factors GDP, bilateral exchange rate, and population have a positive impact on regional trade integration with the GMS. The author's second-stage regression analysis confirms that China's accession to the WTO impacts positively on the bilateral trade. China's accession to the WTO is a significant factor for facilitation of trade flows. As expected, distance hinders regional trade. Furthermore, the role of historical trade relationship between China and GMS countries is estimated in the dynamic model. The result shows that China's trade relationship with GMS countries is determined historically.
The Chemokine Receptor CCR5 Links Memory CD4+ T Cell Metabolism to T Cell Antigen Receptor Nanoclustering

The inhibition of anabolic pathways, such as aerobic glycolysis, is a metabolic cornerstone of memory T cell differentiation and function. However, the signals that hamper these anabolic pathways are not completely known. Recent evidence pinpoints the chemokine receptor CCR5 as an important player in CD4+ T cell memory responses by regulating T cell antigen receptor (TCR) nanoclustering in an antigen-independent manner. This paper reports that CCR5 specifically restrains aerobic glycolysis in memory-like CD4+ T cells, but not in effector CD4+ T cells. CCR5-deficient memory CD4+ T cells thus show an abnormally high glycolytic/oxidative metabolism ratio. No CCR5-dependent change in glucose uptake nor in the expression of the main glucose transporters was detected in any of the examined cell types, although CCR5-deficient memory cells did show increased expression of the hexokinase 2 and pyruvate kinase M2 isoforms, plus the concomitant downregulation of Bcl-6, a transcriptional repressor of these key glycolytic enzymes. Further, the TCR nanoclustering defects observed in CCR5-deficient antigen-experienced CD4+ T cells were partially reversed by incubation with 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG), suggesting a link between inhibition of the glycolytic pathway and TCR nanoscopic organization. Indeed, the treatment of CCR5-deficient lymphoblasts with 2-DG enhanced IL-2 production after antigen re-stimulation. These results identify CCR5 as an important regulator of the metabolic fitness of memory CD4+ T cells, and reveal an unexpected link between T cell metabolism and TCR organization with potential influence on the response of memory T cells upon antigen re-encounter.
The presence of citrullinated proteins is not specific for rheumatoid synovial tissue.

OBJECTIVE Antibodies directed toward citrullinated proteins (e.g., anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies) are highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and are produced locally at the site of inflammation. Although the presence of citrullinated proteins in rheumatoid synovium has been described in the literature, it is uncertain whether their presence is specific for RA. The present study was undertaken to investigate this. METHODS The local production of the anti-citrullinated protein antibodies was investigated by comparing the concentration of the antibodies (corrected for the total amount of IgG present) in paired samples of serum and synovial fluid from RA patients. The presence of citrullinated proteins in the synovial tissue was investigated by immunohistochemical analysis of synovial tissue from RA patients and from patients with other arthropathies, using a variety of specific antibodies to citrullinated proteins. RESULTS In RA patients, anti-citrullinated protein antibodies constituted a 1.4-fold higher proportion of IgG in synovial fluid compared with serum, which is indicative of a local production of the antibodies. Immunohistochemical staining of citrullinated proteins was observed in the lining layer, the sublining layer, and in extravascular fibrin deposits in inflamed synovial tissue from RA as well as non-RA patients. CONCLUSION The presence of citrullinated proteins in the inflamed synovium is not specific for RA, but rather, it may be an inflammation-associated phenomenon. The high specificity of the anti-citrullinated protein antibodies is, therefore, most likely the result of an abnormal humoral response to these proteins.
Mnemonic strategy training partially restores hippocampal activity in patients with mild cognitive impairment

Learning and memory deficits typify patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and are generally attributed to medial temporal lobe dysfunction. Although the hippocampus is perhaps the most commonly studied neuroanatomical structure in these patients, there have been few attempts to identify rehabilitative interventions that facilitate its functioning. Here, we present results from a randomized, controlled, single‐blind study in which patients with MCI and healthy elderly controls (HEC) were randomized to either three sessions of mnemonic strategy training (MS) or a matched‐exposure control group (XP). All participants underwent pre‐ and posttraining fMRI scanning as they encoded and retrieved object–location associations. For the current report, fMRI analyses were restricted to the hippocampus, as defined anatomically. Before training, MCI patients showed reduced hippocampal activity during both encoding and retrieval, relative to HEC. Following training, the MCI MS group demonstrated increased activity during both encoding and retrieval. There were significant differences between the MCI MS and MCI XP groups during retrieval, especially within the right hippocampus. Thus, MS facilitated hippocampal functioning in a partially restorative manner. We conclude that cognitive rehabilitation techniques may help mitigate hippocampal dysfunction in MCI patients. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of Peripheral Nerve Damages According to Glucose Control Timing in Experimental Diabetes

Abstract Objective: In addition to tight glucose control, early intensive therapy has been reported to be more important for the prevention of diabetic micro- and macro-vascular complications. What is not known exactly is the quantitative difference according to timing delay in glucose control and whether early period control is really better than late control in terms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. In this study, we investigated the effect of timing differences in glucose control on the peripheral nerves in an experimental diabetic model. Methods: 5 groups (6–8 rats in each group) were comprised of normal glucose rats (designated control), rats with hyperglycemia (designated DM), rats with glucose control for the entire 28-week study period (designated DM + INS [W0–28]), rats with glucose control for the early 14-week period followed by hyperglycemia for the late 14-week period (designated DM + INS [W0–14]), and rats with hyperglycemia for the early 14-week period followed by glucose control in the late 14-week period (designated DM + INS [W15–28]). Results: We found that the current perception threshold (CPT) was lower in the DM + INS (W0–28) and DM + INS (W15–28) groups than in the DM + INS (W0–14) or DM groups (P<0.05). The mean myelinated fiber area of the sciatic nerve was significantly greater in the DM + INS (W0–28) and DM + INS (W15–28) groups (63.5±2.32 and 60.1±2.14 um, respectively) than in the DM + INS (W0–14) or DM groups (55.5±2.81 or 51.5±2.64 um, respectively) (P<0.05), and the intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density was significantly higher in the DM + INS (W0–28) and DM + INS (W15–28) groups (6.9±0.46 and 6.8±0.11, respectively) than in the DM + INS (W0–14) or DM groups (59.5±0.32 and 5.3±0.39/mm, respectively) (P<0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicate that continuous glucose control is necessary to alleviate peripheral nerve damage and that glycemic control during the later period may be more important than early period management. The importance of continuous glucose control, including the later period of diabetes, should therefore be emphasized in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Vision in the elderly and its use in the social environment.

A randomized sample of 601 subjects aged 65 or over were examined for their visual function and their use of vision in daily life. The participation percentage was 91% and constant throughout all age groups, and the population sample studied is considered to be representative of the population of the city of Turku in Finland. The best corrected visual acuity was found to be good (0.8 or 0.7/0.3) in 73%, with a gradual decline with age to 20% in late senescence (85 years or over). The poorest acuity level of less than 0.1 was found in 1% of the entire study population and in 7% of those aged 85 or over. 91% of the subjects were found to be capable of reading newspaper-size print by using conventional presbyopic lenses. For those aged 85 years or over the rate was 50%. When also using low vision aids for maximal optical correction, the rate rose to 93% of the entire study population, and to 57% of those aged 85 or over. The functional visual acuity, i.e. the level of vision actually used in daily life, was clearly inferior with only 56% of the entire study population and 13% of those aged 85 or over possessing good visual acuity. Other acuity levels showed the same rations. Senile macular degeneration and cataract were found to be the commonest causes of visual impairment in the elderly. Poor sight could be considered a prime contributory factor for being in institutional accommodation in 11% of the cases. Visually impaired persons were clearly more dependent on home help as compared with the elderly population in general. A majority (over 90%) of elderly people in all age groups were found to be interested in resolution-requiring activities (reading, TV, needlework, driving, etc.). In other everyday activities, the demands on vision were found to be lower, an acuity level of 0.2-0.15 not yet being restrictive. This is suggested to be dependent on the predominance of lower spatial frequencies when seeing in everyday environments. Intolerance of optic correction by means of spectacle lens was found in 18% of the aphakics. As regards moderate-power lenses, one third of elderly persons were found to reject glasses for traveling. 57% of those who rejected glasses considered themselves unmotivated to wear glasses in everyday life, 35% blamed adaptation difficulties. Subjects aged 75 years or over who suffered from impoverished mobility or dizziness were particularly reluctant to wear glasses when moving about. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Association Between Meibomian Gland Testing and Ocular Surface Sensitivity

Purpose: To assess whether corneal sensitivity is associated with clinical tests assessing the tear film and meibomian glands. Methods: Subjects were recruited based on the history of contact lens wear and the extent of meibomian gland dropout. Clinical examination included assessment of symptoms, redness of the lower eyelid margin, lipid layer thickness, esthesiometry of the inferior cornea and palpebral conjunctiva, noninvasive tear breakup time, Schirmer test assessment, and meibomian gland assessment through orifice count and expressed meibum quality grade. Subjects were grouped into a high corneal sensitivity (HS) group or low corneal sensitivity (LS) group, based on the median sensitivity measure. Groups for palpebral conjunctival sensitivity were created in the same manner. Mann–Whitney U tests were used for comparisons of sensitivity groups, and a Spearman rho correlation coefficient was used to study the associations between each tear film characteristic and the sensitivities. Results: Fifty-seven subjects with an average age of 34.7 years (SD = 15.1) were included in the analysis, of which 63.2% were female. The median corneal and conjunctival thresholds for sensation were 0.5 and 1.4 g/mm2, respectively. The average noninvasive tear breakup time [HS: 7.8 seconds [interquartile range (IQR) = 5.7]; LS: 11.6 seconds (IQR = 8.4); P = 0.05] and Schirmer test assessments [HS: 16.0 mm (IQR = 15.0); LS: 25.0 mm (IQR = 19.0); P = 0.04] were significantly different between the palpebral conjunctival HS and LS groups. All other group comparisons and correlations were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The palpebral conjunctival sensitivity may be more critical than the corneal sensitivity when assessing dry eye.