Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bone Marrow Microenvironment in the Pathogenesis of AML

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) arises from a series of genetic abnormalities in a stem or progenitor cell that lead to uncontrolled growth. Data from the past few decades have implicated the hematopoietic microenvironment (HM) in the pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies (Ramakrishnan et al., 2009). Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) live in a highly specialized complex microenvironment, also known as a niche (Scadden et al., 2007; Konopleva et al., 2009). Two distinct microenvironmental niches defined: “osteoblastic (endosteal)” and “vascular” niches (Perry and Li, 2007). Recent studies suggest that these niches work together. Coordination between the osteoblastic and vascular niches regulates HSC selfrenewal, proliferation, differentiation and mobilization in and out of the bone marrow (BM). HSCs leave the osteoblastic niche, mobilize to the vascular niche, and enter the blood vessel. They subsequently may undergo transendothelial migration from the peripheral circulation and return first to the vascular niche and then to the osteoblastic niche (Lapidot et al., 2005; Cancelas and Williams, 2006). Within the niche, there are critical bidirectional signals that ensure the regulation of normal HSCs (Calvi et al., 2003) and maintenance of the quiescent long-term HSC pool (Fleming et al., 2008). The quiescent fraction of immunophenotypically defined HSCs has been previously demonstrated to correlate with long-term repopulating ability of BM (Passegue et al., 2005) and loss of this fraction is associated with inability to sustain serial transplantation, the most stringent in vivo assay of self-renewal (Fleming et al., 2008). The HM consists of a complex structure of both non-hematopoietic and hematopoietic cells, extracellular matrix as well as soluble and membrane bound factors that cooperate to support normal hematopoiesis. It was known as early as the 1960s, based on experiments on mice, that normal hematopoiesis could not occur without a supportive environment (Russell et al., 1979). In vitro studies of the HM over the last several decades have mostly relied on the long-term marrow culture system, first reported by Dexter (1977). The key component of the HM is mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). These plastic-adherent cells currently described as mesenchymal stem cells are termed multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, while the term mesenchymal stem cell should be reserved for a subset of these cells that demonstrate stem cell activity by clearly stated criteria (Horowitz et al., 2005). MSCs are primitive cells originating from the mesodermal germ layer and were classically described to give rise to connective tissues, skeletal muscle cells, and cells of the vascular system. Friedenstein and colleagues (1974) first described MSC as fibroblast-like cells that
MISO information and power transfer with finite-rate feedback under fading channel

Mobile devices or sensor nodes are usually energy-constrained, and in some scenarios it is inconvenient or impractical to charge or replace batteries. To tackle this problem, the idea of transferring power to mobile devices wirelessly via radio frequency signals has recently gained much attention. In this paper, we consider a point-to-point communication system in which the transferred power is used for the receiver to feedback the quantized channel state information (CSI) to the transmitter, and then the transmitter utilizes the CSI to beamform the signals. Two power and information transfer architectures are considered: time-switching and power splitting. We derive bounds of the average achievable rates under the fading channel.
The Relation Between Peak Response Magnitudes and Agreement in Diagnoses Obtained From Two Different Phallometric Tests for Pedophilia

Phallometric testing is widely considered the best psychophysiological procedure for assessing erotic preferences in men. Researchers have differed, however, on the necessity of setting some minimum criterion of penile response for ascertaining the interpretability of a phallometric test result. Proponents of a minimum criterion have generally based their view on the intuitive notion that “more is better” rather than any formal demonstration of this. The present study was conducted to investigate whether there is any empirical evidence for this intuitive notion, by examining the relation between magnitude of penile response and the agreement in diagnoses obtained in two test sessions using different laboratory stimuli. The results showed that examinees with inconsistent diagnoses responded less on both tests and that examinees with inconsistent diagnoses responded less on the second test after controlling for their response on the first test. Results also indicated that at response levels less than 1 cm3, diagnostic consistency was no better than chance, supporting the establishment of a minimum response level criterion.
Expression of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase in trans during virion release and after infection

The normal reverse transcription of retroviral RNA is a complex process which depends on the orchestration of several steps throughout the virus life cycle. During the assembly of retroviruses, reverse transcriptase (RT) is directed into the virion as a component of the Gag-Pol polyprotein. In the maturation of the Gag-Pol polyprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), cleavage by the viral protease occurs during viral budding. After infection, reverse transcription of viral RNA into double-stranded DNA is completed in the cytoplasm of the infected cell. In this study, the processing and reverse transcription of HIV-1 have been examined by separate expression of mature HIV-1 RT and proviral molecules bearing RT mutations. The effects of RT expression in trans during virion release and after viral entry were investigated. Constitutive expression of HIV-1 RT was established in CD4- and non-CD4-expressing cells via the coexpression of its individual subunits, and three HIV-1 RT mutant constructs were generated. The results indicate that a bona fide RT trans complementation does not occur during virion release or after infection. However, after infection of an RT-expressing cell with a high titer RT-defective virus, intracellular reverse transcription can be detected.
COAGULATION PROFILE AND PLATELET PARAMETERS OF THE ARABIAN SAND GAZELLE (GAZELLA SUBGUTTUROSA MARICA): COMPARISON WITH HUMANS AND CAMELS

During March 2009, we evaluated the hemostatic profile and platelet indices of 18 Arabian sand gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa marica) and compared the results with those from humans and camels (Camelus dromedarius). Gazelles and camels had shorter activated partial thromboplastin times, lower proconvertin and higher antihemophilic factor coagulation activity, and plasma fibrinogen levels than humans. Prothrombin time was longer in sand gazelles and shorter in camels than it was in humans. Plasma thromboplastin component, Stuart factor, and plasma thromboplastin antecedent were similar in gazelles, humans, and camels, whereas the platelet count of the sand gazelle was significantly higher than it was for camels and humans.
Quality of Life in Migraine and Chronic Daily Headache Patients

Primary chronic headache can affect a patient's health-related quality of life (HQL). The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire has been used to address this issue. We compare the impact of headache on the HQL of patients with migraine and chronic daily headache (CDH) using the SF-36 instrument. We analyzed a group of 115 consecutive patients; 62 migraine patients and 53 CDH patients completed the questionnaire. Patterns of disability were similar between the two groups, but CDH was marked by a lower level of health scales. Patients with CDH had a significantly worse pain score in physical functioning, role functioning (physical), bodily pain, general health perceptions, and mental health than patients with migraine headache. Our results in the migraine group were similar to findings in other publications, with the lowest scores in role functioning (physical) and bodily pain. There is no previous experience in CDH patients, but the present data suggest that the SF-36 questionnaire is valuable in determining the differences in functional status among headache types. These data suggest that the SF-36 is a reliable and valid measure of the HQL of patients with CDH, and may indeed prove to be valuable in studying the efficacy of therapeutic agents for this type of headache.
Prothrombin Complex Concentrate Contains Protein Z and Prevents Bleeding in a Patient with Protein Z Deficiency

The activated form of GP I M II a increased slightly after DDAVP. No systematic change of platelet lysosome integral membrane protein (CD63, LIMP) or of GP IV expression were found. The calculated ratios CD61/CD42b and act.CD41/CD42b remained unchanged before and after infusion, which is consistent with an only moderate systemic effect. Our finding of increased CD61 might be explained by the fact of the outfolding of the platelet membrane after initial platelet activation, which brings formerly cryptic G P IM IIa molecules to the surface. The opposite is true for GP lb, which gets internalised after platelet activation. The trend to lower GP lb in our in vivo setting differs from the findings of other authors, who described an unexplained increase of GP lb expression after DDAVP in vitro or in vivo [7], In our study the activated form of GP I M II a increased after DDAVP, indicating a possible reversible surface activation of platelets. Such an effect was not seen with the platelet lysosome integral membrane protein (CD63, L IM P ), which means that platelet activation indicated by the surface marker GP I M II a did not significantly proceed to the irreversible release reaction. This is in concordance with the observation of others that no increase of platelet release products was found after DDAVP infusion [5], A slight underestimation of the extent of the reversible activation might be considered possible, because of the stabilising effect of PGE[ added with the anticoagulant mixture before blood sampling. But the immediate fixation with formaldehyde might have counteracted and balanced this interaction. Normally, GP IV (CD36) remains unaffected by platelet activation under the influence of weak agonists but shows an increased expression after activation by thrombin. The absence of changes in GP IV expression in our findings supports the above mentioned argument that DDAVP does not cause irreversible platelet activation. In conclusion, one hour after high dose DDAVP infusion a minor activation of a platelet surface antigen (GP IM IIa ) was detected, but was not combined with signs of irreversible platelet activation. The partial platelet activation may be irrelevant in young healthy subjects but in elderly patients with extensive atherosclerotic lesions or concomitant vascular risk factors a minor increase of platelet reactivity may add to the risk of arterial thrombosis.
Generosity and Philanthropy: A Literature Review

We present an overview of the academic literature on philanthropy, divided in two parts: 1. Who gives how much; 2. Why people give. In part 1 we survey the literature on characteristics of individuals and households that are related to giving. In part 2, we identify eight mechanisms as the most important forces that drive giving: (1) awareness of need; (2) solicitation; (3) costs and benefits; (4) altruism; (5) reputation; (6) psychological benefits; (7) values; (8) efficacy. We evaluate the progress in the almost 500 studies we reviewed and suggest directions for future research on philanthropy.
Quantitative, wide-range, 5-minute point-of-care immunoassay for total human chorionic gonadotropin in whole blood.

BACKGROUND Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is among the most common analytes available for point-of-care immunotesting, with most assays currently based on simple manual assay devices. However, as the importance of good analytical performance of rapid assays is increasingly emphasized, more sophisticated immunoassay techniques are needed to meet the future challenges of rapid yet quantitative POC testing. METHODS We developed a simple, dry-reagent, all-in-one immunoassay for the quantitative measurement of hCG in whole blood, plasma, or serum. The noncompetitive assay equally measures intact, nicked, and hyperglycosylated hCG as well as nonnicked and nicked hCG beta-subunit with a rapid and simple procedure consisting of a 5-min, one-step incubation and, subsequent to washing, the measurement of time-resolved fluorescence directly from a wet well surface. RESULTS The assay had a detection limit (background + 3 SD) of 0.4 IU/L hCG. The within-run CV was <15% down to 2 IU/L, and the assay was linear to 6000 IU/L. The within- and between-run CVs in heparinized whole blood and plasma were </=10% throughout the measured range (4.0-4400 IU/L). The mean (95% confidence interval) difference between whole blood and plasma was -42 (-24 to -61)% without hematocrit correction and 6.5 (-14 to 27)% with hematocrit correction (n = 106). Regression analysis with the Diagnostic Products IMMULITE 2000 hCG method yielded the following: slope (SD), 1.02 (0.01); y-intercept (SD), -6 (10) IU/L; S(y|x) = 99 IU/L (n = 124; range, 1.6-4746 IU/L; r = 0.995). CONCLUSIONS Combined with the fully automated instrumentation, the 5-min, dry-reagent assay allows quantitative and reproducible determination of hCG in whole blood while sustaining the speed and simplicity of conventional rapid assays.
Learning and the Welfare Implications of Changing Inflation Targets

This paper computes the welfare consequences, for a representative agent, of a shift in the inflation target of monetary authorities. The welfare computations are conducted first by comparing the two steady states that the different inflation targets entail, and next by accounting for the transition from one steady-state to the next. Further, the paper allows this transition to be characterized by incomplete information, under which private agents learn about the inflation target shift using Bayesian updating. The analysis is repeated in a variety of model parameterizations, to test the robustness of the results. We find that the welfare benefits of reducing the target rate of inflation from 2% initially to 0% may at first appear to be significant. When measured by comparing steady states, these benefits are worth up to 0.5% of steady-state consumption. However, accounting for the transition towards the new, low inflation steady state significantly reduces the computed benefits, by at least one half.
Evidence for the widespread production of DSF family signal molecules by members of the genus Burkholderia by the aid of novel biosensors.

Many bacteria employ cis-2-unsaturated fatty acids, referred to as DSF (diffusible signal factor) family signals, to communicate with each other. Such systems have been shown to control biofilm formation, motility, production of hydrolytic enzymes and expression of virulence factors. We report the construction of novel biosensors on the basis of components of the Burkholderia-DSF (BDSF) dependent circuitry of Burkholderia cenocepacia H111 and evaluated their utility for detecting the production of DSF family signal molecules. We show that a luxAB-based biosensor responds to nM levels of synthetic BDSF and is suitable to detect a wide range of cis-2 fatty acid molecules. Using this biosensor we show that the production of DSF family molecules is widespread among members of the B. cepacia complex and demonstrate for the first time that DSF-based molecules are also produced by plant-associated Burkholderia species.
Nomogram Predicting Overall Survival in Operable Cervical Cancer Patients

Objective Nomograms are widely used as predictive tools to predict oncological outcomes intuitively and precisely. The aim of our study was to develop a nomogram for predicting overall survival (OS) of patients with early stage cervical cancer. Methods In this retrospective study, the clinical, pathological, and hematological data and prognosis of 795 cervical cancer patients were investigated. We identified and incorporated independent significant prognostic factors for OS to develop a nomogram. The predictive accuracy and discriminative ability were measured by concordance index. Results By univariable analysis and subsequent multivariable analysis, we identified body mass index, albumin, platelet, leukocyte, tumor differentiation, and the status of the pelvic lymph node (PLN) (all P < 0.05) as independent prognostic factors. The concordance index of the nomogram integrating these 6 variables was 0.74. The calibration curves for probability of 3- and 5-year OS also demonstrated ideal agreement between nomogram prediction and actual observation. Conclusions We developed a novel nomogram that can provide prediction of OS for patients with early stage cervical cancer individually. Furthermore, studies are required to validate whether it can be applied to other cohorts.
An Optimal Method for Measuring Body Fat in Overweight Individuals in Clinical Practice

Background: Excess body fat is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Accordingly, it is important to choose reliable, simple and straightforward methods for measuring body composition in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to verify the concordance between body composition obtained by Skinfold Thickness (SF) and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) as well as their correlation with anthropometric indices. Methods: The study was conducted from August 2007 to July 2009 among the adults and elderly patients (n = 85) receiving nutritional counseling at a primary health care unit in a Brazilian city. It was investigated all patients seen in the period. The following indices were used for comparison: Body Mass index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC), Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) and body composition evaluated by BIA and the sum of skinfolds (tricipital, bicipital, subscapular and suprailiac). The statistical analyses included the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Student’s t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, the Pearson and Spearman correlation tests and the Bland-Altman method. Results: Eighty-five individuals were evaluated, predominantly women (91.8%) and overweight individuals (92.8% adults, 89.7% elderly), with a mean age of 51.8 ± 13.0 years (22;85). The percentage of body fat estimated by SF was significantly higher than that estimated by BIA (42.8%; 95% CI: 12.6-49.2 vs. 40.4%; 95% CI: 21.0-51.2; p<0.001). However, a moderate correlation (r = 0.58; p<0.001) and strong concordance [0.9797 (LC95%= -8.0519; 10.0113)] were observed between the two methods. Significant correlations were found between BMI and WC, but not WHR, with respect to body fat estimated by BIA and SF (r = 0.453 to 0.707; p<0.05). BIA presented stronger correlations with BMI and WC (r = 0.707 and 0.605, respectively) compared with SF (r = 0.493 and 0.453, respectively). Conclusion: Strong concordance and a significant correlation were observed between BIA and SF, suggesting their validity in measuring body fat among overweight individuals. However, BIA appears to present better results when considering its higher correlation with the anthropometric indicators used. *Corresponding author: Mariana Carvalho de Menezes, 359 Andre Cavalcanti ave, apt 22. Belo Horizonte, MG 30430-110, Brazil, Tel: 55-31-8644-4344; Fax: 55-31-3409-9860; E-mail: marysnut@gmail.com Received January 12, 2012; Accepted May 15, 2012; Published May 18, 2012 Citation: de Menezes MC, Souza Lopes AC, Cunha LP, Jansen AK, dos Santos LC (2012) An Optimal Method for Measuring Body Fat in Overweight Individuals in Clinical Practice. Endocrinol Metab Synd S2:002. doi:10.4172/2161-1017.S2-002 Copyright: © 2012 de Menezes MC, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Your Uber Is Arriving: Managing Independent Workers through Surge Pricing, Forecast Communication and Worker Incentives

On-demand platforms (e.g., Uber, Lyft) often rely on independent workers, who are not directly under the platform’s control, to be available at the “right” time and locations to serve consumers at short notice. To manage fluctuating demand across market locations (zones), on-demand platforms share market forecasts with workers to inform them where they should be available, and use surge pricing—wherein the price at a particular zone is temporarily raised above the regular price. We analyze these platform strategies in an on-demand marketplace where independent workers can move between adjacent zones, explicitly accounting for the strategic interaction in their moving decisions. We show that, contrary to conventional wisdom, surge pricing can be useful even in zones where supply exceeds demand. Specifically, because workers are strategic agents facing costs to move and competition from other workers who move, simply informing workers where they should be available may not ensure that enough workers move to that zone. Interestingly, more workers can be made to move from a zone with excess supply of workers by strategically using a surge price to throttle demand in that zone. Such strategic surge pricing can increase total platform profit across zones, and even be more profitable than offering workers bonuses to move. Surge pricing in a zone with excess supply can also be useful to credibly communicate the need for more workers to move. In other instances, such surge pricing may be useful to avoid too many workers from moving. Our analysis offers insights for effectively managing on-demand service with independent workers.
Dosing time dependency of doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity and bone marrow toxicity in rats

Cardiac toxicity caused by doxorubicin (adriamycin) is a serious dose‐limiting factor in the clinical situation. However, the influence of doxorubicin dosing time has not been clarified from the viewpoints of cardiotoxic development and its mechanism. In this study, we have investigated the dosing time dependency of doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity and bone marrow toxicity after repeated administration of doxorubicin in rats. When doxorubicin (5 mg kg−1, i.p.) was administered every seven days (total of 30 mg kg−1) at 3, 9, 15 or 21h after the light was turned on (HALO), toxic death was significantly higher in the 9 HALO treated group than the other groups. When doxorubicin was injected every seven days for 28 days at 9 or 21 HALO, we measured the levels of creatine kinase, malondialdehyde (MDA; an index of lipid peroxide), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as markers of cardiotoxicity. On days 14 and 28, creatine kinase levels were significantly higher in the 9‐HALO group compared with the 21‐HALO group (P < 0.01, respectively). On day 14, MDA levels increased significantly in the 9 HALO group compared with the 21 HALO group (P < 0.01). A single dose of doxorubicin was administered at 9‐h or 21‐h after the light was turned on to investigate the dosing‐time‐dependent difference of the pharmacokinetics. The area under the plasma time‐concentration curve showed a significant increase at 9 HALO compared with 21 HALO (P < 0.05). These results suggested that the dosing‐time‐dependent difference of cardiotoxicity induced by doxorubicin was closely related to the daily variation of doxorubicin pharmacokinetics. In conclusion, the choice of optimal dosing time based on the chronopharmacokinetics of doxorubicin may decrease the cardio‐toxicity and enable the practice of effective and safe chemotherapy of doxorubicin.