Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dendritic Cells Mediate NK Cell Help for Th1 and CTL Responses: Two-Signal Requirement for the Induction of NK Cell Helper Function 1

Early stages of viral infections are associated with local recruitment and activation of dendritic cells (DC) and NK cells. Although activated DC and NK cells are known to support each other’s functions, it is less clear whether their local interaction in infected tissues can modulate the subsequent ability of migrating DC to induce T cell responses in draining lymph nodes. In this study, we report that NK cells are capable of inducing stable type 1-polarized “effector/memory” DC (DC1) that act as carriers of NK cell-derived helper signals for the development of type 1 immune responses. NK cell-induced DC1 show a strongly elevated ability to produce IL-12p70 after subsequent CD40 ligand stimulation. NK-induced DC1 prime naive CD4+ Th cells for high levels of IFN-γ, but low IL-4 production, and demonstrate a strongly enhanced ability to induce Ag-specific CD8+ T cell responses. Resting NK cells display stringent activation requirements to perform this novel, DC-mediated, “helper” function. Although their interaction with K562 cells results in effective target cell killing, the induction of DC1 requires a second NK cell-activating signal. Such costimulatory signal can be provided by type I IFNs, common mediators of antiviral responses. Therefore, in addition to their cytolytic function, NK cells also have immunoregulatory activity, induced under more stringent conditions. The currently demonstrated helper activity of NK cells may support the development of Th1- and CTL-dominated type 1 immunity against intracellular pathogens and may have implications for cancer immunotherapy.
The N-Glycosylation of Mouse Immunoglobulin G (IgG)-Fragment Crystallizable Differs Between IgG Subclasses and Strains

N-linked glycosylation of the fragment crystallizable (Fc)-region of immunoglobulin G (IgG) is known to have a large influence on the activity of the antibody, an effect reported to be IgG subclass specific. This situation applies both to humans and mice. The mouse is often used as experimental animal model to study the effects of Fc-glycosylation on IgG effector functions, and results are not uncommonly translated back to the human situation. However, while human IgG Fc-glycosylation has been extensively characterized in both health and disease, this is not the case for mice. To characterize the glycosylation profile of murine IgG-Fc and in addition evaluate the systematic glycosylation differences between mouse strains, sexes, and IgG subclasses, we used nanoliquid chromatography mass spectrometry (nanoLC-MS(/MS)) to look at the subclass-specific IgG Fc-glycopeptides of male and female mice from the strains BALB/c, C57BL/6, CD-1, and Swiss Webster. The structural analysis revealed the presence of predominantly fucosylated, diantennary glycans, with varying amounts of galactosylation and α2,6-sialylation. In addition, we report glycosylation features not previously reported in an Fc-specific way on murine IgG, including monoantennary, hybrid, and high mannose structures, as well as diantennary structures without a core fucose, with a bisecting N-acetylglucosamine, or with α1,3-galactosylation. Pronounced differences were detected between strains and the IgG subclasses within each strain. Especially the large spread in galactosylation and sialylation levels found between both strains and subclasses may vastly influence IgG effector functions. Mouse strain-based and subclass-specific glycosylation differences should be taken into account when designing and interpreting immunological and glycobiological mouse studies involving IgG effector functions.
Female earnings in 1981 and 1991: A comparison

This paper provides a detailed and comprehensive examination of female relative earnings over the period 1981 to 1991. Comparisons are made with male estimates. The data are disaggregated by sector of employment, revealing important and differing underlying trends. In the public sector, for example, the return to education fell for both males and females. In the private sector there was a rise in the relative earnings of female high school and diploma graduates, and a decline amongst female degree holders. Private sector male degree holders experienced an increase in their relative earnings.
Clonostachys rosea, a new and promising entomopathogenic fungus infecting pupa of jujube fruit fly, Carpomya vesuviana

Jujube fruit fly, Carpomyia vesuviana, is the most important pest of jujube in Iran. During February and March 2013, a survey on fungi associated with pupae of C. vesuviana was conducted in Birjand, South Khorasan province of Iran. To isolate fungi, the samples were washed under running tap water, surface-sterilized in 0.5% sodium hypochlorite, then rinsed and placed onto potato dextrose agar. Out of eight isolates of Clonostachys rosea obtained in this study, only one showed considerable pathogenicity against the pupa of C. vesuviana. This isolate was additionally examined using the morphological and molecular studies, based on ITS-rDNA. Both morphological and molecular data confirmed the identity of this fungus as Clonostachys rosea. Based on pathogenicity assays, significant mortality of inoculated pupa (46%) was recorded with a conidial suspension of 1010 (spore/ ml). Median Lethal Time (LT50) and LC50 values of this isolate against pupa of C. vesuviana were calculated 4.6 days and 5.1×104 spore/ml, respectively. A significant positive correlation between different 3 C. rosea concentrations and mortality of C. vesuviana was observed (r2= 0.9986, p= 0.003). Clonostachys rosea is here reported as a newand promising entomopathogenic fungus on C. vesuviana, suggesting that it is likely to play roles in protecting jujube trees against this pest.
Hepatitis C virus genotypes, HLA-DRB alleles and their response to interferon-alpha and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a worldwide common disease. Some predictive factors influencing the response to interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy have been identified, but the conclusions differ in various counties and areas. The aim of this study was to study the associations between HCV genotypes, HLA-DRB alleles and their response to IFN-alpha and ribavirin in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C in Northeast China. METHODS HCV genotypes of 113 patients with HCV were investigated. Gene chips were used to analyze the frequency of HLA-DRB in 25 of these patients and their response to IFN-alpha and ribavirin. The associations of HCV genotypes, HLA-DRB alleles and their response to IFN-alpha and ribavirin were also studied. RESULTS The response rates differed in several types of HCV, with HCV 2b being the highest (57.78%), HCV 1a and 2a lower (46.15% and 47.62%) and HCV 1b the lowest (11.76%). The response rates to IFN-alpha and ribavirin in patients with DRB1*07 were higher than those with DRB1*04. Sex, HCV type and HLA-DRB were all related to the response. Most female patients with HCV 2b and HLA-DRB1*07 presented complete response, whereas male patients with HCV 1b and HLA-DRB1*04 usually demonstrated no response. DRB1*07 allele and HCV 2b were the factors closely related to the response. CONCLUSIONS The response rate of HCV 1b may be the lowest even IFN-alpha and ribavirin are combined in treatment. Not only virus but also the host plays an important role in anti-virus therapy. Thus, it is necessary to adjust the host's immune status to accelerate the clearance of HCV.
Cooperative output regulation of linear multi-agent systems by the adaptive distributed observer

The cooperative output regulation problem of linear heterogeneous multi-agent systems by a distributed observer has been solved under the assumption that the control of each follower knows the system matrix of the leader system. In this paper, we will solve the same problem by removing this assumption by making use of the adaptive distributed observer proposed recently. This adaptive distributed observer will provide, to each follower, not only the estimation of the leader's signal, but also the estimation of the leader's system matrix. Thus, based on the estimation of the system matrix of the leader system, we will devise an adaptive algorithm to calculate the solution of the regulator equations associated with each follower, and obtain an estimated feedforward gain. The estimated leader's signal and the estimated feedforward gain will further lead to an adaptive distributed control law to solving the problem.
Polymorphisms associated with everolimus pharmacokinetics, toxicity and survival in metastatic breast cancer

Purpose Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) progressing after endocrine therapy frequently activates PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. The BOLERO-2 trial showed that everolimus-exemestane achieves increased progression free survival (PFS) compared with exemestane. However, there is great inter-patient variability in toxicity and response to exemestane-everolimus treatment. The objective of this study was to perform an exploratory study analyzing the implication of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on outcomes from this treatment through a pharmacogenetic analysis. Patients and methods Blood was collected from 90 postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative MBC treated with exemestane-everolimus following progression after prior treatment with a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor. Everolimus pharmacokinetics was measured in 37 patients. Twelve SNPs in genes involved in everolimus pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics were genotyped and associations assessed with drug plasma levels, clinically relevant toxicities (non-infectious pneumonitis, mucositis, hyperglycemia and hematological toxicities), dose reductions or treatment suspensions due to toxicity, progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival. Results We found that CYP3A4 rs35599367 variant (CYP3A4*22 allele) carriers had higher everolimus blood concentration compared to wild type patients (P = 0.019). ABCB1 rs1045642 was associated with risk of mucositis (P = 0.031), while PIK3R1 rs10515074 and RAPTOR rs9906827 were associated with hyperglycemia and non-infectious pneumonitis (P = 0.016 and 0.024, respectively). Furthermore, RAPTOR rs9906827 was associated with PFS (P = 0.006). Conclusions CYP3A4*22 allele influenced plasma concentration of everolimus and several SNPs in PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway genes were associated with treatment toxicities and prognosis. These results require replication, but suggest that germline variation could influence everolimus outcomes in MBC.
Improving Patient Outcomes Through System Change: A Focus on the Changing Roles of Healthcare Organization Executives

In this article, the authors report on a project that studied the impact of work redesign on the roles of hospital executives. Thirty-six in-depth interviews were conducted with executives from 13 VHA healthcare organizations that were considered excellent practice models in the area of work redesign. This report represents a broad, multidisciplinary perspective reflecting the ideas of various members of the healthcare management team. VHA hired Marie Manthey and Creative Nursing Management, Inc., to conduct the interviews in an objective manner and to assist with results interpretation.
Time-Varying Margin Requirements and Optimal Portfolio Choice

Abstract This paper studies the optimal consumption and portfolio problem of an investor with recursive preferences who is subject to time-varying margin requirements. The level of the requirements at each moment is determined by contemporaneous volatility of returns, which is stochastic and may have jumps. I show that the nonstandard hedging demand produced by margin requirements increases with their persistence and volatility. However, for realistic values of parameters, the hedging demand is small even in the presence of jumps, and contemporaneous jumps in prices have a much stronger effect on optimal portfolio than jumps in constraints.
Effect of isolated and combined, multimedia training and traditional training on physical variables of intercollegiate soccer players

The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of isolated and combined, multimedia training and traditional training on physical variables of intercollegiate Soccer Players. To achieve the purpose of the study, sixty men soccer players of JKFA Academy, Kollam, Kerala were selected as subjects at random. The age of the subjects were ranged from 18 to 24 years. The selected subjects were divided into four equal groups of fifteen subjects each, such as multimedia training group, traditional training group, combined training group and control group. The group I underwent multimedia training programme for four days per week for twelve weeks. Group II did traditional training participate for four days per week for twelve weeks. Group III did combined training programmes for four days per week among that two days did traditional training and two days multimedia Training for twelve weeks, Group IV act as control group they had no special training programme other than apart from their regular activities as per their curriculum. The following variable Physical variables such as Speed and cardiovascular endurance were selected as criterion variables. All the subjects of four groups were tested on selected criterion variables at prior to and immediately after the training programme by using 50 yard dash and 12 minute run or walk test respectively. The analysis of covariance was used to analyse the significant difference; between the groups.
Association of metabolic syndrome with Alzheimer disease

Objective: To assess the association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) with Alzheimer disease (AD). Methods: The authors derived subjects from a population-based study of 980 randomly selected elderly subjects. After exclusion of all non-Alzheimer dementia cases, the final study population included 959 subjects (337 men and 622 women) aged 69 to 78 years. The presence of MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (Adult Treatment Panel III) criteria, and the diagnosis of AD was based on the criteria of the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke–Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association. Results: Of the study subjects, 418 (43.6%) had MetS. Probable or possible AD was diagnosed in 45 subjects (4.7%). AD was more frequently detected in subjects with MetS than in subjects without MetS (7.2 vs 2.8%; p < 0.001). The prevalence of AD was higher in women with MetS vs women without the syndrome (8.3 vs 1.9%; p < 0.001), but in men with MetS, the prevalence of AD was not increased (3.8 vs 3.9%; p = 0.994). In univariate logistic regression analysis, MetS was significantly associated with AD (odds ratio [OR] 2.71; 95% CI 1.44 to 5.10). In multivariate logistic regression analysis including also apolipoprotein E4 phenotype, education, age, and total cholesterol, MetS was significantly associated with AD (OR 2.46; 95% CI 1.27 to 4.78). If only nondiabetic subjects were included in the multivariate analysis, MetS was still significantly associated with AD (OR 3.26; 95% CI 1.45 to 7.27). Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is associated with Alzheimer disease in elderly subjects.
Improved survival in patients with early stage low‐grade follicular lymphoma treated with radiation

External beam radiation therapy (RT) is the standard treatment for stage I‐II, grade 1‐2 follicular lymphoma. Because of an indolent natural history, some advocate alternative management strategies, including watchful waiting for this disease. The relative improvement in outcomes for patients treated with and without RT has never been tested in randomized trials.
Ca2+ and activation mechanisms in skeletal muscle

It has been known for a number of years that calcium ions play a crucial role in excitation-contraction (e-c) coupling (Sandow, 1952). The majority of the calcium required for this process is derived, at least in vertebrate striated muscle fibres, from discrete intracellular stores located at sites within the cell: the terminal cysternae (tc)/junctional SR of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) (Fig. 1 a). These storage sites not only form a compartment that is distinct from the sarcoplasm of the fibre, but they are also closely associated with the contractile elements, the myofibrils. The SR release sites are activated following the spread of electrical activity (Huxley and Taylor, 1958) along the transverse (T) tubular system (Eisenberg and Gage, 1967; Adrian et al. 1969a, b; Peachey, 1973) from the surface membrane (Bm).
Huanghella arctica gen. nov., sp. nov., a bacterium of the family Cytophagaceae isolated from Arctic tundra soil.

A novel, strictly aerobic, red-pigmented, gram-reaction-negative bacterium, designated strain R9-9(T), was isolated from tundra soil collected near Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway (78° N). The novel strain was subjected to a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. It grew optimally at 20-22 °C and at pH 7.0. Flexirubin-type pigments were absent. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain R9-9(T) represents a distinct phyletic line that reflects a novel generic status within the family Cytophagaceae. The novel strain showed relatively low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (<88.0 %) to members of established genera. Strain R9-9(T) contained summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)ω7c and/or C(16 : 1)ω6c), iso-C(17 : 0) 3-OH, iso-C(15 : 0) and C(16 : 1)ω5c as its major cellular fatty acids, phosphatidylethanolamine as its main polar lipid, and MK-7 as its major respiratory quinone. The genomic DNA G+C content was 56.1 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain R9-9(T) is considered to represent a novel species in a new genus in the family Cytophagaceae, for which the name Huanghella arctica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R9-9(T) ( = CCTCC AB 2010418(T) = NRRL B-59750(T)).
Population-based cohort study investigating the correlation of diabetes mellitus with pleural empyema in adults in Taiwan

Abstract We assessed the association between diabetes mellitus and the risk of pleural empyema in Taiwan. A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using the database of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program. There were 28,802 subjects aged 20 to 84 years who were newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus from 2000 to 2010 as the diabetes group and 114,916 randomly selected subjects without diabetes mellitus as the non-diabetes group. The diabetes group and the non-diabetes group were matched by sex, age, comorbidities, and the year of index date. The incidence of pleural empyema at the end of 2011 was estimated. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for pleural empyema associated with diabetes mellitus. The overall incidence of pleural empyema was 1.65-fold higher in the diabetes group than that in the non-diabetes group (1.58 vs 0.96 per 10,000 person-years, 95% CI 1.57–1.72). After adjusting for confounders, a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model revealed that the adjusted HR of pleural empyema was 1.71 in subjects with diabetes mellitus (95% CI 1.16–2.51), compared with those without diabetes mellitus. In further analysis, even in the absence of any comorbidity, the adjusted HR was 1.99 for subjects with diabetes mellitus alone (95% CI 1.18–3.38). Diabetic patients confer a 1.71-fold increased hazard of developing pleural empyema. Even in the absence of any comorbidity, the risk remains existent.
Effect of cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitor on some biochemical parameters in normal male rats

Endogenous cholesterol acts as a precursor of testosterone and other steroids hormones, this study was conducted to evaluate if there is a counterproductive effect associated with inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis pathway specially in high doses and the degree of these effects in normal male rats. Forty eight adult Wistar rats divided into four groups, the first is control while the remaining three groups were treated with simvastatin (cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitor) in doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg.kg -1 respectively. Serum samples were observed at the baseline then every fifteen days while tissue samples were observed at day 30 and 60. Results of statistic refered to a significant decrease (p � 0.05) in serum total cholesterol and triglycerides (by 24 and 49% ± 3) respectively, also serum testosterone was significantly decreased (by 71% ± 2) in all groups compared to control after thirty and sixty days. The activity of alanine aminotransferase was increased (57% ± 3) versus to aspartate aminotransferase. Liver cholesterol was significantly decreased (by 72% ± 2) while testicular cholesterol was decreased except the group of 100 mg.kg -1 which in turns to elevate (61% ± 4), in addition also there was a decrease in body weight gain percentage neither the weights of liver nor testis was affected. In conclusion, the inhibition of denovo pathway of cholesterol biosynthesis negatively affects testosterone level in addition to cholesterol concentration in the tissues, body weight gain and alanine aminotransferase with no successful compensatory mechanism as related with testosterone level.
Does “sustainable” investing compromise the obligations owed by superannuation trustees?

Trustees of Australian superannuation funds are coming under increasing public pressure to take sustainability factors into account in their investment strategies. Despite the rhetoric, trustees have been loath to incorporate what are sometimes deemed "non-financial" criteria into their decision processes. This is entirely understandable. It stems from the conventional wisdom that a range of practical and legal impediments stands in their way. This article reviews that conventional wisdom and finds that it is often superficial and ignores recent developments in the way sustainable investing is framed. This implies that the way is open for superannuation trustees to embrace a more positive approach to sustainable investing; one that is consistent with the tapestry of obligations they owe under general law as well as the legislative backdrop.
Mutual Interference between Genomic RNA Replication and Subgenomic mRNA Transcription in Brome Mosaic Virus

ABSTRACT Replication by many positive-strand RNA viruses includes genomic RNA amplification and subgenomic mRNA (sgRNA) transcription. For brome mosaic virus (BMV), both processes occur in virus-induced, membrane-associated compartments, require BMV replication factors 1a and 2a, and use negative-strand RNA3 as a template for genomic RNA3 and sgRNA syntheses. To begin elucidating their relations, we examined the interaction of RNA3 replication and sgRNA transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing 1a and 2a, which support the full RNA3 replication cycle. Blocking sgRNA transcription stimulated RNA3 replication by up to 350%, implying that sgRNA transcription inhibits RNA3 replication. Such inhibition was independent of the sgRNA-encoded coat protein and operated in cis. We further found that sgRNA transcription inhibited RNA3 replication at a step or steps after negative-strand RNA3 synthesis, implying competition with positive-strand RNA3 synthesis for negative-strand RNA3 templates, viral replication factors, or common host components. Consistent with this, sgRNA transcription was stimulated by up to 400% when mutations inhibiting positive-strand RNA3 synthesis were introduced into the RNA3 5′-untranslated region. Thus, BMV subgenomic and genomic RNA syntheses mutually interfered with each other, apparently by competition for one or more common factors. In plant protoplasts replicating all three BMV genomic RNAs, mutations blocking sgRNA transcription often had lesser effects on RNA3 accumulation, possibly because RNA3 also competed with RNA1 and RNA2 replication templates and because any increase in RNA3 replication at the expense of RNA1 and RNA2 would be self-limited by decreased 1a and 2a expression from RNA1 and RNA2.