Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thrombopoietin‐independent effect of interferon‐γ on the proliferation of human megakaryocyte progenitors

Flow cytometric study revealed that almost all CD34+ cells in human umbilical cord blood expressed interferon‐γ receptor (IFN‐γR). To clarify the precise functional roles of IFN‐γR in human CD34+ cells, we examined the effect of IFN‐γ alone and in combination with various cytokines on the growth of haemopoietic progenitor cells in CD34+ cells using a serum‐free clonal culture. Surprisingly, IFN‐γ alone supported only megakaryocyte (MK) colonies in a dose‐dependent manner with a plateau level at 1000 U/ml of IFN‐γ. IFN‐γ at 1000 U/ml induced 10 ± 1.2 MK colonies from 1 × 103 CD34+ cells, whereas thrombopoietin (TPO), interleukin (IL)‐3, stem cell factor (SCF) or IL‐6 alone induced 22 ± 4.0, 22 ± 4.2, 4 ± 0.6 and 0 MK colonies, respectively. The addition of anti‐IFN‐γ monoclonal antibody (mAb) to the IFN‐γ culture completely abrogated MK colony formation, whereas the mAb had no effect on TPO‐dependent production of MK colonies. In contrast, although anti‐TPO polyclonal Ab almost completely blocked TPO‐dependent MK colony formation, it failed to inhibit the generation of MK colonies induced by IFN‐γ, suggesting that the observed effect of IFN‐γ on the proliferation of human MK progenitor cells is independent of TPO. The addition of IFN‐γ to culture with TPO or SCF significantly augmented the development of MK colonies, whereas it did not affect IL‐3‐dependent MK colony formation. Additionally, IFN‐γ induced the increase of DNA content of cultured glycoprotein IIb/IIIa‐positive megakaryocytes. These results suggest that IFN‐γ may have regulatory roles in human megakaryocytopoiesis.
Cytotoxic T-Cells in Peripheral Blood in Women with Endometriosis.

Aim: The etiology of endometriosis remains unknown, but increasing evidence suggests that immune regulation may be important. Our study aimed to evaluate peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations during the menstrual cycle in women with peritoneal and ovarian endometriosis relative to healthy women. Methods: In this study, 65 women with endometriosis (37 in the follicular phase and 28 in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle) and 61 healthy women (33 in the follicular phase and 28 in the luteal phase) were enrolled. Flow cytometric analysis measured peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations. The serum levels of cortisol were also determined. Results: In healthy controls, we detected an increased concentration of cytotoxic (CD8+) T cells and activated (HLA-DR) T cells in the luteal phase compared with the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (p = 0.020 and p = 0.045), whereas no such fluctuation was detected in endometriosis. However, a marked increase in regulatory T-cell concentration in the luteal phase was detected only in endometriosis patients (p = 0.005). Women with endometriosis had higher levels of serum cortisol (p = 0.022), which correlated with the concentration of regulatory T cells (p = 0.048). Conclusions: Women with endometriosis do not exhibit fluctuations in the concentrations of cytotoxic and activated peripheral blood lymphocytes during the menstrual cycle. The marked fluctuation of regulatory T cells detected in endometriosis could be attributed to altered immune response.
How Campaigns Enhance European Issues Voting During European Parliament Elections

Based on findings from the literature on campaign effects on the one hand, and the literature on European Parliament elections on the other, we propose a model of European Parliamentary elections in which the campaign shift the calculus of electoral support, making differences in national political allegiances less important and attitudes about the European project more important by informing voters of and getting them interested in European politics. In effect, we argue that the political campaign leading up to the election makes European Parliament elections less second order. While previous studies have demonstrated that EU issues can matter for voting behavior in European Parliament elections, existing research has drawn on post-election surveys that do not enable us to capture campaign effects. Our contribution is to assess the impact of a campaign by utilizing a rolling cross-sectional survey that enables us to track how voters were affected by the campaign. Our findings show that campaigns do have an effect on European Parliament election outcomes, in that they provide information that enables voters to make decisions based on their attitude on European issues, making voter decision-making more dominated by EU issue voting.
Why Can't a Woman Invest More Like a Man? Gender Differences in Investment Behaviour

This research finds distinct life cycle patterns of equity participation by gender. The significant factors associated with equity participation also vary notably by gender and age. Women exhibit greater variability in both participation levels and significant factors. Family circumstances are more relevant factors for women. Family obligations appear to constitute a type of habit formation, which affects participation in risky assets in a manner consistent with recent research on life cycle investment models incorporating background risk in labour income and habit formation in consumption. An improved understanding of the life cycle patterns and significant factors in investment behaviour can improve life cycle investment strategies.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: History and Overview

Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers have many favorable characteristics that make it a popular injectable filler device. Its minimal immunogenicity and relative ease of use has helped HA become the most commonly used injectable filler today. A brief history of injectable fillers, the various injection techniques, and legal ramifications are discussed. A review of the most recent literature compares the efficacy and safety of HA to other injectable filler substances.
Relationship between mortality and feeding modality among children born to HIV-infected mothers in a research setting: the Kesho Bora Study

Objective:To assess the relationship between infant feeding practices and mortality by 18 months of age among children born to HIV-infected mothers in the Kesho Bora trial (Burkina-Faso, Kenya and South Africa). Methods:Enrolled HIV-infected women were counseled to choose between breastfeeding up to 6 months or replacement feeding from delivery. Multivariable Cox models were used to compare the infant mortality risks according to feeding practices over time defined as never breastfed, weaned or still breastfed. The category ‘still breastfed’ was disaggregated as exclusively, predominantly or partially breastfed to compare modes of breastfeeding. The relationship between weaning and mortality was also assessed using marginal structural models to control for time-dependent confounders, such as maternal or infant morbidity (reverse causality). Results:Among 795 mothers, 618 (77.7%) initiated breastfeeding. Mortality rates by 18 months among uninfected and infected children were 6 and 38%, respectively. Never breastfed and weaned children were at greater risk of death compared with those still breastfed. Adjusted hazard ratios were 6.7 [95% confidence interval (CI)=2.5–17.9; P < 0.001] and 6.9 (CI = 2.8–17.2; P < 0.001) for never breastfed and weaned children, respectively. Estimation of the effect of weaning using marginal structural models led to similar results. No statistically significant differences were observed according to mode of breastfeeding (exclusive, predominant or partial). Conclusion:Within 6 months after birth, weaned or never breastfed children were at about seven-fold higher risk of dying compared with children who were still breastfed despite a context in which interventions were provided to reduce risks associated with replacement feeding.
The Second Canadian Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Consensus: moving forward to new concepts.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disease with serious consequences that may result in significant impairment in quality of life and disease morbidity. Across all grades of severity of symptoms and severity of underlying esophageal disease, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) provide therapeutic gains over prokinetics (PKs) or H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs). The potential cost effectiveness of using medications with higher acquisition costs that may lower health care costs overall is often disregarded when conducting cost comparisons with medications having lower 'up-front' costs. Limiting therapy to less effective agents condemns many patients to protracted suffering, repeated physician visits and needless reinvestigation of symptoms that could have been resolved by appropriate initial therapy. Based on current data, use of any classification of symptom severity as a basis for selecting one class of therapeutic agents over another for first line therapy (i.e. PKs, H2RAs for 'mild' GERD, versus a PPI for 'severe' disease) is unwarranted.
Parental reported benefits and shortcomings of cochlear implantation: Pilot study findings from Southeast Asia

Abstract Objective The aim of the study was to understand the reported benefits and shortcomings by parents of children with cochlear implants and who contribute towards the cost of the implant. Method Thirty parents of children with cochlear implants from a hearing impaired school in Southeast Asia completed open-ended questionnaires and the data were analysed using content analysis. Results A wide range of benefits and shortcomings were reported. However, it is notable that the single most reported shortcoming was related to cost. Discussion The results suggest that, even though, in general, the reports about benefits and shortcomings were similar to previous results from western countries, the emphasis given to various aspects of shortcomings was different. In particular, it appears that parentally reported outcomes could be related to many factors including the hearing healthcare system with the costs involved for the implanted individuals and their families. These findings help us understand the parental perspectives of the success of cochlear implantation and will be useful during parental counselling sessions.
Prions in the urine of patients with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

BACKGROUND Prions, the infectious agents responsible for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, consist mainly of the misfolded prion protein (PrP(Sc)). The unique mechanism of transmission and the appearance of a variant form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which has been linked to consumption of prion-contaminated cattle meat, have raised concerns about public health. Evidence suggests that variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease prions circulate in body fluids from people in whom the disease is silently incubating. METHODS To investigate whether PrP(Sc) can be detected in the urine of patients with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, we used the protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) technique to amplify minute quantities of PrP(Sc), enabling highly sensitive detection of the protein. We analyzed urine samples from several patients with various transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (variant and sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and genetic forms of prion disease), patients with other degenerative or nondegenerative neurologic disorders, and healthy persons. RESULTS PrP(Sc) was detectable only in the urine of patients with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and had the typical electrophoretic profile associated with this disease. PrP(Sc) was detected in 13 of 14 urine samples obtained from patients with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and in none of the 224 urine samples obtained from patients with other neurologic diseases and from healthy controls, resulting in an estimated sensitivity of 92.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 66.1 to 99.8) and a specificity of 100.0% (95% CI, 98.4 to 100.0). The PrP(Sc) concentration in urine calculated by means of quantitative PMCA was estimated at 1×10(-16) g per milliliter, or 3×10(-21) mol per milliliter, which extrapolates to approximately 40 to 100 oligomeric particles of PrP(Sc) per milliliter of urine. CONCLUSIONS Urine samples obtained from patients with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease contained minute quantities of PrP(Sc). (Funded by the National Institutes of Health and others.).
Forecasting-Based Carry Trade Using Pegged Currency: A Case of Omani Rial

This paper examines the profitability of using an emerging country, currency that is pegged to the U.S. dollar in carry trade against floating currencies. It also examines the effect of embedding forecasting techniques in its profitability and risk-adjusted returns. While carry trade is performed largely with currencies that adapt a floating exchange rate system, conducting such a strategy using pegged currency has proven to be very rewarding, especially when the strategy is enhanced with forecasting methods. Carry trade is a speculative strategy where carry traders take advantage of interest rate differential between two currencies. It is conducted by borrowing a low interest rate currency and investing in a high interest rate currency. According to uncovered interest parity (UIP), carry trade should not yield any profit. If investors are both rational and risk-neutral, then exchange rate changes will eliminate any gains arising from the differential in interest rate. But literature has shown that UIP does not hold. This failure has led to unprecedented returns for that strategy matching the returns of the S&P 500 and outperforming it in terms of Sharpe ratio.
Zeb1 and Snail1 engage miR‐200f transcriptional and epigenetic regulation during EMT

Cell plasticity is emerging as a key regulator of tumor progression and metastasis. During carcinoma dissemination epithelial cells undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) processes characterized by the acquisition of migratory/invasive properties, while the reverse, mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) process, is also essential for metastasis outgrowth. Different transcription factors, called EMT‐TFs, including Snail, bHLH and Zeb families are drivers of the EMT branch of epithelial plasticity, and can be post‐transcriptionally downregulated by several miRNAs, as the miR‐200 family. The specific or redundant role of different EMT‐TFs and their functional interrelations are not fully understood. To study the interplay between different EMT‐TFs, comprehensive gain and loss‐of‐function studies of Snail1, Snail2 and/or Zeb1 factors were performed in the prototypical MDCK cell model system. We here describe that Snail1 and Zeb1 are mutually required for EMT induction while continuous Snail1 and Snail2 expression, but not Zeb1, is needed for maintenance of the mesenchymal phenotype in MDCK cells. In this model system, EMT is coordinated by Snail1 and Zeb1 through transcriptional and epigenetic downregulation of the miR‐200 family. Interestingly, Snail1 is involved in epigenetic CpG DNA methylation of the miR‐200 loci, essential to maintain the mesenchymal phenotype. The present results thus define a novel functional interplay between Snail and Zeb EMT‐TFs in miR‐200 family regulation providing a molecular link to their previous involvement in the generation of EMT process in vivo.
The effects of dietary protein independent of essential amino acids on growth and body composition in genetically lean and fat chickens

1. Growth performance between 28 and 49 d of age and carcase composition at 49 d in genetically lean (LL) and fat (FL) broilers fed on diets varying in non-essential amino acid (NEAA) concentrations were compared in 2 experiments. In experiment 1, 3 crude protein (CP) contents (133, 155, and 178 g/kg) were compared. In experiment 2, 4 CP levels (131, 150, 170 and 189 g/kg) were compared. All diets were supplemented with synthetic amino acids to cover the EAA requirement of the LL birds. 2. Weight gains of FL chickens were not affected by dietary treatments, while those of LL increased when CP level increased. 3. Reducing CP content always increased body lipids, abdominal fat and food conversion ratio in both lines in both experiments; however, the effect on abdominal fat was more pronounced in the FL birds. 4. Reducing CP concentration always decreased breast muscle proportion in both lines in both experiments, even when growth rate was not affected by CP. 5. It is concluded that LL chickens require diets more concentrated in NEAA than fat chickens and that there seems to be an effect of NEAA on breast muscle development.
Psychosocial impairment in offspring of depressed parents

Background. Offspring of depressed parents experience impairment in a number of domains of functioning. Few studies have examined the impact of both maternal and paternal depression and co-morbid psychopathology on offspring functioning. Method. Oregon Adolescent Depression Project participants were administered diagnostic interviews and completed measures of psychosocial functioning during adolescence (mean=16·6, S.D.=1·19) and again during young adulthood (mean=24·5, S.D.=0·51). Diagnostic interviews were also conducted with the mothers and fathers of the target individual. Results. After controlling for relevant demographic characteristics, parental co-morbid psychopathology, and offspring psychopathology, maternal depression was associated with higher levels of physical symptoms (β=0·14, S.E.=0·07) during adolescence, and higher levels of minor stressors (β=2·52, S.E.=1·07) and a greater risk for using mental health services (OR 1·86, 95% CI 1·14–3·03) in young adulthood. Paternal depression was associated with offspring experiencing more major stressors (β=0·27, S.E.=0·07), having lower perceived social competence (β=−0·17, S.E.=0·08), and being more likely to attempt suicide (OR 2·65, 95% CI 1·19–5·92) during adolescence, as well as lower perceived social competence (β=−1·21, S.E.=0·49) in young adulthood. Conclusions. Offspring of depressed parents demonstrate impairment in a variety of domains, even after controlling for the effects of their own psychopathology. Further research on the mechanisms that lead to these impairments, as well as the role of these impairments in the subsequent development of psychopathology, is warranted.
Reciprocal relation between marrow adiposity and the amount of bone in the axial and appendicular skeleton of young adults.

BACKGROUND Studies in the elderly suggest a reciprocal relation between increased marrow adiposity and bone loss, supporting basic research data indicating that osteoblasts and adipocytes share a common progenitor cell. However, whether this relation represents a preferential differentiation of stromal cells from osteoblasts to adipocytes or whether a passive accumulation of fat as bone is lost and marrow space increases with aging is unknown. To address this question and avoid the confounding effect of bone loss, we examined teenagers and young adults. METHODS Using computed tomography, we obtained measurements of bone density and cross-sectional area of the lumbar vertebral bodies and cortical bone area, cross-sectional area, marrow canal area, and fat density in the marrow of the femurs in 255 sexually mature subjects (126 females, 129 males; 15-24.9 yr of age). Additionally, values for total body fat were obtained with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS Regardless of gender, reciprocal relations were found between fat density and measures of vertebral bone density and femoral cortical bone area (r = 0.19-0.39; all P values < or = .03). In contrast, there was no relation between marrow canal area and cortical bone area in the femurs, neither between fat density and the cross-sectional dimensions of the bones. We also found no relation between anthropometric or dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry fat values and measures for marrow fat density. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate an inverse relation between bone marrow adiposity and the amount of bone in the axial and appendicular skeleton and support the notion of a common progenitor cell capable of mutually exclusive differentiation into the cell lineages responsible for bone and fat formation.
Reconstruction of central carbon metabolism in Sulfolobus solfataricus using a two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis map, stable isotope labelling and DNA microarray analysis

In the last decade, an increasing number of sequenced archaeal genomes have become available, opening up the possibility for functional genomic analyses. Here, we reconstructed the central carbon metabolism in the hyperthermophilic crenarchaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus (glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and tricarboxylic acid cycle) on the basis of genomic, proteomic, transcriptomic and biochemical data. A 2‐DE reference map of S. solfataricus grown on glucose, consisting of 325 unique ORFs in 255 protein spots, was created to facilitate this study. The map was then used for a differential expression study based on 15N metabolic labelling (yeast extract + tryptone‐grown cells (YT) vs. glucose‐grown cells (G)). In addition, the expression ratio of the genes involved in carbon metabolism was studied using DNA microarrays. Surprisingly, only 3 and 14% of the genes and proteins, respectively, involved in central carbon metabolism showed a greater than two‐fold change in expression level. All results are discussed in the light of the current understanding of central carbon metabolism in S. solfataricus and will help to obtain a system‐wide understanding of this organism.
Validation of maturity offset in a longitudinal sample of Polish girls

Abstract This study attempted to validate an anthropometric equation for predicting age at peak height velocity (PHV) in 198 Polish girls followed longitudinally from 8 to 18 years. Maturity offset (years before or after PHV) was predicted from chronological age, mass, stature, sitting height and estimated leg length at each observation; predicted age at PHV was the difference between age and maturity offset. Actual age at PHV for each girl was derived with Preece–Baines Model 1. Predicted ages at PHV increased from 8 to16 years and varied relative to time before and after actual age at PHV. Predicted and actual ages at PHV did not differ at 9 years, but predicted overestimated actual age at PHV from 10 to 16 years. Girls of contrasting maturity status differed in predicted age at PHV from 8 to 14 years. In conclusion, predicted age at PHV is dependent upon age at prediction and individual differences in actual age at PHV, which limits its utility as an indicator of maturity timing in general and in sport talent programmes. It may have limited applicability as a categorical variable (pre-, post-PHV) among average maturing girls during the interval of the growth spurt, ~11.0–13.0 years.
Antitumor activity of gambogic acid on NCI-H1993 xenografts via MET signaling pathway downregulation

The present study aimed to investigate the anti-tumor mechanisms of gambogic acid (GA) on NCI-H1993 xenografts in vivo. Non-small cell lung carcinoma NCI-H1993 cells, which harbor a MET gene amplification, were subcutaneously injected into athymic nude mice. The mice were randomly assigned to treatment with 10, 20 or 30 mg/kg GA for 3 weeks. At the end of the efficacy study, all the mice were sacrificed and the tumor tissues were subjected to western blot analysis and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. GA inhibited NCI-H1993 xenograft tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis demonstrated that expression of phosphorylated (p)-MET and its downstream signaling molecules p-AKT and p-ERK1/2 were significantly inhibited by GA. IHC analysis of Ki-67 expression demonstrated that GA treatment resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of tumor cell proliferation. GA exerted antitumor effects on NCI-H1993 xenografts in vivo by direct regulation of the MET signaling pathway. Theses antitumor effects were primarily a result of its anti-proliferation function.