Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NAK-Associated Protein 1 Participates in Both the TLR3 and the Cytoplasmic Pathways in Type I IFN Induction1

TLR3 and the cytoplasmic helicase family proteins (retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5)) serve as dsRNA pattern-recognition receptors. In response to poly(I:C), a representative of dsRNA, and viral infection, they have been shown to activate the transcription factor IFN regulatory factor (IRF)-3, which in turn induces activation of the IFN-β promoter. RIG-I/MDA5 recognizes dsRNA in the cytoplasm, whereas TLR3 resides in the cell surface membrane or endosomes to engage in extracytoplasmic recognition of dsRNA. Recent reports suggest that TLR3 induces cellular responses in epithelial cells in response to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The modus for TLR3 activation by RSV, however, remains unresolved. By small interference RNA gene-silencing technology and human cell transfectants, we have revealed that knockdown of NAK-associated protein 1 (NAP1) leads to the down-regulation of IFN-β promoter activation >24 h after poly(I:C) or virus (RSV and vesicular stomatitis virus) treatment. NAP1 is located downstream of the adapter Toll-IL-1R homology domain-containing adapter molecule (TICAM)-1 (Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adapter-inducing IFN-β) in the TLR3 pathway, but TICAM-1 and TLR3 did not participate in the IRF-3 and IFN-β promoter activation by RSV infection. Virus-mediated activation of the IFN-β promoter was largely abrogated by the gene silencing of IFN-β promoter stimulator-1 (mitochondria antiviral signaling (MAVS), VISA, Cardif), the adapter of the RIG-I/MDA5 dsRNA-recognition proteins. In both the TLR and virus-mediated IFN-inducing pathways, IκB kinase-related kinase ε and TANK-binding kinase 1 participated in IFN-β induction. Thus, RSV as well as other viruses induces replication-mediated activation of the IFN-β promoter, which is intracellularly initiated by the RIG-I/MDA5 but not the TLR3 pathway. Both the cytoplasmic and TLR3-mediated dsRNA recognition pathways converge upon NAP1 for the activation of the IRF-3 and IFN-β promoter.
Monographycal Survey of Pharmacological Potentials of Argemone Mexicana L . ( Papaveraceae ) , A Plant of Burkina Faso Pharmacopeia : Determination of Antihepatotoxic and Antipyretic Activities

The authors present experimental results obtained from a study of pharmacological potentials of Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae), a plant highly used in south western area of Burkina Faso for the treatment of several sickness: malaria fever, stomach disorder, jaundice, etc. The aim of the present work was to determine in laboratory some pharmacological properties of Argemone mexicana as described by many traditional medical healers during several ethnobotanical enquiries. The present monographical survey has been centered on anti-hepatotoxic (hepatoprotective) and antipyretic power of the plant. Hepatoprotective activity was explored by testing the effect of sample drug against CCl4-induced liver injury in rats; liver functions were assessed by the activities of liver marker enzymes as ASAT/GOT, ALAT/GPT and ALP. Antipyretic effect of Argemone mexicana was studied by using yeast induced pyrexia method on mice. Results of the different tests exhibited dose-dependent pharmacological activities. A similar dose-dependent profile was found with the antipyretic investigation on mice. The laboratory findings of the present study confirm the medicinal virtues advocated by traditional medical practitioners and justify the traditherapeutical use of Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae).
A Cross-Sectional Mortality Study Comparing the Use of Actual and Modeled Air Pollution Data

Cohort epidemiological studies consistently agree that small particulates increase mortality, but they do not agree about the magnitude of this effect. As cohort studies have included observations from more places, they have found smaller effects. This study relies on a sophisticated air pollution model to predict pollution concentrations across all counties in the contiguous United States. We test whether examining all counties in the US affects the magnitude of the pollution mortality effect. We find significant but smaller effects. The results suggest that continued epidemiological research using a broader base of locations is needed.
More Is Less: Pitch Discrimination and Language Delays in Children with Optimal Outcomes from Autism

The autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed behaviorally but associated with differences in brain development. Individuals with ASD exhibit superior auditory perceptual skills, which may correlate with ASD symptomatology, particularly language skills. We describe findings from individuals diagnosed with ASD before age five, who now have no symptoms (e.g., having optimal outcomes). Unlike an ASD group, which shows heightened pitch discrimination, the Optimal Outcome group's abilities do not differ from those of typically developing controls. Furthermore, pitch discrimination is associated with both current autism symptomatology and early‐language milestones. Findings illuminate processes associated with resolution of autism. We also discuss a specific mechanism by which heightened auditory discrimination leads to language delays in ASD. Autism Res 2013, 6: 605–613. © 2013 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fluoride release from NaF‐ and AmF‐impregnated toothpicks and dental flosses in vitro and in vivo

The aim of this study was to determine the fluoride release from toothpicks and dental flosses in vitro and in vivo, and to evaluate various approximal administration methods. In vitro, a total of 23 commercially available toothpicks and dental flosses and 3 prototypes impregnated with sodium fluoride (NaF), amine fluoride (AmF), or a combination of these two were tested. Fluoride release was determined for up to 24 h using an ion‐specific electrode. A large variation was found between the products; most fluoride being released after 30 min. Generally speaking, toothpicks produced higher values than flosses. In vivo, the fluoride concentration in both treated and non‐treated approximal areas was evaluated after using 2 different types of toothpicks and 4 dental flosses and after different application methods—such as a fluoride gel and fluoride solution. The mean fluoride concentration in oral fluid was up to 10 times higher at the treated sites than at the non‐treated sites. Use of a fresh toothpick or a fresh piece of dental floss in each approximal space resulted in higher values compared with using one and the same toothpick/floss for the whole dentition. An interdental brush dipped in 0.2% NaF gel and a mouthrinse with 0.2% NaF resulted in elevated fluoride concentrations at the same level as when multiple toothpicks were used. To conclude, there are large variations in the fluoride release from various brands of fluoridated toothpicks and dental flosses. Treatment with a fluoridated toothpick or a dental floss can be expected to give elevated fluoride concentrations in the approximal area up to 60 min. Another interesting method for administering fluoride in the approximal area is to use an interdental brush dipped in fluoride gel.
Maturation and Localization of Macrophages and Microglia During Infection with a Neurotropic Murine Coronavirus

Macrophages and microglia are critical in the acute inflammatory response and act as final effector cells of demyelination during chronic infection with the neutrotropic MHV‐JHM strain of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV‐JHM). Herein, we show that “immature” F4/80+Ly‐6Chi monocytes are the first cells, along with neutrophils, to enter the MHV‐JHM‐infected central nervous system (CNS). As the infection progresses, macrophages in the CNS down‐regulate expression of Ly‐6C and CD62L, consistent with maturation, and a higher frequency express CD11c, a marker for dendritic cells (DCs). Microglia also express CD11c during this phase of the infection. CD11c+ macrophages in the infected CNS exhibit variable properties of immature antigen‐presenting cells (APCs), with modestly increased CD40 and MHC expression, and equivalent potent antigen uptake when compared with CD11c‐ macrophages. Furthermore, CDllc+ and F4/80+ macrophages and microglia are localized to areas of demyelination, in some instances directly associated with damaged axons. These results suggest that chronic CNS infection results in the appearance of CD11c‐expressing macrophages from the blood that exhibit properties of immature APCs, are closely associated with areas of demyelination, and may act as final effectors of myelin destruction.
Biometrics ? ? , 1 – 20 DOI : ? ? ? ? August 2013 Meta-Analysis Based Variable Selection for Gene Expression Data

Quefeng Li, Sijian Wang, Chiang-Ching Huang, Menggang Yu and Jun Shao4,∗ Department of Statistics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A Department of Biostatistics & Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Illinois, U.S.A School of Finance and Statistics, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China *email: shao@stat.wisc. edu
The treatment of radiation necrosis with hyperbaric oxygen (OHP)

Sixty‐nine patients with radiation necrosis were received by the authors from January 1, 1969 through August 1, 1975. The patients were categorized according to site of injury. Full treatment protocol is discussed including local wound care, antibiotic coverage, surgical procedures, and the administration of hyperbaric oxygen. Results indicate that the combination of hyperbaric oxygen, properly timed surgery, and antibiotic therapy has resulted in improvement in all cases of radiation necrosis and full healing in most.
Online Broker Investors: Demographic Information, Investment Strategy, Portfolio Positions, and Trading Activity

It is often argued that the internet influences investor behavior. Furthermore, the recent 'bubble' in internet stocks is sometimes ascribed, at least in part, to online trading. However, little is known about how online investors actually behave. This paper contributes to fill this gap. A sample of approximately 3,000 online broker investors is studied over a 51 month period ending in April 2001. The main goal of this paper is to present various descriptive statistics on demographic information, investment strategy, portfolio positions, and trading activity. The main results of this paper can be summarized as follows. Online broker investors trade frequently. The median stock portfolio turnover is about 30 % per month. The average number of stocks in portfolios increases over time suggesting that, ceteris paribus, diversification increases. Trading activity is tilted towards technology, software, and internet stocks. About half of the investors in our sample trade warrants and half of the transactions of all investors are purchases and sales of foreign stocks. Income and age are negatively and the stock portfolio value is positively related to the number of stock transactions. Warrant traders buy and sell significantly more stocks than investors who do not trade warrants. Warrant traders and investors who describe their investment strategy as high risk have higher stock portfolio turnover values whereas the opposite is true for investors who use their online account mainly for retirement savings. The stock portfolio value is negatively related to turnover. The higher the stock portfolio value, the higher the average trading volume per stock market transaction.
Reduced expression of cell cycle regulator p18INK4C in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Cyclins, cyclin‐dependent kinases (Cdks), and Cdk inhibitors (CdkIs) are frequently altered in human cancer. p18INK4C, a member of the INK4 family of CdkIs, is a potential tumor‐suppressor gene product. However, the expression of p18INK4C in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of p18INK4C in various liver diseases including HCC and to assess its clinical significance in HCC. To that end, we examined the expression of p18INK4C by immunohistochemistry in various liver diseases, including 51 HCCs, and also studied the relationship between p18INK4C expression, the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRb), and the activity level of Cdk4 and Cdk6. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the frequent loss of p18INK4C expression in HCC, especially in poorly differentiated HCC. The loss of p18INK4C expression was shown to be associated with a poor prognosis compared with that associated with p18INK4C‐ positivity. Further, the kinase activity of Cdk4 was found to be higher in p18INK4C‐negative HCCs than in p18INK4C‐ positive HCCs. However, the level of Cdk6 activity was similar in the 2 groups of HCCs. In p18INK4C‐ positive HCCs, p18INK4C dominantly interacted with Cdk4 rather than with Cdk6. pRb phosphorylated at serine(Ser) 780 was detected more frequently in p18INK4C ‐ negative than in p18INK4C ‐ positive HCCs. In conclusion, the loss of p18INK4C expression may play a role in the differentiation and development of HCC through the up‐regulation of Cdk4 activity. (HEPATOLOGY 2004;40:677–686.)
Anterior cranial base features in skeletal Class III patients with maxillary recession: a cephalometric study.

AIM The relationship of anterior cranial base to midface dimensions in skeletal Class III malocclusions is said to be unclear. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate and correlate various cephalometric parameters depicting anterior cranial base and cranial base flexure to maxillary dimensions in skeletal Class III malocclusions. METHODS Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 60 skeletal Class III subjects aged 16 to 29 years comprising 30 cases with maxillary retrusion (group A) and 30 cases with normal maxillae (group B) were analyzed for 14 variables, along with 60 skeletal Class I controls (group C) matched for both age and sex. RESULTS The Bonferroni multiple comparison and ANOVA tests revealed a statistically significant decrease of maxillary (Co-A, Ptm-A, ANS-PNS) and anterior cranial base (S-N, S-Ca) linear dimensions (P < .001) as well as a decrease in N-S-Co (P < .001) and N-S-Ar (P < .05) in group A subjects. Comparison of ratios of the skeletal dimensions to each of the maxillary dimensions showed statistically significant increased values for group A (P < .001). The Pearson correlation coefficient showed a positive correlation between each cranial base parameter and the maxillary parameters (P < .001). CONCLUSION The anterior cranial base dimensions were found to be decreased in only skeletal Class III cases with maxillary deficiencies. Significant decrease of angle N-S-Co may prove diagnostically reliable in maxillary retrusion. Significant positive correlations were found to exist between each cranial base parameter and the maxillary parameters. The strongest correlation was observed between S-N and Co-A, and the weakest with respect to S-Ca and ANS-PNS.
IONIC STRENGTH AND pH EFFECTS ON OPTICAL THERMOGRAPHS FOR BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN (BSA) EFECTOS DE LA FUERZA IÓNICA Y EL pH SOBRE LOS TERMOGRAMAS ÓPTICOS DE LA SEROALBUMINA BOVINA (BSA)

Abstract An optical method using a custom-built system was investigated to study heating effects on bovine serum albumin (BSA) as affected by pH and ionic strength (IS). Changes in the optical rotation (OR) and transmitted light (TL) of BSA in 0.01 M phosphate buffer at pH 6.1, 7, and 7.9 with IS maintained at 0.04, 0.08, and 0.16 were monitored while heating the solution at ∼6°C/min from room temperature to ∼85°C. There was no significant effect of IS on BSA's denaturation temperature (Td) values. Td was affected by pH with lower values observed at pH 7.9 than at pH 7 but not statistically different from values at pH 6.1. Values at pH 6.1 and 7 were not significantly different either. These observations were consistent with literature values determined by differential scanning calorimetry. Changes in the TL signal, reflecting the formation of an opaque gel, were not detected at pH 7.9, identified only at the two highest IS at pH 7, and observed always at pH 6.1, i.e., closest to the pH value for the isoelectric point (pI) of BSA reported to be around pH 4.7 to 5.2. Promoting of gel formation by IS was attributed to the screening of intra- and intermolecular electrostatic forces. Resumen Un método óptico basado en un sistema experimental especialmente construido para este propósito fue usado para investigar la influencia del pH y la fuerza iónica sobre los efectos térmicos en la seroalbúmina bovina (BSA). Los cambios en la rotación óptica (OR) y la luz transmitida (TL) de soluciones buffer de fosfato 0,01 M con 2,5% de seroalbúmina bovina (BSA) a pH 6,1, 7 y 7,9 y una fuerza iónica (IS) de 0,04, 0,08 ó 0,16 fueron monitoreados durante su calentamiento a ∼6°C/min desde temperatura ambiente hasta ∼85°C. No se observó un efecto estadísticamente significativo de IS sobre la temperatura de desnaturalizacion térmica (Td). Td fue afectada por el pH con valores menores observados a pH 7,9 que a pH 7 pero no estadísticamente diferentes del valor a pH 6,1. Valores a pH 6,1 y 7 tampoco fueron estadísticamente diferentes entre ellos. Estas observaciones son consistentes con valores reportados en la literatura y obtenidos por el método de Calorimetría Diferencial de Barrido (DSC). Cambios en la señal de TL, reflejando la formación de un gel opaco, no fueron detectados a pH 7,9, encontrados solo a los valores mayores de IS a pH 7, y observados consistentemente a pH 6,1, el valor de pH incluido en este estudio más cercano al punto isoeléctrico de BSA y reportado entre pH 4,7 y 5,2. El efecto de la IS en la mayor formación de geles fue atribuido al su capacidad de bloquear fuerzas electrostáticas intra- e intermoleculares. Palabras clave: Propiedades ópticas, seroalbúmina bovina, luz transmitida
14 nm FinFET Stress Engineering with Epitaxial SiGe Source/Drain

To summarize, this paper explores key challenges of FinFET stress engineering that is based on the epitaxial SiGe S/D. These challenges are FinFET-specific and can be addressed by carefully balancing several design and process trade-offs simultaneously. An appropriate 3D modeling methodology is demonstrated to handle the new FinFET-specific design and process challenges.
Understanding the effects of conditional dependence in research studies involving imperfect diagnostic tests

When two imperfect diagnostic tests are carried out on the same subject, their results may be correlated even after conditioning on the true disease status. While past work has focused on the consequences of ignoring conditional dependence, the degree to which conditional dependence can be induced has not been systematically studied. We examine this issue in detail by introducing a hypothetical missing covariate that affects the sensitivities of two imperfect dichotomous tests. We consider four forms for this covariate, normal, uniform, dichotomous and trichotomous. In the case of a dichotomous covariate, we derive an expression showing that the conditional covariance is a function of the product of the changes in test sensitivities (or specificities) between the subgroups defined by the covariate. The maximum possible covariance is induced by a dichotomous covariate with a very strong effect on both tests. Through simulations, we evaluate the extent to which fitting a latent class model ignoring each type of covariate but including a general covariance term can adjust for the correlation induced by the covariate. We compare the results to when the conditional dependence is ignored. We find that the bias because of ignoring conditional dependence is generally small even for moderate covariate effects, and when bias is present, a model including a covariance term works well. We illustrate our methods by analyzing data from a childhood tuberculosis study. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Capital Structure and Stock Returns: The European Evidence

Using a panel of 425 European firms over the period from 1990 to 2005, we revisit Welch's (2004) finding that stock returns are the primary determinant of capital structure changes and that corporate motives for net issuing activities are largely a mystery. We document that roughly half of the variation in leverage measures can be explained by stock return-induced effects on the capital structure over 1- and 5-year horizons. In contrast to the US evidence, corporate issuing activities are not as pronounced in our European sample, but they nevertheless seem to be sufficient for firms to follow target debt ratios in the long run. Our findings are consistent with recent evidence for dynamic rebalancing of the capital structure within a target range in the presence of adjustment costs (e.g. Leary and Roberts, 2005; Kayhan and Titman, 2007). In a horse race with stock returns, traditional capital structure variables are inferior in explaining corporate leverage ratios and readjustments in response to return-induced changes in the short run, but they retain a significant role in the long run.
Exploring nutrition knowledge and the demographic variation in knowledge levels in an Australian community sample

Abstract Objectives Explore the level of general nutrition knowledge and demographic influences of knowledge levels in a community sample. Design and setting A sample of volunteers, recruited from community centres in two suburbs of differing socio-economic status, in Adelaide, South Australia. Subjects Two hundred and one people, aged 18 years and older, completed a modified and validated version of the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (113 items). The questionnaire was self-administered and completed under supervision. Results Basic messages about eating more fruit, vegetables and fibre, and less fatty and salty foods were best understood. Confusion was evident with more detailed nutrition information. For example, 90 % of the people were aware of the recommendations to eat more fruit and vegetables, but 56 % and 62 % knew the recommended number of servings of fruit and vegetables, respectively. Descriptive statistics showed significant demographic variation in nutrition knowledge levels; multiple regression analysis confirmed the significant independent effects of gender, age, highest level of education and employment status on nutrition knowledge level (P < 0·01 level). The model accounted for 40 % of the variance in nutrition knowledge scores. Conclusions There is demographic variation in nutrition knowledge levels and a broad lack of awareness of some public health nutrition recommendations. Having a detailed understanding of the deficiencies in community knowledge should allow for future nutrition education programmes to target subgroups of the population or particular areas of nutrition education, to more efficiently improve knowledge and influence dietary behaviour.
Emerging Patterns of Manufacturing Structural Change

In the past, research on changes in relative importance among broad three sectors— agriculture, industry, and service—showed general patterns of a country’s structural transformation along with economic development. However, there has been devoid of empirical studies investigating in the structural change within the manufacturing sector, which often plays a role of the engine in economic growth. Our analysis looks into the evolution of production structures prevailing at certain development stages while controlling for country-given characteristics such as size, resource endowments, and others. This can provide an industrial policy framework for structural change facilitation that can lead to sustained economic development in the long run.