Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Apoptosis in refractory anaemia with ringed sideroblasts is initiated at the stem cell level and associated with increased activation of caspases

Treatment with granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor plus erythropoietin may improve haemoglobin levels in patients with ringsideroblastic anaemia (RARS) and reduce bone marrow apoptosis. We studied bone marrow from 10 RARS patients, two of whom were also investigated after successful treatment. Mononuclear, erythroid and CD34+ cells were analysed with regard to proliferation, apoptosis, clonogenic capacity and oncoprotein expression, in the presence or absence of Fas‐agonist, Fas‐blocking antibody 2 and caspase‐3 inhibitor. During culture, RARS bone marrow cells showed higher spontaneous apoptosis (P < 0·05) and caspase activity (P < 0·05)) than bone marrow cells from healthy donors. Eight out of nine patients had reduced growth of erythroid colony‐forming units (CFU‐E) (< 10% of control) and granulocyte–macrophage CFU (CFU‐GM) (< 50% of control) from CD34+ cells. Fas ligation increased apoptosis and decreased colony growth equally in RARS and controls, but caused significantly more caspase activation in RARS (P < 0·01). Fas‐blocking antibody showed no significant inhibitory effect on spontaneous apoptosis or ineffective haematopoiesis, as measured using phosphatidylserine exposure, the terminal deoxynucleotide transferase‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick‐end labelling technique, caspase activity or clonogenic growth. Caspase inhibition reduced apoptosis, increased proliferation and enhanced erythroid colony growth from CD34+ cells in RARS, but showed no effect on normal cells. CFU‐E improved > 1000% after successful treatment. Thus, erythroid apoptosis in RARS is initiated at the CD34+ level and growth factor treatment may improve stem cell function. Enhanced caspase activation at the stem cell level, albeit not mediated through endogenous activation of the Fas receptor, contributes to the erythroid apoptosis in RARS.
ALCOHOL ) COMPOSITE FILMS

Poly (vinyl alcohol) based composite films with different loadings of cellulose nanofibrils were prepared using a solvent casting method and their tensile, optical and wettability properties were tested. The morphology of both neat poly (vinyl alcohol) and nanocomposites was explored by using a field emission scanning electron microscope technique. Results indicated that the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of poly (vinyl alcohol) composite films were significantly improved with the increase of cellulose nanofibrils loading. However, the percentage of elongation at break decreased with increasing of cellulose nanofibrils. The films became increasingly opaque with increasing cellulose nanofibrils contents, although the composites also retained moderate transparency. The samples containing cellulose nanofibrils exhibited higher hydrophobicity compared with that of neat poly (vinyl alcohol). Field emission scanning electron microscope micrographs revealed that the cellulose nanofibrils were homogeneously dispersed in the poly (vinyl alcohol) matrix.
Diagnosis-independent Alzheimer disease biomarker signature in cognitively normal elderly people.

OBJECTIVE To identify biomarker patterns typical for Alzheimer disease (AD) in an independent, unsupervised way, without using information on the clinical diagnosis. DESIGN Mixture modeling approach. SETTING Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Cognitively normal persons, patients with AD, and individuals with mild cognitive impairment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cerebrospinal fluid-derived beta-amyloid protein 1-42, total tau protein, and phosphorylated tau(181P) protein concentrations were used as biomarkers on a clinically well-characterized data set. The outcome of the qualification analysis was validated on 2 additional data sets, 1 of which was autopsy confirmed. RESULTS Using the US Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative data set, a cerebrospinal fluid beta-amyloid protein 1-42/phosphorylated tau(181P) biomarker mixture model identified 1 feature linked to AD, while the other matched the "healthy" status. The AD signature was found in 90%, 72%, and 36% of patients in the AD, mild cognitive impairment, and cognitively normal groups, respectively. The cognitively normal group with the AD signature was enriched in apolipoprotein E epsilon4 allele carriers. Results were validated on 2 other data sets. In 1 study consisting of 68 autopsy-confirmed AD cases, 64 of 68 patients (94% sensitivity) were correctly classified with the AD feature. In another data set with patients (n = 57) with mild cognitive impairment followed up for 5 years, the model showed a sensitivity of 100% in patients progressing to AD. CONCLUSIONS The mixture modeling approach, totally independent of clinical AD diagnosis, correctly classified patients with AD. The unexpected presence of the AD signature in more than one-third of cognitively normal subjects suggests that AD pathology is active and detectable earlier than has heretofore been envisioned.
What is (still) political about the city?

What happens to urban politics when examined through the post-political lens? In our response to Derickson, Dikec and Swyngedouw we reassert the key elements of our critique: the prescriptive understanding of politics and the inconsistent use of the urban. We close this debate with some thoughts on how we might urbanise the political.
Healthy behaviours and mental health: findings from the German Health Update (GEDA).

BACKGROUND Health risk behaviours such as smoking, physical inactivity and poor diet are independently associated with depression. However, there is a paucity of data examining associations between combined healthy behaviours and mental distress and depression. METHODS Using cross-sectional data from a nationwide population-based sample of adults in Germany [German Health Update (GEDA) 2009 and 2010 telephone surveys; n = 21 940 women, n = 17 061 men], we examined associations between five healthy behaviours and frequent mental distress (FMD) and self-reported diagnosed depression in the past 12 months. Healthy behaviours included non-smoking, low-risk alcohol drinking, regular sport, maintaining normal weight and healthy fruit and vegetable consumption. Multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for potential confounders examined associations between the combined number of healthy behaviours and FMD and self-reported diagnosed depression. RESULTS FMD was reported by 13.6 and 8.0% and diagnosed depression in the last 12 months by 8.3 and 4.7% of women and men, respectively. At least four of five assessed healthy behaviours were reported by 29.1% of women and 17.8% of men. Compared with those with less than two healthy behaviours, women and men with at least four behaviours were about half as likely to report FMD [odds ratio (OR) 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44-0.64, and OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.41-0.66, respectively) and women with at least four behaviours were less likely to report diagnosed depression (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.61-0.95). CONCLUSION A higher number of healthy behaviours are associated with a lower prevalence of FMD for both women and men and of self-reported diagnosed depression in women.
English, Islam, and Secular values in Pre-service English Teacher Education: Exploring the Curricular Balance

Over the past few decades, Pre-service English Teacher Education (PETE) Programs have been offered in Indonesian Islamic state universities, which traditionally only provide education programs in Islamic studies. This new development became particularly evident after the transformation of several former state institutes and schools for Islamic studies into state Islamic universities. This transformation calls for an understanding of how English, Islam, and secular values are integrated into a balanced proportion in a PETE Program‟s curriculum. This paper draws on findings from a case study exploring the interplay among English, Islam, and secular values in principles, content, and implementation of PETE curriculum in an Islamic state university. The findings showed that the principles underpinning PETE curriculum in the university reflect a balanced curricular representation of English, Islam, and secular values in the following terms: (1) students‟ and lecturers‟ roles in learning process, (2) theories and practice, and (3) institutional identities and professional realities. Similarly, a balanced proportion of English, Islam, and secular values was found in the curriculum content. This balanced proportion of curriculum content was reflected in (1) components of the curriculum content (language component, educational and pedagogical component, institutional component) and (2) pedagogical characteristics connecting the curriculum content (Islamic, integrated, theoretical, practical, contextual). However, the study revealed that there was inadequacy of balance in the curricular accommodation of English, Islam, and secular values—a finding that was represented by curriculum implementation that was fragmented, inadequately practical, and inadequately contextual. The above findings will be discussed based on perspectives from theoretical and empirical literature in second language and general teacher education, Indonesian education, and Islamization and secularization of education. The presentation will conclude with some curriculum and policy recommendations for sustainable 21st century Pre-service English Teacher Education in Indonesian state Islamic universities or in other similar contexts.
Impact of Helicobacter pylori on the Development of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in the Absence of Gastric Atrophy

Background. Cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency is associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. This study examined how serum vitamin B12 levels relate to gastric mucosa H. pylori density and histology, and to hematological findings in patients with minimal or no gastric atrophy. A second aim was to confirm that H. pylori eradication therapy increases serum B12.
A new high accuracy method for calculation of LMP as a random variable

The Locational Marginal Pricing (LMP) is a dominant approach in energy market operation and planning to identify the nodal price and to manage the transmission congestion. Considering the uncertainties associated with the input data of load flow, the LMP can be considered as a stochastic variable. Therefore calculation of LMP as a random variable can be very useful in power market forecasting studies. In this paper, LMP has been calculated with Cumulant & Gram-Charlier (CGC) method and compared with Monte Carlo and point estimation method. This method combines the concept of Cumulants and Gram-Charlier expansion theory to obtain Probabilistic Distribution Functions (PDF) and Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) of LMP. It has significantly reduced the computational time while maintaining a high degree of accuracy. The method described in this paper applied to PJM test system. The sensitivity of LMP with variation of load has also been calculated and compared with deterministic calculation.
Hsp20‐Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cells Are Resistant to Oxidative Stress via Enhanced Activation of Akt and Increased Secretion of Growth Factors

Although heat‐shock preconditioning has been shown to promote cell survival under oxidative stress, the nature of heat‐shock response from different cells is variable and complex. Therefore, it remains unclear whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) modified with a single heat‐shock protein (Hsp) gene are effective in the repair of a damaged heart. In this study, we genetically engineered rat MSCs with Hsp20 gene (Hsp20‐MSCs) and examined cell survival, revascularization, and functional improvement in rat left anterior descending ligation (LAD) model via intracardial injection. We observed that overexpression of Hsp20 protected MSCs against cell death triggered by oxidative stress in vitro. The survival of Hsp20‐MSCs was increased by approximately twofold by day 4 after transplantation into the infarcted heart, compared with that of vector‐MSCs. Furthermore, Hsp20‐MSCs improved cardiac function of infarcted myocardium as compared with vector‐MSCs, accompanied by reduction of fibrosis and increase in the vascular density. The mechanisms contributing to the beneficial effects of Hsp20 were associated with enhanced Akt activation and increased secretion of growth factors (VEGF, FGF‐2, and IGF‐1). The paracrine action of Hsp20‐MSCs was further validated in vitro by cocultured adult rat cardiomyocytes with a stress‐conditioned medium from Hsp20‐MSCs. Taken together, these data support the premise that genetic modification of MSCs before transplantation could be salutary for treating myocardial infarction. STEM CELLS 2009;27:3021–3031
Caspofungin versus fluconazole as prophylaxis of invasive fungal infection in high‐risk liver transplantation recipients: A propensity score analysis

Targeted prophylaxis has proven to be an efficient strategy in liver transplantation recipients (LTRs). The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of caspofungin with that of fluconazole in high‐risk (HR) LTRs. Caspofungin and fluconazole were compared in a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study in HR‐LTRs in Spain. Outcomes were assessed at 180 days after transplantation. A propensity score approach was applied. During the study period (2005‐2012), we analyzed 195 HR‐LTRs from 9 hospitals. By type of prophylaxis, 97 patients received caspofungin and 98 received fluconazole. Of a total of 17 (8.7%) global invasive fungal infections (IFIs), breakthrough IFIs accounted for 11 (5.6%) and invasive aspergillosis (IA) accounted for 6 (3.1%). By univariate analysis, no differences were observed in the prevention of global IFIs. However, caspofungin was associated with a significant reduction in the rate of breakthrough IFIs (2.1% versus 9.2%, P = 0.04). In patients requiring dialysis (n = 62), caspofungin significantly reduced the frequency of breakthrough IFIs (P = 0.03). The propensity score analysis confirmed a significant reduction in the frequency of IA in patients receiving caspofungin (absolute risk reduction, 0.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.001‐0.11; P = 0.044). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant decrease in blood alanine aminotransferase levels and a significant increase in bilirubin levels after administration of caspofungin. Caspofungin and fluconazole have similar efficacy for the prevention of global IFIs in HR‐LTRs in this observational, multicenter cohort study. However, caspofungin was associated with a significant reduction of breakthrough IFIs and, after adjusting for confounders, caspofungin was associated with a lower rate of IA. This benefit is probably more favorable in patients on dialysis. Caspofungin is safe in HR‐LTRs, although bilirubin levels may be increased.
Immune responses that adapt the intestinal mucosa to commensal intestinal bacteria

Animals contain an enormous load of non‐pathogenic bacteria in the lower intestine, which exploit an environment with a stable temperature and abundant carbon sources. Our load of bacteria outnumbers our own cells. In order to survive with such a high number of organisms in very close proximity to host tissues the intestinal mucosa and its immune system is highly adapted. Mucosal immune responses are induced by small numbers of live commensal organisms penetrating the Peyer's patches and persisting in dendritic cells (DC). These DC can induce immunoglobulin A+ (IgA+) B cells, which recirculate through the lymph and bloodstream to populate the lamina propria and secrete protective IgA. Because DC loaded with commensal bacteria do not penetrate further than the mesenteric lymph nodes, immune induction to commensals is confined to the mucosa, allowing strong mucosal immune responses to be induced whilst the systemic immune system remains relatively ignorant of these organisms.
The zinc cluster transcription factor Ahr1p directs Mcm1p regulation of Candida albicans adhesion

Biofilm development by Candida albicans requires cell adhesion for the initial establishment of the biofilm and the continued stability after hyphal development occurs; however, the regulation of the process has not been fully established. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to microarray analysis (ChIP‐chip) we have characterized a regulon containing the Mcm1p factor that is required for the initial surface adhesion during biofilm formation. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae several Mcm1p regulons have been characterized in which regulatory specificity is achieved through cofactors binding a sequence adjacent to the Mcm1p binding site. This new Mcm1p regulon in C. albicans also requires a cofactor, which we identify as the transcription factor Ahr1p. However, in contrast to the other yeast regulons, Ahr1p alone binds the target promoters, which include several key adhesion genes, and recruits Mcm1p to these sites. Through transcription profiling and qPCR analysis, we demonstrate that this Ahr1p–Mcm1p complex directly activates these adhesion genes. When the regulatory circuit was disrupted by deleting AHR1, the strain displayed reduced adherence to a polystyrene surface. We also demonstrate a role for the regulon in hyphal growth and in virulence. Our work thus establishes a new mechanism of Mcm1p‐directed regulation distinct from those observed for other Mcm1p co‐regulators.
Cigarette smoking and breast cancer risk: A long latency period?

The association between cigarette smoking and breast cancer risk remains unclear. Few studies have examined cigarette smoking of very long duration as there may not have been a sufficient number of long‐term smokers in studies conducted before the 1980s. Therefore, we examined the association between smoking and breast cancer risk using data from participants in a randomized controlled trial of screening for breast cancer involving 89,835 women aged 40–59 years at recruitment and with up to 40 years of smoking duration at that time. Women with breast cancer diagnosed through 31 December 1993 were identified by linkage to the Canadian Cancer Database. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). During an average of 10.6 years of follow‐up, we observed 2,552 incident cases of breast cancer. We found a positive association between cigarette smoking and breast cancer risk, driven mainly by women who had smoked for several decades and who, therefore, had commenced smoking many years earlier. Relative to never‐smokers, women who had smoked 40 years or more and 20 cigarettes/day or more were at the highest risk (RR = 1.83, 95% CI 1.29–2.61); for women who had commenced smoking 40 years or more before assessment (a measure of smoking latency rather than duration and intensity), the RR was 1.22 (95% CI 0.99–1.59). Our findings suggest that smoking of very long duration and high intensity may be associated with increased risk of breast cancer. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Massive pulmonary hemorrhage before living donor liver transplantation in infants

A massive pulmonary hemorrhage in patients with liver cirrhosis is a life‐threatening complication that may result in a contraindication of a liver transplantation because of its high mortality rate. Herein, we present two infant biliary atresia cases that successfully underwent an LDLT that was followed by intensive respiratory care for the pretransplant massive pulmonary hemorrhage. Both cases exhibited severe respiratory failure (minimum PaO2/FiO2; 46 mmHg and 39 mmHg, respectively). To arrest the bleeding, we applied a very high positive pressure ventilation treatment (maximum PIP/PEEP; 38/14 cmH2O and 55/15 cmH2O, respectively), plasma exchange, several FFP transfusions, and recombinant factor VIIa via intrapulmonary administration. In addition, we used CHDF treatment, applied HFOV transiently, and treated the patient with inhalation of nitric oxide. Although we prepared ECMO for intra‐operative use, both cases were successfully managed with conventional mechanical ventilation without using ECMO, which may have worsened the pulmonary hemorrhage due to the use of an anticoagulant. Use of an excessive positive pressure management, although it poses a risk for barotrauma, could be acceptable to arrest the pulmonary bleeding in selected cases of liver failure patients who have no time remaining before LDLT.
Three Levels of Networking for Sourcing Intellectual Capital in Biotechnology

The biotechnology industry is a relatively new phenomenon: It is an industry that has emerged from basic university science, with revolutionary implications for "doing science" and for science-based industries such as Pharmaceuticals, food, and energy. One of the most salient characteristics of the industry to date has been the use of collaborative relationships to conduct exchanges between new biotechnology firms (NBFs), established pharmaceutical firms, universities, and other nonprofit research organizations. These collaborative relationships exist at both the interorganizational level (Barley, Freeman, and Hybels, 1992; Kogut, Shan, and Walker, 1992; Oliver, 1993; Powell and Brantley, 1992; Powell, Koput, and Smith-Doerr, 1996) and the individual level (Liebeskind, Oliver, Zucker, and Brewer, 1996; Zucker,
Safety of thrombolysis in cerebral venous thrombosis

Summary Several small series have suggested the efficacy of thrombolysis in patients with cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT). However, since no randomised controlled trials have compared the use of thrombolysis with anticoagulant treatment in these patients, the risk to benefit ratio of this approach remains uncertain. The aim of this study is therefore to assess the safety of thrombolysis in CVT estimating mortality and major bleeding complications. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched up to June 2010. Two reviewers performed study selection independently. Studies providing data on mortality and/or on the incidence of major bleeding complications were potentially eligible for the study. Two reviewers independently extracted data on study and population characteristics, type, dose and administration route of thrombolytic treatment; use and dose of concomitant heparin. Weighted mean proportion of the mortality rate and of the rate of major and non-major bleeding complications were calculated. Fifteen studies for a total of 156 patients were included. Twelve patients died after thrombolysis (weighted mean 9.2%; 95% CI 4.3, 15.7%) and 15 patients had a major bleeding complication (weighted mean 9.8%; 95% CI 5.3, 15.6%). Twelve haemorrhages were intracranial (weighted mean 7.6%; 95% CI 3.5, 13.1%), and seven of these patients died (58.3%; 95% CI 32.0, 80.7%). Our results suggest that thrombolysis is associated with a nonnegligible incidence of major bleeding complications, including intracranial bleeding potentially affecting patients outcome. Future studies are necessary to evaluate the safety of thrombolysis in comparison to more conservative strategies.