Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional Profiling of Human Hematopoiesis During In Vitro Lineage‐Specific Differentiation

To better understand the transcriptional program that a ccompanies orderly lineage‐specific hematopoietic differentiation, we performed serial oligonucleotide microarray analysis of human normal CD34+ bone marrow cells during lineage‐specific differentiation. CD34+ bone marrow cells isolated from healthy individuals were selectively stimulated in vitro with the cytokines erythropoietin (EPO), thrombopoietin (TPO), granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF), and granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF). Cells from each of the lineages were harvested after 4, 7, and 11 days of culture for expression profiling. Gene expression was analyzed by oligonucleotide microarrays (HG‐U133A; Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA). Experiments were done in triplicates. We identified 258 genes that are consistently upregulated or downregulated during the course of lineage‐specific differentiation within each specific lineage (horizontal change). In addition, we identified 52 genes that contributed to a specific expression profile, yielding a genetic signature specific for successive stages of differentiation within each of the three lineages. Analysis of horizontal changes selected 21 continuously upregulated genes for EPO‐induced differentiation (including GTPase activator proteins RAP1GA1 and ARHGAP8, which regulate small Rho GTPases), 21 for G‐CSF–induced/GM‐CSF–induced differentiation, and 91 for TPO‐induced differentiation (including DLK1, of which the role in normal hematopoiesis is not defined). During the lineage‐specific differentiation, 58 (erythropoiesis), 30 (granulopoiesis), and 37 (thrombopoiesis) genes were significantly downregulated, respectively. The expression of selected genes was confirmed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Our data encompass the first extensive transcriptional profile of human hematopoiesis during in vitro lineage‐specific differentiation.
Investigate the Social Actor Model of ICT Use in Organizations

This research advances the study of social factors in information systems through an empirical exploration of communication and information technology (ICT) use as hypothesized in the social actor model proposed by Lamb and Kling [1]. Using a large sample of North American academics, the research identifies seven general types of ICT use. The findings support the social actor model in the context of professional organizations, and reveal that individual characteristics play a more prominent role in use of technology than organizational structural properties do. In addition, the results suggest that the social actor model can be conceptualized more parsimoniously in three dimensions and can explain ICT use more precisely by considering moderating and mediating effects.
Association study of polymorphisms in SOCS family genes with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Suppressors of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins play important roles in the negative regulation of cytokine signal. We first searched for polymorphisms in SOCS‐1, SOCS‐3 and SOCS‐5 genes, and examined the association of the polymorphisms with type 1 diabetes (T1D). As a result, we did not find any significant associations between SOCS genes and T1D.
Getting to grips with the heterogeneity of developmental dyslexia

The aim of this study was to better understand the heterogeneity of developmental dyslexia by identifying the most common deficits in the reading systems of children with dyslexia with different poor word reading profiles. We classified the word reading profiles of 138 children with developmental dyslexia using nonword and irregular-word reading tests and then used independent experimental tests to explore the cognitive deficits within their word reading systems. The most common deficit associated with primary sublexical impairment (i.e., poor nonword reading) was poor grapheme–phoneme conversion (GPC) knowledge. The most common deficits associated with primary lexical impairment (i.e., poor irregular-word reading) were an impaired orthographic lexicon plus impaired links between this lexicon and the phonological lexicon and semantic knowledge. Finally, the most common deficits associated with mixed reading impairment (i.e., poor nonword reading and poor irregular-word reading) were poor GPC knowledge, an impaired orthographic lexicon, poor links between this lexicon and the phonological lexicon and semantic knowledge, and poor phonological output. We discuss the implications of these findings for theories of reading and for the diagnosis and treatment of dyslexia.
Analysis of kink-related backgating effect in GaAs MESFET

Two-dimensional simulation of backgating effect in a GaAs MESFET is made in which impact ionization of carriers and deep donors "EL2" in the substrate are considered. The kink-related backgating is reproduced, which is qualitatively consistent with recent experiments. Based on the simulated results, physical mechanism of kink-related backgating effect is discussed.
A phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of gabapentin in the management of hot flashes in men (N00CB).

INTRODUCTION Hot flashes represent a significant problem in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Via a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, men with hot flashes, on a stable androgen deprivation therapy program for prostate cancer, received a placebo or gabapentin at target doses of 300, 600, or 900 mg/day. Hot flash frequencies and severities were recorded daily during a baseline week and for 4 weeks while the patients took the study medication. RESULTS In the 214 eligible patients who began the study drug on this trial, comparing the fourth treatment week to the baseline week, mean hot flash scores decreased in the placebo group by 4.1 units and in the three increasing dose gabapentin groups by, 3.2, 4.6, and 7.0 units. Comparing the three combined gabapentin arms to the placebo arm did not result in significant hot flash differences. Wilcoxon rank-sum P values for change in hot flash scores and frequencies after 4 weeks of treatment were 0.10 and 0.02, comparing the highest dose gabapentin arm to the placebo arm, respectively. The gabapentin was well tolerated in this trial. CONCLUSION These results support that gabapentin decreases hot flashes, to a moderate degree, in men with androgen ablation-related vasomotor dysfunction.
Clinical importance of biocompatibility and its effect on haemodialysis treatment.

Inadequate biocompatibility of current dialysis systems results, upon contact of blood with the artificial surface, in a variety of interactions including coagulation, thrombocyte, leukocyte and complement activation, production of cytokines, -2 microglobulin, bradykinin and free oxygen radicals, and other events. These reactions may cause injury to the patient. A substantial role in bio(in)compatibility is played by the dialysis membrane, representing >90% of the area with which blood is in contact within the extracorporeal circuit. However, biocompatibility should be seen in a broader context, not only regarding the dialysis membrane and the materials it is made from. The reactions occurring as blood flows through the extracorporeal circuit depend on the type of the dialyser/filter that the membrane is placed in, on the procedure that the dialyser/filter is used for, and which type of patient is being treated [1,2]. Biocompatibility has long been considered as one of the main issues in dialysis treatment. However, there have been claims recently that either biocompatibility involves only a host of clinically irrelevant laboratory findings, or that the biocompatibility issue has essentially been solved. The present paper, including references to some concepts regarding thrombogenicity, complement activation, ethylene oxide, bradykinin and perfluorohydrocarbon components, suggests that the issue of biocompatibility has affected and continues to affect the way in which dialysis is performed, and that the issue of bio(in)compatibility warrants further attention.
Differential Regulation of Germline Apoptosis in Response to Meiotic Checkpoint Activation

In Caenorhabditis elegans, germline apoptosis is promoted by egl-1 and ced-13 in response to meiotic checkpoint activation. We report that the requirement for these two factors depends on which checkpoints are active. We also identify a regulatory region of egl-1 required to inhibit germline apoptosis in response to DNA damage incurred during meiotic recombination.
Ethnicity is a strong predictor for Helicobacter pylori infection in young women in a multi‐ethnic European city

At the same time that Helicobacter pylori prevalence is declining in Western countries, immigrants from developing countries with high H. pylori prevalence have settled in Western urban areas. Actual epidemiological data on H. pylori in a migrant community may help in realizing a more selective approach to assess H. pylori‐related diseases. We aimed to define H. pylori prevalence as well as risk groups for H. pylori in a cohort of young women living in a multi‐ethnic European city.
Vasopressin and oxytocin neurons of the human supraoptic and paraventricular nucleus: size changes in relation to age and sex.

The hypothalamic supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei consist of arginine vasopressin (AVP)- and oxytocin (OT)-synthesizing neurons that send projections to the neurohypophysis, whereas the PVN also projects to other brain areas. A growing body of evidence in animals suggests the presence of sex differences in the vasopressinergic and oxytocinergic systems. The present study was aimed at determining whether the sizes of AVP and OT neurons in the human SON and PVN show sex differences, as earlier studies demonstrated that a change in neuronal size is a sensitive parameter for activity. The minimal and maximal diameters were determined to estimate the volumes of cell somata and cell nuclei in AVP and OT neurons stained with an antibody against human glycoprotein-(22-39), a part of the AVP precursor, and a monoclonal anti-OT antibody in 15 men and 17 women ranging in age from 29-94 yr. The AVP neurons appeared to be larger in young men than in young women (< or =50 yr old). In elderly women (>50 yr old) AVP cell size considerably exceeded that in young women. In elderly men AVP neurons were larger than in young men and elderly women, although these differences were not significant. In addition, AVP cell size correlated positively with age in women but not in men. No significant differences were found in the AVP cell nucleus volumes among all four groups studied. Sex differences in the size of the PVN vasopressin neurons were pronounced at the left side (P = 0.048) and absent at the right side (P = 0.368), indicating the presence of functional lateralization in this nucleus. No difference was found in any morphometric parameter of OT neurons in the PVN among the 4 groups studied. Thus, our data demonstrate sex differences in the size of the AVP neurons, and thus in their function, that are age and probably also side dependent and the absence of such changes in OT neurons in the PVN. These data provide a basis for the reported higher AVP plasma levels in men compared to women.
Neutralizing activity in human sera against the leukocyte-transforming agent.

Sera from 81 healthy persons and serial specimens of serum from 10 patients with infectious mononucleosis (IM) were tested for neutralizing activity against the leukocyte-transforming agent (LTA) excreted by patients with IM and for antibody against the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Among the healthy persons of age groups 8-12, 8-26, and 30-50, 18%, 57%, and 77% were positive for LTA neutralizing activity, respectively. LTA neutralizing activity appeared unusually late in the course of illness. Some sera were positive for antibody to EBV but negative for LTA neutralizing activity. None was positive for LTA neutralizing activity and negative for EBV antibody. Four sera from patients with IM, known to be negative for LTA neutralizing activity, neutralized EBV. Antigenic difference between LTA (excreted by JON) and EBV (from transformed marmoset lymphoid cell culture) is suggested.
Vervet Monkeys Vaccinated with Killed Leishmania major Parasites and Interleukin-12 Develop a Type 1 Immune Response but Are Not Protected against Challenge Infection

ABSTRACT Leishmania major is a protozoan parasite that causes chronic cutaneous lesions that often leave disfiguring scars. Infections in mice have demonstrated that leishmanial vaccines that include interleukin-12 (IL-12) as an adjuvant are able to induce protective immunity. In this study, we assessed the safety, immunopotency, and adjuvant potential of two doses of IL-12 when used with a killed L. major vaccine in vervet monkeys. The induction of cell-mediated immunity following vaccination was determined by measuring delayed-type hypersensitivity, in vitro lymphocyte proliferation, and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production. Protection was assessed by challenging the animals with L. major parasites and monitoring the course of infection. At low doses of IL-12 (10 μg), a small increase in the parameters of cell-mediated immunity was observed, relative to those in animals that received antigen without IL-12. However, none of these animals were protected against a challenge infection. At higher doses of IL-12 (30 μg), a substantial increase in Leishmania-specific immune responses was observed, and monkeys immunized with antigen and IL-12 exhibited an IFN-γ response that was as great as that in animals that had resolved a primary infection and were immune. Nevertheless, despite the presence of correlates of protection, the disease course was only slightly altered, and protection was low compared to that in self-cured monkeys. These data suggest that protection against leishmaniasis may require more than the activation of Leishmania-specific IFN-γ-producing T cells, which has important implications for designing a vaccine against leishmaniasis.
Explorer ISISisNotIslam or DeportAllMuslims ? : Predicting Unspoken Views

This paper examines the effect of online social network interactions on future attitudes. Specifically, we focus on how a person’s online content and network dynamics can be used to predict future attitudes and stances in the aftermath of a major event. In this study, we focus on the attitudes of US Twitter users towards Islam and Muslims subsequent to the tragic Paris terrorist attacks that occurred on November 13, 2015. We quantitatively analyze 44K users’ network interactions and historical tweets to predict their attitudes. We provide a description of the quantitative results based on the content (hashtags) and network interaction (retweets, replies, and mentions). We analyze two types of data: (1) we use post-event tweets to learn users’ stated stances towards Muslims based on sampling methods and crowd-sourced annotations; and (2) we employ pre-event interactions on Twitter to build a classifier to predict post-event stances. We found that pre-event network interactions can predict someone‘s attitudes towards Muslims with 82% macro F-measure, even in the absence of prior mentions of Islam, Muslims, or related terms.
Control of morphology and crystal purity of InP nanowires by variation of phosphine flux during selective area MOMBE

We present experimental results showing how the growth rate, morphology and crystal structure of Au-catalyzed InP nanowires (NWs) fabricated by selective area metal organic molecular beam epitaxy can be tuned by the growth parameters: temperature and phosphine flux. The InP NWs with 20–65 nm diameters are grown at temperatures of 420 and 480 °C with the PH3 flow varying from 1 to 9 sccm. The NW tapering is suppressed at a higher temperature, while pure wurtzite crystal structure is preferred at higher phosphine flows. Therefore, by combining high temperature and high phosphine flux, we are able to fabricate non-tapered and stacking fault-free InP NWs with the quality that other methods rarely achieve. We also develop a model for NW growth and crystal structure which explains fairly well the observed experimental tendencies.
Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Enteric Viruses in Children with Diarrhea in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Enteric viruses are a major cause of diarrhea in children, especially those under five years old. Identifying the viral agents is critical to the development of effective preventive measures. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of common enteric viruses in children under five years old in Burkina Faso. Stool samples from children with (n = 263) and without (n = 50) diarrhea disorders were collected in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso from November 2011 to September 2012. Rotavirus, norovirus, sapovirus, astrovirus, adenovirus and Aichivirus A were detected using real-time or end-point (RT-)PCR. Rotavirus strains were G and P genotyped by multiplex RT-PCR and other viral strains were characterized by sequencing of viral subgenomic segements. At least one viral agent was detected in 85.6% and 72% of the symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, respectively. Rotavirus (63.5%), adenovirus (31.2%) and genogroup II norovirus (18.2%) were the most prevalent viruses in symptomatic patients, but only rotavirus and genogroup II norovirus were significantly associated with diarrhea (OR: 7.9, 95%CI: 3.7–17; OR: 3.5, 95%CI: 1–11.7, respectively). Sapovirus (10.3%), astrovirus (4.9%), genogroup I norovirus (2.7%) and Aichivirus A (0.8%) were less prevalent. The predominant genotype of rotavirus was G9P[8] (36.5%), and the predominant norovirus strain was GII.4 variant 2012 (71.4%). Among sapovirus, the genogroup II (87.5%) predominated. Astrovirus type 1 (41.7%) was the most frequent astrovirus identified. Aichivirus A belonged to the three genotypes (A, B and C). Enteric adenoviruses type 40 and 41 were identified in 10.2% and 5.1% respectively. Several cases of co-infections were detected. The results highlight the high prevalence and the high diversity of enteric viruses in Burkinabe children.
Limit theorems for workload input models

General models for workload input into service systems are considered. Scaling limit theorems appropriate for the formulation of fluid and heavy traffic approximations for systems driven by these inputs are given. Under appropriate assumptions, it is shown that fractional Brownian motion can be obtained as the limiting workload input process. Motivation for these results comes from data on communication network traffic exhibiting scaling properties similar to those for fractional Brownian motion. 1 Discrete source models. We consider models for the input of work into a system from a large number of sources. Each source “turns on” at a random time and inputs work into the system for some period of time. Associated with each active period of a source is a cumulative input process, that is, a nondecreasing stochastic process X such that X(t) is the cumulative work input into the system during the first t units of time during the active period. One representation of the process is as follows. Let N(t) denote the number of source activations up to time t, and for the ith activation, let Xi(s) denote the cumulative work input into the system during the first s units of time that the source is on. We will refer to N as the source activation process. The total work input into the system up to time t is then given by
Outpatient Hysteroscopic Polypectomy: Bipolar Energy System (Versapoint®) versus Mechanical Energy System (TRUCLEAR System®) - Preliminary Results.

Hypothesis: The new hysteroscopic system with mechanical energy is an effective outpatient technique for diagnosis and treatment that has certain advantages over conventional hysteroscopy in the management of endometrial polyps. Objectives: Our primary objective was to assess the total duration of hysteroscopy and polypectomy performed in an outpatient setting comparing the new mechanical energy hysteroscopy to the bipolar energy system. Our secondary objective was to compare the level of safety of both hysteroscopic techniques using the procedure success rate, the need for subsequent referral to surgery, existing complications, and comfort experienced by the patient during the procedure. Patients and Methods: This randomized controlled trial included the first 90 patients with an ultrasound diagnosis of endometrial polyp (>1 cm) who underwent an outpatient diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy at the Igualada Hospital (Barcelona) and agreed to be included in the study by signing an informed consent. Results: We obtained a 91% success rate with the TRUCLEAR System® compared to a 69% success rate with the Versapoint® system. Total operating time was 6.36 min in the TRUCLEAR System group versus 10.82 min in the Versapoint system group (p Conclusion: The mechanical energy system presents a significant decrease in the total duration of polypectomy and hysteroscopy when performed both by experienced staff and by staff in training, resulting in higher success rates without complications with respect to conventional hysteroscopy with bipolar energy.
The physiological role of cytotoxic CD4+ T‐cells: the holy grail?

From the textbooks, one can readily learn that CD4+ T-cells display a variety of helper functions, necessary for the mounting of an efficient adaptive immune response. Indeed, for about two decades, the study of CD4+ T-cells has been mainly focused on their polarization into T helper 1 or T helper 2 cells and the role of these subpopulations in cellular and humoral immunity, respectively; so that CD4+ T-cells have commonly been referred to as helper T-cells. Nonetheless, the tendency may be changing: with new subsets and new functions being ascribed to CD4+ T-cells, the emphasis on Th1/Th2 studies seems on the decline. Suppressor or regulatory CD4+ T-cells raise the strongest interest nowadays: their role in regulating T-cell proliferation comes out as being particularly important and the perspective to manipulate the activity of these cells may offer new hopes of improving immune based therapies (e.g. immune responses to vaccines). In addition, over the past two decades, many mouse and human studies have reported the acquisition of lytic capacity by CD4+ T-cells [1–9]. However, these observations were usually restricted to cell lines and CD4+ T-cell clones generated by in vitro culture, and have therefore raised much disregard, sceptics arguing that such cytotoxic CD4+ T-cells represent an in vitro artefact and have no physiological role. Interestingly, isolated but repeated reports have recently described the presence of cytotoxic CD4+ T-cells detected directly from peripheral blood, i.e. in vivo , in various human pathologies like viral infections (HIV, CMV and EBV) [10,11], rheumatoid arthritis [12], ankylosing spondylitis [13] and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia [14]. Healthy individuals seem to display few of these cells (on average no more than 2% of the whole CD4+ T-cell population), in contrast, up to 50% percent of the CD4+ T-cells in some HIV infected donors for instance can exhibit clear cytotoxic potential. Studies of clones and cell lines have suggested that CD4+ CTLs use the perforin-dependent cytotoxic mechanism, rather than the Fas-dependent pathway [8,15–17]. In keeping with these data, ex vivo (i.e. directly from blood) analysis of cytotoxic CD4+ T-cells indicate that they have lytic granules containing cytotoxic factors such as granzymes and perforin, and that their lytic activity is HLA class II restricted [10–14]. It is therefore important to appreciate that these cells are not merely an in vitro artefact.