Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How are proliferation and differentiation of melanocytes regulated?

Coat colors are determined by melanin (eumelanin and pheomelanin). Melanin is synthesized in melanocytes and accumulates in special organelles, melanosomes, which upon maturation are transferred to keratinocytes. Melanocytes differentiate from undifferentiated precursors, called melanoblasts, which are derived from neural crest cells. Melanoblast/melanocyte proliferation and differentiation are regulated by the tissue environment, especially by keratinocytes, which synthesize endothelins, steel factor, hepatocyte growth factor, leukemia inhibitory factor and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor. Melanocyte differentiation is also stimulated by alpha‐melanocyte stimulating hormone; in the mouse, however, this hormone is likely carried through the bloodstream and not produced locally in the skin. Melanoblast migration, proliferation and differentiation are also regulated by many coat color genes otherwise known for their ability to regulate melanosome formation and maturation, pigment type switching and melanosome distribution and transfer. Thus, melanocyte proliferation and differentiation are not only regulated by genes encoding typical growth factors and their receptors but also by genes classically known for their role in pigment formation.
A Comparison of Mobile Payment Procedures in Finnish and Chinese Markets

Researchers are particularly interested in factors that affect the adoption, innovations and diffusion of mobile payment, which is a typical and wide application of ICTS (Information Communication Technology Services) in developed and developing countries. Though mobile payment is an exciting domain and rapidly evolved in recent years, the existence of standardized, interconnected and widely-accepted mobile payment procedures is crucial for successful diffusion of mobile payment and has mobile commerce globally, even in one country or region. In this paper we make a comparison of mobile payment procedures in the Finnish and the Chinese market. Current payment procedures can be categorized by using strategic, participatory and operational criteria, according to the morphological method. Based on these, we analyze the current contraints on the mobile payment procedures in the Finnish-Chinese market in order to make it clear whether we can develop a generally accepted mobile payment integrative solution or merge different procedures into an interoperability system via interconnected participants with high-level protocols and regulation when necessary, because
Effects of vitamin D on insulin resistance and myosteatosis in diet-induced obese mice

Epidemiological studies pointed out to a strong association between vitamin D deficiency and type 2 diabetes prevalence. However, the role of vitamin D supplementation in the skeletal muscle, a tissue that play a crucial role in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis, has been scarcely investigated so far. On this basis, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation in a murine model of diet-induced insulin resistance with particular attention to the effects evoked on the skeletal muscle. Male C57BL/6J mice (n = 40) were fed with a control or a High Fat-High Sugar (HFHS) diet for 4 months. Subsets of animals were treated for 2 months with vitamin D (7 μg·kg-1, i.p. three times/week). HFHS diet induced body weight increase, hyperglycemia and impaired glucose tolerance. HFHS animals showed an impaired insulin signaling and a marked fat accumulation in the skeletal muscle. Vitamin D reduced body weight and improved systemic glucose tolerance. In addition, vitamin D restored the impaired muscle insulin signaling and reverted myosteatosis evoked by the diet. These effects were associated to decreased activation of NF-κB and lower levels of TNF-alpha. Consistently, a significantly decreased activation of the SCAP/SREBP lipogenic pathway and lower levels of CML protein adducts and RAGE expression were observed in skeletal muscle of animals treated with vitamin D. Collectively, these data indicate that vitamin D-induced selective inhibition of signaling pathways (including NF-κB, SCAP/SREBP and CML/RAGE cascades) within the skeletal muscle significantly contributed to the beneficial effects of vitamin D supplementation against diet-induced metabolic derangements.
The mechanism and spread of pacemaker activity through myenteric interstitial cells of Cajal in human small intestine.

BACKGROUND & AIMS It has been generally assumed that interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the human gastrointestinal tract have similar functions to those in rodents, but no direct experimental evidence exists to date for this assumption. This is an important question because pathologists have noted decreased numbers of ICC in patients with a variety of motility disorders, and some have speculated that loss of ICC could be responsible for motor dysfunction. Our aims were to determine whether myenteric ICC (ICC-MY) in human jejunum are pacemaker cells and whether these cells actively propagate pacemaker activity. METHODS The mucosa and submucosa were removed, and strips of longitudinal muscle were peeled away to reveal the ICC-MY network. ICC networks were loaded with the Ca(2+) indicator fluo-4, and pacemaker activity was recorded via high-speed video imaging at 36.5 degrees C +/- 0.5 degrees C. RESULTS Rhythmic, biphasic Ca(2+) transients (6.03 +/- 0.33 cycles/min) occurred in Kit-positive ICC-MY. These consisted of a rapidly propagating upstroke phase that initiated a sustained plateau phase, which was associated with Ca(2+) spikes in neighboring smooth muscle. Pacemaker activity was dependent on inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor-operated stores and mitochondrial function. The upstroke phase of Ca(2+) transients in ICC-MY appeared to result from Ca(2+) influx through dihydropyridine-resistant Ca(2+) channels, whereas the plateau phase was attributed to Ca(2+) release from inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor-operated Ca(2+) stores. CONCLUSIONS Each ICC-MY in human jejunum generates spontaneous pacemaker activity that actively propagates through the ICC network. Loss of these cells could severely disrupt the normal function of the human small intestine.
Saphenous nerve stimulation normalizes bladder underactivity induced by tibial nerve stimulation in cats.

This study in α-chloralose-anesthetized cats aimed at investigating the bladder responses to saphenous nerve stimulation (SNS). A urethral catheter was used to infuse the bladder with saline and to record changes in bladder pressure. With the bladder fully distended, SNS at 1-Hz frequency and an intensity slightly below the threshold (T) for inducing an observable motor response of the hindlimb muscles induced large amplitude (40-150 cmH2O) bladder contractions. Application of SNS (1 Hz, 2-4T) during cystometrograms (CMGs), when the bladder was slowly (1-3 ml/min) infused with saline, significantly ( P < 0.05) increased the duration of the micturition contraction to >200% of the control without changing bladder capacity or contraction amplitude. Repeated application (1-8 times) of intense (4-8T intensity) 30-min tibial nerve stimulation (TNS) produced prolonged post-TNS inhibition that significantly ( P < 0.01) increased bladder capacity to 135.9 ± 7.6% and decreased the contraction amplitude to 44.1 ± 16.5% of the pre-TNS control level. During the period of post-TNS inhibition, SNS (1 Hz, 2-4T) applied during CMGs completely restored the bladder capacity and the contraction amplitude to the pre-TNS control level and almost doubled the duration of the micturition contraction. These results indicate that SNS at 1 Hz can facilitate the normal micturition reflex and normalize the reflex when it is suppressed during post-TNS inhibition. This study provides an opportunity to develop a novel neuromodulation therapy for underactive bladder using SNS.
Interbank networks in prewar Japan: structure and implications

In this article, we explore the structure and implications of interbank networks in prewar Japan, focusing on director interlocking. We find that approximately half the banks had at least one connection with another bank through director interlocking, and that a bank that had connections with other banks was less likely to fail than a bank without a network. The quality of networks also matters in the sense that the failure probability of a bank with a network was negatively associated with the profitability of the connected banks. On the other hand, there is no strong evidence of financial contagion through networks. In addition, networks of director interlocking contributed to the stabilization of the financial system through coordinating bank mergers. Copyright 2012 The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Associazione ICC. All rights reserved. , Oxford University Press.
Achievement of developmental milestones in young adults after liver transplantation in childhood

Little is known about the achievement of developmental milestones (i.e., COL) after pediatric liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to examine the COL of young adults who underwent a liver transplantation during childhood and to compare it to healthy peers. Furthermore, we studied factors possibly related to their COL. COL was assessed using the CLQ, which assesses the achievement of developmental milestones (autonomy, psychosexual, social, and antisocial development) and risk behavior (substance abuse and gambling). Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical data were collected using the prospective institutional liver transplantation database. A total of 39 young adults who underwent a liver transplantation at the UMCG in their childhood completed the CLQ. They achieved fewer milestones with regard to autonomy, psychosexual, and social development compared to healthy peers, and they reported less risk behavior. Neither age at the time of study nor age at the time of transplantation was significantly correlated with any of the COL subscales. Young adults show delay in reaching developmental milestones in every dimension after a liver transplantation during their childhood.
Circulating Dickkopf-1 Is Correlated with Bone Erosion and Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective. To explore the potential role of Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to evaluate the effect of a tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitor (infliximab) and an interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra; anakinra) on DKK-1 secretion in patients with RA. Methods. Serum samples were collected from 100 patients with RA, 100 patients with other rheumatic diseases (e.g., osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis), and 40 healthy controls. DKK-1 and osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels in serum were detected by ELISA. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF) titers, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody were also measured in patients with RA. Results. The serum level of DKK-1 was significantly higher in patients with RA than in healthy controls and those with other rheumatic diseases (p < 0.01); the serum DKK-1 level was correlated with levels of CRP (r = 0.488, p = 0.003) and ESR (r = 0.458, p = 2.4 x 10−4) and the Sharp score of radiologic change (r = 0.449, p = 0.001) in RA. In contrast to the increasing level of OPG, DKK-1 was significantly decreased in RA patients treated with TNF-α inhibitor (p < 0.01). DKK-1 was significantly decreased in RA patients treated with IL-1Ra (p < 0.01). Conclusion. DKK-1, as an important mediator, was correlated with bone erosion and inflammation in RA. The change of DKK-1 level may serve as a biomarker of disease activity and bone erosion.
Latecomer Strategies: Evidence From the Semiconductor Industry in Japan and Korea

The effects of strategic order of entry on firms' performance have long been an issue in many areas of study. Past res earch efforts, however, have been concentrated mostly on first mover or early entrant advantages. To contribute to developing a theory of latecomer strategies, the authors investigate how latecomers compete successfully or even leapfrog early movers. They review previous studies on early mover advantages and disadvantages, and group the sources of such advantages or disadvantages into three areas: the firm, its market, and its competitors. The theoretical focus is how a firm converts the opportunities ste mming from entry order into performance. The authors seek to confirm and extend relevant theories by examining how late entrants have caught up with incumbent industry leaders in the global semiconductor industry. On the basis of in-depth case analysis of three Japanese and three Korean semiconductor companies, they identify and categorize successful latecomer strategies into two types: strategies for overcoming latecomer disadvantages and strategies for utilizing latecomer advantages. Focusing, thin margin or loss bearing, and volume building form the essence of strategies for overcoming disadvantages, whereas odd timing, time compression, human embodied technology transfer, benchmarking, technological leap frogging, and resource leveraging form the essence of strategies for utilizing advantages. Because many companies in Asia have had to face the reality of being latecomers, the Asian perspectives are particularly useful for studying and explicating latecomer strategies.
Suppression of the translation defect phenotype specific for a virus-associated RNA-deficient adenovirus mutant in monkey cells by simian virus 40

Human cells infected with adenovirus type 2 (Ad2) or Ad5 require VAI RNA for efficient translation of viral mRNAs at late times after infection. The Ad5 mutant dl-sub720 synthesized neither virus-associated I (VAI) nor VAII RNAs, and infection of human cells with this mutant resulted in reduced virion polypeptide synthesis. Infection of monkey cells with this mutant also resulted in drastic reduction of polypeptide synthesis compared with wild-type (WT) adenovirus infections. Steady-state levels of hexon-specific mRNA were found to be comparable in WT- and mutant-infected monkey cells. The in vitro translation experiments showed that double-mutant- and WT-infected cells contained comparable levels of translatable hexon mRNA (and other adenovirus late mRNAs), suggesting that the severe inhibition of hexon protein synthesis in the VA mutant involves a translation block. Preinfection of monkey cells with simian virus 40 fully restored the efficient translation of this mRNA in the VA mutant infections to the level observed in WT-infected cultures. These results raise the possibility that simian virus 40 may encode or induce factors that suppress the translation block that occurs during adenovirus infections in the absence of the VA RNAs.
An Empirical Investigation of Going Public Decision of Indian Companies

This paper examines the determinants of the going public decision of the Indian companies. A probit regression model is used to analyze the influence of fundamental financial data of Indian companies on their going public decision. The size, profitability, age and leverage emerged as the significant determinants of going public decision of Indian companies. The statistically insignificant relationship between the financing needs and likelihood of an IPO found in our study is similar to the Pagano et al.,1998 and contrary to the findings of several other studies done on same issue.
Learning, Innovation and Competitive Advantage in Not-for-Profit Aged Care Marketing: A Conceptual Model and Research Propositions

ABSTRACT The rapid expansion and the increased commercialization of the elderly consumers market have forced not-for-profit organizations (NFPs) to adopt a competitive posture in their operations and to pursue innovative ways of delivering superior aged care to the target market. This paper attempts to model the antecedents of innovation-based competitive strategy in NFPs. Premised on the capability-based model of sustained competitive advantage and incorporating the emerging concept of social entrepreneurship, it is argued that entrepreneurial NFP organizations, in their mission to create social value to multiple stakeholders, build and nurture distinctive learning capabilities that enable them to formulate innovative strategies for superior aged care delivery. Key theoretical constructs within the model are explored and research propositions are presented.
A Protracted and Dynamic Maturation Schedule Underlies Arabidopsis Leaf Development[W]

Leaf development has been monitored chiefly by following anatomical markers. Analysis of transcriptome dynamics during leaf maturation revealed multiple expression patterns that rise or fall with age or that display age-specific peaks. These were used to formulate a digital differentiation index (DDI) based on a set of selected markers with informative expression during leaf ontogeny. The leaf-based DDI reliably predicted the developmental state of leaf samples from diverse sources and was independent of mitotic cell division transcripts or propensity of specific cell types. When calibrated by informative root markers, the same algorithm accurately diagnosed dissected root samples. We used the DDI to characterize plants with reduced activities of multiple CINCINNATA (CIN)-TCP (TEOSINTE BRANCHED1, CYCLOIDEA, PCF) growth regulators. These plants had giant curled leaves made up of small cells with abnormal shape, low DDI scores, and low expression of mitosis markers, depicting the primary role of CIN-TCPs as promoters of differentiation. Delayed activity of several CIN-TCPs resulted in abnormally large but flat leaves with regular cells. The application of DDI has therefore portrayed the CIN-TCPs as heterochronic regulators that permit the development of a flexible and robust leaf form through an ordered and protracted maturation schedule.
Canonical/ b -Catenin Wnt Pathway Activation Improves Retinal Pigmented Epithelium Derivation From Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Canonical/ b -catenin Wnt pathway ac- tivation improves retinal pigmented epithelium derivation from human stem cells. P URPOSE . The purpose of this study was to better understand the role canonical/ b -catenin Wnt signaling plays in the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), with the goal of improving methods for derivation. M ETHODS . Fluorescent reporters were generated to monitor RPE differentiating from hESCs by using a previously described 14-day derivation protocol. Reporters were used to test the effects of the canonical/ b -catenin Wnt pathway agonist CHIR99021 on differentiating RPE. Cells derived from differentiation studies were characterized by lineage-speciﬁc transcription factor expression, morphology, pigmentation, and function. The RPE derivation efﬁciency was determined from percentage positive PMEL17 expression. R ESULTS . Fluorescent reporters mimicked expression of endogenous genes during 14-day differentiation to RPE. Analysis of Wnt pathway gene expression showed that the pathway components are expressed in differentiating RPE cells. Addition of CHIR99021 improved RPE derivation based on morphology, expression of RPE-speciﬁc lineage markers, and genes involved in melanogenesis. Additionally, expression of the neural retina marker CHX10 was suppressed during differentiation with CHIR99021. Addition of soluble WNT3A, but not WNT5A, had the same result. The CHIR99021-modiﬁed protocol yielded cell populations that were 97.77% 6 0.1% positive for the RPE marker PMEL17 at day 14. After cells were expanded to passage 3, they were shown to express RPE markers, carry out phagocytosis of rod outer segments, and secrete pigment epithelium–derived factor apically and vascular endothelial growth factor basally. C ONCLUSIONS . Our ﬁndings demonstrated the importance of canonical/ b -catenin Wnt signaling in RPE differentiation and showed that manipulating the pathway signiﬁcantly improves RPE derivation from hESC.
Critical success factors for context-aware mobile communication systems

Numerous context-aware mobile communication systems have emerged for individuals and groups, calling for the identification of critical success factors related to the design of such systems at different levels. The effective system design cannot be achieved without the understanding of situated user behaviour in using context-aware systems. Drawing on Activity Theory, this article advances cross-level, but coherent conceptualisations of context-awareness as enabled by emerging systems. Grounded in the activities of using context-aware systems, these conceptualisations provide implications for system design at individual and group levels in terms of critical success factors, including contextualisation, interactivity and personalisation.
Association of rs2200733 at 4q25 with atrial flutter/fibrillation diseases in an Italian population

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) are common cardiac conduction disorders affecting many people. Recent studies on sporadic cases of AF/AFL showed a significant association of the single nucleotide polymorphism rs2200733T with the disease, suggesting a genetic factor in the development of the disease. Objectives: To determine the association of rs2200733 with AF/AFL derived from an Italian population sample. Subjects: 78 patients with AF/AFL and 348 controls took part in the study. Design: Genetic case–control study. Results: The results indicate that there is a positive, significant association between the rs2200733 T allele and patients with AF/AFL of Italian origin (allelic p<0.001 with OR = 2.17). Conclusion: These results derived from a sample of the Italian population agree with previously reported findings from an Icelandic study, which also found that the minor allele rs2200733 was associated with AF/AFL disease.
Are Stars' Opinions Worth More? Evidence from Stock Recommendations 1994-2009

Using 1994-2009 data, we document that All-American (AA) analysts’ buy and sell recommendations outperform those of non-AAs by over 7% per annum after risk-adjustments. This performance differential exists both before and after AAs are elected, does not exhibit long-run reversal, and is not significantly eroded by Reg-FD. Election to top-AA ranks predicts performance in buy recommendations above and beyond other observable analyst characteristics. Conflicts-of-interest reforms around 2002-2003 led to departures of experienced and high-performing AAs from the sell-side analyst pool; as a response, institutional investors shuffled the AA pool in a way that helped preserve the AA pool’s performance. Collectively, these results suggest that skill differences among analysts exist and the AA status incorporates institutional investors’ ability to evaluate analysts.
Effect of leisure time and working activity on principal risk factors and relative interactions in active middle-aged men.

DESIGN This study was designed to evaluate, in a cohort of 1039 middle-aged men, the interaction between the duration and intensity of physical activity performed either during leisure time (competitive sports, walking, cycling) or work, and principal coronary disease risk factors. METHOD A cohort of subjects aged 45-64 years were recruited in 1993. Subjects included both individuals who were physically active and those who were sedentary, and were age-matched. RESULTS Leisure time physical activity was inversely related to levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and fibrinogen, and to diastolic and systolic blood pressure. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was directly related to leisure time activity. Working activity, even if strenuous, was not related to risk profile. Leisure time activity did not favorably influence lipid levels in smokers, obese subjects or those with known dyslipidemia. CONCLUSIONS This study further reinforces the use of continuous diet and drug treatment in dyslipidemic subjects and in smokers, who have to refrain from smoking if they are to benefit fully from the effects of physical activity.