Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polycomb repressive complex 2 impedes intestinal cell terminal differentiation

Summary The crypt–villus axis constitutes the functional unit of the small intestine, where mature absorptive cells are confined to the villi, and stem cells and transit amplifying and differentiating cells are restricted to the crypts. The polycomb group (PcG) proteins repress differentiation and promote self-renewal in embryonic stem cells. PcGs prevent transcriptional activity by catalysing epigenetic modifications, such as the covalent addition of methyl groups on histone tails, through the action of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). Although a role for PcGs in the preservation of stemness characteristics is now well established, recent evidence suggests that they may also be involved in the regulation of differentiation. Using intestinal epithelial cell models that recapitulate the enterocytic differentiation programme, we generated a RNAi-mediated stable knockdown of SUZ12, which constitutes a cornerstone for PRC2 assembly and functionality, in order to analyse intestinal cell proliferation and differentiation. Expression of SUZ12 was also investigated in human intestinal tissues, revealing the presence of SUZ12 in most proliferative epithelial cells of the crypt and an increase in its expression in colorectal cancers. Moreover, PRC2 disruption led to a significant precocious expression of a number of terminal differentiation markers in intestinal cell models. Taken together, our data identified a mechanism whereby PcG proteins participate in the repression of the enterocytic differentiation program, and suggest that a similar mechanism exists in situ to slow down terminal differentiation in the transit amplifying cell population.
Demonstration of Splenic and Portal Veins at Routine Celiac Angiography

The demonstration of splenic and portal veins during routine celiac angiography was prospectively investigated and blindly scored in 25 patients. Two identical angiographic series were performed with randomized intraindividual injections of either metrizoate 280 mg I/ml and ioxaglate 280 mg I/ml or metrizoate 370 mg I/ml and ioxaglate 320 mg I/ml. The splenic and portal veins were significantly better demonstrated when ioxaglate 280 mg I/ml was used, compared with metrizoate 280 mg/ml. No significant difference was found between metrizoate 370 mg I/ml and ioxaglate 320 mg I/ml. Ioxaglate and metrizoate adequately demonstrated the splenic veins but ioxaglate did so at a lower iodine concentration. A slower transcapillary diffusion rate combined with a lower osmolality of ioxaglate compared with metriozate is considered the major explanation for the better demonstration of the veins.
Phylogeography and Pleistocene refugia of the adder (Vipera berus) as inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequence data

In order to contribute to the debate about southern glacial refugia used by temperate species and more northern refugia used by boreal or cold‐temperate species, we examined the phylogeography of a widespread snake species (Vipera berus) inhabiting Europe up to the Arctic Circle. The analysis of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence variation in 1043 bp of the cytochrome b gene and in 918 bp of the noncoding control region was performed with phylogenetic approaches. Our results suggest that both the duplicated control region and cytochrome b evolve at a similar rate in this species. Phylogenetic analysis showed that V. berus is divided into three major mitochondrial lineages, probably resulting from an Italian, a Balkan and a Northern (from France to Russia) refugial area in Eastern Europe, near the Carpathian Mountains. In addition, the Northern clade presents an important substructure, suggesting two sequential colonization events in Europe. First, the continent was colonized from the three main refugial areas mentioned above during the Lower‐Mid Pleistocene. Second, recolonization of most of Europe most likely originated from several refugia located outside of the Mediterranean peninsulas (Carpathian region, east of the Carpathians, France and possibly Hungary) during the Mid‐Late Pleistocene, while populations within the Italian and Balkan Peninsulas fluctuated only slightly in distribution range, with larger lowland populations during glacial times and with refugial mountain populations during interglacials, as in the present time. The phylogeographical structure revealed in our study suggests complex recolonization dynamics of the European continent by V. berus, characterized by latitudinal as well as altitudinal range shifts, driven by both climatic changes and competition with related species.
Longitudinal Dispersion and Tracer Migration in a Radial Flow Field

Hydrodynamic dispersion is an important factor controlling contaminant migration in the subsurface environment. However, few comprehensive data sets exist for evaluating the impact of travel distance and site heterogeneity on solute dispersion under non-uniform flow conditions. In addition, anionic tracers are often used to estimate physical transport parameters based on an erroneous assumption of conservative (i.e., non-reactive) behavior. Therefore, a series of field experiments using tritiated (H) water and other commonly used hydrologic tracers, bromide (Br) and fluorinate benzoic acid (FBA), were conducted to evaluate solute transport processes in a diverging axisymmetric flow field. Tracer migration was monitored using a set of six, multilevel sampling wells concentrically spaced at distances from 2.0 to 4.5 meters around the injection well. Soil hydraulic parameters for aquifer matrix were inversely optimized and an average longitudinal dispersivity for H breakthrough was estimated using numerical finite-element code (i.e., HYDRUS-2D) capable of describing an axisymmetric diverging flow. Tremendous variation in tracer arrival times between similar sampling locations and multiple arrival peaks observed for some sampling locations were observed for both, H and Br. Migration of the Br was retarded, when compared to that of the H, and analysis of the anion data assuming conservative behavior would thus yield higher dispersivity values than conservative tracer.
Further Validation of the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale

BackgroundUp to 50% of all cases of postpartum depression go undetected. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) has been the only instrument available that was specifically designed to screen for this mood disorder. None of the items on the EPDS, however, are written in the context of new motherhood. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to further assess the construct validity of the newly designed Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS) along with its sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. MethodA total sample of 150 mothers within 12 weeks postpartum participated in the study.Each mother completed in random order three questionnaires: The PDSS, EPDS, and The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Immediately after completing these three questionnaires, each woman was interviewed by a nurse psychotherapist using the Structural Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis 1 Disorders. ResultsTwelve percent (n = 18) of the mothers were diagnosed with major postpartum depression, 19% (n = 28) with minor postpartum depression, and 69% (n = 104) with no depression. The PDSS was strongly correlated with both the BDI-II (r = 0.81) and the EPDS (r = 0.79). The ability of the PDSS to explain variance in diagnostic classification of postpartum depression above that explained by the BDI-II and EPDS (i.e., incremental validity) was assessed using hierarchical regression. After explaining variance in group classification by the other two depression instruments, the PDSS explained an additional 9% of the variance in depression diagnosis. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, a PDSS cut-off score of 80 (sensitivity 94% and specificity 98%) is recommended for major postpartum depression and a cut-off score of 60 (sensitivity 91% and specificity 72%) for major or minor depression. ConclusionBased on the results of this psychometric testing, the PDSS is considered ready for use in routine screening of mothers.
A study of science-industry collaborative patterns in a large European University

This paper analyses the modalities according to which a large European university collaborates with firms by exploring its relational portfolio. We address this issue by exploiting a database listing more than 1000 firms having collaborated with the University Louis Pasteur between 1990 and 2002. First, using multi-correspondence analysis, we derive a four-classes typology of collaborative behaviours, each of them presenting a strong internal coherence. We obtain four distinct collaboration patterms, for which the frequency of interactions and the exclusive vs. open character of the relationships are discriminating features. Second, using a multinomial logit estimation, we show how this diversity is connected to some individual attributes of the firms: size, legal status, industrial sector and geographic distance from the public partner. (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.) (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)
lumbar radiculopathy : A case series The short term effects of preoperative neuroscience education for

Background Recently a preoperative pain neuroscience education (NE) program was developed for lumbar surgery (LS) for radiculopathy as a means to decrease postoperative pain and disability. This study attempts to determine the short term effects, if any, of providing NE before surgery on patient outcomes. Methods A case series of 10 patients (female = 7) received preoperative one-on-one educational session by a physical therapist on the neuroscience of pain, accompanied by an evidence-based booklet, prior to LS for radiculopathy. Postintervention data was gathered immediately after NE, as well as 1, 3 and 6 months following LS. Primary outcome measures were Pain Catastrophization Scale (PCS), forward flexion, straight leg raise (SLR) and beliefs regarding LS. Results Immediately following NE for LS for radiculopathy, all patients had lower PCS scores, with 5 patients exceeding the MDC score of 9.1 and 8 of the patients had PCS change scores exceeding the MDC by the 1, 3 and 6 month follow ups. Physical changes showed that fingertip-to-floor test in 6 patients had changes in beyond the MDC of 4.5 cm and 6 patients had changes in SLR beyond the MDC of 5.7°. The main finding, however, indicated a positive and more realistic shift in expectations regarding pain after the impending LS by all patients. Conclusions The results of the case series suggest that immediately after NE, patients scheduled for LS for radiculopathy had meaningful detectable changes in pain catastrophizing, fingertip-to-floor test, passive SLR and positive shifts in their beliefs about LS. keywords: pain, neuroscience, Education, Preoperative, Surgery Volume 9 Article 11 doi: 10.14444/2011
Decolonisation: A critical step for improving Aboriginal health

Abstract Aboriginal health continues to be in crisis in Australia although expenditure has increased in service provision, strategic planning, research and policy development over the last thirty years. This paper recommends that a shift must occur to make Aboriginal health improvement a reality. This shift requires the decolonising of Aboriginal health so that the experts in Aboriginal health, namely Aboriginal people, can voice and action initiatives that address their health issues. This shift is from the current western dominant approach that continues to manage Aboriginal health in its linear spectrum of illness and disease. Aboriginal people view health differently; their contexts for health issues are also diverse requiring a more holistic and informed response.
Effects of probiotic and phytogenic products on performance, gut morphology and cecal microflora of broiler chickens

The trial involved 684 Cobb 500 broiler chicks in order to investigate the effects of probiotics and phytogenic additives on performance, gut morphology and cecal microbial concentrations. Birds were assigned to three treatments: control feed, treatment with addition of probiotics in feed and water and treatment with addition of phytogenic blend in feed. The results showed a significant improvement (P 0.05) improvement in feed conversion ratio by adding both probiotics and phytogenics in feed. There were no statistically significant differences among treatments regarding total aerobes, anaerobes, lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria, enterococci, and Escherichia coli populations (P>0.05) in cecum of broilers. The gut morphology examination showed that probiotics had beneficial effect on jejunum morphology causing a significant (P 0.05) on villus height or villus surface area, but reduced the villus/crypt ratio (P<0.05), which may indicate that the improved production results in the group with added phytogenics are not directly connected with changes in gut integrity, but with other physiological mechanisms.
Expression of p16INK4a and other cell cycle regulator and senescence associated genes in aging human kidney.

BACKGROUND Somatic cells in vitro have a finite life expectancy before entering a state of senescence. If this state has an in vivo counterpart, it could contribute to organ aging. We have previously shown that human kidney cortex displays telomere shortening with age. In the present study, we evaluated the relationship between renal age in humans and a number of phenomena associated with cellular senescence in vitro. METHODS Human kidney specimens were obtained at 8 weeks to 88 years of age and were assessed for changes related to aging. RESULTS We found that human kidneys expressed relatively constant levels of mRNAs for genes potentially related to senescence. Among the candidate genes surveyed, the cell cycle regulator p16INK4a emerged with the strongest association with renal aging for both mRNA and protein expression. Proliferation as measured by Ki-67 expression was inversely correlated with p16INK4a expression, compatible with a role for p16INK4a as an irreversible cell cycle inhibitor. Cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 (COX-1 and COX-2) mRNA expression was elevated in older kidneys, associated with increased protein expression. Comparison of gene expression with age-related histologic changes revealed that glomerulosclerosis correlated with p16INK4a and p53, whereas interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy were associated with p16INK4a, p53, COX-1, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), and heat shock protein A5 (HSPA5). CONCLUSION We conclude that some changes observed in cellular senescence in vitro do occur in human kidney with age, particularly in the renal cortex, in some cases correlating with histologic features. P16INK4a emerged with the most consistent correlations with age and histologic changes and inversely correlated with cell replication.
Technological Knowledge and Corporate Governance

As is well-known, firms' innovative efforts can benefit from information about past implementations of similar technologies by other firms ("technological knowledge"). In this paper, we examine the effect of technological knowledge on agency problems. We present robust evidence that technological knowledge makes shareholder rights more valuable since it improves the ability of outsiders to effectively monitor managerial decisions. In addition, the announcement of stricter board independence standards due to the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002 has a positive effect on the value of weakly governed firms only when these firms operate better-known technologies. Firms with better-known technologies are more likely to experience performance-induced monitoring interventions such as performance-based CEO turnover and proxy fights. Overall, our evidence suggests that, in a knowledge economy, strong governance is an ever more important source of shareholder value.
Raising Private Sector R&D in the New Member States: Does it help their economies catching up?

In general, evidence suggests that the current growth in the NMS seems to refer mainly to progressing structural changes, some emerging sectors, etc. and to an increasingly efficient allocation of production factors rather than to catching up in terms of R&D performance and getting closer to the technological frontier. But, although investment in R&D may currently appear to be only a minor source of economic growth in the NMS, with respect to the mid to long term perspectives of these countries the importance is supposed to be rising. Given the distance of the NMS to the technological frontier and also the gap in terms of R&D intensity (Barcelona target) compared to the remainder of the EU, political emphasis might currently be more usefully on promoting easy access to, and absorption of, knowledge generated elsewhere accompanied with a sophisticated master plan for improving the existing R&D and innovation capacities systematically. In fact, making the NMS an attractive location for R&D appears to be a straightforward policy objective, but any corresponding measure should be embedded in an overall improvement of the institutional/environmental framework conditions in order to ensure sustainable investments in R&D in the NMS. How to obtain EU publications Our priced publications are available from EU Bookshop (http://bookshop.europa.eu), where you can place an order with the sales agent of your choice. The Publications Office has a worldwide network of sales agents. You can obtain their contact details by sending a fax to (352) 29 29-42758.
Bank Capital and Profitability: An Empirical Study of South African Commercial Banks

Abstract Bank capital is a principal aspect of regulation and will determine how long a bank remains in business from a regulatory point of view. Prior research on the relationship between capital and profitability has largely focused on developed economies, especially the USA, and Europe and the results have been inconclusive. There is no evidence of such research done to date that focuses on an emerging economy such as South Africa. Using South Africa as a unit of analysis and using the Generalised Methods of Moments (GMM), and Panel Two Stage Least Squares (2SLS) or Pooled IV method as the estimation techniques, this study tested the hypothesis that there is a positive and statistically significant relationship between bank capital and profitability. The results provided evidence of a positive relationship between capital ratio (CAR), return on equity (ROE) and return on assets (ROA). From a bank specific strategic decision-making perspective, this would assist financial institutions and investors in tailoring investment decisions in response to policy decisions that relate to bank capital. From the public policy perspective, this would assist both governments and regulators in formulating better-informed policy decisions regarding the importance of bank capital.
Stuck on the Road: Traffic Congestion and Stock Returns

Experimental research in psychology has found a strong negative association between traffic congestion and stress levels of commuters. Here, we investigate the consequences of morning traffic congestion on stock returns. Using traffic data and stock market returns from New York City and London, we find significant negative market returns associated with high-traffic days with returns on average lower 0.17–0.20% during unexpectedly bad traffic days. These results survive under many robustness tests. We evaluate two trading strategies relying on traffic conditions and find robust returns associated with these strategies. Our paper elicits a previously overlooked effect of traffic congestion on financial markets.
HIV–HBV Coinfection in Southern Africa and the Effect of Lamivudine- Versus Tenofovir-Containing cART on HBV Outcomes

Background:This study assessed HIV–hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection in southern Africa in terms of prevalence, viral characteristics, occult HBV, and the effect of lamivudine- versus tenofovir-containing first-line combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) on HBV-related outcomes. Methods:A multicenter prospective cohort of HIV-infected adults in Zambia and South Africa who initiated cART. Outcomes by month 12 on cART were immunological recovery, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss, viral suppression, and drug resistance. We used descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and linear mixed models. Results:Of the 1087 participants, 92 were HBsAg seropositive, yielding a sample-weighted prevalence of 7.4% (95% confidence interval: 5.6 to 9.2), with 76% genotype HBV-A1. The estimated CD4 recovery on cART was similar between HIV monoinfection and HIV–HBV coinfection groups and between lamivudine- and tenofovir-treated participants. HBsAg loss was documented in 20% (4/20) of lamivudine-treated and 18% (3/17) of tenofovir-treated participants (P = 0.305). Viral suppression (HBV-DNA < 20 IU/mL) was achieved in 61.5% (16/26) of lamivudine-treated and 71.4% (15/21) of tenofovir-treated participants (P = 0.477). HBV pol sequencing demonstrated M204I (n = 3) and N236T (n = 1) resistance-associated mutations in 4 of 8 (50%) lamivudine-treated participants and none in tenofovir-treated participants. Occult HBV infection was present in 13.3% before cART, but by month 12, HBV-DNA was below the limit of detection (<15 IU/mL) in 90.5% (19/21) of lamivudine-treated and 100% (18/18) of tenofovir-treated participants (P = 0.179). Conclusions:Tenofovir-containing first-line cART is preferred for HIV–HBV coinfection in Africa because of a superior resistance profile relative to lamivudine monotherapy. Extended follow-up will be needed to determine long-term complications of occult HBV coinfection. Improved access to HBsAg screening and tenofovir is needed.
Interactions between HIV/AIDS and the environment : a review of the evidence and recommendations for next steps

Recent studies have brought to light a series of interacting and complex relationships, many with negative feedback loops, between HIV/AIDS and the environment. A comprehensive examination of these relationships and analyses of the quality and breadth of the evidence are lacking. This publication intends to fill this gap by reviewing the published literature regarding the potential links between HIV/AIDS and the environment to assess the evidence for these connections and to provide guidance for possible next steps in addressing them through basic or operations research and intervention.
Ecological Growth Strategies in the Seaweeds Gracilaria foliifera (Rhodophyceae) and Ulva sp. (Chlorophyceae): Photosynthesis and Antenna Composition

Observations have been made on photosynthesis (oxygen evolution) and seasonal fluctuations in antenna pigments in 2 seaweeds which CO-occur in the vicinity of Beaufort, North Carolina, USA. Gracilaria foljifera (Rhodophyceae) and Ulva sp. (Chlorophyceae) were grown in outdoor continuous-flow cultures a t ambient incident light (I,) and . 13I,. Pigment contents and accessory pigment: chlorophyll a ratios were higher at ,131, than at I,. Total pigment levels were correlated with soluble N in seaweed tissue. During the spring/summer growing season, pigment levels were low and peaks in pigment content followed nutrient pulses in the ambient seawater. Pigment contents in both Species were higher in winter In G. foliifera, the R-phycoerythrin: chl a ratio was highest in fall-winter and lowest in summer. The higher growth rates achieved by Ulva sp. reflected the higher rates of photosynthesis measured in this species. Photosynthesis-light curves showed that Ulva sp. had a higher photosynthetic capacity (P,, = 430 ymol O2 evolved g dry wt-' h') and initial slope (in shadeacclimated plants) than G. folijfera (P,, = 160 pm01 0, evolved g dry wt-' h' ) . Increased pigment contents in shade plants of both species resulted in enhanced photosynthetic performance at subsaturating light intensities. It appears that the effect of transient pigment increases in the summer was to increase P,,, temporarily while, in winter, the effect was to limit the decrease in integrated net photosynthesis in the face of decreased light and temperature.