Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proteomic analysis uncovers common effects of IFN-γ and IL-27 on the HLA class I antigen presentation machinery in human cancer cells

IL-27, a member of the IL-12-family of cytokines, has shown anti-tumor activity in several pre-clinical models due to anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic and immune-enhancing effects. On the other hand, IL-27 demonstrated immune regulatory activities and inhibition of auto-immunity in mouse models. Also, we reported that IL-27, similar to IFN-γ, induces the expression of IL-18BP, IDO and PD-L1 immune regulatory molecules in human cancer cells. Here, a proteomic analysis reveals that IL-27 and IFN-γ display a broad overlap of functions on human ovarian cancer cells. Indeed, among 990 proteins modulated by either cytokine treatment in SKOV3 cells, 814 showed a concordant modulation by both cytokines, while a smaller number (176) were differentially modulated. The most up-regulated proteins were common to both IFN-γ and IL-27. In addition, functional analysis of IL-27-regulated protein networks highlighted pathways of interferon signaling and regulation, antigen presentation, protection from natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, regulation of protein polyubiquitination and proteasome, aminoacid catabolism and regulation of viral protein levels. Importantly, we found that IL-27 induced HLA class I molecule expression in human cancer cells of different histotypes, including tumor cells showing very low expression. IL-27 failed only in a cancer cell line bearing a homozygous deletion in the B2M gene. Altogether, these data point out to a broad set of activities shared by IL-27 and IFN-γ, which are dependent on the common activation of the STAT1 pathway. These data add further explanation to the anti-tumor activity of IL-27 and also to its dual role in immune regulation.
Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 elicits vasodilation in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in healthy men

In healthy subjects, we recently demonstrated that during acute administration of GLP‐1, cardiac output increased significantly, whereas renal blood flow remained constant. We therefore hypothesize that GLP‐1 induces vasodilation in other organs, for example, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and/or splanchnic tissues. Nine healthy men were examined twice in random order during a 2‐hour infusion of either GLP‐1 (1.5 pmol kg−1 min−1) or saline. Cardiac output was continuously estimated noninvasively concomitantly with measurement of intra‐arterial blood pressure. Subcutaneous, abdominal adipose tissue blood flow (ATBF) was measured by the 133Xenon clearance technique. Leg and splanchnic blood flow were measured by Fick's Principle, using indocyanine green as indicator. In the GLP‐1 study, cardiac output increased significantly together with a significant increase in arterial pulse pressure and heart rate compared with the saline study. Subcutaneous, abdominal ATBF and leg blood flow increased significantly during the GLP‐1 infusion compared with saline, whereas splanchnic blood flow response did not differ between the studies. We conclude that in healthy subjects, GLP‐1 increases cardiac output acutely due to a GLP‐1‐induced vasodilation in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle together with an increase in cardiac work.
Concepts for Immunotherapies in Gliomas

Abstract Strategies to empower the immune system to successfully attack cancers, including vaccination approaches, adaptive T cell therapies, and immune checkpoint modulators, have recently achieved remarkable success across a spectrum of cancer indications. Nonetheless, with rare exception, only a minority of patients with a given type of cancer respond to an immunotherapeutic when administered as single-agent therapy. Although under extensive laboratory and clinical investigation, the role of these approaches for glioma patients remains to be determined. While the central nervous system (CNS) is no longer regarded as an immunoprivileged sanctuary, nuances regarding immune responses in the CNS may impact on the activity of immunotherapy treatments of brain tumor patients. Furthermore, many common CNS tumors such as World Health Organization grade III and IV (high grade) gliomas utilize myriad, nonoverlapping strategies to dampen or extinguish antitumor immune responses. For these reasons, critical research efforts are focused on identifying biomarkers that predict patients with a heightened likelihood of therapeutic benefit as well as evaluating rationally designed combinatorial immunotherapy approaches with potentially complementary mechanisms of immune-activation for brain cancer patients.
Capacity bounds of MIMO channels with asymmetric channel state information at transmitter

Using two receive antennas at a mobile phone improves downlink performance. But because of the correlation of the two antennas, using one of them to transmit in the uplink is a good performance-complexity tradeoff. This creates an interesting scenario of asymmetric channel state information at the transmitter in a time division duplex system, where the downlink channel coefficients related to one of the two receive antennas can be learned by the base station from the uplink training due to reciprocity. We provide near optimal transmitter design by obtaining upper and lower bounds of the downlink ergodic capacity.
Antioxidant Activity of Chinese Shanxi Aged Vinegar and Its Correlation with Polyphenols and Flavonoids During the Brewing Process.

One of the most famous Chinese vinegars, Shanxi aged vinegar (SAV), is produced with solid-state fermentation technology. Total antioxidant activity (TAC) is a special property for SAV. In this study, we investigate correlations between total antioxidant activity (TAC) and total polyphenol (TP) and total flavonoid (TF) contents of SAV, especially during the brewing process. For SAV, TAC, TP, and TF increased with the increase of aging time. The correlation coefficients between TAC and TP were 0.869 and 0.934, respectively, when analyzed with the method of ABTS and FRAP. They were 0.828 (ABTS) and 0.877 (FRAP) between the TAC and TF. In smoking pei stage that is a special technique for SAV different from other Chinese cereal vinegars, TAC increased by 120% (ABTS) and 111% (FRAP) mainly due to the increase of TP (89%) and TF (75%), which was more obvious than that during alcohol fermentation and acetic acid fermentation stages. Moreover, variation during brewing process of 8 main polyphenol compounds that were proved responsible for the TAC of SAV was analyzed. In addition to catechins and chlorogenic acid, gallic acid serves as one of the principal antioxidant ingredients in SAV. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Total antioxidant activity (TAC) of Shanxi aged vinegar (SAV), which is highly correlated with total polyphenol and total flavonoid, increased with aging time, however, there is a little loss of total antioxidant after more than 8 y. During the brewing process smoking pei technique is important for enhancing the TAC of SAV suggesting critical controlled and thoroughly study of smoking pei stage are needed to improve the quality of SAV.
Historical Biogeography and Extinction in the Hawaiian Honeycreepers

Hawaiian honeycreepers, comprising an endemic radiation of passerine birds in the Hawaiian archipelago, have suffered losses of individual island populations and the extinction of many species as a result of colonization of the islands by Polynesians and, more recently, introduced avian pox virus and avian malaria. Here, I test the idea that populations have an intrinsic tendency toward extinction regardless of the cause. The distribution of each species before the arrival of humans in the archipelago was inferred from present distribution, historical records, and fossil remains. On the basis of these records, each species was placed in one of four stages of the taxon cycle: (1) expanding or recently expanded, (2) differentiating, (3) fragmenting, or (4) single-island endemic. Subsequent extinction of individual island populations was most frequent in stage 3 species, which had already suffered loss of individual island populations, suggesting commonality in vulnerability to extinction from anthropogenic and nonanthropogenic causes.
A low-overhead fault tolerant technique for TSV-based interconnects in 3D-IC systems

3D-Network-on-Chips (3D-NoCs) are considered as one of the most advanced and auspicious communication methodologies for future IC designs by exploiting the benefits of Network-on-Chips (NoCs) and 3D-Integrated Circuits (3D-ICs). However, their reliability still remains a major problem due to the vulnerability of Through Silicon Vias (TSVs). Because most of the existing techniques rely on correcting the TSV defects by using redundancy or employing routing algorithms, the TSV-cluster defect tolerances encounter costly area and power consumption penalties. In order to solve this issue, we propose a highly scalable and low-overhead TSV management for 3D-NoC systems where the TSVs of a router can be utilized by its neighbors and an adaptive online algorithm is also performed to assist. With this proposal, we aim to maintain a graceful performance for 3D-NoCs without the need for redundant links or employing routing algorithms.
Preparation and properties of ionically cross‐linked chitosan nanoparticles

Chitosan nanoparticles were fabricated by a method of tripolyphosphate (TPP) cross-linking. The influence of fabrication conditions on the physical properties and drug loading and release properties was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and UV–vis spectroscopy. The nanoparticles could be prepared only within a zone of appropriate chitosan and TPP concentrations. The particle size and surface zeta potential can be manipulated by variation of the fabrication conditions such as chitosan/TPP ratio and concentration, solution pH and salt addition. TEM observation revealed a core–shell structure for the as-prepared nanoparticles, but a filled structure for the ciprofloxacin (CH) loaded particles. Results show that the chitosan nanoparticles were rather stable and no cytotoxicity of the chitosan nanoparticles was found in an in vitro cell culture experiment. Loading and release of CH can be modulated by the environmental factors such as solution pH and medium quality. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Data Fusion for Driver Behaviour Analysis

A driver behaviour analysis tool is presented. The proposal offers a novel contribution based on low-cost hardware and advanced software capabilities based on data fusion. The device takes advantage of the information provided by the in-vehicle sensors using Controller Area Network Bus (CAN-BUS), an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and a GPS. By fusing this information, the system can infer the behaviour of the driver, providing aggressive behaviour detection. By means of accurate GPS-based localization, the system is able to add context information, such as digital map information, speed limits, etc. Several parameters and signals are taken into account, both in the temporal and frequency domains, to provide real time behaviour detection. The system was tested in urban, interurban and highways scenarios.
Economic dispatch using stochastic whale optimization algorithm

Economic dispatch aims to determine the optimal generated power from the generation units to meet the required load at the lowest fuel cost. In this paper, a stochastic whale optimization (SWO) method is proposed to solve the economic dispatch problem. Whale optimization algorithm is enhanced using mutation and crossover operators. To test the proposed method two systems (3 and 10 generating units) are tested. We compare the proposed SWO algorithm with whale optimization algorithm, artificial bee colony algorithm, dragonfly algorithm, ant lion algorithm, gray wolf optimization, and whale optimization algorithm with mutation only. The obtained results demonstrate the high efficiency of the proposed method compared with the other methods.
Discussion of two Papers Read at the Society Half-Day on Inverse Problems on December 10 th , 2003

Both papers by Cornford et al. and Haario et al. are impressive pieces of work that are perfect representative of the issues pertaining to Inverse Problems: huge amounts of (satellite) data, intractable likelihood functions, large dimensions and speed processing requirements. They also illustrate the necessity for multiple levels of approximations that arises in such problems and the correlated difficulty in assessing the effects of such approximations. In addition, they provide sophisticated additions to the theory and practice of MCMC algorithms. Ultimately, the approximations used by the authors in both cases are Gaussian: in Haario et al., the integral defining T abs λ,l is discretised into Tl(Nl) and the base-level observations yl are normal N (Tl(Nl), Cl). In Cornford et al., a normal mixture is built for the inverse model,
Generalized controllers for rigid formation stabilization with application to event-based controller design

This paper discusses generalized controllers for rigid formation shape stabilization. We provide unified analysis to show convergence using different controllers reported in the literature, and further prove an exponential stability of the formation system when using the general form of shape controllers. We also show that different agents can use different controllers for controlling different distances to achieve a desired rigid formation, which enables the implementation of heterogeneous agents in practice for formation shape control. We further propose an event-triggered rigid formation control scheme based on the generalized controllers. The triggering condition, event function and convergence analysis are discussed.
Serotonin receptors in depression: from A to B

The role of serotonin in major depressive disorder (MDD) is the focus of accumulating clinical and preclinical research. The results of these studies reflect the complexity of serotonin signaling through many receptors, in a large number of brain regions, and throughout the lifespan. The role of the serotonin transporter in MDD has been highlighted in gene by environment association studies as well as its role as a critical player in the mechanism of the most effective antidepressant treatments – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. While the majority of the 15 known receptors for serotonin have been implicated in depression or depressive-like behavior, the serotonin 1A (5-HT 1A) and 1B (5-HT 1B) receptors are among the most studied. Human brain imaging and genetic studies point to the involvement of 5-HT 1A and 5-HT 1B receptors in MDD and the response to antidepressant treatment. In rodents, the availability of tissue-specific and inducible knockout mouse lines has made possible the identification of the involvement of 5-HT 1A and 5-HT 1B receptors throughout development and in a cell-type specific manner. This, and other preclinical pharmacology work, shows that autoreceptor and heteroreceptor populations of these receptors have divergent roles in modulating depression-related behavior as well as responses to antidepressants and also have different functions during early postnatal development compared to during adulthood.
SPIN1 promotes tumorigenesis by blocking the uL18 (universal large ribosomal subunit protein 18)-MDM2-p53 pathway in human cancer

Ribosomal proteins (RPs) play important roles in modulating the MDM2-p53 pathway. However, less is known about the upstream regulators of the RPs. Here, we identify SPIN1 (Spindlin 1) as a novel binding partner of human RPL5/uL18 that is important for this pathway. SPIN1 ablation activates p53, suppresses cell growth, reduces clonogenic ability, and induces apoptosis of human cancer cells. Mechanistically, SPIN1 sequesters uL18 in the nucleolus, preventing it from interacting with MDM2, and thereby alleviating uL18-mediated inhibition of MDM2 ubiquitin ligase activity toward p53. SPIN1 deficiency increases ribosome-free uL18 and uL5 (human RPL11), which are required for SPIN1 depletion-induced p53 activation. Analysis of cancer genomic databases suggests that SPIN1 is highly expressed in several human cancers, and its overexpression is positively correlated with poor prognosis in cancer patients. Altogether, our findings reveal that the oncogenic property of SPIN1 may be attributed to its negative regulation of uL18, leading to p53 inactivation.
The Kink and Notch Bunching Estimators Cannot Identify the Taxable Income Elasticity

Bunching estimators were developed and extended by Saez (2010), Chetty et al. (2011) and Kleven and Waseem (2013). Using this method one can get an estimate of the taxable income elasticity from the bunching pattern around a kink point. The bunching estimator has become popular, with a large number of papers applying the method. In this paper, we show that the bunching estimator cannot identify the taxable income elasticity when the functional form of the distribution of preference heterogeneity is unknown. We find that an observed distribution of taxable income around a kink point or over the whole budget set can be consistent with any positive taxable income elasticity if the distribution of heterogeneity is unrestricted. If one is willing to assume restrictions on the heterogeneity density some information about the taxable income elasticity can be obtained. We give bounds on the taxable income elasticity based on monotonicity of the heterogeneity density and apply these bounds in an example. We also consider identification from budget set variation. We find that kinks alone may not be informative even when budget sets vary. However, if the taxable income specification is restricted to be of the parametric isoelastic form assumed in Saez (2010) the taxable income elasticity can be well identified from variation among budget sets. The key condition is that the tax rates at chosen taxable income differ across budget sets for some individuals.
HIV reservoir dynamics in HAART-treated poor immunological responder patients under IL-7 therapy

Objectives: Recombinant Human IL-7 (rhIL-7) therapy allows reconstituting systemic and tissue-associated CD4+ T-cell populations in HIV-infected poor immunological responder (PIR) patients. However, in-vitro studies suggest that the impact of rhIL-7 treatment on HIV-DNA loads in vivo remains questionable. Design: We assessed the dynamics of circulating HIV-DNA loads in IL-7-treated HIV-infected PIR individuals. Methods: Forty-one rhIL-7-treated and 16 control participants from the INSPIRE-3 clinical trial were included. Participants received three weekly subcutaneous injections of rhIL-7. HIV-DNA was quantified by nested quantitative PCR in white blood cells sampled at D0, D28 and M3 and expressed as per milliliters and per CD4+ T-cell. Changes in HIV-DNA loads in the CD4+ compartment at M3 were confirmed on sorted CD4+ cells. Results: Together with rhIL-7-induced T-cell expansion, we observed a significant raise in both infected cell frequencies and counts during the first 28 days of follow-up. During this period, HIV-DNA load per CD4+ T-cell also increased, to a lower extent. Three months post-therapy, both the frequencies and counts of infected cells diminished in blood as compared with D28 but remained significantly higher than before IL-7 therapy. In contrast, infection frequencies strongly diminished within CD4+ cells, reaching slightly but significantly lower levels than at baseline. Conclusion: rhIL-7 treatment initially drives an expansion of HIV reservoir in PIR patients by D28. This expansion is probably not only because of infected cell proliferation, but also to possible enhanced neoinfection, despite highly active antiretroviral therapy. In contrast, subsequent reduction in HIV-DNA load per CD4+ T-cell argues for partial elimination of infected cells between D28 and M3.
Cord Blood CD 4 + T Cells Respond to Self Heat Shock Protein 60 ( HSP 60 )

Background: To prevent harmful autoimmunity most immune responses to self proteins are controlled by central and peripheral tolerance. T cells specific for a limited set of self-proteins such as human heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) may contribute to peripheral tolerance. It is not known whether HSP60-specific T cells are present at birth and thus may play a role in neonatal tolerance. We studied whether self-HSP60 reactive T cells are present in cord blood, and if so, what phenotype these cells have. Methodology/Principal Findings: Cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) of healthy, full term neonates (n = 21), were cultured with HSP60 and Tetanus Toxoid (TT) to study antigen specific proliferation, cytokine secretion and up-regulation of surface markers. The functional capacity of HSP60-induced T cells was determined with in vitro suppression assays. Stimulation of CBMC with HSP60 led to CD4 T cell proliferation and the production of various cytokines, most notably IL-10, Interferon-gamma, and IL-6. HSP60-induced T cells expressed FOXP3 and suppressed effector T cell responses in vitro. Conclusion: Self-reactive HSP60 specific T cells are already present at birth. Upon stimulation with self-HSP60 these cells proliferate, produce cytokines and express FOXP3. These cells function as suppressor cells in vitro and thus they may be involved in the regulation of neonatal immune responses. Citation: Aalberse JA, Kapitein B, de Roock S, Klein MR, de Jager W, et al. (2011) Cord Blood CD4 T Cells Respond to Self Heat Shock Protein 60 (HSP60). PLoS ONE 6(9): e24119. doi:10.1371/journal.pone. 0024119 Editor: Derya Unutmaz, New York University, United States of America Received January 4, 2011; Accepted August 5, 2011; Published September 13, 2011 Copyright: 2011 Aalberse et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Funding: FvW was funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. * E-mail: jaalber2@umcutrecht.nl
Photochemical efficiency of photosystem II in rapidly dehydrating leaves of 11 temperate and tropical tree species differing in their tolerance to drought

Les diminutions d'efficience photochimique du PS II en reponse a une deshydratation rapide et severe des feuilles ont ete comparees sur 11 especes d'arbres connues pour presenter des degres variables de tolerance a la secheresse. Des semis de Quercus robur, Q. petraea, Q. pubescens, Q. rubra, Q. cerris, Q. ilex, Dalbergia sissoo, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Acacia holosericea, Azadirachta indica et Populus candicans ont ete eleves en serre. Cinquante a soixante disques foliaires ont ete preleves sur des plants. Ils ont transpire librement a l'obscurite pendant des temps variables pouvant aller jusqu'a 6 h. Leur degre de deshydratation a ete estime par leur teneur en eau relative et leurs cinetiques d'induction de fluorescence ont ete enregistrees. Toutes les especes ont presente une remarquable stabilite de la fluorescence de base et de la fluorescence maximale, ainsi que de l'efficience photochimique du photosysteme II. Les premiers signes de dysfonctionnement observes ont consiste en une baisse de l'efficience photochimique qui a debute a des deficits de teneur en eau relative de l'ordre de 0,23 a 0,40 suivant l'espece