Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Galectin‐3 binds to Helicobacter pylori O‐antigen: it is upregulated and rapidly secreted by gastric epithelial cells in response to H. pylori adhesion

Helicobacter pylori causes gastritis and some infections result in peptic ulceration, gastric adenocarcinoma or gastric lymphoma. A critical step in the pathogenesis of these diseases is the ability of H. pylori to adhere to gastric epithelial cells. A role for the lipopolysaccharide O‐antigen side‐chain in this process has previously been identified. In this study, evidence is presented that the receptor recognized by the O‐antigen side‐chain is galectin‐3, a β‐galactoside‐binding lectin. A variety of functions have been ascribed to galectin‐3 including modulation of extracellular adhesion and chemotaxis of monocytes and neutrophils. Expression of galectin‐3 is upregulated by gastric epithelial cells following adhesion of H. pylori, suggesting that in addition to colonization this protein also plays a role in the host response to infection. Upregulation of galectin‐3 is inhibited by treating gastric epithelial cells with the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors U0126 or PD098059 and does not occur in cells infected with either H. pylori cagE or cagA isogenic mutants. This implies that H. pylori‐mediated expression of galectin‐3 is dependent on delivery of CagA into the host cell cytosol and the subsequent stimulation of MAPK signalling. A further consequence of H. pylori adhesion is that it elicits a rapid release of galectin‐3 from infected cells. A role for this phenomenon in initiating the trafficking of phagocytic cells to the site of infection is discussed.
Plant 14-3-3s: Omnipotent Metabolic Phosphopartners?

The accurate regulation of metabolism is crucial to the existence all organisms. The inappropriate activation of metabolic enzymes can waste precious energy; likewise, the failure to activate metabolic enzymes can disrupt homeostasis and lead to suboptimal cellular (and organismic) responses. Plants use several means to control their metabolic proteins, including a two-step process of protein phosphorylation and subsequent binding by phosphospecific binding proteins termed 14-3-3 proteins. Sehnke and Ferl discuss how 14-3-3 proteins regulate the activity of nitrate reductase and the H+-ATPase pump in plants, and compare the functions of 14-3-3 proteins in plants and animals.
Gradually increasing doses of prednisone in myasthenia gravis. Reducing the hazards of treatment.

Abstract ACTH and adrenal corticosteroids are effective in the treatment of myasthenia gravis. However, increased weakness may occur early in treatment, posing a considerable risk for the patient. To determine whether the early weakening could be avoided by use of a gradually increasing dosage schedule, we started treatment with 25 mg of prednisone on alternate days, and gradually increased the dose to 100 mg on alternate days. Anticholinesterase medication was maintained. No increased weakness developed in any of 12 patients on this regimen. Seven patients had good to excellent improvement in strength, returning to normal activity. Four patients had moderate improvement, and one did not benefit. The greater safety of this treatment regimen extends the usefulness of steroid therapy to a larger group of myasthenic patients than would otherwise be feasible. (N Engl J Med 290:81–84, 1974)
p53 and RPA Are Sequestered in Viral Replication Centers in the Nuclei of Cells Infected with Human Cytomegalovirus

ABSTRACT Previously, we reported that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection of fibroblasts markedly affects p53 and other regulatory proteins and inhibits transit through the cell cycle (F. M. Jault, J.-M. Jault, F. Ruchti, E. A. Fortunato, C. Clark, J. Corbeil, D. D. Richman, and D. H. Spector, J. Virol. 69:6697–6704, 1995). Although the p53 steady-state levels are elevated throughout the infection, evidence suggests that the ability of p53 to transactivate some of its downstream targets is compromised. To elucidate the mechanisms governing the accumulation of p53, we examined the synthesis, stability, and localization of the protein in HCMV-infected fibroblasts. Synthesis of p53 was not increased in the infected cells during the first 24 h postinfection. In fact, pulse-chase experiments revealed that synthesis of p53 in infected fibroblasts was lower than in mock-infected cells. However, after an initial decay, the p53 was stabilized. In addition, beginning at approximately 30 h postinfection, p53 was localized to discrete foci within the nuclei of infected cells. The morphology of these foci suggested that they were replication centers. We confirmed that these are sites of DNA replication by demonstrating both incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine and localization of UL44 (the viral polymerase processivity factor) into these centers. The single-stranded DNA binding protein RPA was also sequestered. In contrast, Rb and HCMV IE1 72 remained distributed throughout the infected cell nuclei, indicating specific targeting of certain proteins. Taken together, our results provide two alternative mechanisms to account for the increased steady-state levels of p53 observed in HCMV-infected fibroblasts.
Evidence‐based guidelines for laboratory screening for infectious diseases before initiation of systemic immunosuppressive agents in patients with autoimmune bullous dermatoses

Autoimmune bullous dermatoses (ABD) compromise the skin's innate barrier function for preventing infection. Treating patients with ABD frequently requires systemic immunosuppressive therapy, often with multiple agents. Currently, no pretreatment infection testing guidelines are available for clinicians caring for patients with ABD. We performed a systematic literature review in other medical disciplines that use similar iatrogenic immunosuppressive medications to treat various diseases and conditions and developed infection‐testing recommendations for patients with ABD before initiating immunosuppressive therapy. Assessing individual patient risk factors for latent infection and preventable communicable diseases can direct testing for select infections before starting immunosuppressive therapy. Testing patients for hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is recommended before initiating rituximab treatment.
Práticas gerenciais e inovação: um estudo em empresas do porto digital do Recife (PE)

Este estudo objetiva verificar as relações entre as práticas de controle gerencial e inovação adotadas pelas empresas vinculadas ao Porto Digital. Foram obtidos 30 questionários válidos na pesquisa, objetivando identificar há relação entre as características da empresa e inovação (hipótese 1), concluindo-se que as empresas que prestam contas aos sócios tendem a não investir em inovação, sugerindo que talvez haja uma preocupação de curto prazo com o resultado da empresa. O estudo também analisou outras duas hipóteses, indicando que algumas práticas gerenciais tradicionais estão associadas a existência de P&D (rejeitando a hipótese 2, ex.: orçamento e avaliação de desempenho), e não evidenciando significância entre práticas contemporâneas e P&D (hipótese 3). A fim de encontrar outras proxies para inovação e constatação da diferença entre práticas gerenciais tradicionais e contemporâneas, foi utilizada a análise fatorial. Verificou-se associação positiva entre uso de técnicas mais avançadas e gestão de pessoas mais permissiva rejeitando a ideia de restrições advindos do controle interferindo na gestão de pessoas. Adicionalmente, verificou-se que a flexibilização do horário dos funcionários não é considerada uma prática que proporciona inovação e também não costuma ser praticada mesmo por aquelas empresas que se dizem mais inovadoras.
Decentralisation of Financing of Self-Government Units in the Republic of Croatia

Since its independence the Republic of Croatia has commenced a thorough reconstruction of its taxation system according to the market economy taxation policy. Essential taxation reforms have brought the system closer to EU systems i.e. it has been being harmonized with taxation systems of developed European countries. The Republic of Croatia has adopted solutions that are used by the majority of European countries. Current tax system of the Republic of Croatia can be viewed through three fiscal levels, but this paper deals with decentralization and revenue, especially tax revenue of local and regional self-government units. The paper will present importance and a way of collecting revenue, especially tax revenue and satisfying public needs in terms of counties, cities and municipalities. The local and central characteristics of the certain types of taxes and the specialities thereof, as well as the applied functional differences are also scrutinized, and a widely accepted opinion of the taxpayers is explained. Taking these into account, the scientific contribution of this paper is that it provides a basis for further research on tax system development.
Growth, lipid content, productivity, and fatty acid composition of tropical microalgae for scale‐up production

Biomass and lipid productivity, lipid content, and quantitative and qualitative lipid composition are critical parameters in selecting microalgal species for commercial scale‐up production. This study compares lipid content and composition, and lipid and biomass productivity during logarithmic, late logarithmic, and stationary phase of Nannochloropsis sp. , Isochrysis sp. , Tetraselmis sp. , and Rhodomonas sp. grown in L1‐, f/2‐, and K‐medium. Of the tested species, Tetraselmis sp. exhibited a lipid productivity of 3.9–4.8 g m−2 day−1 in any media type, with comparable lipid productivity by Nannochloropsis sp. and Isochrysis sp. when grown in L1‐medium. The dry biomass productivity of Tetraselmis sp. (33.1–45.0 g m−2 day−1) exceeded that of the other species by a factor 2–10. Of the organisms studied, Tetraselmis sp. had the best dry biomass and/or lipid production profile in large‐scale cultures. The present study provides a practical benchmark, which allows comparison of microalgal production systems with different footprints, as well as terrestrial systems. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;107: 245–257. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
"The Yellow IRIS" urinalysis workstation--the first commercial application of "automated intelligent microscopy".

Since 1982, "automated intelligence microscopy" (AIM) has been refined and adapted to perform the portion of the urinalysis profile traditionally done by a microscope. AIM and analytical subsystems measuring relative density and performing dipstick chemistry compose the main elements of "The Yellow IRIS" urinalysis workstation, an attended system for automation and standardization of routine urinalysis. Performance data gathered at three laboratory test sites show AIM to be analytically consistent over the required range of particulate enumeration, and show that it detects 20% more abnormalities than by conventional microscopy, and with greater precision (CVs 5 to 20%). Complete urinalysis, including the microscopic examination, requires little more than 1 min for normal specimens, 3 min for most abnormal specimens. Actual throughput rate varies with the particulate composition of specimens; typically, it averages greater than 30 specimens per hour, a 300% improvement in urinalysis productivity by CAP standards and an almost 500% improvement when typical emergency-use demands are taken into account.
Stability of standing matter waves in a trap

We discuss excited Bose-condensed states and find the criterion of dynamical stability of a kinkwise state, i.e., a standing matter wave with one nodal plane perpendicular to the axis of a cylindrical trap. The dynamical stability requires a strong radial confinement corresponding to the radial frequency larger than the mean-field interparticle interaction. We address the question of thermodynamic instability related to the presence of excitations with negative energy.
A Propagation Measurement Set-Up for MIMO System Channel Characterization and Preliminary Results

The correct performance assessment and characterization of Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) systems requires the concurrent consideration of antennas and the propagation environment to a higher degree than ever before. In this paper we describe a measurement set-up and a measurement campaign aiming at the derivation of certain aspects of the propagation environment. In contrast to the majority of published methods, the described setup is based on broadband sweeps using a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) and long, low loss cables to enable magnitude and phase measurements. By construction, the in-home and outdoor–to-indoor environments are of primary focus for this paper. Preliminary measurements in an industrial office building confirm previously published cluster models and extend those to include non-horizontal plane directions of arrival and departure.
MULTI-TRUTH-FINDING PROBLEM 3 . 1 The Problem Model

Truth-finding is the fundamental technique for corroborating reports from multiple sources in both data integration and collective intelligent applications. Traditional truthfinding methods assume a single true value for each data item and therefore cannot deal will multiple true values (i.e., the multi-truth-finding problem). So far, the existing approaches handle the multi-truth-finding problem in the same way as the single-truth-finding problems. Unfortunately, the multi-truth-finding problem has its unique features, such as the involvement of sets of values in claims, different implications of inter-value mutual exclusion, and larger source profiles. Considering these features could provide new opportunities for obtaining more accurate truthfinding results. Based on this insight, we propose an integrated Bayesian approach to the multi-truth-finding problem, by taking these features into account. To improve the truth-finding efficiency, we reformulate the multi-truthfinding problem model based on the mappings between sources and (sets of) values. New mutual exclusive relations are defined to reflect the possible co-existence of multiple true values. A finer-grained copy detection method is also proposed to deal with sources with large profiles. The experimental results on three real-world datasets show the effectiveness of our approach.
Strategic Research on Accurate Marketing to Enhance Consumer Experience of Social Media Users

With the rapid development of information technology, consumers are more active and pay more attention to consumption experience (such as interaction, participation and individuation). The traditional marketing modes gradually evolved into precision marketing, which has the characteristics of precision, efficiency and individuation. With the development of mobile network environment, precision marketing has become a new research focus in the academic circles under the mobile social media environment. “WeChat” is one of the most popular mobile social media in China nowadays; it has relatively strong universality as the research platform. This study summarized the domestic and foreign scholars’ research of consumer experience, precision marketing and mobile social media. Aiming at improve the consumer purchasing experience, we put forward suggestions to improve the precision marketing of e-commerce enterprises from the perspective of consumers. These suggestions mainly focus on four aspects: accurate information transmission, platform construction, customer relationship management and
Banking Underserved Market Segments

This paper aims at discussing how to contribute to sustainable development by targeting underbanked market segments: according to a common view, they include people who have become blacklisted by major banks, are young consumers, want to avoid debt collectors, are fed-up with fees, are out of a job or had a bad customer experience; in these cases, traditional financial services could—or would—be hardly accessed and informal channels tend to prevail. The unbanked too call for attention, as that they do not even hold a bank account and hence are excluded from formal banking opportunities, which is likely to pave the way to alternative, less reputable business models. Given the high number of potential consumers involved worldwide, furthering their financial inclusion sounds like a must. In sight of reaching this ambitious goal, the starting point can be identified with an extensive analysis of the underlying concepts, that are closely linked to the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015; the next step revolves around the features of the market segments under investigation, their financial needs that remain unsatisfied and the strategic tools that are likely to improve the state of the art. The main findings lead to stress that usually listed categories to be better served by banks do not tell the whole story, which should act as a stimulus to disseminate best practices and to suggest concrete proposals; they can help to meet the critical challenges of social and economic sustainability within the framework of the generation pact and may also allow financial institutions to expand their activity profitably. Conclusions imply that a more inclusive financial system would provide benefits to the underbanked (not to mention the unbanked), as well as to society at large, with financial competence, literacy and education set to gain momentum.
Shared decision making supported by patient decision AIDS for prostate cancer screening and treatment

Prostate cancer is an important problem among aging men in developed countries. Decisions about prostate cancer screening and treatment are characterized by multiple reasonable options and appear to be “close calls”, where the personal preferences of patients are important. Shared decisionmaking between patient and clinician is increasingly recognized as an ideal model for such “preference sensitive” choices involving screening, diagnosis, and therapy. Many randomized trials of decision aids for prostate cancer screening have consistently shown improvements in decision quality as well as lower interest in and uptake of PSA testing when patients are well informed. In contrast, more research is needed on the effect of decision aids on prostate cancer treatment decisions. However, given the evidence of effectiveness available at present, research is most urgently needed on how to routinely implement patient decision aids for PSA screening, as well as other fateful decisions including prostate cancer treatment, in clinical practice.
An asymmetrical dipole tag with optimum harmonic conversion efficiency

Extremely small passive dipole tags have been used for tracking insects with a harmonic radar. It will be shown that by adjusting the dipole feed point location, the conversion efficiency, and hence the maximum detection range, can be optimized. Analysis, simulations and measurements on X-band tags confirm that the best tag efficiency is achieved with a half-wavelength dipole and asymmetric 1:2 dipole arm lengths.
Hyperacetylation of Microtubules in Mesenchymal Cells Increases Cytokeratin 14–Positive Epithelial Progenitors in Developing Salivary Glands

Cells engage in bidirectional communication with their surroundings. This reciprocal dialogue between cells and their cellular microenvironments often governs the maintenance and differentiation of stem/progenitor cells. Here, the authors present evidence that in developing salivary gland explants, a single posttranslational change in microtubules in mesenchymal cells alters the mesenchymal microenvironment and promotes the maintenance and differentiation of a subset of epithelial progenitor cells that impairs branching morphogenesis. Specifically, the authors report that hyperacetylation of microtubules in mesenchymal cells increased cytokeratin 14–positive (K14+) progenitors and their differentiated progeny, myoepithelial cells, in epithelial basal and suprabasal layers in the distal endbud region of developing salivary glands. Mechanistically, this process engages the transforming growth factor β1 protein and Notch signaling pathways. This report establishes that a simple posttranslational change in the cytoskeletal system of mesenchyme dictates the maintenance and differentiation of adjacent epithelial progenitor cells to alter branching morphogenesis of the epithelium.
A case study: Integrating triple-junction solar cells into flat-folding flexible solar array panels

High efficiency triple-junction (3J) solar cells have been integrated and flown on numerous space solar arrays, but their most significant use to date has been on conventional, “rigid” substrates. The application of these solar cells to flat-folding “flexible” solar array panels yields significant specific power/weight and stowed volume benefits compared to rigid substrates, improving specific power/weight from 60–70 W/kg to > 100−140+ W/kg. Additionally, the small stowed volume of the “flexible” array allows a very high specific power/stowed volume ratio, >65kW/m<sup>3</sup>.
Home‐Based Family Intervention Increases Knowledge, Communication and Living Donation Rates: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Our aim was to develop and test an educational program to support well‐informed decision making among patients and their social network regarding living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT). One hundred sixty‐three patients who were unable to find a living donor were randomized to standard care or standard care plus home‐based education. In the education condition, patients and members of their social network participated in home‐based educational meetings and discussed renal replacement therapy options. Patients and invitees completed pre–post self‐report questionnaires measuring knowledge, risk perception, communication, self‐efficacy and subjective norm. LDKT activities were observed for 6 months postintervention. Patients in the experimental group showed significantly more improvements in knowledge (p < 0.001) and communication (p = 0.012) compared with the control group. The invitees showed pre–post increases in knowledge (p < 0.001), attitude toward discussing renal replacement therapies (p = 0.020), attitude toward donating a kidney (p = 0.023) and willingness to donate a kidney (p = 0.039) and a decrease in risk perception (p = 0.003). Finally, there were significantly more inquiries (29/39 vs. 13/41, p < 0.001), evaluations (25/39 vs. 7/41, p < 0.001) and actual LDKTs (17/39 vs. 4/41, p = 0.003) in the experimental group compared with the control group. Home‐based family education supports well‐informed decision making and promotes access to LDKT.
Murine but Not Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Generate Osteosarcoma‐Like Lesions in the Lung

Murine mesenchymal stem cells are capable of differentiation into multiple cell types both in vitro and in vivo and may be good candidates to use as cell therapy for diseased or damaged organs. We have previously reported a method of enriching a population of murine MSCs that demonstrated a diverse differentiation potential both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we show that this enriched population of murine mesenchymal stem cells embolize within lung capillaries following systemic injection and then rapidly expand within, and invade into, the lung parenchyma, forming tumor nodules. These lesions rarely contain cells bearing the immunohistochemical characteristics of lung epithelium, but they do show the characteristics of immature bone and cartilage that resembles exuberant fracture callus or well‐differentiated osteosarcoma. Our findings indicate that murine mesenchymal stem cells can behave in a manner similar to tumor cells, with dysregulated growth and aberrant differentiation within the alveolar microenvironment after four passages. We demonstrate that unlike human MSCs, MSCs from different mouse strains can acquire chromosomal abnormalities after only a few in vitro passages. Moreover, other parameters, such as mouse strain used, might also play a role in the induction of these tumors. These findings might be clinically relevant for future stem cell therapy studies.