Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Single-cell expression profiling of human epidermal stem and transit-amplifying cells: Lrig1 is a regulator of stem cell quiescence

Considerable progress has been made in characterizing epidermal stem cells by microarray analysis of FACS-selected populations. One limitation of this approach is that the gene expression profiles represent the average of the cell population, potentially masking cellular heterogeneity of functional significance. To overcome this problem, we have performed single-cell expression profiling. We have generated cDNA libraries from single human epidermal cells, designated as stem or transit-amplifying cells on the basis of Delta1 and melanoma-associated chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan expression. Of the 14 putative stem cell markers identified, we selected one, the EGF receptor antagonist leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains 1 (Lrig1), for further study. Lrig1 was expressed in groups of basal cells in human interfollicular epidermis previously identified as enriched for stem cells. Overexpression of Lrig1 decreased keratinocyte proliferation but did not affect the proportion of stem and transit-amplifying cells, as judged by clonal growth characteristics. Down-regulation of Lrig1 using siRNA increased cell-surface EGF receptor levels, enhanced activation of downstream pathways, and stimulated proliferation. Lrig1 acted in part by negatively regulating the Myc promoter. We propose that Lrig1 maintains epidermal stem cells in a quiescent nondividing state, and that Lrig1 down-regulation triggers proliferation.
Iliac Crest Flap: Donor Site Morbidity

Introduction:Starting from the 1980s, with the advent of microsurgery, microvascular flaps are used for the reconstruction of wide and complex bone defects of the maxillomandibular district. Compared with conventional and implant-supported prostheses, the free flaps allow aesthetic-functional rehabilitations more adapt to answer to problems that these wide disablements involve. The anatomic characteristics of the crest flap make it one of the best available flap in the maxillomandibular bone reconstruction. Methods:The authors introduce a retrospective analysis of their own experience in the reconstruction of wide and complex bone defects of the maxillomandibular district. Specifically, the attention is focused on the use of the iliac crest flap. The surgical technique of flap preparation is discussed. Moreover, a review of results from international studies about the morbidity of the donor site is presented and compared with own experience. Result:As reported in the literature, the iliac crest flap donor site may encounter several complications. Among these, chronic pain, loss of regional sensibility or paresthesias, hematoma, seroma, walking troubles, unaesthetic scars, abdominal hernia, and loss of the normal bone profile of the hip. Discussion:At present, the use of the iliac crest free flap in the microvascular reconstruction of the complex deficits of the maxillomandibular district represents a well-established method in the experience of the maxillofacial surgeon. Several information about results obtained in the maxillomandibular rehabilitation are available from the literature; however, little attention has been addressed to complications and morbidity of the donor site. Such aspect will be discussed in this work.
Characterization of a protein found in cells infected with the spleen focus-forming virus that shares immunological cross-reactivity with the gp70 found in mink cell focus-inducing virus particles

Previously we detected an antigen in cells infected with the spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) with a radioimmunoassay specific for the gp 70's of murine leukemia mink cell focus-inducing (MCF) viruses. This antigen has now been characterized in competition radioimmunoassays with limiting dilutions of antibody and in pulse-labeling studies under conditions of antibody excess. Both methods of analysis indicate that the SFFV-encoded antigen is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 52,000. The gp52 shared immunological reactivity and methionine-containing tryptic peptides with the gp70 of a Friend MCF virus and was expressed on the surface of SFFV-infected cells as well as in the cytoplasm. The gp52 could be detected (i) in fibroblastic cell lines from several species when these cells were infected with SFFV; (ii) in several established erythroleukemic cell lines; and (iii) in the spleens of mice recently infected with SFFV. Although it shared immunochemical properties with the gp70 of Friend MCF virus, the gp52 could be distinguished from the MCF gp70 (i) by its apparent lack of group and interspecies immunological determinants compared with MCF virus-derived gp70's; (ii) by its failure to be released from cells infected with SFFV or SFFV plus helper virus; (iii) by its molecular weight; and (iv) by tryptic peptide analysis. The results indicate that SFFV codes for an MCF gp70-related gp52 which is apparently no longer a virion structural protein like the MCF gp70 from which it was originally derived.
Cre recombinase activity specific to postnatal, premeiotic male germ cells in transgenic mice

We have generated a transgenic mouse line,Tg(Stra8‐cre)1Reb (Stra8‐cre), which expresses improved Cre recombinase under the control of a 1.4 Kb promoter region of the germ cell‐specific stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (Stra8). cre is expressed only in males beginning at postnatal day (P)3 in early‐stage spermatogonia and is detected through preleptotene‐stage spermatocytes. To further define when cre becomes active, we crossed Stra8‐cre males with Tg(ACTB‐Bgeo/GFP)21Lbe (Z/EG) reporter females and compared the expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) with the protein encoded by the zinc finger and BTB domain containing 16 (Zbtb16) gene, PLZF—a marker for undifferentiated spermatogonia. Co‐expression of EGFP is observed in the majority of PLZF+ cells. We also tested recombination efficiency by mating Stra8‐cre;Z/EG males and females with wild‐type mice and examining EGFP expression in the offspring. Recombination is detected in >95% of Z/EG+ pups born to Stra8‐cre;Z/EG fathers but in none of the offspring born to transgenic mothers, a verification that cre is not functional in females. The postnatal, premeiotic, male germ cell‐specific activity of Stra8‐cre makes this mouse line a unique resource to study testicular germ cell development. genesis 46:738–742, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mitochondrial Markers for Molecular Identification of Aedes Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) Involved in Transmission of Arboviral Disease in West Africa

Abstract Correct classification of the insect vector is central to the study of arboviral disease. A simple molecular method for identification of the main vectors of the mosquito-borne viruses, dengue, yellow fever, and Rift Valley fever in Senegal, West Africa, was developed. We present a system in which the five mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) responsible for the majority of flaviviral disease transmission in Senegal can be reliably identified using small amounts of DNA coextracted during flaviviral screening procedures, via an easy amplification of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase c subunit I or II (COI or COII, respectively). We observed that despite very similar morphology, the two cryptic disease vector species Aedes furcifer Edwards and Aedes taylori Edwards are highly divergent at the molecular level. This sequence variation was used as a basis for the development of a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism system for the differentiation of the two species. We also present the first investigation of the phylogeny of the culicine mosquitoes based on all COI and COII sequences currently available. There seems to be very low intraspecific variation in both genes, whereas interspecific variation is high. As a consequence, COI and COII are ideal candidates for the molecular identification of disease vectors to species level, whereas deeper divergences remain equivocal by using these genes. This system provides a new technique for the accurate identification of culicine disease vectors in West Africa and provides a basis for the expansion of such methods into the study of a range of diseases.
Tracking Hedge Funds Using Sparse Clones

Whether hedge fund returns could be attributed to systematic risk exposures rather than managerial skills is an interesting debate among academics and practitioners. Academic literature suggests that hedge fund performance is mostly determined by alternative betas, which justifies the construction of investable hedge fund clones or replicators. Practitioners often claim that management skills are instrumental for successful performance. In this paper, we study the risk exposure of different hedge fund indices to a set of liquid asset class factors by means of style analysis. We extend the classical style analysis framework by including a penalty that allows to retain only relevant factors, dealing effectively with collinearity, and to capture the out-of-sample properties of hedge fund indices by closely mimicking their returns. In particular, we introduce a Log-penalty and discuss its statistical properties, showing then that Log-clones are able to closely track the returns of hedge fund indices with a smaller number of factors and lower turnover than the clones built from state-of-art methods.
Effect on tomato plant and fruit of the application of biopolymer-oregano essential oil coatings.

BACKGROUND Oregano essential oil (EO) was incorporated into film-forming dispersions (FFDs) based on biopolymers (chitosan and/or methylcellulose) at two different concentrations. The effect of the application of the FFDs was evaluated on tomato plants (cultivar Micro-Tom) at three different stages of development, and on pre-harvest and postharvest applications on tomato fruit. RESULTS The application of the FFDs at '3 Leaves' stage caused phytotoxic problems, which were lethal when the EO was applied without biopolymers. Even though plant growth and development were delayed, the total biomass and the crop yield were not affected by biopolymer-EO treatments. When the FFDs were applied in the 'Fruit' stage the pre-harvest application of FFDs had no negative effects. All FFDs containing EO significantly reduced the respiration rate of tomato fruit and diminished weight loss during storage. Moreover, biopolymer-EO FFDs led to a decrease in the fungal decay of tomato fruit inoculated with Rhizopus stolonifer spores, as compared with non-treated tomato fruit and those coated with FFDs without EO. CONCLUSION The application of biopolymer-oregano essential oil coatings has been proven to be an effective treatment to control R. stolonifer in tomato fruit. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
Accounting information quality and decision-usefulness of governmental financial reporting: moving from cash to modified cash

Purpose This paper aims to provide an assessment of the decision-usefulness and quality of governmental financial reports in Greece under the recently adopted modified-cash basis. The evaluation is performed within the wider debate regarding the actual benefits of a transition toward an accounting paradigm that lies closer to accrual accounting as the Greek modified-cash basis borrows several accrual characteristics. Design/methodology/approach The transition to modified accruals is analyzed through the prism of the new institutional theory. The approach adopted builds on the characteristics of the accounting information pertaining to the conceptual frameworks of public and private sector accounting standard setting bodies. The assessment is conducted on the basis of the perceptions of public sector financial information users on a Web-based questionnaire. Findings The findings provide empirical evidence, albeit of moderate magnitude, in favor of the benefits associated with a move to full accruals. Originality/value The study moves the debate on the merits of accounting systems’ changes toward the worldwide witnessed trajectory a step forward by providing practical evidence on the matter.
Delay and Capacity in Three-Dimensional Mobile Ad Hoc Networks with Packet Replication

There are many articles addressed delay and capacity in mobile ad hoc networks(MANETs), most of these articles focused on two-dimensional MANETs, exploring delay and capacity in three-dimensional mobile ad hoc networks (3D MANETs) is largely neglected. It stunts applications developing and commercialization for such networks. This paper explores delay and capacity in 3D MANETs, adopts two-hop relay scheme for packet transmitting, where a packet from its source node to destination node only relay once. Furthermore, we limit the number of relays to f, thus a packet can be transmitted to at most f relay nodes. In particular, a Markov chain theoretical model is developed to trace the packet transmitting process in such networks. Based on the theoretical model, node throughput and a tight upper bound for the expected delay in closed-form is derived.
Atomic fragmentation for efficient opportunistic multicasting over cognitive radio networks

Cognitive radio (CR) represents an exciting new paradigm on spectrum utilization and potentially more bandwidth for exploding multimedia traffic and this potential can be further boosted by utilizing well established opportunistic multicasting principles. We focus on the layer encoded video multicast problem in a dynamic CR network. We contribute a data fragmentation mechanism, that fragments data into atomic units, combined with rateless code forward error control (FEC) protection, which enable maximum resource utilization. The resulting zero wasting scheduling scheme enables performance improvement that is showcased by simulation results.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST398 in Swine Farm Personnel, Belgium

We assessed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in persons on 49 swine farms in Belgium. Surveys showed that 48 (37.8%) persons carried MRSA ST398 and 1 (0.8%) had concurrent skin infection. Risk factors for carriage were MRSA carriage by pigs, regular contact with pigs and companion animals, and use of protective clothing.
Childhood Cryptosporidium infection among aboriginal communities in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract Cryptosporidium is a coccidian parasite that is prevalent worldwide, some species of which cause morbidity in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. The prevalence and predictors of Cryptosporidium infection, and its effect on nutritional status, have recently been explored among 276 children (141 boys and 135 girls, aged 2–15 years) in aboriginal (Orang Asli) villages in the Malaysian state of Selangor. Faecal smears were examined by the modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining technique while socio–economic data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric measurements. Cryptosporidium infection, which was detected in 7·2% of the aboriginal children, was found to be significantly associated with low birthweight (⩽2·5 kg), being part of a large household (with more than seven members) and prolonged breast feeding (>2 years). The output of a binary logistic regression confirmed that large household size was a significant predictor of Cryptosporidium infection (giving an odds ratio of 2·15, with a 95% confidence interval of 1·25–5·02). Cryptosporidium infection is clearly a public‐health problem among the aboriginal children of Selangor, with person‐to‐person the most likely mode of transmission.
Future trends in human brucellosis treatment

The global burden of human brucellosis remains enormous. Existing treatment options, largely based on experience gained > 30 years ago, are adequate but not optimal. The evolving understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease may augment in designing and evaluating alternative approaches that may prove to be superior. Current alternative approaches such as co-trimoxazole-containg regimens, should be widely evaluated as being more cost-effective. New methods of delivery such as gentamicin-loaded microparticles, neutralisation of the environment where Brucella resides and use of novel antibiotics such as tigecycline may be of importance in the future. The role of immunomodulation, widely but inconsistently applied in ‘chronic’ brucellosis, should be further evaluated in all disease stages to define if it is of any use. The development of a subcellular vaccine would be an important step forward although one has to take into account the multiple interactions between Brucella and the immune system, various technical problems and the lack of funds. Reviewing existing attempts at the development of such a vaccine, the authors conclude that a trivalent subcellular vaccine may be needed for adequate efficacy.
Physical activity dose-response effects on outcomes of depression and anxiety.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the scientific evidence for a dose-response relation of physical activity with depressive and anxiety disorders. METHODS Computer database searches of MEDLINE, PsychLit, and Internet and personal retrieval systems to locate population studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, and consensus panel judgments were conducted. RESULTS Observational studies demonstrate that greater amounts of occupational and leisure time physical activity are generally associated with reduced symptoms of depression. Quasi-experimental studies show that light-, moderate-, and vigorous-intensity exercise can reduce symptoms of depression. However, no RCTs have varied frequency or duration of exercise and controlled for total energy expenditure in studies of depression or anxiety. Quasi-experimental and RCTs demonstrate that both resistance training and aerobic exercise can reduce symptoms of depression. Finally, the relation of exercise dose to changes in cardiorespiratory fitness is equivocal with some studies showing that fitness is associated with reduction of symptoms and others that have demonstrated reduction in symptoms without increases in fitness. CONCLUSION All evidence for dose-response effects of physical activity and exercise come from B and C levels of evidence. There is little evidence for dose-response effects, though this is largely because of a lack of studies rather than a lack of evidence. A dose-response relation does, however, remain plausible.
Protective effects of hesperidin derivatives and their stereoisomers against advanced glycation end-products formation

Context: Maillard reaction is implicated in the development of pathophysiology in age-related diseases. The search for newer Maillard reaction inhibitors is a priority among strategies to combat diabetes complications. Objective: To evaluate the inhibitory potential of hesperidin, its derivatives and their stereoisomers against advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) formation. Materials and methods: Hesperidin and hesperetin were chirally separated and the inhibitory effects of 1:1 mixture of (2S)- and (2R)-hesperidin (1), (2S)-hesperidin (2), (2R)-hesperidin (3), 1:1 mixture of (S)- and (R)-hesperetin (4), (S)-hesperetin (5), (R)-hesperetin (6), and monoglucosyl hesperidin (7) [1:1 mixture of (2S)-glucosyl hesperidin (8) and (2R)-glucosyl hesperidin (9)] at a concentration of 1 mM on protein glycation reaction have been revealed using the newly constructed RNase A-methylglyoxal (MGO) assay for the early stage and the bovine serum albumin (BSA)-glucose assay for the late stage of Maillard reaction. Results: This study has demonstrated that hesperidin and its derivatives possessed relatively strong activity against the formation of AGEs. (S)-Hesperetin (5) possessed the highest inhibitory rate up to 57.4% in BSA-glucose assay, 38.2% in RNase A-MGO assay. Discussion and conclusion: The new RNase A-MGO assay system could be used for the screening of AGEs inhibitors and hesperidin, and its derivatives could be promising candidate adjuvants for the treatment of diabetes complication, and age-related chronic diseases.
Satellite-Observed Nighttime Light Variation as Evidence for Global Armed Conflicts

The objective of this research is to investigate the potential of nighttime light images, acquired with Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Operational Linescan System (DMSP-OLS), in evaluating global armed conflicts. To achieve this purpose, we assessed the relationship between armed conflicts and the satellite-observed nighttime light variation over 159 countries through annual composites of the nighttime light images. Firstly, a light ratio index was developed to reduce the data inconsistency of annual nighttime light images during 1992-2010. Then 12 countries were selected as examples for a primary investigation, and we found the outbreak of a war can reduce the light and the ceasefire can increase the light from the remote sensing images, which indicates armed conflict events always have significant impact on the nighttime light. Based on this assertion, a nighttime light variation index (NLVI) was developed to quantify the variation of the time series nighttime light. Then using conditional probability analysis, the probability of a country suffering from armed conflicts increases with increase of NLVI. Particularly, when the NLVI value is in a very high level as defined, 80% of the countries have experienced armed conflicts. Furthermore, using correlation analysis, the number of global armed conflicts is highly correlated with the global NLVI in temporal dimension, with a correlation coefficient larger than 0.77. In summary, the potential of nighttime light images in armed conflict evaluation is extended from a regional scale to a global scale by this study.
Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease

This review will explore the clinical and pathological findings of the various forms of Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (CJD). Clinical findings of CJD are characterized by rapidly progressive cognitive dysfunction, diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) hyperintensity, myoclonus, periodic sharp‐wave complexes on electroencephalogram and akinetic mutism state. Neuropathologic findings of CJD are characterized by spongiform changes in gray matter, gliosis—particularly hypertrophic astrocytosis—neuropil rarefaction, neuron loss and prion protein (PrP) deposition. The earliest pathological symptom observed by HE staining in the cerebral cortex is spongiform change. This spongiform change begins several months before clinical onset, and is followed by gliosis. Subsequently, neuropil rarefaction appears, followed by neuron loss. Regions showing fine vacuole‐type spongiform change reflect synaptic‐type PrP deposition and type 1 PrPSc deposition, whereas regions showing large confluent vacuole‐type spongiform changes reflect perivacuolar‐type PrP deposition and type 2 PrPSc deposition. Hyperintensities of the cerebral gray matter observed in DWI indicate the pathology of the spongiform change in CJD. The cerebral cortical lesions with large confluent vacuoles and type 2 PrPSc show higher brightness and more continuous hyperintensity on DWI than those with fine vacuoles and type 1 PrPSc. CJD cases showing diffuse myelin pallor of cerebral white matter have been described as panencephalopathic‐type, and this white matter pathology is mainly due to secondary degeneration caused by cerebral cortical involvement, particularly in regard to neuron loss. In conclusion, clinical and neuroimaging findings and neuropathologic observations are well matched in both typical and atypical cases in CJD. The clinical diagnosis of CJD is relatively easy for typical CJD cases such as the MM1‐type. However, even in atypical cases it seems that clinical findings can be used for an accurate diagnosis.