Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneity in the mobilization of cytoplasmic calcium by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in response to fMLP, C5a and IL‐8/NAP‐1

The visible excitation and emission wavelengths of the recently developed fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fluo‐3 permit analysis of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, in flow cytometry with a 488‐nm argon laser. The role of [Ca2+]i in human polymorphonuclear leukocyte heterogeneity was investigated in response to formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (fMLP), C5a, and interleukin 8/neutrophil attractant/activation protein 1 (IL‐8/NAP‐1) by flow cytometry. The [Ca2+]i changes in different subpopulations within a heterogeneous cell suspension were resolved upon stimulation with fMLP. Using an anti‐CD16 phycoerythrin‐conjugated antibody and fluo‐3 simultaneously, neutrophils affected and nonaffected in Ca2+ mobilization were distinguished in two patients suffering from glycogen storage disease type lb. In normal neutrophils, a different time course of Ca2+ mobilization of neutrophil subpopulations immediately after stimulation with fMLP was detected. In addition, after stimulation with a low concentration of IL‐8/NAP‐1 (10‐10 M) two subsets of neutrophils appeared; one of them showed an increase in [Ca2+]i, while the other did not. These results indicate heterogeneity in the neutrophil signal transduction process involved in Ca2+ mobilization. Therefore, flow cytometric analyses can resolve changes in single‐cell [Ca2+]i distribution patterns, which is important for the understanding of [Ca2+]i in neutrophil heterogeneous activation processes.
Attachment and fusion of endoplasmic reticulum with vacuoles containing Legionella pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila is an intracellular pathogen that replicates in a unique vacuole that avoids endocytic maturation. Previous studies have shown host vesicles attached to the L. pneumophila‐containing vacuole (LCV) minutes after uptake. Here we examine the origin and content of these vesicles by electron microscopy (EM). Our data demonstrate that the attached vesicles are derived from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) based the presence of the resident ER proteins glucose‐6‐phosphatase, protein disulphide isomerase (PDI) and proteins having the ER‐retention signal lysine‐aspartatic acid‐glutamic acid‐leucine (KDEL). After tethering occurred, ER markers inside of attached vesicles were delivered into the lumen of the LCV, indicating ER fusion. Treatment of cells with brefeldin A did not interfere with the attachment of ER vesicles with the LCV, suggesting that tethering of these vesicles does not require activities mediated by ADP‐ribosylation factor (ARF). ER vesicles were not tethered to the LCV in cells producing the Sar1H79G protein, indicating that vesicles produced by the Sar1/CopII system are necessary for vesicle attachment. From these data we conclude that formation of the organelle that supports L. pneumophila replication is a two‐stage process that involves remodelling of the LCV by early secretory vesicles produced by the Sar1/CopII system, followed by attachment and fusion of ER.
Comparative analysis of gene expression between renal cortex and papilla in nedaplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

To elucidate the mechanism of nephrotoxicity caused by anti-neoplastic platinum complex, nedaplatin (NDP), treatment with a particular focus on the renal papillary toxicity, we analysed the gene expression profiles of two renal regions, the cortex (RC) and the papilla (RP) in rat kidneys. Male Wistar rats received a single administration of 10 mg/kg intravenous NDP or vehicle alone (5% xylitol solution) and were sacrificed six days later. The kidneys were dissected into the RC and RP and used for histopathological and microarray analyses. Histopathologically, NDP caused characteristic renal lesions, such as necrosis, single cell necrosis (with TUNEL TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labelling-positive) and regeneration/hyperplasia of the epithelial cells in both renal regions. Global gene expression analysis revealed that several genes involved in various functional categories were commonly deregulated in both renal regions, such as apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, DNA metabolism, cell migration/adhesion and cytoskeleton organization or genes induced as a perturbation of oxidative status and calcium homeostasis. Comparative analysis of gene expression between RC and RP revealed that genes encoding several subtypes of cytokeratins were identified as being specifically overexpressed in RP by the NDP treatment. Differential expression patterns of these selected genes observed by microarray analysis were further confirmed by quantitative real time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, which demonstrated increased expression of cytokeratins (CKs) 14 and 19 at the epithelium covering RP and/or collecting duct epithelium. Overall, the results contribute to understanding the renal molecular events of NDP-induced nephrotoxicity including novel potential biomarker genes encoding CKs 14 and 19 that may serve as indicators of renal papillary toxicity. Human & Experimental Toxicology (2007) 26, 767—780
An information exchange protocol for constructed facilities

The principal motivation of this study is to provide an open architecture for the exchange of information among the many participants in the planning, design, construction, and management of constructed facilities. Since the participants are dispersed both geographically and organizationally, and are likely to use various computer systems and languages, the exchange protocol must be designed to be accessible to all. This document presents the preliminary findings of this research in the specific area of spatial decomposition and modeling of facilities. Conceptual models for representation of spaces and their organizations are discussed and two prototype programs, based on the non-manifold geometric modeling system NOODLES, are described. It is expected that non-geometric attributes can be readily augmented to the spatial representation during the remaining part of this work.
Mathematical model reveals how regulating the three phases of T‐cell response could counteract immune evasion

T cells are key players in immune action against the invasion of target cells expressing non‐self antigens. During an immune response, antigen‐specific T cells dynamically sculpt the antigenic distribution of target cells, and target cells concurrently shape the host's repertoire of antigen‐specific T cells. The succession of these reciprocal selective sweeps can result in ‘chase‐and‐escape’ dynamics and lead to immune evasion. It has been proposed that immune evasion can be countered by immunotherapy strategies aimed at regulating the three phases of the immune response orchestrated by antigen‐specific T cells: expansion, contraction and memory. Here, we test this hypothesis with a mathematical model that considers the immune response as a selection contest between T cells and target cells. The outcomes of our model suggest that shortening the duration of the contraction phase and stabilizing as many T cells as possible inside the long‐lived memory reservoir, using dual immunotherapies based on the cytokines interleukin‐7 and/or interleukin‐15 in combination with molecular factors that can keep the immunomodulatory action of these interleukins under control, should be an important focus of future immunotherapy research.
Familial myelodysplastic syndrome/acute leukemia syndromes: a review and utility for translational investigations

The familial myelodysplastic (MDS)/acute leukemia (AL) predisposition syndromes are inherited disorders that lead to significantly increased lifetime risks of MDS and AL development. At present, four recognized syndromes have Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments—certified testing for their respective germ‐line mutations: telomere biology disorders due to mutation of TERC or TERT, familial acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with mutated CEBPA, familial MDS/AML with mutated GATA2, and familial platelet disorder with propensity to myeloid malignancy. These disorders are heterogeneous with regard to their causative genetic mutations, clinical presentation, and progression to MDS/AL. However, as a group, they all share the unique requirement for a high index of clinical suspicion to allow appropriate genetic counseling, genetic testing, and mutation‐specific clinical management. In addition, translational investigations of individuals and families with these syndromes provide a rare opportunity to understand key pathways underlying susceptibility and progression to MDS/AL and allow the possibility of novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of both familial and sporadic forms of MDS/AL.
HSP22, a New Member of the Small Heat Shock Protein Superfamily, Interacts with Mimic of Phosphorylated HSP27 (3DHSP27)

Most of the members of the superfamily of mammalian small heat shock or stress proteins are abundant in muscles where they play a role in muscle function and maintenance of muscle integrity. One member of this protein superfamily, human HSP27, is rapidly phosphorylated on three serine residues (Ser15, Ser78, and Ser82) during cellular response to a number of extracellular factors. To understand better the role of HSP27, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen of a human heart cDNA library for HSP27-interacting proteins. By using the triple aspartate mutant, a mimic of phosphorylated HSP27, as “bait” construct, a protein with a molecular mass of 21.6 kDa was identified as an HSP27-binding protein. Sequence analysis revealed that this new protein shares an overall sequence identity of 33% with human HSP27. This protein also contains the α-crystallin domain in its C-terminal half, a hallmark of the superfamily of small stress proteins. Thus, the new protein itself is a member of this protein superfamily, and consequently we designated it HSP22. According to the two-hybrid data, HSP22 interacts preferentially with the triple aspartate form of HSP27 as compared with wild-type HSP27. HSP22 is expressed predominantly in muscles. In vitro, HSP22 is phosphorylated by protein kinase C (at residues Ser14 and Thr63) and by p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (at residues Ser27 and Thr87) but not by MAPKAPK-2.
EVALUATION AND CERTAINTY IN ANALYST REPORTS: A LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS IN THE POLISH LANGUAGE

Studies of analyst reports and corporate disclosures written in the English language show that tone and other linguistic characteristics used in narratives convey information beyond that contained in hard, quantitative financial information. This paper extends the literature by focusing on analyst reports prepared in a non-English language and in a culture of high uncertainty avoidance. The goal of this paper is to determine what communication strategies are used by analysts who follow major companies listed at the Warsaw Stock Exchange in Poland. The Polish language uses verb conjugation like German or French, so the results of the study offer insights into international differences and the method used here can be applied to other languages. The culture of Poland is ranked high on the uncertainty avoidance scale of Hofstede (Kolman et al. 2003), compared to a low rating of the USA, which was the subject of previous studies. We find that analysts use a range of explicit and implicit evaluation strategies, as well as hedging strategies, which allow them to reduce their accountability for the recommendations they make. Analysts use subjectivisation (e.g. “our assessment”), depersonalization and time deixis (specific assessments of past, present, or future events) to manage the uncertainty associated with fundamental analysis.
Soluble miniagrin enhances contractile function of engineered skeletal muscle

Neural agrin plays a pleiotropic role in skeletal muscle innervation and maturation, but its specific effects on the contractile function of aneural engineered muscle remain unknown. In this study, neonatal rat skeletal myoblasts cultured within 3‐dimen‐sional engineered muscle tissue constructs were treated with 10 nM soluble recombinant miniagrin and assessed using histological, biochemical, and functional assays. Depending on the treatment duration and onset time relative to the stage of myogenic differentiation, miniagrin was found to induce up to 1.7‐fold increase in twitch and tetanus force amplitude. This effect was associated with the 2.3‐fold up‐regulation of dystrophin gene expression at 6 d after agrin removal and enhanced ACh receptor (AChR) cluster formation, but no change in cell number, expression of muscle myosin, or important aspects of intracellular Ca2+ handling. In muscle constructs with endogenous ACh levels suppressed by the application of α‐NETA, miniagrin increased AChR clustering and twitch force amplitude but failed to improve intracellular Ca2+ handling and increase tetanus‐to‐twitch ratio. Overall, our studies suggest that besides its synaptogenic function that could promote integration of engineered muscle constructs in vivo, neural agrin can directly promote the contractile function of aneural engineered muscle via mechanisms distinct from those involving endogenous ACh. —Bian, W. , Bursac, N. Soluble miniagrin enhances contractile function of engineered skeletal muscle. FASEB J. 26, 955–965 (2012). www.fasebj. org
Impact of high-speed broadband on innovation in rural firms*

ABSTRACT Innovation has emerged as a critical area in the information technology (IT) for development literature. In particular, there has been on an increased focus on innovation through high-speed broadband on rural businesses. However, unlike existing studies that have predominantly explored the role of telecentres, this research responds to growing calls to focus on the under-researched area of the impact of broadband on rural firms in boosting their innovation capabilities. Consequently, this study contributes to theory development by extending the capability approach from the predominant individual focus to the organizational level by incorporating dynamic capability models to explore development within broader systems. Specifically, it integrates the impact of relevant factors including IT competence and digital options on agility and competitive actions, which in turn influence innovation and overall firm performance. The study is useful to policy-makers in allocating IT investments and evaluating the subsequent impact in their innovation endeavors.
ANATOMICAL AND VISUAL OUTCOMES OF IDIOPATHIC MACULAR HOLE SURGERY WITH INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE REMOVAL USING LOW-CONCENTRATION INDOCYANINE GREEN

Purpose: To report the anatomical, visual, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) results of using a brief application of a low concentration of indocyanine green (ICG) to assist the removal of internal limiting membrane (ILM) during idiopathic macular hole repair. Methods: Retrospective, interventional, noncomparative case series of 59 eyes of 57 patients with stage 2, 3, or 4 idiopathic macular holes who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with removal of ILM assisted by a brief (<30 seconds) intravitreal application of 0.125% (1.25 mg/mL) ICG. Results: The median follow-up period was 13 months (range, 2–40 months). Anatomical closure of the macular hole was achieved in 58 eyes (98%) with a single surgery. Visual acuity improved from a preoperative mean of 20/100 to 20/60 postoperatively (P < 0.0001). Twenty-nine eyes (49%) had postoperative visual acuity of 20/50 or better. Visual acuity improved by ≥2 lines in 43 eyes (73%) and between 0 and 2 lines in 13 eyes (22%) and decreased in 3 eyes (5%). Postoperative OCT showed closure of macular hole with normal foveal depression in 49 (89%) of 55 eyes. Conclusion: A brief application of ICG at a low concentration appears to provide a safe and effective way of assisting ILM peeling during idiopathic macular hole surgery.
Statistical mechanics of closed fluid membranes.

We discuss the statistical mechanics of systems, such as vesicle phases, that consist of many closed, disconnected fluid membranes. We show that the internal undulation free energy of a single such membrane always contains a logarithmically scale-dependent ``finite-size'' contribution, with a universal coefficient, that arises essentially from the absence of undulation modes of wavelength longer than the size of the surface. We show that the existence of this contribution is closely related to the existence of additional collective degrees of freedom, such as translations and polydispersity, that are present in a system of disconnected surfaces but absent in a system of infinite surfaces such as a lamellar or bicontinuous phase. The combination of undulation and collective mode free energy contributions found here is shown to yield thermodynamic properties (e.g., size distributions) for a vesicle phase whose parameter dependence is consistent with the scale invariance of the Helfrich bending energy. We briefly discuss the conceptually related problem of a polydisperse ensemble of fluctuating one-dimensional aggregates, such as rodlike micelles, for which we obtain the experimentally observed scaling of micelle size with concentration. We conclude by discussing the application of our results to the interpretation of recent experiments on equilibrium vesicle phases. (c) 1995 The American Physical Society
The effectiveness of exchange-rate-based monetary policy: evidence from survey data

ABSTRACT Singapore’s monetary policy is centred on the management of the exchange rate. We examine how macroeconomic forecasters perceive the effectiveness of this unconventional policy. We provide empirical evidence that forecasters’ expectations are consistent with a forward-looking exchange-rate-based Taylor-type policy rule. They expect monetary authorities to actively manage the currency against expected future changes in inflation and output.
Creatine supplementation: effects on blood creatine kinase activity responses to resistance exercise and creatine kinase activity measurement

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of creatine supplementation and exercise on the integrity of muscle fiber, as well as the effect of the supplementation on the creatine kinase (CK) assay measurement. Forty-nine sedentary individuals participated in a double-blind study and were divided into two groups: C (n=26) received 4x5-day packages of 0.6 g.kg-1 of body weight contained 50% of creatine + 50% of dextrose, and P (n=23) received packages containing only dextrose. On the first day the groups performed a 1RM test for bench press, seated row, leg extension, leg curl and leg press. On D7 they received the supplements. On the fourteenth day, they performed a training session of five exercises, each in three sets of ten repetitions at 75% of 1RM. Blood was collected before (D14) and after the exercise session (D15). Differing levels of blood creatine were tested to determine the influence on the assay measurements of CK. ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests were used to compare groups and different times of study protocol (P<0.05). No changes were observed in CK activity of the groups from D0, D7 and D14. On D15 CK activity increases 140% (women) and 200% (men). There was no difference in CK activity between groups. Blood creatine levels up to 5mM produced no significant effect on CK assay results. CK activity increased after resistance exercise, while creatine supplementation produced no difference in the muscle cellular integrity nor compromised assay methodology.
Red blood cell–derived microparticles isolated from blood units initiate and propagate thrombin generation

Red blood cell–derived microparticles (RMPs) are small phospholipid vesicles shed from RBCs in blood units, where they accumulate during storage. Because microparticles are bioactive, it could be suggested that RMPs are mediators of posttransfusion complications or, on the contrary, constitute a potential hemostatic agent.
The effect of removable partial dentures on alveolar bone resorption: a retrospective study with cone-beam computed tomography.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to compare vertical and horizontal mandibular alveolar bone resorption by measuring bone morphological variation in Kennedy Class II removable partial denture (RPD) wearers and non-wearers using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS In total, 124 sites in the CBCT scans of 62 (29 RPD non-wearers, 33 RPD wearers) Kennedy Class II patients were analyzed retrospectively. Three-dimensional representations of the mandible with superimposed cross-sectional slices were developed with the CBCT scans to evaluate the mandibular alveolar height and width by measuring distances between the mandibular canal, mylohyoid ridge, alveolar crest, and lower border of the mandible in four regions (eight sites) of Kennedy Class II non-wearers and wearers of RPDs. RESULTS Mandibular alveolar bone height and width were significantly lower in edentulous sites when compared with dentate sites in both Kennedy Class II non-wearers and wearers of RPDs (p < 0.05). Additionally, mean vertical and horizontal mandibular bone resorption was significantly higher in RPD wearers than in non-wearers (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Vertical and horizontal alveolar bone resorption was found to be higher in the RPD wearing patients when comparing the dentate and edentulous sites.
The Influence of External and Internal Stakeholder Pressures on the Implementation of Upstream Environmental Supply Chain Practices

This study examines the independent and combined influences of internal and external antecedents to upstream environmental practices. Proactive environmental strategy is considered as an internal antecedent and competitive pressure as an external antecedent. Multiple hierarchical regression analysis is used to test the hypothesized relationships using data from a sample of 149 manufacturing companies located within the U.K. food industry. The results suggest that proactive strategy and competitive pressure exert both independent and combined influences on environmental supply chain practices. Proactive strategy appears to be a stronger driver of these practices, suggesting that internal stakeholders such as directors, managers, and employees may be more influential in the adoption of certain practices than external stakeholder pressures. This article builds upon the recent wave of research highlighting the potential for internal and external factors to generate a combined influence on the adoption of environmental practices within companies and their supply chains.
Empirische Validierung von Integrationstypen am Beispiel unternehmensübergreifender Integration

Integration ist eines der vielschichtigsten Themen der Wirtschaftsinformatik. Es adressiert so unterschiedliche Herausforderungen, wie die Geschaftsprozessintegration, die Integration von Applikationen oder die gegenseitige Ausrichtung von fachlichen und informationstechnischen Strukturen. Fur eine adaquate methodische Unterstutzung von Integrationsprojekten, mussen diese Projekte geeignet kategorisiert werden, um eine adaquate methodische Unterstutzung bereitstellen zu konnen. Aufgrund der Vielschichtigkeit moglicher Projektkategorisierungen erscheint es sinnvoll, fundamentale Integrationstypen zu definieren und methodisch zu unterstutzen. In diesem Beitrag wird eine vorgeschlagene metamodellbasierte Taxonomie fundamentaler Integrationstypen empirisch uberpruft.