Forschungsinstitut für Denkmalpflege und Archäometrie

Abstract Types I and III interferon (IFN) are co-expressed by respiratory epithelial cells (REC) in response to viral infection. In turn, these IFN stimulate neighboring REC to express a set of interferon-stimulated genes (ISG) through shared signaling pathways. Whether types I and III IFN have non-redundant functions in anti-viral defense of respiratory infections is unknown. Because transcription factors dictate cellular phenotype and function, we hypothesized that ISG that are transcription factors (TF-ISG) mediate non-redundant functions of types I or III IFN. We treated BEAS-2B human REC with increasing doses of IFN-β or IFN-λ1 alone or together, and measured expression of TF-ISG and a set of canonical ISG by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Alone, IFN-β and IFN-λ1 each induced expression of canonical ISG and a subset of TF-ISG. Expression of several ISG differed in response to type I versus type III IFN, either in peak levels or kinetic patterns, or both. Uniquely, IRF1 is induced early in response to IFN-β alone, but is poorly expressed in response to IFN-λ1. Western blots also revealed that while IFN-β alone induced early and transient IRF1 expression, it was lower but sustained (through 24h) after IFN-λ1 alone. In contrast to transcript expression, the two IFN together enhanced expression of IRF1 protein greater than either alone, and IRF1 expression was sustained through 24h. The distinct selective and rapid expression of IRF1 transcript and protein in response to IFN-β suggests that this TF-ISG mediates non-redundant qualitative functional responses of REC to types I and III IFN.

Este artigo tem como objetivo prover uma melhor técnica para análise de textura em imagens de mamografia, visando uma melhor taxa de diagnóstico dos casos de câncer de mama. O diagnóstico feito por especialistas depende de fatores como a experiência do profissional, a qualidade da mamografia e de características do próprio paciente. O estudo procura utilizar métodos computacionais a fim de oferecer uma segunda opinião ao especialista, utilizando-se de técnicas de representação da imagem na forma de padrões circulares quantizados através de matrizes de co-ocorrência. Após a representação, a textura é calculada através da análise de diversidade e classificada usando Máquinas de Vetores de Suporte.

Relying on data from language use, religion and exposure to popular culture, this contribution evaluates the extent to which there is a cultural divide separating member states of the EU from Eastern European applicant states. To address this issue, the study makes three claims. First, despite the vibrancy of national cultures within Europe, there is an emergent cultural configuration that unites the continent. Second, the applicant states are very much part of this European cultural zone. In fact, with the cultural characteristics of the original six members of the EC held up as the European model, the applicant states are closer on several dimensions than are the later entrants into the EC. Third, there are greater incentives for individuals in the applicant states to co-ordinate culturally with the European configuration than for individuals living in the heart of Europe. The conclusion therefore is that there is no evidence of a cultural divide that would justify holding back membership of Eastern European states into the EU.