Individual position diversity in dependence socioeconomic networks increases economic output

The availability of big data recorded from massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the potential connection between individuals' network positions and their economic outputs. We use a statistical filtering method to construct dependence networks from weighted friendship networks of individuals. We investigate the 30 distinct motif positions in the 13 directed triadic motifs which represent microscopic dependences among individuals. Based on the structural similarity of motif positions, we further classify individuals into different groups. The node position diversity of individuals is found to be positively correlated with their economic outputs. We also find that the economic outputs of leaf nodes are significantly lower than that of the other nodes in the same motif. Our findings shed light on understanding the influence of network structure on economic activities and outputs in socioeconomic system.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figure

Oś MIF/CD74 jako cel terapii metforminą w podocytopatii cukrzycowej — rzeczywista praktyka kliniczna

Introduction：To observe the effects of metformin on urinary excretion of MIF, CD74 and podocalyxin in type 2 diabetics and to explore its possible renoprotective mechanisms. Methods: 202 uncontrolled type 2 diabetics, who were previously prescribed sulfonylurea monotherapy(n=100) or sulfonylurea in combination with metformin (n=102) were enrolled in the study. The amount of macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF) and CD74 in serum, urinary MIF to creatine ratio(UMCR), urinary CD74 to creatine ratio(UCCR), urinary albumin to creatine ratio(UACR) and urinary podocalyxin to creatine ratio (UPCR) were determined. Results: Metabolic parameters including fasting blood glucose, postprandial 2 hours blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, MIF and CD74 in serum were comparable between the two groups. Moreover, metformin add-on therapy showed significantly better efficacy in reducing UMCR, UCCR, UPCR and UACR in comparison with those in sulfonylurea monotherapy group, respectively. UPCR had positive correlation with UACR, UMCR and UCCR (r＝0.73, r=0.69, r=0.62, P < 0.01), respectively. Conclusions: Metformin could present its podocyte-protective capacity in type 2 diabetics and the underlying mechanisms may be partly attributed to its effects in suppressing MIF-CD74 axis mediated inflammatory cascade response. Wstęp: Celem pracy było zaobserwowanie efektów działania metforminy na wydalanie MIF, CD74 i podokaliksyny w moczu pacjentów z cukrzycą typu 2 oraz zbadanie jej możliwych mechanizmów nefroprotekcyjnych. Materiał i metody: W badaniu wzięło udział 202 pacjentów z niewyrównaną cukrzycą typu 2, którym zalecono wcześniej monoterapię sulfonylomocznikiem (n = 100) lub sulfonylomocznikiem skojarzonym z metforminą (n = 102). Podczas badania określono ilość czynnika hamującego migrację makrofagów (MIF) i CD74 w surowicy krwi, wskaźnik MIF/kreatynina (urinary MIF to creatinine ratio; UMCR), wskaźnik CD74/kreatynina (urinary CD74 to creatinine ratio; UCCR), wskaźnik albumina/kreatynina (urinary albumin to creatinine ratio; UACR) oraz wskaźnik podokaliksyna/kreatynina (urinary podocalyxin to creatinine ratio; UPCR). Wyniki: Parametry metaboliczne, w tym glikemia na czczo, stężenie glukozy we krwi dwie godziny po posiłku, hemoglobina A1c, MIF i CD74 w surowicy krwi były porównywalne w obu grupach. Ponadto, terapia z dodatkiem metforminy wykazała znacznie lepszą skuteczność w redukowaniu wskaźników UMCR, UCCR, UPCR i UACR w porównaniu z grupą, w której zastosowano monoterapię sulfonylomocznikiem. Wskaźnik UPRC wykazywał dodatnią korelację ze wskaźnikami UACR, UMCR i UCCR (odpowiednio: r = 0,73, r = 0,69, r = 0,62, p &lt; 0,01). Wnioski: Metformina może wykazywać zdolność do ochrony podocytów u pacjentów z cukrzycą typu 2, a mechanizmy leżące u pod­staw tego procesu mogą być częściowo przypisane jej właściwościom hamowania kaskady reakcji zapalnych zależnych od osi MIF-CD74

Expression pattern and activity of six glutelin gene promoters in transgenic rice*

The shortage of strong endosperm-specific expression promoters for driving the expression of recombinant protein genes in cereal endosperm is a major limitation in obtaining the required level and pattern of expression. Six promoters of seed storage glutelin genes (GluA-1, GluA-2, GluA-3, GluB-3, GluB-5, and GluC) were isolated from rice (Oryza sativa L.) genomic DNA by PCR. Their spatial and temporal expression patterns and expression potential in stable transgenic rice plants were examined with β-glucuronidase (GUS) used as a reporter gene. All the promoters showed the expected spatial expression within the endosperm. The GluA-1, GluA-2, and GluA-3 promoters directed GUS expression mainly in the outer portion (peripheral region) of the endosperm. The GluB-5 and GluC promoters directed GUS expression in the whole endosperm, with the latter expressed almost evenly throughout the whole endosperm, a feature different from that of other rice glutelin gene promoters. The GluB-3 promoter directed GUS expression solely in aleurone and subaleurone layers. Promoter activities examined during seed maturation showed that the GluC promoter had much higher activity than the other promoters. These promoters are ideal candidates for achieving gene expression for multiple purposes in monocot endosperm but avoid promoter homology-based gene silencing. The GluC promoter did not contain the endosperm specificity-determining motifs GCN4, AACA, and the prolamin-box, which suggests the existence of additional regulatory mechanism in determining endosperm specificity