Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genome Sequence of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Strain McKrae

ABSTRACT The herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) strain McKrae is highly virulent compared to other wild-type strains of HSV-1. To help us better understand the genetic determinants that lead to differences in the pathogenicity of McKrae and other HSV-1 strains, we sequenced its genome. Comparing the sequence of McKrae's genome to that of strain 17 revealed that the genomes differ by at least 752 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 86 insertion/deletion events (indels). Although the majority of these polymorphisms reside in noncoding regions, 241 SNPs and 10 indels alter the protein-coding sequences of 58 open reading frames. Some of these variations are expected to contribute to the pathogenic phenotype of McKrae.
A Meta-Analytic Examination of Basal Cardiovascular Activity in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Objective The objective of this meta-analytic study was to determine whether individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have higher levels of basal cardiovascular activity relative to comparable groups of individuals without PTSD. Methods Meta-analytic data methods were applied to 34 studies that gathered indicators of basal cardiovascular activity including: heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure on subjects diagnosed with PTSD and two types of comparison groups. In total, cardiovascular measures were analyzed for 2670 subjects across all studies. Results Results indicate that individuals with a current PTSD diagnosis have higher resting HR relative to both trauma-exposed individuals without a PTSD diagnosis and non–trauma-exposed individuals. The results also suggest that PTSD is associated with elevations in blood pressure; however, the effect sizes were smaller in magnitude than those obtained for heart rate. A subset analysis revealed that the effect sizes for comparisons on basal HR were greatest in studies with the most chronic PTSD samples. Conclusion The meta-analysis supports previous qualitative reviews, finding a positive association between PTSD and basal cardiovascular activity. The discussion addresses possible mechanisms of action and the health-related implications of these findings.
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC) are the major DC subset innately producing cytokines in human lymph nodes

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC) constitute a distinct subset of DC found in human peripheral lymph nodes (LN), but little is known about their function. Cell suspensions were prepared from tumor draining LN (n=20) and control LN (n=11) of women undergoing surgical resection for primary breast cancer and elective surgery for benign conditions, respectively. Using four‐color flow cytometry, human leukocyte antigen‐DR+ DC subsets were identified phenotypically. The proportions and numbers of cells innately producing interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐10, IL‐12, and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) were also measured from intracellular accumulation of cytokine after blocking with monensin. All flow cytometry data were collected without compensation and were compensated off‐line using the Winlist algorithm (Verity software). This package also provided the subtraction program to calculate percentage positive cells and intensity of staining. PDC (CD11c–, CD123+) expressed more cytokines than did myeloid DC (CD11c+) or CD1a+ putative “migratory” DC (P<0.001). LN PDC from patients with a good prognosis (px; n=11) demonstrated a relative increase in IL‐12 and IFN‐γ expression (median IL‐10:IL‐12 ratio=0.78 and median IL‐4:IFN‐γ ratio=0.7), and PDC from LN draining poor px cancer (n=9) showed a relative increase in IL‐10 and IL‐4 expression (median IL‐10:IL‐12 ratio=1.31 and median IL‐4:IFN‐γ ratio=2.6). The difference in IL‐4:IFN‐γ expression between good and poor px cancer groups was significant (P<0.05). Thus, PDC innately producing cytokines were identified in cell suspensions from human LN, and the character of PDC cytokine secretion may differ between two breast cancer prognostic groups. We speculate that a shift towards PDC IL‐10 and IL‐4 expression could promote tumor tolerance in LN draining poor px breast cancer.
Nitric oxide confers cisplatin resistance in human lung cancer cells through upregulation of aldo-keto reductase 1B10 and proteasome

Abstract In this study, we show that exposure of human lung cancer A549 cells to cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum, CDDP) promotes production of nitric oxide (NO) through generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and resulting upregulation of inducible NO synthase (iNOS). The incubation of the cells with a NO donor, diethylenetriamine NONOate, not only reduced the CDDP-induced cell death and apoptotic alterations (induction of CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein and caspase-3 activation), but also elevated proteolytic activity of 26S proteasome, suggesting that the activation of proteasome function contributes to the reduction of CDDP sensitivity by NO. Monitoring expression levels of six aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) (1A1, 1B1, 1B10, 1C1, 1C2, and 1C3) during the treatment with the NO donor and subsequent CDDP sensitivity test using the specific inhibitors also proposed that upregulation of AKR1B10 by NO is a key process for acquiring the CDDP resistance in A549 cells. Treatment with CDDP and NO increased amounts of nitrotyrosine protein adducts, indicative of peroxynitrite formation, and promoted the induction of AKR1B10, inferring a relationship between peroxynitrite formation and the enzyme upregulation in the cells. The treatment with CDDP or a ROS-related lipid aldehyde, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, facilitated the iNOS upregulation, which was restored by increasing the AKR1B10 expression. In contrast, the facilitation of NO production by CDDP treatment was hardly observed in AKR1B10-overexpressing A549 cells and established CDDP-resistant cancer cells (A549, LoVo, and PC3). Collectively, these results suggest the NO functions as a key regulator controlling AKR1B10 expression and 26S proteasome function leading to gain of the CDDP resistance.
Trauma-Induced Cell Swelling in Cultured Astrocytes

Brain edema and associated increased intracranial pressure are major consequences of traumatic brain injury that account for most early deaths after traumatic brain injury. An important component of brain edema after traumatic brain injury is astrocyte swelling (cytotoxic edema). To examine the pathophysiologic mechanisms of trauma-induced astrocyte swelling, we used an in vitro fluid percussion trauma model. Exposure of cultured rat astrocytes to 5 atm of pressure resulted in significant cell swelling at 1 to 24 hours posttrauma that was maximal at 3 hours. Because oxidative/nitrosative stress, mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) have been implicated in astrocyte swelling in other neurologic conditions, we examined their potential roles in this model. We previously showed increased free radical generation after in vitro trauma and show here that trauma to astrocytes increased the production of nitric oxide. Trauma also induced mPT and increased phosphorylation (activation) of MAPKs (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, c-Jun-N-terminal kinase, and p38-MAPK); these changes were diminished by antioxidants and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. Antioxidants, N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, the mPT inhibitor cyclosporin A, and inhibitors of MAPKs all significantly diminished trauma-induced astrocyte swelling. These findings demonstrate that direct mechanical injury to cultured astrocytes brings about cell swelling, and that blockade of oxidative/nitrosative stress, mPT, and MAPKs significantly reduce such swelling.
International Financial Reporting Standards' Adoption and Value Relevance of Accounting Information of Listed Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

Nigeria recently recognized the need to participate in opportunities offered by globalization and accordingly, adopted the International Financial Reporting Standards ( IFRS). This paper examines post-IFRS adoption value relevance of accounting information using two models. First, a price model which used proxies such as market price per share, book value of equity per share, earnings per share and cash flow per share. Second, a return-model which used proxies such as annual return, earning per share, change in earning per share, were used. The results show that the explanatory power R 2 for the price model specification is 84% for the total sample and that all coefficients are statistically significant. A comparison of coefficients indicates that the EPS of 3.47 has a higher explanatory power than any other variables. The results also demonstrate that explanatory power of accounting numbers increased from pre-adoption (60%) to post-adoption (78%). Similarly, Explanatory power (R 2 ) for the return model specification is 13.4% for the total sample and just coefficient of EPS level is statistically significant. The explanatory power for the return model increased from pre-adoption (15.6%) to post-adoption (16.4%). According to both sub-samples just a coefficient of EPS level is statistically significant. So, the result of the return model also indicates adoption of IFRS improved relevance of accounting numbers in the deposit money banking sector. In view of these results, there is need for further study to explore the reasons for the superiority of EPS over BVEPS. Keywords : Value Relevance, Accounting Information, Deposit Money Banks, Nigeria.
Impulse Response Priors for Discriminating Structural Vector Autoregressions

The structural vector autoregression (SVAR) has become a central tool for research in empirical macroeconomics. Because the vast majority of these models are exactly identified, researchers have traditionally relied upon the informal use of prior information to compare alternative specifications. This paper surveys some of the structural dynamic restrictions used to evaluate SVARs. I provide a method for constructing prior distributions that incorporates this information on impulse responses. Based upon these Impulse Response Priors (IRPs) I employ a formal Bayesian model selection procedure for comparing SVAR specifications. I use this procedure to compare several alternative, six variable SVAR models of the interaction of real and monetary sectors of the U.S. economy. I make these comparisons under a variety of assumptions regarding the nature of the money supply rule, and lag length. Emprically, I find strong evidence in favor of interpreting shocks to the federal funds rate as monetary policy shocks, as opposed to shocks to nonborrowed reserves. The most favored identification is one in which monetary policy reacts to contemporaneous movements in real variables and the price level. There is less evidence that monetary policy reacts as quickly to fluctuations in money demand.
Two sides of dual agency: evidence from homebuyers and transactions

This study gains insights to the motivating causes of dual agency transactions in residential real estate by examining two distinct sources of data. The first is evidence from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) homebuyers’ survey; the second is multiple listing service (MLS) transaction data. The survey evidence is used to examine buyer characteristics and search methods related to the outcome where a homebuyer is unrepresented by a buyer broker, who would exclusively represent their interests. Results suggest that certain factors contribute to both the likelihood that a buyer will be unrepresented and the incidence of dual agency, including homebuyer experience and inexperience, geographic familiarity by brokers and buyers and the channels used in marketing residential products to generate initial contacts with potential buyers. The matching of results from the empirical analysis using the MLS transaction data and the NAR homebuyer survey data adds confirmation to our findings. Even as dual agency creates opportunities for efficiency gain in the real estate transaction, the empirical results have implications for the consequences of homebuyer involvement in the initiation of dual agency, strategic behaviour recommendations for brokers as well as the possibility to policy adjustments.
Volatility Modeling with Heterogeneous Impulse Response Function: Introducing Non-Parametric Jumps into the FIEGARCH Model

We investigate the ways in which non-parametric jumps in asset prices can be incorporated into a FIEGARCH model. At intra-day level, jumps detected by the statistics of Andersen, Bollerslev and Dobrev (2007) are shown to contain incremental information in in-sample forecasting of conditional volatility. Past jump history adds important information heterogeneity to the existing fractional integrated structure. Empirical evidence is given by the analysis of Spyder and Intel returns, which demonstrates distinct jump relations with volatility.
Corporate social responsibility disclosures over time: evidence from Malaysia

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures over a period of time when the business environment, particularly the Malaysian environment, experienced several significant changes including the recent financial crises and regulatory changes. The paper also examines factors influencing the CSR disclosures before and after the aforementioned changes. Design/methodology/approach - A self-constructed CSR checklist was used to measure the extent and quality of CSR disclosures in the annual reports of 85 companies listed on Bursa Malaysia for the years 2006 and 2009. A number of statistical techniques were employed to assess the CSR disclosures over time, as well as factors influencing the CSR disclosures. Findings - Results revealed a significant overall increase in both the extent and quality of CSR disclosures between the two years covered in the study. In terms of factors influencing the CSR disclosures, director ownership, government ownership and company size were found to be significant in explaining both the extent and quality of CSR disclosures in the year 2006. Board size was found to have a significant relationship with only the extent of CSR disclosures in 2006. However, the results in the year 2009, a period following the policy changes, revealed an improved significant association between board size and CSR disclosures. Research limitations/implications - The results, which showed a significant increasing trend in CSR disclosures following changes in the market place of an emerging economy, lend some support to legitimacy theory's conjecture that CSR disclosures are used to reduce exposure arising from the public. Hence, this study suggests corporate legitimation practices, which were previously renowned in the economically developed countries, also exist in the emerging economies. The empirical observations asserted in this study, however, were only drawn from the Malaysian context. Therefore, future research involving several emerging countries is needed to ascertain the existence of corporate legitimation exercises in the developing countries. Practical implications - In terms of practical implications, the dominance of narrative CSR disclosures in the annual reports as opposed to verifiable information, even after the CSR mandatory requirement, could be due to the absence of a detailed CSR framework for Malaysian public listed companies. Policy makers in Malaysia may therefore want to devise detailed and specific CSR disclosure requirements, rather the current general mandatory requirement, to enhance the quality of CSR disclosures. Originality/value - This study can be considered one of limited empirical studies to have assessed CSR disclosures following changes in the market place.
Determinants of the diffusion of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

Objectives: The aim of this study is to explain factors influential to the diffusion of computed tomography (CTs) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs). Methods: Variables were identified from a review of the literature on the diffusion of health technologies. A formal process was applied to build a conceptual model of the mechanism that drives technology diffusion. Variables for the analysis were classified as predisposing, enabling, or reinforcing factors, in keeping with a model commonly used to explain the diffusion of health behaviors. Multiple regression analysis was conducted using year 2000 OECD data. Results: The results of this study showed that total health expenditure per capita (p < .01, both CTs and MRIs) and flexible payment methods to hospitals (p < .05, both CTs and MRIs) were significantly associated with the diffusion of CTs and MRIs (adjusted R2 = 0.477, 0.656, respectively). Conclusions: This study presents a systematically developed model of the mechanism governing technology diffusion. Important findings from the study show that purchasing power, represented by total health expenditure per capita and economic incentives to hospitals in the form of flexible payment methods, were positively correlated with diffusion. Another important achievement of our model is that it accounts for all thirty OECD member countries without excluding any as outliers. This study shows that variation across countries in the diffusion of medical technology can be explained well by a logical model with multiple variables, the results of which hold profound implications for health policy regarding the adoption of innovations.
Strategy, control activities, monitoring and effectiveness

Purpose – First, this paper aims to provide empirical evidence of the interaction between the components of an internal control system. Second, it seeks to integrate work from the field of strategy and that on the internal control system from the field of auditing. The purpose of this paper is to enable a more profound understanding of how different strategic orientations may influence effectiveness, depending on the components of the internal control system.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected through an online questionnaire and analyzed using multiple regression analysis, i.e. a three‐way interaction model. The result was a usable sample of the opinions of 741 managers working in Finland.Findings – The results indicate that, for prospector firms, high degrees of internal control activity and low degrees of monitoring ensure a greater effectiveness of the internal control system. On the other hand, for analyzers a high degree of internal control activity and high degrees of monitoring lead t.
Futures and options expiration‐day effects: The Indian evidence

This study examines the effect of expiration of options and futures on price, volatility, and volume of the underlying shares. The values of these variables 1 day prior to expiration, on the day of expiration, and 1 day subsequent to expiration are compared with those 1 and 2 weeks before and after the corresponding day with the use of the Wilcoxon matched‐pairs signed‐ranks test. The underlying share prices tend to get marginally depressed a day prior to expiration and to strengthen significantly a day after the expiration. The rate of increase of returns on the day after the expiration is abnormally high. An abnormally high volume is also observed on the expiration day; it starts building up a day prior to expiration and continues into the following day for shares with relatively high derivative volumes. These effects can be largely ascribed to arbitrage activities and the restriction on short sales in the Indian cash market. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 25:1045–1065, 2005
The contradictory effects of nitric oxide in caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in rats

This study was planned to observe the effects of nitric oxide synthesis on the antioxidative defense enzymes and pancreatic tissue histology in caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis was induced by intraperitoneal injections of 50 µg/kg caerulein, L-arginine used for NO induction and Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) used for NO inhibition. In the caerulein group acinar cell degeneration, interstitial inflammation, oedema and haemorrhage were detected. Pancreatic damage scores were decreased with both NO induction and inhibition (p<0.05). MDA, GSH-Px, CAT, GSH and SOD activities were significantly changed in the caerulein group and indicated increased oxidative stress. Both NO induction and inhibition decreased this oxidative stress. It is concluded that both nitric oxide induction and inhibition ameliorated caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. The findings indicate that a certain amount of NO production has beneficial effects in experimental acute pancreatitis, but uncontrolled over-production of NO may be detrimental.
Characteristic Features of Stem Cells in Glioblastomas: From Cellular Biology to Genetics

Glioblastoma is the most common type of primary brain tumor in adults and is among the most lethal and least successfully treated solid tumors. Recently, research into the area of stem cells in brain tumors has gained momentum. However, due to the relatively new and novel hypothesis that a subpopulation of cancer cells in each malignancy has the potential for tumor initiation and repopulation, the data in this area of research are still in its infancy. This review article is aimed at attempting to bring together research carried out so far in order to build an understanding of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). Initially, we consider GSCs at a morphological and cellular level, and then discuss important cell markers, signaling pathways and genetics. Furthermore, we highlight the difficulties associated with what some of the evidence indicates and what collectively the studies contribute to further defining the interpretation of GSCs.
Randomised controlled trial of a behavioural family intervention: 1 year and 11-years follow-up

SUMMARY Aim – To test the efficacy of a Behavioural Family Therapy (BFT) in a routine setting, both short and long term, of a community mental health service (CMHS). Methods – In a randomised clinical trial 24 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, as confirmed by PSE-IX, were assigned to the BFT according to Falloon (n = 12) or to individual usual treatment (n = 12). They were assessed before and at the end of the active treatment (after one year), and after an 11-years follow-up with compared on basic indicators (hospitalisations, length of stay, drop-out rate) and standardised instruments of psychopathological symptoms, social functioning, family burden. Results – At one-year follow-up clinical important and statistically significant differences were observed for psychotic positive symptoms (p<0.01), self-care (p<0.01), autonomy in daily life (p<0.001), subjective/objective family burden (p<0.001). Other psychosocial variables showed positive outcomes non reaching statistical significance. At the 11-year follow-up, marked differences were observed only in hospitalisations and drop-outs. Conclusions – The BFT was rather easy to implement in a CMHS and very cost effective. However, as it has been shown in other studies, to keep all the benefits a consistent program of monitoring with booster sessions is essential. Declaration of Interest: in the last 2 years, none of the authors has had any interest or he/she has received any form of support, including that from drug companies and “honoraria” for lectures and consultancies, potentially in conflict with this scientific work.