Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA-455 suppresses the oncogenic function of HDAC2 in human colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-induced mortality. Histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) is involved in prognosis and therapy of CRC. This study aimed to explore novel therapeutic targets for CRC. The alteration of HDAC2 expression in CRC tissues was estimated by qRT-PCR. After lentivirus transfection, HDAC2 knockdown was confirmed by western blot analysis. The effect of HDAC2 knockdown on cell proliferation was then assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Screened by TargetScan, microRNA (miR)-455 was predicted to bind to 3′UTR of HDAC2 and the prediction was verified by luciferase assay. Finally, cells were transfected, respectively, with miR-455 mimics or miR-455 negative control (miR-NC) and the expression of HDAC2, cell proliferation and apoptosis of transfected cells were respectively evaluated by western blot analysis, MTT assay and flow cytometry. Results showed that the HDAC2 expression was up-regulated in CRC tissues (P<0.05). HDAC2 knockdown significantly decreased cell viability at day 3 (P<0.05), day 4 (P<0.01), and day 5 (P<0.001) after infection. Then, miR-455 was verified to directly target HDAC2, resulting in a significant difference in luciferase activity (P<0.01). Moreover, miR-455 decreased the expression of HDAC2 (P<0.01). miR-455 remarkably decreased cell viability at day 3 (P<0.05), day 4 (P<0.01), and day 5 (P<0.001) after transfection while inducing cell apoptosis (P<0.001). In conclusion, miR-455 inhibited cell proliferation while inducing cell apoptosis by targeting HDAC2 in CRC cells.
How can I drink safely? Perception versus the reality of alcohol consumption

This article investigates differences between perception and actual consumption of alcohol in young adults within the UK, suggesting that inaccurate information in the public domain may hamper those seeking to drink safely plus the development of moderate drinking cultures. Results confirm that inaccurate information may be preventing the development of safe drinking behaviours among certain groups. In addition, they indicate that some groups choose to ignore safe consumption limits in particular circumstances. Results indicate that many government strategies aimed at reducing unsafe drinking behaviour are inaccurately targeted; changing male public consumption behaviour may trigger changes in female behaviour.
Equal employment opportunity legislation and policies: the Australian experience

Purpose – Organisations have to respond to a range of legislative and policy initiatives intended to promote equal employment opportunity for women. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the mix of legislation and policies in Australia: anti‐discrimination and equal opportunity legislation, equal pay, work and family and managing diversity policies.Design/methodology/approach – Legislation, industrial relations changes and policies relating to pay equity, non‐discrimination on the grounds of sex, affirmative action and equal opportunity, including work and family policies and managing diversity approaches are reviewed in the context of changing labour conditions and social trends.Findings – Organisations are presented with a range of policies from which to choose and the result is variety in the extent and type of equity programs which produce variable outcomes for women in the workplace.Practical implications – While this paper deals in particular with Australia, the pattern of multiplicity of approach.
The shift from C-19 to C-21 steroid synthesis in spawning male common carp, Cyprinus carpio, is regulated by the inhibition of androgen production by progestogens produced by spermatozoa.

There is a rapid shift in the steroidogenic pathway from androgen to progestogen production in spawning male common carp, Cyprinus carpio. Experiments were conducted to determine the mechanism regulating this shift using in vitro cultures of testicular fragments and isolated sperm of spermiating male carp. The levels of 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) continually increased for 48 h with or without gonadotropin (GtH) stimulation, suggesting that 11-KT is the principal androgen produced by carp testes. Ovine prolactin (oPRL) enhanced GtH-stimulated 11-KT production, but by itself had no effect. Gonadotropin, carp pituitary extract, and pregnenolone all enhanced the production of 11-KT, testosterone (T), and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-P) in a dose-dependent manner. No 17 alpha,20 beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20 beta-P) was detected in response to any of these agents; 17 alpha,20 alpha-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20 alpha-P) was not measured. Both 17,20 beta-P and 17,20 alpha-P inhibited 11-KT production in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of either GtH, 17-P, or T. Isolated sperm and testicular fragment preparations both produced 17,20 beta-P and approximately tenfold more 17,20 alpha-P when incubated with 17-P. Only testicular fragments, however, produced 11-KT. We conclude that androgen synthesis occurs only within somatic cells of common carp testes. GtH, and perhaps PRL, stimulates the production of steroid precursors that, under normal physiological conditions, are metabolized to androgens. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Lower dose prednisone prevents radioiodine-associated exacerbation of initially mild or absent graves' orbitopathy: a retrospective cohort study.

CONTEXT Radioiodine (RAI) therapy may cause progression of mild or absent Graves' orbitopathy (GO), preventable by oral prednisone. Optimal doses of prednisone are undefined. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of reported doses [starting dose, >0.3 mg/kg body weight (bw)], and lower (<0.3 mg/kg bw)] doses of prednisone. DESIGN AND SETTING We conducted a retrospective matched cohort study at a University Center. PATIENTS Of 111 RAI-treated Graves' patients with mild or no GO, 35 received no steroid prophylaxis (absence of GO and/or risk factors for RAI-associated GO progression); 28 received low-dose prednisone (starting dose, 0.16-0.27 mg/kg bw; mean +/- sd, 0.22 +/- 0.03 mg/kg bw; group 1); and 48 received higher doses (group 2). Among the latter, 28 (starting dose, 0.32-0.56 mg/kg bw; mean +/- sd, 0.36 +/- 0.05 mg/kg bw) were matched with group 1 according to several relevant variables. Prednisone was started 1 d after RAI and withdrawn after 6 wk. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We assessed ocular changes (1, 3, and 6 months after RAI) and side effects of prednisone. RESULTS Two of 35 patients not receiving steroid prophylaxis (6%) developed mild-to-moderate GO (clinical activity score, 2/7 and 3/7) after RAI. No patients in group 1 or group 2 had GO progression. Side effects were very mild and inconstant, although more frequent in group 2. Both groups showed an increase in bw, an increase that was significantly higher in group 2. CONCLUSION Lower doses of oral prednisone (about 0.2 mg/kg bw) are as effective as previously reported doses (0.3-0.5 mg/kg bw). A shorter treatment period (6 wk) is probably sufficient. The increase in bw is less using lower doses of prednisone.
Electronic reconstruction at SrMnO3-LaMnO3 superlattice interfaces.

We use resonant soft-x-ray scattering (RSXS) to study the electronic reconstruction at the interface between the Mott insulator LaMnO3 and the band insulator SrMnO3. Superlattices of these two insulators were shown previously to have both ferromagnetism and metallic tendencies [Koida, Phys. Rev. B 66, 144418 (2002)10.1103/PhysRevB.66. 144418]. By studying a judiciously chosen superlattice reflection, we show that the interface density of states exhibits a pronounced peak at the Fermi level, similar to that predicted in related titanate superlattices by Okamoto et al. [Phys. Rev. B 70, 241104(R) (2004)10.1103/PhysRevB.70. 241104]. The intensity of this peak correlates with the conductivity and magnetization, suggesting it is the driver of metallic behavior. Our study demonstrates a general strategy for using RSXS to probe the electronic properties of heterostructure interfaces.
The access pricing problem: a synthesis

The Baumol-Willig efficient component pricing rule states that it is efficient to set the price of access to an essential facility equal to the direct cost of access plus the opportunity cost to the integrated access provider. The authors analyze the relevant notion of 'opportunity cost' under various assumptions about demand and supply conditions, including product differentiation, bypass, and substitution possibilities, which all reduce opportunity cost compared to the benchmark case. They show that the Ramsey approach to access pricing developed by J.-J. Laffont and J. Tirole (1994) is closely related to the efficient component pricing rule provided opportunity cost is correctly interpreted.
State-Owned and Privately Owned Firms: An Empirical Analysis of Profitability, Leverage, and Labor Intensity

We present empirical evidence on the relative profitability, leverage, and labor intensity of government-owned and privately-owned firms. Cross-sectional analysis of a sample of very large firms indicates that those owned by governments are significantly less profitable than those held privately. They are also more highly leveraged and more labor intensive. We conduct a time series analysis of privatized firms and find little evidence that privatization enhances profitability. In our sample profitability improves immediately before privatization. The evidence on subsequent improvement is mixed. Some measures of profitability are significantly less after privatization than just beforehand. The evidence suggests that governments efficiently restructure at least some firms before selling them, but that the actual change of ownership does not give rise to further efficiency gains subsequently.
Prevention of parent to child transmission services and interventions - coverage and utilization: A cohort analysis in Gujarat, India

Background and Objectives: Risk of vertical transmission (largest source of HIV in children) reduces from 33% to 3% with effective prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) interventions. NACP-III has got an objective of testing all pregnant women for earliest linkage with PMTCT. Study was carried out to find out PPTCT service coverage, dropouts, intervention efficacy with other determinants. Materials and Methods: At ICTCs, registered ANCs are counseled and tested for HIV. HIV +ve ANCs are additionally linked to services and followed-up for institutional delivery, sdNVP, nutrition and children testing. HIV +ve ANCs since 2005 subsequently delivered till June 2008 and their exposed children in Gujarat’s category A, B districts constituted study cohort. Results: 259622 pregnant women registered, 72.1% were counseled pre-test, 83.4% of them tested, 74.4% received post-test counseling. 541 ANCs were detected HIV+ve. 45.5% delivered institutionally, 12.8% were unregistered. 12.1% were cesarian section and 66% delivered vaginally. 96.8% were live births, 92.13% mother-baby pair received sdNVP. 35% children could be traced till 18 months, 89% were alive. 90% were tested, 3 were found HIV +ve. Of them, none received MB Pair. Two were delivered vaginally, two received mixed feeding, two children’s mothers were not linked with ART. Conclusions: PMTCT services – counseling and testing should be provided to all ANCs. EDD-based tracking, institutional deliveries, postnatal counseling to be encouraged along with complete MB pair coverage, capacity building of concerned staff regarding delivery of HIV+ve ANCs and exposed children tracking.
Long-Term Outcome of Bodily Distress Syndrome in Primary Care: A Follow-Up Study on Health Care Costs, Work Disability, and Self-Rated Health

Objective The upcoming International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision for primary care use suggests inclusion of a new diagnostic construct, bodily (di)stress syndrome (BDS), for individuals with medically unexplained symptoms. We aimed to explore the long-term outcome of BDS in health care costs, work disability, and self-rated health. Methods Consecutive patients consulting their family physician for a new health problem were screened for physical and mental symptoms by questionnaires (n = 1785). A stratified subsample was examined with a standardized diagnostic interview (n = 701). Patients with single-organ BDS (n = 124) and multiorgan BDS (n = 35), and a reference group with a family physician–verified medical condition (n = 880) were included. All included patients completed a questionnaire at 3, 12, and 24 months of follow-up. Register data on health care costs and work disability were obtained after 2 and 10 years of follow-up, respectively. Results Patients with BDS displayed poorer self-rated health and higher illness worry at index consultation and throughout follow-up than the reference group (p ⩽ .001). The annual health care costs were higher in the BDS groups (2270 USD and 4066 USD) than in the reference group (1392 USD) (achieved significance level (ASL) ⩽ 0.001). Both BDS groups had higher risk of sick leave during the first 2 years of follow-up (RRsingle-organ BDS = 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.8–5.0; RRmultiorgan BDS = 3.4; 95% CI = 1.5–7.5) and substantially higher risk of newly awarded disability pension than the reference group (HRsingle-organ BDS = 4.9; 95% CI = 2.8–8.4; HRmultiorgan BDS = 8.7; 95% CI = 3.7–20.7). Conclusions Patients with BDS have poor long-term outcome of health care costs, work disability, and subjective suffering. These findings stress the need for adequate recognition and management of BDS.
LINKAGES BETWEEN POVERTY AND LAND MANAGEMENT IN RURAL UGANDA: EVIDENCE FROM THE UGANDA NATIONAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY, 1999/00

"This study investigates the impacts of rural poverty on farmers' land management decisions, crop production and incomes, based upon analysis of data from the 1999/2000 Uganda National Household Survey. We find that the impacts of rural poverty on land management, crop production and income depend upon the type of poverty (i.e., what asset or access factor is constrained) and the type of land management considered.Our results suggest that improvement in smallholders' access to land, other assets, education, extension, market information, credit, roads, and off-farm opportunities can help to break the downward cycle of poverty and land degradation, and put farmers on a more sustainable development pathway. Access to land (area and quality), other assets, education and off-farm opportunities appear to be particularly important in addressing poverty directly, while other interventions are likely to have more indirect impacts, as they influence land management, crop choice, and other livelihood decisions. Given the importance of land as the major asset owned by poor rural households in Uganda, investing in land quality maintenance and improvement is a critical need. However, we found low marginal returns to investments in organic or inorganic fertilizer and other land management practices, suggesting that it will be difficult to get farmers to make such investments in the present environment. Improvements in the market environment as well as development of more profitable land management technologies appears essential to address this need. " from Authors' Abstract
NASDAQ or Nablus: Explanations for the recent fluctuations in the Israeli economy

% & ' ( ( $ ' ( ')*+++& ' ' ' % ' , *+++& '' , ( $ . / $ 0%12& 1%32 ' 1%02% ! ( ( $ ')*+++ ' ' ' $ ( $ *++1 ' *++0& ' ' ' ( ( $ *++45+6% ! ( . / *+++ ' ) , "###& $ '' , ( $ . / 6%32& 6%02 ' *#2% $ 7 & , "###& ( $ ' ' '' . / *#%32% ! ' ( "##* . / ' ' #%62% ( ( $ 7 ( 7 % *++6 *+++& ' 7 ' 8*%94 8"%06 7 ' ' 83%14 8"%1 % ! & ' ' ' 7 ' 7 *++65++% "###& $ ( ( $ ( & $ ' 7 ( +42 ' 7 012% $ 7 & ), "##*& $ ), "###& ' ' 7 ' ' "32% , 7 & : & ( ( 7 ; :% ! ' ( ' ( 7 $ ' ' '
Dispute Settlement in the WTO (Mind Over Matter)

The WTO Dispute Settlement System aimed to curb unilateralism by establishing a multilateral process operating under the aegis of the WTO as the exclusive forum for WTO adjudication. Intuitively, one would expect that those negatively affected by the curtailing of their power to unilaterally do justice for themselves, would agree to multilateral resolution of disputes if the established regime could guarantee enforcement of obligations in comparable terms (to unilateral enforcement). In this perspective, respect and guarantee of reciprocal commitments is the key ingredient. Reciprocal commitments entered should not be unilaterally undone through the commission of illegalities. There are good reasons to doubt whether the WTO regime as it now stands guarantees reciprocity following the commitment of illegalities. It is probably more accurate to argue that the WTO regime serves ‘diffuse’ as opposed to ‘specific’ reciprocity. Still, WTO Members continue to routinely submit their disputes to the WTO adjudicating fora, lending support to the argument that the regime after all, was meant to curb punishment, and not to punish.
Attenuation of mouse somatic and emotional inflammatory pain by hydralazine through scavenging acrolein and inhibiting neuronal activation.

BACKGROUND Acrolein signaling is important during spinal cord injury; whether it is involved in somatic and emotional pain is not clear. Hydralazine is a potent antihypertensive drug and can scavenge acrolein efficiently. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that hydralazine decreases spinal level acrolein and renders analgesic effects with some side effects, which was tested in the current study. STUDY DESIGN Subcutaneous injection of formalin was used to induce somatic and emotional pain responses. The spinal neuronal activation (FOS expression) and acrolein expression were evaluated at 2 hours after subcutaneous formalin injection. The possible side effects of hydralazine on the murine central nervous system or cardiovascular system were evaluated at one hour after hydralazine injection with open field, elevated plus maze and rotarod tests, or telemetrical measurement of mean artery blood pressure and heart rate. RESULTS The subcutanous injection of formalin into the left hind paw induced significant somatic and emotional pain responses, evaluated by the biphasic spontaneous flinch/licking of the injected hind paw and interphase ultrasonic vocalizations during the one hour window after formalin injection. The spinal acrolein level was significantly increased and neurons were activated at 2 hours after formalin injection. Intraperitoneal injection of hydralazine (at 0.1, 1 or 10 mg/kg of body weight) at one hour before formalin challenging dose-dependently attenuated the formalin induced pain responses with an analgesic 50% effect dose ranging from 0.2 to 1 mg/kg of body weight. Furthermore, the neuronal activation and elevated acrolein expression were dose-dependently inhibited by hydralazine pretreatment. The side effects of intraperitoneal hydralazine on locomotion, anxiety, and motor coordination at one hour after hydralazine administration had negative results. The main side effects of hydralazine were an insignificant decrease of blood pressure and a significant increase of heart rates at high dose (10 mg/kg of body weight). LIMITATIONS This study is limited because the analgesic effect of hydralazine was tested on only one type of acute inflammatory pain model; however, its effect on chronic inflammatory or neuropathic pain needs to be further investigated. CONCLUSIONS Based on the above findings, hydralazine may find its new application of analgesia within a safe dose window (around one mg/kg of body weight) without causing severe side effects.
Did Australian Living Standards Stagnate between 1890 and 1940?

Among the developed countries, Australia in the period 1890–1940 experienced the fastest growth in population but the slowest in per capita income. When adjusted to incorporate the direct deflation of consumption expenditure, however, the growth of real GDP is raised by one-third, albeit to the still modest level of 0.8 percent annually. Inspection of a number of historical social indicators, not all caught in GDP, gives no support to the hypothesis of stagnant living standards. Finally, increases in life expectancy, a shorter working week, and earlier retirement also suggest substantial improvements in dimensions of standards of living not directly reflected in measured GDP. Conservatively, we estimate that living standards may have doubled over the half-century.
Hofstede’s ‘Software of the Mind’ Revisited and Tested: The Case of Cadbury Worldwide and Cadbury (Nigeria) Plc - A Qualitative Study

Hofstede (1980, 2001) contributed in no small way to the impact of national culture on management practices as he demonstrated the importance of culture on relationships at work which could also be used to account for the productivity of workers in the workplaces. This cannot come at a better time than when it did, as globalisation, multinationalisation and internalisation are now the order of the day. The effect of this is more pronounced in the mobility of labour as people move from one geographical and cultural area to another in search of jobs and investments. These movements obviously imply ‘moving’ with their national cultures which Hofstede (1980, 2001:1) referred to as ‘the software of the mind’. He (2001:1) went further to warn that this ‘software of the mind’ is difficult to ‘unlearn’. This paper is a qualitative study based on exploratory semi-structured interviews conducted on100 participants to create a better understanding of their experiences in their organisations. The study concludes that the ‘unlearning’ processes are more difficult than the ‘learning’ processes which demonstrate that culture is enduring in line with the findings of Hofstede (1980, 2001).
Does Canada Need Mandatory HACCP? Evidence from the Ontario Food Processing Sector

"The likelihood of the voluntary adoption of hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) among food processing firms is evaluated by exploring the perceptions of food safety managers with respect to a range of possible motivating factors including the exogenous pressure to adopt HACCP, efficacy of existing food safety controls, perception that HACCP will improve the firm's food safety controls, relative costs and benefits of HACCP implementation, impact of HACCP on business performance, and the nature of barriers to implementing HACCP. While market-based factors exert substantial pressure on firms to adopt HACCP, many food safety managers perceive that their existing food safety controls are adequate to meet existing food safety demands. While good manufacturing practice (GMP) and traceability are considered the most efficacious food safety controls, HACCP is most often perceived to provide intangible and "incidental" benefits that are often not recognized by food safety managers a priori. An important barrier to the voluntary adoption of HACCP is the perceived questionable appropriateness of HACCP for enhancing food safety controls, while financial constraints can be an absolute barrier to implementation. The results suggest a number of potential strategies through which the implementation of HACCP might be facilitated and enhanced through cooperation and coordination between regulators and industry organizations. " Copyright 2006 Canadian Agricultural Economics Society.
NEW STATE RECORD FOR THE ASIAN TIGER MOSQUITO, AEDES ALBOPICTUS (SKUSE)

ABSTRACT The 1st Aedes albopictus specimen recorded from Colorado was found near a tire storage site in Ft. Lupton on July 9, 2003. Intensified surveillance at the site in 2003 did not result in collection of any other specimens that season, leading to speculation that it was an isolated incident rather than an actual introduction for the species. Control measures against larvae and adult mosquitoes were conducted in the area to further reduce the likelihood of establishment of a viable population. However, subsequent surveillance during the 2004 mosquito season resulted in collection of 21 additional specimens at and near the Ft. Lupton site, possibly representing an established viable population of the species.