Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smoking and GCF levels of IL-1beta and IL-1ra in periodontal disease.

AIMS GCF levels of the cytokine IL-1beta and its receptor antagonist IL-1ra were analyzed with respect to smoking in patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease. The study population included 22 smokers and 18 non-smokers in the age range 32-86 years. Concomitantly, the GCF levels of IgA, IgG, albumin and total protein were analyzed. METHOD Samples of GCF were obtained from 2 diseased sites in each patient by means of an aspiration method. IL-1beta, IL-1ra, IgA and IgG were determined with immunoelectrophoresis. Total protein was determined by the BCA method. RESULTS The clinical characteristics in terms of probing depth and frequency of diseased sites and supragingival plaque did not differ between smokers and non-smokers. Gingival bleeding, however, was significantly depressed in smokers. IL-1beta was detected in GCF of 95% of both smokers and non-smokers and IL-1ra in all patients. The GCF level of IL-1ra was approximately 1,000-fold that of IL-1beta. The GCF levels of IL-1beta and IL-1ra were high in comparison with those of TNF-alpha and IL-6 determined by the same method in our earlier studies. CONCLUSION Our observations did not reveal any influence of smoking on the levels of IL-1beta and IL-1ra in GCF.
Interferon alpha and rapamycin inhibit the growth of pheochromocytoma PC12 line in vitro.

INTRODUCTION Pheochromocytomas are benign or malignant neuroendocrine tumours. The unsatisfactory efficacy of the traditional therapeutic methods for patients with metastatic disease results in a continuing search for more effective and targeted agents. Due to the increased vascularisation of these tumours, inhibitors of angiogenesis could be potentially a new group of drugs in pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of angiomodulators: VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and five endogenous and exogenous antiangiogenic compounds (endostatin; IFN-alpha [interferon alpha]; rapamycin - mTOR [mammalian target of rapamycin] inhibitor; JV1-36 and SU5416 (semaxinib]) on the growth of rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line. RESULTS IFN-alpha (10(5) U/mL) strongly inhibited PC12 growth in a 72 h culture, increasing apoptosis and arresting the cell cycle. Rapamycin in a wide range of concentrations (10(-5) to 10(-8) M) induced a slight inhibitory effect on PC12 viability and decreased cell proliferation at the concentration of 10(-5) M. VEGF, endostatin and JV1-36 did not influence the growth of PC12. CONCLUSIONS The study has shown for the first time that IFN-a inhibited the growth of pheochromocytoma PC12 line and confirmed the inhibitory action of rapamycin on these cells. The results suggest that IFN-alpha and mTOR inhibitors could be potentially effective in the therapy of malignant pheochromocytoma, and encourage further study in this field.
α5β1-Integrin controls ebolavirus entry by regulating endosomal cathepsins

Integrins are involved in the binding and internalization of both enveloped and nonenveloped viruses. By using 3 distinct cell systems—CHO cells lacking expression of α5β1-integrin, HeLa cells treated with siRNA to α5-integrin, and mouse β1-integrin knockout fibroblasts, we show that α5β1-integrin is required for efficient infection by pseudovirions bearing the ebolavirus glycoprotein (GP). These integrins are necessary for viral entry but not for binding or internalization. Given the need for endosomal cathepsins B and L (CatB and CatL) to prime GPs for fusion, we investigated the status of CatB and CatL in integrin-positive and integrin-negative cell lines. α5β1-Integrin-deficient cells lacked the double-chain (DC) forms of CatB and CatL, and this correlated with decreased CatL activity in integrin-negative CHO cells. These data indicate that α5β1-integrin-negative cells may be refractory to infection by GP pseudovirions because they lack the necessary priming machinery (the double-chain forms of CatB and CatL). In support of this model, we show that GP pseudovirions that have been preprimed in vitro to generate the 19-kDa form of GP overcome the requirement for α5β1-integrin for infection. These results provide further support for the requirement for endosomal cathepsins for ebolavirus infection, identify the DC forms of these cathepsins as previously unrecognized factors that contribute to cell tropism of this virus, and reveal a previously undescribed role for integrins during viral entry as regulators of endosomal cathepsins, which are required to prime the entry proteins of ebolavirus and other pathogenic viruses.
The impact of Transformational Leadership

This study aimed to analyze the impact of transformational leadership and dimensions in achieving the entrepreneurship and the institutional creativity in Jordanian universities: A case study of Zarqa University study. To achieve this purpose was to build and develop a questionnaire included five dimensions of transformational leadership, and entrepreneurship and institutional creativity, and consisted of (45) items, were then test the sincerity of the tool and its reliability, and was applied at the study sample of (53) teaching staff, was chosen randomly from the population of (261) teaching staff, by the stratified random sample method. The study finding a number of results, including: 1. There is a statistically significant impact at the significance level (α = 0.05), for each dimensions of the transformational leadership individually to achieve the entrepreneurial and the institutional creativity in Jordanian universities. 2. There were no statistically significant differences at the significance level (α = 0.05), between the responses of a study sample on the practice of the leaders for transformational leadership dimensions, attributable to the personal and functional characteristics as (sex, academic qualification, specialization of college, experience years in the current location, and university experience years).
Novel (60%) and recurrent (40%) androgen receptor gene mutations in a series of 59 patients with a 46,XY disorder of sex development.

BACKGROUND Androgen receptor (AR) gene mutations are the most frequent cause of 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD) and are associated with a variety of phenotypes, ranging from phenotypic women [complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS)] to milder degrees of undervirilization (partial form or PAIS) or men with only infertility (mild form or MAIS). OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to characterize the contribution of the AR gene to the molecular cause of 46,XY DSD in a series of Spanish patients. SETTING We studied a series of 133 index patients with 46,XY DSD in whom gonads were differentiated as testes, with phenotypes including varying degrees of undervirilization, and in whom the AR gene was the first candidate for a molecular analysis. METHODS The AR gene was sequenced (exons 1 to 8 with intronic flanking regions) in all patients and in family members of 61% of AR-mutated gene patients. RESULTS AR gene mutations were found in 59 individuals (44.4% of index patients), of whom 46 (78%) were CAIS and 13 (22%) PAIS. Fifty-seven different mutations were found: 21.0% located in exon 1, 15.8% in exons 2 and 3, 57.9% in exons 4-8, and 5.3% intronic. Twenty-three mutations (40.4%) had been previously described and 34 (59.6%) were novel. CONCLUSIONS AR gene mutation is the most frequent cause of 46,XY DSD, with a clearly higher frequency in the complete phenotype. Mutations spread along the whole coding sequence, including exon 1. This series shows that 60% of mutations detected during the period 2002-2009 were novel.
A Simplified Trans-Septal Puncture Technique using a Needle Free Approach for Cryoablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

Background Trans-septal puncture (TSP) is routinely performed during treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and other electrophysiology procedures. The purpose of this retrospective observational study was the analysis of a novel needle free technique employed to gain access to the left atrium (LA). Methods The SafeSept Needle Free guidewire was delivered, using no needle, to the interatrial septum via a standard cryoablation sheath and dilator under transoesophageal guidance. The wire was then advanced into the LA with position confirmed by fluoroscopy. All cases were performed under general anaeasthetic (GA). Results The novel procedure was performed in 43 patients (38 paroxysmal AF (88.4%) and 5 persistent AF (11.4%)) with 100% success rate in accessing the LA. The procedure times (51.70 ±18.18) and fluoroscopy times (2.75 ± 3.35) were recorded. There were no complications seen in the cohort. Conclusion Using SafeSept Needle Free wire for TSP had a high success rate and resulted in no complications, with the potential to reduce procedure and fluoroscopy times.
Fine‐scale mapping using Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium

Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium (HWD) among affected individuals has recently been proposed for fine‐scale mapping of disease susceptibility genes. We investigate the statistical properties of several available HWD measures and develop a new HWD measure J for fine‐scale mapping. It is shown both theoretically and through simulations that the available HWD measures depend not only on the genetic distance between the marker locus of interest and the disease susceptibility locus, but also on the allele frequencies at the marker locus. On the contrary, the new measure is not affected by the allele frequencies at the marker locus under the following assumptions: (a) there is initial complete linkage disequilibrium between the marker and the disease loci, (b) there are no new mutations at the marker and the disease loci, and (c) the population under study is large. We develop a novel method to estimate the location of the disease susceptibility gene based on the HWD measure J. The estimator is robust to low mutation rates at the marker and the disease loci. We compare the standard error of the estimated disease gene loci using Pexcess for case‐control studies with the standard error using J for case‐only studies under various disease models. The newly developed method is successfully applied to a data set on hereditary haemochromatosis (HH).
Religious Delusions: Finding Meanings in Psychosis

Background: Religious delusions have been reported with varying prevalence from cultures around the world. Their contents, context and significance vary according to cultural and economic mores. In this review we discuss the potential relationship between religious delusions and aspects of culture, in particular religious symbols. We suggest that religious rituals and expectations of the family play a major role in the genesis and maintenance of delusions. We consider the roles of religious signifiers in the formation and maintenance of these important phenomena. Sampling and Methods: Evidence relating to the clinical significance of religious delusions is reviewed. The real clinical significance of religious delusions varies from violence to others to self-harm. The implications of these issues are discussed in relation to their management. Results and Conclusions: It is argued that there should be a reassessment of the importance of religious delusions in the light of new ethnographic and clinical evidence.
The impact of negative work home interface on intention to leave and the role of flexible working arrangements in Malaysia

Recent research into employee turnover has lacked empirical evidence and dissemination of practical information requires further investigation into the relationship between work-life balance and intention to leave. Although flexible working is not currently prevalent in Asian cultures, recent concerns about work-life balance have caused major employers, including the Malaysian government and multinational companies (MNCs), to introduce family-friendly policies. The objective of this study is twofold: first, to examine the moderating effect of flexible working arrangements (FWA) on the relationship between negative work-home interface (NWHI) and intention to leave (ITL) and second, to determine the mediating effect of FWA on the relationship of NWHI and ITL. An online survey gathered 661 responses from participating organizations and a total of 382 valid responses were used in the hierarchical regression analysis for testing mediation and moderation effects. The data revealed that FWA did not significantly affect ITL when NWHI and FWA are constant although there was indeed a very small effect (change in R2value of 0.02%) with the inclusion of the interaction between NWHI and FWA on relationship between NWHI and ITL, F (1, 378) = 12.95, p<. 001. Another interesting result of this study is mediation analysis has met a partial mediation effect as adding FWA the model increases the value of R2 from 0.086 to 0.091. Thus, the change in R2associated with adding FWA is 0.005 and the result shows that the inclusion of FWA in the model accounts for an additional 1% of the variance in ITL. The relationship between the NWHI and ITL is reduced when FWA as mediator is included in the equation of analysis (β = 0.35, p<.001). Flexible working is one possible option in family-friendly programs which aims to help employees manage their work and life commitments. Malaysia is still developing its policies on flexible working where awareness is limited and availability is still not widely implemented. We discuss the appropriateness of FWA in increasing retention, job satisfaction and employee commitment as part of a long-term strategy in the Malaysian context (cf Ahmad & Omar, 2010; Allen, 2001; Lewis, 2003).
Human Cathelicidin LL-37 Is a Chemoattractant for Eosinophils and Neutrophils That Acts via Formyl-Peptide Receptors

Background: Inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are characterized by the presence of eosinophils and neutrophils. However, the mechanisms that mediate the influx of these cells are incompletely understood. Neutrophil products, including neutrophil elastase and antimicrobial peptides such as neutrophil defensins and LL-37, have been demonstrated to display chemotactic activity towards cells from both innate and adaptive immunity. However, chemotactic activity of LL-37 towards eosinophils has not been reported. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the chemotactic activity of LL-37 for eosinophils and to explore the mechanisms involved in LL-37-mediated attraction of neutrophils and eosinophils. Methods: Neutrophils and eosinophils were obtained from venous blood of healthy donors. Chemotaxis was studied using a modified Boyden chamber technique. Involvement of formyl-peptide receptors (FPRs) was studied using the antagonistic peptide tBoc-MLP. Activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) ERK1/2 was studied by Western blotting using antibodies directed against phosphorylated ERK1/2. Results: Our results show that LL-37 chemoattracts both eosinophils and neutrophils. The FPR antagonistic peptide tBoc-MLP inhibited LL-37-induced chemotaxis. Whereas the FPR agonist fMLP activated ERK1/2 in neutrophils, LL-37 did not, indicating that fMLP and LL-37 deliver different signals through FPRs. Conclusions: LL-37 displays chemotactic activity for eosinophils and neutrophils, and this activity is mediated via an FPR. These results suggest that LL-37 may play a role in inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma and COPD.
Comparative analysis of imaging modalities in the preoperative assessment of nodal metastasis in esophageal cancer

Preoperative radiological findings of nodal status in 74 patients, using endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), computed tomography (CT), ultrasonography (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), were compared to histopathology reports following transthoracic total esophagectomy with radical lymphadenectomy (TTE), involving complete dissection of the mediastinal and abdominal nodes and lower cervical lymph nodes. Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of each radiological investigation were calculated for each anatomic group of nodes. Statistical analysis revealed that EUS is more accurate and significantly more sensitive (P < 0.01) for lymph nodes along the right recurrent laryngeal nerve and those in the upper and mid‐periesophageal, infracarinal locations. Paratracheal and lower paraesophageal nodes are assessed better using CT whereas MRI is better for mid‐paraesophageal and infra‐aortic nodes. US is most accurate and sensitive for evaluation of cervical and abdominal nodes (P < 0.01). © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sympathetic Function Test of Vasoconstrictor Changes in Foot Arteries in Diabetic Patients

OBJECTIVE We studied the relationship between vasoconstrictor changes in foot arteries (pedal, metatarsal, and digital arteries) and autonomic neuropathy in diabetic patients to estimate the degrees of sympathetic dysfunction. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Sixty-two patients and nineteen age-matched control subjects were studied. The resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were measured as vascular hemodynamic parameters using Doppler sonography, and the increases in these hemodynamic parameters (%RI and %PI) from rest to a deep breath were measured as indexes of the degrees of sympathetic vasoconstrictor function. Cardiovascular autonomic function tests (AFTs) were performed and the score was compared to %RI and %PI values obtained. RESULTS Of the 62 diabetic patients, 51 had various degrees of autonomic neuropathy. Both %RI and %PI in the diabetic patients were significantly < those in the control subjects for all foot arteries tested (all P < 0.001). There were strongly inverse correlations between the %RI and %PI of foot arteries and the AFT score (r = −0.556 to −0.846, P < 0.0001). The %RI of the digital artery was the most strongly correlated with AFT score (r = −0.846, P < 0.0001) among foot arteries tested. The abnormality of sympathetic vasoconstriction was detectable in the majority of the diabetic patients with the early phase of autonomic neuropathy (%RI: 89.5%; %PI: 94.5%). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the %RI of the digital artery is a useful and reliable sympathetic function test of early phase in diabetic patients.
Role of Sodium Channel Deglycosylation in the Genesis of Cardiac Arrhythmias in Heart Failure*

We investigated the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying arrhythmias in heart failure. A genetically engineered mouse lacking the expression of the muscle LIM protein (MLP− /−) was used in this study as a model of heart failure. We used electrocardiography and patch clamp techniques to examine the electrophysiological properties of MLP− /− hearts. We found that MLP− /− myocytes had smaller Na+currents with altered voltage dependencies of activation and inactivation and slower rates of inactivation than control myocytes. These changes in Na+ currents contributed to longer action potentials and to a higher probability of early afterdepolarizations in MLP− /− than in control myocytes. Western blot analysis suggested that the smaller Na+ current in MLP− /− myocytes resulted from a reduction in Na+ channel protein. Interestingly, the blots also revealed that the α-subunit of the Na+ channel from the MLP− /− heart had a lower average molecular weight than in the control heart. Treating control myocytes with the sialidase neuraminidase mimicked the changes in voltage dependence and rate of inactivation of Na+ currents observed in MLP− /−myocytes. Neuraminidase had no effect on MLP− /− cells thus suggesting that Na+ channels in these cells were sialic acid-deficient. We conclude that deficient glycosylation of Na+ channel contributes to Na+ current-dependent arrhythmogenesis in heart failure.
Persistent Elitism in Access to Higher Education in Ghana

1 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION . 3 1.1 Background . 3 1.2 Research Problem . 5 1.3 Purpose of the Research . 9 1.4 Research Questions . 9 1.5 Delimitation . 10 1.6 Researcher’s Role and Motivations . 10 1.7 Organisation of the Study . 12 CHAPTER TWO: THE GHANAIAN CONTEXT . 13 2.1 Historical and Political Developments . 13 2.2 Demography . 15 2.3 Economy . 16 2.4 Education . 18 2.4.1 Basic Education . 18 2.4.3 Higher Education . 21 CHAPTER THREE: THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCESS TO HE . 24 3.1 Meritocracy . 24 3.2 Affirmative Action . 30 3.3 Distributive versus Procedural Justice . 37 3.3.1 Distributive Justice. 38 3.3.2 Procedural Justice . 41 CHAPTER FOUR: SOCIAL STRATIFICATION IN ACCESS TO HE . 46 4.1 Theoretical Arguments on Inequalities in HE . 46 4.1.1 Maximally Maintained Inequality (MMI) . 47 4.1.2 Effectively Maintained Inequality (EMI) . 49 4.1.3 Life Course Perspective (LCP) . 51 4.2 Parental Education . 53 4.3 Family Income/Wealth . 58 4.4 Gender . 62
Dysfunction of Arousal Systems in Sleep-Related Migraine Without Aura

Primary headaches are closely related to sleep. Modifications in the patterns of arousal during sleep have been reported in migraine, especially in the nights preceding a headache attack. We aimed at evaluating the pattern of arousal from sleep in a group of patients affected by sleep-related migraine. We enrolled 10 consecutive patients, three males and seven females, aged between 20 and 62 years, who presented frequent attacks of migraine without aura (more than five per month), closely related to sleep (more than one-half of the attacks occurred during sleep, causing an awakening). A control group was studied, matched for age and sex. Patients and controls underwent a full-night polysomnographic study, following adaptation; arousal pattern was studied by the scoring of the high-frequency EEG arousal and by the cyclic alternating pattern (CAP). Migraineurs showed a lower CAP rate in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and, in particular, a lower number of A1 phases (low-frequency, high-amplitude EEG bursts) compared with the controls. Migraineurs also showed a lower index of high-frequency EEG arousals during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The reduction in the CAP rate indicates a lower level of arousal fluctuation in NREM sleep. The reduced arousal index in REM suggests a dysfunction in neural structures involved in both the control of REM sleep and the pathophysiology of migraine, such as the hypothalamus and the brainstem.