Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase inhibition and oxidative stress in relation to blood lead among urban adolescents

To explore lead-induced oxidative stress among urban adolescents, the present study, the first from India, was designed to determine the proportion of urban adolescents with blood lead > 10 μg/dL and its impact on selected oxidative stress parameters and delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALAD) inhibition, which could be used as biomarkers of lead intoxication. A total of 39, urban, male adolescents, drawn from Lucknow and adjoining areas, were recruited to determine lead, d-ALAD, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in blood and catalase (CAT) in RBCs. Mean level of blood lead was 9.96 ± 3.63 μg/dL (4.62 - 18.64); 43% of adolescents crossed the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) intervention level of 10 mg/dL blood lead. On the basis of blood lead levels (BLLs), adolescents were categorized into two groups: Group I and Group II had a blood lead < 10 μg/dL (7.40 ± 1.62) and < 10 μg/dL (13.27 ± 2.67), respectively, with significantly different mean values (P < 0.001). Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), Hb level (malnutrition), and area of living as confounders of lead exposure and toxicity were not statistically different between the two groups. However, d-ALAD activity was significantly lower (P < 0.001), while CAT activity was higher in Group II than in Group I (P < 0.01). MDA level was also significantly higher in Group II compared to Group I (P < 0.001). There were significant negative correlation of BLL with d-ALAD (r = -0.592, P < 0.001), and positive correlations with CAT (r= -0.485, P < 0.01) and MDA (r = -0.717, P < 0.001). Interestingly, d-ALAD, in turn, had significant negative correlations with CAT (r = -0.456, P <0.01) and MDA (r = -0.507, P < 0.01). Results of the present pilot study provide clues to the possible low level of lead-induced oxidative stress in urban adolescents, suggesting that lead-induced d-ALAD inhibition can also be an indicator of oxidative stress. The potential of oxidative stress parameters to be used as biomarkers of lead toxicity warranted further investigation.
Adoption of different weed management techniques among cocoa farmers in Akamkpa Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria

The study assessed weed management techniques among cocoa farmers in Akamkpa Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria. Specifically, the objectives of the study were to assess the socio-economic characteristics of respondents in the study area; identify major weeds affecting cocoa farms, identify major techniques of weed management; ascertain the various indigenous weed management techniques employed by cocoa farmers in the study area. A random sampling technique was adopted in the selection of 120 respondents for the study. Also, descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, means and percentages, as well as inferential statistics such as chisquare model were used for analysis of the study objectives and the testing of study hypothesis respectively. Results of the study revealed that (41.70%) had no formal education, (37.50%) were aged above 50 years, (58.30%) were married with children. Results of cocoa weeds predominant in the study area revealed that; Chromolaena odorata , Ageratim conyzoides , Pennisetum purpureum and Mimosa pudica were the major weeds that interfered with the cocoa crops in the study area at the percentage of (82.50%), (74.20%), (63.30%) and (48.30%) respectively. The results also showed that integrated weed management techniques were mostly used by cocoa farmers, but that indigenous weed management techniques such as slashing of weeds with machetes (83.30%), hoe weeding (75.00%) and hand pulling or hand rouging (73.30%) were also utilized by cocoa farmers for weed control in the study area. The study concluded that majority of the respondents were relatively young with very little or no formal education, limited access to large farmlands for cocoa production, earned less than N100,000 per annum from cocoa sales. The study, therefore, recommended that extension services be provided to the cocoa farmers to facilitate training and education on basic scientific weed and pest management techniques; that the land tenure system of 1978 be reviewed to allow farmers access to large hectares of arable land for cocoa farming. Keywords: Weed Management, Techniques, Cocoa, Farmers, Akamkpa
Systems analysis of transcriptional data provides insights into muscle's biological response to botulinum toxin

Introduction: This study provides global transcriptomic profiling and analysis of botulinum toxin A (BoNT‐A)–treated muscle over a 1‐year period. Methods: Microarray analysis was performed on rat tibialis anterior muscles from 4 groups (n = 4/group) at 1, 4, 12, and 52 weeks after BoNT‐A injection compared with saline‐injected rats at 12 weeks. Results: Dramatic transcriptional adaptation occurred at 1 week with a paradoxical increase in expression of slow and immature isoforms, activation of genes in competing pathways of repair and atrophy, impaired mitochondrial biogenesis, and increased metal ion imbalance. Adaptations of the basal lamina and fibrillar extracellular matrix (ECM) occurred by 4 weeks. The muscle transcriptome returned to its unperturbed state 12 weeks after injection. Conclusions: Acute transcriptional adaptations resemble denervated muscle with some subtle differences, but resolved more quickly compared with denervation. Overall, gene expression across time correlates with the generally accepted BoNT‐A time course and suggests that the direct action of BoNT‐A in skeletal muscle is relatively rapid. Muscle Nerve 50: 744–758, 2014
An assessment of corporate governance in financial institutions in Barbados

The objective of this paper is to provide an assessment of corporate governance in selected financial institutions in Barbados. The instrument used for measuring corporate governance practice is derived from the Central Bank of Barbados (CBB) Corporate Governance Guidelines (2013) and the OECD Principles of Corporate Governance (OECD, 2004). A corporate governance index is developed to best fit the domestic financial system. The results indicate that the five financial institutions are highly compliant with the corporate governance guidelines. The corporate governance index ranges from 75 to 92 on a scale of 0 to 100 in ascending order of good corporate governance. Commercial banks obtained the highest corporate governance rankings. This result is not surprising since the banks operating in Barbados are affiliates of foreign-owned and domiciled financial institutions. They are therefore monitored by multiple local, regional and international regulatory agencies. This paper is the first such research effort for the Barbadian economy. The findings should be beneficial to many persons, including top management (CEO, Chairman, Board of Directors), shareholders and other stakeholders, regulators and future researchers.
Current information on the immunologic status of occult hepatitis B infection

Hepatitis B is one of the most frequently occurring posttransfusion infections. Occult hepatitis B (OB) is a form of hepatitis B in which, despite the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the serum and hepatocytes of a carrier, hepatitis B surface antigen is absent. In addition to the risk of transfusion of infection, OB can lead to cirrhosis, hepatic cancer, and reactivation of the viral duplication process in the carrier. The mechanisms responsible for progression of OB are yet to be clarified; however, some investigators have suggested that genetic and immunologic variables may play a significant role in the resistance of some individuals and sensitivity of other patients. This review addresses the current information regarding immunologic status of OB‐infected patients.
Novel Bacillus thuringiensis δ-Endotoxin Active against Locusta migratoria manilensis

ABSTRACT A novel δ-endotoxin gene was cloned from a Bacillus thuringiensis strain with activity against Locusta migratoria manilensis by PCR-based genome walking. The sequence of the cry gene was 3,432 bp long, and it encoded a Cry protein of 1,144 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 129,196.5 kDa, which exhibited 62% homology with Cry7Ba1 in the amino acid sequence. The δ-endotoxin with five conserved sequence blocks in the amino-terminal region was designated Cry7Ca1 (GenBank accession no. EF486523). Protein structure analysis suggested that the activated toxin of Cry7Ca1 has three domains: 227 residues forming 7 α-helices (domain I); 213 residues forming three antiparallel β-sheets (domain II); and 134 residues forming a β-sandwich (domain III). The three domains, respectively, exhibited 47, 44, and 34% sequence identity with corresponding domains of known Cry toxins. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis showed that Cry7Ca1, encoded by the full-length open reading frame of the cry gene, the activated toxin 1, which included three domains but without the N-terminal 54 amino acid residues and the C terminus, and the activated toxin 2, which included three domains and N-terminal 54 amino acid residues but without the C terminus, could be expressed in Escherichia coli. Bioassay results indicated that the expressed proteins of Cry7Ca1 and the activated toxins (toxins 1 and 2) showed significant activity against 2nd instar locusts, and after 7 days of infection, the estimated 50% lethal concentrations (LC50s) were 8.98 μg/ml for the expressed Cry7Ca1, 0.87 μg/ml for the activated toxin 1, and 4.43 μg/ml for the activated toxin 2. The δ-endotoxin also induced histopathological changes in midgut epithelial cells of adult L. migratoria manilensis.
Biocontrol efficiency of Bacillus thuringiensis toxins against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita

The toxin proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are the most broadly used natural insecticides in agriculture. To investigate the potential use of vegetative and crystal toxins to control parasitic nematodes, we studied the nematicidal effect of Bt toxins against root-knot nematode. Nematicidal effects of spore/crystal proteins (SCP) of ten Bt isolates were studied in vitro against Meloidogyne incognita nematode. The spore/crystal proteins of isolates Bt7N, BtDen, Bt18, BtK73, BtSoto and Bt7 showed the highest nematicidal activities, with the mortality range of 86-100%. In addition, ammonium sulfate cut-off fraction of vegetative cultures of the most potent isolates (Bt7, Bt7N, BtSoto and BtDen) was examined in vitro for their nematicidal effects. The observed mortalities of Bt7N and Bt7were 100 and 89.4% for 80% ammonium sulfate cut-off respectively. The culture fluid (CF), cell-free supernatant (CFS) and cell-pelleted residues (CP) of each of the four isolates (Bt7, Bt7N, BtSoto and BtDen) were evaluated for their nematicidal activities in vivo, using tomato plants as a host. The results demonstrate that both crude suspension (CS) and cellfree supernatant (CFS) of isolate Bt7N reduced the number of egg masses by 78% and 77% respectively, and number of eggs by 84% and 76% compared to control.
Metformin inhibits breast cancer cell growth, colony formation and induces cell cycle arrest in vitro

The anti-diabetic drug metformin reduces human cancer incidence and improves the survival of cancer patients, including those with breast cancer. We studied the activity of metformin against diverse molecular subtypes of breast cancer cell lines in vitro. Metformin showed biological activity against all estrogen receptor (ER) positive and negative, erbB2 normal and abnormal breast cancer cell lines tested. It inhibited cellular proliferation, reduced colony formation and caused partial cell cycle arrest at the G1 checkpoint. Metformin did not induce apoptosis (as measured by DNA fragmentation and PARP cleavage) in luminal A, B or erbB2 subtype breast cancer cell lines. At the molecular level, metformin treatment was associated with a reduction of cyclin D1 and E2F1 expression with no changes in p27kip1 or p21waf1. It inhibited mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Akt activity, as well as the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in both ER positive and negative, erbB2-overexpressing and erbB2-normal expressing breast cancer cells. In erbB2-overexpressing breast cancer cell lines, metformin reduced erbB2 expression at higher concentrations, and at lower concentrations within the therapeutic range, it inhibited erbB2 tyrosine kinase activity evidenced by a reduction of phosphorylated erbB2 (P-erbB2) at both auto- and Src- phosphorylation sites. These data suggest that metformin may have potential therapeutic utility against ER positive and negative, erbB2-overexpressing and erbB2-normal expressing breast cancer cells.
Primary Uncemented Hemiarthroplasty for Severe Fractures of the Proximal Humerus

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate a consecutive series of proximally porous-coated hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of severe proximal humeral fractures with special emphasis on aseptic loosening and functional outcome. Design: Observational cohort of a consecutive series of a single prosthetic design. Setting: Orthopaedic clinic, nonacademic institutional hospital. Patients/Participants: All patients (n = 30) treated with hemiarthroplasty for severe fractures of the proximal humerus with informed consent and at least 1 year follow-up were included. Follow-up averaged 37 months (range, 13-62 months). Intervention: Uncemented proximally porous-coated hemiarthroplasty. Main Outcome Measurements: We evaluated clinical and radiologic aseptic loosening, Constant score, patient satisfaction and visual analog scale score, range of motion, radiologic parameters such as head-to-tuberosity distance, lateral projection, and lateral offset. Results: The overall Constant score was 68 (standard deviation [SD] 18), the mean patient satisfaction 7.1 (SD 1.8), and the average visual analog scale score 3.7 (SD 2.5). We observed no cases of radiographic tilting or subsidence. In 17 cases (57%), radiolucent lines 1.0 mm or less were observed in less than three zones. None of the cases met the criteria for radiographic loosening. No revision was performed for aseptic loosening. The average head-to-tuberosity distance was 7.6 (SD 8.7 mm). We found that traumatic neurologic deficit and head-to-tuberosity distance significantly influenced Constant score. Lateral projection significantly correlated with Constant score, active forward flexion, and abduction. Conclusions: Proximally porous-coated hemiarthroplasty is a valuable alternative alongside cemented hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of severe fractures of the proximal humerus. The radiographic finding of increased lateral projection was associated with an improved range of motion.
The moderating effect of emotion regulation on the relationship between risk aversion and brand sensitivity

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the moderating role of positive and negative strategies of emotion regulation on the relationship between risk aversion and brand sensitivity.Design/methodology/approachBy conducting a survey, this study has collected a total of 405 responses and the data have been examined with structural equation modeling.FindingsThe study has demonstrated that some strategies of emotion regulation have a significant moderating effect, and they can down-regulate the effect of risk aversion on brand sensitivity. These strategies are positive refocusing, refocus on planning, positive reappraisal, putting into perspective, acceptance and rumination.Research limitations/implicationsFuture studies should consider a broader range of respondents to validate the results. Moreover, the role of emotion regulation in the relationships among repurchase intention, customer loyalty and customer compliant could be examined. Further research could also focus on the relationship between risk aversion and brand sensitivity with regard to different types of buying situations and consumers’ types.Practical implicationsThe findings demonstrate a substantial implication regarding emotion regulation and brand management. Positive strategies of emotion regulation make risk-averse people less likely to pay attention to brands and lead them to be less brand-sensitive. New companies and businesses could use these findings to make consumers regulate their emotions positively.Originality/valueThis research provides novel findings about the influence of consumers’ emotion regulation on brand sensitivity. People who use positive strategies of emotion regulation tend to dampen the effect of their risk aversion on brand sensitivity and will become less sensitive to the brand.
Relation Between Red Cell Distribution Width and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Increased red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has been associated with adverse outcomes in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We evaluated the relationship between RDW and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with AMI. We analyzed the relation between RDW and angiographic severity of CAD. Patients (n = 580) with elevated Syntax scores (SSs >32) had higher RDW values (15.1% ± 1.7% vs 14.1 ± 1.7%, P < .001). The SS was positively correlated with RDW level (r = .252, P < .001) and neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio (r = .178, P < .001). There was a mild significant association between RDW level and N/L ratio (r = .106, P = .033). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, RDW (odds ratio = 1.165, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.32, P = .021) remained a significant predictor for the severity of CAD. Red blood cell distribution width, an inexpensive and easily measurable laboratory variable, is independently associated with the severity of CAD in patients with AMI.
Predicting the effect of tray malalignment on risk for bone damage and implant subsidence after total knee arthroplasty

Tibial tray malalignment has been associated with increased subsidence and failure. We constructed a finite element model of knee arthroplasty to determine the biomechanical factors involved in increasing the risk of subsidence with malalignment. Four fresh‐frozen human knees were implanted with a tibial tray and subjected to forces representative of walking for up to 100,000 cycles. Cyclic displacement was measured between the tray and proximal tibia. The vertical load was shifted medially to generate a load distribution ratio of 55:45 (medial/lateral) to represent neutral alignment or 75:25 to represent varus alignment. Subjected specific geometry and material properties were obtained from qCT scans of tibia to construct a finite element model. The tray was subjected to a single load cycle representing experimental conditions. Tray displacement computed by the model matched that measured experimentally. Forces representing varus tray alignment generated greater strains in the proximal tibia and a greater volume of bone was subjected to strains higher than the fatigue threshold. Local compressive strains directly correlated with experimental subsidence and failure. Our results indicate that failure after tray malalignment is likely due to fatigue damage to the proximal tibia rather than shear across the implant–bone interface or failure of the cement mantle. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:347–353, 2011
A prospective randomized clinical study of changes in soft tissue position following immediate and delayed implant placement.

PURPOSE The purpose of this investigation was to compare the efficacy of two therapeutic options-immediate implant placement and ridge preservation with delayed implant placement-in maintaining the position of the soft tissue margins following tooth extraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS This randomized controlled study evaluated apicocoronal changes in the midbuccal and proximal mucosal positions at implant placement sites from tooth extraction to 3 and 6 months following extraction. Twenty-four patients (26 sites) randomly received either immediate implant placement or ridge preservation (grafting with freeze-dried bone allograft and a collagen membrane) followed by implant placement 3 months later. Immediate placement sites received bone grafting for horizontal defects > 2 mm (from implant to cortical wall). Soft tissue measurements, vertical measurements, and ridge width measurements were performed and compared for immediate versus delayed implants and thin versus thick biotype. RESULTS The midbuccal soft tissue margins showed minimal recession over 6 months from the time of extraction (mean 0.17 +/- 0.47 mm), with no differences between treatment groups. Interproximal tissue height decreased significantly from extraction to 6 months (mesial, 1.73 +/- 0.71 mm; distal, 1.48 +/- 0.80 mm), with no significant differences between immediate and delayed placement. Immediate implant sites had greater reductions in ridge width 6 months after extraction than delayed placement sites. Tissue biotype failed to show any significant relationship with the changes identified. CONCLUSIONS This randomized controlled study comparing soft tissue changes following extraction failed to identify differences between patients treated with immediate or delayed approaches for midbuccal or interproximal soft tissue margins, although greater decreases in ridge width were observed in sites lacking bone grafting. Both immediate and delayed treatment approaches appear to be appropriate following tooth extraction, with the preferred treatment based on factors other than resultant soft tissue changes.
Measurements and modelling for D2D indoor wideband MIMO radio channels at 5 GHz

Based on the indoor wideband multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) device-to-device (D2D) measurements at 5 GHz with 100 MHz bandwidth carried out in University of Oulu, Finland, this study investigates the characteristics of indoor D2D radio channels with the same antenna height when both of the transceivers are moving or one end is fixed. The received power for the D2D channel is investigated by using double- and multiple-Rayleigh distributions. It turned out that the received powers follow joint Rayleigh and double-Rayleigh distribution as well as approximately Rayleigh distribution in non-line-of-sight and line-of-sight scenarios, respectively. The angular distributions and their correlation of the angle-of-arrival and angle-of-departure in the azimuth and elevation planes are investigated in order to build three-dimension model of Doppler power spectra and compare with the measurements. The channel parameters are derived from the measurements and compared with WINNER A1 scenario to find the differences between the D2D and conventional fixed-to-mobile (CF2M) channels. From the results, one can find the differences between the D2D and CF2M radio channels and better understand the physics for the D2D channel. Meanwhile, the channel parameters derived herein are important in the link and system level simulations for indoor D2D radio systems.
Graduate Research and Creative Practice 1991 Patient Perceptions of Nurse Caring Behaviors

PATIENT PERCEPTIONS OF NURSE CARING BEHAVIORS By Patricia A. DeVries The purpose of this study was to examine which nurse caring behaviors in the critical care unit are perceived as most important and least important by patients with myocardial infarction. A sample of 44 subjects responded to an open-ended question and an assessment scale, the Caring Behaviors Assessment. Two comparison groups of 22 subjects each were formed from the sample to determine if number of previous admissions to the critical care unit made a difference in perceptions of most important and least important nurse caring behaviors. Descriptive statistics along with t-test, chi-square, and two-way analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. Findings include (a) behaviors that meet human needs are very important; (b) behaviors that are humanistic, sensitive, and reassuring are also very important; (c) behaviors that meet human needs, facilitate expression of feelings, and show sensitivity and respect are more important to patients who have had previous admissions to the critical care unit.