Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interleukin 1β (+3954, −511 and −31) polymorphism in chronic periodontitis patients from North India

Abstract Objective. Several studies have implicated the role of interleukin-1 in various chronic diseases including periodontitis. The present study was carried out with an aim to evaluate the role of interleukin 1β polymorphisms, namely +3954C/T, −511C/T and −31T/C, in the development of chronic periodontitis. Materials and methods. Twenty-nine chronic periodontitis patients and 31 healthy controls of North Indian origin from Chhattisgarh were recruited for the study. The genotypes for the three variants were determined using the PCR-RFLP technique and the strength of association between genotypes and periodontitis was determined by odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) and chi-square analysis. Results. Analysis for the +3954 allelic and genotypic frequencies of the polymorphism revealed a significant difference in the CT genotype between periodontitits patients and controls (p = 0.03). A significant difference was also observed in the allelic frequencies between the two groups (p = 0.02). For the −511 site, TT genotype revealed a significant association with the disease (p = 0.01). A significant association was also found following the co-dominant model (p = 0.007). However, the −31 polymorphism revealed no significant difference between patients and controls. Conclusions. In conclusion, the present study suggests a strong association of the TT genotype of −511 and CT genotype of +3954 variant of interleukin 1β with chronic periodontitis. However, the −31 variant did not show a significant association with the disease.
ON A CHEMOTAXIS MODEL WITH SATURATED CHEMOTACTIC FLUX

We propose a PDE chemotaxis model, which can be viewed as a regularization of the Patlak-Keller-Segel (PKS) system. Our modification is based on a fundamental physical property of the chemotactic flux function---its boundedness. This means that the cell velocity is proportional to the magnitude of the chemoattractant gradient only when the latter is small, while when the chemoattractant gradient tends to infinity the cell velocity saturates. Unlike the original PKS system, the solutions of the modified model do not blow up in either finite or infinite time in any number of spatial dimensions, thus making it possible to use bounded spiky steady states to model cell aggregation. After obtaining local and global existence results, we use the local and global bifurcation theories to show the existence of one-dimensional spiky steady states; we also study the stability of bifurcating steady states. Finally, we numerically verify these analytical results, and then demonstrate that solutions of the two-dimensional model with nonlinear saturated chemotactic flux function typically develop very complicated spiky structures.
Suicides in Trakya Region, Turkey, from 1984 to 2004

The aim of this study is to investigate some features of suicide cases in Trakya region, Turkey. During the 21-year period from January 1984 to September 2004, there were 137 suicide cases autopsied by the Department of Forensic Medicine, Trakya University. Suicides comprised 16.1% of all forensic autopsies. Twenty-seven per cent of the cases were aged between 21 and 30 years and the mean age was 39.7 years. Males constituted 78.1% of the cases. The most frequent method of suicide was hanging (40.1%), followed by firearms, and poisoning. Overall, suicide rates in males showed an increase in the last five years. Most of the suicides occurred in the winter months. In conclusion, since suicides present a major public health problem, detection and prevention methods must be developed for high-risk groups.
Aggravation of Seizures by Antiepileptic Drugs: What to Do in Clinical Practice

In spite of numerous case reports and of a growing interest, there is a paucity of information on seizure worsening by antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in both adults and children with epilepsy. The mechanisms involved are not always clear. Factors cited as responsible for the lack of data include the observation that clinical trials involving AEDs are usually not designed to record true seizure worsening: however, this applies only to the newer AEDs, which have been submitted to extensive preclinical and clinical testing. All clinicians who treat people with epilepsy have encountered seizure worsening, using both older and newer agents. There are several circumstances in which druginduced exacerbation of seizures is particularly common, and the clinician should be aware of these. A correct diagnosis of the seizure type and, first and foremost, of the epilepsy type, is of paramount importance. Although the International Classification of Epilepsies (1) does not mention specific drugs, the pharmacologic sensitivity is an important factor for the definition of epileptic syndromes, both in the positive sense (such specific drug is constantly, or most often, efficacious in a given syndrome) or in the negative sense (another drug is constantly, or most often, nefarious and may exacerbate seizures). An illustrative case report can stress that point.
Pengaruh Citra Merek, Kualitas Produk dan Hargaterhadap Keputusan Pembelian melalui KepercayaanKonsumen pada Produk Stuck Original(Studi pada Konsumen Stuck Original)

This study aims to analyze how the influence of brand image, product quality, and price to purchase decisions through consumer trust in the original stuck products. Sampling method used in this research is non-probability. The samples collected were 150 respondents who had bought the original stuck product at least once. The method of analysis used is SEM includes test of normality, outliers, reliability test, and goodness of fit. The results showed that the brand image, product quality, price, and consumer confidence significant to the purchase decision. consumer trust has the most significant influence on purchasing decisions with a loading factor of 0.79
Alterations of Brain Cholecystokinin Receptors in Mice Made Obese with Goldthioglucose

Abstract: We investigated the binding of cholecystokinin (CCK) to its receptors in brains of mice made obese by the injection of goldthioglucose. In these mice there was a significant increase in the number of binding sites in cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, and olfactory lobes in comparison with either unin‐jected mice or injected mice that did not become obese. The present study demonstrates, therefore, that obesity in mice is associated with changes in brain CCK receptors, and raises the possibility that obesity in certain animals may be related to abnormalities in the binding of CCK to its receptors.
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF UNTREATED BREAST CANCER

This report on breast cancer between the years 1805 and 1933 was obtained primarily from the early Middlesex (London) Hospital Cancer Cha rity records. Of 356 cases cared for in the hospital during this period records were adequate for 250. Almost all were advanced cases o n admission. All died in the hospital. Autosies confirmed the diagnoses in all cases. Histopathological material was still available for 86. In these the incidence of tumors of low-grade malignancy was identical with that found in present-day cases. None had been treated with surgery or radiotherapy. At 3 years 44% were alive at 5 years 18% and at 10 years 4%. All had died by 19 years although 9 patients lived over 10 years. The median survival was 2.7 years. The prognosis was less favorable for young women. Those histologically graded 1 and 2 lived longer than those graded 3. No case of spontaneous regression was observed. A long drawn-out distressing illness was suffered by many.
Skill in Simulating Australian Precipitation at the Tropical Edge

AbstractExpansion of the tropics will likely affect subtropical precipitation, but observed and modeled precipitation trends disagree with each other. Moreover, the dynamic processes at the tropical edge and their interactions with precipitation are not well understood. This study assesses the skill of climate models to reproduce observed Australian precipitation variability at the tropical edge. A multivariate linear independence approach distinguishes between direct (causal) and indirect (circumstantial) precipitation drivers that facilitate clearer attribution of model errors and skill. This approach is applied to observed precipitation and ERA-Interim reanalysis data and a representative subset of four models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) and their CMIP3 counterparts. The drivers considered are El Nino–Southern Oscillation, southern annular mode, Indian Ocean dipole, blocking, and four tropical edge metrics (position and intensity of the subtropical ridge and subtro.
Security as an Extension to TAM Model: Consumers’ Intention to Use a Single Platform E-Payment

This article summarises an explorative study of the security that contributes to consumers’ adoption of an integrated, single platform payment system encompassing card, Internet and mobile technologies in the ASEAN. The attempt to survey these areas in an integrated fashion is a novel approach that differs from existing studies which mainly focus on adoption factors of these technologies in isolation as well as focuses on the security elements as an extension as Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The empirical results from the quantitative analysis suggest that security, perceived usefulness as well as perceived ease of use are significant factors that contribute to consumers’ intention to utilise a single platform payment system. Organisations will be able to utilise the study information for developing products and services that meet the consumers’ single platform e-payment system while also fulfilling their objective of corporate social responsibility.
Determinants of low adoption of Islamic banking in Pakistan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the reasons behind low penetration of Islamic banking in Pakistan. Specifically, the study investigates the differentiation of Islamic banks (IBs) from conventional banks, the role of religion in choosing Islamic banking and the perception of IBs amongst the consumers. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a mixed-method approach, qualitative research along with a survey of users of conventional and Islamic banking. Factor analysis identified underlying dimensions and cluster analysis ascertained the differences between users and non-users of Islamic banking. Inferential statistics were used to test purported hypotheses. Findings The study finds that the users and non-users both perceive that Islamic banking is not completely interest-free. Furthermore, consumers presume that IBs are more of eyewash and are not truly practicing Islamic banking. Moreover, religion is not a major factor that attracts new users but there are also other important factors in marketing Islamic banking, such as service quality, convenience, branch network, etc. Originality/value This is one of the sparse studies in the field of Islamic banking consumer behaviour, which uses focus groups of users and non-users, and in-depth interviews of experts, to identify the issues and factors considered relevant and important by the users rather than relying only on literature review. Furthermore, it also provides a profile of users versus non-users of Islamic banking which is very useful for segmentation and targeting of customers.
Clinical Results, Adverse Events, and Change in End-Organ Function in Elderly Patients With HeartMateII Left Ventricular Assist Device　- Japanese Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND Advanced age has an adverse impact on clinical results in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients. We compared the clinical results of patients aged >60 years with younger patients using a national Japanese database.Methods and Results:Between April 2013 and December 2016, 300 patients underwent HeartMateII implantation. Of these, 37 patients were ≥60 years at LVAD implantation, and the clinical results of these patients were compared with the other younger 263 patients. At 1 and 3 years the on-device survival was 95%, 91% in younger patients, and 85%, 75% in older patients, respectively (P=0.016), although age was not a risk factor on the multivariate analysis. There was no significant difference between the groups in incidence of various adverse events except stroke. In the propensity-matching cohort, the incidence of stroke was significantly higher in patients aged >60 years (P=0.047). In patients aged >60 years, improvement of renal function was transient and there was no improvement later than 3 months, and recovery of serum albumin level to preoperative value was delayed. CONCLUSIONS There were significant differences in the stroke incidence and recovery of end-organ functions after LVAD implantation. This may have important implications for patient selection in future destination therapy in Japan, where quality of life is an important issue in LVAD support.
Estrogen Decreases Atherosclerosis in Part by Reducing Hepatic Acyl-CoA:Cholesterol Acyltransferase 2 (ACAT2) in Monkeys

Objective—Estrogens decrease atherosclerosis progression, mediated in part through changes in plasma lipids and lipoproteins. This study aimed to determine estrogen-induced changes in hepatic cholesterol metabolism, plasma lipoproteins, and the relationship of these changes to atherosclerosis extent. Methods and Results—Ovariectomized monkeys (n=34) consumed atherogenic diets for 30 months which contained either no hormones (control, n=17) or conjugated equine estrogens (CEE, n=17) at a human dose equivalent of 0.625 mg/d. Hepatic cholesterol content, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor expression, cholesterol 7&agr;-hydroxylase and acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activity, and expression levels were determined. CEE treatment resulted in lower plasma concentrations of very-low- and intermediate- density lipoprotein cholesterol (V+IDLC; P=0.01), smaller LDL particles (P=0.002), and 50% lower hepatic cholesterol content (total, free, and esterified; P<0.05 for all). Total ACAT activity was significantly lower (P=0.01), explained primarily by reductions in the activity of ACAT2. Estrogen regulation of enzymatic activity was at the protein level as both ACAT1 and 2 protein, but not mRNA levels, were lower (P=0.02 and <0.0001, respectively). ACAT2 activity was significantly associated with hepatic total cholesterol, plasma V+IDLC cholesterol, and atherosclerosis. Conclusions—Atheroprotective effects of estrogen therapy may be related to reduced hepatic secretion of ACAT2-derived cholesteryl esters in plasma lipoproteins.
The helminth community of the wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus from the Erro River valley, Navarre, Spain

Abstract The helminth fauna of the wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus, in the Erro River valley (Navarre, Spain) was investigated from a total of 150 mice between February 2001 and July 2002. An overall prevalence of 90.7% was recorded and up to 14 helminth species identified. The most prevalent species was the nematode Heligmosomoidespolygyrus (78.0%), whereas Syphacia stroma was the species with the highest median abundance (19.8). The detection of Calodium hepaticum, Rodentolepis straminea and the larvae of Hydatigera taeniaeformis are significant, since these helminth species could be considered potential human parasites. The helminth infracommunity comprised no more than five species. A significant predominance of monoxenous species was detected. Statistically significant differences were also found between prevalences, helminth abundance, species richness and helminth diversity of sub-populations of the wood mouse determined by host age and season of capture, which agree with most of the studies carried out on this host. This study will shed light on the helminth community of the wood mouse from a region of Spain which has not previously been documented.
Serum uric acid and the risk of hypertension and chronic kidney disease

Purpose of reviewTo discuss the evolving data regarding uric acid as a potential cause of hypertension and progressive renal dysfunction and its clinical and research implications. Recent findingsThe potential mechanisms by which uric acid could cause vasoconstriction and a progressive ateriolopathy were established in animal models between 1999 and 2004. Since then, there has been a growing interest in the topic and numerous retrospective and prospective observational studies. The preponderance of data support the hypothesis that serum uric acid is a cause or exacerbating factor of hypertension and progressive kidney disease. Over the last couple of years clinical intervention trials, including randomized controlled trials in the young have supported this mechanistic role. SummaryCurrent evidence supports the role of uric acid as marker and mediator of risk for both hypertension and progressive decline in renal function. Data on the impact of xanthine oxidase inhibitors or uricosurics on clinical hypertension and chronic kidney disease are suggestive but inconclusive. Considerably, more data will be required to determine if uric acid lowering therapy will become a mainstay of management in diseases other than gout and tumor lysis syndrome.
Internationalization, search, and change: an organizational learning model of strategic change in the pharmaceutical industry

Internationalization, Search, and Change: An Organizational Learning Model of Strategic Change in the Pharmaceutical Industry. (August 2008) Toyah L. Miller, B.B.A., Baylor University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Michael A. Hitt Research in international business and strategy emphasizes the important role knowledge plays in foreign expansion, and multiple research perspectives have viewed a firm‘s knowledge as the key driver of competitive advantage. Thus, in today‘s business environment, the ability to learn and source knowledge across boundaries is important to both firm performance and strategic change. My dissertation examines the ―knowledgeseeking‖ motive for international expansion, which suggests that firms expand abroad to gain new technical capabilities and knowledge from diverse institutions, which allow firms to change in dynamic markets. I extend organizational learning, the resource-based view, and internationalization theory to examine empirically how internationalization influences strategic changes by affecting exploratory search. This research also challenges the standard assumptions about the positive benefits of exploration on change, suggesting that a curvilinear relationship exists. Further, I argue that innovation capabilities enhance the relationship between strategic change and firm performance. These questions are examined using longitudinal data on pharmaceutical firms. The findings from this analysis reveal that internationalization has a curvilinear relationship with exploratory search. In addition, speed of internationalization, rhythm of internationalization, and international experience moderate the relationship between
Calcium‐buffering effects of gluconate and nucleotides, as determined by a novel fluorimetric titration method

The efficiency of neurotransmitter release is influenced by the presence of Ca2+ binding molecules. In this study we show that the use of gluconate as the dominant anion in pipette filling solutions, together with the presence of ATP and GTP, influences the efficiency of Ca2+‐mediated release during whole cell patch clamp measurements in the Calyx of Held. We introduce a novel fluorimetric titration procedure for low‐affinity calcium dyes, such as Fura2FF, that allows us to determine the calcium binding ratios of several commonly used pipette solutions. These results explain the influence of gluconate and nucleotides on neurotransmitter release, provide guidelines for calibrating pipette solutions and calcium indicators, and may provide a basis for studying the coupling between calcium sensors and sources.
The impact of corporate governance practices on firm’s performance: An empirical evidence from Indian tourism sector

The growth of Indian companies in recent years has led to a change in the nature of the economy which attracted outsider investors from developed countries who demanded robust corporate governance practices from Indian companies which made regulators and competitors gave a great effort to restructure corporate governance. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the effect of corporate governance practices on firms’ performance, with a special reference to the Indian tourism sector. The study uses a panel dataset of 39 hotels listed on Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) for the period from 2013/2014 to 2015/2016. The ordinary least square regression model is run for estimating the results. Findings show that board directors’ size and audit committee’s size negatively impact the performance of Indian hotels, while board directors’ composition and diligence, the audit committee’s composition and diligence, and foreign ownership positively affect the performance of Indian hotels measured by accounting proxies. Results also reveal that board directors’ size, audit committee’s size, and foreign ownership positively impact the Indian hotels’ performance measured by marketing proxies, whereas board directors’ composition; board directors’ diligence; audit committee’s composition; and audit committee’s diligence have a negative impact on the performance of Indian hotels.
Social media engagement behavior

Purpose Organizations are investing heavily in social media yet have little understanding of the effects of social media content on user engagement. This study aims to determine the distinct effects of informational, entertaining, remunerative and relational content on the passive and active engagement behavior of social media users. Design/methodology/approach Facebook Insights and NCapture are used to extract data from the Facebook pages of 12 wine brands over a 12-month period. A multivariate linear regression analysis investigates the effects of content on consuming, contributing and creating engagement behavior. Findings Results reveal distinct effects of rational and emotional appeals on social media engagement behavior. Rational appeals in social media have a superior effect in terms of facilitating active and passive engagement among social media users, whereas emotional appeals facilitate passive rather than highly active engagement behavior, despite the social and interactive nature of the digital media landscape. Research limitations/implications Results contribute directly to understanding engagement and customer experience with social media. Further theoretical and empirical examination in this area will aid in understanding the dynamic nature of the levels of engagement within social media. Practical implications Findings provide managers and practitioners with guidelines and opportunities for strategic development of social media content to enhance engagement among consumers in a social media forum. Originality/value This study is one of the first to empirically examine the construct of social media engagement behavior. It extends the utility of dual processing theory to demonstrate how rational and emotional message appeals result in online engagement.