Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
β-Defensin-2 Promotes Resistance against Infection with P. aeruginosa1

Corneal infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa results in corneal perforation in susceptible C57BL/6 (B6) mice, but not in resistant BALB/c mice. To explore the role of two important defensins, murine β-defensin-1 (mBD1) and mBD2, in the ocular immune defense system, their mRNA and protein expression levels were tested by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. mRNA, protein, and immunostaining data demonstrated that both mBD1 and mBD2 were constitutively expressed in normal BALB/c and B6 corneas, and they were disparately up-regulated in BALB/c (more) vs B6 (less) corneas after infection. To determine whether either defensin played a role in host resistance, BALB/c mice were treated with either mBD1 or mBD2 small interfering RNA by subconjunctival injection together with topical application. Increased corneal opacity and worsened disease were displayed after knockdown of mBD2 but not of mBD1. mBD2 silencing also increased bacterial counts and polymorphonuclear neutrophil infiltration in BALB/c corneas. Real-time RT-PCR data further demonstrated that mBD2, not mBD1, differentially modulated mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines/molecules such as IFN-γ, MIP-2, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and inducible NO synthase; TLR signaling molecules, including TLR2, TLR4, TLR9, and MyD88; and the transcription factor NF-κB. Additionally, in vivo studies indicated that mBD2 silencing enhanced corneal nitrite levels and NF-κB activation. Collectively, the data provide evidence that mBD2, but not mBD1, is required for host resistance against P. aeruginosa-induced corneal infection.
Serosurvey of horses with evidence of equine monocytic ehrlichiosis.

In August 1986, an extensive serosurvey for prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies against Ehrlichia risticii, the causative agent of equine monocytic ehrlichiosis (EME), was performed at 2 Ohio racetracks, River Downs (RD) and Beulah Park (BP). Of 840 horses at RD and 574 at BP, 13 and 20%, respectively, were IgG antibody-positive (by indirect fluorescent antibody test results), with antibody titer ranging from 1:20 to 1:10,240. The titer observed at highest frequency at both racetracks was 1:80. A higher proportion of horses was ill at RD (operating during the summer months) than at BP (winter track). Of ill horses, 41% (24/58) at RD and 58% (11/19) at BP were seropositive. At RD, 70% (589/840) of all horses and 95% (102/107) of IgG seropositive horses had been stabled only at RD during the month prior to testing. Analysis of these sera by use of an ELISA to detect IgM antibody against E risticii antigen indicated that at RD, 42% (57/137) of the seropositive horses were IgM seropositive. At BP, 17% (20/120) of seropositive horses were IgM seropositive. The larger number of IgM seropositive horses at RD indicates that more horses were recently infected at RD than at BP (P = 0.0001). Therefore, at least half the seropositive horses at RD seemed to have acquired the infection at RD. These serosurvey data also indicate that at BP and RD, 78% (85/109) and 91% (111/122) of IgG seropositive horses, respectively, had subclinical infection. At less than or equal to 1:40 titer, there was no difference in seropositive rates between healthy and ill horses. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Competitiveness of the Polish meat industry against selected European Union countries within the framework of transatlantic trade

The aim of the paper was to assess the competitive capacity of the Polish meat industry in trade with the US in relation to major EU producers of meat and meat preparations. Referring both to the growth and trade theories in research on international competitiveness and based on the methodological approach proposed by Wijnands, van der Meulen and Poppe (2006) to estimate the competitive capacity of the meat industry in the analysed countries the study used a set of economic and trade indicators appropriately adapted to the requirements of the analysis of bilateral relations. The indexes based on the market and trade shares included shares in exports to the target market and indexes of relative trade advantage, while the applied economic indexes included the real value added and its share in the total value added of the food industry and real labour productivity. The time frame for the analyses covered the years 2007-2016. The study is based on data from the European Statistical Office (Eurostat). Summing up the analyses it may be stated that in the years 2007-2016 the competitive position of the Polish meat industry in trade with the US in comparison to the leading EU producers of meat and meat preparations was strengthened both thanks to an improved trade position (measured by the share in the EU exports to the US market and relative trade advantages) as well as economic indicators connected with an increase importance of the analysed sector in the generation of real value added of the food industry and labour productivity.
The Deactive Form of Respiratory Complex I from Mammalian Mitochondria Is a Na+/H+ Antiporter*

Background: Mammalian complex I spontaneously forms a deactive state when it is not turning over. Results: Deactive complex I is a Na+/H+ antiporter. Conclusion: In deactive complex I the ion transfer domain is functionally disconnected from the redox domain; the antiporter-like subunits assert their independent function. Significance: Na+/H+ exchange by deactive complex I may influence the outcome of ischemia-reperfusion. In mitochondria, complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) uses the redox potential energy from NADH oxidation by ubiquinone to transport protons across the inner membrane, contributing to the proton-motive force. However, in some prokaryotes, complex I may transport sodium ions instead, and three subunits in the membrane domain of complex I are closely related to subunits from the Mrp family of Na+/H+ antiporters. Here, we define the relationship between complex I from Bos taurus heart mitochondria, a close model for the human enzyme, and sodium ion transport across the mitochondrial inner membrane. In accord with current consensus, we exclude the possibility of redox-coupled Na+ transport by B. taurus complex I. Instead, we show that the “deactive” form of complex I, which is formed spontaneously when enzyme turnover is precluded by lack of substrates, is a Na+/H+ antiporter. The antiporter activity is abolished upon reactivation by the addition of substrates and by the complex I inhibitor rotenone. It is specific for Na+ over K+, and it is not exhibited by complex I from the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, which thus has a less extensive deactive transition. We propose that the functional connection between the redox and transporter modules of complex I is broken in the deactive state, allowing the transport module to assert its independent properties. The deactive state of complex I is formed during hypoxia, when respiratory chain turnover is slowed, and may contribute to determining the outcome of ischemia-reperfusion injury.
the tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome: current concepts

the tumour necrosis factor receptor (tnfr)-associated periodic syndrome (traps) is an autosomal dominant, multisystemic, autoinflammatory disorder caused by mutations in the tnfr1 gene (tnfrsf1a). traps seems to be the most common hereditary periodic fever (hpf) syndrome in some western populations, and the second most prevalent hpf worldwide, behind familial mediterranean fever (fmf). the proteins involved in susceptibility to traps (tnfrsf1a) and fmf (pyrin) are both members of the death-domain-fold superfamily. mutations affecting these proteins might cause dysregulation of innate immune responses, with a propensity to autoinflammation. most traps patients have reduced blood levels of soluble tnfrsf1a between attacks, with an inappropriately small increase during bouts of fever. the pathogenesis of the ‘hyperinflammatory state’ in traps has been variously ascribed to a shedding defect of tnfrsf1a from the cell surface resulting in increased tnf inflammatory signalling, or impaired tnf apoptotic signalling. some low-penetrance tnfrsf1a variants also contribute to the clinical phenotype in individuals carrying other hpf-associated mutations, and have been reported in several disorders such as behçet's disease and systemic lupus erythematosus. synthetic anti-tnf agents provide a rational form of therapy for traps, and have been shown to delay or indeed prevent development of systemic amyloidosis (aa type), a life-threatening complication in this condition.
Predictors of lymphatic failure in endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to identify determinants of lymphatic failure in patients with endometrial cancer after definitive primary treatment. METHODS We observed 142 relapses in endometrial cancer patients who had primary surgery at our institution during the decade before 1994. We defined lymphatic failure as a relapse occurring on the pelvic sidewall (PSW), para-aortic area (PAA), or other node-bearing area (i.e., groin, axilla, supraclavicular, mediastinal). Mean follow-up was 72.8 months. RESULTS We observed 44 instances of lymphatic failure--6 on the PSW only, 16 in the PAA only, 12 concomitantly in the PAA and on the PSW, and 10 confined in other node-bearing areas. By univariate analysis, body mass index > or = 30 kg/m(2), para-aortic lymph node biopsy, cervical stromal invasion (CSI), positive adnexa, myometrial invasion >50%, primary tumor diameter >2 cm, positive peritoneal cytology, positive lymph nodes (pelvic and/or para-aortic), radiotherapy, grade 3 tumor, nonendometrioid histology, and lymph--vascular invasion (LVI) significantly (P < or = 0.05) correlated with lymphatic failure. However, on Cox regression analysis, only LVI (P < 0.01, relative risk [RR] = 4.27), nodal involvement (P = 0.02, RR = 3.43), and CSI (P = 0.049, RR = 2.26) were independent predictors of lymphatic failure. Moreover, lymph node metastases (P = 0.01, RR = 19.82) and CSI (P = 0.050, RR = 3.57) independently predicted failure on the PSW, and only lymph node involvement (P < 0.01, RR = 10.15) predicted relapse in the PAA. CONCLUSION LVI, positive lymph nodes, and CSI were the strongest predictors of lymphatic failure in endometrial cancer (31% of patients with at least one of the above three variables had a failure at 5 years). Patients with none of the above three factors had an extremely low (<1%) risk of lymphatic failure.
An Evaluation of the Effect of Job Design on Labour Mobility Intentions of Teaching Personnel in Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Tertiary Institutions in Kenya

This study sought to evaluate the effect of job design on labor mobility intentions of teaching personnel in Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Tertiary Institutions in Kenya. The limitation was that one factor was researched on hence not fully representative. Beneficiaries were government, other scholars, TSC and school managers. This study adopted descriptive research design. The target population was from all the TSC teachers in the TSC Tertiary institutions in Kenya. The study did stratified random sampling of institutions, 356 sample size was used. Questionnaires collected data. Questionnaires collected data. A pilot study of 36questionnaires was done to determine reliability and validity which was verified when all variables had a Cronbach Alpha of 0.7 and above while the content validity of the instrument was determined by seeking credible opinion of the study supervisors. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used and reporting was done through tables and figures. The response rate was 80%. The results revealed a significant negative relationship between job design and labour mobility intentions. The study encourages scholars to use same variable or more to test results in different industries. It also recommended that Kenyan government addresses some of the issues highlighted to ensure a motivated workforce to attract and retain more teaching personnel who will not desire to quit. International Journal of Academic Research in Economics and Management Sciences 2017, Vol. 6, No. 1
Corporate Governance Practices and Non-performing Loans of Banking Sector of Bangladesh: A Panel Data Analysis

This paper tries to inspect the association and relationship between corporate governance determinants and level of non-performing loan (NPL) of listed commercial banks in Bangladesh. Recently Banks are facing a problem of default loan. This default loan or NPL may reduce the loan giving capacity of the Banks and it may decrease the economic growth of a country. Moreover, there is less research to find out the implication of good governance on the level of NPL in banking sector of Bangladesh than that of developed countries. Here, data from thirty listed commercial banks for the year 2008-2017 (10 years) are taken to explore the rapport between the corporate governance variables and NPL. Random Effect GLS regression method is used to analyze the data. Findings told that commercial banks follow the code of corporate governance on a comply basis however their relationship with NPL is positively significant within the taken determinants of corporate governance. It is expected that, banks with good quality management may ensure the quality of loan and it will reduce the level of NPL.
Adoptive immunotherapy with allogeneic Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐specific cytotoxic T‐lymphocytes for recurrent, EBV‐positive Hodgkin disease

It has been shown that adoptive immunotherapy with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐specific cytotoxic T‐lymphocytes (CTL) is effective for the treatment of EBV‐induced lymphoproliferative disease in stem cell transplantation recipients and organ transplantation recipients. The role of EBV CTL in other tumors for which this virus has been implicated in pathogenesis, such as EBV‐positive Hodgkin disease (HD), has not been demonstrated clearly.
In Vivo Bone Formation by Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells: Reconstruction of the Mouse Calvarium and Mandible

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) contain a subset of multipotent cells with the potential to repair hard‐tissue defects. Mouse BMSCs, combined with a collagen carrier, can close critical‐sized homologous mouse calvarial defects, but this new bone has a poor union with the adjacent calvarium. When human BMSCs are transplanted for the purpose of engineering new bone, best results can be achieved if the cells are combined with hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate (HA/TCP) particles. Here, we demonstrate that transplantation of cultured human BMSCs in conjunction with HA/TCP particles can be used successfully to close mouse craniofacial bone defects and that removal of the periosteum from the calvarium significantly enhances union with the transplant. Transplants were followed for up to 96 weeks and were found to change in morphology but not bone content after 8 weeks; this constitutes the first description of human BMSCs placed long‐term to heal bone defects. New bone formation continued to occur in the oldest transplants, confirmed by tetracycline labeling. Additionally, the elastic modulus of this engineered bone resembled that of the normal mouse calvarium, and our use of atomic force microscopy (AFM)‐based nanoindentation offered us the first opportunity to compare these small transplants against equally minute mouse bones. Our results provide insights into the long‐term behavior of newly engineered orthotopic bone from human cells and have powerful implications for therapeutic human BMSC transplantation.
Hepatitis associated with terbinafine treatment.

Drs OLAV SPIGSET and TOM MJORNDAL (Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Umea University Hospital, Sweden) and Dr OLOF LOVHEIM (Department of Internal Medicine, Ornskdldsvik Hospital, Sweden) write: The serotonin syndrome is a potentially lethal, toxic hyperserotoninergic state, most commonly resulting from an interaction between irreversible, non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors and agents increasing central nervous serotoninergic activity, such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors or tryptophan. ' To our knowledge, the combination of reversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors and serotoninergic agents has never been reported to cause the serotonin syndrome. We present here a case of serotonin syndrome induced by the reversible monoamine oxidase A inhibitor moclobemide and the serotonin reuptake inhibitor clomipramine. A 7T year old woman with depression and Parkinson's disease had been treated with antidepressants for several years, the last months with clomipramine 50 mg/day. Other medications were levodopa-benserazide, bromocriptine, triazolam, diflunisal, dextropropoxyphene, oestriol, and lactulose. On the day before admission clomipramine had been changed to moclobemide 300mg/day. Next day the patient presented at the hospital somnolent, confused, and feverish (temperature 39 0°C). All tests for infectious diseases gave negative results. Serum creatine kinase activity was, however, 35-1 ,ukat/l (normal <2-5 ,ukat/l), indicating a muscular disorder. Her regular medication was discontinued. The next day her temperature rose to 40 9°C, and her general condition and mental status were further impaired. She developed increased muscle stiffness and showed widespread myoclonus and intermittent convulsive attacks. One day later her general condition started to improve, and all ordinary drugs, except antidepressants, were restarted. After a few days she had recovered fully. Our patient fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for the serotonin syndrome suggested by Sternbach. ' Clomipramine has a half life varying between 22 and 84 hours,2 indicating that slow metabolisers could retain pharmacologically active amounts of the drug for one to two weeks after withdrawal of the drug. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, described after withdrawal of levodopa and bromocriptine,3 seems unlikely as the symptoms were evident before these drugs were discontinued. Interactions between irreversible, nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitors and levodopa and dextropropoxyphene have been reported,' but the symptoms were totally different from those in our patient. Concomitant treatment with moclobemide and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors should be used with great care and reserved for special cases. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors should have been discontinued for some time (depending on the half life of the drug and its metabolites) before treatment with moclobemide is started.
Data acquisition system with low-accuracy sensors

The paper deals with improving the accuracy of the sensors under influence of non-informative factors. There are described the generalized block diagram of the data acquisition system and its measurement channels which provide the sensors signal processing. The generalized block diagram of the calculation process is proposed, and the structure of used neural networks is shown. Both scheme and algorithm of data processing are described. The measurement error of the proposed system was evaluated. It confirmed that proposed system adds the error of 0.32% which is very small in comparison with the etalon mean of 1%. The proposed system allows use of the sensors with a significant influence of non-informative factors.
E-Government In Mauritius: A Principal Component Analysis

E-government has made the public sector more accessible, efficient, transparent and responsive to grievance. This paper investigated into these aspects through the principal component analysis to make interpretations of several variables easier for policy makers. A random survey among 244 e-government users was conducted across all districts of Mauritius. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy is 0.85. The determinant of R-matrix exceeds 0.00001 and the Barlett’s test is highly significant (p<0.001). An oblique rotation has been done. This study reveals four subscales of e-government: ‘democratic channel’, ‘e-interaction’, ‘website quality’ and ‘cyber trust. Around 56% of total variance is explained. The Cronbach alpha of each subscale exceeds the conventional 0.7 level. Through the democratic channel citizens express their views and participate in policy making. E-interaction is about the effectiveness of online dialogue between citizens and various government agencies. Website quality measures the overall experience of citizens towards aspects of navigation, comprehensiveness, information and content. Cyber trust emphasises the importance of having secure government websites. If the government pays inadequate attention to these subscales, citizens would eventually be dissatisfied and become slow at accepting e-government initiatives. They would feel frustrated with unclear content, abandon government e-portal and feel excluded from policy making .
Is Good Advice Hard to Find?: The Impact of Director Connectedness on Financing and Investment

We explore the effect of director connectedness on firms’ investment and financing activities. Our evidence suggests that well-connected directors are more effective advisors, with outside and inside directors playing different roles. Outside directors have better information regarding external factors such as industry trends and policy changes, all of which are important when evaluating investment decisions. Results suggest that during competition shocks and changes in economic policy uncertainty, well-connected outside directors have greater influence on investment decisions than inside directors. Outside director connectedness also has a more pronounced effect on a firm’s R&D outcome than inside director connectedness. Connected inside and outside directors have similar impact on the market reaction to acquisition activity, indicating that all well-connected directors are associated with mergers that are perceived to be more valuable. However, well-connected inside directors play a prominent role in lowering firms’ financing costs, particularly when information asymmetry is high.
Effectiveness of Urethral Injection of Botulinum A Toxin in the Treatment of Voiding Dysfunction after Radical Hysterectomy

Objective: After radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer patients may have difficulty in urination due to detrusor underactivity and a non-relaxing urethral sphincter. This study evaluated the effectiveness of urethral injection of botulinum A toxin in treating voiding dysfunction in these patients. Methods: Thirty patients with difficult urination after radical hysterectomy due to cervical cancer were enrolled to receive urethral injection of 100 units of botulinum A toxin (n = 20) or medical treatment as controls (n = 10). The clinical results and urodynamic parameters at baseline and after treatment were compared in the study group, and the quality of life (QOL) index was compared between the study and control groups. Results: After urethral injection of botulinum A toxin, 8 patients had excellent results (40%) and 8 had improved results (40%) in the study group. Both voiding pressure (115.2 ± 63.7 vs. 90.2 ± 49.5 ml, p = 0.025) and post-void residual volume (330.9 ± 124.9 vs. 183.9 ± 183.4 ml, p = 0.011) improved significantly after treatment. The obstructive symptom score was significantly reduced (17.5 ± 4.7 vs. 5.7 ± 2.3 points, p = 0.000) and the QOL index also improved (4.5 ± 2.7 vs. 2.3 ± 2.3 points, p = 0.000) after treatment. The success rate was 80% in the study group. There were no significant changes in obstructive symptom scores or the QOL index in the control group. The maximal effect appeared about 1 week after treatment. The duration of the therapeutic effect ranged from 3 to 9 months. Mild stress urinary incontinence and nocturnal enuresis were noted in 7 patients (35%). Conclusion: Urethral injection of botulinum A toxin can be effectively used to treat patients with detrusor underactivity and non-relaxing urethral sphincter after radical hysterectomy with few adverse effects.