Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protective effects of physiological doses of estrogen during hepatocarcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine and N-nitrosomorpholine.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Concern that much controversy exists with respect to the role of estrogen in hepatocarcinogenesis prompted us to examine the effect of estrogen, at physiological concentrations, on our established HCC rat model induced by diethylnitrosamine and N-nitrosomorpholine. METHODOLOGY Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (Group 1: Control, Group 2: Sham-operated, Group 3: Ovariectomy, Group 4: ovariectomy+estrogen) with treatment of a single i.p. injection of diethylnitrosamine (100mg/ kg body weight) followed by N-nitrosomorpholine (100ppm) in drinking water for 20 weeks for the established rat HCC model. Physiological estrogen was administered by 17α-Ethynylestradiol at a dose of 30μg/ kg body weight while rats in the sham-operated group were treated with saline after initiation of liver carcinogenesis. RESULTS Treatment of ovariectomized animals with 17α-Ethynylestradiol (30μg/kg body weight/ day) resulted in a significant decrease in the initiation, development and metastasis of HCC and an increase in the survival time of animals dead before the termination of experiment as compared with rats treated with ovariectomy only (p<0.05); whereas this difference disappeared when compared with the other three groups. CONCLUSIONS These findings show for the first time that estrogen, at physiological concentrations may reveal a protective role in hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastasis and poor prognosis Abstract Background: The aim of the present study was to analyse the expression of Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) specimens, and to evaluate its correlation with clinicopathologic features, including survival of patients with NPC
Cocaine self-administration alters the expression of chromatin-remodelling proteins; modulation by histone deacetylase inhibition

Injection of the histone deacetylases inhibitor trichostatin A to rats has been shown to decrease the reinforcing properties of cocaine. In the present study, we investigated alterations in gene expression patterns in the anterior cingulate cortex, caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens of rats self-administering cocaine and treated with trichostatin A. As recent studies highlighted the importance of chromatin remodelling in the regulation of gene transcription in neurons, we studied the expression of Mecp2 and of several histone deacetylases. Cocaine self-administration was accompanied by an increased synthesis of Mecp2, HDAC2 and HDAC11 and by a decreased nuclear localization of HDAC5 and of the phospho-form of HDAC5, suggesting a nuclear export of this protein in response to the drug. The latter mechanism was further addressed by the demonstration of an enhanced expression of MEF2C transcription factor. Among the genes we examined, treatment with trichostatin A before each cocaine self-administration session was found to mostly affect Mecp2 and HDAC11 expression. A correlation was found between the modification of Mecp2 and MEF2C gene expression and the reinforcing property of cocaine. The two factors known to regulate gene transcription are likely to play a role in the neurobiological mechanism underlying a decrease in the reinforcing properties of cocaine.
GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DAN KARAKTERISTIK PERUSAHAAN PADA PEMILIHAN AUDITOR EKSTERNAL

External auditor selection is a selection process of choosing external auditor provide audit service. Companies need to attention to the factors that influenc the external auditor selection, in order to obtain a high quality auditor. This study examines whether there is effect of good corporate governance and firm characteristics to external auditor selection. This study conducted at the companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange and follow the Corporate Governance Perception Index (CGPI) for 2011-2013. Sampling by a purposive sampling method. The total sample was 45. Dependent variable is external auditor selection. While the independent variabel is GCG, firm size, profitability, and leverage. Hypotheses were tested used is logistic regression analysis. It can be concluded from this study is GCG and firm size not significant positif affect on external auditor selection. Profitability significant positif affect on external auditor selection. Leverage not significant negative affect on external auditor selection.
Five-Year Follow-up of Modified Implant-Supported Overdenture in an Iliac Crest Autograft Failure: Clinical Report

Abstract The treatment of extensive pathologic lesions in the jaw, most of the time, can generate rehabilitation problems to the patient. The solid ameloblastoma is a locally invasive odontogenic tumor with a high recurrence rate. Its treatment is aggressive and accomplished through resection with safety margin. The criterion standard for reconstruction is autogenous bone, but it can provide a high degree of resorption, causing inconvenience to the patient because of lack of rehabilitative option. This study aimed to describe a patient with ameloblastoma treated through resection and reconstruction with autogenous bone graft, in which, after an extensive resorption of the graft was made, a modified bar was applied to support a prosthetic implant overdenture.
Evaluation of the specificity of morphological electrocardiographic criteria for the differential diagnosis of wide QRS complex tachycardia in patients with intraventricular conduction defects.

BACKGROUND Although several ECG criteria have been described for the differential diagnosis of tachycardias with a wide QRS complex, their applicability in patients with preexisting intraventricular conduction defects (IVCDs) has been questioned. The specificity of previously described criteria in this context is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS We analyzed prospectively the specificity of the QRS morphological criteria previously described in ECGs during sinus rhythm of 232 patients with IVCD. Only 5 of 12 analyzed criteria had a specificity > or = 0.90 among our patients: (1) a triphasic configuration (Rsr' or Rr') QRS complex in V1 in the presence of a right bundle-branch block morphology (BBBM); (2) a QS, QR, or R QRS pattern in V6 in the presence of a right BBBM; (3) any Q in V6 in the presence of a left BBBM; (4) a concordant pattern in all precordial leads; and (5) the absence of an RS complex in all precordial leads (particularly useful for left BBBM). The following criteria--QRS duration > 140 ms; a left axis with right BBBM, right superior axis with right BBBM, monophasic or biphasic R wave in V1 with right BBBM, and a relation R/S < 1 with right BBBM; an R > 30 ms in lead V1 or V2 with left BBBM, > 60 ms from QRS onset to S nadir with left BBBM, a notched downstroke S wave with left BBBM, and an R-to-S interval > 100 ms in one precordial lead--had a specificity of 0.43, 0.54, 0.87, 0.80, 0.85, 0.78, 0.66, 0.69, and 0.63 (0.84 in right BBBM), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Most of the previously described morphological criteria favoring ventricular tachycardia are present in a substantial percentage of patients with IVCD during sinus rhythm. These findings suggest a limited applicability of these criteria in this subset of patients.
Effect of Smoking on Platelet Count and Platelet Parameters: An Observation

Arterial thrombosis occurs with increased frequency in cigarette smokers. It is believed that disturbance of platelet function, especially aggregation, is the essential mechanism responsible for this pathology. However, the effect of smoking on the quantity of platelets might be another contributing factor. The effect of smoking on platelet count is still controversial. We performed a cross sectional study to compare the platelet count and platelet parameters in Thai police who are smokers and non-smokers. A total of 30 Thai police in Bangkok were included in this study. Of the 30 police, there are 5 non-smokers and 25 smokers. The platelet counts and platelet parameters of the subjects were not significantly different between smokers and non-smokers.
Other-constituency theories and firm governance: is the benefit corporation sufficient?

Abstract Stakeholder theory creates a core conflict between managers in publicly held corporations and their boards of directors. Benefit corporation legislation recently adopted in 31 states attempts to address this conflict between shareholder primacy doctrine and stakeholder theory. While benefit corporation statutes offer improvement over traditional corporate structure for firms operating according to instrumental stakeholder theory, they do not fully support the ends of normative stakeholder theory or alternative normative other-constituency approaches, such as recently introduced common good models of the firm. Managers choosing to employ normative other-constituency approaches may choose to put benefit corporation regulations to use in the states where these tools are available, but they will continue to be faced with conflicts between benefit corporation structure/governance and applying normative other-constituency approaches on a day-to-day basis in their operations.
Better Governance for Development in the Middle East and North Africa: Enhancing Inclusiveness and Accountability

Enhancing Inclusiveness and Accountability Good governance—in which public institutions function responsively, transparently, and accountably—is essential to reducing poverty and stimulating growth. As numerous studies have shown, weak governance translates into slower growth, less-than-effective public services, and missed opportunities for human development because of the limited participation of citizens in shaping their future. This book seeks to enhance the dialogue on good governance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. To accomplish this goal, it marshals evidence showing that good governance matters, both regionally and globally, and draws on the universal values of inclusiveness and accountability to propose an analytical framework for discussing and measuring governance. While the MENA region’s quality of administration is relatively strong, it lags behind in other key measures, notably public accountability. The region’s legacy of limited public disclosure and transparency has, moreover, hampered the debate on governance. While recognizing that improving governance is no simple matter, this book challenges the region to formulate and act on national programs that would enhance governance by strengthening inclusiveness and accountability mechanisms—and to do so in an open, participatory process. Such programs could build on the debate and progress increasingly evident across the region, and lead to a strategy for better governance that can simultaneously encourage growth and development and meet the needs and aspirations of the region’s people in the decades ahead.
The effects of tenascin C knockdown on trabecular meshwork outflow resistance.

PURPOSE Tenascin C (TNC) is a matricellular glycoprotein whose expression in adult tissue is indicative of tissue remodeling. The purpose of the current study was to determine the localization of TNC in trabecular meshwork (TM) tissue and to analyze the effects of TNC on intraocular pressure (IOP). METHODS Human TM frontal sections were immunostained with anti-TNC and imaged by confocal microscopy. TNC mRNA and protein levels were quantitated in anterior segments perfused at physiological and elevated pressure. Short, hairpin RNA (shRNA) silencing lentivirus targeting full-length TNC (shTNC) was applied to anterior segment perfusion organ cultures. The IOPs and central corneal thickness (CCT) of wild-type, TNC(-/-), and tenascin X (TNX(-/-)) knockout mice were measured. RESULTS TNC was distributed in the juxtacanalicular (JCT) region of adult human TM, predominantly in the basement membrane underlying the inner wall of Schlemm's canal. Application of shTNC lentivirus to human and porcine anterior segments in perfusion culture did not significantly affect outflow rate. Although TNC was upregulated in response to pressure, there was no difference in outflow rate when shTNC-silenced anterior segments were subjected to elevated pressure. Furthermore, IOPs and CCTs were not significantly different between TNC(-/-) or TNX(-/-) and wild-type mice. CONCLUSIONS TNC does not appear to contribute directly to outflow resistance. However, TNC immunolocalization in the JCT of adult human eyes suggests that certain areas of the TM are being continuously remodeled with or without an IOP increase.
Minocycline Impedes African Trypanosome Invasion of the Brain in a Murine Model

ABSTRACT Passage of Trypanosoma brucei across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a hallmark of late-stage human African trypanosomiasis. In the present study we found that daily administration of minocycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, impedes the penetration of leukocytes and trypanosomes into the brain parenchyma of T. brucei brucei-infected C57BL/6 mice. The trypanosome-induced astrocytic and microglial reactions were reduced in the minocycline-treated mice, as were the levels in the brain of transcripts encoding adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (E-selectin); the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, and gamma interferon; and matrix metalloprotease 3 (MMP-3), MMP-8, and MMP-12. Loss of weight occurring during infection with T. b. brucei was not observed after treatment of the mice with minocycline; these mice also survived longer than nontreated mice. Invasion of trypanosomes and leukocytes into the brain parenchyma most likely triggered the loss of weight and death of infected animals, since minocycline did not affect the growth of T. b. brucei either in vitro or in vivo or the levels of the transcripts encoding the cytokines and MMPs in the spleen. In conclusion, our data show that T. b. brucei invasion of the brain is related to that of leukocytes and that minocycline can ameliorate the disease in trypanosome-infected mice.
Activation of drug-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in individuals allergic to sulfonamides, phenytoin, and carbamazepine.

To investigate how T cells are involved in hypersensitivity reactions to drugs that become immunogenic after metabolization, e.g., sulfonamides and antiepileptics, we analyzed in vitro the drug-induced activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets, cytokine secretion, TCR V beta distribution, and proliferation of T cells from four drug-allergic individuals. In addition, the activation parameters CD25 and HLA-DR were analyzed in vivo on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from five patients with acute drug allergies, some of them with anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome with hepatitis. Our results show that, in vitro, drug-induced proliferation of PBMC from patients with allergy to sulfamethoxazole, phenytoin, or carbamazepine was specific and dose dependent. CD4+ as well as CD8+ T cells expressed elevated levels of CD25 and HLA-DR molecules after drug stimulation. Drug-activated lymphocytes secreted high amounts of IL-5 and normal or low levels of IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-4, and TNF-alpha. An enhanced expansion of TCR V beta 17+ T cells 9 days after in vitro stimulation with sulfamethoxazole was observed in one patient with sulfamethoxazole allergy. The drug specificity of the in vitro-activated T cells was confirmed by generation of different sulfamethoxazole specific T cell lines and CD4+ and CD8+ T cell clones. T cell analysis of patients with acute drug allergy to carbamazepine, phenytoin, allopurinol, or paracetamol confirms the in vitro data, because all patients had activated CD4+ or CD8+ T cells in the circulation. Our data clearly show the involvement of drug-specific T cells in drug allergies.
Productivity and research and development content of intermediate inputs - evidence from Indian industries

Research and Development (R&D) investments are foundations for generating new knowledge through basic research and ultimately for generating products and services through applied research and commercialization. For this pay-off to happen and innovation-driven growth to flourish a successful R&D ecosystem is required. With current government support, R&D sector in India is all set to witness some robust growth in the coming years. Over the last decade researchers have emphasized the role of R&D expenditure in determining rate of growth of total factor productivity and hence in overall growth of an economy. Against this backdrop, the present study evaluates the extent to which R&D knowledge embodied in intermediate inputs is related to productivity at industry level in India. Industry-level Total Factor Productivity (TFP) with respect to R&D content of intermediates is computed for industries as a whole and for manufacturing sectors classified under high and low-R&D industries. A global input output matrix is used to separate total R&D content of intermediates into domestic and foreign R&D stocks. Using two way panel estimation, variation in TFP for twenty six industries for the years 2001, 2004 and 2007 are estimated as function of variations in domestic and foreign R&D content of intermediates. The study obtains much of the required data from GTAP databases – versions 6, 7 and 8 and from OECD Stan database, World Development indicators, India’s National Sample Survey Organization and its Department of Science and Technology. Results indicate that while industries, in general, as also manufacturing have shown increased productivity due to increased R&D in intermediate inputs, but it is the small scale low R&D sectors which are found to be the biggest beneficiaries. Particularly, the results point to the fact that it is the foreign R&D stock of inputs which have mainly contributed to improved productivity in these low R&D sectors. Thus, innovation by these sectors in the form of new machines, alternative materials, improved product quality etc. which they brought in via imports has resulted in their increased productivity. This finding is a contribution to existing literature which have mostly observed that that manufacturing output in general is responsive to R&D stock of intermediates. Large part of India’s population are employed in low R&D labor (mainly unskilled) intensive sectors. Thus, more R&D and innovation in these sectors via imported inputs may make them efficient in terms of value addition to output, employment and income and thus make innovation more inclusive.
Quick Response and Retailer Effort

The benefits of supply chain innovations such as quick response (QR) have been extensively investigated. This paper highlights a potentially damaging impact of QR on retailer effort. By lowering downstream inventories, QR may compromise retailer incentives to exert sales effort on a manufacturer's product and may lead instead to greater sales effort on a competing product. Manufacturer-initiated quick response can therefore backfire, leading to lower sales of the manufacturer's product and, in some cases, to higher sales of a competing product. Evidence from case studies and interviews shows that some manufacturers view high retailer inventory as a means of increasing retailer commitment (“a loaded customer is a loyal customer”). By implication, manufacturers should recognize the effect we highlight in this paper: the potential of QR to lessen retailer sales effort. We show that relatively simple distribution contracts such as minimum-take contracts, advance-purchase discounts, and exclusive dealing, when adopted in conjunction with QR, can remedy the distortionary impact of QR on retailers' incentives. In two recent antitrust cases we find evidence that, consistent with our theory, manufacturers adopted exclusive dealing at almost the same time that they were making QR-type supply chain improvements.
African Languages Today: The Challenge of and Prospects for Empowerment under Globalization

It has fallen to my lot once again to look at the African linguistic scene on the occasion of another historic landmark. I recall that on the 25 Anniversary of the Annual Conference of African Linguistics (ACAL) in 1994, I had the privilege of addressing the Conference on the topic, “Three Decades of African Linguistic Research” (Bamgbose 1995). Today, on the occasion of the 40 Anniversary of ACAL, my first inclination was to focus on our responsibility as African linguists in light of the pervasive underdevelopment that characterizes most communities on the African continent. While we continue to produce elegant language descriptions published in scholarly monographs, the people among whom we work remain largely illiterate, their children poorly educated, and their languages marginalized. However, because I understand that this Lecture is a Campus-wide one, I have shifted the focus somewhat to the empowerment of our languages. Of course, the theme of social concern is still present even in this topic. In most African countries today, a constant concern expressed by several stakeholders, particularly language specialists and educationists, is the low status of African languages and their use in restricted domains. Efforts made to empower the languages by enhancing their status and extending their use to wider domains have yielded poor or unimpressive results. On the other hand, the imported official languages have maintained their dominance not only in terms of their high status but also in terms of the prestigious domains in which they are used. Why is the situation the way it is and why have efforts made to empower African languages not been generally successful? In finding an answer to both questions, the starting point is to consider a series of factors responsible for this situation which are in part historical, linguistic, economic and sociopolitical.
Metabolism and Disposition of n-Butyl Glycidyl Ether in F344 Rats and B6C3F1 Mice

The disposition of [14C]-labeled n-butyl glycidyl ether (BGE, 3-butoxy-1,2-epoxypropane) was studied in rats and mice. The majority of a single p.o. dose (2–200 mg/kg) was excreted in urine (rats, 84–92%; mice, 64–73%) within 24 h. The rest of the dose was excreted in feces (rats, 2.6–7.7%; mice, 5.3–12%) and in expired air as 14CO2 (rats, 1.5%; mice, 10–18%), or remained in the tissues (rats, 2.7–4.4%; mice, 1.5–1.7%). No parent BGE was detected in rat or mouse urine. Fifteen urinary metabolites were identified, including 3-butoxy-2-hydroxy-1-propanol and its monosulfate or monoglucuronide conjugates, 3-butoxy-2-hydroxypropionic acid, O-butyl-N-acetylserine, butoxyacetic acid, 2-butoxyethanol, and 3-butoxy-1-(N-acetylcystein-S-yl)-2-propanol, the mercapturic acid metabolite derived from conjugation of glutathione (GSH) with BGE at the C-1 position. Some of these metabolites underwent further ω-1 oxidation to form a 3′-hydroxybutoxy substitution. One urinary metabolite was from ω-oxidation of 3-butoxy-1-(N-acetylcystein-S-yl)-2-propanol to yield the corresponding carboxylic acid. Oxidative deamination of 3-butoxy-1-(cystein-S-yl)-2-propanol gave the corresponding α-keto acid and α-hydroxy acid metabolites that were present in mouse urine but not in rat urine. An in vitro incubation of BGE with GSH showed that the conjugation occurred only at the C-1 position with or without the addition of GSH S-transferase.