Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
67‐kDa Laminin receptor contributes to hypoxia‐induced migration and invasion of trophoblast‐like cells by mediating matrix metalloproteinase‐9

Insufficient trophoblast invasion often occurs in patients experiencing preeclampsia. The 67‐kDa laminin receptor (LR1) is a multifunctional protein that binds to laminin and interacts with the extracellular matrix. We recently demonstrated that LR1 is implicated in trophoblast migration and invasion. However, whether LR1 is involved in hypoxia‐mediated trophoblastic invasion remains unclear and requires further investigation. This study demonstrates that two trophoblast‐like cell lines (JEG3 and BeWo cells) cultured at 3% oxygen exerted enhanced migratory and invasive capabilities as compared with their counterparts exposed to 20% oxygen. LR1 expression was increased in hypoxic JEG3 cells but decreased after transfection with hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF‐1α) specific siRNA. Moreover, shRNA targeting LR1 mRNA significantly inhibited hypoxia‐induced increase in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 activity in JEG3 cells. Forced overexpression of LR1 augmented JEG3 cell migration and invasion, and enhanced MMP‐9 expression and activity. Additionally, the blockade of the MMP‐9 effect with its neutralizing antibody reduced LR1 elevation‐promoted trophoblastic invasion. In summary, this study demonstrates that LR1 contributes to hypoxia‐induced migration and invasion of trophoblast cells at least partly by mediating MMP‐9 in vitro.
Role of protein dynamics in ion selectivity and allosteric coupling in the NaK channel

Significance Pore domains of ion channels form the ion conduction pathway and thus control the identity and flux of ions across the membrane. Flux-dependent inactivation suggests that these two functions are connected, with allosteric linkage between the selectivity filter and inner gate. This study uses solution NMR to investigate structural and dynamic features of ion selectivity and coupling between the gates in the small bacterial channel NaK. NaK is a nonselective cation channel and is homologous to several eukaryotic channels that are not well modeled by KcsA. Our results show a previously unexpected dynamic coupling between the selectivity filter and inner gate in NaK. This suggests that such transmembrane communication is widespread and occurs through distinct mechanisms in diverse channels. Flux-dependent inactivation that arises from functional coupling between the inner gate and the selectivity filter is widespread in ion channels. The structural basis of this coupling has only been well characterized in KcsA. Here we present NMR data demonstrating structural and dynamic coupling between the selectivity filter and intracellular constriction point in the bacterial nonselective cation channel, NaK. This transmembrane allosteric communication must be structurally different from KcsA because the NaK selectivity filter does not collapse under low-cation conditions. Comparison of NMR spectra of the nonselective NaK and potassium-selective NaK2K indicates that the number of ion binding sites in the selectivity filter shifts the equilibrium distribution of structural states throughout the channel. This finding was unexpected given the nearly identical crystal structure of NaK and NaK2K outside the immediate vicinity of the selectivity filter. Our results highlight the tight structural and dynamic coupling between the selectivity filter and the channel scaffold, which has significant implications for channel function. NaK offers a distinct model to study the physiologically essential connection between ion conduction and channel gating.
Risk factors for the occurrence of undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharyngeal type: a case-control study.

INTRODUCTION The incidence rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Serbia is less than one per 100,000 citizens, which classifies it as a region with low incidence for this disease. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to test some hypotheses of the risk factors for undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharyngeal type (UCNT) in the low incidence population. METHODS A case-control study was used for the research. The study included 45 cases with histopathological diagnosis of UCNT and 90 controls. Cases and the controls were individually matched by sex, age (+/- 3 years), and place of residence (city-village). Data were gathered about sociodemographic characteristics, occupational exposure to harmful agents, habits, diet, personal history, and family history. In the analysis of the data, conditional univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied. RESULTS According to the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis UCNT was significantly positively associated with "passive smoking" of tobacco in the family during childhood, frequent consumption of industrially manufactured food additives for enhancing flavour and frequent consumption of white bread. UCNT was significantly negatively associated with frequent consumption of margarine, olive oil and cornbread. CONCLUSION In our low incidence population, an independent risk factor for the occurrence of UCNT was "passive smoking" of tobacco in the family during childhood, use of industrially manufactured food with additives for enhancing flavour and consumption of white bread. Multicentric study enrolling a greater number of cases would be desirable.
Corporate Social and Environmental Reporting (CSER) and Financial Performance: The Mediating Role of Competitive Advantage

The paper examined the mediating effect of competitive advantage on the relationship between CSER and financial performance in Nigeria. The study adopted the ex-post causal research design because it seeks to examine the causality between CSER and financial performance within a mediation context. A sample size of 100 companies from all sectors listed on the Nigerian Stock exchange (NSE) between 2007 and 2016 was used. Panel regression analysis was used in the estimation of the data. The mediation Model was tested based on Baron and Kenny’s (1986) conditions for mediation. Results from the study revealed that competitive advantage mediates in the relationship between CSER and financial performance. This result confirms the Resource Based Theory (RBT) that engaging in social and environmental reporting activities can enhance a company’s competitive advantage which will ultimately improve the financial performance in Nigeria. The study recommends that corporations in developing and emerging markets should begin to think differently about CSER as a proactive and strategic tool towards enhancing competitive advantage and consequently financial performance rather than just in response to the demand for CSER globally.
Accounting for performance : case studies of relative performance evaluation in Egypt and England

Relative Performance Evaluation "RPE" is a performance evaluation and reward scheme which have been receiving a growing attention from academic and professionals (Holmstrom 1982, Frederickson 1992, Conyon and Gregg 1994, and Defond & Park 1999). Under RPE rewards for managers and executives are set upon their performance compared to that of their peers. Holmstrom (1982) introduced the basic model of RPE founded on agent-principal assumptions. In that model, the peers' performance was seen to provide information about the agent's unobservable effort. Fredrickson (1992) suggested that RPE could satisfy economic and psychological needs of employee. In this study, an attempt is made to depart from the universal agency perspective and to adopt a contingent framework. The research arguments were developed from an identification of the discrepancies and gaps in the literature of RPE, overlooked complications and issues in the UK practice, relating the debate about RPE to the wider accounting literature of performance measurements and evaluation (Emmanuel et.al. 1990, Kaplan & Atkinson 1998). The aim of this research was to explore the content and context of RPE therefore, the arguments focused on: whether RPE is motivating, the impacts of difficulty of peer group, non financial measures, market measures and varying the form of the rewards on RPE. Case study approach was adopted to examine the research arguments. Data were collected from three companies in Egypt and one company in England. Access was partially accidental but turned to provide four different cases. Three cases were developed in Egypt including: Trade (a public company), Dairy (private company) and Steel (joint venture) and the English company was United Utilities (private company). Data were collected by questionnaire, interviews and other documentary sources of the companies. The research findings suggest associations between RPE and target's difficulty, using non financial but not varying rewards. Competition and type of ownership and the organisational culture were influential on RPE.
Delayless dynamic controllers for exact model matching with simultaneous disturbance rejection of general neutral time delay systems

The problem of Exact Model Matching with simultaneous Disturbance Rejection (EMMDR) via delayless dynamic controllers is solved for the class of general neutral multi delay systems with measurable disturbances. The delayless dynamic controllers are of the measurement output feedback type with dynamic compensation of the measurable disturbances. The necessary and sufficient conditions for the problem to have a solution are established and the general form of the delayless dynamic controller matrices solving the problem are derived. Based on the above results, the EMMDR problem for general neutral multi delay systems, via delayless static controllers, is solved. The results are illustrated through application to an idle speed control model for internal combustion engines.
Determinant of Capital Ratio: A Panel Data Analysis on State-owned Banks in Indonesia

Capital plays important role to support the operational of the banks and to create a sound banking system in aggregate. For this reason, the banks are required to have a sufficient amount of capital, both to support its business expansion as well as a buffer to prevent and to absorb any unexpected losses. This paper analyzes determinants of capital ratio of the state-owned banks in Indonesia. Using panel data regression model, the result shows that the capital ratio of these state-owned banks is affected by the size of the bank, the bank’s leverage, the quality of management, and the interest rate risk. Contrary to the existing literatures, this paper does not support the effect of management capability to generate income on the bank’s capital ratio. Keywords : Capital structure, state-owned banks, panel estimation. JEL Classification : C23, G21, G32
Maturation of neuromuscular transmission in the infant.

Twitch tension, train-of-four and tetanus--clinical parameters of neuromuscular transmission--were studied in 37 infants and children anaesthetized with halothane. The contraction time was slower in infants less than 1 month old when compared with their elder counterparts. This may indicate a possible transformation from slow to faster muscle types. The train-of-four reached 100% in most of the infants older than 2 months. The post-tetanic facilitation and the tetanus : twitch ratios were significantly greater in infants older than 2 months when compared with infants less than 1 month. Post-tetanic exhaustion was seen in all the infants and children after stimulation at 100 Hz. Tetanus : twitch ratios were greater in infants more than 2 months old and in children, and the tetanic force was more marked at 50 Hz than at 20 Hz. The data indicate that maturation of neuromuscular transmission occurs in infants in and around the first 2 months of age.
Epidemiology of H 5 N 1 avian influenza

High pathogenic (HP) H5N1 avian influenza (AI) infection has been reported in domestic poultry, wildlife, and human populations since 1996. Risk of infection is associated with direct contact with infected birds. The mode of H5N1 spread from Asia to Europe, Africa and the Far East is unclear; risk factors such as legal and illegal domestic poultry and exotic bird trade, and migratory bird movements have been documented. Measures used to control disease such as culling, stamping out, cleaning and disinfection, and vaccination have not been successful in eradicating H5N1 in Asia, but have been effective in Europe. # 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Yield and Economic Viability of Coriander under Frontline Demonstration in Bundi District of Rajasthan

A study was conducted in Bundi district of Rajasthan to analyze yield and economics of coriander under frontline demonstration. Results of the study revealed that yields in coriander were substantially higher over the Local Check (Control), fetching the participating farmers a higher price for their produce. A majority of the respondent farmers expressed high (44.32%) to very high (37.50%) level of satisfaction with extension services and performance of the technology under the demonstration.
Early Results of Single-plug Autologous Osteochondral Grafting for Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum in Adolescents.

BACKGROUND Osteochondral autologous transplantation surgery (OATS) has been advocated for unstable osetochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions of the adolescent capitellum, though limited information is available regarding clinical and radiographic results in North American patients. We hypothesize that single-plug OATS is safe and effective in alleviating pain and restoring function in unstable OCD. METHODS Twenty-eight patients with unstable OCD treated with single-plug OATS were evaluated. Mean age at surgery was 14.2 years; there were 14 males. Etiology of OCD was presumed to be sports participation, including baseball (n=5) and gymnastics (n=11). Indications for surgery included unstable, deep OCD lesions; 2 lesions were uncontained, and 3 patients (11%) had OATS after failed prior surgery. OATS was performed by an anconeus muscle-splitting approach; donor grafts were harvested from the lateral femoral condyle by small arthrotomy. Functional outcomes were quantified using the Timmerman instrument. Median clinical and radiographic follow-up was 6.3 months (range, 5.0 to 27.0 mo) and 5.7 months (range, 5.0 to 26.7 mo), respectively. Furthermore, all patients returned functional questionnaires at a median of 9 months postoperatively (range, 5 to 27 mo). RESULTS Of the 26 patients who reported preoperative tenderness, 19 (73%) patients had no tenderness at most recent clinical follow-up (P=0.02). Of 18 patients with restricted elbow motion preoperatively, 13 had achieved full range of motion (P=0.10). Both elbow flexion and extension improved significantly [flexion: median change (interquartile range)=10 degrees (0 to 10 degrees), P=0.009; extension: 0 degree (-5 to 0 degrees), P <0.001). On postoperative magnetic resonance imaging, 86% (P<0.001) of elbows had restoration of articular congruity and 93% had complete graft incorporation. Objective [median change (interquartile range)=5 degrees (0 to 15 degrees)], subjective [25 degrees (15 to 40 degrees)], and overall [35 degrees (15 to 45 degrees)] Timmerman scores improved significantly (P=0.001, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively). Of the 13 patients with >6 months follow-up, 9 patients (69%) had returned to their primary sport (P=0.27) and 100% had returned to general sports participation. There were no postoperative complications. At final follow-up, all donor knees were asymptomatic with full motion and strength. CONCLUSION Single-plug OATS is safe and effective in improving pain and elbow function in adolescents with unstable OCD, with high return to sports rates and little donor-site morbidity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV-case series.
Levels of Prostaglandin E Metabolite, the Major Urinary Metabolite of Prostaglandin E2, Are Increased in Smokers

Purpose: Increased levels of cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) have been observed in tobacco-related malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract. Moreover, exposure to tobacco smoke can stimulate the synthesis of PGE2. Recent evidence suggests that urinary PGE metabolite (PGE-M) can be used as an index of systemic PGE2 production. In this study, we investigated whether levels of urinary PGE-M were increased in smokers and in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Experimental Design: Fifty-eight HNSCC cases and 29 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were prospectively enrolled in the study. A detailed smoking history and single void urine specimen were obtained from each participant. Levels of urinary PGE-M were quantified in a blinded fashion using mass spectrometry and compared with smoking history and tumor status. Results: Adjusted for case-control matching, median urinary PGE-M levels were significantly higher in ever smokers (15.7 ng/mg creatinine) compared with never smokers (9.9 ng/mg creatinine) for the entire study population (n = 87, P = 0.005). Concentrations of urinary PGE-M were nearly doubled in ever smokers (15.2 ng/mg creatinine) versus never smokers (7.8 ng/mg creatinine) among healthy controls (P = 0.001). Higher PGE-M levels were observed in current versus former smokers and in those with greater pack-year exposure. A significant difference in amounts of PGE-M was not observed in patients with HNSCC versus healthy controls. Conclusions: Increased levels of urinary PGE-M were observed in smokers. Urinary PGE-M may have use as a noninvasive biomarker of the effects of tobacco smoke exposure.
Trait emotional intelligence, psychological well‐being and peer‐rated social competence in adolescence

The trait emotional intelligence (trait EI or trait emotional self-efficacy) framework provides comprehensive coverage of emotion-related self-perceptions and dispositions. In this study, we investigated the relationship between trait EI and four distinct socioemotional criteria on a sample of Dutch adolescents (N = 282; 136 girls, 146 boys; mean age = 13.75 years). As hypothesized, trait EI was positively associated with adaptive coping styles and negatively associated with depressive thoughts and frequency of somatic complaints. It was also negatively associated with maladaptive coping styles, in boys only. Adolescents with high trait EI scores received more nominations from their classmates for being co-operative and girls gave significantly more nominations to classmates with high trait EI scores for having leadership qualities. The discussion focusses on the operationalization of trait emotional self-efficacy in adolescents.
Aging in the Canine Kidney

Given the irreversible nature of nephron loss, aging of the kidney is of special interest to diagnostic and toxicologic pathologists. There are many similarities among histologic lesions in aged human and canine kidneys, including increased frequency of glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, and tubular atrophy. Unfortunately, there are few studies in which renal tissue from aged healthy dogs was adequately examined with advanced diagnostics—namely, transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence—so age-associated changes in canine podocytes and glomerular basement membranes are poorly characterized. An age-associated decrease in the glomerular filtration rate in humans and dogs (specifically small breed dogs) has been documented. Although lesions in aged rats and mice differ somewhat from those of aged dogs and humans, the knowledge gained from rodent models is still vital to elucidating the pathogenesis of age-associated renal disease. Many novel molecules implicated in renal aging have been identified through genetically modified rodent models and transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of human kidneys. These molecules represent intriguing therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers. Likewise, influencing critical pathways of cellular aging, such as telomere shortening, cellular senescence, and autophagy, could improve renal function in the elderly.
In search of necessary mouthguard thickness. Part 1: From the viewpoint of shock absorption ability.

PURPOSE To date, the minimum thickness required for a mouthguard has been assumed to be around 2 mm to 4 mm. However, this figure is based mostly on experience and is yet to be standardized. The purpose of this study is to determine the minimum thickness required to obtain sufficient energy absorption. METHODS The thicknesses of the tested ethylene vinyl acetate) samples were 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 mm. The pendulum- type testing equipment used in the present study was also used in a series of earlier studies. Three types of sensors (strain gauge, accelerator, and load cell) and two different impact objects (a steel ball and baseball) were used. RESULTS The results showed that all the above-mentioned mouthguard thicknesses reduced shocks for all the three types of sensors and both types of impact objects; little difference was observed between sensors and clear results were obtained for the steel ball. An improvement in the energy absorption was observed with an initial increase in the thickness. However, a further increase in the thickness from 4 mm to 5 mm and 6 mm tended to yield a smaller improvement in energy absorption. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this study, from the viewpoint of energy absorption ability, the minimum thickness required for a mouthguard is 4 mm, which is generally too large from the viewpoint of player comfort. This finding indicates the necessity of improving the impact absorption ability of mouthguards by considering new designs and developing new materials.
Radioimmunoassay of mammalian type‐c polypeptides. IV. Characterization of woolly monkey and gibbon viral antigens

The ˜30,000 dalton woolly and gibbon type‐C viral polypeptides have been isolated and characterized immunologically. By radioimmunoassay, antibody prepared in rabbits to the woolly and gibbon “gs” protein show only low‐level cross‐reactions with other mammalian type‐C viral gs antigens and their antisera. The woolly and gibbon ˜30,000 dalton polypeptides are highly related on the basis of both serum and antigen titrations, confirming previous studies with the viral reverse transcriptases. The woolly gs assay using a double antibody radioimmunoassay can detect less than one nanogram of purified woolly or gibbon viral protein, and the same protein also reacts in the interspecies of gs‐3 radioimmunoassay indicating that the primate “gs” proteins also contain both species‐specific and interspecies reactivities on the same polypeptide. To establish that the woolly and gibbon type‐C viruses represented distinct isolates with a close immunological relationship and to eliminate the possibility of laboratory contamination, original woolly and gibbon material was studied for antigen. Both the original woolly monkey fibrosarcoma and two separate gibbon lymphoid tumors contained high levels of type‐C interspecies and woolly viral antigen by radioimmunoassay, indicating that natural tumors from distinct species of primates contain immunologically related viral antigen.
The Osteogenic Capacity in vitro of Periosteum and Endosteum Isolated from the Limb Skeleton of Fowl Embryos and Young Chicks.

Introduction Technique . Part I. Periosteum Method A. Behaviour in vitro of 6-day embryonic periosteum Material Controls Observations on living cultures Observations on histological preparations B. Behaviour in vitro of 10-day embryonic periosteum Material Controls Observations on living cultures Observations on histological preparations C. Behaviour in vitro of late embryonic and early post-embryonic Material Controls Observations on living cultures Observations on histological preparations Discussion (Part I) Part II. Endosteum Method Observations on living cultures Observations on histological preparations Discussion (Part II) Summary of results References Explanation of plates PAGE 157 158 159 159 159 159 159 160 163 164 164 164 165 166 periosteum . 166 166 166 167 168 168 169 169 170 173 176 178 178 179