Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Formulation, characterization, and in vitro/ex vivo evaluation of quercetin-loaded microemulsion for topical application

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop a new microemulsion formulation for topical application of poorly soluble drug named quercetin. In order to design suitable microemulsion system, the pseudo-ternary phase diagrams of microemulsion systems were constructed at different surfactant/co-surfactant ratios using tween 80 as surfactant, transcutol® P as a co-surfactant and oleic acid as an oil phase. Some physicochemical properties such as droplet size, density, refractive index, electrical conductivity, pH, surface tension, and viscosity of the microemulsion systems were measured at 298.15 K. The average hydrodynamic droplet size of the optimized microemulsions was obtained by dynamic light scattering method. Morphology assessment of the optimized quercetin-loaded microemulsion by transmission electron microscopy analysis indicated that the particles have the size of about 25 nm and spherical with narrow size distribution. Equilibrium solubility, in vitro drug release at a 24 h time period, release kinetic evaluation as well as ex vivo permeation and retention of quercetin-loaded microemulsions through rat skin has been investigated. The obtained results showed a slow release behavior without any transdermal delivery. Most of the formulations fitted best with zero-order kinetic model with a non-Fickian mechanisms. This study illustrated that the proposed QU-microemulsion has a good potential for use in sunscreen formulations.
The Mayo Portland Adaptability Inventory-4 outcome measure is superior to UK FIM+FAM in a British military population

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the most appropriate rehabilitation outcome measure for use in a young adult population with acquired brain injury. Methods: A 2-year prospective study of patients admitted to a UK military neuro-rehabilitation unit with acquired brain injury to compare the appropriateness of the Functional Independence Measure/Functional Assessment Measure (FIM+FAM) vs the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory Version 4 (MPAI-4) in assessing outcomes. Patients were assessed at admission, discharge and at 4-month follow-up using FIM+FAM and MPAI-4. Results: The FIM+FAM total motor score showed a marked ceiling affect, 42% of patients scored the maximum on admission rising to 80% at discharge. The MPAI-4 did not show significant ceiling effects. The other sub-scales of FIM+FAM and MPAI-4 were generally comparable, no more than 17% achieved ceiling at follow-up. Conclusions: This is the first comparative study of FIM+FAM and MPAI-4 in a young adult military population following acquired brain injury. All patients showed improvements in both outcome measures following intensive inpatient rehabilitation. However, the MPAI-4 did not show ceiling effects in motor scores. This measure was, therefore, found to be more appropriate in the cohort.
Genome-Wide Identification of Human FOXP3 Target Genes in Natural Regulatory T Cells

The transcription factor FOXP3 is essential for the formation and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs), and Tregs are essential for maintaining immune homeostasis and tolerance. This is demonstrated by a lethal autoimmune defect in mice lacking Foxp3 and in immunodysregulation polyendocrinopathy enteropathy X-linked syndrome patients. However, little is known about the molecular basis of human FOXP3 function or the relationship between direct and indirect targets of FOXP3 in human Tregs. To investigate this, we have performed a comprehensive genome-wide analysis for human FOXP3 target genes from cord blood Tregs using chromatin immunoprecipitation array profiling and expression profiling. We have identified 5579 human FOXP3 target genes and derived a core Treg gene signature conserved across species using mouse chromatin immunoprecipitation data sets. A total of 739 of the 5579 FOXP3 target genes were differentially regulated in Tregs compared with Th cells, thus allowing the identification of a number of pathways and biological functions overrepresented in Tregs. We have identified gene families including cell surface molecules and microRNAs that are differentially expressed in FOXP3+ Tregs. In particular, we have identified a novel role for peptidase inhibitor 16, which is expressed on the cell surface of >80% of resting human CD25+FOXP3+ Tregs, suggesting that in conjunction with CD25 peptidase inhibitor 16 may be a surrogate surface marker for Tregs with potential clinical application.
Natural Resource Rents and Unemployment in Oil Exporting Countries

The main objective of this study is to examine short-run and long-run relationship between natural resource rents and unemployment in OPEC and OAPEC countries over the period from 1991 to 2016, using PMG-ARDL model. The causality test shows that causality runs from total natural resources rents to unemployment. The study finds that, on the long-run, the impact of natural resource rents on unemployment rate is a positive significant impact, whether using aggregated data for natural resource rents or disaggregated (oil and natural gas). Almost all the variables have no significant impact on unemployment on the short-run.
Modulatory effects of 5Hz rTMS over the primary somatosensory cortex in focal dystonia—An fMRI‐TMS study

Dystonia is associated with impaired somatosensory ability. The electrophysiological method of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can be used for noninvasive stimulation of the human cortex and can alter cortical excitability and associated behavior. Among others, rTMS can alter/improve somatosensory discrimation abilities, as shown in healthy controls. We applied 5Hz‐rTMS over the left primary somatosensory cortex (S1) in 5 patients with right‐sided writer's dystonia and 5 controls. We studied rTMS effects on tactile discrimination accuracy and concomitant rTMS‐induced changes in hemodynamic activity measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Before rTMS, patients performed worse on the discrimination task than controls even though fMRI showed greater task‐related activation bilaterally in the basal ganglia (BG). In controls, rTMS led to improved discrimination; fMRI revealed this was associated with increased activity of the stimulated S1, bilateral premotor cortex and BG. In dystonia patients, rTMS had no effect on discrimination; fMRI showed similar cortical effects to controls except for no effects in BG. Improved discrimination after rTMS in controls is linked to enhanced activation of S1 and BG. Failure of rTMS to increase BG activation in dystonia may be associated with the lack of effect on sensory discrimination in this group and may reflect impaired processing in BG‐S1 connections. Alternatively, the increased BG activation seen in the baseline state without rTMS may reflect a compensatory strategy that saturates a BG contribution to this task. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Human resource management – a national business system perspective

Abstract Although a sizeable body of academic literature has attempted to explain the role of national business systems in the context of human resource management (HRM), there is still little research on the extent to which institutional features explain patterns of HRM in the emerging economy of Dubai. Different institutional settings tend to generate their own organisational arrangements to manage their employees, and it is important to understand how this interplay works. From an economic perspective, Dubai is important, mainly due to its promising diversification of its economy and its political stability. From a national business system perspective, the institutional environment represents a peculiar case, because it differs from many other emerging markets with respect to the strong co-ordinating role of the state, the strong segmentation and specialisation of tasks, roles, skills and authority, especially between nationals and expatriates, and a unique employment system. Thirty-two in-depth interviews with HR managers, and extensive document reviews, reveal that these elements of the institutional environment are related strongly to specific patterns of HRM practices, including distinctive policies for national employees and expatriates. The insights generated in this study explain the particularities of HRM in Dubai from a national business system perspective.
A Quantitative Immunohistochemical Study of the Cellular Response to Crush Injury in Optic Nerve

Computer-enhanced immunohistochemical techniques were applied to quantify the cellular response of rat optic nerve to crush injury to attain the spatial and temporal detail necessary for resolving trends in the process that may be affected by experimental therapy. Changes in the major cell populations of the optic nerve during 6 weeks following crush injury were analyzed using antibodies against beta-tubulin (TuJ1), neurofilament (8-152), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), galactocerebrosides (GalC), ED-1, and von Willebrand factor to detect the presence of axons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells. The markers for axons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and endothelial cells decreased their activity and remained depressed in the area of direct mechanical injury throughout 6 weeks following crush injury. A spatial peak in the axonal makers TuJ1 and 8-152 at the proximal boundary of the injury at both 2 and 3 weeks is consistent with the idea that the injury zone is a barrier obstructing distal elongation of sprouted neurites. Reactive astrocytes were GFAP-positive in the nerve segments proximal and distal to the injury with marker density above 1.5 times normal at 2 and 3 weeks. GFAP appeared to be absent in the site of injury even at 6 weeks postinjury, as shown by both immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. ED-1-positive macrophages were the most numerous population in the injury site from 1 through 6 weeks with a peak value measured at 2 weeks. The optical density of ED-1 activity in the distal and proximal nerve segments was less than 20% the density in the injury at all measured time points.
Adverse health in parents of children with disabilities and chronic health conditions: a meta-analysis using the parenting stress index's health sub-domain.

BACKGROUND Compared with parents of same-aged children without disabilities, parents of children with disabilities and with chronic health conditions (CHC) show higher levels of stress and depression. Fewer studies, however, examine the physical health of these parents, and studies report mixed findings. Many studies, however, report mother's self-reported health using the Health Sub-domain of Abidin's Parenting Stress Index (PSI). We therefore conducted a meta-analysis comparing the physical health of parents of children with developmental disabilities (DD) and CHC vs. parents of children without DD/CHC in studies utilising this measure. METHODS Eligible studies used the long form of the PSI and reported results from the 5-item Health sub-domain. Group comparison effect sizes were synthesised in a meta-analysis, and we also examined the potential relations of child, parent, and study characteristics. Our search yielded 19 eligible studies. RESULTS Compared with parents of children without DD/CHC, parents of children with DD/CHC reported higher PSI health problem scores, with a weighted mean effect size of 0.39 (95% CI = 0.23-0.55). Effect sizes ranged from -0.13 to 1.46 and there was evidence of heterogeneity in the effect sizes (τ2 = 0.07; Q18 = 48.64, P < 0.01; I2 = 63.0%). Studies with higher numbers of reporting quality indicators generally reported larger effects and more recent studies showed smaller effects. Although several child and parent characteristics were moderately associated with effect sizes, none reached statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS Practitioners should be alerted to the need for health prevention and treatment in this at-risk parent group.
IDENTIFYING COEVOLUTIONARY PATTERNS IN HUMAN LEUKOCYTE ANTIGEN (HLA) MOLECULES

The antigenic peptide, major histocompatibility complex molecule (MHC; also called human leukocyte antigen, HLA), coreceptor CD8, or CD4 and T‐cell receptor (TCR) function as a complex to initiate effectors’ mechanisms of the immune system. The tight functional and physical interaction among these molecules may have involved strong coevolution links among domains within and between proteins. Despite the importance of unraveling such dependencies to understand the arms race of host–pathogen interaction, no previous studies have aimed at achieving such an objective. Here, we perform an exhaustive coevolution analysis and show that indeed such dependencies are strongly shaping the evolution and probably the function of these molecules. We identify intramolecular coevolution in HLA class I and II at domains important for their immune activity. Most of the amino acid sites identified to be coevolving in HLAI have been also detected to undergo positive Darwinian selection highlighting therefore their adaptive value. We also identify coevolution among antigen‐binding pockets (P1‐P9) and among these and TCR‐binding sites. Conversely to HLAI, coevolution is weaker in HLAII. Our results support that such coevolutionary patterns are due to selective pressures of host–pathogen coevolution and cooperative binding of TCRs, antigenic peptides, and CD8/CD4 to HLAI and HLAII.
Integrated Commodity Inventory Management and Financial Hedging: A Dynamic Mean‐Variance Analysis

We consider a firm purchasing a storable raw material commodity from a spot market with volatile commodity prices and the access to an associated financial derivatives market. The purchased commodity is processed into an end product with uncertain demand and lost sales. The firm aims to integrate the inventory replenishment and financial hedging decisions to maximize the meanâ€ variance of terminal wealth over a finite horizon. Recognizing timeâ€ inconsistency of meanâ€ variance criteria, we employ the dynamic programming approach to obtain a timeâ€ consistent policy. Assuming no arbitrage in financial market, we show that the meanâ€ variance utility functions under the timeâ€ consistent policy have a recursive representation which enables us to readily characterize the structure of the timeâ€ consistent policy. We analyze two types of hedging instruments, vanilla hedges and exotic hedges, and show that inventory and financial hedging decisions can be separated in the presence of forward contracts and a myopic stateâ€ dependent base stock policy is optimal. The optimal hedging policy can be obtained by minimizing the variance of the hedging portfolio, the value of excess inventory and the profitâ€ toâ€ go as a function of future price. In the presence of a continuum of option strikes, we show how to construct custom exotic derivatives using forwards and options of all strikes to replicate the profitâ€ toâ€ go function. We then show the optimality of the timeâ€ consistent policy under exotic hedge for the initial meanâ€ variance objective. We further investigate the dynamic interplay of inventories and financial hedge and show that they can be substitutes in a dynamic environment. Finally, we compare the performances in different hedging environments to discuss how financial hedges add value and provide a numerical study.
Place of birth and risk of gallbladder cancer in India.

CONTEXT Within India, the incidence of gallbladder cancer (GBC) is characterized by marked geographical variation; however, the reasons for these differences are unclear. AIMS To evaluate the role of place of birth, length of residence, and effect of migration from high- to low-risk region on GBC development. SETTINGS AND DESIGN Population-based cancer registries (PBCRs); case-control study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Data of PBCRs were used to demonstrate geographical variation in GBC incidence rates. A case-control study data examined the role of birth place, residence length, and effect of migration in etiology of GBC. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Rate ratios for different PBCRs were estimated using Chennai Cancer Registry as the reference population. Odds ratios (ORs) for developing GBC in a high-risk region compared to a low-risk region and associated 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated through unconditional logistic regression models using case-control study. RESULTS GBC shows marked variation in incidence with risk highest in Northeast regions and lowest in South India. OR of 4.82 (95% CI: 3.87-5.99) was observed for developing GBC for individuals born in a high-risk region compared to those born in a low-risk region after adjusting for confounders. A dose-response relationship with increased risk with increased length of residence in a high-risk region was observed (OR lifetime 5.58 [95% CI: 4.42-7.05]; Ptrend ≤ 0.001). The risk persisted even if study participant migrated from high- to low-risk region (OR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.02-1.82). CONCLUSIONS The present study signifies the importance of place of birth, length of stay, and effect of migration from high- to low-risk region in the development of GBC. The data indicate role of environmental and genetic factors in etiology of disease.
Making the Invisible Visible: Exploring Cultural Differences of Faculty Working on a Multicultural Team

In an educational environment, where many cultures are represented, it is essential that the environment is inclusive and every culture is embraced. Training programs for faculty members on how to cope in a new diverse environment in ways that develop strong, culturally relevant interpersonal skills have been missing in many educational institutions. The purpose of this mixed method study was two-fold. First, the researchers examined faculty member’s reactions to working in a culturally diverse environment. Secondly, the researchers wanted to uncover best practices or strategies that might improve cultural awareness in workforce development in terms of navigating daily life within an educational institution. This study delved into the experiences faculty members reported having in their workplace. The study involved 224 faculty members across various departments and career statuses working at a public coeducational research institution in the United States of America. The survey and interview responses to a predetermined set of questions were analyzed in order to draw out commonalities and to address the research questions. The results of the study revealed that an intensive cultural orientation training program is needed to help faculty members develop effective communication skills in order to work more collaboratively in an educational institution.
A regular pattern of Ig super-motifs defines segmental flexibility as the elastic mechanism of the titin chain

Myofibril elasticity, critical to muscle function, is dictated by the intrasarcomeric filament titin, which acts as a molecular spring. To date, the molecular events underlying the mechanics of the folded titin chain remain largely unknown. We have elucidated the crystal structure of the 6-Ig fragment I65–I70 from the elastic I-band fraction of titin and validated its conformation in solution using small angle x-ray scattering. The long-range properties of the chain have been visualized by electron microscopy on a 19-Ig fragment and modeled for the full skeletal tandem. Results show that conserved Ig–Ig transition motifs generate high-order in the structure of the filament, where conformationally stiff segments interspersed with pliant hinges form a regular pattern of dynamic super-motifs leading to segmental flexibility in the chain. Pliant hinges support molecular shape rearrangements that dominate chain behavior at moderate stretch, whereas stiffer segments predictably oppose high stretch forces upon full chain extension. There, librational entropy can be expected to act as an energy barrier to prevent Ig unfolding while, instead, triggering the unraveling of flanking springs formed by proline, glutamate, valine, and lysine (PEVK) sequences. We propose a mechanistic model based on freely jointed rigid segments that rationalizes the response to stretch of titin Ig-tandems according to molecular features.
Time-course of PTSD symptoms in the Australian Defence Force: a retrospective cohort study

Aims. Understanding the time-course of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the underlying events, may help to identify those most at risk, and anticipate the number of individuals likely to be diagnosed after exposure to traumatic events. Method. Data from two health surveys were combined to create a cohort of 1119 Australian military personnel who deployed to the Middle East between 2000 and 2009. Changes in PTSD Checklist Civilian Version (PCL-C) scores and the reporting of stressful events between the two self-reported surveys were assessed. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between the number of stressful events reported and PTSD symptoms, and assess whether those who reported new stressful events between the two surveys, were also more likely to report older events. We also assessed, using linear regression, whether higher scores on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale or the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test were associated with subsequent increases in the PCL-C in those who had experienced a stressful event, but who initially had few PTSD symptoms. Results. Overall, the mean PCL-C scores in the two surveys were similar, and 78% of responders stayed in the same PCL-C category. Only a small percentage moved from having few symptoms of PTSD (PCL-C < 30) in Survey 1 to meeting the criteria for PTSD (PCL-C ≥ 50) at Survey 2 (1% of all responders, 16% of those with PCL-C ≥ 50 at Survey 2). Personnel who reported more stressful lifetime events were more likely to score higher on the PCL-C. Only 51% reported the same stressful event on both surveys. People who reported events occurring between the two surveys were more likely to record events from before the first survey which they had not previously mentioned (OR 1.48, 95% CI (1.17, 1.88), p < 0.001), than those who did not. In people who initially had few PTSD symptoms, a higher level of psychological distress, was significantly associated with higher PCL-C scores a few years later. Conclusions. The reporting of stressful events varied over time indicating that while the impact of some stressors endure, others may increase or decline in importance. When screening for PTSD, it is important to consider both traumatic experiences on deployment and other stressful life events, as well as other mental health problems among military personnel, even if individuals do not exhibit symptoms of PTSD on an initial assessment.
Definitive percutaneous treatment of Lutembacher's syndrome

Definitive percutaneous treatment of a patient with Lutembacher's syndrome was successfully accomplished using the Amplatzer septal occluder to close a secundum atrial septal defect and the Joseph mitral balloon catheter to dilate rheumatic mitral valve stenosis. Transcatheter therapy is an effective alternative to surgery in selected patients with Lutembacher's syndrome. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 48:199–204, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.