Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor increases cell motility and up‐regulates αvβ3 integrin in human chondrosarcoma cells

The macrophage migration‐inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pro‐inflammatory cytokine first known for its effect on macrophage migration and activation. Recent studies have shown that MIP plays a critical role in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Chondrosarcoma is a type of highly malignant tumor with a potent capacity to invade locally and cause distant metastasis. However, the effects of MIF on human chondrosarcoma cells are largely unknown. In the present study, MIF was found to increase the migration and the expression of αvβ3 integrin in human chondrosarcoma cells. The phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K), Akt, and NF‐κB pathways were activated by MIF treatment, and the MIF‐induced expression of integrin and migration activity were inhibited by the specific inhibitors and mutant forms of PI3K, Akt, and NF‐κB cascades. In addition, migration‐prone sublines demonstrated that increased cell migration ability was correlated with increased expression of MIF and αvβ3 integrin. Taken together, our results indicate that MIF enhanced the migration of the chondrosarcoma cells by increasing αvβ3 integrin expression through the PI3K/Akt/NF‐κB signal transduction pathway. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1590–1598, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Polydatin Protects Bone Marrow Stem Cells against Oxidative Injury: Involvement of Nrf 2/ARE Pathways

Polydatin, a glucoside of resveratrol, has been reported to possess potent antioxidative effects. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of polydatin in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) death caused by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), imitating the microenvironment surrounding transplanted cells in the injured spinal cord in vitro. In our study, MTT results showed that polydatin effectively prevented the decrease of cell viability caused by H2O2. Hochest 33258, Annexin V-PI, and Western blot assay showed H2O2-induced apoptosis in BMSCs, which was attenuated by polydatin. Further studies indicated that polydatin significantly protects BMSCs against apoptosis due to its antioxidative effects and the regulation of Nrf 2/ARE pathway. Taken together, our results indicate that polydatin could be used in combination with BMSCs for the treatment of spinal cord injury by improving the cell survival and oxidative stress microenvironments.
Does microfinance alleviate poverty and inequality? Studying self-help groups in Bodoland, Assam

ABSTRACT This article aims to assess the impact of microfinance through a government-sponsored SHG–bank linkage programme (SBLP) of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in India, on poverty alleviation, employment, and achievement of financial inclusion in the Bodoland area of Assam. Empirical results from an impact evaluation showed that the programme had a positive and statistically significant impact on the monthly income, employment days, and financial inclusion level of participants of the SHG programme, compared to a control group of non-participants.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa in children with cystic fibrosis diagnosed through newborn screening: Assessment of clinic exposures and microbial genotypes

Chronic pulmonary infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF). Because of the limited studies evaluating early exposure and the progression of genetic variability of PA, our goal was to assess PA in young children with CF followed in two clinic types.
Osteoblast response to titanium surfaces functionalized with extracellular matrix peptide biomimetics.

OBJECTIVE Functionalizing surfaces with specific peptides may aid osteointegration of orthopedic implants by favoring attachment of osteoprogenitor cells and promoting osteoblastic differentiation. This study addressed the hypothesis that implant surfaces functionalized with peptides targeting multiple ligands will enhance osteoblast attachment and/or differentiation. To test this hypothesis, we used titanium (Ti) surfaces coated with poly-l-lysine-grafted polyethylene glycol (PLL-g-PEG) and functionalized with two peptides found in extracellular matrix proteins, arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) and lysine-arginine-serine-arginine (KRSR), which have been shown to increase osteoblast attachment. KSSR, which does not promote osteoblast attachment, was used as a control. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sandblasted acid-etched titanium surfaces were coated with PLL-g-PEG functionalized with varying combinations of RGD and KRSR, as well as KSSR. Effects of these surfaces on osteoblasts were assessed by measuring cell number, alkaline phosphatase-specific activity, and levels of osteocalcin, transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), and PGE(2). RESULTS RGD increased cell number, but decreased markers for osteoblast differentiation. KRSR alone had no effect on cell number, but decreased levels of TGF-β1 and PGE(2). KRSR and RGD/KRSR coatings inhibited osteoblast differentiation vs. PLL-g-PEG. KSSR decreased cell number and increased osteoblast differentiation, indicated by increased levels of osteocalcin and PGE(2). CONCLUSIONS The RGD and KRSR functionalized surfaces supported attachment but did not enhance osteoblast differentiation, whereas KSSR increased differentiation. RGD decreased this effect, suggesting that multifunctional peptide surfaces can be designed that improve peri-implant healing by optimizing attachment and proliferation as well as differentiation of osteoblasts, but peptide combination, dose and presentation are critical variables.
Characteristics of Patients With Unilateral and Bilateral Ménière’s Disease

Objective To evaluate epidemiologic differences between patients with unilateral and bilateral Ménière’s disease (MD). To evaluate these differences for insights into the possible causes of bilateral MD. Background The diagnosis of MD is based on clinical criteria, and its cause is unknown. Differences in characteristics of patients with unilateral and bilateral MD have been noted, but these studies’ diagnostic criteria have been variable. To delineate findings that might have implications as to the cause of MD, we have studied rigidly selected patient populations with unilateral and bilateral MD Study Design Prospective cohort. Materials and Methods Patients with a potential diagnosis of MD underwent extensive evaluations (audiometric, radiologic, and immunologic), and only patients with idiopathic MD were included in this study. Bilaterality of disease was based on clinical and audiometric criteria. Variables identified as part of the evaluation were subjected to statistical analyses to determine if significant differences existed in the characteristics of patients in the unilateral and bilateral groups Results Patients with bilateral disease presented at a significantly younger age and had a significantly higher incidence of a personal history of migraines and a family history of MD. None of the other identified variables were found to be significantly different. Conclusion Patients with bilateral MD have a higher incidence of migraines and of a family history of MD. Implications as to disease pathogenesis are discussed.
Early postoperative glutamine-supplemented parenteral nutrition versus enteral immunonutrition in cancer patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine whether the type of postoperative feeding, glutamine-supplemented parenteral nutrition or enteral immunonutrition, can modify morbidity and outcome in malnourished cancer patients undergoing major surgery in the gastrointestinal tract. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-nine consecutive malnourished patients undergoing major elective surgery for carcinoma of the stomach (n=8), pancreas (n=8), liver (n=1), and colon (n=12), were randomly assigned to receive from the first postoperative day either enteral immunonutrition or glutamine-supplemented parenteral nutrition, for at least 5 consecutive days. Postoperative major and minor morbidity and mortality were recorded. Data analysis was done using the Fisher's exact test. RESULTS Fifteen patients received glutamine-supplemented parenteral nutrition and 14 received enteral immunonutrition. The overall incidence of postoperative complications was 33.3% in the parenteral nutrition group versus 50% in the enteral nutrition group (p=0.2). Subdividing postoperative complications into different types, the rates of major complications were similar in both groups of patients (13.3 and 21.4% respectively, p=0.4). Similarly, there were no significant differences between the two groups considering minor postoperative noninfectious complications, infectious complications, and mortality. CONCLUSION In malnourished cancer patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery, morbidity and mortality are not significantly influenced by the type of postoperative feeding.
Expected returns and expected dividend growth in Europe: Legal origin, institutional, and financial determinants

This paper uses a present value approach to show that price movements for equity indices in a sample of European stock markets can be traced to legal origin, institutional, and corporate financial factors. The present value literature states that stock indices move due to changes either in discount rates, dividend growth, or a combination of the two. Empirically, little is known about the mechanism through which legal, institutional, and corporate financial factors influence these variables, especially in a European context. The current paper attempts to plug this gap in the literature. Using the state space approach, we show that although expected returns are highly persistent, expected dividend growth tends to vary across the sample. Movements in markets are mainly due to changes in the discount rate. However, there appears to be a difference in the proportion of movements attributable to discount rate and dividend growth components. Stock markets in civil law countries tend to have a stronger link with the dividend growth variables as well as market size and activity measures. Expected dividend growth is also driven by profitability factors in both types of country. By contrast, there is no strong evidence of corporate indicators influencing expected returns.
THE ROLE OF MONOCYTE CHEMOATTRACTANT PROTEIN‐1 (MCP‐1) IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF COLLAGEN‐INDUCED ARTHRITIS IN RATS

Collagen‐induced arthritis was produced in rats by intradermal immunization with type II collagen and the expression and production of monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) were examined by immunohistochemistry, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Northern blot analysis. Two to three weeks after the immunization, the hindfeet showed swelling and redness, followed by the development of severe arthritis, particularly in the ankle joints. During this period, prominent infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages was observed. Sandwich ELISA and Northern blot analysis revealed that MCP‐1 concentrations in the joint lavages and MCP‐1 mRNA levels in the joint tissues both peaked at 2 weeks after the immunization. By immunohistochemistry, various types of cells, particularly neutrophils, macrophages, synovial cells, and vascular endothelial cells, stained positively for MCP‐1. Finally, injection of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody against rat MCP‐1 significantly decreased the number of exudate macrophages in the lesions and reduced the ankle swelling by about 30 per cent compared with controls. These results suggest that MCP‐1 plays a critical role in this model in the recruitment of monocytes and in the development of arthritis. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Circulating Long-Chain ω-3 Fatty Acids and Incidence of Congestive Heart Failure in Older Adults: The Cardiovascular Health Study

BACKGROUND Few previous studies have evaluated associations between long-chain ω-3 fatty acids and incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF), and those that have are typically based on diet questionnaires and yield conflicting results. Circulating fatty acid concentrations provide objective biomarkers of exposure. OBJECTIVE To determine whether plasma phospholipid concentrations of long-chain ω-3 fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), were associated with incident CHF. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING 4 U.S. communities. PATIENTS 2735 U.S. adults without prevalent heart disease who were enrolled in the Cardiovascular Health Study from 1992 to 2006. MEASUREMENTS Plasma phospholipid fatty acid concentrations and other cardiovascular risk factors were measured in 1992 by using standardized methods. Relationships with incident CHF (555 cases during 26 490 person-years, adjudicated by using medical records) were assessed by using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS After multivariate adjustment, plasma phospholipid EPA concentration was inversely associated with incident CHF; risk was approximately 50% lower in the highest versus the lowest quartile (hazard ratio [HR], 0.52 [95% CI, 0.38 to 0.72]; P for trend = 0.001). In similar analyses, trends toward lower risk were seen for DPA (HR, 0.76 [CI, 0.56 to 1.04]; P for trend = 0.057) and total long-chain ω-3 fatty acids (HR, 0.70 [CI, 0.49 to 0.99]; P for trend = 0.062) but not for DHA (HR, 0.84 [CI, 0.58 to 1.21]; P for trend = 0.38). In analyses censored to the middle of follow-up (7 years) to minimize exposure misclassification over time, multivariate-adjusted HRs were 0.48 for EPA (CI, 0.32 to 0.71; P for trend = 0.005), 0.61 for DPA (CI, 0.39 to 0.95; P for trend = 0.033), 0.64 for DHA (CI, 0.40 to 1.04; P for trend = 0.057), and 0.51 for total ω-3 fatty acids (CI, 0.32 to 0.80; P for trend = 0.003). LIMITATIONS Temporal changes in fatty acid concentrations over time may have caused underestimation of associations. Unmeasured or imperfectly measured covariates may have caused residual confounding. CONCLUSION Circulating individual and total ω-3 fatty acid concentrations are associated with lower incidence of CHF in older adults. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE National Institutes of Health.
High Degree of Mitochondrial Haplotype Diversity in the Japanease Common Toad Bufo japonicus in Urban Tokyo

The Japanese common toad Bufo japonicus is widely distributed across mainland Japan and is classified into two subspecies, B. japonicus japonicus and B. japonicus formosus, in the western and eastern regions, respectively. To investigate the genetic diversity of B. japonicus at the breeding pond (local population) level, we sequenced 831 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome b (Cyt b) from 75 individuals collected from nine ponds in urban Tokyo and the surrounding area. Phylogenetic and population genetic analyses revealed high mtDNA haplotype diversity (Hd, 0.716 (mean) ± 0.230 (SD)) within local populations (breeding ponds). Most local populations had multiple haplotypes of the mitochondrial Cyt b gene, and seven of the 18 haplotypes were identified in two or more local populations. These results indicate that mitochondrial gene flow had occurred across different breeding sites. We also identified five haplotypes that belonged to the western clade and correspond to B. japonicus japonicus. Our results provide genetic evidence that B. japonicus japonicus was introduced artificially from Western Japan to Tokyo, where it occupied the natural habitat of B. japonicus formosus. The urban Tokyo area was found to represent an admixed population consisting of both native and non-native B. japonicus subspecies.
What drives voluntary corporate water disclosures? The effect of country-level institutions

The purpose of this cross‐country comparative research is twofold. First, it investigates the country‐level institutional factors that affect corporate incentives to voluntarily disclose water information. Second, it examines the way in which the interaction between formal and informal institutions affects corporate reporting decisions regarding water‐related risks. The results reveal that the country‐level legal system shapes the firm's propensity to voluntarily respond to the 2015 Carbon Disclosure Project water survey. Uncertainty avoidance and societal trust are negatively related to the propensity to provide voluntary water disclosures, whereas countries' future orientation is positively related to the likelihood of water reporting. More importantly, the results indicate that the effect of informal institutions on water disclosure practices is contingent on the strength of formal institutions at the country level. The paper contributes to the emerging water literature and provides insights on the effects of the interaction between formal and informal institutions on corporate behavior.
Dual Monoamine Modulation for Improved Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

The worldwide scope of depressive illness and lack of fully effective pharmacotherapy mandates significant improvements in treatment paradigms. Current antidepressant medications remain limited by poor efficacy, slow onset of action, and untoward side effects. While the introduction of serotoninspecific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) offered significant improvements in tolerability, no improvements in efficacy or speed of onset have been made relative to the traditional and poorly tolerated tricyclic antidepressants (TCA). The dominant efforts toward improving antidepressant medications are guided by cumulative evidence from neurochemical and clinical studies supporting the therapeutic potential of enhancing monoamine function in depression. A number of novel antidepressant drugs, including mirtazapine, milnacipran, venlafaxine, and duloxetine have been developed based on their interaction with both 5-HT and NE. Current clinical evidence suggests that these new agents may offer improved efficacy and/or faster onset of action compared with SSRIs and an improved side effect profile compared with TCAs. Potential neurobiological substrates mediating the enhanced antidepressant activity of dual reuptake inhibitors are discussed.
Women in the Informal Economy: Psychological Well-being and the Empowerment Trap

The increased participation of women in the post-globalisation expansion of the informal economy has brought forth the debate on the women being empowered or impoverished in the bargain. Economists view the informal economy as an income opportunity. In contrast, feminists and political economists see the economy as a poverty trap, leading to impoverishment. This article empirically explores the ongoing debate using a survey of 1,276 female domestic workers, from Karnataka, surveyed during 2014–2015. Predictor models are built based on two categories of experiences, namely, workplace conditions and employer–employee relationship, and two categories of processes, namely, social empowerment and economic empowerment. The findings reveal employee–employer relationship factors superseding the workplace factors. Further, in the socially unequal relationship between the domestic worker and the employer, the empowerment processes are liberating as well as incapacitating. While they strengthen the economic and occupational support dynamics, the effects on psychological well-being are negative. Deconstructing the result from the Asian developing country perspective, feudal orientations are seen. The results are discussed taking help from the social support theory.
Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis as a replacement for bacteriophage typing of Staphylococcus aureus

Bacteriophage typing (BT) (World Health Organization method) has been used at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for over 30 years to type isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. Since studies have shown that BT patterns have poor reproducibility and because BT fails to type a high percentage (15 to 20%) of isolates, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has converted from using BT to using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for strain typing S. aureus. We compared the results of BT with results of PFGE for typing 300 isolates of S. aureus, including strains from several well-characterized outbreaks. Ninety-six isolates were BT group I, 19 were group II, 82 were group III, 7 were group V, and 96 were nontypeable. PFGE identified subgroups within each phage group and thus was more discriminating than BT, which identified no subgroups. PFGE was able to type all isolates and distinguish related from unrelated strains of S. aureus. Our modified, standardized PFGE methodology should enable typing laboratories to obtain rapid, reliable results in 3 to 4 days when starting with an isolated colony on agar media.
Carbon dioxide removal and tradeable put options at scale

Options are derivative contracts that give the purchaser the right to buy (call options) or sell (put options) a given underlying asset at a particular price at a future date. The purchaser of a put option may exercise the right to sell the asset to the issuer at any point in the future before the expiration of the contract. These rights may be contracted directly between two parties (i.e. over-the-counter), or may be sold publicly on formal exchanges, such as the Chicago Board Options Exchange. If the latter, they are called tradeable put options (TPOs) because they can be bought and sold by third-parties via a secondary market. The World Bank has a Pilot Auction Facility for methane and carbon mediation which uses TPOs in carbon-relevant markets, giving producers (of e.g. forest restoration) a floor price for their product []. This enables long-term producer planning. We discuss the potentially broader use of these options contracts in carbon dioxide removal (CDR) markets generally and at scale. We conclude that they can, if priced correctly, encourage rapid investment both in CDR technology and in operational capacity. TPOs could do this without creating the same type of systemic risk associated with other instruments (e.g. long-dated futures). Nevertheless, the widespread use of such instruments potentially creates novel risks. These include the political risk of premature closure [] (conventionally rendered as ‘counting your chickens before they are hatched’); and the economic risk of overpaying for carbon removal services. These instruments require careful structuring, and do not inoculate the CDR market against regulatory disruption, or political pressure. Accordingly, we note the potential for the development of TPO markets in CDR, but we urge caution in respect of identified risks.
PENGARUH INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL TERHADAP KINERJA KEUANGAN PADA PERUSAHAAN PERBANKAN

Perkembangan ekonomi baru yang dikendalikan oleh teknologi dan pengetahuan secara tidak langsung memaksa perusahaan mengubah strategi bisnisnya, dari berdasarkan sumber daya bersifat fisik (labor based business) menjadi berdasarkan pengetahuan (knowledge based business). Intellectual capital dapat menjadi factor penting yang mampu menolong perusahaan dalam memperoleh keuanggulan bersaing dengan memberikan nilai tambah melalui penciptaan inovasi baru. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh antara intellectual capital terhadap kinerja keuangan perusahaan, dengan menggunakan ROA sebagai indikatornya. Sampel perusahaan yang digunakan adalah perusahaan perbankan yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia periode 2008-2010. Peneliti menggunakan metode VAIC yang dikembangkan oleh Pulic dan menggunakan regresi linier berganda dengan software SPSS 17.0 untuk analisis data. Berdasarkan hasil analisis, diperoleh kesimpulan bahwa secara simultan, VAIC berpengaruh signifikan terhadap ROA. Namun secara parsial, peneliti menemukan bahwa dari tiga komponen pembentuk intellectual capital, hanya HCE yang tidak memiliki pengaruh signifikan terhadap ROA.