Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Haplotype analysis of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene in relation to acute myocardial infarction

In addition to directly affecting the blood pressure, endothelium derived nitric oxide has been suggested to play an important part in the development of atherosclerosis. Several genetic variations in the gene encoding endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) have been reported to affect the expression of eNOS, which synthesises nitric oxide. Among them, polymorphisms in the promoter (−786T>C) and exon 7 (+894G>T) were shown to be associated with reduced vascular nitric oxide production or increased proteolytic cleavage of eNOS.1 In view of the important role of eNOS in atherogenesis these variants have been hypothesised to influence the susceptibility to atherogenesis. However, findings from different studies are inconsistent and the exact molecular effects of these polymorphisms on eNOS enzyme function and activity are still debated. We conducted a case–control study to elucidate whether polymorphisms of −786T>C and +894G>T in the eNOS gene are associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the Chinese population. The enrolment criteria of AMI cases and controls for the present study have been reported in detail previously.2 Briefly, 506 patients with a definite history of AMI from among hospitalised patients of the Fuwai Heart Hospital and Cardiovascular Institute, Beijing, were recruited between October 1997 and September 2001. A group of 506 normal …
Reversal of defective lysosomal transport in NPC disease ameliorates liver dysfunction and neurodegeneration in the npc1−/− mouse

Niemann-Pick type C disease is largely attributable to an inactivating mutation of NPC1 protein, which normally aids movement of unesterified cholesterol (C) from the endosomal/lysosomal (E/L) compartment to the cytosolic compartment of cells throughout the body. This defect results in activation of macrophages in many tissues, progressive liver disease, and neurodegeneration. In the npc1−/− mouse, a model of this disease, the whole-animal C pool expands from 2,082 to 4,925 mg/kg body weight (bw) and the hepatic C pool increases from 132 to 1,485 mg/kg bw between birth and 49 days of age. A single dose of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (CYCLO) administered at 7 days of age immediately caused this sequestered C to flow from the lysosomes to the cytosolic pool in many organs, resulting in a marked increase in cholesteryl esters, suppression of C but not fatty acid synthesis, down-regulation of genes controlled by sterol regulatory element 2, and up-regulation of many liver X receptor target genes. There was also decreased expression of proinflammatory proteins in the liver and brain. In the liver, where the rate of C sequestration equaled 79 mg·d−1·kg−1, treatment with CYCLO within 24 h increased C movement out of the E/L compartment from near 0 to 233 mg·d−1·kg−1. By 49 days of age, this single injection of CYCLO resulted in a reduction in whole-body C burden of >900 mg/kg, marked improvement in liver function tests, much less neurodegeneration, and, ultimately, significant prolongation of life. These findings suggest that CYCLO acutely reverses the lysosomal transport defect seen in NPC disease.
Job Preferences of Management Undergraduates Special Reference of Management Undergraduates from University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Job preference of job seekers is an important human management aspect to many parties such as job offers, policy makers and job seekers. However, many academic programmes offered by the higher educational institutes are not orientated to the real needs of job seekers. It leads to mislead the job seekers. In this context, this study discusses the job seekers’ predilection of job. In Sri Lanka, there is only one research done in this study. Therefore, there is theoretical and empirical knowledge gap between these areas. Then, the problems of the study are: what is the preference for job of management undergraduates and what are the factors they consider to select a job? Using 257 management undergraduates of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, primary data were gathered. The sampling method was simple random sample and questionnaire was designed with structured in nature. Using SPSS version 16, univariate analysis were done to analysis the primary data. Major findings of the study are: there is a demand for the private sector jobs as well as public sector jobs from the management undergraduates and the reasons of selecting a job from both sectors almost similar in these two groups. The recommendation of the study is that considering the factors concerned by the job seekers, specially the management undergraduates, public and private sector companies should enhance the qualities of jobs and offer the jobs. Key world: Management undergraduates, Private sector, Public sector, Job preferences Introduction Human Resource is the most important resource for every business organizations. It is very difficult to manage human resource because of their unique characteristics. People as social and psychological creatures, are very sophisticated in nature to understand and manage things effectively and efficiently towards an objective (DeCenzo and Robbins, 1999). Human Resource is very essential to any organization, because they cannot manage or control other resources without human resources. So the role of the human resource is essential and it should be utilized in an effective and efficient manner in order to accomplish organization objectives. It is very critical when acquiring human resource for a job of an organization. Therefore we need to be very careful when recruiting an employee for an organization. Recruiting suitable people for an organization is a function of employment selection (Kumara, 2005). It makes an impact on two parties, employer and employee; the demand for a job is based on many factors, such as individual factors organizational factors and etc
Single‐shot imaging with higher‐dimensional encoding using magnetic field monitoring and concomitant field correction

PatLoc (Parallel Imaging Technique using Localized Gradients) accelerates imaging and introduces a resolution variation across the field‐of‐view. Higher‐dimensional encoding employs more spatial encoding magnetic fields (SEMs) than the corresponding image dimensionality requires, e.g. by applying two quadratic and two linear spatial encoding magnetic fields to reconstruct a 2D image. Images acquired with higher‐dimensional single‐shot trajectories can exhibit strong artifacts and geometric distortions. In this work, the source of these artifacts is analyzed and a reliable correction strategy is derived.
D5 Dopamine Receptor Knockout Mice and Hypertension

Abnormalities in dopamine production and receptor function have been described in human essential hypertension and rodent models of genetic hypertension. All of the five dopamine receptor genes (D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5) expressed in mammals and some of their regulators are in loci linked to hypertension in humans and in rodents. Under normal conditions, D1-like receptors (D1 and D5) inhibit sodium transport in the kidney and the intestine. However, in the Dahl salt-sensitive and spontaneously hypertensive rats, and humans with essential hypertension, the D1-like receptor-mediated inhibition of sodium transport is impaired because of an uncoupling of the D1-like receptor from its G protein/effector complex. The uncoupling is genetic, and receptor-, organ-, and nephron segment-specific. In human essential hypertension, the uncoupling of the D1 receptor from its G protein/effector complex is caused by an agonist-independent serine phosphorylation/desensitization by constitutively active variants of the G protein-coupled receptor kinase type 4. The D5 receptor is also important in blood pressure regulation. Disruption of the D5 or the D1 receptor gene in mice increases blood pressure. However, unlike the D1 receptor, the hypertension in D5 receptor null mice is caused by increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, apparently due to activation of oxytocin, V1 vasopressin, and non-N-methyl D-aspartate receptors in the central nervous system. The cause of the activation of these receptors remains to be determined.
The impact of brand image on customer satisfaction and loyalty

The brand image reflects a complex of diverse associations that influence the creation of consumers' subjective perceptions about the brand, that is, the products/services of the brand. It is an unusually important non-material resource capable of generating a higher level of customer satisfaction and an expansion of the loyal costumer base, which ultimately results in high profitability and a viable competitive advantage for the company. This research aims to examine whether and to what extent the image of the brand affects the satisfaction and loyalty of costumers. The main instrument for conducting the research is the questionnaire, which was sent via e-mail to the address of 130 respondents. The results of the correlation analysis show that there is a statistically significant, positive and strong relationship between brand image, customer and loyalty satisfaction. Regression analysis shows that the brand image has a statistically significant, positive and strong impact on the satisfaction and loyalty of costumers.
Synthesis and release of estrogen- and progesterone-dependent proteins by the baboon (Papio anubis) uterine endometrium.

This study was undertaken to determine the regulation of stage-specific endometrial proteins of the baboon uterus by estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P). Ovariectomized females were either untreated or treated with E2 for 7 or 14 days, or primed with E2 for 14 days, and then treated with E2 plus P or P alone for 7 or 14 days. Steroids were administered via Silastic capsules and, as determined by radioimmunoassay, physiological levels were present in the peripheral serum of each treatment group. Endometrial tissue obtained after steroid treatment was incubated in the presence of [35S]methionine for 24 h at 37 degrees C, and the culture medium was analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) followed by fluorography. Steroid treatment resulted in a doubling of the synthesis and release of labeled macromolecules into culture medium compared to the levels observed in long-term ovariectomized animals, together with the appearance of specific proteins whose synthesis required either E2 or E2 +/- P. A single protein (Mr 33,000; pI 7.6) was only observed after E2 treatment, and a family of high molecular weight basic proteins (Mr greater than 200,000) and a group of acidic proteins (Mr 130,000) required both E2 and P. In the absence of E2, P maintained the synthesis and release of three basic proteins (Mr 88,000, 66,000, and 40,000) as well as the other proteins observed in the ovariectomized animals. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Heterologous Expression of Tulip Petal Plasma Membrane Aquaporins in Pichia pastoris for Water Channel Analysis

ABSTRACT Water channels formed by aquaporins (AQPs) play an important role in the control of water homeostasis in individual cells and in multicellular organisms. Plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) constitute a subclass of plant AQPs. TgPIP2;1 and TgPIP2;2 from tulip petals are members of the PIP family. In this study, we overexpressed TgPIP2;1 and TgPIP2;2 in Pichia pastoris and monitored their water channel activity (WCA) either by an in vivo spheroplast-bursting assay performed after hypo-osmotic shock or by growth assay. Osmolarity, pH, and inhibitors of AQPs, protein kinases (PKs), and protein phosphatases (PPs) affect the WCA of heterologous AQPs in this expression system. The WCA of TgPIP2;2-expressing spheroplasts was affected by inhibitors of PKs and PPs, which indicates that the water channel of this homologue is regulated by phosphorylation in P. pastoris. From the results reported herein, we suggest that P. pastoris can be employed as a heterologous expression system to assay the WCA of PIPs and to monitor the AQP-mediated channel gating mechanism, and it can be developed to screen inhibitors/effectors of PIPs.
Estimated Premorbid Intelligence Mediates Neurobehavioral Change in Individuals Infected with HIV across 12 Months

This study tested whether estimated premorbid intelligence moderates worsening neurobehavioral dysfunction in HIV infection. 155 homosexual men (54 controls, 49 HIV+ asymptomatic, 24 HIV+ symptomatic, 28 AIDS) with stable disease status were tested on measures of executive function at baseline and 12-month follow-up. Premorbid intelligence was estimated on the basis of a demographically-based regression equation (Hamsher, 1984), and participants were classified as average or above-average intelligence. Regardless of disease status, participants with above-average IQ showed no declines on measures of executive function across time. In contrast, among those with average IQ, symptomatic groups showed declines, whereas the asymptomatic group did not. The findings support the hypothesis that estimated premorbid intelligence mediates declines in neuropsychological function in patients with stable HIV status. These findings are consistent with theoretical models of cognitive reserve capacity.
Auditor independence when management attempt to mislead : a rational economic analysis

The ability of the auditor to act independently is tested when a corporation’s management and its auditor disagree about the treatment of an item in its financial statements especially where this has an impact on the perceived value of the corporation. The empirical evidence suggests that the auditor may not always act independently. See for example, Mutchler (1984, 1985), Campisi and Trotman (1985), Krishnan and Krishnan (1996) and Matsumura et al (1977). For contrary evidence, see Louvers (1998). The risk of litigation (Farmer et al. 1987), the size of the audit fee (Simunic, 1980, Simunic and Stein, 1996) and the risk of losing a client may all influence auditor judgment (Shockley, 1981, Knapp, 1985). This may be made worse if the auditor provides other services (DeAngelo, 1981, Beck et al, 1988, Magee and Tseng, 1990) although there is little empirical support for the decisions in the US to place restrictions on it (Frankel, et al, 2002, DeFond et al, 2002, Ashbaugh et al, 2003, Chung and Kallapur, 2003, Kinney et al, 2004).
Plasmodium knowlesi malaria infection in human

Plasmodium knowlesi (P. knowlesi ) is a species of Plasmodium that rarely infect humans compared to P. vivax , falciparum , ovale and malariae, and has been considered as the fifth malaria species. There is a large reservoir of P. knowlesi in the whole of Eastern Malaysia and in most states of Western Malaysia, particularly in Macaque monkeys. We report the rare case of a 58-year-old man who presented with septic shock secondary to P. knowlesi who was successfully treated.
Signal integrity problems in deep submicron arising from interconnects between cores

The SIA Roadmap shows a very aggressive drive to deep submicron designs. A significant corner stone in the industries' ability to utilize this tremendous capabilities is the usage of reusable cores. When employing cores, one must be sensitive to the quality of the interconnects which will carry signals between cores and the ASIC portion of the network. In this work we will use an extremely accurate line simulator which solves the transmission line equations derived from Maxwell's equations for the simulation of line systems. We will show that the coupling between bus lines is significant, since the signal delay can be increased and even hazards can occur. Furthermore, these effects depend on the set of input signals of all bus lines and the skew between the individual input signals. The lines' cross sections are taken from the SIA Roadmap going from 0.35 /spl mu/m technology design down to 0.10 /spl mu/m technology design.
Evaluation of Current Methods for Detection of Staphylococci with Reduced Susceptibility to Glycopeptides

ABSTRACT The sensitivity and specificity of seven methods (agar dilution, broth microdilution, Etest at 0.5 and 2.0 McFarland (McF) inocula, two agar screening methods, and population studies [PS]) were evaluated in a double-blind study involving 284 methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains and 45Staphylococcus strains with reduced susceptibilities to vancomycin (SRSV). The results were compared to the population analysis profile-area under the curve ratio method (PAP-AUC ratio compared to that of Mu3) as described by Wootton et al. The agar screening method using brain heart infusion agar (6 μg of vancomycin per ml) gave a sensitivity of 22% and a specificity of 97%. A similar method using Mueller-Hinton agar (5 μg of vancomycin per ml) gave a sensitivity of 20% and a specificity of 99%. The PS method detected 34 false positives (12%) and gave a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 88%. Etest using 0.5 and 2.0 McF inocula gave sensitivities and specificities of 82 and 93% and of 96 and 97%, respectively. The best Etest interpretative criteria for the 2.0 McF inoculum was ≥8 mg of vancomycin per liter and ≥8 μg teicoplanin per ml or ≥12 μg of teicoplanin per ml. The direct colony suspension inoculum for this method was found to be equally accurate in detecting (hetero-)glycopeptide-intermediate S. aureus compared to the overnight broth inoculum preparation method. Agar dilution and broth microdilution using the NCCLS breakpoint criteria for vancomycin gave sensitivities and specificities of 20 and 100% and of 11 and 100%, respectively. Using the Etest with a 2.0 McF inoculum, six different media were assessed against a selection of SRSV (n = 48) and MRSA (n = 12). Brain heart infusion agar yielded the highest sensitivity and specificity values: 88 and 88%, respectively.
The Implementation of TQM in the Qatari Healthcare Sector

This study aims to examine the implementation of the Total Quality Management (TQM) philosophy in the healthcare sector in a developing nation, i.e. Qatar, in an attempt to determine the most implemented TQM initiatives, the level of understanding and knowledge of TQM and the critical success factors of TQM implementation. Our findings indicated that there is a common understanding between managers about the significance of top management support, employee training and involvement in the TQM implementation; this finding is consistent with earlier studies. Moreover, this study demonstrated the vital role of the supplier in supporting quality improvement that is different between the public and the private sectors. Some theoretical and managerial implications and suggestions for future research are also provided.
[Clinical analysis of 51 cases of atypical measles syndrome characterized by fever and multiple lung lesions].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical and chest radiological features of atypical measles syndrome (AMS), and therefore to improve the recognition and diagnosis of the disease. METHODS The clinical features, laboratory tests and chest radiological manifestations of 51 cases of outbreak AMS in one high school of Shanxi province were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS There were 31 males and 20 females, aging 18 - 33 years old. The main clinical presentations included fever (50/51), headache and dizziness (44/51), fatigue (31/51), nasal discharge (1/51), sore throat (10/51), cough (5/51), dyspnea (3/51), dacryorrhea (13/51), Koplik's spots (1/51), and skin rash (18/51) which were mostly congested maculopapules and firstly appeared on the hands, the feet and the back. Laboratory tests showed that the peripheral WBC count was in the normal range in most of the patients (n = 39), and lower than normal in 7 cases. The percentage of lymphocytes was less than 20% in 29, 20% - 40% in 20, and higher than 40% in 2 cases. The percentage of neutrophils was higher than 70% in 33 cases. Abnormal urinalysis (13/51) included positive urine protein and OB. High CRP (36/51), abnormal liver function (2/51), and abnormal renal function (1/51) were also observed. Forty-eight cases showed abnormal chest CT, manifested mostly as bilateral multiple lesions of different sizes and low density nodules and patchy areas, distributed randomly from apex to base, and from the middle zone to the pleura. CONCLUSIONS The clinical manifestation of AMS is atypical, characterized by the lower incidence of catarrh symptom and skin rashes with atypical appearance, but higher incidence of lung lesions. Familiarity with the atypical clinical manifestations and radiological features of AMS, epidemiological study and measles antibody detection are important for rapid and accurate diagnosis of the disease.
The nuclear magnetic resonance probe based on a printed circuit board planar microcoil

The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe, one of the most important components in the spectrometer, has a considerable impact on overall instrument sensitivity. By the concept of a NMR analyzer with low-cost and portable was proposed in recent years, the earlier NMR probes were not suitable for the manufacture cost and cycle time. So, in this paper, a NMR probe based on the printed circuit board (PCB) planar microcoil was developed for time domain NMR measurement. When the Larmor frequency is 28.1 MHz, the NMR transverse relaxation time T2 of a deionized water sample was detected by the 2mm inner diameter PCB microcoil with six turns, and results of T2 measured value were stable under different scan times. In addition, relaxation times of used frying oil and three edible oils were analyzed by the PCB microcoil, both T22 and T23 components of used frying oil, obviously less than three edible oils, these results are agreed with the measurement of a commercial instrument Bruker minispec mq60.
In Vitro Elution of Daptomycin by a Synthetic Crystallic Semihydrate Form of Calcium Sulfate, Stimulan

ABSTRACT A synthetic crystallic semihydrate form of calcium sulfate, Stimulan, was evaluated as a biodegradable carrier for the daily in vitro elution of daptomycin. Daptomycin and Stimulan were admixed at a ratio of 95:5. Elution lasted for 28 days. Eluted concentrations peaked on days 1 and 11, when the mean values were 1,320.1 and 949.2 μg/ml, respectively. The lowest eluted concentration was detected on day 28. These results support the application of the system described in experimental models of osteomyelitis.
An integrated model of luxury fashion consumption: perspective from a developing nation

The purpose of this paper is to empirically validate a model of luxury fashion consumption that integrates the antecedents and consequences of luxury buying in a developing nation context. ,The hypotheses developed in the conceptual model are tested using survey data collected through mall intercept survey of real consumers (with sample sizes 382 and 544). Factor analysis and structural equation modeling are used to analyze the data. ,Major results suggest a significant impact of consumer’s local/global orientation on the motivations and associations behind the luxury buying. Motivations and associations are found to influence luxury consumption, which in turn is found to have a positive effect on post-purchase thoughts/feelings. Social influence is found to have a moderating impact on the effects of motivations and associations on luxury consumption, respectively. ,The study is restricted to a developing nation context. However, this is one of the novel attempts to validate a comprehensive model of luxury consumption that could be replicated in other contexts. ,The findings provide guidelines for a luxury marketer on the factors to consider and monitor while marketing a luxury fashion brand. ,The present study adds a new perspective to the literature on luxury buying behavior with its empirically validated comprehensive model.