Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Specific inhibition of T‐cell adhesion to extracellular matrix and proinflammatory cytokine secretion by human recombinant galectin‐1

The migration of immune cells through the extracellular matrix (ECM) towards inflammatory sites is co‐ordinated by receptors recognizing ECM glycoproteins, chemokines and proinflammatory cytokines. In this context, galectins are secreted to the extracellular milieu, where they recognize poly‐N‐acetyllactosamine chains on major ECM glycoproteins, such as fibronectin and laminin. We investigated the possibility that galectin‐1 could modulate the adhesion of human T cells to ECM and ECM components. T cells were purified from human blood, activated with interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), labelled, and incubated further with intact immobilized ECM and ECM glycoproteins in the presence of increasing concentrations of human recombinant galectin‐1, or its more stable, related, C2‐S molecule obtained by site‐directed mutagenesis. The presence of galectin‐1 was shown to inhibit T‐cell adhesion to intact ECM, laminin and fibronectin, and to a lesser extent to collagen type IV, in a dose‐dependent manner. This effect was specifically blocked by anti‐galectin‐1 antibody and was dependent on the lectin’s carbohydrate‐binding properties. The inhibition of T‐cell adhesion by galectin‐1 correlates with the ability of this molecule to block the re‐organization of the activated cell’s actin cytoskeleton. Furthermore, tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) production was markedly reduced when IL‐2‐activated T cells were incubated with galectin‐1 or its mutant. This effect was prevented by β‐galactoside‐related sugars. The present study reveals an alternative inhibitory mechanism for explaining the suppressive properties of the galectin‐1 subfamily on inflammatory and autoimmune processes.
The Inhibition of Free Radical Generation by Preparations of Harpagophytum procumbens in vitro

Harpagophytum procumbens (Hp), commonly known as Devil's Claw has been used as a traditional treatment for a variety of illnesses for centuries. Since the early twentieth century, it has become a popular antiinflammatory and analgesic preparation amongst European herbalists for supportive or adjuvant treatment of degenerative joint diseases. Extracts of Hp tubers have demonstrated antiinflammatory and analgesic effects in animal models of inflammation and in human trials. The mechanism(s) of action responsible for these attributes, however, remain to be elucidated. Reactive oxygen species generated in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases are known to be cytotoxic and can cause tissue damage. In this study, a root tuber extract (Hp extract) and commercially available tincture (Hp tincture) were investigated for antioxidant characteristics using in vitro test systems. Both preparations were found to effectively scavenge DPPH radical, inhibit nitrite levels in supernatants harvested from LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, and cause dose‐dependent suppressions in the detection of fMLP‐ and AA‐induced neutrophil MPO. The antioxidant effects demonstrated for both preparations of Hp may contribute to the antiinflammatory and analgesic properties observed for the plant. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamics of Foodgrain Deficiency in India

Food security is a basic requirement of livelihood. A major source of calories is carbohydrates which are mainly derived from foodgrains. This article addresses the foodgrain deficiency in India, across its states, regions and at the household level. The study further analyses the causal effect of subsidies from India’s public distribution system, the share of home-produced foodgrain in total consumption of foodgrains, food diversification, monthly per capita consumption expenditure and socio-religious factors on foodgrain deficiency. The analysis is based on the National Sample Survey’s unit-level data at three points of time: 1999–2000, 2004–05 and 2009–10. Foodgrain deficiency has been captured at the national level and across states by suitably adapting Foster, Greer and Thorbecke’s (1984) measure of poverty. Panel regression has been done at the state-region level to analyse the impact of the above-mentioned determinants on foodgrain deficiency. For the household-level regression, the dependent variable is deviation from the desired norm of 8.6 kg of foodgrain per consumer unit per month. Quantile regression analysis is done at the household level to capture the impact of the determinants at different segments of foodgrain deviations. We find that foodgrain deficiency levels have increased for ‘all-classes’ and the ‘below-poverty-level class’ but the deficiency levels are not very high and can be managed with suitable measures. It is further found that the determinants have a significant influence on foodgrain deficiency and foodgrain deviation at the state-region and household levels, respectively. Suitable policy measures have also been identified. JEL Classification: I31, I32, C21, C23, O10, Q18
Factors Related to Self-perceived Health in Rural Men and Women

ABSTRACT This study examined self-perceived health status among men and women who live on farms, as well as variations in factors related to negative health status observed by gender. Data were collected in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, in 2013 through the use of a cross-sectional survey. A multistage sample was developed consisting of farms nested within rural municipalities and then agricultural soil zones. The response rate was 48.8% at the farm level, with a final sample of 2,353 (1,416 men, 937 women) from 1,119 farms. Variables under study included self-reports of health status, as well as demographic, behavioral, and farm operational factors that could influence perceived health status. The analysis was initially descriptive followed by multilevel logistic regression analyses. Self-reports of diagnosed comorbidities were strongly associated with negative health status among both men and women. Daytime sleepiness was more modestly associated with negative health status in both genders. Among men, additional risk factors tended to be functional, and included older age, part-time work status, and binge drinking. Among women, additional risk factors included cigarette smoking, overweight or obesity, and lower levels of education. The study demonstrated that there were both similarities and differences between men and women on farms in the factors related to negative self-perceived health status. These findings should inform the content and targeting of health promotion programs aimed at rural populations.
Retinal vessel calibres and haemostasis in black and white South Africans: the SABPA study

Objectives: Retinal arteriolar narrowing associates with hypertension development and indicates increased cardiovascular risk. Evidence on whether the retinal vessel calibres are related to the haemostatic system is limited, especially in the black hypertension-prone population with a high stroke incidence. We therefore investigated the relationships between haemostatic markers and retinal vessel calibres. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study involving 170 black (mean age, 58 years; 44% women) and 189 white (mean age, 49 years; 52% women) teachers, and determined ambulatory blood pressure, haemostatic factors (fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, D-dimer, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and clot lysis time) and retinal vessel calibres (central retinal artery and vein equivalent). The black and white groups were stratified by median split of the retinal arteriolar calibre. Results: Both ethnic groups with a smaller arteriolar calibre had higher SBP and narrower venular calibres. In the black population, the central retinal vein equivalent was positively (&bgr; = 0.293; P = 0.024) associated with fibrinogen, whereas in the white population, the central retinal artery equivalent (&bgr; = −0.256; P = 0.016) was negatively and central retinal vein equivalent (&bgr; = 0.234; P = 0.021) positively associated with von Willebrand factor. Furthermore, clot lysis time was negatively associated with the central retinal artery equivalent (&bgr; = −0.390; P = 0.014) in the black group and positively associated with the central retinal vein equivalent (&bgr; = 0.275; P = 0.008) in the white group. Conclusion: Relationships between markers of haemostasis and the retinal vessel calibres exist, and vary between ethnicities. Haemostatic alterations are linked to early retinal microvascular changes, and future studies should investigate whether it translates into an elevated stroke risk.
Magnaporthe grisea Pth11p Is a Novel Plasma Membrane Protein That Mediates Appressorium Differentiation in Response to Inductive Substrate Cues

Mutagenesis of Magnaporthe grisea strain 4091-5-8 led to the identification of PTH11, a pathogenicity gene predicted to encode a novel transmembrane protein. We localized a Pth11–green fluorescent protein fusion to the cell membrane and vacuoles. pth11 mutants of strain 4091-5-8 are nonpathogenic due to a defect in appressorium differentiation. This defect is reminiscent of wild-type strains on poorly inductive surfaces; conidia germinate and undergo early differentiation events, but appressorium maturation is impaired. Functional appressoria are formed by pth11 mutants at 10 to 15% of wild-type frequencies, suggesting that the protein encoded by PTH11 (Pth11p) is not required for appressorium morphogenesis but is involved in host surface recognition. We assayed Pth11p function in multiple M. grisea strains. These experiments indicated that Pth11p can activate appressorium differentiation in response to inductive surface cues and repress differentiation on poorly inductive surfaces and that multiple signaling pathways mediate differentiation. PTH11 genes from diverged M. grisea strains complemented the 4091-5-8 pth11 mutant, indicating functional conservation. Exogenous activation of cellular signaling suppressed pth11 defects. These findings suggest that Pth11p functions at the cell cortex as an upstream effector of appressorium differentiation in response to surface cues.
Implication of G i proteins and Src tyrosine kinases in endotoxin-induced signal transduction events and mediator production

Previous studies have suggested that heterotrimeric G proteins and tyrosine kinases may be involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) signaling events. Signal transduction pathways activated by LPS were examined in human promonocytic THP-1 cells. We hypothesized that Gi proteins and Src tyrosine kinase differentially affect mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa (NF- B) activation. Post-receptor coupling to G i proteins were examined using pertussis toxin (PTx), which inhibits G i receptor-coupling. The involvement of the Src family of tyrosine kinases was examined using the selective Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor pyrazolopyrimidine-2 (PP2). Pretreatment of THP-1 cells with PTx attenuated LPS-induced activation of c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 kinase, and production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) and thromboxane B2 (TxB2). Pretreatment with PP2 inhibited TNF- and TxB2 production, but had no effect on p38 kinase or JNK signaling. Therefore, the G i-coupled signaling pathways and Src tyrosine kinase-coupled signaling pathways are necessary for LPS-induced TNF- and TxB2 production, but differ in their effects on MAPK activation. Neither PTx nor PP2 inhibited LPS-induced activation of interleukin receptor activated kinase (IRAK) or inhibitedtranslocation of NF- B. However, PP2 inhibitedLPS-inducedNF-B transactivation of a luciferase reporter gene construct in a concentration-dependent manner. Thus, LPS induction of Src tyrosine kinases may be essential in downstream NF- B transactivation of genes following DNA binding. PTx had no effect on NF- B activation of the reporter construct. These data suggest upstream divergence in signaling through G i pathways leading to MAPK activation and other signaling events leading to I B degradation and NF- B DNA binding.
Audit Committee Oversight of Fraud Risk: The Role of Social Ties, Professional Ties, and Governance Characteristics

SYNOPSIS This study examines audit committee (AC) oversight of fraudulent financial reporting (FFR) risk and management integrity, and how such oversight varies with AC social ties, professional ties, and governance characteristics. Specifically, based on a survey of 134 U.S. public company AC members, we find that AC participants with social ties (i.e., personal ties) to the CEO are negatively associated with AC actions to assess FFR risk and management integrity. Further, the AC appears to cut back on more observable FFR and MI actions when the responding AC member has a social tie to the CEO, consistent with socially connected ACs being reluctant to engage in observable monitoring actions that could jeopardize a social tie to the CEO. However, AC participants with professional ties to other independent directors and those with professional experience as corporate controllers are positively related to such actions. We also find that AC size is positively related to FFR risk assessment, while female AC p.
Inhibition of Ecto-5′-nucleotidase by Nitric Oxide Donors

We evaluated, in renal epithelial cells with a proximal tubule phenotype, the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on ecto-5′-nucleotidase (5′-NU), the underlying mechanism and its functional consequence. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 1-1000 μM), a NO donor, inhibited 5′-NU activity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Consequently, NO blunted the inhibition by extracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP, 10-1000 μM) of sodium-phosphate cotransport, a pathway which involves degradation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) by 5′-NU. SNP-induced inhibition of 5′-NU was not mediated by cyclic GMP, since it was not mimicked by atrial natriuretic peptide, and was reproduced by isosorbide dinitrate and sodium nitrate, two NO donors. SNP and genuine NO decreased the activity of 5′-NU in renal homogenates, and the effect of SNP was potentiated by dithiothreitol and glutathione, but not by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. In vivo in rats, kidney ischemia/reperfusion, which activates inducible NO-synthase, inhibited renal 5′-NU. This inhibition was prevented by N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, a NO-synthase inhibitor. These results indicate that: (i) NO-related activity inhibited the activity of an ecto-enzyme, 5′-NU, most likely through S-nitrosylation of the enzyme; (ii) inhibition of 5′-NU activity by NO, which can occur in vivo under pathophysiological conditions, affected the extent to which extracellular cAMP inhibited sodium-P cotransport.
Intelligent Energy Management in a Low Cost Hybrid Electric Vehicle Power System

This paper presents our research in vehicle energy optimization for a low-cost HEV power system that only allows the control of engine on/off and driving at three different speed limits. We present algorithms for modeling vehicle energy flow and optimization and machine learning of optimal control settings generated by Dynamic Programming on real-world drive cycles, and an intelligent energy controller designed for online energy control. Experimental results show the intelligent controller has the capability of 11% fuel saving.
Human Trafficking and Trauma in the Digital Era: The Ongoing Tragedy of the Trade in Refugees from Eritrea

Eritrean refugees crisscross between countries in the Horn of Africa and North Africa in search of a safe place. Along their journeys, they are looted, threatened, intimidated, violated, and held for ransom. This book revisits the human trafficking crisis that first emerged in the Sinai at the end of 2008 and examines the expansion of human trafficking of Eritrean refugees and other forms of exploitation beyond the Sinai. It focuses on the modus operandi of these practices and on identifying their key facilitators and beneficiaries. The book locates the origin of these practices within Eritrea; it reveals how a deliberate policy of impoverishment and human rights abuses has driven the people out of the country, and how individuals within Eritrea, and particularly within the ruling party, benefit from the smuggling and trafficking of Eritrean refugees. The use of information communication technologies (ICTs) is identified as key to the new modus operandi of this criminal business and is found to further facilitate widespread collective trauma amongst Eritreans, who witness the abuse of their family members and fellow nationals through digital networks. An entire section in this book is dedicated to assessing the extent and effects of individual and collective trauma caused by Sinai trafficking and to examining potential approaches to healing. Other sections discuss the vulnerabilities of Eritrean minors and women, and the connections between human trafficking, terrorism and organ trafficking. The last section of the book raises the question of accountability. It examines and evaluates international responses to this forgotten crisis, and discusses the need for policies that tackle the problem where it emerges: in Eritrea.
Analisis Pengaruh Faktor Internal Dan Eksternal Perusahaan Terhadap Return Saham

Abstract: This study aims to reveal how the influence of internal factors (Total Assets Turnover / TATO, Return On Assets / ROA, Debt to Equity Ratio / DER, Current Assets / CR and Earning Per Share / EPS), and external factors (inflation, exchange rate , BI Rate , Reserves and Gross Domestic Product / GDP) on stock returns. Object of this study is the stock in the Jakarta Islamic Index (JII) in Indonesia Stock Exchange the period 2009 – 2013. Determination of the sample in this study using Shapes Multi Purpose Sampling, as for the method of analysis used is multiple linear regression model.These results indicate that the internal and external factors together have a significant influence on stock returns. While partially different effect, TATO, ROA, EPS and Exchange respectively have significant positive effect, a positive effect of foreign exchange reserves is not significant, CR and inflation has a significant negative influence, while DER, BI rate, and GDP does not have influence on stock return. Keywords: Stock Return, Internal factors, external factors, multiple linear regression.
Characterisation and Assay of Five Enzymatic Activities in the Stratum Corneum Using Tape-Strippings

The report describes a method for the assay of five enzymatic activities involved in establishing the stratum corneum permeability barrier: β-glucocerebrosidase, acid phosphatase, phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and two serine proteases: chymotrypsin and its activator in the stratum corneum, trypsin. The specific activities of these different enzymes have been determined along with their pH profiles and sensivities to specific inhibitors. It can be noted that only two presented a pH optimum similar to the pH of the stratum corneum. This could suggest that their activities are regulated by local variations in pH. The method was applied to a pathological situation, that of a non-eczematous dry atopic dermatitis. Atopic skin had significantly reduced trypsin activity, increased acid phosphatase and no change in the activities of three other studied enzymes. Understanding these activities can provide a tool for the characterization of skin pathologies and for the development of a certain number of applications in cosmetology and therapeutics.
Variation in Outcomes after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the United States and Predictors of Periprocedural Mortality

The objective of this study was to characterize variation in mortality rates across hospitals performing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the United States. For this purpose, data (n = 735,022) from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1996 to 2001 were analyzed. The primary outcome for the analysis was postprocedural in-hospital mortality. Mortality rates were calculated by race, gender, geographic region, comorbid status and hospital volume. There were significant variations in mortality across gender groups, comorbid status, regions and by hospital volume status. Independent predictors of mortality in this large cohort were older age, female gender, lower income and lower hospital volume. The data suggests targets for quality improvement initiatives for patients undergoing PCI particularly in the elderly, females, lower income patients and low volume hospitals. Even in the contemporary era of adjunctive pharmacological therapies and ubiquitous use of stents, hospital volume remains a significant independent predictor of in-hospital mortality.
Low back pain in adolescents: a comparison of clinical outcomes in sports participants and nonparticipants.

CONTEXT Back pain is common in adolescents. Participation in sports has been identified as a risk factor for the development of back pain in adolescents, but the influence of sports participation on treatment outcomes in adolescents has not been adequately examined. OBJECTIVE To examine the clinical outcomes of rehabilitation for adolescents with low back pain (LBP) and to evaluate the influence of sports participation on outcomes. DESIGN Observational study. SETTING Outpatient physical therapy clinics. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Fifty-eight adolescents (age = 15.40 +/- 1.44 years; 56.90% female) with LBP referred for treatment. Twenty-three patients (39.66%) had developed back pain from sports participation. INTERVENTION(S) Patients completed the Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire and numeric pain rating before and after treatment. Treatment duration and content were at the clinician's discretion. Adolescents were categorized as sports participants if the onset of back pain was linked to organized sports. Additional data collected included diagnostic imaging before referral, clinical characteristics, and medical diagnosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Baseline characteristics were compared based on sports participation. The influence of sports participation on outcomes was examined using a repeated-measures analysis of covariance with the Oswestry and pain scores as dependent variables. The number of sessions and duration of care were compared using t tests. RESULTS Many adolescents with LBP receiving outpatient physical therapy treatment were involved in sports and cited sports participation as a causative factor for their LBP. Some differences in baseline characteristics and clinical treatment outcomes were noted between sports participants and nonparticipants. Sports participants were more likely to undergo magnetic resonance imaging before referral (P = .013), attended more sessions (mean difference = 1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.21, 2.59, P = .022) over a longer duration (mean difference = 12.44 days, 95% CI = 1.28, 23.10, P = .024), and experienced less improvement in disability (mean Oswestry difference = 6.66, 95% CI = 0.53, 12.78, P = .048) than nonparticipants. Overall, the pattern of clinical outcomes in this sample of adolescents with LBP was similar to that of adults with LBP. CONCLUSIONS Adolescents with LBP due to sports participation received more treatment but experienced less improvement in disability than nonparticipants. This may indicate a worse prognosis for sports participants. Further research is required.
Inward Rectification (Ih) in Immunocytochemically‐ldentified Vasopressin and Oxytocin Neurons of Guinea‐Pig Supraoptic Nucleus

Intracellular recordings of magnocellular neurons from the supraoptic nucleus of guinea‐pigs were made with KCI/K citrate‐ and biocytin‐filled electrodes. Fifty of 99 cells exhibited a time‐dependent inward rectification (TDR). The TDR was activated during hyperpolarizing current pulses to membrane potentials more hyperpolarized than −75 mV. In voltage‐clamp recordings, an inward current appeared at voltage steps more hyperpolarized than −75 mV, with properties similar to the slow inward rectifier (Ih) described in other tissues. The Ih was blocked by 2 mM CsCI. BaCI2 (100 to 500 μM) did not block the Ih. Immunocytochemical identification of the recorded cells revealed that both vasopressin (AVP)‐ and oxytocin (OT)‐ containing neurons exhibited an Ih.