Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI‐2) is present in normal human conjunctiva

The purpose was to characterize plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI‐2) expression in normal human conjunctiva in vivo and in vitro. PAI‐2 antigen was assayed by immunostaining and immunoblotting of extracts from normal human conjunctival epithelial lysates and conditioned media (CM) of cultured human conjunctival keratinocytes. Immunostaining of normal human conjunctival epithelia revealed that PAI‐2 was found consistently in the superficial keratinocytes and, in some biopsies, also in the lower keratinocyte layers. In all cases, PAI‐2 was concentrated around the cell periphery. In extracts of conjunctival epithelia and cultured conjunctival keratinocytes, PAI‐2 had an apparent molecular weight of 45 kDa, consistent with the non‐glycosylated form. The majority of PAI‐2, approximately 90%, was cell associated, however, a small percentage of PAI‐2 was released into the CM in a linear manner with time. PAI‐2 in the conditioned medium had a higher molecular weight, consistent with a glycosylated form. Conjunctival PAI‐2 was active, as shown by its ability to complex with a target enzyme, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA). Although PAI‐2 was detectable both in monolayer (i.e., relatively undifferentiated) conjunctival keratinocyte cultures as well as in stratified (i.e., more differentiated) cultures, steady state levels of PAI‐2 were greater in the latter. PAI‐2 is constitutively expressed by normal human conjunctival epithelial cells. The expression of PAI‐2 throughout all epithelial layers in some biopsies of conjunctiva in vivo contrasts with the previously established distribution of PAI‐2 in corneal epithelia, where it is present exclusively in the most superficial (i.e. most highly differentiated) cells. The role of PAI‐2 in either tissue is unclear. However, we speculate that its distinct distribution in conjunctival versus corneal epithelia underscores inherent differences between these tissues, and may reflect specific functions of this proteinase inhibitor in both conjunctival and corneal epithelial cells. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Myxoma Virus Leukemia-Associated Protein Is Responsible for Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I and Fas-CD95 Down-Regulation and Defines Scrapins, a New Group of Surface Cellular Receptor Abductor Proteins

ABSTRACT Down-modulation of major histocompatibility class I (MHC-I) molecules is a viral strategy for survival in the host. Myxoma virus, a member of the Poxviridae family responsible for rabbit myxomatosis, can down-modulate the expression of MHC-I molecules, but the viral factor(s) has not been described. We cloned and characterized a gene coding for an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident protein containing an atypical zinc finger and two transmembrane domains, which we called myxoma virus leukemia-associated protein (MV-LAP). MV-LAP down-regulated surface MHC-I and Fas-CD95 molecules upon transfection; the mechanism probably involves an exacerbation of endocytosis and was lost when the ER retention signal was removed. In addition, the lytic activity of MHC-I-restricted antigen-specific cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) against myxoma virus-infected antigen-presenting target cells was significantly reduced, revealing a strong correlation between MHC-I down-regulation by MV-LAP and CTL killing in vitro. In vivo experiments with a knockout virus showed that MV-LAP is a virulence factor, potentially involved in the immunosuppression characteristic of myxomatosis. Data bank analysis revealed that MV-LAP has homologs in herpesviruses and other poxviruses. We propose the name “scrapins” to define a new group of ER-resident surface cellular receptor abductor proteins. The down-regulation of cell surface molecules by scrapins probably helps protect infected cells during viral infections.
The pharmacokinetics of oxcarbazepine and its active metabolite 10-hydroxy-carbazepine in healthy subjects and in epileptic patients treated with phenobarbitone or valproic acid.

The kinetics of oxcarbazepine (OXC) and its active metabolite 10-hydroxy-carbazepine (10-OH-CZ) after a single oral OXC dose (600 mg) were compared in healthy control subjects and in epileptic patients treated with phenobarbitone or sodium valproate (n = 8 in each group). In all groups, serum 10-OH-CZ concentrations were much higher than those of the parent drug. In patients on valproate, the kinetics of OXC and 10-OH-CZ did not differ significantly from those observed in controls. In patients on phenobarbitone, AUC values of both OXC and 10-OH-CZ were lower than in controls (2.9 +/- 0.4 vs 5.1 +/- 0.7 microg ml(-1) h and 89 +/- 7 vs 119 +/- 10 microg ml(-1) h respectively, means +/- s.e. mean, P < 0.05), whereas 10-OH-CZ half-lives were only marginally shorter (17 +/- 1 h vs 20 +/- 2 h, NS). These data indicate that the biotransformation of OXC and 10-OH-CZ may be accelerated by concomitant treatment with phenobarbitone but that the magnitude of this effect is unlikely to be of great clinical significance.
Foreign investment, corporate governance and performance in the Chinese listed A Share companies

Abstract We present a novel lens on the presence and impact of qualified foreign institutional investors (QFII) in top shareholdings of the non-financial domestically listed Chinese ‘A’ share firms. The initial results suggest that the presence of a QFII as a top shareholder in these companies is associated with their better performance, using both Tobin’s Q and ROA as the performance measures. Our models include variables representing corporate governance mechanisms, foreign legal person shares, a proxy for international affiliations and a number of time-variant firm characteristics. Economically, the coefficient of impact on the market measure is the more significant, while the effect of having a QFII in top shareholdings on both performance measures is empirically significant. Previously, studies have often ignored the potential for reverse causality beyond using lagged regressors. This is problematic. Therefore, we follow up with a 2SLS instrumental variables and system GMM model to further mitigate this potential and find the empirical relationship holds. Contrary to earlier work on QFIIs and governance post-implementation of the QFII scheme, the findings from our models suggest that the presence of a QFII top shareholder augments market performance holding equal existing corporate governance mechanisms and other controls.
Testing the Random Walk Hypothesis: A Case of Pakistan

Random walk hypothesis is one of the models designed to empirically test the stock price behavior. Rejection of Random walk hypothesis (RWH hereafter) implies that stock prices or stock returns can be predicted by using their own previous values. The objective of this study is to test the RWH in Pakistani equity market which is an important emerging market and moreover, characterized by high turnover and high price volatility. This study incorporates the monthly data of 83 individual stocks categorized in 26 sector, covering the period from February 2009 to December 2015. In order to check the random walk hypothesis Augmented Dickey Fuller test, the Phillip-Perron Test and The Runs test are applied. Findings suggest that the KSE-100 stock returns are predictable on the basis of past information and the investors can earn the abnormal profit by following the systematic pattern. In other words, Pakistani stock market does not reflect the weak form efficiency.
The prostatic specific antigen era is alive and well: prostatic specific antigen and biochemical progression following radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE Prostate specific antigen (PSA) has been shown to predict the presence of prostate cancer on biopsy, pathological stage, and biochemical progression following primary therapy. A recent study found only a weak association between PSA and tumor volume in the radical prostatectomy (RP) specimen and concluded that the PSA era is over. We examined the association between PSA and clinical progression in men undergoing RP. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study population consisted of 2,312 men treated with RP between 1992 and 2004 by a single surgeon. We evaluated the association between preoperative PSA and biochemical progression on multivariate analysis. RESULTS Men with higher preoperative PSA concentrations had higher grade cancers in the biopsy and RP specimen, and more adverse pathological features. After adjusting for the clinical covariates of age, race, grade, stage, and year of surgery, preoperative PSA was significantly associated with the risk of biochemical progression. When only men with PSA less than 10 ng/ml were examined, PSA remained a significant predictor of biochemical progression on multivariate analysis (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.44, p <0.001). For each 2-point increase in PSA, the risk of biochemical progression increased approximately 2-fold. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative PSA was significantly associated with high grade disease and adverse pathological findings. After adjusting for clinical covariates, PSA was significantly associated with the risk of biochemical progression, even in men with PSA less than 10 ng/ml. Despite multiple limitations, PSA remains the best prostate cancer tumor marker available.
Size and diversity in VC syndicates and their impact on IPO performance

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the impact of venture capital (VC) syndicate size and composition on the IPO and post-IPO performances of investee companies in an attempt to shed some light on the extent to which larger and more diverse syndicates are more likely to suffer from internal agency problems which might hinder the decision-making process and lead to less value added for their portfolio companies. The question is of great relevance because, while the vast majority of the empirical literature compares VC backed IPOs with non-VC backed ones, most VC funding is provided by syndicates of two or more financiers. We construct alternative measures of size as well as diversity based on several VC characteristics such as age, geographic location, type and affiliation of VC firms and find that larger and more diverse syndicates are associated with higher underpricing and lower valuation at the IPO date. Furthermore, we provide evidence that that diversity and size are negatively correlated to the long-term performance of the IPO firms and this finding is robust to several alternative measures of long-term performance.
Expression of Multidrug Transporters MRP1, MRP2, and BCRP Shortly after Status Epilepticus, during the Latent Period, and in Chronic Epileptic Rats

Summary: Purpose: Overexpression of multidrug transporters may play a role in the development of pharmacoresistance by decreasing extracellular drug levels in the brain. However, it is not known whether overexpression is due to an initial insult or evolves more gradually because of recurrent spontaneous seizures. In the present study, we investigated the expression of different multidrug transporters during epileptogenesis in the rat. In addition, we determined whether these transporters affected phenytoin (PHT) distribution in the brain.
Saliva: A tool in assessing glucose levels in Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder affecting people worldwide, which require constant monitoring of their glucose levels. Commonly employed procedures include collection of blood or urine samples causing discomfort to the patients. Hence the need for an alternative non invasive technique is required to monitor glucose levels. Saliva present in the oral cavity not only maintains the health of the oral cavity but plays a important role in diagnosis of cancers of the oral cavity, periodontal diseases, HIV, heart diseases etc. The aim of the present study was undertaken to correlate the glucose levels in saliva and blood of diabetic and healthy non diabetic individuals and to determine the efficacy of saliva as a diagnostic tool. MATERIALS & METHODS A total of 30 individuals of which 20 patients were diabetic patients and on medication and 10 patients were healthy non diabetic individuals were included in the study. Blood and saliva were collected under resting conditions and were subjected to glucose estimation. RESULTS Salivary and blood glucose concentrations were determined in non diabetic healthy individuals (n=10) and Type II Diabetes mellitus patients (n=20). Glycosylated haemoglobin A1c was also determined in both Type II diabetic patients and Control group and a significant correlation (r=0.73) and (r=0.46) was found between HbA1c and serum glucose concentrations in diabetic and control group respectively. A significant correlation (r=0.54) and (r=0.45) was found between fasting blood glucose and fasting salivary glucose for diabetic group and control group respectively. A positive correlation (r=0.39) and (r=0.38) was found between fasting salivary glucose and HbA1c for diabetic and control group respectively. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the saliva can be used in the assessment of the blood glucose concentration in diabetes mellitus patients. How to cite the article: Satish BN, Srikala P, Maharudrappa B, Awanti M, Kumar P, Hugar D. Saliva: A tool in assessing glucose levels in Diabetes Mellitus. J Int Oral Health 2014;6(2):114-7.
Adding Subjects or Adding Measurements in Repeated Measurement Studies Under Financial Constraints

Budget constraint is a challenge faced by investigators in planning almost every clinical trial. For a repeated measurement study, investigators need to decide whether to increase the number of participating subjects or to increase the number of repeated measurements per subject, with the ultimate goal of maximizing power for a given financial constraint. This financially constrained design problem is further complicated when taking into account things such as missing data and various correlation structures among the repeated measurements. We propose an approach that combines a GEE estimator of slope coefficients with the cost constraint. In the case where we have no missing data and the compound symmetric correlation structure, the optimal design is derived analytically. In the case where we have missing data or other correlation structures, the optimal design is identified through numerical search. We present an extensive simulation study to explore the impacts of cost ratio, missing pattern, dropout rate, and correlation structure. We also present an application example.
Perceived difficulty in everyday technology use among older adults with or without cognitive deficits

This study's purpose was comparing perceived relevance of and difficulty in use of everyday technology such as remote controls, cell phones, and microwave ovens, in older adults with/without cognitive deficits. Three groups included 157 participants; 34 had mild-stage dementia, 30 had mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 93 lacked known cognitive impairments. Data were collected in structured interviews with the Everyday Technology Use Questionnaire (ETUQ). Analyses revealed that participants with no known cognitive deficits (Group 3) considered a higher proportion of technologies relevant to their life situation than participants with mild-stage dementia (Group 1) and those with MCI (Group 2). Furthermore, participants with no known cognitive deficits reported the lowest mean level of perceived difficulty in everyday technology use, followed by those with MCI and those with mild-stage dementia. All three groups differed significantly (p <0.01; p <0.001) in perceived difficulty using technology, indicating that measurement of perceived difficulty in everyday technology use may sensitively detect changes resulting from MCI/dementia. Findings indicate that perceived difficulty in using everyday technology increases in people with MCI and is accentuated in mild-stage dementia. This calls for increased attention to these issues when assessing functional ability in daily activities of older adults with possible MCI/dementia, and for further research.
The Power of Bias in Economics Research

We investigate two critical dimensions of the credibility of empirical economics research: statistical power and bias. We survey 159 empirical economics literatures that draw upon 64,076 estimates of economic parameters reported in more than 6,700 empirical studies. Half of the research areas have nearly 90% of their results under‐powered. The median statistical power is 18%, or less. A simple weighted average of those reported results that are adequately powered (power ≥ 80%) reveals that nearly 80% of the reported effects in these empirical economics literatures are exaggerated; typically, by a factor of two and with one‐third inflated by a factor of four or more.
Quantitative histo-morphometric analysis of heat-stress-related damage in the small intestines of broiler chickens

The aim of the current research was to present a methodological approach allowing reproducible morphometric and morphological (Chiu/Park scale) analyses of the alterations in the intestines of broilers exposed to heat stress. Ross broilers were exposed over four consecutive days to a high-temperature regime in controlled climate rooms, with a day temperature of 39°C (±1°C) and a night temperature of 25°C (±1°C), respectively. A control group was kept at an ambient temperature of 25°C (±1°C) during the entire experimental period. At the end of the exposure period, the birds were sacrificed and specimens were taken of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum for histology. Blood was collected for oxidative stress analysis. Histo-morphological and morphometric analyses of the intestines indicated that the duodenum and jejunum showed more damage than the ileum. The major alterations in the control intestines were limited to the villus tips, while heat stress led to villus denudation and crypt damage. When compared with morphologically normal villi, heat-stress-associated alterations were also observed in villus height (decreased), villus breadth at base (increased) and epithelial cell area (decreased). Birds exposed to heat stress presented with an increase in glutathione peroxidase activity and a decreased antioxidant capacity. It can be concluded that the chosen model allows a reproducible quantification of heat stress effects, which is suitable for the evaluation of dietary intervention strategies to combat heat stress conditions.
News media and political participation in Italy at the regional elections: An empirical analysis

Widespread information improves the monitoring powers of the citizens and increases reputational concerns of the public officers. Our paper focuses on the relation between the readership of newspapers and political participation in the Italian Regions by estimating a regression model for the period 1980-2009. We find that local newspapers, which generally provide more political information about the performance of the local, play a relevant role in motivating voters to participate to the elections. The informational content of the local newspapers, in this perspective, maybe at the origin of this result. An increase of fiscal responsibilities of the regional governments together with most of the selected socio-economic variables increase as well the turnout.
Sustained release of melatonin from poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres to induce osteogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro

Abstract: Melatonin promotes bone formation and prevents bone degradation via receptor‐dependent or receptor‐independent actions. The aim of this study is to encapsulate melatonin into poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres (PLGA‐MEL‐MS) and create a melatonin sustained release system, then to evaluate its effect on the osteogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in vitro. PLGA‐MEL‐MS were prepared by single emulsion solvent evaporation technique. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated the incorporation of melatonin did not disturb the conventional generation of PLGA microspheres in size and morphology. In vitro drug release assay showed that PLGA‐MEL‐MS exhibited a biphasic drug release pattern: a low initial burst release effect with approximately 40% drug release at the first 3 days and a relatively retarded and continuous release with about 85% drug release over the 25 days. Cell proliferation assay demonstrated that PLGA‐MEL‐MS had no apparent effect on proliferation of human MSCs. In an osteogenesis assay, PLGA‐MEL‐MS obviously enhanced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) mRNA expression and increased ALP activity compared to that in the control group. Meanwhile, several markers of osteoblast differentiation were also significantly upregulated, including runx2, osteopontin, and osteocalcin. Furthermore, quantificational alizarin red‐based assay demonstrated that PLGA‐MEL‐MS significantly enhanced calcium deposit of hMSCs compared to the controls. Therefore, this simple melatonin sustained release system can control released melatonin to generate a microenvironment with a relatively stable concentration of melatonin for a period of time to support osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs in vitro. This suggests that this system may be used as bone growth stimulator in bone healing in vivo.
MDM2–HDAC1‐mediated deacetylation of p53 is required for its degradation

The tumor suppressor p53 is stabilized and activated in response to cellular stress through post‐translational modifications including acetylation. p300/CBP‐mediated acetylation of p53 is negatively regulated by MDM2. Here we show that MDM2 can promote p53 deacetylation by recruiting a complex containing HDAC1. The HDAC1 complex binds MDM2 in a p53‐independent manner and deacetylates p53 at all known acetylated lysines in vivo. Ectopic expression of a dominant‐negative HDAC1 mutant restores p53 acetylation in the presence of MDM2, whereas wild‐type HDAC1 and MDM2 deacetylate p53 synergistically. Fibroblasts overexpressing a dominant negative HDAC1 mutant display enhanced DNA damage‐induced p53 acetylation, increased levels of p53 and a more pronounced induction of p21 and MDM2. These results indicate that acetylation promotes p53 stability and function. As the acetylated p53 lysine residues overlap with those that are ubiquitylated, our results suggest that one major function of p53 acetylation is to promote p53 stability by preventing MDM2‐dependent ubiquitylation, while recruitment of HDAC1 by MDM2 promotes p53 degradation by removing these acetyl groups.
Within-Individual Variability: An Index for Subtle Change in Neurocognition in Mild Cognitive Impairment.

BACKGROUND The transition from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's disease is characterized by a decline in cognitive performance in many domains. Cognitive performance profiles in MCI are heterogeneous, however, and additional insights into markers of incipient dementia are needed. Typically, studies focus on average or mean performance, but ignore consistency of performance across domains. WIV (within-individual variability) provides an index of this consistency and is a potential marker of cognitive decline. OBJECTIVE To use neurocognitive data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohort to measure neurocognitive variability. METHODS The utility of WIV was measured, in addition to global neurocognitive performance (GNP), for identifying AD and MCI. In addition, the association between changes in neurocognitive variability and diagnostic transition over 12 months was measured. RESULTS As expected, variability was higher in AD and MCI as compared to healthy controls; GNP was lower in both groups as compared to healthy subjects. Global neurocognitive performance alone best distinguished those with dementia from healthy older adults. Yet, for individuals with MCI, including variability along with GNP improved diagnostic classification. Variability was higher at baseline in individuals transitioning from MCI to AD over a 12-month period. CONCLUSION We conclude that variability offers complementary information about neurocognitive performance in dementia, particularly in individuals with MCI, and may provide beneficial information about disease transition.