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Posts Tagged ‘RESEARCH’

Cytokine imbalance in systemic lupus erythematosus: a study on northern indian subjects

Objective: The phenotype of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Asian Indians is more severe as compared with that in Caucasians. The reason is not clear. In this context, we studied serum levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interlekin-10 (IL-10). Their interrelations and correlation with SLEDAI scores were evaluated. Materials and methods: Forty patients with active SLE and 40 controls were studied. The mean SLEDAI score and anti-ds DNA level of the patients were 21.45 ± 8.61 and 176.68 ± 81.31 (IU/ml), respectively. Cytokines were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: In controls, the levels of IFN-γ were highest, followed by TNF-α, IL-10 & IL-4. In patients, however, the levels of TNF-α were highest, followed by IFN-γ, IL-10 & IL-4. IL-10 and IL-4 correlated negatively, and IFN-γ and TNF-α correlated positively with the SLEDAI scores. As compared with controls, in patients, the mean values of TNF-α, IL-10 and TNF-α/IL-10 ratio were higher by 6.9, 2.9 and 2.3 times, respectively (p < 0.001). Significant positive correlation was found between these two cytokines in patients (r = 0.327, p < 0.05) but not in controls. The levels and ratio of IL-4 and IFN-γ were comparable between patients and controls. These two cytokines correlated negatively both in controls (r = −0.358, p < 0.05) and patients (r = −0.990, p < 0.001). The ratio of TNF-α/IL-4 was 4.2 times higher, and those of IFN-γ/IL-4 and IFN-γ/IL-10 were 1.89 and 3.40 times lower in patients as compared with controls. A positive correlation between IL-10 and IL-4 (r = 0.345, p < 0.05) and a negative correlation between IL-10 and IFN-γ (r = −0.382, p < 0.05) were observed only in patients. Conclusion: This study showed a distinct profile of cytokine imbalance in patients with SLE from the northern plains of India. The levels, ratios and correlations of cytokines in patients suggested significant deviation from normal. Correlations of cytokines with SLEDAI scores indicated that TNF-α contributes significantly to the pathological manifestations of SLE in patients from the region. A detailed study is warranted.

May 20, 2012 Tags: EAST Indians, INTERFERON, INTERLEUKIN-10, INTERLEUKIN-4, PATIENTS, RESEARCH, SERUM, SYSTEMIC lupus erythematosus, TUMOR necrosis factor
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Boundary layer structure in typhoon saomai (2006): understanding the effects of exchange coefficient

Recent studies have shown that surface fluxes and exchange coefficients are particularly important to models attempting to simulate the evolution and maintenance of hurricanes or typhoons. By using an advanced research version of the Weather Research and Forecasting (ARW) modeling system, this work aims to study the impact of modified exchange coefficient on the intensity and structures of typhoon Saomai (2006) over the western North Pacific. Numerical experiments with the modified and unmodified exchange coefficients are used to investigate the intensity and structure of the storm, especially the structures of the boundary layer within the storm. Results show that, compared to the unmodified experiment, the simulated typhoon in the modified experiment has a bigger deepening rate after 30-h and is the same as the observation in the last 12-h. The roughness is leveled off when wind speed is greater than 30 m/s. The momentum exchange coefficient (CD) and enthalpy exchange coefficient (CK) are leveled off too, and CD is decreased more than CK when wind speed is greater than 30 m/s. More sensible heat flux and less latent heat flux are produced. In the lower level, the modified experiment has slightly stronger outflow, stronger vertical gradient of equivalent potential temperature and substantially higher maximum tangential winds than the unmodified experiment has. The modified experiment generates larger wind speed and water vapor tendencies and transports more air of high equivalent potential temperature to the eyewall in the boundary layer. It induces more and strong convection in the eyewall, thereby leading to a stronger storm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

May 19, 2012 Tags: BOUNDARY layer (Meteorology), RESEARCH, STORMS, TYPHOONS, WINDS -- SpeedNORTH Pacific Region
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Anti-ganglioside antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and neurological manifestations

Introduction: Anti-ganglioside antibodies (AGA) have been associated with several peripheral neuropathies, such as Miller–Fisher syndrome, Guillain–Barré syndrome and multifocal motor neuropathy. They have also been studied in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), focusing on neuropsychiatric manifestations and peripheral neuropathy, but the results are contradictory. Objective: To study the presence of AGA in a large cohort of patients with SLE and neuropsychiatric manifestations. Patients and methods: Serum from 65 consecutive patients with SLE and neuropsychiatric manifestations, collected from 1985 to 2009, was tested for the presence of AGA antibodies (GM1, GM2, GM3, asialo-GM1 GD1a, GD1b, GD3, GT1b, GQ1b) using a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA test (INCAT 1999) and thin layer chromatography (TLC). Results: Positive results for asialo-GM1 (IgM) were found in 10 patients, 6 were positive for asialo-GM1 (IgM and IgG), and 4 were positive for other AGA such as GM1, GM2, GM3, GD1b, GT1b, GD3, (mainly IgM). Conclusions: Clinical and statistical studies showed no correlation between AGA and neuropsychiatric manifestations of SLE. Although some patients showed reactivity to AGA, these antibodies are not a useful marker of neuropsychiatric manifestations in SLE patients.

May 19, 2012 Tags: ENZYME-linked immunosorbent assay, IMMUNOGLOBULINS, NEUROBEHAVIORAL disorders, PATIENTS, RESEARCH, SERUM, SYSTEMIC lupus erythematosus
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Eureka! the secret behind the big idea

The article focuses on methods to improve creativity in the workplace. It states researchers from the University of Illinois found that a team of moderately-intoxicated men were able to successfully complete more word problems requiring creating thinking than a control group. It mentions methods outside of alcohol to improve creativity including exposing people to a wide variety of information and not judging ideas immediately. It comments on the book “The Progress Principle” by Teresa Amabile. INSET: THREE NOVEL WAYS TO BOOST CREATIVITY.

May 14, 2012 Tags: CONTROL groups (Research), CREATIVE ability, CREATIVE ability in business, DRINKING of alcoholic beverages, RESEARCH
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The jobless generation

The article discusses the international issue of unemployment among young people in 2012 and offers some suggestions for the creation of jobs. It states that the global financial crisis of the early 21st century and the subsequent Great Recession have significantly limited the employment options for many millions of people worldwide, including young people in Greece, England, and the Middle East. According to the article, excessive labor protections, high birthrates, and a lack of training and skills are all contributing factors to the high unemployment figures.

April 16, 2012 Tags: 2008-2009, CHILDBIRTH -- Statistics, ECONOMIC indicators, EMPLOYEE selection, GLOBAL Financial Crisis, JOB skillsEMPLOYMENT, RECESSIONS, RESEARCH, UNEMPLOYMENT, YOUNG adults
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It’s o.k., boss. he won’t bite

The article addresses the results of a 2012 study which reveals that people who take their pets to work experience less stress in their lives due to the increases in companionship levels, as well as interaction and conversation with colleagues.

April 16, 2012 Tags: JOB stress, PETS, RESEARCH, WORK environment
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Factors that contribute to consumers’ perceptions of online and traditional travel reservation systems

This study consisted of an exploration of consumers’ perceptions towards online versus traditional flight reservation methods. In addition, the factors that may influence consumers’ perceptions were explored. Two research questions were posed for this study, addressing (a) consumers’ preferences for traditional versus online reservation systems, and (b) the factors that influence consumers’ preferences for traditional versus online reservation systems. The results indicated that price was the most important factor in determining the method of making reservations, with personal communication, rules and regulations, available information, and brand name loyalty also being important factors. The findings of this study provide useful information to various stakeholders in the travel industry to improve the quality of their services. In addition, recommendations for effective competition between the two flight reservation methods are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

April 1, 2012 Tags: AIRLINE industry -- Reservation systems, BRAND loyalty, CONSUMERS' preferences, PRICING, QUALITY of serviceSOCIAL aspects, RESEARCH, TOURISM
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Business format franchise in regional tourism development

Tourism becomes increasingly an industry where interorganizational relationships can provide a global competitive advantage (Porter, 1990). Collaborative relationships are in focus for three decades now, yet interorganizational literature findings have been criticized (Bell, Den Ouden, & Ziggers, 2006), Journal of Management, 43, 1607–1619 and labelled to be on the “bring of irrelevance”. For theoretical and managerial reasons, networking the tourism industry calls for further scrutiny. Franchising offers a governance structure recognized for combining a valid business format and economies of scale provided by the franchisor with small entrepreneurs, who bring knowledge of local market and personal commitment to the joint action. Through a thorough interorganizational dynamics and franchising literature review, this study suggests that network governance mode holds promise of improving regional tourism industry performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

April 1, 2012 Tags: BUSINESS networks, COMPETITIVE advantage, FRANCHISES (Retail trade), INTERORGANIZATIONAL relations, LITERATURE reviews, MANAGEMENT, RESEARCH, TOURISM, TRANSACTION costs
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Dating the appearance of lapita pottery in the bismarck archipelago and its dispersal to remote oceania

The Bayesian calibration program OxCal v.4.1.5 is applied to two chronological datasets for early Lapita derived from two comprehensive reviews. The two datasets are supplemented by published ages for early Lapita sites in two key island groups within Remote Oceania: Vanuatu and Fiji. The analyses provide statistically robust chronologies for the emergence of Lapita on Mussau at 3470-3250 cal BP and in the rest of the Bismarck Archipelago at 3360-3240 cal BP. After a period of 130-290 years, Lapita dispersed to Vanuatu by 3250-3100 cal BP and to Fiji by 3130-3010 cal BP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

April 1, 2012 Tags: BAYESIAN statistical decision theory, CHRONOLOGY, POTTERY, RADIOCARBON dating, RESEARCH
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