THE INFLUENCE OF MICROFINANCE ON THE EDUCATION DECISIONS OF RURAL HOUSEHOLDS: EVIDENCE FROM BOLIVIA

There is debate about measurement of impact and achievement of expected results of rural microfinance programs in LDCs. The paper addresses these issues using survey household data from Bolivia. Regression models examine the determinants of education outcomes for microfinance clients. The results challenge usual assumptions in program design.Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

The Expression of VEGF-A Is Down Regulated in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Patients with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Most patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) eventually enter a secondary progressive (SPMS) phase, characterized by increasing neurological disability. The mechanisms underlying transition to SPMS are unknown and effective treatments and biomarkers are lacking. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is an angiogenic factor with neuroprotective effects that has been associated with neurodegenerative diseases. SPMS has a prominent neurodegenerative facet and we investigated a possible role for VEGF-A during transition from RRMS to SPMS. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: VEGF-A mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMC) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cells from RRMS (n = 128), SPMS (n = 55) and controls (n = 116) were analyzed using real time PCR. We demonstrate reduced expression of VEGF-A mRNA in MS CSF cells compared to controls (p<0.001) irrespective of disease course and expression levels are restored by natalizumab treatment(p<0.001). VEGF-A was primarily expressed in monocytes and our CSF findings in part may be explained by effects on relative monocyte proportions. However, VEGF-A mRNA expression was also down regulated in the peripheral compartment of SPMS (p<0.001), despite unchanged monocyte counts, demonstrating a particular phenotype differentiating SPMS from RRMS and controls. A possible association of allelic variability in the VEGF-A gene to risk of MS was also studied by genotyping for six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MS (n = 1114) and controls (n = 1234), which, however, did not demonstrate any significant association between VEGF-A alleles and risk of MS. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Expression of VEGF-A in CSF cells is reduced in MS patients compared to controls irrespective of disease course. In addition, SPMS patients display reduced VEGF-A mRNA expression in PBMC, which distinguish them from RRMS and controls. This indicates a possible role for VEGF-A in the mechanisms regulating transition to SPMS. Decreased levels of PBMC VEGF-A mRNA expression should be further evaluated as a biomarker for SPMS

Meeting the cultural and service needs of Arabic international students by using QFD

Quality has become an important factor in global competition for many reasons. Intensive global competition and the demand for better quality by customers has led organizations to realize the benefits of providing quality products and services in order to successfully compete and survive. Higher education institutions are one example of these organisations. Higher education institutions work in an intensive competitive environment worldwide driven by increasing demands for learning by local and international students. As a result, the managers of these sectors have realized that improving the quality of services is important for achieving customer satisfaction which can help survival in an internationally competitive market. To do this, it is necessary for organizations to know their customers and identify their requirements. To this end, many higher education institutions have adopted principles of total quality management (TQM) to improve their education quality which leads to better performance through involvement of every department to achieve excellence in business. This chapter considers the importance of measuring quality in order to assist universities to proactively manage the design and improvement of the social and academic experiences of postgraduate international students, and plan management decision-making processes to deliver high-quality services in a globalized business of provision of higher education. Higher education institutions must operate effectively and efficiently and be able to deliver quality programs, by seeking to better understand the needs of their customers to be competitive in this market space

THE INFLUENCE OF MICROFINANCE ON THE EDUCATION DECISIONS OF RURAL HOUSEHOLDS: EVIDENCE FROM BOLIVIA

There is debate about measurement of impact and achievement of expected results of rural microfinance programs in LDCs. The paper addresses these issues using survey household data from Bolivia. Regression models examine the determinants of education outcomes for microfinance clients. The results challenge usual assumptions in program design

The Genus Perinereis (Polychaeta: Nereididae) From Mexican Littoral Waters, Including The Description Of Three New Species And The Redescriptions Of P. Anderssoni And P. Elenacasoae

Volume: 111Start Page: 674End Page: 69

Nereidids (Polychaeta) From The Caribbean Sea And Adjacent Coral Islands Of The Southern Gulf Of Mexico

Volume: 112Start Page: 667End Page: 68

Interproximal Soft Tissue Height Changes After Unassisted Socket Healing versus Alveolar Ridge Preservation Therapy.

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) therapy compared with unassisted socket healing (USH) in attenuating interproximal soft tissue atrophy. Adult subjects that underwent maxillary single-tooth extraction with or without ARP therapy were included in this study. Surface scans and cone beam computed tomography were obtained to digitally assess interproximal soft tissue height changes and measure facial bone thickness (FBT), respectively. Logistic regression models were conducted to investigate the individual effect of demographic and clinical variables. Ninety-six subjects (USH=49; ARP=47) constituted the study population. Linear soft tissue assessments revealed a significant reduction of the interproximal soft tissue over time within and between groups (P1mm), independently of the treatment received (P<.0001). Nevertheless, ARP therapy resulted in better preservation of interproximal soft tissue height especially in thin bone phenotype by a factor of 2 for the mesial site (+1.3mm) and a factor of 1.6 (+0.9mm) for the distal site. This study demonstrated that ARP therapy largely attenuates interproximal soft tissue dimensional reduction after maxillary single-tooth extraction compared with USH

The regulatory role of hepatoma-derived growth factor as an angiogenic factor in the eye

Hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) is a mitogen that promotes endothelial proliferation and neuronal survival. Using a unique technology of ligandomics, we recently identified HDGF as a retinal endothelial binding protein. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of HDGF in regulating ocular vasculature and the expression of HDGF in the retina. HDGF expression in the retinal was analyzed with western blot and immunohistochemistry. Angiogenic activity was investigated in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMVECs) with in vitro endothelial proliferation, migration, and permeability assays. In vivo angiogenic activity was quantified with a corneal pocket assay. The Evans blue assay and western blot using anti-mouse albumin were performed to detect the capacity of HDGF to induce retinal vascular leakage. Immunohistochemistry revealed that HDGF is expressed in the retina with a distinct pattern. HDGF was detected in retinal ganglion cells and the inner nuclear layer but not in the inner plexiform layer, suggesting that HDGF is expressed in the nucleus, but not in the cytoplasm, of retinal neurons. In contrast to family member HDGF-related protein 3 (HRP-3) that has no expression in photoreceptors, HDGF is also present in the outer nuclear layer and the inner and outer segments of photoreceptors. This suggests that HDGF is expressed in the nucleus as well as the cytoplasm of photoreceptors. In vitro functional assays showed that HDGF induced the proliferation, migration, and permeability of HRMVECs. Corneal pocket assay indicated that HDGF directly stimulated angiogenesis in vivo. Intravitreal injection of HDGF significantly induced retinal vascular leakage. These results suggest that HDGF is an angiogenic factor that regulates retinal vasculature in physiologic and pathological conditions. Identification of HDGF by ligandomics and its independent characterization in this study also support the validity of this new technology for systematic identification of cellular ligands, including angiogenic factors

SU2C phase Ib study of paclitaxel and MK-2206 in advanced solid tumors and metastatic breast cancer.

There is preclinical synergism between taxanes and MK-2206. We aim to determine the maximum tolerated dose, safety, and activity of combining MK-2206 and paclitaxel in metastatic cancer. Patients received weekly doses of paclitaxel at 80mg/m2 on day 1, followed by MK-2206 orally on day 2 escalated at 90mg, 135mg, and 200mg. Treatment continued until progression, excessive toxicity, or patient request. Blood and tissue were collected for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics markers. A cycle consisted of three weeks of therapy. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined as unacceptable toxicity during the first cycle. All statistical tests were two-sided. Twenty-two patients were treated, nine in dose escalation and 13 in dose expansion. Median age was 55 years. Median number of cycles was four. Dose escalation was completed with no DLT. CTCAE Grade 3 or higher adverse events were fatigue (n = 2), rash (n = 2), hyperglycemia (n = 1), and neutropenia (n = 7). Four patients in the expansion phase required MK-2206 dose reduction. Phase II recommended dose was established as paclitaxel 80mg/m2 weekly on day 1, and MK-2206 135mg weekly on day 2. Paclitaxel systemic exposure was similar in the presence or absence of MK-2206. Plasma MK-2206 concentrations were similar to data from previous phase I monotherapy. There was a statistically significant decrease in expression of pAKT S473 (P = .01) and pAKT T308 (P = .002) after therapy. PI3K/AKT/mTOR downregulation in tumor tissues and circulating markers did not correlate with tumor response or clinical benefit. There were five objective responses, and nine patients had stable disease. MK-2206 was well tolerated with paclitaxel. Preliminary antitumor activity was documented