The Distribution of Interferon-Alpha in Normal Human Tissues

The presence of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in human tissues has been described extensively in viral infections. In the last decade many workers have also shown the presence of low levels of IFN-alpha in conditions other than viral infections. While the precise origin of the synthesis of low levels of IFN-alpha in these physiological conditions has not been clearly defined, some evidence has suggested that macrophages may be involved. In an attempt to find the likely source of IFN-alpha in physiological conditions, an initial study was carried out in which the cellular distribution of immunoreactive IFN-alpha was studied in formalin fixed paraffin embedded normal adult human tissues from 38 different organs using various immunocytochemical techniques. These samples were drawn from over 300 individuals none of whom had evidence of viral infection. Tissue histiocytes from all organs in the body, with the exception of cerebral and cerebellar cortex in brain and renal cortex and medulla, stained positively for IFN-alpha. Kupffer cells, pulmonary alveolar macrophages and lymph node macrophages were also positive for IFN-alpha. Parenchymal cells in some other organs also contained immunoreactive IFN-alpha. These included syncytiotrophoblast in first, second and third trimester placentas, cuboidal lining cells of the choroid plexus in the brain, thyroid follicullar cells, pituitary endocrine cells, adrenocortical cells and parathyroid endocrine cells. These findings are compatible with previous suggestions that IFN-alpha may be synthesized and released in the absence of viral infection and may have a role in normal physiology. The presence of IFN-alpha in most cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system suggests that these cells play a major role in the defence against viral infection. This speculation, however does not preclude other possible roles for IFN-alpha, such as modulation of cell growth, major histocompitability antigen expression etc. The demonstration of immunoreactive IFN-alpha in formalin fixed paraffin embedded normal adult human tissues prompted other studies. In the first of these studies the cellular distribution of immunoreactive IFN-alpha was studied in formalin fixed paraffin embedded normal human autopsy tissues from 32 fetuses (7-42 weeks gestation) and 20 infants (aged from a few hours to 24 months). This study was performed to test the hypothesis that microbes have a role in switching on IFN-alpha synthesis. Fetal tissues are "germ free" while the infants had been exposed to a normal microbial flora. Immunoreactive IFN-alpha was first seen at 9 weeks gestation in macrophages in the fetal liver and thereafter was seen in macrophages in most other organs except in kidneys and cerebral and cerebellar cortex. When infant lungs were compared with fetal lungs a statistically significant increase in the number of macrophages (P< 0.0001, Mann-Whitney test) and the percentage of these cells expressing IFN-alpha (P <0.0005, Mann-Whitney test) was noted in infant lungs. No such changes were observed in spleen, liver and thymus following birth. These findings suggested that there is a basal level of IFN-alpha production by macrophages, which is not dependent on microbial products, but that such microbial products can enhance synthesis of this cytokine. Immunoreactive IFN-alpha was also demonstrated in parenchymal cells of thyroid gland, choroid plexus in brain, anterior pituitary gland and adrenal gland in the fetal and infant tissues. These findings were almost identical to those seen in adult tissues. In a separate study an attempt was made to extract, detect and quantify IFN-alpha in human tissues using protein extraction and an immunoradiometric assay kit for the detection of IFN-alpha. 20 placentas (14-42 weeks gestation) obtained fresh within 1-2 hours of vaginal delivery, 4 specimens of amniotic fluid obtained at the time of caesarean section from 37-39 weeks gestation pregnancies, 10 samples of choroid plexus and cerebral cortex, 11 thyroid glands and 9 fetal adrenal glands from adult and fetal autopsies performed within 10-24 hours of death were studied. IFN-alpha was detected in 9 placentas, 1 adult thyroid gland and all 4 amniotic fluids. However, this study failed to detect IFN-alpha in the remaining placentas and adult thyroid glands and in all choroid plexuses, cerebral cortex and fetal adrenal glands. Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues from these organs did show immunoreactive IFN-alpha in cells using the immunocytochemical techniques. Finally an attempt was made to detect IFN-alpha messenger RNA (mRNA) in normal human tissues using an in situ hybridization method

Demographic Change and Governance Issues

Pakistan is the 6th most populous country in the world while it ranks 4th in Asia. Its population has increased from 34 million in 1951 to an estimated 160 million in the year 2006, growing at the rate of three million persons per year. At this speed of growth, Pakistan’s population is projected to reach the 220 million mark by the year 2020; as we arrive at the Population Replacement Level. While Population Growth Rate (PGR) has declined from over 3 percent in previous decades to its current level of 2.1 percent per annum, which is, nevertheless, the highest population growth rate in South Asia, a dubious achievement when compared to the situation in the neighbouring countries. Therefore, the government policy remains intact, which is to lower population growth rate from its current level to 1.3 percent per annum by the year 2020, to reduce the total fertility rate to 2.1 percent and to reach replacement level of fertility by the year 2020. Unless its growth rate swiftly, by the year 2060, Pakistan is destined to become the 4th most populated country in the world, its population reaching over 305 million mark. In 1950s it was ranked 14

Women’s skills and career advancement: a review of gender (in)equality in an accounting workplace

This paper examines the effects of organizational culture, society, and masculinity on women’s skills in accounting workplaces and the influences of workplace norms, culture, and organizational structure on women’s leadership qualities and behaviours towards their work. Based on previous studies, we link the theory with professional skill and career advancement of women. We argue that a gender imbalance has prevailed for centuries affecting women’s careers; and, the transformation of accounting technologies, corporate structures, and the amalgamation of cultures have exacerbated gender inequality. Women’s lack of self-motivation and men’s dominance in accounting contexts keep women subordinate to men in accounting workplaces. We propose that offering courses on gender issues to business and accounting disciplines taught at university would subsequently shift the paradigm of hegemony and subordination in an accounting workplac

Do effective public governance and gender (in)equality matter for poverty?

In this study, we examined the relationship between determinants of governance and poverty reduction. We also investigated how female participation in the labour market helps alleviate poverty. We collected the balanced panel data of 29 countries over the period 2004–2016 from the World Bank database and Worldwide Governance Indicators database. Results indicated that robust governance is necessary for poverty reduction and that policy implementation timeliness is more likely to mitigate poverty. Moreover, the inclusion of females in the labour market and an efficient governance system contribute to enhanced well-being among the po

Income inequality, innovation and carbon emission: Perspectives on sustainable growth

The present study aims to investigate the impact of income inequality and economic growth on carbon dioxide (CO2) emission through the moderating role of innovation in China at national and regional levels. To test the hypothesised relationships, this study took the data from 1995 to 2015 and employed panel estimation. Findings of the whole analysis show that income inequality and economic growth influence CO2 emission in China. Moreover, technological innovation moderates the proposed link. However, the findings at the regional level are mixed, thus confirming the existence of regional differences. Policy implications are also discussed

Acoustic properties of biodegradable composite micro-perforated panel (BC-MPP) made from kenaf fibre and polylactic acid (PLA)

This paper investigates the sound absorption of biodegradable composite micro-perforated panel (BC-MPP) made from kenaf fibre and biodegradable polymer known as polylactic acid (PLA). BC-MPP samples were made through conventional machining method such as mixing, drilling, and hot pressing process. Sound absorption of BC-MPP samples were measured by using impedance tube. The porosity and tensile strength of BC-MPP samples were determined by using porosity tester and universal testing machine respectively. The effects of material composition and air gap thickness behind the panel towards the sound absorption coefficient of BC-MPP samples along with the porosity and tensile strength of BC-MPP samples will be presented in this paper. Results indicate that the sound absorption coefficient of BC-MPP samples could be affected by the difference of composition percentage of kenaf fibre and PLA. The porosity of BC-MPP sample increases along with the increment of kenaf fibre composition. However, the increment of kenaf fibre composition causes the reduction of tensile strength of BC-MPP sample. As the air gap thickness behind the panel increases, the peak absorption of BC-MPP sample shifts nearer to lower frequency range. The maximum sound absorption coefficient of BC-MPP sample can be varied as well by altering the air gap thickness behind the panel

Effectiveness of clean intermittent self catheterization in patients with recurrent urethral stricture post visual internal urethrotomy

OBJECTIVE :   Objective of the study is to determine the effectiveness of CISC in management of recurrent urethral strictures after visual internal urethrotomy.  METHODOLOGY :  This study   performed in department of urology   Saidu teaching hospital Swat  from June 2016 to July 2019 on 215 patients who were diagnosed as having urethral stricture disease. Patients were counseled  for CISC after removal of catheter 2 times a day for 8 weeks  and  at 8th  week cystourethroscopy performed along with detail  evaluation of symptoms of urethral stricture to know  recurrence of stricture.  RESULTS:   81.39% patients have no urethral stricture on cystourethroscopy  and symptomatic evaluation at 8th week  post visual internal urethrotomy  while 18.60%  patients have recurrent urethral stricture . Length of urethral stricture is the most important prognostic factor, stricture of less than 1 cm has success rate of 62.39% while stricture of more than one cm length has success rate of 20% as shown in table IV.  CONCLUSION:  In this study it has been confirmed that CISC  is safe ,cost effective procedure and most of the patients can do it in home with out any complications.

A stepping stone perspective to detection of network threats

Current computing trends such as cloud computing, file sharing and social networking promote collaboration and allow greater mobility for users.Nevertheless, these computing trends increase the vulnerability of networks to security threats and challenge network resources.An ingenious technique employed by attackers for retaining anonymity is by exploiting intermediary host computers or stepping stones to instigate attacks on other computers.This paper explores novel application of the stepping stone detection concept in addressing network threats such as spams, backdoors, proxy server intrusions and denial of service attacks.Preliminary stepping stone detection models for each security threat will be constructed and the potential detection process is delineated.These preliminary concepts and models may prove useful for further optimization of network security in conjunction with other conventional detection techniques

Evolution of stepping stone detection and emerging applications

Stepping Stone Detection (SSD) is conventionally intended for the detection of series of host computers used by attackers to hide their track in a network or host environment.This paper discusses the evolution of SSD and potential applications in other emerging fields. Novel, unique SSD models will be presented for spam, backdoor and proxy detections and expressed mathematically. These preliminary models have promising solutions for addressing current problems in these areas and may be expanded on in the future

Coaching leadership styles and athlete satisfactions among Malaysian University Basketball Team

Purposes of this study were to identify the leadership style of coaches, player satisfaction and relationship between leadership style of the coaches and player satisfaction. This study comprises of 101 basketball players in Malaysian Intervarsity Championship. This study was conducted during the competition season. A descriptive study is used in carrying out this research. Two instruments, revised version Leadership Scale for Sport (RLSS) by Zhang, Jensen and Mann (1997) and Athlete Satisfaction Questionnaire (ASQ) by Chelladurai and Riemer (1997) were used to examined style of coaching behaviors whichuniversity football players preferred and their satisfaction in football team. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) The descriptive analysis of the data were analyzed using by means, frequencies, percentage, and standard deviations for each item were found for males, females and each level of sport involvement. For the purpose of correlation, Pearson’s was used. Correlation was done with leadership style against athlete satisfaction. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Athletes were more preferred training and instruction coaching behavior which the highest mean score (M = 3.01, SD = .82) and followed by positive feedback coaching behavior (M = 2.94, SD = .85), social consideration coaching behavior (M = 2.87, SD = .86), social support coaching behavior (M = 2.61, SD = .90), democratic coaching behavior (M = 2.37, SD =.92) and autocratic coaching behavior (M = 2.03, SD = .96). Team integration (M = 3.74, SD = .83) was the most important subscale influencing athlete satisfaction in universities basketball team. Analyzed of the mean scores showed that training and instruction (M = 3.65, SD = .84) was the second highest mean scored for athlete satisfaction. The others factors were external agents (M = 2.84, SD = .92) factors most obvious of which are media and local community, the lowest rated satisfied for athlete satisfaction. The overall correlations were moderate and positive indicating a substantial relationship was democratic (r = .407, p <0.01), positive feedback (r = .442, p < 0.01), training and instruction (r = .456, p < 0.01), social consideration (r = .550, p < 0.01), social support (r = .428, p < 0.01) and autocratic (r = .413, p < .0.01)