Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beta 2-transferrin confirms perilymphatic fistula in children.

beta 2-Transferrin is a protein that is unique to the cerebrospinal fluid and aqueous humor. On the basis of this information and a recent study from our institution that demonstrated that beta 2-transferrin was also unique to human perilymph, a prospective, double-blind study to evaluate perilymphatic fistula in children was performed. Attending otolaryngologists at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh evaluated and recommended surgery for 10 children (10 ears) who were suspected of having a congenital perilymphatic fistula. During the operation, the surgeon decided whether a perilymphatic fistula existed, on the basis of otomicroscopic findings, and then separate pieces of gelatin sponge were placed on the oval and round windows, respectively, and sent to the immunopathology laboratory where they were analyzed for beta 2-transferrin. Ten patients (10 ears) undergoing tympanoplasty or tympanomastoidectomy were used as controls and tested in a similar fashion. During the study, both the surgeons and patients were blinded from the results of the test. Of the 10 control patients, none was observed to have a perilymphatic fistula, and all were negative for beta 2-transferrin. Of the 10 patients undergoing exploratory tympanotomy for perilymphatic fistula, 1 ear was thought to be negative for perilymphatic fistula on microscopic visual examination, whereas 9 were considered to be positive for perilymphatic fistula. No beta 2-transferrin was identified from the ear that was considered not to have a perilymphatic fistula, whereas six of the nine ears that were thought to have perilymphatic fistula tested positive for beta 2-transferrin. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Feedback quality adjustment with Bayesian state-space models

In this paper we develop a Bayesian procedure for feedback adjustment and control of a single process. We replace the usual exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) predictor by a predictor of a local level model. The novelty of this approach is that the noise variance ratio (NVR) of the local level model is assumed to change stochastically over time. A multiplicative time series model is used to model the evolution of the NVR and a Bayesian algorithm is developed giving the posterior and predictive distributions for both the process and the NVR. The posterior distribution of the NVR allows the modeller to judge better and evaluate the performance of the model. The proposed algorithm is semi-conjugate in the sense that it involves conjugate gamma/beta distributions as well as one step of simulation. The algorithm is fast and is found to outperform the EWMA and other methods. An example considering real data from the microelectronic industry illustrates the proposed methodology. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluate corporate social responsibility disclosure at Annual Report Companies in multifarious group of industry members of Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX), Indonesia

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to draw disclosure of corporate social responsibility from annual reports of companies which went public on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX). The objective of this research is to show the pattern of the companies in practicing social disclosure. The pattern includes category and item, focus, amount and difference per category including high and low profile companies in multifarious group members of JSX.Design/methodology/approach – Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was identified, evaluated and measured, along with the effect on the company and communication to stockholders, as it was seen how much the disclosure about social responsibility accounting was present in the annual report.Findings – Its use of coding processes in the annual report, with use of content analysis, was specifically for indexing a “yes” or “no” approach. There are 16 members of JSX for Multifarious Group of Industry including High‐Profile and Low‐Profile companies. The research results sho.
Serum leptin in elderly people: associations with sex hormones, insulin, and adipose tissue volumes.

OBJECTIVE There are few data for associations of serum leptin with body fat, fat distribution, sex hormones, or fasting insulin in elderly adults. We hypothesized that the sex difference in serum leptin concentrations would disappear after adjustment for subcutaneous, but not visceral body fat. Serum leptin would not be associated with sex hormone concentrations or serum fasting insulin after adjusting for body fat and fat distribution. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volumes were measured using magnetic resonance imaging in a cross-sectional sample of 56 nondiabetic, elderly men and women aged 64 years to 94 years. Serum leptin, sex hormones (testosterone and estrone), sex hormone-binding globulin, and fasting insulin were also measured. Nine women were taking hormone replacement, and five men were clinically hypogonadal. RESULTS Leptin was significantly associated with both SAT and VAT in each sex. Adjustment for SAT reduced the sex difference in leptin by 56%, but adjustment for VAT increased the difference by 25%. Leptin was not associated with serum estrone or hormone replacement therapy in the women, but had a significant, negative association with testosterone in the men that was independent of SAT, but not VAT. Leptin was significantly associated with fasting insulin in both sexes independent of age, sex hormones, sex hormone-binding globulin, VAT and SAT. DISCUSSION Sex difference in serum leptin is partly explained by different amounts of SAT. Studies including both men and women should adjust for SAT rather than total body fat that includes VAT. The sex difference in serum leptin is not due to estrogen, but may be partly explained by testosterone. Testosterone is negatively associated with leptin in men, but the association is confounded with VAT. Leptin is associated with fasting insulin in nondiabetic elderly men and women independent of body fat, fat distribution, or sex hormones.
When do firms revalue their assets upwards? Evidence from the UK

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the timing of upward asset revaluations using large UK data. Design/methodology/approach - A standard logistic model is used to examine the timing of upward asset revaluations. The result is further confirmed by using the ordinary least squares regression. Findings - UK firms with higher industrial leverage and share performance two years before the revaluation year are inclined to write up their assets, suggesting that firms choose not to recognise good news unless it has been supported by their superior market performance and industry norm. This finding differs from the leverage reduction as well as the signalling objective suggested by previous literature. Originality/value - This paper provides the first UK evidence on the timing of upward asset revaluation, which further enhance the understanding of the economic determinants of upward asset revaluations.
Role of Blue Ocean Strategy ( BOS ) Implementation in Improving Performance of and Competitive Advantage of Products ( Studies on Smis – Small and Medium-Sized Industries in Bali ) Ni

The purpose of this research was to understand the process of implementation of the Blue Ocean Strategy (BOS) on SMIs in Bali, the role of the implementation of the BOS to improve product performance, and the implications for SMIs increase competitive advantage. The approach used in this research was qualitative approach with case studies. Informants of the research (key persons) are 15 stakeholders who know clearly abot the process of implementation of the BOS which conducted by SMIs in Bali. These stakeholders consist of: the owners / managers of SMIs in Bali, administrators of Apindo, and academicians / SMIs observers, as well as officials of the Department of Cooperatives and SMIs of Bali Provincial Government. The results showed the following findings: 1) the process of implementation of the BOS on SMIs in Bali is conducting by developing creativity and innovation in the design and appearance of products, to save the cost of raw materials, use of environmentally friendly materials, always eliminate product features that are not essential for consumers, and also improve services in a sustainable manner; 2) implementation of the BOS can improve product performance in terms of product quality, product design, product display, the image of the product, lower prices, and outstanding service; 3) improvement of product performance can improve competitive advantage in terms of being able to offer better quality products, competitive prices, faster service, and the image of environmentally friendly products.
Outcomes of alemtuzumab‐based reduced intensity conditioning stem cell transplantation using unrelated donors for myelodysplastic syndromes

This prospective study evaluated the outcomes of 75 successive patients receiving a FBC (fludarabine, busulphan, alemtuzumab) reduced‐intensity conditioning (RIC) regimen for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) using volunteer unrelated donors(VUD). The prognostic significance of a variety of clinical variables including the recently described haematopoietic cell transplantation co‐morbidity index (HCT‐CI) was assessed. The median age of the cohort was 52·0 years (range: 19–68 years) with a median follow‐up of 1038·5 d. Forty‐nine patients (65%) had an International Prognostic Scoring System stage of ≥Intermediate‐2, 35 (46%) had intermediate or poor risk cytogenetics, and 23 patients(31%) were human leucocyte antigen‐mismatched. The actuarial 3‐year overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) was 43% [95% confidence interval (CI): 37–49] and 41% (95%CI: 35–47) respectively, and the cumulative incidence of extensive chronic graft‐versus‐host disease was 22%. On multivariate analysis, presence of either one class II mismatch or a two‐antigen mismatch adversely influenced transplant‐related mortality, DFS and OS. In addition, disease status at transplantation and the haematopoietic cell transplantation‐specific comorbidity index were independent variables for overall survival. In contrast, both advanced age and pre‐transplant cytogenetic status did not significantly affect overall outcomes. RIC regimens using VUD was associated with durable long‐term survival even in older patients with MDS, and the use of a pre‐transplant comorbidity index may help to improve patient selection for transplantation.
Familial transmission and minimal sequence variability of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) in Zaire.

Our group previously reported a strong familial clustering of HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) in Zaire, suggesting a familial transmission of the virus together with the presence of cofactors. In the present study among 84 relatives of 16 HTLV-I-positive or HAM/TSP index cases, we found that all 15 seropositive children had a seropositive mother and that all 15 children with a seropositive father but a seronegative mother were seronegative. Lymphocytes of 17 relatives from 2 families with a familial HTLV-I-associated neuropathy were tested in 2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays amplifying pol and tax/rex gene fragments. The 10 seropositive individuals were PCR positive for HTLV-I and the 7 seronegatives were negative in both PCR assays. The PCR results showed no evidence for a long lag period between infection with HTLV-I and seroconversion. The HTLV-I long terminal repeat (LTR) of these 10 individuals, related in the first to the fourth degree, was amplified and sequenced. Identical sequences were found within the families except for one woman infected with two variants, one being the familial strain and the other a mutated one with a single nucleotide substitution in the 755 sequenced nucleotides of the LTR region. The family strain and the mutant were both present in two samples taken 1 year apart. Together, the HTLV-I serology, PCR, and sequencing results point toward mother-to-child transmission as the main mode of HTLV-I infection in this population. Comparison of the LTR sequences of the two families with other HTLV-I strains from different geographical regions shows that the Zairean HTLV-I strains form a separate cluster. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Vaccination protects against in vivo-grown feline immunodeficiency virus even in the absence of detectable neutralizing antibodies

So far, vaccination experiments against feline immunodeficiency virus have used in vitro-grown virus to challenge the vaccinated hosts. In this study, cats were vaccinated with fixed feline immunodeficiency virus-infected cells and challenged with plasma obtained from cats infected with the homologous virus diluted to contain 10 cat 50% infectious doses. As judged by virus culture, PCRs, and serological analyses performed over an 18-month period after the challenge, all of the vaccinated cats were clearly protected. Interestingly, prior to challenge most vaccines lacked antibodies capable of neutralizing a fresh isolate of the homologous virus.
The use of dermoscopy for the diagnosis of trichotillomania

© 2008 The Authors JEADV 2009, 23, 702–738 Journal compilation © 2008 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology is the parallel ridge pattern; some studies have shown that it has a prevalence of 98% in the macular portions of acral melanoma, and it can be found in 94% of the acral melanomas in situ.3,4 It is due to a more prominent proliferation of atypical melanocytes in the crista profunda intermedia, which results in deposition of much more melanin in the rete ridge situated under the surface ridge of the skin. It has been reported that in the acral maculae of the PJS and Laugier–Hunziker syndrome the melanin deposits are mainly in the crista profunda intermedia5 so the dermoscopy pattern was supposed to be the parallel ridge pattern, but it had not been reported yet. We confirm with our case report that the parallel ridge pattern can be found in a patient with PJS.
Familial globotriaosylceramide-associated cardiomyopathy mimicking Fabry disease

Objective To characterise a globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) storage cardiomyopathy mimicking Fabry. Methods We investigated five patients from two unrelated families with early adult onset unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy. Endomyocardial biopsy was performed in all patients and diagnostic kidney biopsies in two of them. We measured α-galactosidase A activity in all patients. Three patients were checked for LAMP1 or LAMP2 deficiency and screened for congenital disorders of glycosylation. Gb3 concentration was quantified in plasma, urinary sediment and cardiac muscle. We sequenced the Fabry and Danon genes and looked for other genetic causes by single-nucleotide polymorphism array haplotyping and whole exome sequencing. Results Three patients had a striking fat distribution around the buttocks and upper thighs. All patients developed bradyarrhythmias and needed pacemakers. Cardiac transplantation was performed in three patients due to end-stage heart failure, one patient died before transplantation. The cardiomyocytes contained lysosomal vacuoles with lamellar myelin-like deposits. Interstitial cells had vacuoles containing granular material. Deposits were found in the kidneys without renal dysfunction. The histological pattern was atypical for Fabry disease. Biochemical studies revealed normal activity of α-galactosidase A and other relevant enzymes. There was a selective accumulation of Gb3 in cardiomyocytes, at levels found in patients with Fabry disease, but no mutations in the Fabry gene, and Fabry disease was excluded. Other known lysosomal storage diseases were also excluded. Single-nucleotide polymorphism array haplotyping and whole exome sequencing could not identify the genetic cause. Conclusions We describe a novel familial Gb3-assoociated cardiomyopathy. Autosomal recessive inheritance is likely, but the genetic and metabolic cause remains to be identified.
The information content of accounting earnings, book values, losses and firm size vis-à-vis stocks: empirical evidence from an emerging stock market

The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) has consistently outperformed better known emerging markets like Brazil, India and China over the past decade. However, some economists, notably Khwja and Mian (2005), claim that trade-based manipulation as opposed to firm fundamentals is the real cause behind this remarkable growth. To uncover the relationship between stock prices and firm fundamentals, we measure the degree of association between firm-specific accounting information embedded in annual financial statements and stock prices, commonly known as the value relevance of financial statements. Based on a data-set of 100 firms listed on the KSE from 1999 to 2011, we find that accounting information is an important determinant of stock returns. In addition, consistent with prior research, we also find that the explanatory power of accounting information shifts from earnings to book values in case of negative earnings and firm size is inversely related to stock returns. However, time-series regressions reveal a gradual decline in the value relevance of accounting information. Our findings are robust to different econometric specifications and methods.
Local Development using Social Capital as an Instrument: A Comparative Analysis

This paper presents the process for the development of a social capital measurement tool, which was adapted to the Greek socio-cultural context. The validity and the reliability of this social capital questionnaire were evaluated in a sample of 318 adults drawn from two different mountain rural areas in Greece. The social capital questionnaire is a useful instrument in measuring the existent stock of social capital and in understanding the local development “physiognomy” of two Greek mountainous rural areas. However, researchers should keep in mind that the reliability of responses to questionnaires is always questionable, in particular for subjective questions about social norms. This is why detailed interviews constitute a precious tool to corroborate the results of a survey. For this reason, the present survey was subsequently followed up by 46 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with selected participants in both areas. The overall socio-economic status of the two case study areas was assessed in relation to a wide variety of social capital related variables. Using the data collected from the quantitative research, the paper describes how social capital is distributed geographically between the two different mountain areas. On the whole, both case study areas appear not to be substantially different in aggregate levels of social capital. Therefore, social capital seems to be different in its characteristics and underlying structure in both case study areas.
Developing an evaluation framework of quality indicators for learning analytics

This paper presents results from the continuous process of developing an evaluation framework of quality indicators for learning analytics (LA). Building on a previous study, a group concept mapping approach that uses multidimensional scaling and hierarchical clustering, the study presented here applies the framework to a collection of LA tools in order to evaluate the framework. Using the quantitative and qualitative results of this study, the first version of the framework was revisited so as to allow work towards an improved version of the evaluation framework of quality indicators for LA.
Growth effect of foreign aid and volatility in South Asia

Purpose - South Asia has been an important destination of foreign aid over the past decades. Since a large part of aid is disbursed for social and economic infrastructure development in South Asian countries, and the volume of aid has tremendously increased in recent years, the purpose of this study is to investigate how far various categories of foreign aid affects economic growth rate in these countries. In addition, as the trend of each category of aid transfer appears to have been volatile, this study also investigates whether the volatilities inhibit growth rate in these countries. Design/methodology/approach - In this study, South Asia refers to India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Random effects approach is employed incorporating panel data for the period of 1995-2008. The aggregate foreign aid is classified into various categories to have a comprehensive investigation. Findings - Foreign aid positively associated with growth whereas the volatility of aid hurts it. Long-impact aid promotes growth more than short-impact aid does. The volatility of short-impact aid hurts growth, whereas the volatility of long-impact aid has no effect on it. Pure aid and its volatility have no effect on growth. Originality/value - This study has identified the structure of foreign aid disbursed in these countries, and explored how far each category and respective volatility affects growth. These findings would be useful to the scholars and policy makers in the recipient countries as well as donors, to make foreign aid much more effective in future.
Kavalactones Yangonin and Methysticin Induce Apoptosis in Human Hepatocytes (HepG2) In Vitro

While cases of severe kava hepatotoxicity have been reported, studies examining the toxicity of individual kavalactones are limited. The present study examined the in vitro hepatotoxicity of kavain, methysticin and yangonin on human hepatocytes (HepG2) and the possible mechanism(s) involved. Cytotoxicity was assessed using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and ethidium bromide (EB) assays. The mode of cell death was analysed with acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual staining with fluorescence microscopy. Glutathione oxidation was measured using the ortho‐phthalaldehyde (OPT) fluorescence assay. Kavain had minimal cytotoxicity, methysticin showed moderate concentration‐dependent toxicity and yangonin displayed marked toxicity with ∼40% reduction in viability in the EB assay. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining showed the predominant mode of cell death was apoptosis rather than necrosis. No significant changes were observed in glutathione levels, excluding this as the primary mechanism of cell death in this model. Further studies may elucidate the precise apoptotic pathways responsible and whether toxic kavalactone metabolites are involved. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nuclear size, nuclear pore number and cell cycle

In eukaryotic cells, the nucleus is a complex and sophisticated organelle containing genomic DNA, and supports essential cellular activities. Its surface contains many nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), channels for macromolecular transport between the cytoplasm and nucleus. It has been observed that the nuclear volume and the number of NPCs almost doubles during interphase in dividing cells, but the coordination of these events with the cell cycle was poorly understood, particularly in mammalian cells. Recently, we demonstrated that cyclin-dependent protein kinases (Cdks) control interphase NPC formation in dividing human cells. Cdks drive the very early step of NPC formation because Cdk inhibition suppressed the generation of “nascent pores,” which are considered to be immature NPCs, and disturbed expression and localization of some nucleoporins. Cdk inhibition did not affect nuclear volume, suggesting that these two processes have distinct regulatory mechanisms in the cell cycle. The details of our experimental systems and finding are discussed in more depth. With new findings recently reported, we also discuss possible molecular mechanisms of interphase NPC formation.