Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Family history of coronary artery disease and cholesterol: screening children in a disadvantaged inner-city population.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Little information relating to cholesterol levels and screening for hypercholesterolemia in inner-city children exists. For this study, given the disrupted family backgrounds of many of our patients and the unreliability of family histories, our hypothesis was that in comparison with other samples, family history of coronary heart disease would be a poor screening tool for the identification of children with elevations in total serum cholesterol (TSC). SUBJECTS AND METHODS During 15 months, more than 400 pediatric outpatients, 2 through 14 years old, were screened for a family history of atherosclerotic disease. These children were attending a clinic serving a disadvantaged black and Hispanic population at Kings County Hospital Center. Nonfasting TSC levels were measured in 300 children. Positive risk for coronary heart disease was determined by the presence of a family history of coronary heart disease (defined as angina, stroke, or myocardial infarction in any parent or grandparent) at less than 55 years age. RESULTS The mean TSC level was 4.27 mmol/L SD +/- 0.85) (165.0 mg/dL [SD +/- 32.8]). The 29.4% of this population with a history suggestive of high risk for hypercholesterolemia had a mean TSC of 4.48 mmol/L (SD +/- 0.971) (173.2 mg/dL [SD +/- 37.5]), and those with no risk history had a mean TSC of 4.18 mmol/L (SD +/- 0.750) (161.4 mg/dL [SD +/- 29.9]) (P < .005). Use of family history of coronary artery disease as a screening tool had a sensitivity of 39.3%, a specificity of 74.5%, and a positive predictive value of 39.8% for detection of moderate hypercholesterolemia (TSC > or = 4.66 mmol/L [180 mg/dL]). CONCLUSIONS This population's mean TSC level did not differ (P > .10) from those obtained in multiple large studies of average North American populations, and the predictive value and sensitivity of family history as a screening tool was comparable, although the prevalence of a positive family history was greater. The findings may be due to a greater prevalence of coronary artery disease at a young age in these families. In this population, a positive risk history is an important indicator for further evaluation of these children.
Social skills training for young adolescents: cognitive and performance components.

An assertiveness training curriculum that was an expansion of two previous programs with young adolescents (Thompson, Bundy, & Broncheau, 1995; Wise, Bundy, Bundy, & Wise, 1991) was presented to 22 fifth graders. Cognitive acquisition and retention of the symbolic assertiveness information were measured with multiple-choice pre- and posttests used in the two prior programs. The performance components, including verbal (word choice) and non-verbal (body orientation, posture, and gestures) aspects of assertive behavior were measured in pretest and posttest role-play situations, with the posttest administered at two levels of motivation. When trained students were compared to control groups on the cognitive measures, a significant effect for treatment (p < or = .000); a significant effect for measures (p < or = .000); and a significant Treatment x Measures interaction (p < or = .000) were found. However, the results did not show that training facilitated assertiveness on the performance components. When trained and control subjects' performance scores were combined, a significant effect for measures was found across role-play tests on some of the performance measures. Discussion focuses on factors that facilitate adolescents' appropriate application of stored symbolic information regarding assertiveness. Suggestions are offered for designing programs aimed at developing adolescents' assertive behavior in ways that will generalize to their lives beyond the training context.
Antiproliferative properties of mycophenolic acid on human retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro.

PURPOSE Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressive agent used in the prophylaxis of graft rejection in transplantology. Its antyproliferative effects on lymphocyte, monocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts are well known, but to our knowledge there are no reports on its action on the retinal epithelial (RPE) cells in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS In all experiments we used mycophenolic acid (MPC), which is the biologically active form of MME Its activity was assessed on the cultures of immortalized non-transformed cells line from a human donor (ARPE19). Cells were seeded and incubated in vitro with deferent concentrations of MPC: 0.0025 pg/ml, 0.025 pg/ml, 0.25 pg/ml, 2.5 pg/ml, 25 pg/ml and 250 microg/ml. After 24 and 72 hours of incubation, proliferative activity was assessed by 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation into cellular DNA and the amount of cell proliferation was determined using the 3-(4.5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2.5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Additionally, to determine cytotoxicity of MPC, ARPE19 cells were grown to confluence and subsequently cultured in a serum-deficient medium and then, after 24 hours of incubation with different concentrations of MPC, the MTT test was performed. RESULTS The BrdU assay showed the decrease of DNA synthesis activity for increasing concentrations of MPC starting with 0.025 microg/ml to 250 microg/ml. The number of RPE cells assessed with MTF test decreased after the exposition to the drug concentrations of 25 microg/ml and 250 microg/ml after 24 and 72 hours of incubation, and additionally for the concncentrations of 0.25 microg/ml and 2.5 microg/ml after 72 hours of incubation. CONCLUSIONS MMF influences the proliferation of immortalized ARPE19 cells without evident cytotoxic effect.
The mineralocorticoid receptor in rodent retina: ontogeny and molecular identity.

PURPOSE Mineralocorticoid hormones contribute to ion-water balance in all cell types. In this study, we investigated the presence of mineralocorticoid receptors in rat and bovine ocular tissues and during retinal development. METHODS Isolated photoreceptors and/or intact retina, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, and ciliary body were analyzed for the expression of MR (Mineralocorticoid Receptor) using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Since aldosterone can stimulate the expression of epithelial Na+ channels (ENaC), expression of this gene in RPE was measured under basal and aldosterone-induced level. RESULTS MR was expressed in rat photoreceptors and in the inner retina (inner nuclear layer and ganglion cell layer) even one day after birth, almost hundred percent identity was observed between rat retina and kidney MR gene products. The expression was also present in the RPE and in the ciliary body. ENaC gene was expressed in RPE and generated a predicted band at 520 bp following RT-PCR amplification which was 95% homology to that of ENaC mRNA from bovine kidney. The incubation of RPE cells in vitro with aldosterone increased the mRNA level of ENaC. CONCLUSIONS MR expression in the mammalian retina, RPE, and ciliary body extends the potential field of action for mineralocorticoid hormones. Results on RPE cells are consistent with the idea that steroid hormones may regulate the physiology of these tissues by modulating ENaC expression. This study provides new light on the potential effect of mineralocorticoid in this area of the nervous system.
Effects of Restaurant Satisfaction and Knowledge Sharing Motivation on eWOM Intentions

The growth of consumer-generated media (CGM) has promoted the popularity of online knowledge sharing and electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). While the topic of eWOM has drawn much attention in academy and industry, little research has been published addressing the factors influencing eWOM intentions. Using a well-known restaurant review website, Openrice.com, as an example, this study explored three predictors to eWOM intentions in an integrative framework: experience factor (restaurant satisfaction), knowledge sharing factors (egoistic and altruistic needs), and technology acceptance factors (perceived usefulness and perceived ease-of-use). In addition, the moderating role of technology acceptance factors on the relationships between experience/knowledge sharing factors and eWOM intentions were examined. The results of the study indicate that (1) individuals’ altruistic needs trigger positive eWOM, (2) the perceived usefulness of the website has a significant main effect on eWOM intentions, and (3) the perceived usefulness significantly moderates the relationships between satisfaction/egoistic needs and eWOM intentions. The discussions also provide implications and managerial insights for research and practice.
Institutions-Augmented Solow Model And Club Convergence

Growth economists still face challenges and limitations to incorporate institutions into the standard growth framework. This article develops a simple augmented Solow growth model that accounts for the interactions between institutions and factor-productivity and examine the impacts of the quality of institutions on levels and growth rates of output. The institutions augmented growth model shows that differences in the quality of institutions preclude convergence and determine both the level and the growth rate of output per worker. The model also shows that poor institutions induce poverty traps. Furthermore, the income gap between rich and poor countries will increase if poor countries’ institutions do not improve relative to their rich counterpart.
Adoption of Conservation Agriculture in the Mexican Bajío

Despite demonstrated environmental and economic benefits, the adoption of conservation agriculture (CA) often remains lower than expected. Adoption of a complex and composite technology such as CA requires a thorough understanding of the site-specific determinants and constraints of the adoption process. The authors investigate the adoption of CA among medium-scale farmers in the Mexican Bajío using farm survey data. They differentiate between full and partial adoption of composite technology, and disentangle the different steps in the adoption process, including awareness, using Heckman selection models. The results indicate that institutional factors and farmers' education affect awareness of CA but not adoption itself. Farm size is not an important determinant in the adoption process, but the farmer's tenancy position does affect both awareness and adoption. A major constraint for full but not for partial adoption is livestock ownership, which complicates residue retention on the field, as crop residues are baled for fodder.
How Predictable is the Chinese Stock Market

The paper analyzes return predictability for the Chinese stock market index and its components sorted on industry,size,book-to-market and ownership concentration,with both in-sample and out-of-sample tests.It is found that there is significant predictability.Among industry portfolios,finance and insurance,real estate, and manufacturing exhibit the most predictability,while small-cap,low book-to-market ratio and low ownership concentration firms also display considerable predictability.The conditional CAPM model largely accounts for component predictability,and industry concentration significantly explain differences in return predictability across industries,consistent with the information-flow frictions emphasized by Hong,Torous,and Valkanov (2007).
Empathy and social functioning in late adulthood

Objectives: Both cognitive and affective empathy are regarded as essential prerequisites for successful social functioning, and recent studies have suggested that cognitive, but not affective, empathy may be adversely affected as a consequence of normal adult aging. This decline in cognitive empathy is of concern, as older adults are particularly susceptible to the negative physical and mental health consequences of loneliness and social isolation. Method: The present study compared younger (N = 80) and older (N = 49) adults on measures of cognitive empathy, affective empathy, and social functioning. Results: Whilst older adults’ self-reported and performance-based cognitive empathy was significantly reduced relative to younger adults, there were no age-related differences in affective empathy. Older adults also reported involvement in significantly fewer social activities than younger adults, and cognitive empathy functioned as a partial mediator of this relationship. Conclusion: These findings are consistent with theoretical models that regard cognitive empathy as an essential prerequisite for good interpersonal functioning. However, the cross-sectional nature of the study leaves open the question of causality for future studies.
Improved Adsorption of an Enterococcus faecalis Bacteriophage ΦEF24C with a Spontaneous Point Mutation

Some bacterial strains of the multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria Enterococcus faecalis can significantly reduce the efficacy of conventional antimicrobial chemotherapy. Thus, the introduction of bacteriophage (phage) therapy is expected, where a phage is used as a bioagent to destroy bacteria. E. faecalis phage ΦEF24C is known to be a good candidate for a therapeutic phage against E. faecalis. However, this therapeutic phage still produces nonuniform antimicrobial effects with different bacterial strains of the same species and this might prove detrimental to its therapeutic effects. One solution to this problem is the preparation of mutant phages with higher activity, based on a scientific rationale. This study isolated and analyzed a spontaneous mutant phage, ΦEF24C-P2, which exhibited higher infectivity against various bacterial strains when compared with phage ΦEF24C. First, the improved bactericidal effects of phage ΦEF24C-P2 were attributable to its increased adsorption rate. Moreover, genomic sequence scanning revealed that phage ΦEF24C-P2 had a point mutation in orf31. Proteomic analysis showed that ORF31 (mw, 203 kDa) was present in structural components, and immunological analysis using rabbit-derived antibodies showed that it was a component of a long, flexible fine tail fiber extending from the tail end. Finally, phage ΦEF24C-P2 also showed higher bactericidal activity in human blood compared with phage ΦEF24C using the in vitro assay system. In conclusion, the therapeutic effects of phage ΦEF24C-P2 were improved by a point mutation in gene orf31, which encoded a tail fiber component.
Is there a distinct Asian management culture?

In this article, we ask ‘is there an Asian management culture? ’. This question is of significant practical and methodological relevance. Our conclusion, based on a wide review of the literature at hand, is quite unequivocal: we argue that there is no one single Asian management culture that distinguishes the Asian countries from those of the rest of the world.
Association of aromatase (TTTAn) repeat polymorphism length and the relationship between obesity and decreased sperm concentration.

BACKGROUND Obesity in men is associated with low sperm count, however, this finding is inconsistent. Here, we describe length of the short tandem repeat aromatase (CYP19A1) polymorphism and its relationship to increased weight and sperm count. METHODS A cohort of 215 men was recruited from the community and BMI, hormone levels and sperm parameters were determined at enrollment. Men (196) were genotyped for length of the tetranucleotide TTTA repeats polymorphism (TTTA(n)), defined as short (S ≤ 7 repeats) or long (L > 7 repeats). Genotypes were categorized using allele combinations as 'low repeats' = S-S, or 'high repeats' = S-L/L-L. Weight and sperm parameters were examined in relation to size of TTTA(n) repeat. RESULTS Mean (±SD) age was 29.8 ± 8.6 years and mean BMI was 25.6 ± 4.6 kg/m(2). Men with high repeats had higher estradiol (E(2)) levels (98.0 ± 33.36 pmol/l) than men with low repeats (85.9 ± 26.61 pmol/l; P= 0.026). Lower FSH levels tended to be present in men with high repeats versus men with low repeats (P= 0.052). After stratification by genotype, a negative correlation between BMI and sperm count (Pearson's coefficient = 0.406) was seen only among men with high repeats (P= 0.019). Only men with high repeats exhibited increased E(2) with increased weight. A decrease in testosterone: E(2) ratio with increasing BMI was more pronounced in men with high versus low, repeats (R(2) = 0.436 versus 0.281). CONCLUSIONS Higher TTTA repeat numbers (>7 repeats) in the aromatase gene are associated with a negative relationship between obesity and sperm count. The effect of obesity on E(2) and sperm count appears to be absent in men with low (≤7) repeats.
The diagnostic utility of labial salivary gland biopsy in IgG4-related disease

Abstract Objective: For the definitive diagnosis of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), biopsies of local lesions are recommended so as to exclude other diseases, including lymphoma and cancer. However, performing biopsies of underlying organs is technically difficult. In this study, we examined the diagnostic utility of labial salivary gland (LSG) biopsy as a less invasive procedure. Methods: Sixty-six patients with suspected IgG4-RD by clinical findings or high serum IgG4 underwent LSG biopsy. We examined the relationship between the number of IgG4-positive plasma cells in LSG and clinical findings. Results: The final diagnosis was 45 patients with IgG4-RD, 12 with Sjögren’s syndrome, four with suspected Sjögren’s syndrome, three with malignant lymphoma, one with systemic lupus erythematosus, and one with Warthin’s tumor. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of LSG biopsy were 55.6%, 100.0%, and 70.0%, respectively. Forty-five IgG4-RD patients were divided into two groups: 1) 25 with lesions of salivary glands (IgG4-RD S+) and 2) 20 without these lesions (IgG4-RD S−). Seventeen of 25 (68.0%) IgG4-RD S + and 8 of 20 (40.0%) IgG4-RD S − patients were positive for LSG biopsy. In the IgG4-RD S − patients, the mean number of affected organs and serum IgG4 in the positive cases for LSG biopsy were significantly higher than in the negative cases. Conclusion: A solo LSG biopsy is insufficient for the diagnosis of IgG4-RD because of its low sensitivity. However, LSG biopsy combined with clinical findings, including serum IgG4 and number of affected organs, may contribute towards a diagnosis of IgG4-RD patients with affected underlying organs.
FIRM-SPECIFIC HUMAN CAPITAL AND COMPENSATION-ORGANIZATIONAL TENURE PROFILES: AN ARCHIVAL ANALYSIS OF SALARY DATA FOR IT PROFESSIONALS

We examine determinants of IT compensation using archival salary data from 2,251 IT professionals in Singapore. Consistent with human capital theory, we find that professionals in IT jobs requiring more firm-specific human capital are paid more than those in jobs requiring less firm-specific human capital. Moreover, compensation increases with organizational tenure at an increasing rate for professionals in higher firm-specific human capital IT jobs
Purification and properties of a novel thermostable galacto-oligosaccharide-producing beta-galactosidase from Sterigmatomyces elviae CBS8119

A thermostable beta-galactosidase which catalyzed the production of galacto-oligosaccharide from lactose was solubilized from a cell wall preparation of Sterigmatomyces elviae CBS8119. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by means of chromatography on DEAE-Toyopearl, Butyl-Toyopearl, Chromatofocusing, and p-aminobenzyl 1-thio-beta-D-galactopyranoside agarose columns. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be about 170,000 by gel filtration with a Highload-Superdex 200pg column and 86,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Its isoelectric point, determined by polyacrylamide gel electrofocusing, was 4.1. The optimal temperature for enzyme activity was 85 degrees C. It was stable at temperatures up to 80 degrees C for 1 h. The optimal pH range for the enzyme was 4.5 to 5.0, it was stable at pH 2.5 to 7.0, and its activity was inhibited by Hg2+. The Km values for o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside and lactose were 9.5 and 2.4 mM, respectively, and the maximum velocities for these substrates were 96 and 240 mumol/min per mg of protein, respectively. In addition, this enzyme possessed a high level of transgalactosylation activity. Galacto-oligosaccharides, including tri- and tetrasaccharides, were produced with a yield, by weight, of 39% from 200-mg/ml lactose.
Is Extraordinary Growth Profitable? A Study of Inc. 500 High–Growth Companies *

This research note tests whether extraordinary high growth (e.g., sales growth rates of 500 percent to 31,000 percent over five years) is correlated to firm profitability. Using longitudinal data from three separate cohorts of Inc. 500 firms (from 1992 to 1996; 1993 to 1997; and 1994 to 1998), firm growth was operationalized in terms of sales and number of employees. Controlling for industry sector and ranking on the Inc. 500 lists, analyses found that extraordinary high growth—in terms of sales and number of employees—was not related to firm profitability. Firm age, however, was significantly, and inversely, related to profitability; younger firms experience slightly higher profitability rates. Implications for management and future study of extraordinary high–growth firms are discussed.
Comparison of neurologic changes in 'successfully aging' persons vs the total aging population.

OBJECTIVE To determine age-related changes in neurologic function in the general population. DESIGN To administer a neurologic examination to participants in such a way that it is possible to calculate the proportion of elderly persons in the population with each abnormal finding and the proportion of persons with each finding but without evidence of the medical and neurologic diseases likely to produce neurologic abnormalities (eg, stroke and diabetes). SETTING Individuals were selected from a community-dwelling population. PARTICIPANTS A stratified random sample of 467 persons aged 65 years and older were evaluated. RESULTS Many neurologic abnormalities are increasingly common with advancing age and are present in a substantial portion of the elderly population. The prevalence of abnormal neurologic findings not attributable to disease, however, is substantially lower, typically one half to one third the total prevalence. Moreover, the increase with age in the prevalence of abnormal neurologic findings not attributable to major disease varies substantially among the different measures. CONCLUSIONS Primitive reflexes and measures of gait show statistically significant increases with age in multiple measurement domains, suggesting a selective age-related vulnerability.
Jurisdictional Integrity, Polycentrism, and the Design of Democratic Governance

Political and managerial processes are creating polycentric networks that transcend the traditional ideas of jurisdictional integrity in state-centric systems. Jurisdictional integrity refers to the political and legal competence of a unit of government to operate within a spatial and functional realm. An intrinsic element of jurisdictional integrity in a democratic system is that citizens are enabled to give consent to and pass judgment on the exercise of authority by that governmental entity. The concept of jurisdictional integrity is shown to apply differentially in relation to the traditional institutions of government in comparison with the emergent complex of quasi-governmental agencies, special purpose bodies and multi-organizational collaborations. Distinctions are drawn between club, agency and polity entities within this emergent organizational field. Problems to be faced in the design of institutions for network governance under conditions of polycentrism are identified and solutions reviewed. The potential of consociationalism to enable collective decision making across a polycentric system is highlighted. Informal norms are shown to be essential in enabling such a system for network governance to operate effectively.