Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Active surveillance for low-risk localized prostate cancer: what do men and their partners think?

Background. Active surveillance (AS) is recognized as a reasonable treatment option for low-risk localized prostate cancer (LPC) but continues to be chosen by a minority of men. To date, limited data are available regarding reasons why men with low-risk LPC adopt AS. Purpose. The aim of this study is to better understand conceptualizations, experiences and reasons why men with low-risk LPC and their partners adopt AS. Methods. We conducted five focus groups (FGs), three among men with low-risk LPC who had chosen AS and two with their partners. FGs were video/audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. Results. A total of 12 men and 6 partners (all women) participated in FG discussions. The most common reasons for choosing AS were seeing the LPC as ‘small’ or ‘low grade’ without need for immediate treatment and trusting their physician’s AS recommendation. The most common concerns about AS were perceived unreliability of prostate specific antigen, pain associated with prostate biopsies and potential cancer progression. Partners saw themselves as very involved in their husbands’ treatment decision-making process, more than men acknowledged them to be. Multiple terms including ‘watchful waiting’ were used interchangeably with AS. There appeared to be a lack of understanding that AS is not simply ‘doing nothing’ but is actually a recognized management option for low-risk LPC. Conclusions. Emphasizing the low risk of a man’s LPC and enhancing physician trust may increase acceptability of AS. Standardizing terminology and presenting AS as a reasonable and recognized management option may also help increase its adoption.
Collection, Description, and Visualization of the German Reddit Corpus

Reddit is a major social bookmarking and microblogging platform. An extensive dataset of Reddit comments has recently been made publicly available. I use a two-tiered filter to single out comments in German in order to build a linguistic corpus which is then tokenized and annotated. This article offers first insights of both nature and quality of data at the lexical level. Additionally, a visualization makes it possible to grasp the possible geographical distribution of German users of the platform.
1 Institutions and outward foreign direct investment

This paper explores the influence of quality of institutional environment in home countries on outflows of foreign direct investment (FDI). The study was conducted using a set of 125 economies across seven geographic regions over the period of time 1996-2011. The econometric strategy was based on cross-sectional and panel data analysis. Two different groups of variables, representing political environment and business environment, were employed in the econometric analysis. The main finding of this paper is that the quality of institutional environment plays important role in the process of locating capital abroad in the form of FDI. However, this impact is particularly significant in the case of governance quality and political stability. Observing the quality of business environment the results are less straightforward. Only variables pertaining to the quality of legal environment and taxation system were of particular importance in this respect. The issue has several policy implications. First, creating better institutional conditions may reduce some undesirable outflows of capital. Moreover, the quality of institutions in the country of origin weighs on the effectiveness of FDI operations in host countries. JEL Classification: F21; F23
Psoriasis of the face and flexures

Facial and flexural psoriasis may impair the quality of life of psoriatic patients considerably. For the adequate management of psoriasis it is important to pay attention to lesions at these sensitive sites, which require an approach different to that for lesions on other sites in several respects. An extensive literature search was carried out to collect evidence‐based data on facial and flexural psoriasis with respect to epidemiology, clinical aspects, pathogenetic factors and various treatments. Subsequently, a panel of experts, the Copenhagen Psoriasis Working Group (CPWG), discussed these aspects and several recommendations were formulated reconciling the evidence‐based data. Facial psoriasis occurs in 17–46% of psoriatics and flexural psoriasis is experienced by 6.8–36% of patients with psoriasis. Therefore, psoriasis at these sites cannot be regarded as a rare manifestation. Facial psoriasis is a prognostic marker indicating a poor prognosis of psoriasis. Facial and flexural psoriasis cannot be regarded as distinct disease entities but rather as site variations. The clinical features of facial psoriasis suggest that there are three subtypes: hairline psoriasis, sebo‐psoriasis and true facial psoriasis. Otitis externa and ocular manifestations should not be neglected. Evidence that microbiological factors may be relevant to facial and flexural psoriasis is virtually absent. For facial psoriasis the response to UV radiation is variable. At least 5% of psoriatics have photosensitive psoriasis. In these patients photosensitive diseases such as lupus erythematodes and polymorphic light eruption have to be excluded. Based on the literature assessment and working group discussions the CPWG concluded the following. (1) Low‐potency topical corticosteroids, vitamin D3 analogues and calcineurin inhibitors are first choice treatments in facial and flexural psoriasis. Evidence for the efficacy of the first two modalities is at level 3 while it is at level 1 for the third one. An individualized approach is indicated; for example, in case of corticosteroid side effects in the past the other two modalities should be selected and in unstable psoriasis prone to irritation, monotherapy with vitamin D3 analogues should be avoided. (2) Antimicrobial treatments are not indicated for facial and flexural psoriasis. (3) Dithranol and tar treatment are not indicated as first‐line treatment but only if the first‐line options fail. (4) In case topical therapies are not effective, phototherapy and systemic treatments are indicated. (5) For future drug development the combination of vitamin D3 analogues with low strength corticosteroids is recommended.
Biomarkers in pre-eclampsia: A novel approach to early detection of the disease

Pre-eclampsia is a unique disorder of human pregnancy with a great impact on maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide and especially in developing countries. The aetiology is still unknown and the pathophysiology of the disease is the subject of extensive investigation. Recently, much of the interest of the investigators for the prediction of pre-eclampsia has been aimed at measurable manifestations of abnormal placentation, endothelial dysfunction and feto-maternal unit perfusion. Biomarkers constitute a novel approach to an early detection of the disease. Low maternal serum levels of PAPP-A and PP13 early in pregnancy are predictive for emerging pre-eclampsia. On the other hand, increased levels of homocysteine, ADMA, sEng, leptin and sFlt-1 in the 1st trimester, signal the onset of the disease later in pregnancy. After the onset of pre-eclampsia, increased serum levels of PAPP-A, ADMA, homocysteine and sFlt-1 are associated with the severity of the disease. The identification of biomarkers which can contribute to the early detection of pre-eclampsia is essential. It could then be possible to apply better surveillance and treatment protocols in such patients.
Studies regarding the mechanism of false negative urea breath tests with proton pump inhibitors

OBJECTIVE:The mechanism of false negative urea breath tests (UBTs) results among proton pump inhibitor (PPI) users is unknown. We studied the time course of PPI-associated negative UBT, the relation to Helicobacter pylori density, and whether gastric acidification would prevent false negative UBT results.METHOD:In the UBT experiment, H. pylori–infected volunteers received omeprazole 20 mg b.i. d. for 13.5 days. UBTs with citric acid were done before, after 6.5 days of PPI, and 1, 2, 4, 7, and 14 days after therapy. In the culture and histology experiment, after a wash-out of >5 months, nine of the original subjects were rechallenged with omeprazole for 6.5 days. Antral and corpus biopsies for histology and culture were done before and 1 day after PPI administration.RESULTS:Thirty subjects (mean age 42 yr) were enrolled. UBTs were significantly reduced on day 6.5 (p = 0.031); 10 subjects (33%) developed transient negative UBTs. The UBT recovered in all but one subject by the fourth day post-PPI and in all subjects by day 14. In the culture and histology experiment, upon PPI rechallenge, three of nine subjects (33%) had negative UBTs. H. pylori density, whether measured by culture or histology, decreased with PPI therapy; antral biopsies became histologically negative in five subjects and corpus biopsies in three subjects.CONCLUSION:PPI-induced negative UBT results were related to the anti-H. pylori effect of the PPI. Acidification of the stomach did not prevent false negative UBT results. Three days is likely the minimum delay from stopping PPI until one should perform a test for active infection. A delay of 14 days is preferred.
Randomized trial of four vs. seven days of ceftriaxone treatment for bacterial meningitis in children with rapid initial recovery

Background. Seven days or more of antimicrobial treatment is the standard for bacterial meningitis, although third generation cephalosporins are usually able to sterilize cerebrospinal fluid within 24 h. The limited experience from shorter regimens in children is encouraging, and we hypothesized that in rapidly recovering patients older than 3 months of age it would pose no risk for adverse outcome. Methods. Strict clinical and laboratory criteria were used to define rapid initial recovery, in which case ceftriaxone therapy was either stopped after 4 days (4 injections) in children born on even dates (N = 53) or continued for 7 days in patients born on odd dates (N = 47). Outcomes were compared on Day 7 of hospitalization and at 1 to 3 months after discharge. Results. On Day 7 no differences (P > 0.05 for each criteria) were observed between the 4‐day and the 7‐day groups regarding fever, clinical signs or serum C‐reactive protein concentration. At the follow‐up visit 1 to 3 months after discharge the 4‐day group had fewer sequelae than the 7‐day group (0%vs. 5% neurologic sequelae, P = 0.39 and 3%vs. 9% hearing loss, P = 0.49, respectively). One child in the 4‐day group who had fully recovered was subsequently readmitted 53 days after the first hospitalization with recurrent Haemophilus influenzae meningitis. Conclusions. Four days of ceftriaxone therapy proved to be a safe alternative in patients with rapid initial recovery from bacterial meningitis. A 4‐day course of treatment is particularly beneficial for countries with limited resources.
Cornea Rapamycin Eye Drops Suppress Lacrimal Gland Inflammation In a Murine Model of Sjögren ’ s Syndrome

Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States Department of Ophthalmology, Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Los Angeles CountyþUniversity of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
The highly conserved DAD1 protein involved in apoptosis is required for N‐linked glycosylation

Background: The tsBN7 cell line is one of the temperature‐sensitive mutants for cell proliferation which have been isolated from the BHK21 cell line derived from the golden hamster. It has a mutation in the DAD1 gene encoding a 12.5 kDa highly conserved protein through evolution, and enters apoptosis at the restrictive temperature due to this mutation.
Folate levels in pregnant women who smoke: an important gene/environment interaction.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine whether serum and red blood cell folate levels were decreased in pregnant women who smoke and whether total plasma homocysteine levels were elevated. STUDY DESIGN In this cross-sectional study, serum folate, red blood cell folate, and homocysteine were measured in pregnant first- and early second-trimester pregnant women who smoked (case subjects) and pregnant women who did not smoke (control subjects). In addition, vitamin B(12), albumin, creatinine, cotinine, and hematocrit levels and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase status were determined and compared between groups. RESULTS Pregnant women who smoked had significantly lower concentrations of serum folate (22.7 vs 29.4 nmol/L; P =.001) and lower concentrations of red blood cell folate (766 vs 900 nmol/L; P =.038 [not significant]) than pregnant women who did not smoke. Dietary folate intake was not significantly different between pregnant women who smoked and pregnant women who did not smoke. Homocysteine levels were also not significantly different between the groups. For each genotype of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, lower levels of serum folate were observed in pregnant women who smoked, with the lowest folate levels seen in homozygous mutant methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677TT (18.6 nmol/L in pregnant women who smoked vs 24.2 nmol/L in pregnant women who did not smoke). CONCLUSION Both serum folate and red blood cell folate are lower in pregnant women who smoked than in pregnant women who did not smoke, although homocysteine levels are not significantly different. There is an important gene environment interaction between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene activity and tobacco exposure on serum folate levels. Lower levels of serum folate may account for the higher rate of miscarriage, stillbirth, abruptio placentae, and fetal anomalies that are observed in pregnant women who smoke. Pregnant women who smoke may benefit from higher doses of folic acid periconceptionally.
Creation of dynamic capacities and their evolution through engineering projects

Purpose – Based on case studies in engineering services companies contracted by Petrobras, which strongly demands the building of dynamic capabilities in its supplier base, we sought to understand how these capabilities are constructed over time. Consequently, we propose new indicators of dynamic capabilities (DCs) and tested their relevance empirically. Design/methodology/approach – Initially, we analysed the relationship of fourteen engineering services companies with Petrobras. Next, we selected two cases to carry out a deeper investigation, evaluating three projects with Petrobras in each case and identifying the creation of dynamic capacities during the projects. Findings – By performing a comprehensive analysis of the case studies, we conclude that through their contracts with Petrobras the engineering services companies develop capabilities that increase the quality and the complexity of the services provided. The four indicators proposed were validated in the field. Originality/value – Empirical studies contribute to understanding the various theoretical interpretations of DCs. In the cases studied, the creation of DCs is linked to new projects with the client. The accumulation of knowledge and learning, when transformed into learning routines and practices, allow companies to develop or reformulate existing skills.
How learning style affects evidence-based medicine

Background: Learning styles determine how people manage new information. Evidence-based medicine (EBM) involves the management of information in clinical practice. As a consequence, the way in which a person uses EBM can be related to his or her learning style. In order to tailor EBM education to the individual learner, this study aims to determine whether there is a relationship between an individual’s learning style and EBM competence (knowledge/skills, attitude, behaviour). Methods: In 2008, we conducted a survey among 140 novice GP trainees in order to assess their EBM competence and learning styles (Accommodator, Diverger, Assimilator, Converger, or mixed learning style). Results: The trainees’ EBM knowledge/skills (scale 0-15; mean 6.8; 95%CI 6.4-7.2) were adequate and their attitudes towards EBM (scale 0-100; mean 63; 95%CI 61.3-64.3) were positive. We found no relationship between their knowledge/skills or attitudes and their learning styles (p = 0.21; p = 0.19). Of the trainees, 40% used guidelines to answer clinical questions and 55% agreed that the use of guidelines is the most appropriate way of applying EBM in general practice. Trainees preferred using evidence from summaries to using evidence from single studies. There were no differences in medical decision-making or in EBM use (p = 0.59) for the various learning styles. However, we did find a link between having an Accommodating or Converging learning style and making greater use of intuition. Moreover, trainees with different learning styles expressed different ideas about the optimal use of EBM in primary care. Conclusions: We found that EBM knowledge/skills and EBM attitudes did not differ with respect to the learning styles of GP trainees. However, we did find differences relating to the use of intuition and the trainees’ ideas regarding the use of evidence in decision-making.
A FAMILY OF NONBINARY SEQUENCES WITH OPTIMAL CORRELATION PROPERTY

Abstract. In this paper, we first present a family of p-ary sequences with ideal twolevel autocorrelation property, which could be regarded as a generalization of the wellknown nonbinary sequences introduced by Helleseth and Gong. Utilizing the proposed sequences and m-sequences, we later construct a family of p-ary sequences of which the correlation property is optimal in terms of the Welch lower bound.
Anxiety and depression predict musculoskeletal disorders in healthcare workers

There is a high incidence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among healthcare workers (HCW). Our aim was to determine whether MSD are associated with pre-existing anxiety and/or depression. A case-control study was carried out in female HCW (56 cases/55 controls). Cases were HCW with a first-time clinical diagnosis of MSD within the previous two years. Occupation, workplace, work shift, direct patient assistance, and anxiety/depression scores (Goldberg scale) were assessed. An increased risk of incident MSD (multivariate logistic regression) was found in workers with pre-existing anxiety/depression compared to those without them (OR 5.01; 95% CI 2.20-12.05; p< 0.01). Other significant risk factors were direct D ow nl oa de d by [ U ni ve rs ity o f Sa sk at ch ew an L ib ra ry ] at 1 7: 25 2 0 Fe br ua ry 2 01 6
Protective effect of quercetin on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

BACKGROUND There is increasing evidence to suggest that toxic oxygen radicals play a role in the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the kidney. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether quercetin, an oxygen free radical scavenger, protects kidney tissue. METHODS A renal I/R injury was induced by a left renal pedicle occlusion by ischemia for 45 min, followed by 60 mins of reperfusion with contralateral nephrectomy in rats. The rats were pretreated intraperitoneally with a quercetin suspension (50 mg/kg) 60 min before the ischemia induction. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyl content, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO) catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined in renal tissue. RESULTS There were 3 groups of rats, the control group, the I/R group and the I/R+Q group. Our results indicate that TBARS, TNF-alpha levels, MPO activity and protein carbonyl content were significantly higher in the I/R group than those in the control group (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.01 and p<0.01, respectively). Quercetin administration significantly decreased these parameters (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). GSH levels, SOD, and CAT activities significantly decreased after I/R injury when compared to the control group (p<0.01, p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Quercetin treatment significantly increased GSH levels and activities of these enzymes when compared to the I/R group (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that quercetin reduces renal oxidative injury and facilitates repair. Quercetin can have a role in a renoprotective therapeutic regimen.
On the Relationship between Trade and FDI . The Border Effect

The objective of this paper is to examine the relationship between international trade and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) empirically. It analyses whether the reduction of trade barriers over time has increased FDI for the particular case of the European Union (EU) during the period from 1995 to 2009. To analyze this issue the authors estimate in first place the European Border Effect by means of a gravity equation. Once the border effect is obtained we test whether there is a positive (complementary) or negative (substitution) relationship between this border effect and the FDI within the European countries. A gravity model for trade and FDI is estimated using the Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood. The results suggest that there is a positive and decreasing border effect up to 2007 while it turns upward for 2008 and 2009, offsetting the previous decline. For the particular case of the EU, commercial integration and FDI reinforce each other, thus being complements rather than substitutes. In addition to trade integration measures, this paper also analyzes the potential role of other traditional determinants of FDI, as the market size of the host country and the cost differential among home-host economies. Cost differentials are not as relevant as the possibility of gaining market share which leads us to conclude that in the EU the FDI pattern follows a market-seeking strategy rather than a cost-efficient model.
Creating Educational Theme Park Visitor Loyalty: the Role of Experience-Based Satisfaction, Image and Value

Purpose – The aim of this study is to test the inter-relationships between the educational theme park image, perceived educational value, educational experience satisfaction and visitor loyalty in educational theme parks. Methodology – 150 respondents participated in this study. Data was collected through selfadministered questionnaire at two educational theme parks in Batu and Malang, East Java Province Indonesia. The Partial Least Squares with inner and outer model evaluation was employed and it indicated that the model built was robust. Findings – The results show that the educational image, educational experience satisfaction and perceived educational value play important roles in affecting visitor loyalty. In addition, this study found that image and value are the predictors of satisfaction. The mediating test explains that apart from having a direct effect on loyalty, both image and perceived value have an indirect effect on loyalty through satisfaction. Originality – This study provides new insights about how educational theme park visitors build their loyalty. Furthermore, the conceptual model presented in this study not only captures the direct relationships among educational image, perceived educational value, educational experience satisfaction and visitor loyalty, but also explains the indirect relationships. In addition, the setting of this study is the educational theme park industry which is believed to have special characteristics when it is compared to other industries.