Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validity of the time trade-off and standard gamble methods of utility assessment in retinal patients

Aim: To assess the validity of the time trade-off (TTO) and standard reference gamble (SRG) techniques of utility assessment in patients with retinal disease. A cross section of eligible patients was studied and validity was determined through their relation with two logical constructs, visual acuity and scores from the Visual Function 14 (VF-14) index. Methods: The study consisted of eligible patients presenting to a tertiary retinal facility who completed an interview. All patients had best corrected vision of 20/40 or worse in at least one eye. TTO and SRG utilities, as well as a VF-14 questionnaire, were administered through a standardised interview. Demographic and clinical (including Snellen visual acuity) information was also collected. Results: 323 patients met these study criteria. Significant predictors of TTO utilities in the multivariate analysis were vision in the better seeing eye (p<0.01) and VF-14 scores (p<0.01). Significant predictors of standard gamble utilities were also vision in the better seeing eye (p<0.01) and VF-14 scores (p<0.05). Conclusion: Both the standard gamble and TTO methods demonstrate strong validity when evaluated against visual acuity in the better seeing eye and the VF-14 score.
Automated detection and classification techniques of Acute leukemia using image processing: A review

Hematological disorders of leukocytes (white blood corpuscles) are very frequent in medical practices. Each year, the number of new cases of leukemia increased with a high mortality rate what can cause a delay in diagnosis and treatment of leukemia. The hematologist faces difficulty in classifying white blood cells included cancerous leukemia cells. Currently, the diagnosis of hematological disorder was made by microscopic analysis of peripheral blood smear by hematological experts. However, this kind of diagnosis is complex, costly process, time-consuming and inherently subjective, hence to avoid such problems a classification technique based on computer vision is required. This document provides a survey of many kinds of literature which talk about leukemia detection using image processing. In this year, many improvements were made in this field. With this document, we provide a new perspective from many kinds of literature so future research can be developed effectively for their research.
PENGARUH AUDIT TENURE PADA KECEPATAN PUBLIKASI LAPORAN KEUANGAN AUDITAN DENGAN SPESIALISASI INDUSTRI AUDITOR SEBAGAI PEMODERASI

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of audit tenure on speed publication of the audited financial statements, and whether the auditor industry specialization strengthen the influence of audit tenure on speed publication of audited financial statements. This study was performed on companies listed in the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Number of samples was 276 for 3( three) years. The sample in this study were taken by purposive sampling method. The analysis technique used is regression moderation / Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA). Based on the analysis found that the audit tenure positive effect on the speed of publication of the audited financial statements. This shows that the longer the tenure audit the financial statements audited publications speed manufacturing companies tend to rise or fast. Auditor industry specialization strengthens the positive effect of the audit tenure on speed publication of audited financial statements. It is proved that the longer the tenure of audit and reinforced by the auditor indusri specialty publications speed manufacturing companies audited financial statements or tends to rapidly increase.
Neuroendocrine Effects of Subcutaneous Interleukin-2 Injection in Cancer Patients

Intravenous interleukin-2 (IL-2) administration has been shown to influence several hormonal secretions. The present study was carried out to investigate the endocrine effects of subcutaneous therapy with IL-2. Six patients with advanced renal cancer were studied. They were treated subcutaneously with IL-2 according to the schedule proposed by Atzpodien et al. Venous blood samples were collected at O-time and 1, 8 and 12 hours after the first IL-2 pulse of 9 × 106 IU/m2 at 8.00 a.m.; on a separate occasion, samples were collected during a saline infusion only. In each blood sample, serum levels of Cortisol, β-endorphin, GH, PRL, FSH, LH, TSH and the pineal hormone melatonin were measured by RIA. Both Cortisol and β-endorphin significantly increased after IL-2 injection. GH rose but not to a significant extent. PRL, FSH, LH and TSH did not change after IL-2. Finally, melatonin levels markedly decreased after IL-2 injection in the only 2 patients with elevated concentrations of this hormone before the start of immunotherapy. These results suggest that the endocrine effects of subcutaneous IL-2 therapy are similar to those previously described with intravenous administration.
Electrically induced potentiation of eighth nerve responses.

Whole-nerve potentials were recorded from a total of 42 anesthetized cats using a 25-micron electrode in the 8th nerve as it exits from the internal auditory meatus, in response to acoustic clicks across an 80-db range. Biphasic electric pulses, 0.5 msec in duration, 100/sec for 5-10 min, at 100 microamps, were delivered by the 8th nerve electrode. Potentiation of responses to acoustic clicks was observed in amplitude, latency, and duration when comparing sets of pre- vs post-stimulation output. High consistency was achieved. These data were corroborated by recording output also from the round window, and by auditorily evoked brainstem far field potentials with a subcutaneous electrode. Control experiments such as ablation of AI, AII, EP, and IT, resection of the inferior colliculus, the crossed olivocochlear bundle, and middle-ear muscles, determined that electric potentiation was a local effect. Furthermore, the usual electric pulses applied to an electrode on the round window had no potentiating effect. Electric stimulation had a significant effect at the . 001 level in increasing amplitude of response. Latency of N1 was shortened by 0.2 msec. Potentiation persisted for up to 3 hrs. An unexpected result was potentiation of 8th nerve and brainstem nuclei responses after acoustic stimulation of the contralateral ear; electric stimulation may induce a more active involvement of efferent activity originating in the superior olive or more rostrally. The interpretation of how such changes might affect perception after, for example, long term stimulation of neurons by a prosthesis is difficult to make without behavioral corroboration. The amplitude change of the whole-nerve action potentials are rough indicators of relative loudness. Thus an accentuated loudness may be experienced over time as equivalent intensities tend, as in these cats, to elicit greater response. The long time constancy of the decay, on the other hand, could tend to maintain a consistency of such potentiated responses and thus create no real variability in perception over time. The shortened latency could mean an involvement of higher frequency perception, but how this might be translated into a change in, for example, intelligibility of speech it is not possible to infer at this time.
Accuracy and precision of targeting using frameless stereotactic system in deep brain stimulator implantation surgery.

OBJECTIVES To assess the accuracy of targeting using NexFrame frameless targeting system during deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty DBS leads were implanted in 33 patients using the NexFrame (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) targeting system. Postoperative thin cut CT scans were used for lead localization. X, Y, Z coordinates of the tip of the lead were calculated and compared with the intended target coordinates to assess the targeting error. Comparative frame-based data set was obtained from randomly selected 33 patients during the same period that underwent 65 lead placements using Leksell stereotactic frame. Euclidean vector was calculated for directional error. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to compare the accuracy between two systems. RESULTS The mean error of targeting using frameless system in medio-lateral plane was 1.4 mm (SD ± 1.3), in antero-posterior plane was 0.9 mm (SD ± 1.0) and in supero-inferior plane Z was 1.0 mm (SD ± 0.9). The mean error of targeting using frame-based system in medio-lateral plane was 1.0 mm (SD ± 0.7), in antero-posterior plane was 0.9 mm (SD ± 0.5) and in supero-inferior plane Z was 0.7 mm (SD ± 0.6). The error in targeting was significantly more (P = 0.03) in the medio-lateral plane using the frameless system as compared to the frame-based system. Mean targeting error in the Euclidean directional vector using frameless system was 2.2 (SD ± 1.6) and using frame-based system was 1.7 (SD ± 0.6) (P = 0.07). There was significantly more error in the first 25 leads placed using the frameless system than the second 25 leads (P = 0.0015). CONCLUSION The targeting accuracy of the frameless system was lower as compared to frame-based system in the medio-lateral direction. Standard deviations (SDs) were higher using frameless system as compared to the frame-based system indicating lower accuracy of this system. Error in targeting should be considered while using frameless stereotactic system for DBS implantation surgery.
The German Adaptation and Standardization of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI)

Abstract We developed the German Adaptation of the Personality Assessment Inventory (Morey, 1991) under careful consideration of current adaptation literature and guidelines. The adaptation process included the translation of the 344 items into German, a back translation into English as well as the testing of the language equivalence using a bilingual sample. We then standardized the final German version of the PAI for the German population. We compared the American and German norm and reliability data. The observed differences in PAI scale means did not exceed 5 T scores. Internal consistency reliability showed a similar pattern in both language versions, although the German alpha coefficients were on average slightly lower than the American ones. Factor structure was similar in both versions. We discuss expectations about the German PAI and possible problems for its practical usefulness for the German-speaking population.
Sonic hedgehog signaling regulates reciprocal epithelial-mesenchymal interactions controlling palatal outgrowth

The mammalian secondary palate arises by outgrowth from the oral side of the paired maxillary processes flanking the primitive oral cavity. Palatal growth depends on reciprocal interactions between the oral ectoderm and the underlying neural-crest-derived mesenchyme. Previous studies have implicated sonic hedgehog (Shh) as an important epithelial signal for regulating palatal growth. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms through which Shh regulates palatal development in vivo have not been directly analyzed, due in part to early embryonic lethality of mice lacking Shh or other essential components of the Shh signaling pathway. Using Cre/loxP-mediated tissue-specific inactivation of the smoothened (Smo) gene in the developing palatal mesenchyme, we show that the epithelially expressed Shh signals directly to the palatal mesenchyme to regulate palatal mesenchyme cell proliferation through maintenance of cyclin D1 (Ccnd1) and Ccnd2 expression. Moreover, we show that Shh-Smo signaling specifically regulates the expression of the transcription factors Foxf1a, Foxf2 and Osr2 in the developing palatal mesenchyme. Furthermore, we show that Shh signaling regulates Bmp2, Bmp4 and Fgf10 expression in the developing palatal mesenchyme and that specific inactivation of Smo in the palatal mesenchyme indirectly affects palatal epithelial cell proliferation. Together with previous reports that the mesenchymally expressed Fgf10 signals to the palatal epithelium to regulate Shh mRNA expression and cell proliferation, these data demonstrate that Shh signaling plays a central role in coordinating the reciprocal epithelial-mesenchymal interactions controlling palatal outgrowth.
Epidemiology, genetics, and risk evaluation of postmenopausal women at risk of breast cancer

Breast cancer risk factors have been studied for the past three decades, and the single most important risk factor is age. Hormonally linked adult reproductive and anthropometric risk factors contribute to the etiology of postmenopausal breast cancer. The risk of breast cancer increases among women older than 50 years of age who have benign breast disease, especially those with atypical ductal or lobular hyperplasia. Lobular carcinoma in situ increases risk significantly, as do a family history of breast cancer in first-degree relatives and the presence of BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. Diet, exercise, and environmental factors play a very small role in overall risk. Mammographic breast density increases relative risk fivefold among women with the highest density, and breast cancer risk is two to three times greater in women with elevated serum levels of estradiol or testosterone. Multivariate risk models allow determination of composite relative risks and cumulative lifetime risk, although improved models for African American women are required. For postmenopausal women, newer risk models are being developed and validated that include age, breast density, race, ethnicity, family history of breast cancer, a previous breast biopsy, body mass index, age at onset of natural menopause, hormone therapy, and previous false-positive mammography. A simpler model that includes only age, breast cancer in first-degree relatives, and previous breast biopsy performs well for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. As many as 10 million women in the United States are at increased risk, and clinicians are obligated to identify these women and manage their risk appropriately.
Immunoregulatory Role of Nitric Oxide in Kilham Rat Virus-Induced Autoimmune Diabetes in DR-BB Rats1

Macrophages play a critical role in the pathogenesis of Kilham rat virus (KRV)-induced autoimmune diabetes in diabetes-resistant BioBreeding (DR-BB) rats. This investigation was initiated to determine the role of macrophage-derived soluble mediators, particularly NO, in the pathogenesis of KRV-induced diabetes in DR-BB rats. We found that the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), an enzyme responsible for NO production, was significantly increased during the early phase of KRV infection. Inhibition of iNOS by aminoguanidine (AG) treatment resulted in the prevention of diabetes in KRV-infected animals. The expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-12 was significantly decreased in the spleen of AG-treated, KRV-infected DR-BB rats compared with PBS-treated, KRV-infected control rats. Subsequent experiments revealed that AG treatment exerted its preventive effect in KRV-infected rats by maintaining the finely tuned immune balance normally disrupted by KRV, evidenced by a significant decrease in the expression of IFN-γ, but not IL-4, and a decrease in Th1-type chemokine receptors CCR5, CXCR3, and CXCR4. We also found that iNOS inhibition by AG decreased the KRV-induced expression of MHC class II molecules and IL-2R α-chain, resulting in the suppression of T cell activation, evidenced by the decreased cytolytic activity of CD8+ T cells. We conclude that NO plays a critical immunoregulatory role by up-regulating macrophage-derived proinflammatory cytokines, up-regulating the Th1 immune response, and activating T cells, leading to type 1 diabetes after KRV infection, whereas suppression of NO production by AG treatment prevents KRV-induced autoimmune diabetes in DR-BB rats.
Psychological aspects of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.

There is little information on the psychologic aspects of HED. In particular, there is insufficient evidence to support or dispute the claim that the intelligence of persons with HED is dissimilar to that of the general population. Impressions of frequent mental retardation may arise from patients suffering brain damage following high fever and from our biases against the physically unattractive. A small number of adults with HED have been reported to hold a relatively wide range of jobs, and an even smaller number have been reported with educational and occupational achievement that is predictive of bright average to superior intellectual functioning, but even less evidence is available here. Chronic illness and handicaps exert a toll on the patient and the family. There appears to be greater maladjustment among the families of chronically ill children, but this differs according to the type of illness, and we do not know how this affects the HED child and his/her family. Still, the HED family is exposed to some unique stresses: having always to take into account the ambient temperature regardless of their planned activity; responding to cruel stares and remarks when out in public; and dealing with the problem of broken, lost, or merely publicly discovered dentures. On the other hand, some children apparently benefit from having a sib with a disability. Families react in a variety of ways to a disability, and their reaction may interact with the child's temperament to affect emotional development for better or worse. However, the existence of HED does not insure either normal or inadequate emotional adjustment, and parents should be advised of this. As difficult as it may be, this may also be the time for the pediatrician to say "I don't know. " Parents can be told that each child, not just those with HED, should be provided a warm and supportive environment congruent with his/her unique style, in order to facilitate emotional development. They should also be advised of the probable emotional benefits of early prosthetic care with wigs and dentures. When this is either not possible or not sufficient, professional guidance should be sought. Psychotherapy or counseling can be obtained for the child, a parent, or for the entire family. While some familiarity with HED may be helpful, it is not essential, and is far less important than finding a competent professional with whom the family is comfortable. As far as obtaining the information we need, a series of systematic investigations appears to be called for. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Dye-coupling in taste buds in the mudpuppy, Necturus maculosus

Electrical coupling in taste buds and in non-taste lingual epithelium in the mudpuppy was examined by injecting cells with a fluorescent dye, Lucifer yellow. Lucifer yellow coupling has been shown to indicate the presence of electrical junctions between cells. Lucifer yellow-filled taste cells usually have an elongate shape. Cells were an average of 111 microns long and were 13 microns in diameter at the widest region (nucleus). In taste buds, from a sample of 105 impalements we detected Lucifer yellow coupling in 21 cases: dye-coupled pairs of cells were observed in 17 cases, and trios of cells in 4 cases. Larger subsets of coupled cells (greater than 3) were not observed. Dye-coupled cells were usually equally intensely stained. In non-taste epithelium, we examined dye-coupling in the superficial and basal layers. Extensive Lucifer yellow coupling was found in the basal layer (15/15 cases). The number of cells coupled to the dye-injected cell varied from 3 to 5. In the superficial epithelium, dye-coupling was rare (1/45 cases). No dye- coupling was observed between epithelial cells and taste cells at the taste pore region. We conclude that strong electrical coupling in groups of 2–3 cells occurs in the mudpuppy taste buds. Coupling may occur selectively between identical types of taste cells (dark, light, etc.), but this remains to be determined. Electrical coupling also exists among basal epithelial cells but not in the superficial epithelial layers.
Managerial delegation theory revisited

This article challenges the results of the ‘classical’ managerial delegation literature, where it is assumed that the weight of the managerial bonus only depends on the owner's will to maximise his own profits. By considering sales (S) (resp. relative profit (RP)) contracts, the received literature has found that (S,S) (resp. (RP,RP)) is the unique pure‐strategy sub‐game perfect Nash equilibrium in a game that contrasts S (resp. RP) with pure profit maximisation (PM). This article shows that none of the previous results may hold when the owner negotiates about managerial compensation with his manager. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of electronic health records among nurses: Application of Technology Acceptance Model

ABSTRACT Background: Electronic health records (EHRs) are increasingly being implemented in healthcare organizations but little attention has been paid to the degree to which nurses as end-users will accept these systems and subsequently use them. Objectives: To explore nurses’ perceptions of usefulness and ease-of-use of EHRs. The relationship between these constructs was examined, and its predictors were studied. Method: A national exploratory study was conducted with 1539 nurses from 15 randomly selected hospitals, representative of different regions and healthcare sectors in Jordan. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which was based on the Technology Acceptance Model. Correlations and linear multiple regression were utilized to analyze the data. Results: Jordanian nurses demonstrated a positive perception of the usefulness and ease-of-use of EHRs, and subsequently accepted the technology. Significant positive correlations were found between these two constructs. The variables that predict usefulness were the gender, professional rank, EHR experience, and computer skills of the nurses. The perceived ease-of-use was affected by nursing and EHR experience, and computers skills. Conclusion: This study adds to the growing body of knowledge on issues related to the acceptance of technology in the health informatics field, focusing on nurses’ acceptance of EHRs.
Targeting MYCN-Driven Transcription By BET-Bromodomain Inhibition

Purpose: Targeting BET proteins was previously shown to have specific antitumoral efficacy against MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma. We here assess the therapeutic efficacy of the BET inhibitor, OTX015, in preclinical neuroblastoma models and extend the knowledge on the role of BRD4 in MYCN-driven neuroblastoma. Experimental Design: The efficacy of OTX015 was assessed in in vitro and in vivo models of human and murine MYCN-driven neuroblastoma. To study the effects of BET inhibition in the context of high MYCN levels, MYCN was ectopically expressed in human and murine cells. The effect of OTX015 on BRD4-regulated transcriptional pause release was analyzed using BRD4 and H3K27Ac chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with DNA sequencing (ChIP-Seq) and gene expression analysis in neuroblastoma cells treated with OTX015 compared with vehicle control. Results: OTX015 showed therapeutic efficacy against preclinical MYCN-driven neuroblastoma models. Similar to previously described BET inhibitors, concurrent MYCN repression was observed in OTX015-treated samples. Ectopic MYCN expression, however, did not abrogate effects of OTX015, indicating that MYCN repression is not the only target of BET proteins in neuroblastoma. When MYCN was ectopically expressed, BET inhibition still disrupted MYCN target gene transcription without affecting MYCN expression. We found that BRD4 binds to super-enhancers and MYCN target genes, and that OTX015 specifically disrupts BRD4 binding and transcription of these genes. Conclusions: We show that OTX015 is effective against mouse and human MYCN-driven tumor models and that BRD4 not only targets MYCN, but specifically occupies MYCN target gene enhancers as well as other genes associated with super-enhancers. Clin Cancer Res; 22(10); 2470–81. ©2015 AACR.