Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gene Expression Profiles Linked to the Hormonal Induction of Male-Effect Pheromone Synthesis in Goats (Capra hircus)1

Abstract The male effect is a well-known phenomenon in female sheep and goats whereby a pheromone-induced activation of reproductive function occurs. However, the molecule(s) involved in this phenomenon are unknown. We investigated gene expression profiles for the induction of male effect pheromone synthesis using a PCR-based cDNA subtraction strategy. We constructed two subtracted cDNA libraries using mRNA from the skin of the head or rump region of orchidectomized male goats with or without pheromone induction using testosterone or dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Both libraries were assumed to contain genes whose expression increases with pheromone induction. Clones (n = 480) from each library were sequenced and identified using BLAST to reveal 115 and 239 types of sequences in the libraries of the head and rump region, respectively. Among these, 12 genes were expressed in both libraries. We conducted real-time PCR to further analyze their expression using cDNA samples derived from pheromone-producing or nonproducing skin from the head of an ovariectomized female goat with or without DHT implantation, respectively. For nine genes, we observed significantly increased expression in samples following DHT implantation. Among these, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) and elongation of long chain fatty acids family member 5 (ELOVL5) genes showed more than 100-fold higher expression levels in pheromone-positive samples, suggesting that the products of these genes may be important in pheromone synthesis.
Prothrombin fragment 1 + 2, thrombin–antithrombin III complexes and D‐dimers in acute deep vein thrombosis: effects of heparin treatment

Summary. Plasma levels of prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F 1 + 2), of thrombin–antithrombin III complexes (TAT) and of D‐dimers were evaluated at several time intervals in 15 patients affected by acute proximal deep vein thrombosis, complicated or not by pulmonary embolism, and treated by conventional heparin therapy for 9 d. The mean levels of the three markers remained significantly increased throughout the period of observation, except for F 1 + 2 on day 9, when compared to normal values established in a population of normal healthy blood donors. However, whereas heparin significantly decreased the plasma levels of F 1 + 2 and of TAT complexes in less than 3 d, D‐dimer levels were not significantly altered. Significant correlations were observed between the plasma levels of the three markers but they were not correlated to the actual intensity of heparin treatment evaluated as the activated partial thromboplastin time prolongation. These results indicate that heparin improves the hypercoagulable state associated with a deep vein thrombosis within the first days of treatment as indicated by TAT and F 1 + 2. They also account for the performances of D‐dimer assay for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in patients already receiving heparin, a common situation in routine hospital practice.
Comparison of serum calcitonin and procalcitonin in detecting medullary thyroid carcinoma among patients with thyroid nodules

Abstract Background: To prospectively evaluate the role of procalcitonin (PCT) in detecting or excluding medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) among patients with thyroid nodules and increased calcitonin (CT) levels. Methods: Fourteen of 1236 patients referred for thyroid nodules had increased serum CT >10 pg/mL. A stimulation test with pentagastrin was done and both CT and PCT were measured after stimulation. All patients underwent thyroid ultrasound, fine-needle cytology and, if indicated, surgery with histological and immunohistochemical examination of the surgical specimens. Results: After follow-up, two MTCs were found. These two patients had basal CT >100 pg/mL and detectable (>0.1 ng/mL) PCT, with 100% sensitivity. Pentagastrin stimulated CT achieved values above 100 pg/mL in two MTCs and in other two cases with no MTC outcome (50% PPV and 83% NPV). On the contrary, all patients with no MTC had both basal and stimulated undetectable PCT (100% PPV and 100% NPV). Conclusions: The addition of basal PCT measurement in patients with thyroid nodule(s) and increased CT may significantly improve accuracy of CT measurement without needing a PG stimulation test.
Market conditions and time varying conditional correlations

This paper shows how the dependency of time-varying conditional crosscorrelation on prevailing market conditions can be modeled. With this modelling approach it is possible to empirically investigate how correlations between different markets are dependent on market volatilities and other external factors. The paper shows that the modeling of conditional correlations can be simplified to modeling a univariate GARCH-process. The advantage of this approach is that it allows for utilization of existing GARCH methodology and software to estimate the dynamics of correlation. Our empirical results reveal that time-varying correlations between stock markets are largely unpredictable and are at best dependent on world market volatilities. Weaker evidence is found that correlations are driven by market downturns.
Benefit of dietary integrators for treating functional dyspepsia: a prospective pilot study.

AIM Because of the multifactorial pathogenesis of functional dyspepsia, strategies alternative to antacid therapy are being sought for treating the disorder. This prospective study evaluated the benefit of treatment with a dietary integrator composed of sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate, bromelin and essential oils. METHODS The study population included 53 consecutive patients (22 males, 31 females; mean age, 54+/-2.5 years) with functional dyspepsia and negative for Helicobacter pylori infection. The patients were categorized into four subgroups according to predominant symptom: ulcer-like dyspepsia, motility-like dyspepsia, reflux-like dyspepsia, and nonspecific dyspepsia. All received TUBES gastro (0.80 g oral tablets bid) for a minimum of 3 months (range, 3-11). Treatment efficacy was measured by means of a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). RESULTS Two patients were lost to follow-up; of the remaining 51 patients who completed the study, 35 (68%) showed an improvement in VAS score. The difference in scores between the initial and the final visit was -1.9+/-2.1 cm (range, -6 to +3), or 23.8+/-40.8% (range, -150% to 100%) compared to the scores at the baseline visit (P=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The study results indicate that in the short term TUBES gastro can significantly improve dyspeptic symptoms in dyspeptic patients negative for H. pylori infection through the synergistic action of its components: alginate buffers gastric acid; bicarbonate helps to eliminate gas and rebalance pH; essential oils regulate motility; and bromelin stimulates enzymatic activity.
The proper volume and distribution of cement augmentation on percutaneous vertebroplasty.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal volume of injected cement and its distribution when used to treat vertebral compression fractures, and to identify factors related to subsequent vertebral fractures. METHODS A retrospective analysis of newly developing vertebral fractures after percutaneous vertebroplasty was done. The inclusion criteria were that the fracture was a single first onset fracture with exclusion of pathologic fractures. Forty-three patients were included in the study with a minimum follow up period of six months. Patients were dichotomized for the analysis by volume of cement, initial vertebral height loss, bone marrow density, and endplate-to-endplate cement augmentation. RESULTS None of the four study variables was found to be significantly associated with the occurrence of a subsequent vertebral compression fracture. In particular, and injected cement volume of more or less that 3.5 cc was not associated with occurrence (p = 0.2523). No relation was observed between initial vertebral height loss and bone marrow density (p = 0.1652, 0.2064). Furthermore, endplate-to-endplate cement augmentation was also not found to be significantly associated with a subsequent fracture (p = 0.2860) by Fisher's exact test. CONCLUSION Neither volume of cement, initial vertebral height loss, bone marrow density, or endplate-to-endplate cement augmentation was found to be significantly related to the occurrence of a subsequent vertebral compression fracture. Our findings suggest that as much cement as possible without causing leakage should be used.
Organizational Excellence and the Extent of Its Clarity in the Palestinian Universities from the Perspective of Academic Staff

This paper aims to study the organizational excellence and the extent of its clarity in the Palestinian universities from the perspective of academic staff. Researchers have used the descriptive and analytical approach and used the questionnaire for data collection and distributed to academic staff in universities. The researchers used a sample stratified random method by the university. The total number of academic staff was (1114) and (235) were distributed to identify the study population. (166) questionnaires were recovered with rate of (70%). We used statistical analysis (SPSS) program for data entry, processing and analysis. The study found the following results: There was consensus among members of the academic staff in universities about the importance of "leadership excellence" as one of the elements of organizational excellence, and received a large proportion of approval to some extent. And it agreed to the views of members of the academic staff in universities about the importance of "service-excellence" as one of the elements of organizational excellence, and received a large proportion of consent. And it agreed to the views of members of the academic staff at universities about the importance of "cognitive excellence" as one of the elements of organizational excellence, and obtained the approval of average of the proportion. And it agreed to the views of members of the academic staff in universities about the importance of "organizational excellence ". The study found a set of recommendations, including: the development of a system of incentives and bundle actually how creativity and innovation practiced by workers so that distinguished them according to the level of exercise which encourages them all for creativity and excellence. Providing continuous learning opportunities for all employees raise the efficiency of the members of the academics in line with contemporary technological development. And encourage universities to create an advisory centers within the university to serve the institutions of civil society, and the development of the exchange of information between universities and institutions, and the formation of centers for the commercialization of university education process.
PIP2 hydrolysis stimulates the electrogenic Na+–bicarbonate cotransporter NBCe1‐B and ‐C variants expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes

• The Na+–bicarbonate cotransporter NBCe1 regulates cell and tissue pH, as well as ion movement across cell layers in organs such as kidney, gut, and pancreas. • We previously showed that the signalling molecule PIP2 stimulates the cloned A variant of NBCe1 in a patch of biological membrane. • In the current study, we characterize the effect of injecting PIP2 into intact oocytes expressing an NBCe1 variant (A, B, or C). • PIP2 stimulates the B and C variants, but not the A variant, through hydrolysis to IP3. Stimulation requires an intracellular Ca2+ store and kinase activity. • The results will contribute to our understanding of multiple HCO3−‐dependent transporters with different modes of regulation, as well as how molecules that stimulate specific membrane receptors lead to changes in cell/tissue pH, and perhaps how pathologies such as stroke and ischaemia that lead to energy deficiency cause tissue acidosis.
Country‐Level Governance Quality, Ownership Concentration, and Debt Maturity: A Comparative Study of Brazil and Chile

Manuscript type Empirical Research Question/Issue This study investigates the interplay between country-level governance quality and the capital structure choice at the firm level in Brazil and Chile. We examine the association between a firm's ownership concentration and its debt maturity structure and whether country-level governance quality influences this association. Research Findings/Insights Using a large firm-level dataset from Brazil and Chile for the period 2008–2013, we find a positive association between low ownership concentration and debt maturity. However, this association becomes negative when the largest shareholder has high ownership concentration. This result suggests that long-term debt and ownership concentration act as substitute monitoring mechanisms. Moreover, debt maturity is inversely related to our aggregated index of country-level governance quality, suggesting that in countries with governance systems that effectively protect debt holders, firms with high benefits of control (high ownership concentration) will use debt with shorter repayment periods in order to benefit from frequent monitoring by debt holders. Overall, our results support the view that financial markets tend to pressure firms with high benefits of control or greater agency conflict to make a tradeoff between the benefits of control and the cost and maturity structure of debt financing. Theoretical/Academic Implications This study contributes to the research on comparative corporate governance and capital structure. We also respond to recent calls to bridge the gap between under- and over-socialized views of corporate governance by examining the interplay between firm- and country-level governance variables. Our findings suggest a substitution effect between monitoring by equity holders and by debt holders, and that country-level governance quality exerts a disciplinary influence over a firm's choice of debt maturity structure. Practitioner/Policy Implications Investors seeking to enter emerging markets such as Brazil and Chile can benefit from considering national governance factors that enhance debt holders’ external monitoring effectiveness. Because our findings show the importance of considering and improving the quality of country-level governance, they are also useful for policy makers aiming to reform corporate governance practices in emerging markets.
First trimester severe ductus venosus flow abnormalities in isolation or combination with other markers of aneuploidy and fetal anomalies

Abstract Background: Altered flow in ductus venosus (DV) may be caused by the changes in preload or afterload. Its association with aneuploidy and congenital heart defects (CHDs) was widely described. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of a reversed a-wave in DV flow (revDV) and the absence of DV (noDV), their coincidences with other markers of aneuploidy or fetal abnormalities in a mixed-risk population. Methods: The study group covered women who underwent an ultrasound scan between 11+0 and 13+6 weeks’ gestation. Applied inclusion criteria: Singleton pregnancies with known pregnancy outcome and a crown-rump length of 45–84 mm. Results: A total of 5811 cases, including 137 aneuploidies, met the inclusion criteria: 35 subjects of noDV, 189 of revDV and 5587 of normal DV flow. The incidence of noDV in euploidy was 0.47%, and in aneuploidy 5.8%. The incidence of revDV in euploidy was 2.46%, and in aneuploidy 35.7%. Among aneuploidy, the highest prevalence of noDV was found in monosomy 45X. revDV showed the highest prevalence in trisomy 18. Isolated noDV was only found in euploidy. Isolated revDV subjects were only observed in euploidy and trisomy 21. Any combination of revDV with additional markers showed high incidence in major trisomies. Extracardiac anatomy and abnormal cardiac findings showed a higher prevalence in noDV and revDV cases. Conclusions: The presence of noDV might be useful in suspicion of monosomy X among cases with increased nuchal translucency, as well as in differentiating them from other aneuploidies. The combinations of aneuploidy markers with revDV are strong indicators of aneuploidy. revDV alone is a poor screening tool for aneuploidy and euploidy with CHD.
Thrombocytopenia in Septic Shock Patients—A Prospective Observational Study of Incidence, Risk Factors and Correlation with Clinical Outcome

The objectives of the study were to study the incidence of various degrees of severity of thrombocytopenia in septic shock, the risk factors for its development and the correlation with clinical outcome. Complete blood counts, chemistry panel, arterial lactate, serum cortisol, APACHE II score, logistic organ dysfunction score and SOFA score were determined in 69 septic shock patients within 24 hours of admission or onset of septic shock. We followed the patients until they died or for six months to determine the mortality rate. The incidence of thrombocytopenia in our study group was 55%. Patients with thrombocytopenia had significantly higher serum creatinine, SOFA score, vasopressor requirement, lower PaO2/FiO2 ratio and higher mortality than those without thrombocytopenia (P <0.05). Higher SOFA score, low PaO2/FiO2 ratio and high vasopressor dose were independent risk factors for development of thrombocytopenia. The presence of thrombocytopenia had significant correlation with SOFA score (P=0.008). On receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis, platelet count was found to be predictive of increased mortality (area under curve=0.56). Thrombocytopenic patients had 1.4 times the risk of mortality and lower survival probability at six months (log rank test P=0.03). In conclusion, thrombocytopenia is common in septic shock and is associated with worse clinical outcome. Higher SOFA score, low PaO2/FiO2 ratio and high vasopressor dose are independent risk factors for development of thrombocytopenia in septic shock.
Can women with early-stage breast cancer make an informed decision for mastectomy?

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to measure the degree to which informed women chose mastectomy, and to reveal their reasons for this choice. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a prospective cohort study of patients radiographically and pathologically eligible for either mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery (BCS; n = 125). Participants completed questionnaires at three time points: baseline, after viewing a decision aid, and after a surgical consultation. Questionnaires assessed clinical history, preference for participation in decision making, information comprehension, values, decisional conflict, and preferred treatment. RESULTS Of 125 participants, 44 (35%) chose mastectomy. Most understood that BCS and mastectomy offer an equivalent survival benefit (98%) and that BCS has a slightly higher local recurrence risk (63%); most accurately identified the magnitude of ipsilateral local recurrence risk (91%). Values assigned to three treatment attributes/outcomes ("remove breast for peace of mind," "avoid radiation," and "keep breast") clearly discriminated between patients choosing mastectomy or BCS. High decisional conflict scores improved after both the decision aid and surgical consultation. CONCLUSION Although conventional wisdom may view BCS as the preferred treatment, a notable proportion of well informed women choose mastectomy. Whereas prior studies have linked objective factors to treatment choice, this study reveals subjective preferences that underlie decision making. The systematic use of a decision aid before the surgical consultation may help women make informed, values-based decisions, while clearly reducing decisional conflict.
Gender Differences in the Response of Hepatic Fatty Acids and Cytosolic Fatty Acid-Binding Capacity to Alcohol Consumption in Rats

Abstract To investigate possible gender differences in the response of hepatic fatty acids and cytosolic fatty acid-binding capacity to ethanol consumption, both female and male rats (41 days of age) were pair fed liquid diets (with a littermate of the same sex) for 28 days. The diets contained 36% of energy either as ethanol or as additional carbohydrate. After ethanol feeding, the hepatic concentration of fatty acids increased 155% in females (P < 0.01), whereas there was only a trend for an increase (22%) in males. This was associated with a much smaller increase of cytosolic fatty acid-binding capacity in females (58%) than in males (161%). Whereas the ethanol-induced increase in fatty acid-binding capacity provided an ample excess of binding sites for the fatty acids in the males, the increase in females was barely sufficient for the binding of the large increase of fatty acids produced by ethanol in the females. The cytosolic protein responsible for this binding, the liver fatty acid-binding protein of the cytosol (L-FABPc), also promotes esterification of the fatty acids. In keeping with the postulated role of this protein, the ethanol-induced increases in hepatic triacylglycerols, phospholipids, and cholesterol esters were smaller in females than in males. The gender difference in cholesterol esters was associated with parallel changes in acyl-CoA transferase activity. A possible implication of the relatively small and most likely inadequate increase in liver fatty acid-binding capacity and fatty acid esterification during alcohol consumption in the females is that under these circumstances the risk for development of a potentially deleterious accumulation of fatty acids in the liver is increased, thereby contributing to the enhanced vulnerability of females to alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity.
La partecipazione al voto

Chi studia la politica deve saper guardare con realismo i dati che essa produce e fare lo sforzo di analizzarli con weberiana avalutatività. È per questo che, guardando i numeri delle elezioni primarie del 25 novembre e del 2 dicembre, l’entusiasmo di molti analisti circa la grande partecipazione democratica realizzata tramite lo strumento delle primarie suona in modo assai retorico. Al contrario i numeri ci dicono che le primarie non sono state uno straordinario successo in termini di partecipazione: in tutto il Paese hanno votato circa 3 milioni e centomila persone, praticamente lo stesso numero di quanti parteciparono nel 2009. Ma allora si votava per eleggere il segretario del PD, non il candidato premier dell’intero centrosinistra. Il PD inoltre versava in un momento di profonda crisi dopo l’uscita di scena di Veltroni e la sconfitta alle elezioni europee, e l’attenzione mediatica dedicata all’evento fu incommensurabilmente inferiore a quella riservata alla sfida fra Bersani e Renzi. Per analizzare correttamente la partecipazione al voto è necessario capire qual è il corpo elettorale di riferimento. Trattandosi di primarie del centrosinistra, l’elettorato di riferimento è ovviamente costituito dagli elettori dei partiti di centrosinistra. Come punto di riferimento per stimarne il numero utilizziamo le elezioni del 2008, ossia le ultime politiche 1 al momento del voto in esame. A questo punto calcoliamo il rapporto tra votanti alle primarie 2012 e voti ottenuti alle politiche 2008 dai partiti di centrosinistra (PD, Italia dei Valori,