Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunoglobulin replacement in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: a comparison of two dose regimes

Summary. Previous studies have shown that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy is useful prophylaxis against infection in patients with secondary hypogammaglobulinaemia due to a low‐grade lymphoproliferative disease. This randomized double‐blind study was undertaken to determine prospectively the dose regime required. 34 such patients received IVIg at either 500 or 250 mg/kg every 4 weeks for 1 year. There was no significant difference in the rates of serious infections between the two groups of patients, which were well matched for disease and laboratory parameters. The rates of infection seen were similar to those in IVIg groups of previous studies and strikingly different from those in the placebo group in the previously randomized placebo‐controlled study.
Effectiveness of a brief intervention using mental simulations in reducing alcohol consumption in corporate employees

A theory-based intervention aimed at reducing corporate employees' alcohol consumption in excess of guideline limits is presented. The intervention adopted an outcome mental simulation technique and was administered to a sample of corporate employees from three companies. A single-arm randomized-controlled design was adopted. All participants completed baseline psychological measures and self-reported number of alcohol units consumed and binge-drinking occasions. Participants allocated to the intervention condition were presented with a mental simulation exercise. One month later, participants completed follow-up measures of the psychological variables and alcohol consumption. Results revealed a significant effect of the mental simulation intervention on number of units of alcohol consumed at follow-up. There was no effect of the intervention on frequency of binge-drinking occasions. There was no evidence for the mediation of the effect of mental simulations on alcohol consumption by the perceived behavioural control and motivation variables. Results support the efficacy of the mental simulation intervention in reducing alcohol consumption but not in reducing binge drinking or alcohol consumption in excess of guideline limits, among corporate employees. Results are discussed with respect to the importance of the mental simulation intervention to inform practice and the proposed processes by which mental simulations affect alcohol consumption.
Firm Age, Corporate Governance, and Capital Structure Choices

Do the effects of corporate governance on corporate capital structure choices change as a public firm ages? First, we address the direct effects of firm age and governance features on both its decisions to use debt and how much debt to employ. Our analysis reveals a number of novel results. While firm age is positively correlated with the use of debt, it is negatively correlated with how much debt a firm uses. We also find that the effects of firm age on how much debt a firm uses is primarily due to the interaction between firm age and its governance features. The more power that insiders possess, the less debt that the firm uses as it ages. We interpret our evidence as implying that over time, managers allow their risk preferences to dominate their firm capital structure decisions when they are protected from discipline.
Firm-level determinants of direct and indirect exports: empirical evidence for C.E.E. and M.E.N.A. countries

Abstract In this paper, we study the determinants of the direct and indirect export performance of firms in Central and Eastern European (C.E.E.) and Middle Eastern and North African (M.E.N.A.) countries, both jointly and separately. In particular, we address three research questions: (i) Do the firms that export indirectly display the same characteristics as those that directly export their products? ; (ii) Is the role of innovation, research and development (R&D) and human capital in export performance the same for firms that export directly and indirectly? and (iii) Is there geographical differentiation between C.E. E. and M.E. N.A. countries at the firm-level determinants of export performance? The analysis is based on a firm-level database (B.E.E.P.S. V) and covers the period between 2011 and 2014. We estimate the probability of exports, controlling for country and sector-specific effects using the probit model. We find that product innovations are more important than process innovations in determining direct export performance for the whole sample of countries. In addition, we find that the level of firm productivity, spending on R&D, human capital, foreign licences and foreign ownership are important in determining the export performance of the firms that export directly but not in the case of indirect exporters.
Association of Vitamin D With Insulin Resistance and β-Cell Dysfunction in Subjects at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE To examine cross-sectional associations of serum vitamin D [25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25(OH)D] concentration with insulin resistance (IR) and β-cell dysfunction in 712 subjects at risk for type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Serum 25(OH)D was determined using a chemiluminescence immunoassay. Insulin sensitivity/resistance were measured using the Matsuda insulin sensitivity index for oral glucose tolerance tests (ISOGTT) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance HOMA-IR. β-Cell function was determined using both the insulinogenic index (IGI) divided by HOMA-IR (IGI/IR) and the insulin secretion sensitivity index-2 (ISSI-2). RESULTS Linear regression analyses indicated independent associations of 25(OH)D with ISOGTT and HOMA-IR (β = 0.004, P = 0.0003, and β = −0.003, P = 0.0072, respectively) and with IGI/IR and ISSI-2 (β = 0.004, P = 0.0286, and β = 0.003, P = 0.0011, respectively) after adjusting for sociodemographics, physical activity, supplement use, parathyroid hormone, and BMI. CONCLUSIONS Vitamin D may play a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, as 25(OH)D concentration was independently associated with both insulin sensitivity and β-cell function among individuals at risk of type 2 diabetes.
Online Doctoral Students at a Faith-Based University: Concerns of Online Education

Online doctoral education enrollment continues to rise, and the number of academic institutions who offer the degrees are increasing proportionately. Various types of institutions are involved in this growth, including those that are faith-based. Due to the competitive nature of all online doctoral degrees, including faith-based and secular programs, it is imperative to understand the needs and concerns of the students who enroll in such programs. Students enrolled in a faith-based university online doctoral program were surveyed regarding their concerns about online doctoral education. The results revealed three main themes of concerns/non-concerns, and these results could be beneficial to faith-based institutions who offer online doctoral education or plan to do so in the future.
Nitric oxide in control of luminescence from hatchetfish (Argyropelecus hemigymnus) photophores

SUMMARY Nitric oxide synthase-like immunoreactivity (NOS-LI IR) was detected by immunohistochemistry in ventral light organs of the mesopelagic fish, Argyropelecus hemigymnus. Strong NOS-LI IR was present in nerve fibres and in other cells central for production or modulation of light: immunoreactive fibres surrounded the photophores, and were also present in the filter area. Filter cells, particularly in the outer layers, showed strong IR throughout the cytoplasm. Pharmacological studies suggested that nitric oxide (NO) modulates adrenaline-stimulated light emission, and that the modulation is correlated to the ability of the light organ to respond to adrenaline. Adrenaline is known to produce two different types of light response in isolated photophores from Argyropelecus: a slow, long-lasting, high intensity response, or a fast and weak response of short duration. Incubation of photophores in the NO donors sodium nitroprusside or S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine prior to adrenaline stimulation reduced the intensity of the strong and long-lasting type of response, but had little or even a potentiating effect on the weakly responding photophores. Hydroxylamine, which is converted to NO if catalase activity is present in the tissue, reduced the duration and the intensity of the adrenaline response in all tested organs. The NOS-inhibitor l-thiocitrulline potentiated the adrenaline response in the weakly responding organs; the weaker the adrenaline effect, the stronger the potentiation caused by l-thiocitrulline. The strongly responding organs were instead inhibited by l-thiocitrulline. The results suggest that NO has an important role in the control of light emission from Argyropelecus hemigymnus photophores. The cGMP analogue dibutyryl cGMP, the guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor pentoxiphylline had no effect, indicating that the NO effect does not involve cGMP.
Fauna, Ecological Characteristics, and Checklist of the Mosquitoes in Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran

Abstract Mosquitoes are important vectors of human and animal diseases. This study updates current knowledge on fauna, dominance, and distribution of mosquitoes in Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran, to inform disease control effort. Larval collections, using standard dippers or droppers, and adult collections, using total catches, shelter pits, CDC light traps, and human landing catches, were performed monthly in 30 villages across 16 counties, from May to December 2014. Ovitraps, baited with hay infusion as oviposition attractants or stimulants for Aedes (Stegomyia) mosquitoes, were installed in each village and inspected weekly for eggs. Lactophenol and Berlese media were used for preserving and mounting specimens. Overall, 36,024 mosquito specimens (19,840 larvae and 16,184 adults) belonging to 4 genera and 20 species were morphologically identified. The dominance and distribution indices showed that Culex pipiens s.s. was the eudominant species with a constant distribution of larvae (D = 69.07%, C = 100%) and adults (D = 31.86%, C = 100%), followed by Cx tritaeniorhynchus (D = 38.14%, C = 100%) and Anopheles maculipennis s.l. (D = 11.05%, C = 100%) as adults. Aedes vexans was the dominant (7.85%) species, but it had a sporadic (20%) distribution. Culex torrentium and Culiseta morsitans were added as the new species to the checklist of mosquitoes in Mazandaran Province. Due to the potential role, Cx. pipiens s.s. as a vector of various pathogens, further ecological studies are recommended.
Suppression of oncogenic NRAS by RNA interference induces apoptosis of human melanoma cells

The majority of human melanomas harbor activating mutations in either the BRAF or NRAS gene. To date, the role of oncogenic NRAS in melanoma remains poorly defined and no current therapies are directed at specifically suppressing oncogenic NRAS in human melanoma tumors. The aim of our study, therefore, was to investigate the effects of suppressing oncogenic NRAS in human melanoma cell lines in vitro. Using both small interfering RNA‐ and plasmid based‐RNA interference techniques, oncogenic NRAS was specifically suppressed in 2 human melanoma cell lines, 224 and BL, which harbor a codon 61 CAA (glutamine) to CGA (arginine) NRAS mutation. Suppression of oncogenic NRAS in these cell lines resulted in increased apoptosis. Furthermore, in 224 cells we demonstrated decreased phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt, and reduced expression of NF‐κB and cyclin D1 in the N‐Ras signaling pathway. In contrast, RNA interference directed at wild‐type (WT) NRAS had no significant effect on apoptosis of 224 cells or 2 human melanoma cell lines (A375 and 397) containing WT NRAS but a codon 600 GTG (valine) to GAG (glutamate) mutation in BRAF. These data suggest that oncogenic NRAS is important for avoidance of apoptosis in melanomas that harbor the codon 61 NRAS mutation and emphasizes oncogenic NRAS as a therapeutic target in patients with tumors that harbor this mutation. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of fructose and sucralose on flow-mediated vasodilatation in healthy, white European males.

OBJECTIVE To assess how acute consumption of fructose affects flow-mediated dilatation in brachial artery. METHODS The randomised cross-over study was conducted at the University of Nottingham's Medical School, Nottingham, United Kingdom in July 2009. Ten healthy, white European males visited the laboratory twice, on separate mornings. On each visit, the volunteers consumed water (3 ml/kg bodyweight) and rested semi-supine on the bed. After 30 minutes, baseline diastolic brachial artery diameter and blood velocity was measured. At 60 minutes, blood velocity and five scans of brachial artery diameter were recorded before a blood pressure cuff was inflated on the forearm for 5 minutes and at 50-60-70-80 and 90 sec after cuff deflation. Fifteen minutes later, the volunteers consumed 500 ml of test-drink containing either fructose (0.75 g/kg bodyweight) or sucralose (sweetness-matched with fructose drink); 45 minutes later, baseline and flow-mediated dilatation was re-measured. RESULTS Pre-drink and post-drink baseline values were similar on two occasions (p > 0.05). Brachial artery diameter increased (p < 0.05) by 7 +/- 3% pre-fructose and by 6.9 +/- 3% above baseline values post-fructose with no significant difference in these responses (p < 0.15). It increased (p < 0.05) by 5.9 +/- 3% above baseline before and by 6.7 +/- 2% (p < 0.01) after sucralose; a significant difference was noted in these flow-mediated dilatation responses (p < 0.02). Responses before and after sucralose were not different from those before and after fructose (p < 0.294). CONCLUSION Acute ingestion of fructose or sucralose had no effect on flow-mediated dilatation measured at brachial artery.
Randomized calcineurin inhibitor cross over study to measure the pharmacokinetics of co‐administered enteric‐coated mycophenolate sodium

Abstract: Enteric‐coated mycophenolate sodium (EC‐MPS) (myfortic®) is an advanced formulation delivering mycophenolic acid (MPA), designed to improve MPA‐related upper gastrointestinal adverse events by delaying the release of MPA until the small intestine. A randomized, calcineurin inhibitor crossover, steady‐state pharmacokinetic study in stable renal transplant patients receiving EC‐MPS demonstrated increased MPA exposure of 19% higher, MPA Cmax,ss 19% lower and MPA Cmin,ss approximately twofold higher with tacrolimus, than cyclosporine microemulsion. No study drug‐related adverse events were recorded, but mean blood glucose concentration was higher in patients receiving tacrolimus (p = 0.031). The dose changes in relation to MPA exposure in patients is dependent on the clinical situation and may not always be warranted. These observations should be taken into consideration when switching from one calcineurin inhibitor to another, but the final dosage should be based on both this pharmacokinetic data and the clinical situation.
Entrepreneurial competency, competitive advantage and performance of informal women micro-entrepreneurs in Kelantan, Malaysia

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of entrepreneurial competencies on competitive advantage and to investigate the effect of competitive advantage on the performance of informal microenterprises owned and managed by women micro-entrepreneurs in Kelantan, Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach This study used a cross-sectional design and collected quantitative data from 384 informal women micro-entrepreneurs operating in “night markets” in Kelantan, Malaysia. Findings The finding of the analysis using variance-based structural equation modeling indicated that commitment competency, conceptual competency, organizing competency and opportunity recognition competency have a significant positive effect on competitive advantages, and competitive advantages have a significant positive effect on the performance of microenterprises owned and managed by women micro-entrepreneurs in Kelantan, Malaysia. Research limitations/implications The development programs and policies should focus on improving the competencies, i.e. commitment competency, conceptual competency, organizing competency and opportunity recognition competency to improve the socioeconomic condition of low-income households in Malaysia. Informal women micro-entrepreneurs should, therefore, focus on value creating strategies to avoid potential competitors from duplicating the benefits of their strategy. This will result in a sustainable competitive advantage of microenterprises in Malaysia. Originality/value This study puts forward and tests the effect of entrepreneurial competencies on competitive advantages and performance of informal women micro-entrepreneurs in Kelantan, Malaysia, which provides a foundation for the design and implementation of development programs and policies that promote entrepreneurial activities in Malaysia.
Systemic and regional hemodynamic effects of cyclo-oxygenase and thromboxane synthetase inhibition in normal and hyperdynamic endotoxemic rabbits.

We tested the hypothesis that prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxane (Tx) A2 are important mediators of the hemodynamic derangements occurring in a rabbit model of hyperdynamic endotoxicosis. Rabbits were injected with either normal saline (NS) or Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1-3 micrograms/kg) and studied 6 hr later. Cardiac index (CI) and regional blood flow were determined using thermodilution and radioactive microspheres, respectively. Systemic and regional hemodynamics were determined before and 40 min after administering indomethacin (cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor; 5 mg/kg), UK38485 (Tx synthetase inhibitor; 10 mg/kg), or NS. LPS increased CI (P = .0024) and decreased mean arterial pressure (P = .0031) and systemic vascular resistance index (P = .0001). LPS increased flow to the heart and small intestine and decreased flow to the hepatic artery and pancreas. The systemic and regional hemodynamic effects of indomethacin were similar in NS- and LPS-treated rabbits. UK38485 decreased perfusion of skeletal muscle and diaphragm in both endotoxemic and control animals. This agent increased splenic perfusion only in NS-treated rabbits. Plasma levels of 6-keto PGF1 alpha (PGI2 metabolite) were typically undetectable in both NS- and LPS-treated rabbits. These data do not support the hypothesis that PG's or TxA2 are major determinants of the hemodynamic perturbations that occur in this endotoxicosis model.
Endoscopic ultrasound−guided fine−needle aspiration for diagnosis of solid pseudopapillary tumors of the pancreas: a multicenter experience

Solid pseudopapillary tumors of the pancreas constitute approximately 1 % ±2 % of all exocrine pancreatic tumors [1,2]. They are rare, indolent, epithelial neoplasms which frequently undergo hemorrhagic necrosis and subsequent cyst for− mation. They occur predominantly in young women (90% of tumors, mean age 35 years), rare− ly cause symptoms, and can be located anywhere in the pancreas [3]. Solid pseudopapillary tumors are usually discovered incidentally on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, and the recommended treatment is surgical resection because they have malignant potential. Percuta− neous fine−needle aspiration (FNA) has been the traditional mode of preoperative diagnosis [4, 5]. Recently, the diagnosis of solid pseudopapillary tumor via endoscopic ultrasound−(EUS−)guided FNA has been reported in small series [6± 8]. We describe a large multicenter experience of EUS− FNA for the diagnosis of solid pseudopapillary tu− mor.
Dominantly Inherited Peripheral Neuropathies

Since 1886, the year that Charcot and Marie and Tooth described a genetic “peroneal muscular atrophy syndrome,” electrophysiological and histological studies of the peripheral nervous system have greatly aided the characterization of this syndrome, which falls among the hereditary sensory-motor neuropathies. Two principal forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease have been distinguished: CMT 1, corresponding to a demyelinating type, and CMT2, corresponding to an axonal type. The modes of transmission of these types are variable, recessive or dominant, autosomal, or X-linked. Our discussion here is confined to the dominant forms. In recent years, advances in molecular biology have greatly modified the approach to CMT disease and related neuropathies (such as hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies). With increased knowledge of responsible gene mutations and several other loci identified by linkage studies, our understanding of the pathophysiology of these neuropathies is increasing; however, with greater understanding, the classification of these disorders is becoming more complex. In this review we present and discuss the currently characterized subtypes, with emphasis on their known histological aspects. While nerve biopsy has lost its diagnostic importance in certain forms of the disease, such as CMT 1A, CMT 1B, and X-linked CMT (CMT X), it remains important for better characterizing the lesions of CMT 2 and forms of genetic peroneal atrophy in which DNA study is unrevealing.
The Effects of Aging on Notional Defined Contribution Pension Systems: A Theoretical Investigation

This paper proposes a theoretical framework for analyzing the properties of payâ€ asâ€ youâ€ go notional defined contributions (NDCs) systems within the context of aging. Different from the definedâ€ benefit scheme, where aging harms the financial sustainability of the social security system, the NDC determines pension benefits while taking into account life expectancy and demographic trends, turning the issue of financial sustainability into one of pension adequacy. This paper explores the balance sheet effects when life expectancy, retirement thresholds and entry age in the labor market vary by cohorts. The study suggests some solutions for practical issues concerning aging in NDC systems, such as (a) the bias related to the forecasts of survival rates, (b) the indexation of pension benefits and (c) the setup of tenure and age requirements for retirement.
Visual Acuity Norms in Pre-School Children: The Multi-Ethnic Pediatric Eye Disease Study

Purpose. To provide population-based normative data for monocular visual acuity (VA) and interocular differences in VA (IOD) in Black and Hispanic children 30 to 72 months of age without visually significant refractive errors or ophthalmic abnormalities. Methods. In a population-based cohort of children in the Multi-Ethnic Pediatric Eye Disease Study, monocular HOTV VA measurements using the Amblyopia Treatment Study protocol were analyzed using continuous and dichotomous outcomes for VA and IOD, after excluding subjects with ophthalmic abnormalities or refractive error. Results. The analysis cohort consisted of 1722 Black and Hispanic children aged 30 to 72 months. Mean logMAR VA improved with age (p < 0.0001) and male gender (p = 0.0008). The proportion of children achieving VA 20/40 or better was associated with age (p < 0.0001), but not ethnicity or gender, and was 81, 94, 99, and virtually 100% in children aged 30 to 35, 36 to 47, 48 to 59, and 60 to 72 months of age, respectively. The most stringent VA threshold that excluded <5% of normal children was 20/63, 20/50, 20/32, and 20/32 for children aged 30 to 35, 36 to 47, 48 to 59, and 60 to 72 months, respectively. Children attending preschool or daycare achieved VA 20/32 more often than those not attending, after age adjustment (p = 0.01), as did children from higher-income families (p = 0.04). There was no association between mean absolute IOD and age (p = 0.45), ethnicity (p = 0.12), or gender (p = 0.19). The proportion of children with an IOD of 0 to 1 lines was higher in males than females (p = 0.02); it did not vary by age (p = 0.06) or ethnicity (p = 0.17). An IOD of 2 or more lines occurred in 6% of normal children. Conclusions. VA test performance in normal pre-school children improves with age. We propose new age-specific thresholds for defining abnormal monocular VA using HOTV optotypes in children between 2 and 5 years of age, for use in screening, clinical practice, and research.