Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phyto-oestrogens in the Prophylaxis of Menstrual Migraine

Background:Falling levels of estrogen is the major provocative factor in migraine associated with menstruation. Objective:We assessed the efficacy of the combination of two phyto-oestrogens, as perimenstrual, prophylactic treatment of menstrual migraine and tested their effect on cerebral haemodynamic. Subjects and Methods:Women with a history of menstrual migraine (ie, attacks occurring exclusively on day 1 ± 2 days of menstruation and at no other time of the cycle) were included in the study. Eleven women fulfilling the inclusion criteria underwent to a 3-month cyclic treatment with 56 mg of genisteine and 20 mg of diadzeine per day. Transcranial doppler evaluation (TCD) was performed at baseline and after treatment. Results:Among the ten women who completed the study the average number of days with migraine during the baseline period decreased significantly after 3 months of therapy (P < 0.005). There were no major side-effects. Therapy did not affect cerebral blood flow velocities. Conclusions:Phytooestrogens appear to be an effective treatment in menstrual migraine prophylaxis. This effect seems to be unrelated to cerebral hemodynamic. Placebo-controlled trials on larger number of patients are necessary to confirm our findings.
The Impact of Age and Comorbidities on the Mortality of Patients of Different Age Groups Admitted with Community-acquired Pneumonia.

RATIONALE Comorbidities, age, severity of illness, and high risk pathogens are well-known outcome determinants in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). How these factors interact has not yet been clarified. OBJECTIVES We conducted this study to analyze the complex interaction of comorbidities, age, illness severity, and pathogens in relation to CAP. METHODS We performed a secondary analysis of the Community-Acquired Pneumonia Organization database to evaluate the impact of age in different age groups (<65, 65-79, and ≥80 yr), comorbidities (malignant disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal and liver disease, cerebrovascular accident, congestive heart failure, and diabetes mellitus), severity of illness at admission, and etiology on the mortality of patients admitted to the hospital with CAP. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS A total of 6,205 patients met the inclusion criteria, and 508 (8.2%) died within 30 days. Factors independently associated with mortality were malignant disease, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular accident, renal disease, diabetes mellitus, altered mental status, hypoxemia, pleural effusion, hematocrit less than 30%, requirement for mechanical ventilation, and being age 80 years and older. A total of 1,699 pathogens were defined in 1,545 cases; the etiology was the same for all age groups. In the overall population, mortality increased with age, but etiology was not associated with mortality. When we analyzed the patients with one comorbidity or less, we found that mortality was not different between patients younger than 65 old and those 65-79 years old, but it was higher for those aged 80 years and older. CONCLUSIONS The presence of comorbidities is associated with poorer outcomes in CAP. However, when one comorbidity or less was present, we found that being age 80 years or older was a factor that increased mortality. From a clinical standpoint, this study suggests that being age 80 years or older, instead of age 65 years and older, should be considered a risk factor for poor outcome in CAP.
Do different C-tests discriminate proficiency levels of EL 2 learners ? 様々な C-テストは、 EL 2 学習者のレベルを判別できるか?

A study was conducted to determine the ability of two C-tests to discriminate the English s levels of two groups of university students in Japan. A C-test based short passages from different texts and another C-test based on one long narrative passage was used. The data was analyzed by an analysis of variance, t-tests, and other statistical measures. The results were statistically significant and this paper suggests that C-tests can discriminate levels of English proficiency among EL2 students in this sample group. It also suggests the superiority of C-tests constructed from several short segments over those made from only one long passage.
grammaTIcal dIfferences BeTween TruThful and decepTIVe narraTIVes

Law enforcement officers rely on the veracity of written statements from witnesses and suspects to determine guilt or innocence. This study examined the predictive value of grammar structures to differentiate truthful written narratives from deceptive written narratives in the English and Spanish languages. Experiment 1 examined three variables amongst English speakers: total word count, text bridge ratio, and spontaneous negation ratio. Experiment 2 replicated the methodology to assess the efficacy of the three variables in predicting veracity in the Spanish language. Participants in experiment 1 and experiment 2 watched a digital presentation of a person shoplifting an item from a convenience store and wrote truthful and deceptive narratives regarding the shoplifting event. The results of the study showed that deceptive narratives contained significantly fewer words, higher text bridge ratios, and higher spontaneous negation ratios than truthful narratives.
The Relationship between Reflectivity in Teaching and the Sense of Self-Efficacy among ovice and Experienced Iranian EFL Teachers

This study intended to investigate the relationship between Iranian EFL teachers’ reflectivity in teaching and their sense of self-efficacy. Furthermore, the mediating role of teaching experience was taken into account. For the purpose of the study, two questionnaires including a Persian version of reflective teaching questionnaire (Ghadampour, Moradian, & Shokri, 2014) and the long form of teachers’ sense of self-efficacy scale or TSES (Tschannen-Moran & Woolfolk Hoy, 2001) were administrated to both novice and experienced EFL teachers at private language institutes in Khorramabad, Lorestan Province in Iran. The analysis of data through the Pearson Product-Moment correlation signified a statistical relationship between reflective teaching and self-efficacy among Iranian EFL teachers. The results of the further analysis of data demonstrated that the relationship between Iranian EFL teachers’ reflectivity in teaching and their sense of self-efficacy was statistically significant among experienced EFL teachers. In other words, novice EFL teachers under study were less reflective and bore less self-efficacy in their act of teaching in the classroom. The findings of this study imply that EFL teachers should be aware of the positive effects of reflectivity and self-efficacy and do their best to teach as reflectively and efficaciously as possible.
Risk factors associated with the development of chronic kidney disease in cats evaluated at primary care veterinary hospitals.

OBJECTIVE To identify risk factors associated with diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats. DESIGN Retrospective case-control study. ANIMALS 1,230 cats with a clinical diagnosis of CKD, serum creatinine concentration > 1.6 mg/dL, and urine specific gravity < 1.035 and 1,230 age-matched control cats. PROCEDURES Data on putative risk factors for CKD were extracted for multivariate logistic regression analysis from the medical records of cats brought to 755 primary care veterinary hospitals. For a subset of cats evaluated 6 to 12 months prior to the date of CKD diagnosis or control group inclusion, the percentage change in body weight between those dates as well as clinical signs at the earlier date were analyzed for associations with CKD development. RESULTS Risk factors for CKD in cats included thin body condition, prior periodontal disease or cystitis, anesthesia or documented dehydration in the preceding year, being a neutered male (vs spayed female), and living anywhere in the United States other than the northeast. The probability of CKD decreased with increasing body weight in nondehydrated cats, domestic shorthair breed, and prior diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and increased when vomiting, polyuria or polydipsia, appetite or energy loss, or halitosis was present at the time of diagnosis or control group inclusion but not when those signs were reported 6 to 12 months earlier. Median weight loss during the preceding 6 to 12 months was 10.8% and 2.1% in cats with and without CKD, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The probability of CKD diagnosis in cats was influenced by several variables; recent weight loss, particularly in combination with the other factors, warrants assessment of cats for CKD.
Identification of a Novel Lipopolysaccharide-Inducible Gene with Key Features of Both a Kinase Anchor Proteins and chs1/beige Proteins1

Mutations in chs1/beige result in a deficiency in intracellular transport of vesicles that leads to a generalized immunodeficiency in mice and humans. The function of NK cells, CTL, and granulocytes is impaired by these mutations, indicating that polarized trafficking of vesicles is controlled by CHS1/beige proteins. However, a molecular explanation for this defect has not been identified. Here we describe a novel gene with orthologues in mice, humans, and flies that contains key features of both chs1/beige and A kinase anchor genes. We designate this novel gene lba for LPS-responsive, beige-like anchor gene. Expression of lba is induced after LPS stimulation of B cells and macrophages. In addition, lba is expressed in many other tissues in the body and has three distinct mRNA isoforms that are differentially expressed in various tissues. Strikingly, LBA-green-fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins are localized to vesicles after LPS stimulation. Confocal microscopy indicates this protein is colocalized with the trans-Golgi complex and some lysosomes. Further analysis by immunoelectron microscopy demonstrates that LBA-GFP fusion protein can localize to endoplasmic reticulum, plasma membrane, and endocytosis vesicles in addition to the trans-Golgi complex and lysosomes. We hypothesize that LBA/CHS1/BG proteins function in polarized vesicle trafficking by guiding intracellular vesicles to activated receptor complexes and thus facilitate polarized secretion and/or membrane deposition of immune effector molecules.
Costs associated with ambulatory care sensitive conditions across hospital-based settings.

OBJECTIVES Ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) are acute care diagnoses that could potentially be prevented through improved primary care. This study investigated how payments and charges for these ACSC visits differ by three hospital-based settings (outpatient, emergency department [ED], and inpatient) and examined differences in payments and charges by their physician and facility components. METHODS This was a secondary analysis of data (2005 through 2010) from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess differences in the mean-adjusted payments and charges for ACSC visits by clinical setting and further divided payments and charges into physician and facility components. RESULTS Of all ACSC visits from 2005 through 2010, 41% were outpatient visits, 36% were ED visits, and 23% were hospital admissions. After adjusting for patient demographics and comorbid conditions, charges for an inpatient ACSC visit were four times higher ($11,414 vs. $2,563) and payments were five times higher ($4,325 vs. $859) when compared to an ED visit. By comparison, charges for an ACSC ED visit were two times higher ($2,563 vs. $1,084) and payments 2.5 times higher ($859 vs. $341) relative to an ACSC visit managed in an outpatient hospital-based clinic. Across all clinical settings, hospital facility fees account for 77% to 94% of the charge differences and 81% to 93% of the payment differences. CONCLUSIONS For hospital-based ACSC visits, inpatient hospitalizations are by far the most expensive. Finding ways to expand outpatient resources and improve the health management of the chronically ill may avoid conditions that lead to more expensive hospital-based encounters. Across all hospital-based settings, facility fees are the major contributor of expense.
Differences in survival for patients with familial and sporadic cancer

Family history of cancer is a well‐known risk factor but the role of family history in survival is less clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between family history and cancer survival for the common cancers in Sweden. Using the Swedish population‐based registers, patients diagnosed with the most common cancers were followed for cancer‐specific death during 1991–2010. We used multivariate proportional hazards (Cox) regression models to contrast the survival of patients with a family history of cancer (individuals whose parent or sibling had a concordant cancer) to the survival of patients without a family history. Family history of cancer had a modest protective effect on survival for breast cancer (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.88, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.81 to 0.96) and prostate cancer (HR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.75 to 0.90). In contrast, family history of cancer was associated with worse survival for nervous system cancers (HR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.47) and ovarian cancer (HR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.43). Furthermore, the poorer survival for ovarian cancer was consistent with a higher FIGO stage and a greater proportion of more aggressive tumors of the serous type. The better survival for patients with a family history of breast and prostate cancer may be due to medical surveillance of family members. The poor survival for ovarian cancer patients with an affected mother or sister is multifactorial, suggesting that these cancers are more aggressive than their sporadic counterparts.
Intraluminal Polyethylene Glycol Stabilizes Tight Junctions and Improves Intestinal Preservation in the Rat

Rapidly progressing mucosal breakdown limits the intestinal preservation time below 10 h. Recent studies indicate that intraluminal solutions containing polyethylene glycol (PEG) alleviate preservation injury of intestines stored in UW‐Viaspan. We investigated whether a low‐sodium PEG solution is beneficial for intestines stored in histidine‐tryptophane‐ketoglutarate (HTK) preservation solution. Rat intestines used as control tissue (group 1) were perfused with HTK, groups 2 and 3 received either a customized PEG‐3350 (group 2) or an electrolyte solution (group 3) intraluminally before cold storage. Tissue injury, brush‐border maltase activity, zonula occludens‐1 (ZO‐1) and claudin‐3 expression in the tight junctions (TJ) were analyzed after 8, 14 and 20 h. We measured epithelial resistance and permeability (Ussing chamber) after 8 and 14 h. Group 2 had superior morphology while maltase activity was similar in all groups. TJ proteins rapidly decreased and decolocalized in groups 1 3; these negative events were delayed in group 2, where colocalization persisted for about 14 h. Intestines in group 2 had higher epithelial resistance and lower permeability than the other groups. These results suggest that a customized PEG solution intraluminally reduces the intestinal preservation injury by improving several major epithelial characteristics without negatively affecting the brush‐border enzymes or promoting edema.
The effects of grain source , concentrate level and market weight endpoint on steer growth performance , carcass quality and meat tenderness .

The influence of grain source, concentrate level and market weight endpoint was examined on ninety-two Angus steers (370+30 kg BW). Each steer was randomly assigned to one of four rations which contained either 15 or 50 percent corn silage dry matter. Two grain sources (2 x 2 factorial design) were also evaluated during the feeding period processed western barley and corn grain. Each ration was balanced to a 13.5 percent crude protein level. Mineral, vitamin and ionophore fortifications (monensin @ 33 ppm) were also similar for each diet. The cattle were fed ad libitum with feed intakes for each steer recorded weekly. The cattle were fed for either 103, 117, 131, 145, 159, 173 or 201 days before being transported to an abattoir and slaughtered. All steers were marketed after achieving an (random) assigned liveweight endpoint (either 550 or 600 kg). Carcass data and primal ribs from identified carcasses were then taken and stored for a later meat quality analyses and taste panel evaluation.
Non‐native interactions play an effective role in protein folding dynamics

Systematic Monte Carlo simulations of simple lattice models show that the final stage of protein folding is an ordered process where native contacts get locked (i.e., the residues come into contact and remain in contact for the duration of the folding process) in a well‐defined order. The detailed study of the folding dynamics of protein‐like sequences designed as to exhibit different contact energy distributions, as well as different degrees of sequence optimization (i.e., participation of non‐native interactions in the folding process), reveals significant differences in the corresponding locking scenarios—the collection of native contacts and their average locking times, which are largely ascribable to the dynamics of non‐native contacts. Furthermore, strong evidence for a positive role played by non‐native contacts at an early folding stage was also found. Interestingly, for topologically simple target structures, a positive interplay between native and non‐native contacts is observed also toward the end of the folding process, suggesting that non‐native contacts may indeed affect the overall folding process. For target models exhibiting clear two‐state kinetics, the relation between the nucleation mechanism of folding and the locking scenario is investigated. Our results suggest that the stabilization of the folding transition state can be achieved through the establishment of a very small network of native contacts that are the first to lock during the folding process.
OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE AND CORPORATE DIVERSIFICATION DECISION: A STUDY OF VIETNAMESE LISTED FIRMS

This research examines the impact of the ownership structure on corporate diversification decision of listed firms in Vietnam over the period of 2007 and 2012. The empirical results from logit model show that while state ownership has positive impact on corporate diversification decisions of the firms, foreign ownership has negative impact on corporate diversification decision of the firms. This implies that government ownership tends to encourage corporate diversification strategy, while foreign ownership may plays monitoring role and discourage corporate diversification strategy in emerging market context.
Low vitamin D levels are associated with symptoms of depression in young adult males

Objective: Results from studies examining associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and depressive symptoms are equivocal. We investigated the relationship between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in a cross-sectional analysis of a population-based sample of young adults participating in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. Methods: Participants provided a blood sample at the 20-year follow-up (March 2010-April 2012) for the measurement of serum 25(OH)D concentrations. Mental health symptoms were assessed using the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Associations between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and total DASS-21 scores and subscale scores of depression, anxiety and stress were explored in males and females using negative binomial regression, adjusting for age, race, body mass index (BMI) and physical activity (n=735). Models examining subscale scores were also adjusted for the other subscale scores. Results: After adjusting for confounders, an increase in serum 25(OH)D concentrations of 10 nmol/L decreased total DASS-21 scores in males by 9% (rate ratio (RR) 0.91; 95%CI 0.87,0.95; p<0.001) and depression subscale scores in males by 8% (RR 0.92; 95%CI 0.87,0.96; p=0.001). However, in adjusted models there were no significant associations between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and symptoms of anxiety and stress in males. There were no significant associations between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in females. Conclusions: We found an association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and symptoms of depression, but not anxiety and stress, in males. Randomised controlled trials are necessary to determine any benefit of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention and treatment of depressive symptoms in young adults.
Race matters for women leaders : Intersectional effects on agentic de fi ciencies and penalties Ashleigh

Editors: Alice Eagly and Madeline Heilman A significant amount of the research on two types of biases against women leaders—agentic deficiency (perceptions that women have minimal leadership potential) and agentic penalty (backlash for counter-stereotypical behavior)—has generally presumed that the descriptive, prescriptive, and proscriptive stereotypes on which the biases are based are comparable for women across racial groups. We propose that the degree to which agentic deficiencies and penalties occur is contingent on the dimension of agency that is under consideration and its relation to the stereotypes associated with the target's gendered and racial group. The results of our literature review and analysis suggest that when considered in the context of gender and leadership research, at least two dimensions of agency, competence and dominance, closely align with perceptions of agentic deficiency and agentic penalty, respectively. Based on our analysis and the prevalent stereotypes of Black and Asian American women that are likely most relevant to the two types of biases against women leaders, we examined the interactive effects of racial stereotypes and the agentic biases. We suggest that when specific racial and gendered stereotypes are aligned with a specific dimension of agency, we can gain a more thorough understanding of how agentic biases may hinder women's progression to leadership positions. © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Effect of different membranes on amino-acid losses during haemodialysis.

BACKGROUND We analysed amino-acid losses during haemodialysis, their influence on plasma amino-acid concentration, and their possible effects on nutritional state. METHODS Five patients were dialysed with three membranes: cuprophan (CUP), polysulphone (PS), and polyacrylonitrile AN69 (PAN). We compared anthropometric and biochemical parameters after 6 months in patients dialysed with CUP respect to patients with PAN. RESULTS Total losses of amino acids were higher with PAN than with PS and CUP (6.1 +/- 2.3 vs 3.8 +/- 1.3, P < 0.05, and 3.7 +/- 1.3 g/session, P < 0.01 respectively). Losses of essential amino acids (EAA) and nonessential amino acids (NEAA) were also higher with PAN respect to PS and CUP (1.8 +/- 0.8 vs 1 +/- 0.3 and 0.8 +/- 0.3, and 4.3 +/- 1.6 vs 2.8 +/- 1 and 2.9 +/- 1.1 g/session, P < 0.05). The percentage reduction for plasma EAA and NEAA were lower with CUP respect to PS and PAN (11 +/- 5% and 20 +/- 14% vs 25 +/- 10% and 33 +/- 11%, and 30 +/- 11% and 25 +/- 17% respectively, P < 0.05). There was no difference in the nutritional state between patients with CUP and PAN. However, plasma valine in patients with PAN was lower than in those with CUP (1.88 +/- 0.12 vs 2.13 +/- 0.32 mg/dl) and almost reached statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS New synthetic membranes are advantageous with respect to conventional ones, but a disadvantage is the higher amino-acid losses, especially with polyacrylonitrile. Long-term studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of amino-acid losses on nutritional state in patients dialysed with these membranes.