Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Herpes Simplex Virus Epidemiology and Ocular Importance

Purpose. To review the changing epidemiology of herpes simplex disease and correlate it with the epidemiology of ocular herpes simplex disease. Method. A review of pertinent reports in the world literature about the epidemiology of herpes simplex and specifically about ocular herpes simplex. Results. In developed countries, many individuals are reaching adolescence and adulthood without prior herpesvirus infection. Herpes simplex genital infection is increasing at a rapid rate in sexually active adolescents and adults, with about one in six adults now infected in the United States. Similar statistics are confirmatory worldwide in developed countries. Active herpes simplex infection is a risk factor for acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus. The Herpetic Eye Disease Study, as well as prior studies from Moorfields Eye Hospital and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, provides us with the epidemiology of ocular herpes simplex. Recent studies suggest an older age of onset and perhaps overall more severe ocular disease as compared with the older literature. Conclusions. Herpes simplex is a significant health concern at present with genital infections increasing in epidemic proportions. This is also reflected in a rise in the incidence of neonatal herpes. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection is being acquired for the first time in an older age group. A significant and increasing proportion of genital herpes is caused by HSV-1. Serologic studies are no longer as useful in distinguishing orofacial herpes from genital herpes. More acute retinal necrosis syndrome cases are associated with HSV-2. Speculation about the future of ocular herpes is made based on this changing epidemiology.
Accountability and Transparency to Fight against Corruption: An International Comparative Analysis

Abstract The paper analyzes whether transparency, the quality of budgetary management and the strength of audit institutions have a positive effect on corruption and can increase trust in governments from a comparative analysis. The study is based on panel data from 75 countries worldwide about transparency and corruption published by international organizations, testing a relation between the transparency and accountability of a country and corruption and trust in governments has been tested. The results show that transparency, the quality of budgetary management and audit systems positively affect the perception of corruption. Consequently, politicians must consider enhancing the elaboration and disclosing of accounting information as a tool to improve public management and reduce the perception of corruption. However, it is not found that transparency or strengthening the Supreme Audit Institutions increases the level of confidence.
Testosterone, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM Endogenous sex hormones are associated with the risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Recent studies suggested the role of these hormones in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies investigating the association between sex hormones and NAFLD. MATERIAL AND METHODS A comprehensive search of the databases of the MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed from inception through April 2016. The inclusion criterion was the observational studies that assessed the association of serum total testosterone (TT) and sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and NAFLD. We calculated pooled effect estimates of TT and SHBG with 95% confidence intervals (CI) comparing between subjects with and without NAFLD by using random-effects model. RESULTS Sixteen trials comprising 13,721 men and 5,840 women met the inclusion criteria. TT levels were lower in men with NAFLD (MD = -2.78 nmol/l, 95%CI -3.40 to -2.15, I2 = 99%) than in those without. Men with higher TT levels had lower odds of NAFLD whereas higher TT levels increased the odds of NAFLD in women. In both sexes, SHBG levels were lower in patients with NAFLD than controls and this inverse association was stronger in women than men and higher SHBG levels were associated with reduced odds of NAFLD. CONCLUSION Our meta-anal-ysis demonstrated a sex-dependent association between TT and NAFLD. Lower TT levels are associated with men with NAFLD and inversely associated with women with NAFLD, whereas higher SHBG levels are associated with lower NAFLD odds in both men and women.
Evidence of intraprison spread of HIV infection.

BACKGROUND Individuals entering prison are known to have high rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and inmates are known to engage in high-risk behavior. This suggests the potential for intraprison spread of HIV infection, but this has not been documented. METHODS All prisoners (N = 556) in the Florida Department of Corrections who had been continuously incarcerated since 1977 were identified. The medical records of these prisoners were reviewed to determine whether they had been tested for HIV infection and, if tested, whether the results were positive. Results were considered positive if there were reactions to two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays confirmed by Western blot assay. If an individual tested positive, the medical record was reviewed to determine whether the patient had been treated for conditions consistent with HIV infection. RESULTS Eighty-seven of the 556 prisoners had undergone testing for HIV infection. Of the tested inmates, 18 (21%) were found to be positive for HIV infection. Eight of these individuals had no HIV-related conditions, and 10 had HIV-related symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The results present strong evidence for intraprison transmission of HIV infection. Given that most inmates serve relatively short sentences, there is a strong possibility that prison-acquired HIV infection will be carried into the "free world. " Preventive programs in prisons may be very important in controlling HIV infection in our society.
An exploration of how teenagers' electronic and social media use impacts wider areas of their lives

This systematic literature review explores how teenagers’ electronic media use can influence sleep and academic success in schools. Key terms are defined and problematised including the terms; ‘adolescent’, ‘academic success’, ‘electronic media’ and ‘sleep’. The systematic literature review process was guided by recommendations by Pettigrew and Roberts. Seven pieces of research literature met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Research literature was predominantly quantitative and generally discovered moderate correlations between large amounts of electronic media use, sleep duration and academic performance. Findings also suggested a link between use of screen media prior to bedtime or after lights out and academic performance. Research also found age and gender differences in frequency and types of electronic media used.
Effects of vasopressin on portal-systemic collaterals of cirrhotic rats

Objective Arginine vasopressin (AVP) exerts a constrictive effect on the portal-systemic collaterals of non-cirrhotic portal hypertensive rats, but its effect on cirrhotic rats is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of AVP and the modulatory roles of nitric oxide and prostaglandin on collaterals of common bile duct-ligated (BDL) cirrhotic rats. Material and methods The collateral vascular responsiveness to graded concentrations of AVP (10−10–3×10−7 M) was tested by an in situ collateral perfusion system pretreated with Nω-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 100 μM), indomethacin (INDO, 10 μM), or both. The collateral responses to AVP with the pretreatment of a vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist d(CH2)5Tyr(Me) arginine vasopressin or a V2 receptor agonist 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP, 10−10–3×10−7 M) were also evaluated. Results The perfusion pressure of collaterals was significantly increased by AVP, and this effect was inhibited by the addition of the V1 receptor antagonist. DDAVP had no effect on the collaterals. Incubation with L-NNA or L-NNA plus INDO, but not INDO alone, significantly potentiated the constrictive effects of AVP. The constrictive effect of AVP in the combination group was similar to that in the L-NNA alone group. Conclusions The results show that AVP produces a direct vasoconstrictive effect on the portal-systemic collaterals of BDL cirrhotic rats. The constrictive effect of AVP is mediated by the vasopressin V1, instead of V2, receptors. Nitric oxide may play a more important role than prostaglandin in modulating the collateral vascular response to AVP in BDL cirrhotic rats.
Work engagement in nursing: a concept analysis.

AIM This article is a report of an analysis of the concept of work engagement. Background. Work engagement is the central issue for 21st century professionals and specifically for registered nurses. Conceptual clarity about work engagement gives empirical direction for future research and a theoretical underpinning for the myriad studies about nurses and their work environment. METHOD Walker and Avant's method of concept analysis was used. Nursing, business, psychology and health sciences databases were searched using Science Direct, CINAHL, OVID, Academic One File, ABI INFORM and PsycINFO for publications that were: written in English, published between 1990 and 2010, and described or studied work engagement in any setting with any population. RESULTS Work engagement is a positive, fulfilling state of mind about work that is characterized by vigour, dedication and absorption. Trust (organizationally, managerially and collegially) and autonomy are the antecedents of work engagement. The outcomes of nurses' work engagement are higher levels of personal initiative that are contagious, decreased hospital mortality rates and significantly higher financial profitability of organizations. CONCLUSION When work engagement is conceptually removed from a transactional job demands-resources model, the relational antecedents of trust and autonomy have greater explanatory power for work engagement in nurses. Untangling the antecedents, attributes and outcomes of work engagement is important to future research efforts.
Advancing beyond charge analysis using the electronic localization function: Chemically intuitive distribution of electrostatic moments

We propose here an evaluation of chemically intuitive distributed electrostatic moments using the topological analysis of the electron localization function (ELF). As this partition of the total charge density provides an accurate representation of the molecular dipole, the distributed electrostatic moments based on the ELF partition (DEMEP) allows computing of local moments located at non atomic centers such as lone pairs, σ bonds and π systems. As the local dipole contribution can be decomposed in polarization and charge transfer components, our results indicate that local dipolar polarization of the lone pairs and chemical reactivity are closely related whereas the charge transfer contribution is the key factor driving the local bond dipole. Results on relevant molecules show that local dipole contributions can be used to rationalize inductive polarization effects in alcohols derivatives and typical hydrogen bond interactions. Moreover, bond quadrupole polarization moments being related to a π character enable to discuss bond multiplicities, and to sort families of molecules according to their bond order. That way, the nature of the CO bond has been revisited for several typical systems by means of the DEMEP analysis which appears also helpful to discuss aromaticity. Special attention has been given to the carbon monoxide molecule, to the CuCO complex and to a weak intramolecular N|‐‐‐CO interaction involved in several biological systems. In this latter case, it is confirmed that the bond formation is mainly linked to the CO bond polarization. Transferability tests show that the approach is suitable for the design of advanced force fields. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2008
Paediatric trauma patients and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: correlation and significance

Introduction Trauma is one of the leading reasons for emergency department (ED) visits in children. Hyperactivity, inattentiveness and impulsiveness may contribute to injury proneness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and role of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children with trauma. Methods Trauma patients aged 3–17 attending the ED were included in the study group. Parents were informed after medical care had been given to their children, and demographic data and information about the trauma were collected. Later, parents were asked to complete the Conners' Parent Rating Scales-Revised questionnaire for ADHD symptoms. The control group consisted of children of similar age and sociocultural characteristics who attended the hospital for reasons other than trauma. Cases in which the child apparently had no active role in the trauma or where the parents did not complete the Conners' Parent Rating Scales-Revised questionnaire were excluded from the study. Results Fifty-five children were included in the study group (mean age 7.49 (range 3–14; SD 3.3); 33 (60%) were male). The control group was statistically similar to the study group. The most common trauma mechanism was falls (n=31, 56.4%). All the subscale scores were significantly higher in the study group, and previous trauma-related ED visits were associated with significantly higher subscale scores. Conclusion The data suggest that children who make repeated trauma-related ED visits have a predisposition to ADHD, and they may benefit from screening for this disorder while in the ED.
Dental pain among 10–15 year old children attending oral health promoting schools: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Dental pain is a major public health problem and one of the consequences of oral diseases which requires significant adjustments in life management leading to decreased quality of life. Objective: To assess prevalence of dental pain and its impact on daily life and to explore its relationship with oral health behavior and clinical oral status among 10-15 year old school children attending oral health promoting schools. Method: This cross sectional study was conducted in 6 schools serving low -middle socio economic strata in Bangalore, India. A total of 1237 children were surveyed for history of dental pain during past 3 month. Participants who reported dental pain completed self-reported oral health behaviour and Child dental pain questionnaire. Clinical oral examination included assessment of dental caries, periodontal status. Data was analyzed using t - test, Chi-square test, ANOVA and Regression Analysis. Results: Prevalence of dental pain was 15.6% (n = 194). Among children with pain, 17%, 43% and 40% reported mild, moderate and severe pain. Impact on daily activities was reported by 66%. Mean DMFT and DMFS was 1.80 and 2.11 Mean deft and defs was 2.47 and 3.41. Multiple logistic regression revealed that severity and impact of dental pain was associated with gender, frequency of tooth brushing, consumption of sweets and deciduous dental caries experience. Conclusion: Prevalence of Dental pain is associated with brushing behavior, consumption of sweets and deciduous dental caries experience, showing need for further attention to these conditions and a need to strengthen preventive and therapeutic dental services.
On book equity: why it matters for monetary policy

The book value of equity plays a central role in discussions of bank capital adequacy. Yet in academic circles among researchers in empirical corporate finance, it is common to hear the claim that book equity is a stale and backward-looking measure of the market value of the firm’s equity, and that researchers should therefore use the market capitalisation of the firm and ignore book equity whenever the market capitalisation measure is available. It is also common for empirical papers to discard financial firms from the dataset at the outset. For both reasons, banks’ book equity ends up being neglected by researchers.
Modified Bayesian Optimization Algorithm for microstrip filter design

In this paper, a Modified Bayesian Optimization Algorithm (MBOA) is proposed. It has been obtained by suitably introducing a mutation operator in the traditional algorithm in order to speed up its convergence. In order to test its capability, the introduced algorithm has then been applied to mathematical test functions and to a classic EM design problem.
The Worldwide Challenge of the Dementias: A Role for B Vitamins and Homocysteine?

Dementia has reached epidemic proportions, with an estimated 4.6 million new cases worldwide each year. With an aging world population, the prevalence of dementia will increase dramatically in the next few decades. Of the predicted 114 million who will have dementia in 2050, about three-quarters will live in less developed regions. Although strongly age-related, dementia is not an inevitable part of aging but is a true disease, caused by exposure to several genetic and nongenetic risk factors. Prevention will be possible when the nongenetic risk factors have been identified. Apart from age, more than 20 nongenetic risk factors have been postulated, but very few have been established by randomized intervention studies. Elevated blood concentrations of total homocysteine and low-normal concentrations of B vitamins (folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6) are candidate risk factors for both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Seventy-seven cross-sectional studies on more than 34,000 subjects and 33 prospective studies on more than 12,000 subjects have shown associations between cognitive deficit or dementia and homocysteine and/or B vitamins. Biologically plausible mechanisms have been proposed to account for these associations, including atrophy of the cerebral cortex, but a definite causal pathway has yet to be shown. Raised plasma total homocysteine is a strong prognostic marker of future cognitive decline, and is common in world populations. Low-normal concentrations of the B vitamins, the main determinant of homocysteine concentrations, are also common and occur in particularly vulnerable sections of the population, such as infants and elderly. Large-scale randomized trials of homocysteine-lowering vitamins are needed to see if a proportion of dementia in the world can be prevented.
Does ESG Performance Enhance Firm Value? Evidence from Korea

We analyze whether a firm’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) plays a significant role in promoting its market value in an emerging market, namely Korea. We employ environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) scores to evaluate CSR performances and examine their effect on firm valuation. We find that CSR practices positively and significantly affect a firm’s market, in line with previous studies on developed countries. However, its impact on share prices can differ according to firm characteristics. For firms in environmentally sensitive industries, the value-creating effect of CSR is lesser than for firms that do not belong to sensitive industries. Specifically, corporate governance practice negatively influences the firm value of environmentally sensitive firms. Further, governance practice significantly promotes market value only for chaebols, while investors do not significantly value governance practice carried out by other firms. This finding suggests the value-enhancing effects of governance structure reformation in the former. This work mainly contributes to the literature by verifying a positive CSR-valuation relationship in emerging markets, which provides substantial policy and welfare implications in markets where governments play a major role in promoting CSR. A stronger valuation effect of CSR in chaebols may present economic background for the intervention of the Korean government in the reformation of chaebol.
Prevention of the adverse photic effects of peripheral light-focusing using UV-blocking contact lenses.

PURPOSE Peripheral light-focusing (PLF) is an occult form of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) hazardous to the human eye. In PLF, obliquely incident light is refracted from the peripheral cornea to concentrated sites inside the anterior segment. In the current study, the directionality of this phenomenon for UVR and whether PLF is established in outdoor settings exposed to sunlight were investigated. The protection provided by a UV-blocking contact lens was also evaluated. METHODS UVA and UVB sensors were placed on the nasal limbus of an anatomically based model eye. The temporal limbus was exposed to a UV light source placed at various angles behind the frontal plane. PLF was quantified with the sensor output. The ensemble was mounted in the orbit of a mannequin head and exposed to sunlight in three insolation environments within the region of Sydney, Australia. PLF for UVA and UVB was determined with no eyewear or with sunglasses and commercially available soft contact lenses, with and without UV-blocking capability. RESULTS The intensity of UVA peaked at approximately 120 degrees incidence, the level at which the UVB response was also at its maximum. The intensification of UVA was up to x18.3. The intensity of PLF for UVA and UVB was reduced by an order of magnitude by a UV-blocking contact lens, whereas a clear contact lenses had a much lesser effect. Only the UV-blocking contact lens achieved a significant effect on UVA and UVB irradiance in the urban, beach, and mountain locales (P < 0.056). CONCLUSIONS The results identify another type of sunlight hazard: the peripheral focusing of obliquely incident light. UVR from albedo (reflected ambient light) is capable of establishing PLF in the anterior segment, but this can be shielded by UV-blocking soft contact lenses. Sunglasses may be unable to shield oblique rays, unless side protection is incorporated. Contact lenses can offer UVR protection against all angles of incidence, including the peak-response angle. They can also protect the eye in settings in which the wearing of sunglasses is not feasible or convenient.
Low fat-free mass as a marker of mortality in community-dwelling healthy elderly subjects.

BACKGROUND low fat-free mass has been related to high mortality in patients. This study evaluated the relationship between body composition of healthy elderly subjects and mortality. METHODS in 1999, 203 older subjects underwent measurements of body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis, Charlson co-morbidity index and estimation of energy expenditure through physical activity by a validated questionnaire. These measurements were repeated in 2002, 2005 and 2008 in all consenting subjects. Mortality data between 1999 and 2010 were retrieved from the local death registers. The relationship between mortality and the last indexes of fat and fat-free masses was analysed by multiple Cox regression models. RESULTS women's and men's data at last follow-up were: age 81.1 ± 5.9 and 80.9 ± 5.8 years, body mass index 25.3 ± 4.6 and 26.1 ± 3.4 kg/m(2), fat-free mass index 16.4 ± 1.8 and 19.3 ± 1.9 kg/m(2) and fat mass index 9.0 ± 3.2 and 6.8 ± 2.0 kg/m(2). Fifty-eight subjects died between 1999 and 2010. The fat-free mass index (hazard ratio 0.77; 95% confidence interval 0.63-0.95) but not the fat mass index, predicted mortality in addition to sex and Charlson index. The multiple Cox regression model explained 31% of the variance of mortality. CONCLUSION a low fat-free mass index is an independent risk factor of mortality in elderly subjects, healthy at the time of body composition measurement.