Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of price magnitude on analysts' forecasts: evidence from the lab

Recent research in finance shows that the magnitude of stock prices influences analysts’ price forecasts (Roger et al., 2018). In this paper, we report the results o fa novel experiment where some of the participants in a continuous double auction market act as analysts and forecast future prices. Participants engage in two successive markets: one in which the fundamental value is a small price and one in which the fundamental value is a large price. Our results indicate that analysts’ forecasts are more optimistic in small price markets compared to large price markets. We also find that analysts strongly anchor on past price trends when building their price forecasts. Overall, our findings support the existence of a small price bias.
Animal model of sclerotic skin. V: Increased expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin in fibroblastic cells in bleomycin-induced scleroderma.

Scleroderma is a connective tissue disorder with unknown etiology. Myofibroblasts appear during fibrotic processes such as scleroderma, hypertrophic scarring, and wound healing. We previously established a mouse model for scleroderma by local injections of bleomycin. To determine the phenotype of the fibroblasts in sclerotic skin after bleomycin treatment, we examined the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), a marker for myofibroblasts, in lesional skin as well as in fibrous lung in this model. Dermal sclerosis was induced by daily local injections of bleomycin (100 microg/ml) for 3 weeks in C3H mice. Immunohistochemical examination showed that alpha-SMA-reactive cells were detectable on fibroblastic cells in bleomycin-injected skin at 1 week. There was a significant increase in the immunoreactive fibroblastic cells for alpha-SMA in lesional skin in parallel with the induction of dermal sclerosis. After 3 weeks' treatment with bleomycin, the number of alpha-SMA-reactive fibroblasts showed an 11-fold increase compared with that in control PBS-treated mice. alpha-SMA-positive cells were also detected in lung parenchyma after bleomycin treatment. Following concomitant treatment with anti-transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) antibody with bleomycin, the number of alpha-SMA-positive fibroblastic cells was significantly reduced up to 50%, along with the reduction of dermal sclerosis. To confirm the protein level of alpha-SMA, immunoblotting was carried out. Results showed an increase of alpha-SMA expression in lesional skin at 3 weeks of bleomycin treatment, which was reduced following anti-TGF-beta antibody treatment. These data suggest that fibroblastic cells are phenotypically altered into myofibroblasts during the fibrotic process in the experimental model of bleomycin-induced scleroderma, which was considered mediated, for the most part, by TGF-beta. Blockade of TGF-beta may be a therapeutic intervention for scleroderma.
The relation between C reactive protein and age related macular degeneration in the Cardiovascular Health Study

Aim: To test the hypothesis that individuals with age related macular degeneration (AMD) have increased C reactive protein (CRP) levels. Methods: A cross sectional study design using data from the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), a longitudinal study that enrolled older adults from four communities in the United States from 1989 to 1990, was employed to investigate the existence of an association between AMD and CRP levels in this population. Fundus photographs from 1997 and 1998 were used to identify individuals with (n = 390) and without AMD (n = 2365). The association between AMD and CRP levels (measured at baseline) was compared, adjusting for the potentially confounding effect of demographic, lifestyle, and health related characteristics. Results: Among the 2755 CHS participants with gradable fundus photographs, 390 were identified as having AMD. Overall, median CRP levels among those with AMD (1.76 mg/l) were similar to those without AMD (1.77 mg/l). CRP levels were categorised into quartiles and compared between those with and without AMD. Relative to those in the lowest quartile (0.07–0.93 mg/l), the odds ratios (OR) in the higher quartiles, adjusted for demographic, lifestyle, and health related characteristics were increased but not statistically significant (0.94–1.77 mg/l: OR = 1.14, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.60; 1.78–3.04 mg/l: OR = 1.24, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.75; >3.04 mg/l: OR = 1.24, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.78). Conclusions: In the CHS, there is no evidence that CRP levels are associated with AMD. These data do not support the theory alleging non-specific systemic inflammation in the aetiology and natural history of this disease.
Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV)‐positive lymphoproliferations in post‐transplant patients show immunoglobulin V gene mutation patterns suggesting interference of EBV with normal B cell differentiation processes

In a model for persistent infection, Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) uses the germinal center (GC) reaction to establish persistence in memory B cells. To study whether EBV adopts to normal B cell differentiation processes also in EBV‐associated lymphoproliferative diseases, we micromanipulated EBV+ cells from biopsies of five patients with post‐transplantation lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) and one unusual Hodgkin lymphoma with many small EBV+ cells, and analyzed rearranged V genes of single cells. In all cases clonal expansions of EBV+ B cells were identified. The vast majority of these clones carried mutated V gene rearrangements and a fraction of clones showed ongoing hypermutation. Hence, PTLD likely derive from GC and/or post‐GC B cells. In two clones hypermutation occurred in the absence of follicular dendritic and CD4+ T cells, important interaction partners of normal GC B cells. Furthermore, in one case sustained somatic hypermutation occurred without expression of a functional antigen receptor. Hence, EBV+ B cells in PTLD can retain or acquire features of GC B cells in an unphysiological setting and may continue to undergo somatic hypermutation uncoupled from normal selection processes, suggesting that EBV interferes with normal B cell differentiation and selection processes in PTLD.
The efficacy of traditional Chinese Medicine as an adjunctive therapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as an adjunctive therapy to radiotherapy (RT) and/or chemotherapy (CT) for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with TCM to treat NPC were extensively searched in eight databases. Two researchers independently assessed the quality and validity of the included trials and extracted outcome data. Thirteen RCTs were included for analysis. RESULTS Compared to using RT and/or CT, TCM combined with conventional cancer therapy had significantly improved Karnofsky performance status (KPS) [odds ratio (OR) 4.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.06-7.56]. TCM as an adjunctive therapy significantly reduced the serious adverse effects of RT to the oral mucosa and skin so that grade I+II prevailed [OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.31-3.66; OR 8.63, 95% CI 3.28-22.70, respectively]. The combined therapy significantly enhanced immunoregulation, improving the levels of CD3, CD4 T cells (OR 10.08, 95% CI 1.38-18.78; OR 7.08, 95% CI 2.41-11.74, respectively). CONCLUSIONS This systematic review suggests that TCM as a therapy adjunctive to RT and/or CT vs only RT and/ or CT has significant efficacy in terms of improvement of quality of life (QoL), alleviation of acute adverse effects, and enhancement of immunoregulation.
Predicting Metastatic Risk of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: Role of Cell Proliferation and Cell Cycle Regulatory Proteins

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms whose biologic behavior is difficult to predict. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value in GIST of some oncoproteins involved in regulation of cell proliferation. Tumor size, mitosis, necrosis, and p53, c-myc, and bcl-2 protein expression of 32 GIST were studied. Proliferative index was assessed with Ki67. The 32 cases were grouped into the following clinical categories: (1) clinically benign (BN) were defined as disease-free survival greater than 3 years (n=10); (2) clinically malignant (MN) in which local recurrence or metastasis occurred regardless of the follow-up time (n=1 5); and (3) clinically indeterminate (ID) owing to follow-up <3 years without metastasis or local recurrence (n=seven). Discriminant analysis was used to allocate any tumor to one of the two prognostic groups (BN or MN). In univariate analysis all six factors studied above proved to be of significant prognostic value. Using a multivariate stepwise discriminant analysis to take into account the interrelationship between factors, we found that c-myc expression was the most important prognostic factor, followed, in order of statistical weight, by size and Ki67. These were combined to define a discriminant score ([10.75 x c-myc]+[0.39 x size]+[0.078 x Ki67]-15.54=score), which was capable of correctly identifying tumors in our series whose known clinical behavior was BN or MN in 92% of the cases. The classification score was applied subsequently to the seven clinically ID cases: Three (42.9%) were predicted as BN, and four (57.1%) were predicted as MN. Both expression of oncoprotein c-myc and the proliferative index provide prognostic information in GIST, in addition to morphologically established prognostic factors such as size. These factors in a discriminant analysis proved to be useful for the clinical classification of GIST into BN or MN and to predict the clinical outcome of clinically ID tumors.
Glutamate Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Triptans Overuse in Chronic Migraine

Objective. —Chronic migraine (CM) is a common disorder, affecting 2% to 3% of the general population. Glutamate is implicated in cortical spreading depression, trigeminovascular activation, central sensitization, and may be linked to migraine chronification. Triptans brought a novel option for the acute migraine treatment. As the development of central sensitization impacts upon the effectiveness of triptan therapy, we hypothesized that glutamate might be related to triptan response mechanisms.
Identification of the phosphocarrier protein enzyme IIIgut: essential component of the glucitol phosphotransferase system in Salmonella typhimurium

The phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphorylation of glucitol has been shown to require four distinct proteins in Salmonella typhimurium: two general energy-coupling proteins, enzyme I and HPr, and two glucitol-specific proteins, enzyme IIgut and enzyme IIIgut. The enzyme IIgut was solubilized from the membrane and purified about 100-fold, free of the other protein constituents of the phosphotransferase system. Enzyme IIIgut was found in both the soluble and the membrane fractions. The soluble enzyme IIIgut was purified to near homogeneity by gel filtration, hydroxylapatite chromatography, and hydrophobic chromatography on butylagarose. It was sensitive to parital inactivation by trypsin and N-ethylmaleimide, but was stable at 80 degrees C. The protein had an approximate molecular weight of 15,000. It was phosphorylated in the presence of phosphoenolpyruvate, enzyme I, and HPr, and this phosphoprotein was dephosphorylated in the presence of enzyme IIgut and glucitol. Antibodies were raised against enzyme IIIgut. Enzyme IIIglc and enzyme IIIgut exhibited no enzymatic or immunological cross-reactivity. Enzyme IIgut, enzyme IIIgut, and glucitol phosphate dehydrogenase activities were specifically induced by growth in the presence of glucitol. These results serve to characterize the glucitol-specific proteins of the phosphotransferase system in S. typhimurium.
Influence of Race on Death and Ischemic Complications in Patients With Non–ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes Despite Modern, Protocol-Guided Treatment

Background—In the setting of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), nonwhite patients are less likely to undergo invasive cardiac procedures and may have worse clinical outcomes than white patients. Whether the disparate outcomes exist independently of potential biases in treatment patterns remains unclear. Methods and Results—We examined the association between race and outcome in the Treat Angina with Aggrastat and Determine Cost of Therapy With an Invasive or Conservative Strategy–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 18 study (TACTICS-TIMI 18), a randomized trial of invasive versus conservative treatment strategy in patients with non–ST-elevation ACS. There were 1722 white and 461 nonwhite patients. After adjustment for differences in medical characteristics, nonwhite patients were at significantly increased risk for death, MI, or rehospitalization for ACS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.54; P=0.003). Rates of protocol-guided angiography and revascularization were similar in both groups. For non–protocol-guided care, however, we found significant disparities, with nonwhite patients less likely to be taking their cardiac medications at follow-up (odds ratio [OR], 0.59; P=0.0002), to undergo non–protocol-mandated angiography (OR, 0.40; P=0.03), to receive a stent if undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (OR, 0.55; P=0.045), and to have less procedural success after percutaneous coronary intervention (acute gain, 1.40±0.83 versus 1.81±0.92 mm; P=0.004). Nonetheless, an invasive strategy was similarly efficacious in white (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.50 to 0.88) and nonwhite (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.52 to 1.39) patients (Pinteraction=0.52), especially in those with troponin elevation or ST deviation. Conclusions—After adjustment for baseline characteristics, nonwhite patients had a significantly worse prognosis than white patients, regardless of treatment approach. In the absence of protocol guidance, important disparities emerged between the care given the 2 groups. An early invasive strategy is beneficial in and should be considered for all patients, regardless of race.
Biodegradation of diphenyl ether and its monohalogenated derivatives by Sphingomonas sp. strain SS3

The bacterium Sphingomonas sp. strain SS3, which utilizes diphenyl ether and its 4-fluoro, 4-chloro, and (to a considerably lesser extent) 4-bromo derivatives as sole sources of carbon and energy, was enriched from soil samples of an industrial waste deposit. The bacterium showed cometabolic activities toward all other isomeric monohalogenated diphenyl ethers. During diphenyl ether degradation in batch culture experiments, phenol and catechol were produced as intermediates which were then channeled into the 3-oxoadipate pathway. The initial step in the degradation follows the recently discovered mechanism of 1,2-dioxygenation, which yields unstable phenolic hemiacetals from diphenyl ether structures. Oxidation of the structure-related dibenzo-p-dioxin yielded 2-(2-hydroxyphenoxy)-muconate upon ortho cleavage of the intermediate 2,2',3-trihydroxydiphenyl ether. Formation of phenol, catechol, halophenol, and halocatechol from the conversion of monohalogenated diphenyl ethers gives evidence for a nonspecific attack of the dioxygenating enzyme system.
Molecular cloning, sequencing, and expression in Escherichia coli of mouse flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3): comparison with the human isoform.

The sequence of mouse flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) was obtained from several clones isolated from a mouse liver cDNA library. The nucleotide sequence of mouse FMO3 was 2020 bases in length containing 37 bases in the 5' flanking region, 1602 in the coding region, and 381 in the 3' flanking region. The derived protein sequence consisted of 534 amino acids including the putative flavin adenine dinucleotide and NADP+ pyrophosphate binding sites (characteristic of mammalian FMOs) starting at positions 9 and 191, respectively. The mouse FMO3 protein sequence was 79 and 82% identical to the human and rabbit FMO3 sequences, respectively. Mouse FMO3 was expressed in Escherichia coli and compared to E. coli expressed human FMO3. The FMO3 proteins migrated with the same mobility ( approximately 58 kDa) as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. The expressed FMO3 enzymes (mouse and human forms) were sensitive to heat and reacted in a similar manner toward metal ions and detergent. Catalytic activities of mouse and human FMO3 were high toward the substrate methimazole; however, in the presence of trimethylamine and thioacetamide, FMO-dependent methimazole oxidation by both enzymes was reduced by greater than 85%. Other substrates which inhibited methimazole oxidation were thiourea and thiobenzamide and to a lesser degree N,N-dimethylaniline. When probed with mouse FMO3 cDNA, FMO3 transcripts were detected in hepatic mRNA samples from female mice, but not in samples from males. FMO3 was detected in mRNA samples from male and female mouse lung, but FMO3 message was not detected in mouse kidney sample from either gender. Results of immunoblotting confirmed the tissue- and gender-dependent expression of mouse FMO3.
Evidence for a UDP-Glucose Transporter in Golgi Apparatus-Derived Vesicles from Pea and Its Possible Role in Polysaccharide Biosynthesis

The Golgi apparatus in plant cells is involved in hemicellulose and pectin biosynthesis. While it is known that glucan synthase I is responsible for the formation of [beta]-l-4-linked glucose (Glc) polymers and uses UDP-Glc as a substrate, very little is known about the topography of reactions leading to the biosynthesis of polysaccharides in this organelle. We isolated from pea (Pisum sativum) stems a fraction highly enriched in Golgi apparatus-derived vesicles that are sealed and have the same topographical orientation that the membranes have in vivo. Using these vesicles and UDP-Glc, we reconstituted polysaccharide biosynthesis in vitro and found evidence for a luminal location of the active site of glucan synthase I. In addition, we identified a UDP-Glc transport activity, which is likely to be involved in supplying substrate for glucan synthase I. We found that UDP-Glc transport is protein mediated. Moreover, our results suggest that UDP-Glc transport is coupled to the exit of a luminal uridine-containing nucleotide via an antiporter mechanism. We suggest that UDP-Glc is transported into the lumen of Golgi and that Glc is transferred to a polysaccharide chain, whereas the nucleotide moiety leaves the vesicle by an antiporter mechanism.
Variation in the management of pediatric splenic injuries in the United States.

BACKGROUND This study examines the existence and sources of variation in the management of pediatric splenic injuries among hospitals in the United States and the factors associated with splenectomy. METHODS Information on children 15 years of age and younger with a splenic injury diagnosis code was extracted from the Kids' Inpatient Database 2000, a pediatric inpatient database of 2,784 hospitals in 27 states covering 72% of the nation's population for the year 2000. Patient variables included age, sex, race, injury diagnoses, grade of splenic injury, splenic procedure code, and calculated Injury Severity Score. Hospital variables included pediatric status (free-standing, unit and adult), teaching status, annual pediatric splenic trauma volume, and national region. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to predict the factors associated with splenectomy based upon patient and hospital characteristics. RESULTS In all, 2,191 children with splenic injuries were identified; 253 (12%) underwent splenectomy. The crude rate of splenectomy varied significantly among pediatric hospital types: 3% (11/339) at freestanding children's hospitals, 9% (45/525) at unit hospitals and 15% (197/1327) at adult hospitals (p < 0.001). Risk of splenectomy increased with the grade of splenic injury, patient age, and the presence of multiple injuries. Teaching hospitals and hospitals with higher patient volume were associated with lower risk for splenectomy. There was no relationship between splenectomy and gender, race, or national region. Despite adjustment for the above noted hospital and patient-specific variables, children treated at an adult hospital had 2.8 times the odds, and those treated at a unit pediatric hospital 2.6 times the odds, of undergoing splenectomy as those cared for at a free-standing pediatric hospital (p = 0.003 and 0.013, respectively). CONCLUSION Nationally, children cared for at freestanding pediatric hospitals have a significantly lower risk of splenectomy than children treated at either adult hospitals or pediatric hospitals within an adult hospital. This may have implications for education, trauma triage and the establishment of practice guidelines.
The impact of hospice services on the quality of life of primary caregivers.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of hospice services on the quality of life of primary caregivers and to evaluate the validity and reliability of a new tool. DESIGN Exploratory, descriptive. SETTING A nonprofit hospice in Florida; clients are cared for primarily in the home. SAMPLE 68 adult primary caregivers of 68 patients with cancer enrolled in hospice care and 62 noncaregiving adults. METHODS Subjects were recruited on admission to hospice and completed the Caregiver Quality of Life Index (CQLI) and the Hospice Quality of Life Index (HQLI) on admission and during week four of hospice care. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Caregivers' assessment of their own physical, social, financial, and emotional quality of life; patients' assessment of their physical, psychological, spiritual, social, and financial well-being. FINDINGS No significant differences were found in caregiver quality-of-life scores from admission to week four, and no correlations existed between quality-of-life scores and age or education. A significant positive correlation was found between the caregivers' quality of life and their estimate of the patients' quality of life. Evidence exists that the CQLI is valid and reliable. CONCLUSIONS Caregivers of terminally ill people with cancer can maintain their quality of life during the first month of hospice care. The caregiver's perception of the patient's quality of life may affect the caregiver's quality of life. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE When offering support to primary caregivers, the hospice team should include the four domains (physical, emotional, social, and financial) and should focus on the interrelatedness of the patient's and caregiver's quality of life.
Trial of intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone in the treatment of severe systemic-onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE Not uncommonly, some children with systemic-onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) have persistently active disease with joint destruction and profound growth delay despite maximum treatment with known medications. Based on previous observations of improvement in synovitis following intravenous (I.V.) cyclophosphamide (CYC) and methylprednisolone (MP) treatments, a group of children with severe systemic-onset JRA was treated in an attempt to control active synovitis and to allow tapering of corticosteroids. METHODS Four patients with systemic-onset JRA were continued on a daily regimen of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents and prednisone, with a weekly subcutaneous dose of methotrexate (1 mg/kg). In addition, 1 patient continued receiving sulfasalazine and 1 patient remained on a regimen of sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine. Patients received 6-10 monthly treatments of I.V. CYC (500-1,000 mg/m2) and MP (30 mg/kg; 1 gm maximum) accompanied by I.V. mesna and large amounts of I.V. fluids. Subsequent treatments were given once every 2-3 months. RESULTS After 12-20 I.V. pulses of CYC, all patients showed improvement, and 3 achieved remission of disease. All were able to discontinue corticosteroid use and all had an increase in linear growth. CONCLUSION Monthly I.V. pulse CYC treatments can be useful to control disease in selected children with severe, destructive JRA.