Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Up‐regulation of the chemo‐attractive receptor ChemR23 and occurrence of apoptosis in human chondrocytes isolated from fractured calcaneal osteochondral fragments

To study the expression level of a panel of pro/anti‐apoptotic factors and inflammation‐related receptors in chondral fragments from patients undergoing surgical treatment for intra‐articular calcaneal fractures, cartilage fragments were retrieved from calcaneal fractures of 20 patients subjected to surgical treatment. Primary cultures were performed using chondral fragments from fractured and control patients. Chondrocyte cultures from each patient of the fractured and control groups were subjected to immunofluorescence staining and quantitatively analyzed under confocal microscopy. Proteins extracted from the cultured chondrocytes taken from the fractured and control groups were processed for Western blot experiments and densitometric analysis. The percentage of apoptotic cells was determined using the cleaved PARP‐1 antibody. The proportion of labelled cells was 35% for fractured specimens, compared with 7% for control samples. Quantification of caspase‐3 active and Bcl‐2 proteins in chondrocyte cultures showed a significant increase of the apoptotic process in fractured specimens compared with control ones. Fractured chondrocytes were positively stained for ChemR23 with statistically significant differences with respect to control samples. Densitometric evaluation of the immunoreactive bands confirmed these observations. Human articular chondrocytes obtained from patients with intra‐articular calcaneal fractures express higher levels of pivotal pro‐apoptotic factors, and of the chemo‐attractive receptor ChemR23, compared with control cultures. On the basis of these observations, the authors hypothesize that consistent prolonged chondrocyte death, associated with the persistence of high levels of pro‐inflammatory factors, could enhance the deterioration of cartilage tissue with consequent development of post‐traumatic arthritis following intra‐articular bone fracture.
Does weak contract enforcement affect firm size? Evidence from the neighbour’s court

Poor contract enforcement can importantly affect firms’ incentives to grow. We investigate the causal effect of the weakness of contract enforcement on average firm size across Italian municipalities, exploiting spatial discontinuities in court jurisdictions for identification. Italy provides an ideal environment for this exercise, as it displays wide variation in judicial efficiency across courts, while the allocation of municipalities to jurisdictions is a historical legacy and does not overlap with other political or economic discontinuities. Our estimates indicate that reducing the length of judicial proceedings (i.e. improving contract enforceability) by 10% at court level leads to a 2% increase in average size of local firms. The outcome on turnover growth is of the same magnitude, suggesting that the effect operates at the intensive margin.
Taxol produces a predominantly sensory neuropathy

Taxol, a plant alkaloid with promise as an antineoplastic agent, produced a predominantly sensory neuropathy in 16 of 60 patients treated in two phase I trials. This neuropathy occurred only at taxol doses greater than 200 mg/m2. Symptoms typically started 1 to 3 days following treatment, beginning in the hands and feet simultaneously in most patients. Electrophysiologic data suggests both axonal degeneration and demyelination. This previously undefined neurotoxic neuropathy most likely results from taxol's unique ability to produce microtubule aggregation in dorsal root ganglion cells, axons, and Schwann cells.
Seizure Frequency and Cortisol and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEAS) Levels in Women with Epilepsy Receiving Antiepileptic Drug Treatment

Summary: Purpose: Hormonal changes occur in epilepsy because of seizures themselves and of antiepileptic drug (AED) effects on steroid production, binding, and metabolism. Conversely, steroids may influence neuron activity and excitability by acting as neuroactive steroids. This cross‐sectional observational study aimed to evaluating cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels in female epilepsy patients with different disease severity, as assessed by a seizure frequency score (SFS).
Subtyping Study of a Pathological Gamblers Sample

Objective: To classify into subgroups a sample of pathological gambling (PG) patients according to personality variables and to describe the subgroups at a clinical level. Method: PG patients (n = 1171) were assessed with the South Oaks Gambling Screen; the Temperament and Character Inventory—Revised; the Symptom Checklist-90—Revised; Eysenck's Impulsivity Scales, a diagnostic questionnaire for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) PG criteria; and the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV, Axis I disorders, substance use module. Clinical measures were collected through a semi-structured interview. We performed a 2-step cluster analysis based on the above-mentioned personality variables. Clinical data were compared across clusters. Results: Four clusters were generated. Type I (disorganized and emotionally unstable) showed schizotypic traits, high impulsiveness, substance and alcohol abuse, and early age of onset, as well as psychopathological disturbances. Type II (schizoid) showed high harm avoidance, social aloofness, and alcohol abuse. Type III (reward sensitive) showed high sensation seeking and impulsiveness but no psychopathological impairments. Type IV (high-functioning) showed a globally adaptive personality profile, low level of substance and alcohol abuse or smoking, and no psychopathological disturbances. Conclusions: At least 4 types of PG patients may be identified. Two types showed a response modulation deficit, but only one of them had severe psychopathological disturbances. Two other types showed no impulsiveness or sensation seeking and one of them even exhibited good general functioning. The different personality and clinical configuration of these clusters might be linked to different therapeutic approaches.
Two-Stage Crestal Sinus Elevation by Sequential Drills in Less Than 4 mm of Residual Ridge Height: A Clinical and Histologic Case Report

Purpose:The aim of this work, the first human histologic case report of this technique, was a clinical and histologic evaluation of implant placed in a severely atrophic maxilla using a 2-stage crestal sinus elevation. Case Presentation:A 52-year-old woman required rehabilitation of an atrophic maxilla with a fixed implant-supported prosthesis. At the first surgery, a crestal sinus lift was performed using beta-tricalcium phosphate (&bgr;-TCP), as radiographic tracer, and mineralized human bone allograft (MHBA) as grafting material. After 6 months, a bone core biopsy was taken, and 2 implants were placed in the augmented sites. Four months later, implants were exposed, and 2 splinted gold-porcelain crowns were delivered. Histology highlighted basal bone disappearance, replaced by a wide composite network (∼50% vol/vol) of MHBA granules connected by newly formed bone, and osteoblastic activities. Conclusion:This case report demonstrates the possibility of executing a staged transcrestal sinus lift in atrophic situations. MHBA evidenced usefulness in maintaining bone volume. Histologic analyses confirmed the sound outcome of the graft augmentation. Additional studies would be beneficial to confirm or refute the reliability of this technique.
LABA/LAMA combinations instead of LABA/ICS combinations may prevent or delay exacerbations of COPD in some patients

Commentary on: Wedzicha JA, Banerji D, Chapman KR, et al. Indacaterol-glycopyrronium versus salmeterol-fluticasone for COPD. N Engl J Med 2016;374:2222–34[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3]. A substantial body of evidence shows that inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) reduce the risk of exacerbations by 10–20% beyond that achieved by inhaled long-acting β2-adrenergic agonist (LABA) and also reduce progression of lung function loss, improving health-related quality of life.1 However, drawbacks of ICSs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (increased risk of pneumonia, osteoporosis, hyperglycaemia in patients with diabetes, cataracts, skin bruising and glaucoma) are the reason why all COPD guidelines recommend ICSs only for patients with severe impairment and high risk of exacerbations.1 Nonetheless, ICSs are still overprescribed worldwide.2 A randomised, double-blind, double dummy, non-inferiority trial lasting 52 weeks enrolled 3362 patients suffering from COPD with … [1]: {openurl}? query=rft.jtitle%253DN%2BEngl%2BJ%2BMed%26rft.volume%253D374%26rft.spage%253D2222%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1056%252FNEJMoa1516385%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F27181606%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref? access_num=10.1056/NEJMoa1516385&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref? access_num=27181606&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F21%2F6%2F222.atom
[The value of physical therapy with VRP 1-Desitin ("Flutter")].

UNLABELLED Preliminary examinations with an innovative device for physiotherapy, VRP 1-Desitin ("Flutter"), in patients suffering from chronic mucus retention and bronchial collapse gave encouraging results. Therefore, we tried to confirm these findings and to evaluate the use of this new physiotherapy. It is based on oscillations of air in the respiratory tract during expiration (rate about 2 to 32 Hertz) diminishing adhesiveness of bronchial mucus and bronchial collapse. Pressure and flow changing depend on the position of mouth-piece and effort of breathing. In order to establish the efficiency of the VRP 1 a comparing investigation was initiated. 20 patients with cystic fibrosis, aged 7 to 28 years, performed physiotherapy with VRP 1 and autogenic drainage (AD), respectively, in a randomized order one after another, each physiotherapy taking twenty minutes. The expectorated sputum was weighed by means of a precision balance. Mean values during VRP 1 treatment were 5.0 g (range 0 to 12.0 g), during AD 4.8 g (range 0 to 11.7 g). There was no statistical difference (p < 0.05). The results were not influenced by the order of physiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS VRP 1 physiotherapy is as effective as AD with respect to sputum elimination. In opposite to other methods not requiring a helping person it is simple to teach and to learn. It may be performed by young children (> or = 3 years) and adults, also in combination with inhalation. Thus, VRP 1 appears to be a real enrichment in physiotherapy.
Effect of collagen type I or type II on chondrogenesis by cultured human articular chondrocytes.

INTRODUCTION Current cartilage repair procedures using autologous chondrocytes rely on a variety of carriers for implantation. Collagen types I and II are frequently used and valuable properties of both were shown earlier in vitro, although a preference for either was not demonstrated. Recently, however, fibrillar collagens were shown to promote cartilage degradation. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of collagen type I and type II coating on chondrogenic properties of in vitro cultured human chondrocytes, and to investigate if collagen-mediated cartilage degradation occurs. METHODS Human chondrocytes of eight healthy cartilage donors were isolated, expanded, and cultured on culture well inserts coated with either collagen type I, type II, or no coating (control). After 28 days of redifferentiation culture, safranin O and immunohistochemical staining for collagen types I, II, X, and Runx2/Cbfa1 were performed and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and DNA content and release were examined. Further, expression of collagen type I, type II, type X, MMP13, Runx2/Cbfa1, DDR2, α2 and β1 integrin were examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS The matrix, created by chondrocytes grown on collagen type I- and II-coated membranes, resembled cartilage more than when grown on noncoated membranes as reflected by histological scoring. Immunohistochemical staining did not differ between the conditions. GAG content as well as GAG/DNA were higher for collagen type II-coated cartilage constructs than control. GAG release was also higher on collagen type I- and II-coated constructs. Expression of collagen type X was higher of chondrocytes grown on collagen type II compared to controls, but no collagen X protein could be demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. No effects of collagen coating on DDR2 nor MMP-13 gene expression were found. No differences were observed between collagen types I and II. CONCLUSION Chondrocyte culture on collagen type I or II promotes more active matrix production and turnover. No significant differences between collagen types I and II were observed, nor were hypertrophic changes more evident in either condition. The use of collagen type I or II coating for in vitro models, thus, seems a sound basis for in vivo repair procedures.
Self-Reported Adherence to Treatment and Quality of Life in Mild to Moderate Acne

Background: Adherence to treatment is a mayor issue in dermatology, and its relationship to quality of life has barely been studied. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between scores on the Skindex-29 skin disease assessment scale and adherence to treatment in patients with acne. Methods: An observational, prospective study of 1,628 patients carried out by 252 clinicians in Spain. Results: Adherence was related to better objective and subjective severity index scores and better Skindex-29 scale scores at the end of the study. Young, male and unemployed patients had the worst adherence scores. Baseline and final Skindex-29 scale scores were significantly worse in non-adherent females, while non-adherent males scored better. Reasons for non-adherence were side effects for older patients and forgetfulness for younger ones. Conclusion: Dermatologists should explain that adherence to treatment is linked to better outcomes and better quality of life. Young females with high Skindex-29 scale scores and males with low Skindex scores are especially prone to non-adherence.
Identifying terms of trade shocks in a developing country using a sign restrictions approach

ABSTRACT Using annual data for Botswana from 1960 to 2012, we examine the responses of macroeconomic variables to four generalized positive terms of trade shocks – global demand, globalizing, sector-specific and global supply. A sign-restricted structural vector autoregression model with a penalty function is estimated to identify the four possible shocks. While positive global demand and globalization shocks are both expansionary, they have opposite effects on inflation. A positive commodity market specific shock dampens real GDP growth and is inflationary, suggesting a possible Dutch disease response. A negative global supply shock suppresses both output growth and inflation. All but the last shock leads to a significant declining interest rate. Monetary policy contraction is recommended for the first shock and expansion for the others.
Reducing Large Net Foreign Liabilities

In light of persistently large net foreign liability (NFL) positions in several euro area countries, we analyze 138 episodes of sizeable NFL reductions for a broad sample of advanced and emerging economies. We provide stylized facts on the channels through which NFLs were reduced and estimate factors that make episodes “stable”, that is, sustained over the medium term. Our findings show that while GDP growth and valuation effects contribute most to NFL reductions overall, stable reduction episodes also require positive transaction effects (i.e., current account surpluses), in particular in advanced economies. Considering the different components of a country's external balance sheet, we observe that reduction episodes were almost exclusively driven by a decline in gross external liabilities in emerging economies, while in advanced economies also gross external asset accumulation contributed significantly, in particular in stable episodes. Our econometric analysis shows that NFL reductions are more likely to be sustained if a country records strong average real GDP growth during an episode and exits the episode with a larger current account surplus that consists of a combination of relatively high exports, low imports and low net factor income payments. Moreover, we find evidence that nominal effective exchange rate depreciation during an episode is helpful for achieving episode stability in the short run, while IMF programs and sovereign debt restructurings also contribute to longer term stability.
Analysis of the Seasonal Patterns in Aggregate Directors

This paper examins the seasonal patterns in aggregate insider trading transactions, specifically, do insiders prefer to trade on any particular day of the week or month of the year? It also, given that such seasonal patterns exist, attempts to relate these patterns to explanations drawn from the literature on calendar anomalies in returns (and volumes). The results outlined from this paper includes: There is a day of the week anomaly in aggregate insider activities (as measured by number and value of insider transactions). Particularly, relative to other days, insiders tend to trade more on Fridays and less on Tuesdays. Also, the distribution of the average value of directors‟ trades (buys and sells) across the week days forms a U shape i.e. high trading value on the beginning of the week (Monday) and the end of the week (Friday). Also, there is a month of the year anomaly in aggregate insider activities (as measured by the number of insider transactions). Insiders tend to trade most frequently in March and least in August. The results of OLS Regression Model indicate that there is no monthly anomaly in aggregate insider selling activities as measured by the aggregate value of insider transactions. The results of TOBIT Regression Model show that the average value of directors‟ selling activities in March is higher and significantly different relative to other months of the year. The results of OLS regression are also confirmed by the results of K-W statistic test which supported the non existence of monthly anomaly in aggregate director trading (measured by the value of director transactions).
IFN‐α subtypes: distinct biological activities in anti‐viral therapy

During most viral infections, the immediate host response is characterized by an induction of type I IFN. These cytokines have various biological activities, including anti‐viral, anti‐proliferative and immunomodulatory effects. After induction, they bind to their IFN‐α/β receptor, which leads to downstream signalling resulting in the expression of numerous different IFN‐stimulated genes. These genes encode anti‐viral proteins that directly inhibit viral replication as well as modulate immune function. Thus, the induction of type I IFN is a very powerful tool for the host to fight virus infections. Many viruses evade this response by various strategies like the direct suppression of IFN induction or inhibition of the IFN signalling pathway. Therefore, the therapeutic application of exogenous type I IFN or molecules that induce strong IFN responses should be of great potential for future immunotherapies against viral infections. Type I IFN is currently used as a treatment in chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection, but as yet is not widely utilized for other viral infections. One reason for this restricted clinical use is that type I IFN belongs to a multigene family that includes 13 different IFN‐α subtypes and IFN‐β, whose individual anti‐viral and immunomodulatory properties have so far not been investigated in detail to improve IFN therapy against viral infections in humans. In this review, we summarize the recent achievements in defining the distinct biological functions of type I IFN subtypes in cell culture and in animal models of viral infection as well as their clinical usage in chronic hepatitis virus infections.
Results of a Phase II Trial of Brentuximab Vedotin for CD30+ Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma and Lymphomatoid Papulosis.

PURPOSE Brentuximab vedotin, a monoclonal antibody (cAC10) conjugated to monomethyl auristatin E, targets CD30(+) receptors. This phase II open-label trial was conducted to evaluate safety and efficacy in CD30(+) cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-eight patients with CD30(+) lymphoproliferative disorders or mycosis fungoides (MF) received an infusion of 1.8 mg/kg every 21 days. RESULTS Forty-eight evaluable patients (22 women and 26 men; median age, 59.5 years) had an overall response rate of 73% (95% CI, 60% to 86%; 35 of 48 patients) and complete response rate of 35% (95% CI, 22% to 49%; 17 of 48 patients). Fifteen (54%; 95% CI, 31% to 59%) of 28 patients with MF responded, independent of CD30 expression. In patients with MF/Sézary syndrome, the overall response rate was 50% (five of 10 patients) in patients with low CD30 expression (< 10%), 58% (seven of 12 patients) in patients with medium expression (10% to 50%), and 50% (three of six patients) in patients with high expression (≥ 50%). Time to response was 12 weeks (range, 3 to 39 weeks), and duration of response was 32 weeks (range, 3 to 93 weeks). All patients with lymphomatoid papulosis (n = 9) and primary cutaneous anaplastic T-cell lymphomas (n = 2) responded; time to response was 3 weeks (range, 3 to 9 weeks), and median duration of response was 26 weeks (range, 6 to 44 weeks). Soluble baseline CD30 levels were lowest in complete responders (P = .036). Grade 1 to 2 peripheral neuropathy was observed in 65% of patients (95% CI, 52% to 79%; 31 of 48 patients), is still ongoing in 55% of patients (95% CI, 41% to 69%; 17 of 31 patients), and resolved in 45% of patients (95% CI, 31% to 59%; 14 of 31 patients), with a median time to resolution of 41.5 weeks. Grade 3 to 4 events were neutropenia (n = 5), nausea (n = 2), chest pain (n = 2), deep vein thrombosis (n = 1), transaminitis (n = 1), and dehydration (n = 1). Dose reductions to 1.2 mg/kg were instituted as a result of grade 2 neuropathy (n = 6), transaminitis (n = 1), and arthralgias and fatigue (n = 2). CONCLUSION Brentuximab vedotin is both active and well tolerated in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and lymphomatoid papulosis, with an overall response rate of 73% and complete response rate of 35%.
Knowledge sourcing from advanced markets subsidiaries: Political embeddedness and reverse knowledge transfer barriers in emerging-market multinationals

This article focuses on emerging-market multinationals and their intent to source knowledge from advanced countries. A single in-depth case study of a Chinese state-owned multinational is used to shed light on the relationship between political embeddedness and the potential to reverse knowledge transfer from advanced market subsidiaries. Specifically, we argue that a strong home-country political embeddedness enhances specific organizational barriers to reverse knowledge transfer, which undermines the strategic intent of knowledge-seeking internationalization, common to much Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by emerging-market multinationals in recent years. This article contributes to research on knowledge sourcing within the context of south-north FDI by highlighting specific effects of political embeddedness at organizational level, which are critical for the possibilities to reverse knowledge transfer; our study is also relevant to international business, as new empirical insights related to the international organization and management of state-owned multinationals are discussed.