Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Studies of the clinical and metabolic effects of phlebotomy treatment in porphyria cutanea tarda.

The size of the iron stores and the effect of phlebotomy treatment has been evaluated in twelve patients with porphyria cutanea tarda. Clinical and biochemical remission was obtained in all patients. The mean treatment period was 4½ months in patients who were phlebotomized frequently and were not given iron. In two patients who received iron supplements in conjunction with phlebotomy treatment remission was not obtained until the iron administration was stopped. In two other patients iron administration after induced remission was associated with relapses. No relapse was seen in the others. The effect of the treatment is probably due mainly to the reduction of the iron stores. Beside the disappearance of active skin symptoms and strongly diminished porphyrin excretion, the treatment was associated with improved liver function tests.
The Effects of Behavioral Modification Based on Client Center Program to Health Behaviors among Obese University Students

The objectives of this research were to examine the effectiveness of Health Behavioral Modification based on the Client Center Program (HBMCCP) and to study behavioral change in relation to self – efficacy, self- regulation, self-care behaviors and body weight. The sample was 59 undergraduate students, who were selected by cluster random sampling. 29 participated in the HBMCCP for 8 weeks, and were followed up 4 weeks after the program, and 30 students in the control group. Data was collected 3 times, before, immediately after and 4 weeks after the program, by 6 scale – questionnaires which had high reliability of Cronbach’s alpha-coefficient between . 81 to . 94. The stratified variables were psycho-social variables, being a positive attitude towards health behavior and social support. Data were analyzed by MANOVA and ANCOVA. Results showed that 1) Obese students in the experimental group with HBMCCP had self – efficacy, self- regulation and self-care behavior at immediately after and 4 weeks later program significantly higher scores than before the program (p<0.000). For body weights at immediately after program were significantly lower scores than before the program (p=0.02), 2) Obese students in the program had self – efficacy, self- regulation and self-care behavior scores at immediately after and 4 weeks after the program significantly higher than obese students in the control group (p=0.009) and significantly lower body weights than obese students in the control group (p=0.026), and 3) No three - way interaction among positive attitude towards health behavior, social support and the program was found, although there was a two-way interaction between positive attitude towards health behavior and the program (p=0.001) and effect size=0.272.
Agency Conflicts Over the Short and Long Run: Short-Termism, Long-Termism, and Pay-for-Luck

We develop a dynamic agency model in which the agent controls current earnings via short-term effort and firm growth via long-term effort and the firm is subject to both short- and long-run shocks. Under the optimal contract, agency conflicts can induce both over- and underinvestment in short- and long-term efforts compared to first best, leading to short- or long-termism in corporate policies. Exposure to long-run shocks introduces pay-for-luck in incentive compensation but only after sufficiently good performance due to incentive compatibility, thereby rationalizing the asymmetric benchmarking observed in the data. Correlated short- and long-run shocks to earnings and firm size lead to externalities in incentive provision over different time horizons.
Reproducibility of atopy patch tests with Dermatophagoides: a study on 85 patients with atopic dermatitis

Atopy patch tests (APTs) are considered a useful addition to standard testing procedures for the identification of allergens triggering the appearance of eczema in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim of the study was to evaluate the reproducibility of APTs with house dust mites by simultaneously patch testing AD patients. 85 subjects affected by AD, 36 males and 48 females, aged from 1 to 52 years, were patch tested with Dermatophagoides mix (D. pteron/D. farinae) 20% pet. In our patients, the percentage of agreement between the frequency of positive and negative responses to Dermatophagoides mix was 96.7%. Reproducibility was highly satisfactory, as evaluated by k‐value (0.953). As regards the agreement in the intensity of APT responses to Dermatophagoides mix between the right and left sides, we found that reproducibility was also highly satisfactory (k = 0.851). In conclusion, for Dermatophagoides APTs, the agreement rate was similar to that of standard patch tests, and therefore APTs may be considered sufficiently reproducible to be employed as a diagnostic testing procedure.
SYSTEMIC KETOCONAZOLE IN THE TREATMENT OF TINEA VERSICOLOR

Ketoconazole, an imidazole derivative, is an orally administered antifungal agent reported since 1980 to be effective against tinea versicolor. '"'' Tinea versicolor caused by the most superficial fungus, Pityrosporon orbicularis or Pityrosporon ovale, is one of the commonest skin problems in tropical and temperate climates and during warmer months. '-' Due to frequent relapse or reinfection and the lesions usually covering a large area of the body surface, it is very difficult to eradicate this disease by topical antifungal agents. Failure to achieve an appreciable response to topical agents and because of frequent relapse of tinea versicolor led the investigators to find an effective systemic antifungal agent. Ketoconazole has been reported to be useful in this regard. ^~'" The dose of ketoconazole in the treatment of tinea versicolor varies greatly from author to author. We wanted to evaluate the efficacy of ketoconazole in tbree dosage regimens. The following paper will give the main points of the study.
Spectroscopy and defect states in polyaniline.

We report the far-infrared through visible photoinduced absorption (PA) spectra of polyaniline in the emeraldine-base and leucoemeraldine-base forms. The direct-absorption spectrum of emeraldine base (EB) has a broad absorption centered at 2 eV (the "exciton" band) and an absorption band at -3.6 eV (the m.-~* band gap). The PA spectra of EB for pumping into the "exciton" band and across the band gap are nearly identical, indicating the same types of charged defect states are created upon photoexcitation. The direct absorption spectrum of leucoemeraldine base (LB) shows only the ~-m* band-gap absorption at -3.6 eV. For pumping into this absorption band, the PA spectrum of LB is very similar to that of EB, although important differences result from the lack of quinoid structures in this material. Based on our results, we propose a model for the photocreation of defect states in leucoemeraldine base and emeraldine base. The central roles of phenyl-ring rotations and of massive polarons are discussed.
Identification of the Anti-proliferative Protein Tob as a MAPK Substrate*

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) regulate a wide variety of cellular functions by phosphorylating their specific substrates. Here we have identified Tob as a novel substrate of MAPK. Tob, a member of the Tob and B-cell translocation gene anti-proliferative protein family, is shown to negatively regulate the proliferation of osteoblasts and T cells. In this study, our two-hybrid screening has identified Tob as an ERK2-interacting protein. Biochemical analyses have then shown that ERK MAPK (ERK2) and JNK/SAPK (JNK2) bind to and phosphorylate Tob in vitro. ERK catalyzes the phosphorylation more efficiently than JNK. When the ERK pathway is activated in cells, phosphorylation of Tob is induced. An ERK-binding or -docking site locates in the N-terminal portion of Tob, and phosphorylation sites reside in the C-terminal stretch region. The docking is crucial for efficient phosphorylation. Mutant forms of Tob, in which serines are replaced by glutamic acids to mimic phosphorylation, show a much reduced ability to inhibit the cell cycle progression to S phase from G0/G1 phase, as compared with wild-type Tob, indicating that ERK phosphorylation negatively regulates the anti-proliferative function of Tob.
Structural Analysis of Human Rib Fracture and Implications for Forensic Interpretation *

Abstract: Patterns of rib fractures are of significant clinical and forensic interest. Linking patterns of rib fracture with specific physical events provides a foundation for understanding the nature of traumatic events that are associated with rib fracture in forensic contexts. In this study, isolated human ribs (n = 8) were end‐loaded to failure to investigate: (i) local deformations (bone strain) prior to and during structural failure, (ii) location of ultimate failure, and (iii) fracture mode. Structural properties of ribs were used to calculate theoretical stresses to determine whether such calculations could be used to predict site of fracture. Ribs fractured on the sternal side of midshaft in all experiments, but mode of failure varied with transverse, buckle, spiral, and “butterfly” fractures observed. Comparison of calculated stress with observed strain values suggest that experimental, rather than theoretical, approaches will be most productive in furthering understanding rib fracture in forensic contexts.
Insights into the ethnic differences in serum ferritin between black and white US adult men

Although higher serum ferritin (SF) concentrations have been consistently observed among blacks, despite their lower hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations compared with whites, few studies attempted to explain this SF difference. To determine the possible factors contributing to the observed SF difference between blacks and whites, 1,938 non‐Hispanic white (NHW) and 1,616 non‐Hispanic black (NHB) male subjects, aged 20–65 years were selected from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the contribution of dietary, biochemical, and socioeconomic variables to the observed SF difference between the two groups. NHB subjects showed a continuing, significantly higher SF concentration compared with NHW subjects at each age group. Age, serum total protein, mean cell volume (MCV), and γ glutamyl transferase (GGT) were positively associated with SF, whereas percent energy from carbohydrate and fat, calcium intake, serum α‐carotene, and iron binding capacity (TIBC) were inversely associated with SF (P < 0.01). After excluding subjects with abnormal serum total protein, TIBC and GGT levels from the analysis (the final regression model), the SF difference dropped to 3.95 μg/l (initial difference = 37.1 μg/l) between NHWs and NHBs. The results suggest that the oft‐noted black‐white SF difference is a result of factors including overall nutrition and health, iron status, and hepatic well‐being. Higher SF, low Hb, and reduced TIBC level observed in blacks are consistent with the definition of anemia of chronic disease (ACD). Future investigations are needed to confirm the role of ACD in the black–white SF difference. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Yo-yo dieting in African American women: weight cycling and health.

OBJECTIVE Research on the effects of weight cycling on health is mixed, strife with inconsistent definitions and the exclusion of African Americans. This study examined weight cycling prevalence among African American women prior to enrolling in a weight management program. Associations of weight cycling with physical and psychological health were conducted. DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis. SETTING Community-based weight-management program. PARTICIPANTS 167 overweight or obese treatment-seeking African American women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Weight cycling was examined in relation to physiological factors, including eating pathology, mood, self esteem, and physical health, specifically current weight, ideal weight, peak weight, and blood pressure. RESULTS Weight cycling was prevalent (63%). Cyclers had higher current and peak weights (P<.01). Blood pressure did not differ between groups. Cyclers had higher drive for thinness, less body satisfaction, and less self-esteem for appearance (P<.05). CONCLUSION African American women are at risk for weight cycling and it may be associated with greater weight and poorer measures of psychological health.
Carleson Measures and Reproducing Kernel Thesis in Dirichlet-type spaces

In this paper, using a generalization of a Richter and Sundberg representation theorem, we give a new characterization of Carleson measures for the Dirichlet-type space $\mathcal D(\mu)$ when $\mu$ is a finite sum of point masses. A reproducing kernel thesis result is also established in this case.
Percutaneous Treatment of Cervical Disk Hernias Using Gelified Ethanol

SUMMARY: This study investigates the efficacy of chemonucleolysis using RGE in the treatment of cervical disk hernias in a small sample of patients who had cervical diskogenic or radicular pain secondary to disk herniations. Results were satisfactory in 89.5% patients, with no adverse events recorded during the procedure or after. The use of RGE shows promising results and might be a feasible and safe alternative in the treatment of cervical disk hernias.
Characterization and function of Ca 2 1-activated K 1 channels in arteriolar muscle cells

Jackson, William F. , and Kevin L. Blair. Characterization and function of Ca21-activated K1 channels in arteriolar muscle cells. Am. J. Physiol. 274 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 43): H27–H34, 1998. —We examined the functional role of largeconductance Ca21-activated K1 (KCa) channels in the hamster cremasteric microcirculation by intravital videomicroscopy and characterized the single-channel properties of these channels in inside-out patches of membrane from enzymatically isolated cremasteric arteriolar muscle cells. In secondorder (39 6 1 μm, n 5 8) and third-order (19 6 2 μm, n 5 8) cremasteric arterioles with substantial resting tone, superfusion with the KCa channel antagonists tetraethylammonium (TEA, 1 mM) or iberiotoxin (IBTX, 100 nM) had no significant effect on resting diameters (P . 0.05). However, TEA potentiated O2-induced arteriolar constriction in vivo, and IBTX enhanced norepinephrine-induced contraction of cremasteric arteriolar muscle cells in vitro. Patch-clamp studies revealed unitary K1-selective and IBTX-sensitive currents with a single-channel conductance of 240 6 2 pS between 260 and 60 mV (n 5 7 patches) in a symmetrical 140 mM K1 gradient. The free Ca21 concentration ([Ca21]) for half-maximal channel activation was 44 6 3, 20 6 1, 6 6 0.4, and 3 6 0.5 μM at membrane potentials of 260, 230, 130, and 160 mV, respectively (n 5 5), with a Hill coefficient of 1.9 6 0.2. Channel activity increased e-fold for a 16 6 1 mV (n 5 6) depolarization. The plot of log[Ca21] vs. voltage for half-maximal activation (V‰) was linear (r2 5 0.9843, n 5 6); the change in V‰ for a 10-fold change in [Ca21] was 84 6 5 mV, and the [Ca21] for half-maximal activation at 0 mV (Ca0; the Ca21 set point) was 9 μM. Thus, in vivo, KCa channels are silent in cremasteric arterioles at rest but can be recruited during vasoconstriction. We propose that the high Ca0 is responsible for the apparent lack of activity of these channels in resting cremasteric arterioles, and we suggest that this may result from expression of unique KCa channels in the microcirculation.
Temporal aspects of the action of ASA404 (vadimezan; DMXAA)

Importance of the field: Tumor vascular disrupting agents (tumor VDAs) act by selective induction of tumor vascular failure. While their action is distinct from that of antiangiogenic agents, their clinical potential is likely to reside in improving the efficacy of combination therapy. Areas covered in this review: This review describes the preclinical development, clinical trial and mode of action of ASA404, a flavonoid class tumor VDA. This class has a unique dual action, simultaneously disrupting vascular endothelial function and stimulating innate tumor immunity. This review covers the early development of ASA404, through to Phase III trial. What the reader will gain: The reader will gain insight into the sequence of ASA404-induced changes in tumor tissue. Early events include increased vascular permeability, increased endothelial apoptosis and decreased blood flow, while later effects include the induction of serotonin, tumor necrosis factor, other cytokines and chemokines, and nitric oxide. This cascade of events induces sustained reduction of tumor blood flow, induction of tumor hypoxia and increased inflammatory responses. The reader will also gain an appreciation of how the potentiation of radiation and chemotherapeutic effects by ASA404 in murine tumors shaped the development of combination clinical trials. Take home message: Although there are species differences in ASA404 activity, many features of its action in mice translate to human studies. The future of ASA404 as an effective clinical agent will rely on the development of an appreciation of its ability to optimize the complex interaction between tumor vasculature and tumor immunity during therapy.
Calcium influx into equine and bovine spermatozoa during in vitro capacitation

Flow cytometry was utilized to measure the influx of calcium into fresh and frozen-thawed equine and bovine spermatozoa that had been treated with either dilauroyl-phosphatidylcholine ( PC-12) or the calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187) to initiate sperm capacitation. Sperm suspensions were stained with the fluorescent calcium indicator, Fluo-3, to measure intracellular calcium concentrations and with propidium iodide (PI) to evaluate sperm viability. After staining, sperm were incubated at 37C in a Hepes buffered salt medium (BGM3,control) with either PC-12 or A23187 and analyzed just prior to (time 0) and 1, 5, 15 and 30 min after addition of capacitating agents. When fresh stallion sperm were treated with either BGM3 (control) or PC-12 neither the percentages of viable sperm or the percentages of sperm with increased levels of intracellular calcium, changed during the incubation period. However, when fresh stallion sperm were treated with A23187, within 15 min of incubation, the percentages of sperm exhibiting high levels of intracellular calcium increased. Treatment of frozen-thawed stallion sperm with A23187 induced an immediate increase in intracellular calcium, while the percentages of control and PC-12 treated sperm having elevated intracellular calcium levels increased after 5 min of incubation. A23187 induced an immediate calcium uptake into both fresh and frozen-thawed bull sperm, while control sperm and sperm treated with PC-12 increased intracellular Ca levels only after 15 min of incubation. These results indicate that cryopreservation alters the plasma membranes sperm permitting a rapid influx of calcium into the sperm, which was not observed in fresh sperm. In addition, calcium ionophore A23187 induces a rapid influx of calcium into both stallion and bull spermatozoa.
Effect of Exercise and Exogenous Glucocorticoid on Serum Level of Intact Parathyroid Hormone

Most previous studies suggest that physical exercise, or physiological response to exercise such as cortisol and adrenaline secretion regulate parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion in humans. To investigate the effects and possible interaction of exercise and excessive glucocorticoid on PTH secretion, we examined the serum of levels of intact-PTH, cortisol, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), calcium, magnesium and phosphorus before and during one-hour of bicycle-ergometric exercise at 60% of maximal oxygen uptake. These exercise tests were performed on eight Chinese male volunteers aged between 20 and 25 years, once with and once without pretreatment with 0.5 mg of dexamethasone taken orally 9.5 hours in advance. The results showed that dexamethasone pretreatment significantly lowered basal levels of cortisol and ACTH, but intact PTH did not change. After 60 minutes of bicycling, intact PTH level increases by 50% of baseline both with and without dexamethasone pretreatment. Serum levels of calcium, corrected for changes in serum albumin concentration, phosphorus and magnesium also increased in both cases. This study demonstrated an increase of intact-PTH with exercise which was not associated with hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia, and was not altered in the presence of mild exogenous glucocorticoid excess and suppressed endogenous cortisol secretion.
Distinguishing Usage and Disclosure Intentions in Privacy Research: How our two Selves Bring about differences in the effects of Benefits and Risks

Two different conceptualizations of behavioral intentions are oftentimes interchangeably used as dependent variables in privacy research: Intentions to disclose personal information to an information system (IS) and intentions to use an IS (and thereby disclose information). However, the assumption that those two conceptualizations are indeed interchangeable has not been tested yet and, if rebutted, imposes limitations when comparing and integrating results of studies using either of them. By transferring the multiple selves problem to IS privacy research, we develop theoretical arguments and provide empirical evidence that those two intentions are a) conceptually different and b) formed in different cognitive processes. A vignette-based factorial survey with 143 participants is used to show, that while risk perceptions have more impact on disclosure intentions than on usage intentions, the opposite holds for hedonic benefits.
Associative and Implicit Memory Performance as a Function of Cognitive Reserve in Elderly Adults with and without Mild Cognitive Impairment

Abstract This study aims to analyze implicit and explicit memory performance as a function of cognitive reserve (CR) in a healthy control group (N = 39) and a mild cognitive impairment (MCI) group (N = 37). Both groups were subdivided into high and low cognitive reserve, and were asked to complete an explicit and implicit associative recognition tasks. The results showed that the control group was able to learn both tasks (η2 = .19, p < .0001), and the high CR group fared better (η2 = .06, p < .05). The MCI sample, conversely, was unable to learn the implicit relationship, and showed very little learning on the explicit association task. Participants diagnosed with MCI showed little plasticity in learning associations regardless of CR (η2 = .12, p < .01).
Dehydroepiandrosterone Suppresses Glucose-6-phosphatase mRNA Level Mice : Comparison with Troglitazone Elevated Hepatic in C 57 BL / KsJ-db / db

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is known to improve hyperglycemia of diabetic C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice that are obese and insulin resistant. In a previous study, we reported that DHEA as well as troglitazone suppresses the elevated hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and fructose-l,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) activities in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice. In the present study, we evaluated the changes in mRNA of G6Pase and FBPase in db/db mice. Despite hyperinsulinemia, the G6Pase mRNA level of db/db mice was elevated as compared to their heterozygote littermate db/+m mice. In contrast, the FBPase mRNA level was not elevated in db/db mice. Administration of DHEA for two weeks significantly decreased the blood glucose level and the elevated G6Pase mRNA level in db/db mice. No significant changes were seen in the FBPase mRNA level after the administration of DHEA. Administration of troglitazone also decreased the blood glucose and G6Pase mRNA level in db/db mice although no changes were seen in the FBPase mRNA level. These results suggest that the elevation of G6Pase mRNA is important in elucidating the cause of insulin resistance, and that the G6Pase gene is at least one target for the hypoglycemic effects of DHEA as an insulin sensitizing agent in db/db mice.