Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Choroidal Thickness Change in Patients With Diabetic Macular Edema.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To evaluate subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in diabetic macular edema (DME) and its relationships. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred and six eyes were included in this prospective, nonrandomized case control study. They were divided into 37 cases of healthy, normal subjects and 69 cases of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) with DME. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was done for all cases and analyzed to measure SFCT and central foveal thickness (CFT). RESULTS The SFCT was significantly thinner in the DME group (193.4 μm) than in the control group (282.6 μm) (P = .001). In the DME group, SFCT was significantly related to CFT and vision (P < .05). The cutoff point for the relationship between SFCT and vision was 228 μm below the point at which vision is affected. CONCLUSIONS DME is associated with a significant decrease in SFCT. SFCT is directly related to vision and foveal thickness, but it is inversely correlated to age. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2017;48:970-977. ].
The Influence of Dividend Policy and Income Tax on Income Smoothing

Objective - This research aims to obtain the empirical evidence on the influence of dividend policy, income tax, firm size, profitability, and leverage on income smoothing. Methodology/Technique - In this research, income smoothing is proxied with the Eckel index and logistic regression is used to test the hypothesis. The research population consists of non-financial companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange from 2013 to 2016. The sampling method used in this research is purposive sampling. The number of companies selected is 79 with 316 data. Findings - The results show that dividend policy, income tax, profitability, and leverage all have an influence on income smoothing. Meanwhile, firm size has no significant influence on income smoothing. Novelty - These findings are consistent with a firm's dividend policy and income tax having an incremental impact on income smoothing behavior. Type of Paper Empirical. Keywords: Income Smoothing; Dividend Policy; Income Tax; Firm Size; Profitability; Leverage. JEL Classification: M40, M41, M49. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35609/afr.2019. 4.1(3)
Hypertensive nephrosclerosis in the Dahl/Rapp rat. Initial sites of injury and effect of dietary L-arginine supplementation.

BACKGROUND The Dahl/Rapp strains of salt-sensitive (SS/Jr) and salt-resistant (SR/Jr) rat were developed to examine pathogenetic mechanisms that produce hypertension in response to an increase in dietary salt. We have shown that providing SS/Jr rats with L-arginine, the metabolic precursor of nitric oxide, acutely prevented salt-sensitive hypertension, suggesting that SS/Jr rats developed hypertension because of inadequate nitric oxide production while on a high-salt diet. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Male 23-day SS/Jr and SR/Jr rats were placed on chow that contained 8% sodium chloride. One group of SS/Jr rats also received L-arginine, 1.25 g/liter, in their drinking water. These three groups were examined at weekly intervals for 4 weeks. RESULTS SS/Jr rats rapidly developed hypertension when placed on the high-salt chow. After 2 weeks on this diet, inulin clearance dramatically decreased, and albumin excretion rate increased. By the fourth week of study, SS/Jr rats on the high-salt diet had died or were dying. Coincident with the progressive decline in inulin clearance, renal morphologic analysis confirmed development of myointimal thickening, fibrinoid necrosis, and glomerulosclerosis. In contrast, over the 4 weeks of study, SS/Jr rats supplemented with oral L-arginine did not develop hypertension and any of the associated renal complications seen in age-matched SS/Jr rats on the high-salt diet. L-Arginine also corrected hypertension in SS/Jr rats exposed to the high-salt chow for 2 weeks before the inception of L-arginine. L-Arginine administration after 3 weeks on this chow, however, failed to reverse hypertension and the depressed inulin clearance and morphologic renal damage. CONCLUSIONS Along with previous work (Chen PY, Sanders PW, J Clin Invest 88:1559-67), these studies were consistent with the hypothesis that hypertension and hypertensive nephrosclerosis developed in SS/Jr rats because, while on a high-salt diet, substrate (L-arginine) became a rate-limiting factor in the synthesis of nitric oxide.
A Phase II Study of Navelbine (Vinorelbine) in the Treatment of Non‐Small‐Cell Lung Cancer

Navelbine (vinorelbine, NVB) is the first semisynthetic 5'-nor-vinca-alkaloid selected for clinical trial. NVB has been shown to have a good level of activity against different experimental solid tumors in animals, with low neurotoxicity. In the phase II study, 78 patients with an inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were treated with NVB at a weekly dose of 30 mg/m2. No patient had previously received chemotherapy. Twenty-three of the 78 eligible patients showed a partial response (29.4% with a 95% confidence limits: 19.5–39.5). Eight patients were not evaluable and the percentage of partial response were 32.8% in the evaluable patients group. The median response duration was 34 weeks, and the median survival time for the overall population reached 33 weeks. Grade 3–4 leukopenia was seen in 12.5% of cycles. No thrombocytopenia occurred. At the dosage schedule used, NVB seems a very promising agent in the treatment of NSCLC.
An Empirical Analysis of Value Added Tax on Economic Growth, Evidence from Kenya Data Set

The study is aimed at empirically analyzing the effect of value added tax /sales tax on economic growth in Kenya for the period 1973 to 2010 The study adopted econometric exposition based on its ability to determine the strength and direction of relationships between variables. The ordinary least square technique was used to estimate the model. The empirical result indicates that a positive and insignificant relationship exist between value added tax and economic growth in Kenya. A positive and insignificant correlation between VAT Revenue and GDP means there are some problems inhibiting its potency. The study concluded that the effect of value added tax on the economy is not large enough to influence the economic growth. It therefore recommended that the government should reform VAT system to engineer a system that would have a significant impact on economic growth.
Increased circulating urocortin-3 levels is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract This study was aimed to compare serum urocortin-3 (UCN3) levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and healthy women, and establish what role UCN3 levels play in PCOS. Fifty-two patients with PCOS and 55 healthy women were included in the study, matched for age and body mass index. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, hs-CRP, UCN3 and free-testosterone levels of the all participants were measured. HOMA-IR was used to calculate the insulin resistance. Circulating UCN3 levels were significantly increased in women with PCOS than in control subjects (54.49 ± 5.77 versus 51.28 ± 5.86 pmol/l, p = 0.005). Serum insulin, hs-CRP and HOMA-IR levels were higher in women with PCOS than in control group. UCN3 levels positively correlated with hs-CRP in PCOS group (r = 0.391, p = 0.004). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curves were 0.732 (95% CI 0.634–0.830, p < 0.001) for UCN3 levels. The optimal cut-off value of UCN3 for detecting PCOS was ≥51.46 pmol/l, at which the sensitivity was 75% and specificity was 68%. Our results suggest that there is a potential link between PCOS and UCN3 levels. The results of this study support the presence of increased UCN3 levels for the association of inflammation with PCOS.
Management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in primary care: a European observational study

Abstract Objective: To describe the management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in primary care, as part of the RANGE (Retrospective ANalysis of GERD) study. Methods: Over 4 months, at 134 primary care practices in six European countries, 12 815 patients consulted for GERD-related reasons. A random selection of these patients was invited to enter the study. Data were then collected retrospectively (from the initial consultation) and prospectively (from a follow-up visit). This included information on GERD diagnosis, symptoms and complications, medication use and healthcare resource utilisation. Results: Of 12 815 patients who underwent consultation for GERD-related reasons, 2678 were randomly selected and accepted the invitation to participate in the study. Across countries, 28–47% of patients reported a significant GERD symptom load at initial consultation. Thereafter, 30–100% of patients were prescribed a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), but a significant GERD symptom load was still experienced by 15–30% (all patients combined) at follow-up (median 5.0–7.5 months after initial consultation). In the majority of patients (65–88%), no diagnostic procedures were performed between initial consultation and follow-up. During the follow-up period, the most common form of healthcare utilisation comprised additional GERD-related consultations with a physician. Conclusions: The findings of this pan-European study indicate that current management of primary care patients with GERD is far from optimal, and accounts for a marked burden on patients and healthcare systems alike. A more structured approach to GERD management, by tailoring treatment according to the impact of the disease, may reduce this burden.
Conception et évaluation d’un modèle de création de la demande afin d’augmenter l’acceptation de la circoncision volontaire médicalement encadrée chez les adultes dans une communauté d’Afrique du Sud

Trois essais randomises controles ont demontre le role protecteur de la circoncision dans l'acquisition heterosexuelle du VIH par les hommes. A la suite de ces essais, l'Organisation mondiale de la sante (OMS) et le Programme commun des Nations Unies sur le VIH/SIDA (ONUSIDA) ont recommande que des programmes de circoncision volontaire medicalement encadree (CVME) soient deployes dans les pays ou la prevalence du VIH est forte et ou peu d'hommes sont circoncis. Par ailleurs, L'OMS recommande une prevalence de la circoncision d’au moins 80% chez les adultes pour avoir un impact substantiel sur l'epidemie de VIH/SIDA en Afrique orientale et australe.Debutes en 2007 dans quatorze pays prioritaires de cette region, les programmes de promotion de la CVME ont permis une augmentation rapide de la prevalence de la circoncision a environ 50% en 2011.L’etude a ete conduite a Orange Farm (Afrique du Sud) ou un programme de promotion de la CVME similaires a ceux conduits dans les autres pays d’Afrique australe et orientale est en cours depuis 2007. Elle montre que la prevalence de la circoncision a augmente de 12% a 53% entre 2007 et 2011, et qu'elle est restee stable depuis.Ensuite une strategie novatrice concue, basee sur l'information, les entretiens motivationnels, les discussions dans des foyers et une compensation financiere a ete testee a Orange Farm. Cette intervention a permis d’atteindre une prevalence de la circoncision de plus de 80% dans un temps court. Cette strategie devrait etre aisement adaptable a un autre contexte que celui de l'Afrique du Sud pour augmenter la prevalence de la circoncision a plus 80% en Afrique orientale et de diminuer l'incidence du VIH.
Doc Toxin Is a Kinase That Inactivates Elongation Factor Tu*

Background: Doc toxin, of the phd-doc toxin-antitoxin system, belongs to the Fic protein family found in all domains of life. Results: Doc inactivates elongation factor Tu by phosphorylation of a single amino acid. Conclusion: This phosphorylation event inhibits protein synthesis and thereby arrests cell growth. Significance: The phosphorylation activity of Doc toxin represents a new catalytic activity for members of the Fic protein family. The Doc toxin from bacteriophage P1 (of the phd-doc toxin-antitoxin system) has served as a model for the family of Doc toxins, many of which are harbored in the genomes of pathogens. We have shown previously that the mode of action of this toxin is distinct from the majority derived from toxin-antitoxin systems: it does not cleave RNA; in fact P1 Doc expression leads to mRNA stabilization. However, the molecular triggers that lead to translation arrest are not understood. The presence of a Fic domain, albeit slightly altered in length and at the catalytic site, provided a clue to the mechanism of P1 Doc action, as most proteins with this conserved domain inactivate GTPases through addition of an adenylyl group (also referred to as AMPylation). We demonstrated that P1 Doc added a single phosphate group to the essential translation elongation factor and GTPase, elongation factor (EF)-Tu. The phosphorylation site was at a highly conserved threonine, Thr-382, which was blocked when EF-Tu was treated with the antibiotic kirromycin. Therefore, we have established that Fic domain proteins can function as kinases. This distinct enzymatic activity exhibited by P1 Doc also solves the mystery of the degenerate Fic motif unique to the Doc family of toxins. Moreover, we have established that all characterized Fic domain proteins, even those that phosphorylate, target pivotal GTPases for inactivation through a post-translational modification at a single functionally critical acceptor site.
Lateral sinus thrombosis associated with otitis media and mastoiditis in children

Lateral sinus thrombosis (LST) is an infrequent complication of otitis media and mastoiditis in the antibiotic era.1 A recent case of LST in a 7-year-old boy, the third such case at our institutions in the past 5 years,2,3 prompted a review of the modern day English literature concerning LST in pediatric patients. Our goal was to highlight the clinical findings suggestive of LST in the antibiotic era as well as to analyze retrospectively the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities of greatest benefit based on the outcomes reported in the reviewed studies.
Relationship between Ability-Based Emotional Intelligence, Cognitive Intelligence, and Job Performance

Based on previous findings, which found that the three facets of ability-based emotional intelligence (EI) have varying effects on job performance, this study investigates the relationship between emotional intelligence, cognitive intelligence (CI), and job performance. The use of a cascade model suggests a progressive pattern, starting from emotion perception, followed by emotional understanding and emotion regulation, with downstream effects on job performance. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of both measurements, we employed the performance-based ability measurement, the Mayer–Salovey–Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) and the self-reporting ability EI measurement, Wong Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS). Our findings supported the cascade model, but in the case of WLEIS measures, both self-emotion appraisal and others’ emotion appraisal precede emotion regulation, leading to a positive effect on job performance. Moreover, CI moderated the relationship between EI and job performance, such that a decline in CI rendered the relationship more positive. The MSCEIT and WLEIS showed similar results, thus supporting the cascading model and moderating effects.
Genetics of growth, feed intake, and milk yield in Holstein cattle.

Heritabilities, genetic and phenotypic correlations among growth, forage consumption, and BW changes of heifers and feed consumption, BW changes, and yields of first lactation cows were estimated. Data were from 1266 Holstein progeny of 74 sires born from 1972 to 1985 at three Agriculture Canada research herds. Heavier heifers at 26 wk consumed more feed from 26 to 34 wk than smaller heifers but gained the same BW. The BW gain and feed consumption heritabilities were . 17 and . 23, respectively; genetic correlation was . 44, and phenotypic correlation was . 27. During first lactation, feed intake from 8 to 16 wk and measures of milk yield are very tightly intercorrelated both phenotypically and genetically (.78 to .98). Precalving BW gain and BW at calving were genetically uncorrelated with measures of milk yield (-.09 to +.05). Loss of BW during the first 8 wk of first lactation was moderately heritable (.29) and correlated genetically and phenotypically with measures of milk yield in early lactation (.32 to .39) and feed consumption (.26). From 8 to 16 wk, average BW changes were small and had low heritability and weak phenotypic correlations with measures of milk yield or feed intake. The BW at 26 wk and BW gain from 26 to 34 wk were very poor indicators of early first lactation milk yield. Heifer feed intake was weakly correlated phenotypically (-.07 to .16) but moderately genetically correlated (.17 to .23) with early first lactation milk yield and feed consumption.
“Knowing more about the other professions clarified my own profession”

The purpose of this study was to compare which learning outcomes relating to an Interprofessional Training Unit (ITU) experience were found to be most important by students and by alumni. A cohort of 428 students in the ITU was asked to write three short statements describing the most important learning outcomes from the ITU. Alumni from the same cohort were after graduation asked the same question. Furthermore, they were asked to fill out a 12-item questionnaire. The statements concerning learning outcome were analysed qualitatively and categorized. The number of statements in each category was counted and tested for statistical difference between students and alumni. Students stated “uniprofessionalism” as the most important learning outcome followed by “interprofessionalism”, “professional identity” and “learning environment”. Alumni on the other hand stated “professional identity” as most important learning outcome followed with “interprofessionalism”, “learning environment” and “uniprofessionalism”. The study indicated that over time the perceived outcome of learning experiences from an ITU change in priority.
The utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT for the diagnosis of adrenal metastasis in lung cancer: a PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis

Objectives The aim of the present meta-analysis was to systematically evaluate the overall diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT for the detection of adrenal metastasis in lung cancer. Patients and methods A comprehensive literature search of Medline (PubMed), Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases published through 10 January 2017 on the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in evaluating adrenal mass in lung cancer patients was performed. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio of 18F-FDG PET/CT on a per lesion-based analysis were calculated. The area under the curve was calculated to measure the accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT. Results A total of nine studies, involving 707 lung cancer patients with 810 adrenal masses, were included in the present meta-analysis. Of 810 adrenal masses from lung cancer, 411 (50.7%) and 399 (49.3%) masses were benign and metastatic, respectively. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio of 18F-FDG PET/CT were 0.887 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.852–0.917], 0.908 (95% CI: 0.875–0.934), 8.552 (95% CI: 6.197–11.802), 0.090 (95% CI: 0.039–0.211), and 96.825 (95% CI: 40.402–232.05), respectively. In addition, the area under the curve was 0.9622 and the overall diagnostic accuracy (Q* index) was 0.9077, suggesting excellent performance. Conclusion 18F-FDG PET/CT plays a vital role in the differentiation of adrenal metastasis from a benign adrenal mass in lung cancer patients, with excellent diagnostic performance.
The Impact of Macroeconomic Factors on the German Stock Market: Evidence for the Crisis, Pre- and Post-Crisis Periods

Today we live in a post-truth and highly digitalized era characterized by a flow of (mis-) information around the world. Identifying the impact of this information on stock markets and forecasting stock returns and volatilities has become a much more difficult task, perhaps almost impossible. This paper investigates the impact of macroeconomic factors, German government bond yields, sentiment and other leading indicators on the main German stock index, namely the DAX30, for the time period from 1991 to 2018. Using a dataset on 24 factors and over a timeframe of about 27 years, we found evidence that across most subsamples, the Composite Leading Indicator (OECD), the Institute for Economic Research (ifo) Export Expectations index, the ifo Export Climate index, exports, the Consumer Price Index CPI, as well as 3 y German government bonds yields show delayed impacts on stock returns. We further found that the delayed impact of the constituents of the monetary aggregate M2 on stock returns changed direction between the crisis and post-crisis periods. Overall, the results illustrate that in the crisis period a larger number of factors and economic indicators had significant impacts on the stock returns compared to the pre- and post-crisis periods. This implies that in the post-crisis period a macro-driven market prevails.
Exemestane is superior to megestrol acetate after tamoxifen failure in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer: results of a phase III randomized double-blind trial. The Exemestane Study Group.

PURPOSE This phase III, double-blind, randomized, multicenter study evaluated the efficacy, pharmacodynamics, and safety of the oral aromatase inactivator exemestane (EXE) versus megestrol acetate (MA) in postmenopausal women with progressive advanced breast cancer who experienced failure of tamoxifen. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 769 patients were randomized to EXE 25 mg/d (n = 366) or MA (n = 403) 40 mg four times daily. Tumor response, duration of tumor control, tumor-related signs and symptoms (TRSS), quality of life (QOL), survival, and tolerability were evaluated. RESULTS Overall objective response (OR) rates were higher in patients treated with EXE than in those treated with MA (15.0% v 12.4%); a similar trend was noted in patients with visceral metastases (13.5% v 10.5%). Median survival time was significantly longer with EXE (median not reached) than with MA (123.4 weeks; P =.039), as were the median duration of overall success (OR or stable disease > or = 24 weeks; 60.1 v 49.1 weeks; P =.025), time to tumor progression (20.3 v 16.6 weeks; P =.037), and time to treatment failure (16.3 v 15.7 weeks; P =.042). Compared with MA, there were similar or greater improvements in pain, TRSS, and QOL with EXE. Both drugs were well tolerated. Grade 3 or 4 weight changes were more common with MA (17.1% v 7.6%; P =.001). CONCLUSION EXE prolongs survival time, time to tumor progression, and time to treatment failure compared with MA and offers a well-tolerated treatment option for postmenopausal women with progressive advanced breast cancer who experienced failure of tamoxifen.