Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Primary Hyperparathyroidism, Cognition, and Health-Related Quality of Life

Objective:To provide a rigorous and critical review of studies in which formal neuropsychological (NP) testing and measurement of health-related quality of life (HRQL) were conducted pre- and post-parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). These data contribute to the discussion on the utility of surgical intervention for nonclassic PHPT. Summary Background Data:PHPT is a complex endocrinopathy involving calcium metabolism and a potent hormone made by the parathyroid glands. Approximately 1.5% of Americans age 65 years and older, representing more than 3.9 million people, have PHPT, and the prevalence in postmenopausal women is estimated at 3.4%. Current National Institutes of Health guidelines for curative, surgical intervention of PHPT exclude 80% of patients with hyperparathyroid disease who have subjective neurobehavioral and physical symptoms that affect the quality of their lives. Methods:An electronic search was conducted of prospective studies in which cognitive functioning was measured with formal NP tests and HRQL was measured with valid and reliable instruments before and following parathyroidectomy for PHPT. Results:In studies conducted pre- and post-parathyroidectomy for PHPT, 6 small studies of cognitive functioning report inconsistent findings; however, 7 well-designed studies of HRQL report improvement across multiple domains following surgery. Conclusions:Surgical treatment of PHPT is a viable option for patients with laboratory diagnosed, “nonclassic” PHPT. Formal NP testing and evaluation of HRQL are useful tools that may assist physicians in choosing whom to refer for parathyroidectomy. Further longitudinal study of NP functioning and HRQL in patients with laboratory diagnosed PHPT is warranted.
Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease: Tragedy and Challenge

Management of hypertension in diabetic nephropathy is challenging and generally requires a minimum of three different and complementary antihypertensive agents to achieve the recently recommended blood pressure (BP) goal of <130/80 mm Hg in order to reduce cardiovascular (CV) risk and preserve kidney function. Commonly used antihypertensive combinations include an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker, agents that have compelling indications for use in diabetic renal disease, added to a diuretic, generally a thiazide-type agent. If additional therapy is required, either a beta-blocker or calcium antagonist may be added. Beta-blockers are particularly effective in people with a high sympathetic drive, i.e. high pulse rates, to lower BP and reduce CV risk while reducing proteinuria and slowing decline of kidney function. In light of this information, it is disturbing that a recent analysis of the NHANES III database indicates that only about 11% of people with diabetic kidney disease have achieved the target BP of <130/80 mm Hg. Recent data from Denmark demonstrate that focusing on total CV risk reduction among people with diabetes, including achievement of recommended BP and lipid goals along with the use of aspirin, exercise and a proper diet, can reduce the absolute risk of a CV event by 20% over less intensive treatment.
Is There Any Impact of Copper Intrauterine Device on Female Sexual Functioning?

INTRODUCTION Intrauterine Device (IUD) is the most preferred modern contraceptive method in Turkey. Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) is defined as lack of one or more of the components in the sexual response cycle which includes sexual desire, impaired arousal and inability achieving an orgasm or pain with intercourse. FSD has multi-factorial aetiology. Advanced age and menopause, fatigue and stress, psychiatric and neurologic disease, childbirth, pelvic floor or bladder dysfunction, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, hypertension obesity, medication and substances, hormonal contraceptives, relationship factors are known risk factors for FSD. AIM To investigate if IUD has any impact on female sexual functioning. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study subjects were divided into two groups. Study group consisted of 92 IUD-users (mean 5.1±1.2 years) and the control group consisted of 83 women with no contraception. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire was performed to both two groups. Women with a total score lower than 26.5 were considered as having sexual dysfunction. RESULTS The prevalence of FSD was 57.1% among participants. IUD users had a lower total FSFI score comparing to control group but the difference was not statistically different (p=0.983). A positive correlation was found between total FSFI score and duration of IUD (p=0.003). CONCLUSION No difference was found in terms of sexual dysfunction between IUD users and women with no contraception. The prevalence of FSD was very high in both groups which may be attributed to the socio-cultural factors such as embarrassment of women due to conservatism.
Foreign Direct Investment Determinants in OECD and Developing Countries

In this paper we examine the foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow determinants in 24 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and 22 developing (non-OECD) countries over 1980–2012, using the standard fixed effects as well as a dynamic panel approach. The most robust finding is that lagged FDI, market size, gross capital formation and corporate taxation significantly affect FDI inflows in OECD countries. We also examine a group of developing countries, taking into consideration the increased share of world FDI inflows that developing countries have attracted, and compare the results. In this case, lagged FDI, market size, labor cost and institutional variables provide the most robust results. The empirical results have important policy implications indicating the factors that host economies should emphasize in order to attract FDI inflows.
Control of hepatic insulin-like growth factor II gene expression by thyroid hormones in fetal sheep near term

Forhead, Alison J., Juan Li, R. Stewart Gilmour, and Abigail L. Fowden. Control of hepatic insulin-like growth factor II gene expression by thyroid hormones in fetal sheep near term. Am. J. Physiol. 275 (Endocrinol. Metab. 38): E149–E156, 1998. —The effects of thyroid hormones on hepatic insulin-like growth factor (IGF) II gene expression and their interaction with cortisol in the ontogenic control of this gene were investigated in fetal sheep during late gestation (term 145 6 2 days) and after experimental manipulation of fetal plasma hormone concentrations. In intact fetuses, a significant decrease in hepatic IGF-II mRNA abundance was observed between 127–130 and 142–145 days of gestation, which coincided with the normal prepartum rise in plasma cortisol and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations. This ontogenic decline in hepatic IGF-II gene expression was abolished in fetuses in which the prepartum rise in plasma T3, but not cortisol, was prevented by fetal thyroidectomy. At 127–130 days, downregulation of hepatic IGF-II mRNA abundance was induced prematurely in intact fetuses by an infusion of cortisol for 5 days (2–3 mg·kg21 ·day21 iv). Plasma concentrations of cortisol and T3 in the cortisol-infused intact fetuses were increased to values seen close to term. Similar findings were observed in thyroidectomized fetuses, in which, despite thyroidectomy, cortisol infusion significantly increased plasma T3 concentrations and caused a premature decrease in hepatic IGF-II mRNA levels. However, in intact fetuses at 127–130 days, the increasing of T3 concentrations alone by exogenous T3 infusion (8–12 μg·kg21 ·day21 iv for 5 days) had no effect on hepatic IGF-II mRNA levels. Overall, a decrease in hepatic IGF-II mRNA abundance was only observed in fetuses in which there were concurrent increases in plasma cortisol and T3 concentrations. When observations from all fetuses were considered, irrespective of gestational age or treatment, hepatic IGF-II mRNA levels were negatively correlated with plasma cortisol and T3 but not thyroxine concentrations. Partial correlation analysis of hepatic IGF-II, cortisol, and T3 values showed that the plasma concentration of cortisol in the fetus had the predominant effect on hepatic IGF-II mRNA abundance. These findings show that T3 may mediate, in part, the maturational effects of cortisol on hepatic IGF-II gene expression but that it is ineffective without a concomitant rise in fetal plasma cortisol. Hence, increased concentrations of both cortisol and T3 appear necessary to induce downregulation of hepatic IGF-II mRNA abundance in fetal sheep close to term.
A Hidden Retinal Regenerative Capacity from the C Ciliary Margin is Reactivated In Vitro, that is Accompanied by Down‐regulation of Butyrylcholinesterase

The chicken retina has a capacity to regenerate in vivo, which is restricted up to embryonic day 4 (E4). Here we test the proliferative patterns of dissociated chicken cells from the centre retina or the ciliary margin, including pigmented cells, after their transfer into rotation culture. For central cells in culture, the uptake of [3H]thymidine after a short initial rise decreases similarly to their in ovo counterparts. In contrast, marginal cells that have been shown to regenerate up to E9 into retinotypic stratospheroids re‐enter a novel and long‐lasting phase of in vitro cell division. We have shown previously that cell types of all nuclear layers are produced. Both observations taken together indicate a pronounced self‐renewal of multipotent stem cells. Molecularly, the enzyme butyrylcholinesterase, which in other systems has been shown to mark transitory neuronal cells between proliferation and differentiation, is strongly expressed at the ciliary margin over most of the embryonic period. After these cells are transferred into rotation culture, butyrylcholinesterase is down‐regulated. Concomitantly, the neuronal differentiation marker acetylcholinesterase increases. We conclude that the regenerative capacity of the chick retina is not lost at E4, but rather remains hidden in the chicken ciliary margin, since it can be reactivated In vitro at least up to E9. We suggest that butyrylcholinesterase may be linked to the regulation of stem cell activity.
Evaluation of SiGMa, an empiric study with Math teachers

Gamification has achieved many positive outcomes in many fields, ranging from economics to education. This method consists in applying game concepts, mechanics and aesthetics in non-gaming applications, aiming to improve a person or group's engagement and commitment to perform a task. These concepts can range from extrinsic motivators as points, levels, leaderboards and achievements, to intrinsic ones as competition, cooperation, sense of achievement and decision making. It also have been proved that these concepts also aids in the construction and improvement of cognitive, social and emotional behaviour of a person or group. Based on the previous work of developing an online learning environment to aid in Math Lessons on basic education, this paper presents the evaluation of a Gamified Online System (SiGMa) focused on Math problems solving. The application contains a module that randomizes the values of the users' selected problems, which are divided in three areas (Arithmetic, Combinatorics and Geometry) in order to make them memorize the logic rather than answers when solving Math based questions. The system was also implemented with Gamification concepts to improve the engagement of students. The tests were applied with a group of 30 Math teachers that were exposed to the system for 3 consecutive months. Those professionals evaluated the usability and pedagogical properties of the Gamification concepts implemented within the application as: problem solving, correct classification, difficulty, context, engagement, reflection, support, interaction, visual interface, information, error recovery, message exchange. The tests also evaluated the relevance of each one of the implemented gamification concepts as: goals, rewards, points, levels, progress, time pressure, achievements, leaderboards, chances, renewal and relevant statistical information. The tests achieved positive results, above the average stipulated by the authors in the evaluation. The paper also present the preliminary tests that were made with a group of selected students, in order to test the systems' efficiency.
HLA Antigens in patients with severe preeclampsia

The distribution of human leucocyte antigens (HLA) was analyzed in 35 patients with severe preeclampsia and compared with that in the general population in the Niigata district of Japan. The frequency of patients with HLA CW7 was significantly higher than that of the general population of this area (p < 0.05, Chi-square test). The frequency of those with HLA-DR6 (DR6, DR13 and DR14) was also significantly greater compared with the general population (P < 0.05, Chi-square test), while that of those with DR4 was significantly lower (P < 0.05, Chi-square test). The compatibility of HLA antigens in spouses was also analyzed in 20 patient couples and 26 normal fertile couples, and there was no significant difference. Thus it is suggested that HLA antigen systems might be involved in the genesis of preeclampsia.
InterCardioRisk: a novel online tool for estimating doses of ionising radiation to occupationally-exposed medical staff and their associated health risks

Those working in interventional cardiology and related medical procedures are potentially subject to considerable exposure to x-rays. Two types of tissue of particular concern that may receive considerable doses during such procedures are the lens of the eye and the brain. Ocular radiation exposure results in lens changes that, with time, may progress to partial or total lens opacification (cataracts). In the early stages, such opacities do not result in visual disability; the severity of such changes tends to increase progressively with dose and time until vision is impaired and cataract surgery is required. Scattered radiation doses to the eye lens of an interventional cardiologist in typical working conditions can exceed 34 μGy min−1 in high-dose fluoroscopy modes and 3 μGy per image during image acquisition (instantaneous rate values) when radiation protection tools are not used. A causal relation between exposure to ionising radiation and increased risk of brain and central nervous system tumours has been shown in a number of studies. Although absorbed doses to the brain in interventional cardiology procedures are lower than those to the eye lens by a factor between 3.40 and 8.08 according to our simulations, doses to both tissues are among the highest occupational radiation doses documented for medical staff whose work involves exposures to x-rays. We present InterCardioRisk, a tool featuring an easy-to-use web interface that provides a general estimation of both cumulated absorbed doses experienced by medical staff exposed in the interventional cardiology setting and their estimated associated health risks. The tool is available at http://intercardiorisk.creal. cat.
Objective prediction of pharyngeal swallow dysfunction in dysphagia through artificial neural network modeling

Pharyngeal pressure‐flow analysis (PFA) of high resolution impedance‐manometry (HRIM) with calculation of the swallow risk index (SRI) can quantify swallow dysfunction predisposing to aspiration. We explored the potential use of artificial neural networks (ANN) to model the relationship between PFA swallow metrics and aspiration and to predict swallow dysfunction.
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE, BULLYING, CYBERBULLYING, AND MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS AMONG HIGH SCHOOLS STUDENTS: A MODERATED MEDIATED MODEL

Child sexual abuse is associated with adverse outcomes, including heightened vulnerability that may translate into risk of revictimization. The aims of the study were: (1) to explore the direct and indirect links between child sexual abuse and cyberbullying, bullying, and mental health problems and (2) to study maternal support as a potential protective factor.
β‐subunits of Snf1 kinase are required for kinase function and substrate definition

The Snf1 kinase and its mammalian homolog, the AMP‐activated protein kinase, are heterotrimeric enzymes composed of a catalytic α‐subunit, a regulatory γ‐subunit and a β‐subunit that mediates heterotrimer formation. Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes three β‐subunit genes, SIP1, SIP2 and GAL83. Earlier studies suggested that these subunits may not be required for Snf1 kinase function. We show here that complete and precise deletion of all three β‐subunit genes inactivates the Snf1 kinase. The sip1Δ sip2Δ gal83Δ strain is unable to derepress invertase, grows poorly on alternative carbon sources and fails to direct the phosphorylation of the Mig1 and Sip4 proteins in vivo. The SIP1 sip2Δ gal83Δ strain manifests a subset of Snf phenotypes (Raf+, Gly−) observed in the snf1Δ 10 strain (Raf−, Gly−), suggesting that individual β‐subunits direct the Snf1 kinase to a subset of its targets in vivo. Indeed, deletion of individual β‐subunit genes causes distinct differences in the induction and phosphorylation of Sip4, strongly suggesting that the β‐subunits play an important role in substrate definition.
Deletion of RhoA in Progesterone Receptor–Expressing Cells Leads to Luteal Insufficiency and Infertility in Female Mice

Ras homolog gene family, member A (RhoA) is widely expressed throughout the female reproductive system. To assess its role in progesterone receptor-expressing cells, we generated RhoA conditional knockout mice RhoAd/d (RhoAf/f-Pgr-Cre+/−). RhoAd/d female mice had comparable mating activity, serum luteinizing hormone, prolactin, and estradiol levels and ovulation with control but were infertile with progesterone insufficiency, indicating impaired steroidogenesis in RhoAd/d corpus luteum (CL). RhoA was highly expressed in wild-type luteal cells and conditionally deleted in RhoAd/d CL. Gestation day 3.5 (D3.5) RhoAd/d ovaries had reduced numbers of CL, less defined corpus luteal cord formation, and disorganized CL collagen IV staining. RhoAd/d CL had lipid droplet and free cholesterol accumulation, indicating the availability of cholesterol for steroidogenesis, but disorganized β-actin and vimentin staining, indicating disrupted cytoskeleton integrity. Cytoskeleton is important for cytoplasmic cholesterol movement to mitochondria and for regulating mitochondria. Dramatically reduced expression of mitochondrial markers heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), voltage-dependent anion channel, and StAR was detected in RhoAd/d CL. StAR carries out the rate-limiting step of steroidogenesis. StAR messenger RNA expression was reduced in RU486-treated D3.5 wild-type CL and tended to be induced in progesterone-treated D3.5 RhoAd/d CL, with parallel changes of HSP60 expression. These data demonstrated the in vivo function of RhoA in CL luteal cell cytoskeleton integrity, cholesterol transport, StAR expression, and progesterone synthesis, and a positive feedback on StAR expression in CL by progesterone signaling. These findings provide insights into mechanisms of progesterone insufficiency.
Technology in Physical Therapy - Wireless Sensors and the Sensorimotor Training

The usage of evidence based decision making is supported along the different professions in the health care system. State of the art in the physiotherapy, especially in the sensorimotor training is that the therapy planning mainly based on the experiences of the physiotherapist as well as by the information given by the manufacturer and the literature. The aim of this study is to show, that the wireless sensor s are a benefit in planning as well as during the execution of the therapy. Therefor different assumptions were verified. Additionally, a survey about the acceptance and the benefit of the sensors was made. Ten test persons performed a laterality test and the sensorimotor training on three different exercisers. During the whole training the muscle activity as well as the motion data was document by the usage of wireless sensors. Immediately after the training, all test persons fulfilled the survey. The study revealed that is important to investigate the training in more detail. Nevertheless, most assumptions are seen as basic principles, they could not be verified. The evaluation of the surveys figured out, that the usage of wireless sensors can be seen as an advantage, but the application has to be optimized.
Capital Adjustment Costs: A Nonrenewable Resource Industry*

The exploitation of a nonrenewable resource by a monopolist or by competitive firms has been studied extensively since Hotelling [2]. One focal point has been the investigation of markets characterized by a cartel competing with a group of smaller firms, as in the oil industry. Salant [7] and Gilbert [1] conclude that the OPEC cartel will increase its market share and attain monopoly status. The industry's history from 1980 through 1986, however, suggests that this is not the case. The price set by the cartel has encouraged expansion by other firms, pushing OPEC to the point of near collapse. Further, the structure of the nickel and other resource industries has changed from monopoly into competition. The fact that existing models fail to track observed trends in market structure implies that important economic elements have been omitted from the analysis. As the present study will show, including limitations on the ability of firms to expand production quickly yields a more general model of the evolution of market structure.
Cognitive Predictors of Not-Guilty Verdicts in a Simulated Acquaintance Rape Trial

Cognitive predictors, such as relatively accepting attitudes toward forcible date rape, helped identify self-reported sexually coercive college students and were expected to help identify students voting not guilty in a simulated acquaintance rape trial. To test this hypothesis college students self-administered in random order (1) an anonymous sex survey measuring attitudes toward forcible date rape, attitudes toward women, sexual experience, including victimization, sexual permissiveness, and sexual knowledge and (2) a trial survey based on a simulated acquaintance rape trial. Only gender and cognitive variables from the trial (e.g., being male, tending to blame the victim, and uncertainty about one's verdict) identified not guilty verdicts above chance expectancy. Thus, the hypothesis that the cognitive predictors measured here would help identify students voting not guilty in a simulated acquaintance rape trial was not supported.
Effect of carbohydrate ingestion on sprint performance following continuous and intermittent exercise.

PURPOSE This investigation was conducted to study the effects on sprint performance of glucose and fructose ingestion during a 15-min rest period half way through 90 min of continuous and intermittent exercise. On three occasions, eight subjects cycled at 76 +/- 2% VO2max for 90 min (continuous trials: CON trials) with a 15-min half-time break. METHODS On another three occasions, they cycled for 90 min between moderate (65% VO2max) and high (100% VO2max) intensity (intermittent trials: INT trials) with the same half-time. In both trials, 90-min exercise was followed by a 40-s Wingate test to evaluate remaining sprint capacity. During half-time, they consumed either 20% glucose polymer (G), 20% fructose (F) or sweet placebo (P). Ingestion of G maintained plasma glucose levels, carbohydrate oxidation rate and lower value of ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) in both trials and indicated higher sprint performance compared with P (mean power of CON trials: 614.3 +/- 23.3 W vs 574.0 +/- 22.7 W, P < 0.001, INT trials: 629.5 +/- 27.6 W vs 596.3 +/- 25.5 W, P < 0.01). RESULTS Ingestion of F showed similar effect in CON trials (603.8 +/- 26.1 W vs 574.0 +/- 22.7 W, P < 0.01) but had no positive effect in INT trials. Additionally, mean power of G was higher than F (629.5 +/- 27.6 W vs 598.4 +/- 34.2 W, P < 0.01) in INT trials. CONCLUSIONS These results indicated that ingestion of G during half-time of 90-min exercise could maintain carbohydrate utilization and improve sprint performance in both CON and INT trials.