Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical implication of tumor-associated and immunological parameters in melanoma patients treated with ipilimumab

ABSTRACT Ipilimumab, the first immune-checkpoint inhibitor extending overall survival (OS) in metastatic melanoma patients, has a survival benefit only in a proportion of patients and the development of reliable predictive biomarkers is still an unmet need. To meet this request, we used a multivariate statistical approach to test whether myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) or other tumor-associated and immunological parameters may serve as predictive or prognostic biomarkers in melanoma patients receiving ipilimumab. By using a standardized approach to determine the circulating levels of four MDSC subsets, we observed a significant expansion of three MDSC subsets at baseline, as compared to controls and, upon treatment, that high levels of CD14+/IL4Rα+ MDSCs were an independent prognostic factor of reduced OS. On the contrary, longer OS was associated to low levels of the proinflammatory proteins IL-6 and CRP and tumor-associated factors S100B and LDH both at baseline and after treatment. Increasing number of total T cells and especially of PD-1+/CD4+ T cells were associated with better prognosis, and upregulation of PD-1+ expression on CD4+ T cells upon treatment was associated with lower toxicity. As several parameters were associated to OS, we included these factors in a multivariate survival model, and we identified IL-6 and ECOG PS as independent biomarkers associated with improved OS, whereas high levels of LDH and CD14+/IL4Rα+ MDSCs were negative independent markers of reduced OS.
Tubal ectopic pregnancy: macrophages under the microscope.

BACKGROUND Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a major reproductive health issue, whose underlying causes remain largely unknown. The unusual macrophage presence in the oviduct affected by EP could indicate macrophage contribution to the pathology. METHODS Macrophages have important functions in reproduction that are reviewed in this work. They are needed for tissue remodelling and immune-regulatory roles, and are present both in the ovary and uterus. Numerous cytokines regulate monocytes recruitment, differentiation and function in the reproductive tract, among them leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), colony-stimulating factor 1 and transforming growth factor-beta are indispensable and non-redundant for reproductive outcome. Cytokine types and levels are modulated by estrogen, progesterone and seminal plasma, which drive the differentiation of monocytes to immunity cells or to immunosuppressed trophic and scavenging macrophages. RESULTS Many risk factors for EP involve an inflammatory reaction that can induce the release of mononuclear phagocytes from the bone marrow and/or favour immunosuppressed trophic differentiation of newly recruited mononuclear phagocytes in the reproductive tract. These observations strengthen the hypothesis that immunosuppressed trophic and scavenging macrophages may have a role in EP onset. CONCLUSIONS Macrophages may contribute to the regulation of tubal motility through prostaglandin production and induction of progesterone secretion. Considerations about LIF also suggest that macrophages may have a central role in ectopic receptivity.
Human resources disclosure among companies in Czechia

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to investigate voluntary human resources disclosure (hereinafter referred to as “HR disclosure”) by the largest companies domiciled in Czechia. The key research questions are: What is the quantity of disclosure on various topics related to HR? Is there a significant difference in the quantity of HR disclosure between companies? Which factors influence the quantity of HR disclosure? Design/methodology/approach A quantitative content analysis (CA) of annual reports of the 50 largest companies domiciled in Czechia was used. An established coding scheme is used to code annual reports, and subsequently, various statistical methods (descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple linear regression) are used to answer the key research questions. Findings Primarily, social information is reported (what a company does for its employees) as information on the contribution of employees to the company’s value is rudimentary. Secondly, there is a significant difference in the quantity of HR disclosure between companies. Finally, the findings of the regression analysis confirm the impact of presence on the stock exchange and size and on the quantity of HR disclosure. Research limitations/implications The annual reports of 50 companies from one country are analysed. The study provides a basis for further research. Practical implications The findings of this study may inspire companies to improve their HR disclosure, while policymakers should consider imposing more concrete demands on HR disclosure. Originality/value Quantitative CA research into the HR disclosure of companies domiciled in Czechia is nearly non-existent. This study fills this gap.
Tuberculosis-associated severe CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia in HIV-seronegative patients from Dakar. SIDAK Research Group.

OBJECTIVES To determine the frequency and associated features of severe CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia (<300 cells/mm(3)) in HIV-seronegative patients with tuberculosis. METHODS Statistical analysis of 430 consecutively enrolled HIV-seronegative inpatients with tuberculosis in two teaching hospitals in Dakar, Senegal. RESULTS The mean CD4 + cell count was 602+/-318.3 cells/mm(3). CD4 + cell counts were below 300 cells/mm(3)in 62 patients (14.4%). Patients with fewer than 300 CD4+ cells/mm(3)differed from those with higher counts in being less likely to have a positive smear for acid-fast bacilli; in having a higher frequency of extrapulmonary involvement (pleural effusion, adenopathy and miliary disease) and oral candidiasis; and in having smaller tuberculin reactions, lower haemoglobin levels, less cavitation and less patchy infiltration. After adjustment for gender and age, all differences remained except miliary disease. CONCLUSIONS A substantial percentage (14.4%) of HIV-seronegative hospitalized patients for tuberculosis in a West African country presented with severe CD4 + T-lymphocyte depletion and had clinical and radiographic features indicative of more advanced disease and accompanying immunodepression. These results and those already published suggest that tuberculosis should be regarded as one of the diseases associated with a subgroup of patients with "idiopathic CD4 + T-lymphocytopenia".
Unemployment and suicide: a cohort analysis of social factors predicting suicide in the US National Longitudinal Mortality Study

Background. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of employment status measured at baseline on the risk of suicide by years of follow-up, using a large nationally representative sample of the US population. Methods. Cox regression models were applied to data from the National Longitudinal Mortality Study, based on the 1979–1989 follow-up. In estimating the effect of baseline employment status on suicide, adjustments were made for baseline demographic and socio-economic variables. Results. After 3 years of follow-up, unemployed men were a little over twice as likely to commit suicide as their employed counterparts. Among men, the lower the socio-economic status, the higher the suicide risk. Among women, in each year of follow-up, the unemployed had a much higher suicide risk than the employed. After 9 years of follow-up unemployed women were over three times more likely to kill themselves than their employed counterparts. Conclusions. Unemployment is strongly related to suicide, but this relationship is more enduring and stronger among women. For men, the unemployment effect is stronger at earlier years of follow-up. In women, unemployment increases the risk of suicide regardless of the number of follow-up years. The finding with regard to women disconfirms earlier research reports suggesting that unemployment affects suicide only in men.
The role of furry pets in eczema: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE To systematically search, summarize, and critically appraise the literature to examine whether pet exposure in early life is associated with an increased risk of eczema. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION We searched MEDLINE (1950 to June 2006) supplemented by citation lists in retrieved articles and contact with researchers. No language restrictions were imposed. DATA EXTRACTION Cohort studies were sufficiently similar to allow pooled analysis. Meta-analysis was not possible for cross-sectional studies owing to differences in methods and populations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Incidence or prevalence of eczema. RESULTS Evidence from longitudinal studies showed that previous exposure to cats (pooled odds ratio [OR], 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62-0.92), dogs (pooled OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.53-0.87), or "any furry pet" (pooled OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.74-0.84) is associated with a lower risk of eczema. However, in the only cohort study adjusted for avoidance behavior, this "protective effect" disappeared (for cats: OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.33-1.97). Stratified analysis by family history in 2 birth cohort studies showed that dog exposure was protective in patients with atopic families. For cats, 1 study showed reduced risk in atopic families only; the other study showed no effect. Eight cross-sectional studies evaluated past pet exposure; a protective effect was seen in 3 studies for cat, dog, or any pet; no study demonstrated an increased risk. CONCLUSIONS There was no clear evidence that early pet exposure is associated with increased risks of subsequent eczema. We found some evidence of a possible protective effect of early pet exposure, but this might be explained by avoidance behavior in high-risk families.
Analysis of the Monkeypox Virus Genome

Monkeypox virus (MPV) belongs to the orthopoxvirus genus of the family Poxviridae, is endemic in parts of Africa, and causes a human disease that resembles smallpox. The 196,858-bp MPV genome was analyzed with regard to structural features and open reading frames. Each end of the genome contains an identical but oppositely oriented 6379-bp terminal inverted repetition, which similar to that of other orthopoxviruses, includes a putative telomere resolution sequence and short tandem repeats. Computer-assisted analysis was used to identify 190 open reading frames containing ≥60 amino acid residues. Of these, four were present within the inverted terminal repetition. MPV contained the known essential orthopoxvirus genes but only a subset of the putative immunomodulatory and host range genes. Sequence comparisons confirmed the assignment of MPV as a distinct species of orthopoxvirus that is not a direct ancestor or a direct descendent of variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox.
Antioxidant supplementation does not alter endurance training adaptation.

BACKGROUND There is a considerable commercial market, especially within the sports community, claiming the need for antioxidant supplementation. One argument for antioxidant supplementation in sports is that physical exercise is associated with increased reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) production, which may cause cell damage. However, RONS production may also activate redox-sensitive signaling pathways and transcription factors, which subsequently, may promote training adaptation. PURPOSE Our aim was to investigate the effects of combined vitamin C and E supplementation to healthy individuals on different measures of exercise performance after endurance training. METHODS Using a double-blinded placebo-controlled design, moderately trained young men received either oral supplementation with vitamins C and E (n = 11) or placebo (n = 10) before and during 12 wk of supervised, strenuous bicycle exercise training of a frequency of 5 d x wk(-1). Muscle biopsies were obtained before and after training. RESULTS After the training period, maximal oxygen consumption, maximal power output, and workload at lactate threshold increased markedly (P < 0.01) in both groups. Also, glycogen concentration, citrate synthase, and beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity in the muscle were significantly higher in response to training (P < 0.01) in both groups. However, there were no differences between the two groups concerning any of the physiological and metabolic variables measured. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that administration of vitamins C and E to individuals with no previous vitamin deficiencies has no effect on physical adaptations to strenuous endurance training.
A real time color gamut mapping using tetrahedral interpolation for digital tv color reproduction enhancement

In this paper, a tetrahedral interpolation technique is utilized to build new type architecture for real time color gamut mapping which has been known to be one of promising methods to enhance display quality of digital and/or high-definition TV. It is common practice to simplify the required complex computations for the mapping by adopting three-dimensional interpolation techniques. If carefully arranged, the tetrahedral interpolation can be computed with simpler operations compared to the other types of interpolation such as a cubic or three-bilinear interpolation in the conventional reduced resolution look-up table. With these simplified operations, the proposed method reduces the required computational cost and the complexity of hardware implementation. The proposed method is implemented in VHDL code and the simulation results show that the proposed method reduces the number of gates needed to hardware implementation without loss of color reproduction quality.
The impact of serviceability-oriented dimensions on after-sales service cost and customer satisfaction

This research investigates the customer's perspective on product serviceability, including its impact on after-sales service cost (AC) and satisfaction/loyalty when experiencing service or repair. Using a split-sample technique, exploratory factor analysisand confirmatory factor analysis are carried out on survey data from 1464 users of automobiles and air conditioners in Japan in order to identify dimensions related to serviceability as well as to examine the relationship between each construct. From this, the research identified four serviceability-oriented dimensions: tangibles dimension of serviceability, assurance dimension of serviceability, responsiveness dimension of serviceability and AC. Through structural equation modelling, a conceptual model was analysed. Hypotheses about the relationships between the four dimensions of serviceability, and their positive effects on customer satisfaction/loyalty (CS) were tested for both products and were found to be supported. As other contributions to the product serviceability literature, AC was found to act as a mediating variable, and CS for the product and for after-sales service experiences formed into a single dimension by which customers viewed the product. These research results provide insight to scholars and practitioners for strategising after-sales service requirements during new product development and for offering customer-friendly practices in after-sales service.
Academic whatsapp groups as alternative communication and motivation systems in higher education

The present article shows the development of a study that analyzed the possibilities of academic WhatsApp groups as alternative communication systems for virtual tutoring in the university environment. Through a descriptive study with 317 students from three different degrees, the results obtained indicate that the implementation of academic WhatsApp groups would make a helpful tool for improving the communication with their classmates and the virtual tutoring with their teachers, increasing their level of written expression and participation.
Improved glycemic control after long-term insulin pump use in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND There are currently few data available on the long-term use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) (insulin pump) therapy in children. METHODS Charts from 291 youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who were treated with CSII therapy for at least 1 year were reviewed. Data analysis included hemoglobin A(1c)(HbA(1c)) values, body mass index (BMI) values, and the occurrence of severe hypoglycemia (SH) or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) events. RESULTS For the 291 patients, the mean age (+/-SD) for beginning CSII therapy was 13.3 +/- 3.7 years. The mean duration of CSII was 3.7 +/- 1.9 years (range 1-9 years). The baseline HbA(1c) value was 8.7 +/- 1.0%, compared to 8.2 +/- 0.9% after 1 year (P < 0.0001). The most recent value for all patients was 8.3 +/- 1.3% (P < 0.0001 compared to the baseline values for the same subjects). There was no advantage in glycemic control in the teen years as a result of initiating CSII in the pre-teen years compared to the teen years. SH events decreased from 9.06 events per 100 patient-years before CSII therapy to 7.96 events per 100 patient-years while on CSII therapy. The incidence of DKA increased from 1.39 events pre-CSII to 3.98 events per 100 patient-years while on CSII therapy. BMI z-scores showed a nonsignificant increase. CONCLUSIONS The long-term use of CSII in pediatric patients is beneficial in lowering mean HbA(1c) levels and the number of SH events. However, there was an increase in the number of DKA episodes.
Series 4 : respiratory muscles in neuromuscular and chest diseases Respiratory Muscle Disorders in Chest Wall Diseases

Diseases that constrict the skeletal structure of the chest wall and the spine with its articulations may interfere with the functional capacity of the diaphragmatic pump, facilitating the development of respiratory insufficiency and failure. The present article discusses the response of the respiratory muscles to mechanical overload. Following a brief examination of the force these muscles are required to exert in normal conditions, we review the pathophysiology of some characteristic alterations brought about by a) chest wall diseases such as kyphoscoliosis; b) other diseases involving the bony structure of the chest wall such as ankylosing spondylitis and pectus excavatum; and c) extreme obesity. Systemic disorders of a neuromuscular type will be dealt with in a different chapter of the series.
Clinicopathologic features and treatment outcomes in malignant lymphoma of pediatric and young adult patients in Korea: comparison of korean all-ages group and Western younger age group.

PURPOSE The aim of this study is to define distinctive clinicopathologic features of malignant lymphoma in pediatric and young adult patients, particularly in Korea. PATIENTS AND METHODS From May 1993 to November 2005, 294 pediatric and young adult patients (age range, 0-31 years) with malignant lymphoma were analyzed in this study at Samsung Medical Center. We also compared this group with the Korean all-ages group and Western younger age group using previously reported data. RESULTS Hodgkin disease appears more common in the younger age group than in the all-ages group (15% vs. 5.3%; P = .001). Among patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), T/natural killer cell immunophenotype is more common in the present younger age group than the all-ages group (45.5% vs. 25%; P = .001) and Western younger age group (45.5% vs. 13.3%; P = .001). Lymphoblastic lymphoma and T-anaplastic large-cell lymphoma included relatively higher proportions in the younger age group. Overall survival for patients in the group aged 21-31 years was significantly inferior to that of the other younger age group (P = .014). CONCLUSION The incidence of Hodgkin disease and T-cell NHL is relatively higher in pediatric and young-adult population group than the all-ages group. However, treatment outcome of the younger age group, excluding lymphoblastic lymphoma, seems to be similar to those in any age group.
Effect of ionic products of dicalcium silicate coating on osteoblast differentiation and collagen production via TGF-β1 pathway

In this work, the medium containing ionic products of dicalcium silicates (Ca2SiO4) for culturing MG63 cells was prepared by immersing a titanium alloy plate with the plasma sprayed Ca2SiO4 coatings in DMEM solution. The effect of the ionic products on cellular differentiation, collagen production, and local growth factors (prostaglandin E2 [PGE2] and transforming growth factor-β [TGF-β1]) of osteoblast-like MG63 cells were investigated. The normal DMEM was also used to culture MG63 cells as the control group. Differentiation of cell was evaluated by detecting alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and osteocalcin (OC) synthesis as well as their gene expression. Collagen production was analyzed by Sircol assay. The levels of PGE2 and TGF-β1 in culture medium were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The gene expressions of TGF-β receptors (TGF-β RI and TGF-β RII) were also measured by real-time PCR technology. MG63 cells cultured in DMEM containing ionic products of Ca2SiO4 coating showed enhanced differentiation and increased collagen production. The results obtained from ELISA showed that the levels of PGE2 and TGF-β1 in experimental group were higher than that in control. The gene expression of TGF-β receptors was upregulated, indicating that more TGF-β1 bonded to their receptors which produce more effects on the osteoblastic activity, leading to enhanced differentiation and synthetic activity of osteoblast. It is concluded that ionic products of Ca2SiO4 coating may enhance cellular differentiation and collagen production by influencing TGF-β1 pathway.
Crime during the business cycle: urban–rural differences

ABSTRACT Despite the abundant literature on how crime evolves over the business cycle, no consensus has arisen whether crime increases or decreases during recessions. The literature provides both positive and negative associations between the crime rate and the unemployment rate, a commonly used proxy for the business cycle. This study revisits this issue and uses county-level data from 1990 to 2013. It allows for differences as to how unemployment relates to both property crime and violent crime depending on the size of the counties. We find evidence of a positive association between unemployment and property crime that strengthens with county size. The results show the same pattern for violent crime but are statistically weaker. Our findings suggest that the positive association between property crime and unemployment that others have found is largely driven by more populous areas.
Do Energy Prices Affect U.S. Investor Sentiment?

ABSTRACT The current literature has examined the effect of investor sentiment on energy prices, but no study ever has explored the validity of the reverse question. Therefore, this article explore whether energy prices (i.e., crude oil and natural gas prices) affect U.S. investor sentiment, using the methodology of quantile regression. The empirical results document that controlling for a number of U.S. macroeconomic and financial factors, there exists a statistically significant association between oil and natural gas prices and investor sentiment. However, only natural gas prices appear to retain their statistical significance over the majority of quantiles. These findings received robust support under alternative measures of the investor sentiment index.