Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Clinical evaluation of Parkinson's disease using 123I-IMP SPECT].

N-isopropyl-p[123I]iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) SPECT and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) studies were performed in 20 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 8 normal subjects. RCBF was measured by the arterial blood sampling method which used the microsphere model. We analyzed seven factors which might be related to the rCBF in PD, i.e., age, stage, duration of the disease, cerebral atrophy, severity of dementia, laterality of symptoms and motor disability score (MDS; the degree of akinesia, rigidity, tremor, gait disturbance, freezing and pulsion sign). Compared with normal subjects, global CBF (supratentorial mean rCBF) was reduced 21.8% in PD. In particular, rCBF in the basal ganglia and that of frontal cortex were reduced 25.3%, 24.8%, respectively. Distribution patterns of rCBF in PD were almost as same as those in normals except for cerebellum. The reduction of both rCBFs in the basal ganglia and parietal cortex significantly correlated with MDS (p less than 0.05, respectively). Especially, akinesia was closely correlated to the reduction of rCBF in the parietal cortex (p less than 0.02). Moreover, we observed a significant relationship between cerebral atrophy and reduction of rCBF in each region except for cerebellum. However, there was no significant correlation between the severity of dementia and reduction of rCBF, even in the frontal cortex or parietal cortex. These data show that the severity of dementia in PD may be connected with other factors except for rCBF. 123I-IMP SPECT study is a useful method for clinical evaluation of PD.
[The effect of exercise during hemodialysis on adequacy of dialysis].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of exercise on dialysis adequacy during hemodialysis (HD). METHODS 20 studies were performed in 20 maintenance hemodialysis patients. Each study consisted of a pair of HD treatment; the blood and dialysate flow rates, dialyser and treating time were the same. An adapted exercise cycle was attached to the dialysis bed. The patients of exercise group pedaled the exercise cycle throughout the dialysis, and had a 5 - 10 minutes rest if they needed. while the patients of a control group had no exercise. BUN, Scr and UA were measured just before and after dialysis immediately, and 60 minutes after dialysis. Furthermore, KT/V, SRI, AUR and nPCR were detected by on-line dialysis monitor. RESULTS In the exercise group, after HD, both BUN and Scr decrease rates were significantly higher, while the rebound of BUN, Scr and UA were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05 approximately 0.01). KT/V, AUR and SRI were significant higher in the exercise group than those in the control group (P < 0.05 approximately 0.01 respectively), while nPCR showed no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION Exercise during HD is a practicable new way to improve the efficiency of dialysis.
Comparison of reading performance tests concerning difficulty of sentences and paragraphs and their reliability

In research and practice, sentences or paragraphs of reading tests may be randomly chosen to assess reading performance. This means that in addition to test reliability, all sentences or paragraphs should be reliable and equally difficult to read. The sentences and paragraphs of five (un‐) standardised Dutch reading tests were investigated in this regard.
Adjuvant therapy in high-risk early endometrial carcinoma: a retrospective analysis of 46 cases.

OBJECTIVE We assessed the prognostic factors and the efficacy of adjuvant therapy and reviewed randomized studies carried out on patients receiving adjuvant therapy with early endometrial carcinoma. METHODS One hundred and five patients that received primary surgical treatment for stage IB, IC and II endometrial cancer were enrolled in this study. The clinical outcomes were compared among the patients with variable prognostic factors and adjuvant treatments. RESULTS One hundred and five patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria and 46 patients (43.8%) underwent adjuvant therapy. Disease recurrence occurred in nine patients within a median time of 24 months. Cervical involvement was an independent prognostic factor for the disease-free survival rates. Eight of 16 patients with FIGO stage II disease received adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin and etoposide (or cyclophosphamide) or combined chemoradiation. The 5-year disease-free survival rate for these patients was 87.5%, a value significantly higher than for patients that received radiation therapy alone (30%). CONCLUSION Adjuvant chemotherapy or combination chemo-radiotherapy might be superior to radiation therapy alone in high-risk early endometrial cancer patients.
MR Autopsy in Fetuses

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MR autopsy) could serve as an alternative to necropsy of fetuses. The value of MR autopsy in the validation of the obstetric management and in risk counseling concerning future pregnancies is discussed. Methods: 10 consecutive, malformed fetuses were examined by postmortem MRI within 24 h of delivery. Prenatal ultrasound (US) was performed in all fetuses. Complete necropsy served as gold standard. Results: MR autopsy confirmed every US diagnosis responsible for termination. All MRI findings were confirmed by necropsy. In two fetuses, necropsy gave additional information relevant for risk counseling. Histologic examination corrected the diagnosis in one case. Conclusions: MR autopsy provides valuable information previously only available from necropsy. In parents who refuse perinatal necropsy, the information obtained by MR autopsy can be used to validate obstetric management and to evaluate the risk for future pregnancies. Necropsy however remains the gold standard.
A population‐based analysis of risk factors for a second primary cutaneous melanoma among melanoma survivors

The results of several studies have provided evidence that patients diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma (CM) are at a higher risk of developing a second primary CM than the general population. In this study, the authors examined how the risk of a second primary tumor varied with time from diagnosis of CM and examined the patient‐specific factors that modify a CM patient's risk of developing a second primary tumor.
New models of chronic kidney disease care including pharmacists: improving medication reconciliation and medication management

Purpose of reviewPatients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are complex, have many medication-related problems (MRPs) and high rates of medication nonadherence, and are less adherent to some medications than patients with higher levels of kidney function. Nonadherence in CKD patients increases the odds of uncontrolled hypertension, which can increase the risk of CKD progression. This review discusses reasons for gaps in medication-related care for CKD patients, pharmacy services to reduce these gaps and successful models that incorporate pharmacist care. Recent findingsPharmacists are currently being trained to deliver patient-centred care, including identification and management of MRPs and helping patients overcome barriers to improve medication adherence. A growing body of evidence indicates that pharmacist services for CKD patients, including medication reconciliation and medication therapy management, positively affect clinical and cost outcomes, including lower rates of decline in glomerular filtration rates, reduced mortality and fewer hospitalizations and hospital days, but more robust research is needed. Team-based models including pharmacists exist today and are being studied in a wide range of innovative care and reimbursement models. SummaryOpportunities are growing to include pharmacists as integral members of CKD and dialysis healthcare teams to reduce MRPs, increase medication adherence and improve patient outcomes.
Avoiding Threat in Late Adulthood: Testing Two Life Span Theories of Emotion

The purpose of the present research was to explore the time course of age-related attentional biases and the role of emotion regulation as a potential mediator of older adults' performance in an emotion dot probe task. In two studies, younger and older adults (N = 80) completed a visual probe detection task, which presented happy, angry, and sad facial expressions. Across both studies, age influenced attentional responses to angry faces. Results indicated a bias away from angry-related facial emotion information occurring relatively late in attention. Age effects were not attributable to decreasing information processing speed or visuoperceptual function. Current results demonstrated that an age-related attentional preference away from angry facial cues was mediated by efforts to suppress emotion. Findings are discussed in relation to current theories of sociocognitive aging.
Production, characterization, and application of monoclonal antibodies to Vibrio cholerae O139 synonym Bengal

Mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were derived against acetone-treated whole cells of the newly recognized Vibrio cholerae O139 serogroup which is causing epidemics of cholera-like disease in India and Bangladesh. Four MAbs specifically recognized the lipopolysaccharide antigens of V. cholerae O139. MAbs ICL9 and ICL13 were of the immunoglobulin M (IgM) isotype, ICL11 was of the IgG3 isotype, and ICL12 was of the Ig2b isotype. A fifth MAb, ICL10, of the IgG2b isotype cross-reacted with V. cholerae O91. All five MAbs recognized V. cholerae O139 in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, slide agglutination test, motility inhibition test, and indirect immunofluorescence test. During a 1-month evaluation of these MAbs in our clinical laboratory, all 86 cases diagnosed as V. cholerae O139 by a rabbit polyclonal antiserum were also detected by these MAbs, establishing their utility as highly sensitive and specific diagnostic reagents. With these MAbs, it should now be possible to screen for the V. cholerae O139 serogroup in epidemic and endemic diarrhea cases and in environmental and food samples.
Challenges of accountability in resource-poor contexts: lessons about invited spaces from Karnataka’s village health committees

Abstract Invited spaces have been discussed by development scholars and policymakers as a new and important means of promoting accountability in primary healthcare. Although numerous experiments have been initiated to establish such spaces in resource-poor contexts, we still have little understanding of how they are used and their effectiveness. Based on our longitudinal study of the Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committees in Karnataka, we trace changes that have occurred in the frequency and quality of interactions between state, political and civil society committee participants as they come to understand the possibilities afforded to them, work out tactics and develop a set of practices that make them accountable to each other for improving village health. Our findings suggest that strengthening accountability within invited spaces can form an important basis for improving the primary healthcare system with implications for research and policy.
Eating with EatWith: analysing tourism-sharing economy consumers

In recent years, a growing body of research has analysed tourism-sharing economy users. While several studies have revealed the specific motivations of tourists for participating in such activities, there is an apparent lacuna with regard to understanding the generic motivations of such consumers. In response to this literature gap, the current study explores the motivations of these users, aiming to shed light on their values, lifestyles and consumption preferences. The motivations of sharing economy users were examined using a quantitative survey involving 738 consumers of EatWith – a global sharing economy marketplace that offers a communal dining experience. The study's findings indicate that EatWith users have the generic primary motivation of achievement. The findings present several contributions to scholars and practitioners, and propose that sharing economy users are affected both by the specific motivations of social considerations, environmental considerations and economic considerations, and by their primary motivations of ideals, achievement and self-expression.
How electrodiagnosis predicts clinical outcome of focal peripheral nerve lesions

This article reviews the electrodiagnostic (EDX) prognostic factors for focal traumatic and nontraumatic peripheral nerve injuries. Referring physicians and patients often benefit from general and nerve‐specific prognostic information from the EDX consultant. Knowing the probable outcome from a nerve injury allows the referring physician to choose the best treatment options for his/her patients. Nerve injuries are variable in their mechanism, location, and pathophysiology. The general effects of the injuries on nerve and muscle are well known, but more research is needed for nerve‐specific information. Several factors currently known to influence prognosis include: nature of the nerve trauma, amount of axon loss, recruitment in muscles supplied by the nerve, the extent of demyelination, and the distance to reinnervate functional muscles. This article reviews these general concepts and also nerve‐specific EDX measures that predict outcome after focal neuropathies. Muscle Nerve 52:321–333, 2015
Increased muscle perfusion reduces muscle sympathetic nerve activity during handgripping.

This study sought to determine whether increasing blood flow to active muscles can blunt the normal rise in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) during heavy rhythmic forearm exercise in humans. Subjects performed 5- to 6-min exercise bouts of handgripping (30/min) at 40-50% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Blood flow was increased by application of suction (50 mmHg) around the forearm. Suction increased deep venous oxygen saturation in blood draining the forearm from 34 +/- 4 to 45 +/- 4%, indicating that muscle blood flow had risen by approximately 20%. Suction had no impact on the heart rate, perceived exertion, or electromyographic responses to the handgripping. During 6 min of exercise at 50% of MVC, MSNA rose from 376 +/- 67 to 970 +/- 125 units during the control trial vs. 396 +/- 69 to 729 +/- 94 units during the suction trial, and the difference was maintained during 2 min of postexercise ischemia (P < 0.05; suction < control). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) rose from 99 +/- 4 to 129 +/- 6 mmHg during control vs. 99 +/- 4 to 126 +/- 6 mmHg during the suction trial, and these responses were only different (P < 0.05; suction < control) during the final minute of the exercise bouts. During postexercise ichemia, MAP was 122 +/- 6 mmHg after the control trial but was only 112 +/- 4 mmHg after the suction trial. These results indicate that forearm suction augmented muscle blood flow, limited the activation of chemosensitive muscle afferents, and blunted the rise in MSNA during exercise. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
What Drives the 'Smart-Money' Effect? Evidence from Investors' Money Flow to Mutual Fund Classes

The literature proposes two competing explanations — the “smart-money” and “persistent-flow” hypotheses — for the positive relation between mutual fund flow and future fund performance. We examine the flow-performance relation for different classes of U.S. domestic equity mutual funds. Our results show a stronger positive relation for the retail class than for the institutional class. More importantly, the significant relation for the retail class is mainly driven by funds with net outflow. This evidence is inconsistent with the smart-money hypothesis. We further show that retail funds exhibit greater persistence than institutional funds in net outflow. Once we control for expected fund flowfund flows, the flow-performance relation is no longer significant. We also perform robustness checks based on international funds and bond funds. The findings are supportive of the persistent-flow explanation.
Treatment of IgA nephropathy with omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids: a prospective, double-blind, randomized study.

In several studies diets supplemented with fish oil containing a high proportion of omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids (w-3-PUFA) have been shown to produce beneficial effects, such as a reduction in blood pressure, lipid levels and inflammation, all of which may affect the course of IgA nephropathy. However, the results of hitherto published studies concerning IgA nephropathy have been inconclusive. We therefore carried out a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled six-month study with a higher daily dose of w-3-PUFA than used in previous studies. Thirty-two adult patients with biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy and proteinuria completed the study: 15 were assigned to a fish-oil product with a high percentage of w-3-PUFA (K 85, with 55% eicosapentenoic and 30% docosahexenoic acid) and 17 to corn oil, 6g daily of either oil. At the start, no significant differences were found between the two groups (K85: 3 females/12 males, mean age 39 years (range 22-64), corn oil: 4 females/13 males, age 42 years (range 26-68). By six months, supplements of K85 resulted in a slight but significant reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) compared to the start: 51Cr-EDTA: 63 +/- 22 to 59 +/- 21 ml/min/1.73 m2 (p < 0.05), creatinine clearance: 91 +/- 31 to 79 +/- 25 ml/min (p < 0.01), s-creatinine: 131 +/- 39 to 139 +/- 39 mumol/l, whereas no change in GFR was observed in the corn oil group. The urinary total protein and red blood cell excretions were not affected in any of the groups. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Atmospheric pollution from point and diffuse sources in a National Interest Priority Site located in Italy

The purpose of this paper is the assessment of the environmental air pollution in a very densely inhabited area in the southern Italy, which is characterised by serious general contamination. Because the air pollution may have an impact on human health, this area was identified in 1998 as a National Interest Priority Site and comprises a large part of agricultural lands belonging to over 60 municipalities between Naples and Caserta provinces. This study characterises the air pollution affecting this area by estimating the total annual emissions of the major pollutants (CO, NOX, VOC, PM and heavy metals) and showing their municipal spatial disaggregation. In this study a bottom-up methodology was employed, then focusing at regional level instead of national and comprising local and specific parameters. The pollutants emitted from several sources in the area under investigation were obtained by direct measurements of the principal industrial point sources, whereas the emissions from diffuse sources were calculated on the basis of local activity indicators and specific emission factors concerning the relevant activities in this area. The results obtained in this research have identified local critical factors.
The bullwhip effect on inventory: a perspective on information quality

ABSTRACT In recent years, there has been a vast increase in the quantity of information shared across supply chain. We investigate how the timeliness and accuracy of information quality affect the value of information sharing. We use the inventory bullwhip effect (BWE) to measure the value of information sharing in a two-level supply chain consisting of one retailer and one manufacturer. The retailer faces a price-sensitive demand and the price is an AR (1) process. Our study shows if customer demand and retailer’s immediate order are delayed, using retailer’s historical order quantity to forecast can decrease manufacturer’s BWE. If information errors happen, during delivery and utilization, information sharing is not always valuable for the manufacturer. Sometimes, no information sharing can decrease much more of BWE. If information errors occur when the retailer collects demand information, value of information sharing is more significant than when there are no information errors.
Empirical Analysis of the Relationship Between Foreign Exchange Rate and Economic Growth in A Developing Economy: Nigerian Experience

This paper empirically analyzed the impact of foreign exchange rate on the growth of Nigerian economy. Time series data were obtained from the CBN publications on trends of GDP growth rate for the assessment for the periods 2000 to 2014. The GDP is used as dependent variable indicating economic growth of Nigeria. While independent variables like money supply, inflation rate, employment rate and foreign exchange rates were used as economic (performance) indicators. Multiple repression models were used to analyze the data in order to establish a functional relationship between the dependent variable and independent variables. The analysis was done with the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Our result revealed that there is variation on money supply and naira exchange rate; hence the monetary policy instruments were not efficacious in the attainment of price and exchange rate stability in Nigeria. Again, growths in money supply impact negatively on the economy as they breed inflation and there are significant relationships among M , real 1 exchange rate, unemployment rate and inflation rate. Therefore, the paper recommends among other things, that the monetary authorities should come up with workable macroeconomic policy that is capable of putting the economy back on a path of sustainable and non-inflationary position. This can be achieved by recognizing the importance of the linkage between the exchange rate and the growth of the economy.
Association between fertility drugs and gynecologic cancers, breast cancer, and childhood cancers

Ovulation‐inducing drugs have been widely used for various types of infertility since the beginning of 1960s and their use increases day by day parallel to the success achieved in fertility treatment. However, the researches performed in the last two decades have begun to discuss about the safety of these drugs and the risks associated with their use. Especially, the potential neoplastic effects of these drugs are increasingly questioned. The studies have discussed whether there is an association between the exposure to ovulation‐inducing drugs and the incidence of various cancers. Moreover, several studies have been performed to reveal whether there is an increased risk of childhood cancers in children conceived after fertility treatment. The point we reached through the available data is that the risk of breast, uterine and invasive ovarian cancers is not increased, but the risk of borderline ovarian tumors might increase after such a therapy. The risk of cancer has been found similar for children conceived after fertility treatment and those conceived naturally. It should also be kept in mind that cancers are overdiagnosed in infertile women population because of the close medical surveillance, which may also contribute to the early detection of cancers. Although it is still early to state the last words on this topic, the possible association should be addressed when obtaining an informed consent before starting treatment.