Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Communicating treatment risk reduction to people with low numeracy skills: a cross-cultural comparison.

OBJECTIVES We sought to address denominator neglect (i.e. the focus on the number of treated and nontreated patients who died, without sufficiently considering the overall numbers of patients) in estimates of treatment risk reduction, and analyzed whether icon arrays aid comprehension. METHODS We performed a survey of probabilistic, national samples in the United States and Germany in July and August of 2008. Participants received scenarios involving equally effective treatments but differing in the overall number of treated and nontreated patients. In some conditions, the number who received a treatment equaled the number who did not; in others the number was smaller or larger. Some participants received icon arrays. RESULTS Participants-particularly those with low numeracy skills-showed denominator neglect in treatment risk reduction perceptions. Icon arrays were an effective method for eliminating denominator neglect. We found cross-cultural differences that are important in light of the countries' different medical systems. CONCLUSIONS Problems understanding numerical information often reside not in the mind but in the problem's representation. These findings suggest suitable ways to communicate quantitative medical data.
Analysis of intravenous immunoglobulin for the treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis using SCORTEN: The University of Miami Experience.

BACKGROUND Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare, life-threatening condition caused by certain medications. Keratinocytes affected by TEN have been found to undergo apoptosis mediated by Fas-FasL interactions. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been proposed to inhibit this interaction. OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the effectiveness of IVIG therapy in reducing mortality in patients with TEN. DESIGN A retrospective analysis of 16 consecutive patients with TEN who were treated with IVIG. The SCORTEN system, a validated predictor of TEN mortality, was used to analyze the data of these patients. Using SCORTEN, we compared the predicted mortality of our patient population with observed mortality. SETTING Dermatology inpatient unit at a university-affiliated hospital. INTERVENTION All 16 patients received IVIG treatment daily for 4 days. Fifteen patients received 1 g/kg per day and 1 patient received 0.4 g/kg per day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES For each patient, causes of TEN and other medical problems were documented prior to IVIG therapy, as were the 7 independent SCORTEN risk factors. RESULTS One patient died. Based on the SCORTEN system, 5.81 patients were expected to die. These mortality rates were compared using the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) analysis ([Sigma observed deaths/Sigma expected deaths] x 100) to determine the efficacy of this treatment, which showed that patients with TEN treated with IVIG were 83% less likely to die than those not treated with IVIG (SMR = 0.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.0-0.96). CONCLUSION Based on comparison of our observed mortality rate with the SCORTEN-predicted mortality rate, treatment with IVIG significantly decreased mortality in patients with TEN.
Is glutathione an important neuroprotective effector molecule against amyloid beta toxicity?

Cellular thiols are critical moieties in signal transduction, regulation of gene expression, and ultimately are determinants of specific protein activity. Whilst protein bound thiols are the critical effector molecules, low molecular weight thiols, such as glutathione, play a central role in cytoprotection through (1) direct consumption of oxidants, (2) regeneration of protein thiols and (3) export of glutathione containing mixed disulphides. The brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress, as it consumes 20% of oxygen load, contains high concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids and iron in certain regions, and expresses low concentrations of enzymic antioxidants. There is substantial evidence for a role for oxidative stress in neurodegenerative disease, where excitotoxic, redox cycling and mitochondrial dysfunction have been postulated to contribute to the enhanced oxidative load. Others have suggested that loss of important trophic factors may underlie neurodegeneration. However, the two are not mutually exclusive; using cell based model systems, low molecular weight antioxidants have been shown to play an important neuroprotective role in vitro, where neurotrophic factors have been suggested to modulate glutathione levels. Glutathione levels are regulated by substrate availability, synthetic enzyme and metabolic enzyme activity, and by the presence of other antioxidants, which according to the redox potential, consume or regenerate GSH from its oxidised partner. Therefore we have investigated the hypothesis that amyloid beta neurotoxicity is mediated by reactive oxygen species, where trophic factor cytoprotection against oxidative stress is achieved through regulation of glutathione levels. Using PC12 cells as a model system, amyloid beta 25-35 caused a shift in DCF fluorescence after four hours in culture. This fluorescence shift was attenuated by both desferioxamine and NGF. After four hours, cellular glutathione levels were depleted by as much as 75%, however, 24 hours following oxidant exposure, glutathione concentration was restored to twice the concentration seen in controls. NGF prevented both the loss of viability seen after 24 hours amyloid beta treatment and also protected glutathione levels. NGF decreased the total cellular glutathione concentration but did not affect expression of GCS. In conclusion, loss of glutathione precedes cell death in PC12 cells. However, at sublethal doses the surviving fraction respond to oxidative stress by increasing glutathione levels, where this is achieved, at least in part, at the gene level through upregulation of GCS. Whilst NGF does protect against oxidative toxicity, this is not achieved through upregulation of GCS or glutathione.
Decreased expression of thrombomodulin is correlated with tumor cell invasiveness and poor prognosis in nonsmall cell lung cancer

Thrombomodulin (TM) plays a role in coagulation, inflammation, and cell adhesion. Reduction of TM expression plays an important role in the tumor metastatic process; however, insufficient information is available regarding the expression of TM in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Sixty NSCLC patients who underwent surgery were reviewed for TM expression and multiple variables were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. The expression level of TM and its metastatic ability were examined in vitro using the human NSCLC A549 cell line. TM expression in NSCLC was significantly correlated with survival; the 5‐yr survival rates of patients with high and low TM expression were 23% and 18% (P < 0.01), respectively. Distribution of TM was detected predominantly in the normal lung tissue compared with lung cancer tissue. Western blot analysis showed, on average, decreased expression levels of TM protein in the lung cancer tissues of patients with NSCLC. An in vitro study also showed that overexpression of TM can inhibit the invasiveness and migration ability of the A549 cell line, whereas silencing of TM significantly enhanced these processes. This inhibition of cellular migration by overexpression of TM was significantly prevented by the selective inhibitors of PI3K and Akt, but not by MAPK inhibitors. This study demonstrates that a decrease in TM expression may be an indicator in the prognosis of NSCLC patients and provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of TM in the metastasis of NSCLC. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Net haemoglobin increase from reinfusion of refrigerated vs. frozen red blood cells after autologous blood transfusions

Background and Objectives Two main blood storage procedures can be used for storing red blood cells: refrigeration and freezing. Nevertheless, the efficiency of these procedures measured as the increase in haemoglobin after reinfusion compared with baseline has never been examined. The main objective was to examine which storage procedure yielded the largest increase in circulating haemoglobin after reinfusion compared to baseline.
A new gradient-based algorithm for edge detection in ultrasonic carotid artery images

In human clinical studies, digital B-Mode ultrasound images of carotid and femoral artery walls are used to measure Intima-Media Thickness (IMT). IMT represents the arterial intima-media complex and is a validated surrogate parameter for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease risk. Conventionally, IMT is obtained by tracing the ultrasound interfaces of the arterial far walls manually. The manual tracing, however, may be replaced by an automated approach in order to decrease image analysis variability and improve consistency and efficiency of the imaging laboratory. In this paper, we present and test a novel automated edge detection method which employs a multi-step gradient based algorithm. The new method principally uses intensity, intensity gradient, and interface continuity of pixels to determine the ultrasound interfaces. In our investigations, we used the far wall of the common carotid artery to test the proposed algorithm. As our results show, the novel algorithm greatly eliminates subjectivity associated with conventional manual tracing and semi-automated gradient methods that employ seed point selection. The new method can therefore have a great potential in atherosclerosis studies and clinical trials.
Optimizing Intracochlear Electrical Stimulation to Suppress Tinnitus

Objectives: Research on tinnitus suppression by intracochlear electrical stimulation has gained interest over the past few decades and it has become easier to apply since the introduction of cochlear implants (CI). This study attempted to gain more insight into optimal stimulation characteristics for tinnitus suppression. Design: Eleven subjects with unilateral CI and tinnitus were recruited from our CI clinic. Electrical stimulation, independent of acoustic sounds, was generated using their CI. The current prospective (single blinded) experimental study systematically assessed two stimulation parameters, namely current level and the anatomical stimulation site inside the cochlea and their short-term effect on tinnitus. Results: Approximately one-third of the tested conditions were successful in which case tinnitus loudness was reduced by at least 30%. At least one successful condition was achieved for nine subjects (82%). Complete suppression was achieved in 6 out of 107 tested conditions (6%). The effect of subthreshold electrical stimulation on tinnitus suppression did not differ significantly from above threshold electrical stimulation. However, a positive relation between mean percentage tinnitus suppression and current level was observed. Pitch-matched electrical stimulation did not appear to suppress tinnitus better than other tested conditions. Conclusions: The majority of the subjects were able to experience tinnitus reduction through intracochlear electrical stimulation independent of acoustic sounds. Tinnitus can be reduced with audible or even inaudible, subthreshold stimuli. Clear trends in optimal stimulation characteristics were not found. Optimal stimulus characteristics for tinnitus reduction therefore appear to be highly subject-specific.
Do Short Sale Constraints Impede the Diffusion of Negative Information?

I model the process of information diffusion through trading decisions of informed agents and the rational response of risk-neutral market makers (arbitrageurs). I find that in a model where the probability distribution of the asset’s payoff is modeled as a Bernoulli random variable (following Glosten and Milgrom (1985) and Diamond and Verrecchia (1987)), the short sale constraints inhibit the information diffusion to the same degree in cases of positive information and negative information. Put another way, after fixed number of trades, the positive news have a positive expected price impact of the same magnitude as the negative price impact of negative news. I consider also a more complex specification following Kyle (1985). The payoff of the asset is modeled as a normal random variable and the behavior of the informed agents and the market makers is determined by the non-linear Nash equilibrium where informed agents make portfolio choices so as to maximize their expected profits (one of them subject to selling constraint) while market makers set the price equal to the conditional expectation of the payoff given the public information about the order flow. In this setting, the price impact of the private information about the true payoff depends not only of the direction of the private information (whether the true payoff is higher or lower than the expected payoff) but also on the magnitude of the private signal. In the equilibrium, I find that (i) the price impact in the model where some of the informed agents are constrained has typically lower magnitude than in the model where all the agents can sell the asset, (ii) in the model where some agents cannot sell, the price impact of extreme positive news is higher in magnitude than the price impact of the equally sizable negative news, (iii) in the model where some agents cannot sell, the price impact of moderate positive news is lower in magnitude than the price impact of the equally small negative news. In conclusion, in the model with Bernoulli-distributed payoff, “Bad News Travels Slowly” does not hold because they travel as slowly as good news. In the model with normally-distributed payoff “Bad News Travels Slowly” holds only for sizable bad news as compared to commensurate good news. For the news of moderate magnitude however, the very reverse is the case.
The Boss Knows Best: Directors of Research and Subordinate Analysts

Research departments are managed by directors of research (DORs). Subordinate analysts working for higher-quality DORs provide superior earnings forecasts that elicit stronger market reactions, provide better investment recommendations, and have better career outcomes. For the broker, higher-quality DORs drive more trading commissions. Economically, analysts benefit the most from DOR–analyst industry alignment resulting from DORs’ former analyst experience. We provide several tests to mitigate endogeneity concerns and explore various mechanisms to explain these results. Overall, our article identifies a unique channel whereby the industry-specific and general human capital of top management filters through to individual subordinates and consequently improves organizational performance.
[Peripheral plasma Big endothelin 1 levels in patients with gastric carcinoma undergoing radical gastrectomy and its relationship with tumor recurrence].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the plasma Big endothelin-1 levels in patients with gastric carcinoma before and after radical gastrectomy, and explore its clinical significance. METHODS One hundred and six patients with gastric carcinoma and 20 controls were enrolled. The Big ET-1 plasma levels were examined by enzyme-linked immuno absorbent assay before and on the 1st, 3rd, and 10th day after curative surgery, and then were tested every 3 months in the patients with advanced gastric cancer. RESULTS All patients, except those with stage I gastric cancer, had significantly higher mean plasma Big ET-1 levels compared with normal controls (P=0.000). Higher plasma Big ET-1 levels were associated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.020) and serosal infiltration (P=0.035). The plasma Big Endothelin-1 levels were markedly increased on the first post-operative day (1st POD) in all patients,but decreased on the 3rd POD with no significant difference compared to the preoperative levels. On the 10th POD, the patients with stage I and II gastric cancer showed marked reduction in plasma Big ET-1 levels (P=0.010 and P=0.000, respectively), whereas no significant difference was observed in stage III and IV patients. During the follow-up, the plasma Big ET-1 levels just before recurrence in stage II patients were significantly higher compared with the levels on the 10th POD (P=0.011). CONCLUSIONS Plasma Big ET-1 might be a reliable marker to determine the severity of gastric carcinoma. Monitoring plasma Big ET-1 levels after curative resection in stage II gastric cancer patients is valuable to predict recurrence.
Comparison of rapid methods for the extraction of bacterial DNA from colonic and caecal lumen contents of the pig

Aims: The increasing uses of DNA methodologies to study the micro flora of the pig gastrointestinal tract requires an efficient recovery of bacterial DNA from the intestinal sample. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine which DNA extraction methods are most effective for luminal samples from pigs. Several routinely used nucleic acid extraction procedures were compared based upon quantity and purity of extracted DNA.
Prosody, Linguistic Demands, and Auditory Comprehension in Aphasia

Prosody plays a clear role in the auditory comprehension of narratives by aphasic listeners. Previous research, however, has pointed to questions regarding variables which increase task complexity (e.g., memory, reading level) and the influence of the severity of aphasia. This study examined the role of the severity of aphasia and linguistic complexity in narrative comprehension by aphasic listeners. Findings indicate that while all subject groups improved their auditory comprehension when emphasis was present, people with severe aphasia improved significantly more, but only in a low linguistic complexity condition. However, subjects had additional opportunity for improved performance in both low and high linguistic complexity conditions. These results pose additional questions about perceived task difficulty (and performance) and resource allocation strategies.
ANALISIS BELANJA MODAL, INVESTASI, DAN TENAGA KERJA TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN EKONOMI SULAWESI SELATAN (CAPITAL EXPENDITURES ANALYSIS, INVESTMENTS, AND EMPLOYMENT ON ECONOMIC GROWTH SOUTH SULAWESI)

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the influence of Capital Expenditure and Investment, and Employment on economic growth in South Sulawesi. This study uses time series data (time series) in 2001-2013. Data collected through observation and documentation. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis by the method of ordinary least squares (OLS). The results showed that the variable Capital Expenditures, Investment, and Labour significant effect on economic growth in South Sulawesi. Capital Expenditure Partially variables, and variables of Labor has a significant influence on the economic growth of South Sulawesi. While variable investments significantly negative effect on economic growth in South Sulawesi. Keywords: Capital Expenditures, Investment, Employment, Economic growth.
Shape and fine structure of nucleoids observed on sections of ultrarapidly frozen and cryosubstituted bacteria

Very rapidly frozen cells of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis were substituted at low temperature into acetone with 1% OsO4 and embedded in Epon. They showed ribosome-free spaces filled with globular and fibrillar material of up to 15 nm. The sizes of structures seen do not exclude DNA superstructures such as supercoils, aggregates, and nucleosomes. With the Feulgen analog osmium-ammines stain, DNA was localized within the ribosome-free space. The bulk of DNA, the nucleoid, is therefore a major part of, or identical to, the main ribosome-free space. The ribosome-free space would correspond directly to the light microscopy phase-contrast image of nucleoids in living bacteria. The shape of the ribosome-free space does not reflect intracellular salt concentrations, nor do the Feulgen-positive areas. The previously observed dependency on the salt concentration of the growth medium seems to be due to permeabilization induced by the chemical fixative at room temperature. The ribosome-free space is more cleft in appearance than the nucleoid obtained by fixation with OsO4 but more confined than its very dispersed form found after aldehyde fixation.
An Inexact Newton Method for Microwave Reconstruction of Strong Scatterers

An approach to solve the inverse scattering problem for imaging applications is presented. The proposed algorithm is based on an inexact Newton method applied to the Lippmann¿Schwinger integral equation. Inhomogeneous dielectric scatterers with high contrast in a tomographic arrangement are considered. The capabilities of the approach are assessed with reference to several different unknown objects. In particular, both noisy synthetic data and experimental data have been used. Furthermore, a comparison with a model based on the second order Born approximation is also reported.
Re-evaluation of hyaluronidase in peribulbar anaesthesia.

AIMS/BACKGROUND: Hyaluronidase can augment the actions of local anaesthetics in peribulbar anaesthesia. However, evidence suggests satisfactory anaesthesia can be achieved using mixtures without hyaluronidase. A randomised double blind study was conducted on 50 patients, undergoing peribulbar anaesthesia, to validate this observation. METHODS: Patients received a standard mixture of local anaesthetic (0.5% bupivacaine and 2% lignocaine in a 1:1 ratio) with or without hyaluronidase (25 IU/ml of mixture), pH values 5.16 and 5.24 respectively. Time taken to establish satisfactory anaesthesia to allow surgery was noted. RESULTS: The onset time to globe akinesia in the control group ranged from 2 to 15 minutes (mean 5.64 and median 4 minutes) and in the hyaluronidase group from 2 to 12 minutes (mean 4.64 and median 4 minutes). The volume of local anaesthetic injected to achieve satisfactory anaesthesia ranged from 8 to 16 ml (mean 10.96, SD 1.95) in the control group and 10 to 18 ml (mean 11.64, SD 2.8) in the hyaluronidase group. A Mann-Whitney test to compare onset times to globe akinesia between groups gave a p value = 0.6 and 95% confidence interval (-1 to 2 minutes). CONCLUSION: Addition of 25 IU/ml of hyaluronidase to a standard pH unadjusted local anaesthetic mixture does not significantly reduce the time to the onset of satisfactory globe akinesia.