Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HOXB7 Expression is a Novel Biomarker for Long-term Prognosis After Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM Homeobox B7 (HOXB7) gene is involved in various cellular functions. We investigated the clinical significance of HOXB7 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS HOXB7 mRNA expression in 103 HCC samples and 58 matched non-cancerous liver tissues were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). HOXB7 protein expression was also examined by immunohistochemistry. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed using a public dataset. RESULTS HOXB7 expression was significantly higher in HCC tissues than in liver parenchyma. Ten-year overall survival (OS) and 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) of cases with higher HOXB7 expression were significantly poorer than those with lower HOXB7 expression. HOXB7 expression was significantly associated with larger tumor size and higher rate of biliary invasion and constituted an independent prognostic factor for OS by multivariate analysis. These results were supported by GSEA. CONCLUSION HOXB7 expression in HCC could be a novel biomarker for long-term prognosis after tumor resection.
Behavior therapy for children with Tourette disorder: a randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT Tourette disorder is a chronic and typically impairing childhood-onset neurologic condition. Antipsychotic medications, the first-line treatments for moderate to severe tics, are often associated with adverse effects. Behavioral interventions, although promising, have not been evaluated in large-scale controlled trials. OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of a comprehensive behavioral intervention for reducing tic severity in children and adolescents. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Randomized, observer-blind, controlled trial of 126 children recruited from December 2004 through May 2007 and aged 9 through 17 years, with impairing Tourette or chronic tic disorder as a primary diagnosis, randomly assigned to 8 sessions during 10 weeks of behavior therapy (n = 61) or a control treatment consisting of supportive therapy and education (n = 65). Responders received 3 monthly booster treatment sessions and were reassessed at 3 and 6 months following treatment. INTERVENTION Comprehensive behavioral intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (range 0-50, score >15 indicating clinically significant tics) and Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement Scale (range 1 [very much improved] to 8 [very much worse]). RESULTS Behavioral intervention led to a significantly greater decrease on the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (24.7 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 23.1-26.3] to 17.1 [95% CI, 15.1-19.1]) from baseline to end point compared with the control treatment (24.6 [95% CI, 23.2-26.0] to 21.1 [95% CI, 19.2-23.0]) (P < .001; difference between groups, 4.1; 95% CI, 2.0-6.2) (effect size = 0.68). Significantly more children receiving behavioral intervention compared with those in the control group were rated as being very much improved or much improved on the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale (52.5% vs 18.5%, respectively; P < .001; number needed to treat = 3). Attrition was low (12/126, or 9.5%); tic worsening was reported by 4% of children (5/126). Treatment gains were durable, with 87% of available responders to behavior therapy exhibiting continued benefit 6 months following treatment. CONCLUSION A comprehensive behavioral intervention, compared with supportive therapy and education, resulted in greater improvement in symptom severity among children with Tourette and chronic tic disorder. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00218777.
Institutional responses to HIV/AIDS from institutions of higher education in the Southern African Development Community

This report compares, analyses, and summarises findings on institutional responses toHIV/AIDS from public institutions of higher education in the Southern AfricanDevelopment Community (SADC). By examining current responses this report aimsto illustrate why and how higher education institutions must develop and sustaininstitutional responses to HIV/AIDS both individually and regionally, and alsopresents guidelines on how current gaps could be addressed and successes developed.In particular, the report examines institutional HIV/AIDS policies, workplace andpeer education programmes, VCT and treatment services, and curriculumdevelopment and research that together or singly could constitute a university’sinstitutional response to HIV/AIDS. This report also offers recommendations on the following lines to assist with futureconduct:• Regional integration and coordination• Dedicated human resources• Sustained monitoring & evaluation and research• Improved capacity-building• Meeting institutional responsibilities• Applying interdisciplinary approaches• Mainstreamed curriculum development• Providing technical support, and• Expanded regional consultation
Critical entrepreneur knowledge dimensions for the SME performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the entrepreneurship knowledge construct with its dimensions and its significance for the firm performance via a model. This research attempts to comprehensively examine the criteria for measuring entrepreneurial knowledge performance outcomes in small and medium enterprises. To date no studies developed a set of widely accepted measurement criteria associated to entrepreneur knowledge and firm performance. This paper, therefore, aims to fill the gap.Design/methodology/approach – Existing studies on entrepreneurial knowledge were reviewed and their limitations were identified. Mailed structured questionnaire data for this study were collected from SME in Slovenia (168 usable responses). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis with structural equation modelling was used to estimate the model.Findings – The model hypothesis on the relationship among entrepreneurial knowledge and performance were mainly supported, thus reflecting the positive effect o.
Communication abilities and work re-entry following traumatic brain injury

This exploratory study was completed to determine if communication measures could discriminate employed from unemployed individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Twenty adults with TBI participated, 10 employed and 10 unemployed; subjects in both groups were 1? 4 years post-injury, with comparable severity of injury and type of work. Subjects were administered communication tests measuring auditory processing, effects of speaking under time pressure, production of oral language, and functional verbal reasoning ability. An aphasia test and a functional outcome measure were also administered. Results revealed that a combination of three tests, one test of functional verbal reasoning and two tests of auditory processing, correctly classified 85% of subjects as employed or unemployed. Tasks that were impairment- and disability-based appear to be more related to outcome than impairment-level tasks alone. Impairment and disability level communication tasks may provide functional and practical information, which could assist in work re-entry.
Stabilization of quantized linear systems with saturations

This paper proposes some stability analysis and stabilization conditions for systems involving input saturation and quantized control law, which can be of two types: input quantization case and state quantization case. In both cases, the state feedback control design problem is addressed. Therefore, based on the use of some modified sector conditions and appropriate variable changes, synthesis conditions in a “quasi”-linear matrix inequality (quasi-LMI) form are stated in a regional (local) stability context. LMI-based optimisation problems for computing a controller in order to maximise the region of stability of the closed-loop system are proposed.
Social and Adversarial Varieties of Democracy : Which One Produces Fewer Criminals?

This article explores the relationship between two prominent varieties of democracy and the size of a country’s prison population. Theoretically, it proposes that social democracies increase social and economic equality which reduces both the “demand for crime” and the number of criminals. Adversarial democracies, on the other hand, generate higher levels of inequality and insecurity that lead to higher levels of crime. Utilizing a structured, focused comparison of Nordic social democracies and Anglo-American adversarial democracies complemented by cross-sectional multiple regression analysis of twenty industrialized democracies, I find empirical support for both of these conjectures. A major implication of this study is that states which choose parliamentary democracy, proportional representation elections, and a social democratic orientation may have a long-lasting positive impact on crime reduction by helping to remedy underlying structural causes of political, economic, and social inequality that give rise to criminal behavior.
Insecticidal activity of scorpion toxin (ButaIT) and snowdrop lectin (GNA) containing fusion proteins towards pest species of different orders.

BACKGROUND The toxicity of a fusion protein, ButalT/GNA, comprising a venom toxin (ButaIT) derived from the red scorpion, Mesobuthus tamulus (F.), and Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA), was evaluated under laboratory conditions against several pest insects. Insecticidal activity was compared with SFI1/GNA, a fusion comprising a venom toxin (SFI1) derived from the European spider Segestria florentina (Rossi) and GNA, which has been previously demonstrated to be effective against lepidopteran and hemipteran pests, and to GNA itself. RESULTS Injection assays demonstrated that both fusion proteins were toxic to lepidopteran larvae, dipteran adults, coleopteran adults and larvae and dictyopteran nymphs. ButalT/GNA was more toxic than SFI1/GNA in all cases. GNA itself made a minor contribution to toxicity. Oral toxicity of ButalT/GNA towards lepidopteran pests was confirmed against neonate Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.), where incorporation at 2% dietary protein resulted in 50% mortality and > 85% reduction in growth compared with controls. ButaIT/GNA was orally toxic to Musca domestica L. adults, causing 75% mortality at 1 mg mL(-1) in aqueous diets and, at 2 mg g(-1) it was orally toxic to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.), causing 60% mortality and a 90% reduction in growth. CONCLUSIONS Toxicity of the ButaIT/GNA recombinant fusion protein towards a range of insect pests from different orders was demonstrated by injection bioassays. Feeding bioassays demonstrated the potential use of the ButaIT/GNA fusion protein as an orally active insecticide against lepidopteran, dipteran and coleopteran pests. These experiments provide further evidence that the development of fusion protein technology for the generation of new, biorational, anti-insect molecules holds significant promise.
New oral targeted therapies for metastatic breast cancer disrupt the traditional patients’ management—A healthcare providers’ view

&NA; Although a cure still cannot be expected for metastatic breast cancer, thanks to progressive advances in treatments, life expectancy has been increasing over the past 15 years. This study aims to present the impact on the organisation of patients’ management of newly released oral targeted therapies dedicated to metastatic breast cancer and the obstacles to their diffusion. Our work is based on the analysis of 40 semi‐structured interviews, conducted with oncology healthcare professionals in three regions of France (2015‐2016). It shows three main results. First, the prescription of an oral targeted therapy requires greater collaboration between healthcare professionals than traditional intravenous oncology drugs, which may be challenging. Second, there remain many barriers to the dissemination of oral targeted therapies. Third, taking an oral targeted therapy keeps the patient away from the hospital facility and asks for a strong therapeutic alliance. The management of oral targeted therapies is time‐consuming for medical oncologists and disrupts the traditional care pathway. The multiplication of actors involved in patients’ management reinforces the slowdown in the deployment and acceptance of therapeutic innovations. More players equal a higher risk of slowdown. Questioning and re‐designing hospital organisation and management modalities towards this type of care are critical.
Ruptured carotid artery aneurysms of the ophthalmic (C6) segment: clinical and angiographic long term follow-up of a multidisciplinary management strategy

Background: The management of ruptured C6 aneurysms remains controversial. Detailed long-term outcome data are still lacking. Thus the present study provided a detailed long term follow-up for a multidisciplinary approach combining microsurgical clipping, endovascular embolisation and parent artery occlusion with/without bypass protection. Methods: In our single centre analysis of 64 consecutive patients, indications for microsurgery were: superior aneurysm projection, giant/large or wide necked aneurysms and aneurysms at branching sites. Indications for embolisation were: narrow necks, neck calcification, close aneurysm relation to the clinoid process or adhesion to the distal dural ring, and aneurysm location in the concavity of the carotid siphon curve. Results: 23 patients (35.9%) underwent microsurgery, 38 patients (59.4%) embolisation and three patients (4.7%) parent artery occlusion under bypass protection. Retreatment was required in 20.9% (surgery 8.7%, endovascular 31.6%). Procedure related transient complications occurred in 10.9% (surgery 13.0%, endovascular 10.5%). Procedure related permanent morbidities occurred in 6.3% (surgery 8.7%, endovascular 5.3%), including visual deficits in 4.7% (surgery 4.4%, endovascular 5.3%). One endovascular patient died. Angiographic follow-up (29.2 (SD 31.9) months) revealed total aneurysm occlusion in 94.4% of the surgical and 82.9% of the endovascular patients. Clinical follow-up (58.7 (SD 47.6) months) showed 73.4% of the population reaching Glasgow Outcome Scale 4–5, these data being equivalent to the International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial (ISAT) outcomes. Conclusions: Based on favourable neuroradiological and ophthalmological outcomes, microsurgery is recommended for superiorly projecting aneurysms, especially aneurysms involving the ophthalmic artery, and for giant/large or wide necked aneurysms. Based on stable aneurysm occlusion and excellent clinical outcomes, embolisation can be recommended for inferiorly/medially projecting small, narrow necked aneurysms.
Association of physical activity with survival among ambulatory patients on dialysis: the Comprehensive Dialysis Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Despite high mortality and low levels of physical activity (PA) among patients starting dialysis, the link between low PA and mortality has not been carefully evaluated. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS The Comprehensive Dialysis Study was a prospective cohort study that enrolled patients who started dialysis between June 2005 and June 2007 in a random sample of dialysis facilities in the United States. The Human Activity Profile (HAP) was administered to estimate PA among 1554 ambulatory enrolled patients in the Comprehensive Dialysis Study. Patients were followed until death or September 30, 2009, and the major outcome was all-cause mortality. RESULTS The average age was 59.8 (14.2) years; 55% of participants were male, 28% were black, and 56% had diabetes mellitus. The majority (57.3%) had low fitness estimated from the HAP score. The median follow-up was 2.6 (interquartile range, 2.2-3.1) years. The association between PA and mortality was linear across the range of scores (1-94). After multivariable adjustment, lower adjusted activity score on the HAP was associated with higher mortality (hazard ratio, 1.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.39 per 10 points). Patients in the lowest level of fitness experienced a 3.5-fold (95% confidence interval, 2.54-4.89) increase in risk of death compared with those with average or above fitness. CONCLUSIONS Low levels of PA are strongly associated with mortality among patients new to dialysis. Interventions aimed to preserve or enhance PA should be prospectively tested.
Sensorimotor integration and psychopathology: Motor control abnormalities related to psychiatric disorders

Abstract Objectives. Recent evidence is reviewed to examine relationships among sensorimotor and cognitive aspects in some important psychiatry disorders. This study reviews the theoretical models in the context of sensorimotor integration and the abnormalities reported in the most common psychiatric disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, autism spectrum disorder and squizophrenia. Methods. The bibliographical search used Pubmed/Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge, Cochrane data base and Scielo databases. The terms chosen for the search were: Alzheimer's disease, AD, autism spectrum disorder, and Squizophrenia in combination with sensorimotor integration. Fifty articles published in English and were selected conducted from 1989 up to 2010. Results. We found that the sensorimotor integration process plays a relevant role in elementary mechanisms involved in occurrence of abnormalities in most common psychiatric disorders, participating in the acquisition of abilities that have as critical factor the coupling of different sensory data which will constitute the basis of elaboration of consciously goal-directed motor outputs. Whether these disorders are associated with an abnormal peripheral sensory input or defective central processing is still unclear, but some studies support a central mechanism. Conclusion. Sensorimotor integration seems to play a significant role in the disturbances of motor control, like deficits in the feedforward mechanism, typically seen in AD, autistic and squizophrenic patients.
The Effect of Two Levels of Hypotension on Intraoperative Blood Loss During Total Hip Arthroplasty Performed Under Lumbar Epidural Anesthesia

The degree of induced hypotension necessary to achieve a significant reduction in intraoperative blood loss has never been defined. Forty patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty during epidural anesthesia by a single surgeon were randomly assigned to have mean arterial pressure maintained at 50 ± 5 mm Hg or 60 ± 5 mm Hg throughout surgery. Intraoperative blood loss was 179 ± 73 mL in the 50 mm Hg group and 263 ± 2 98 mL in the 60 mm Hg group (P = 0.004). Subjectively, there was more bleeding during surgery in the 60 mm Hg group during dissection of the hip joint (P = 0.0026) and while reaming the acetabulum (P = 0.0001) and femur (P = 0.0001). No difference in transfusion requirements, postoperative hematocrit, or duration of surgery was noted. A difference in mean arterial blood pressure of 10 mm Hg from 50 to 60 mm Hg during surgery for total hip arthroplasty under epidural anesthesia has a measurable effect on intraoperative blood loss.
Comparison of NHANES III and ERS/GLI 12 for airway obstruction classification and severity

The diagnosis and severity categorisation of obstructive lung disease is determined using reference values. The American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society in 2005 recommended the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III spirometry prediction equations for patients in USA aged 8–80 years. The Global Lung Initiative 2012 (GLI 12) provided spirometry prediction equations for patients aged 3–95 years. Comparison of the NHANES III and GLI 12 prediction equations for diagnosing and categorising airway obstruction in patients in USA has not been made. We aimed to quantify the differences between NHANES III and GLI 12 predicted values in Caucasians aged 18–95 years, using both mathematical simulation and clinical data. We compared predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and lower limit of normal (LLN) FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) % for NHANES III and GLI 12 prediction equations by applying both a simulation model and clinical spirometry data to quantify differences in the diagnosis and categorisation of airway obstruction. Mathematical simulation revealed significant similarities and differences between prediction equations for both LLN FEV1/FVC % and predicted FEV1. There are significant differences when using GLI 12 and NHANES III to diagnose airway obstruction and severity in Caucasian patients aged 18–95 years. Similarities and differences exist between NHANES III and GLI 12 for some age and height combinations. The differences in LLN FEV1/FVC % and predicted FEV1 are most prominent in older taller/shorter individuals. The magnitude of the differences can be large and may result in differences in clinical management. Significant differences exist between NHANES III and GLI 12 prediction equations for some age and height combinations http://ow.ly/4mWTZ8
Frequency, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Early Unplanned Readmissions to PICUs*

Objectives:To determine the rate of unplanned PICU readmissions, examine the characteristics of index admissions associated with readmission, and compare outcomes of readmissions versus index admissions. Design:Retrospective cohort analysis. Setting:Ninety North American PICUs that participated in the Virtual Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Systems. Patients:One hundred five thousand four hundred thirty-seven admissions between July 2009 and March 2011. Interventions:None. Measurements and Main Results:Unplanned PICU readmission within 48 hours of index discharge was the primary outcome. Summary statistics, bivariate analyses, and mixed-effects logistic regression model with random effects for each hospital were performed.There were 1,161 readmissions (1.2%). The readmission rate varied among PICUs (0–3.3%), and acute respiratory (56%), infectious (35%), neurological (28%), and cardiovascular (20%) diagnoses were often present on readmission. Readmission risk increased in patients with two or more complex chronic conditions (adjusted odds ratio, 1.72; p < 0.001), unscheduled index admission (adjusted odds ratio, 1.37; p < 0.001), and transfer to an intermediate unit (adjusted odds ratio, 1.29; p = 0.004, compared with ward). Trauma patients had a decreased risk of readmission (adjusted odds ratio, 0.67; p = 0.003). Gender, race, insurance, age more than 6 months, perioperative status, and nighttime transfer were not associated with readmission. Compared with index admissions, readmissions had longer median PICU length of stay (3.1 vs 1.7 d, p < 0.001) and higher mortality (4% vs 2.5%, p = 0.002). Conclusions:Unplanned PICU readmissions were relatively uncommon, but were associated with worse outcomes. Several patient and admission characteristics were associated with readmission. These data help identify high-risk patient groups and inform risk-adjustment for standardized readmission rates.