Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The detection of renal carcinoma cells in the peripheral blood with an enhanced reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction assay for MN/CA9

Using a reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assay, the authors previously determined the expression of MN/CA9 mRNA in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its absence in benign renal tissue. In the current study, the utility of an enhanced RT‐PCR assay in the detection of renal carcinoma cells in the peripheral blood was assessed.
Antecedents of Strategic Information Systems Alignment in Iran

ABSTRACT Factors affecting business-information technology strategic alignment have been investigated in numerous research studies, mostly in developed countries including Western Europe and North America. Given that the Western world has a distinct business culture, there is reason to investigate the boundaries of the generalizability of these research studies. This article, therefore, investigates strategic alignment in a non-Western, developing-country context, specifically Iran. For this purpose, the antecedents of alignment in the existing literature were investigated. After categorizing them and developing a research model, the model was tested using structural equation modeling. Our main aim is to find out whether the antecedents identified in prior studies are also relevant in Iran. The results provide preliminary evidence of differences between the factors affecting strategic alignment in each region.
Seasonal variations of virus abundance and viral control of the bacterial production in a backwater system of the danube river

The abundance of virus-like particles in a backwater system of the Danube River covered a range of 1.2 x 10(sup7) to 6.1 x 10(sup7) ml(sup-1) from 1992 to 1993. Measurements of head diameters for these particles, all of which were presumed to be viruses, led to four defined size classes, ranging from <60 nm to >150 nm. The 60- to <90-nm size class contained the largest fraction of total particles (41%), followed by the 90- to <150-nm size class (33%). The frequency of size classes was not significantly different between the two years. The frequency of bacteria with mature phages ranged from 1 to 4% over the seasons, with mean burst sizes ranging from 17 to 36 phage per host cell. Among the bacterial morphotypes, rods and vibrios were the major host systems for phages, while coccoid and filamentous cells were considered negligible. Counts from transmission electron microscopy and acridine orange direct counts confirmed that rods and vibrios accounted for 85 to 95% of the bacterial population over the seasons. Virus decay experiments showed lower decay rates for temperatures between 5 and 15(deg)C (52 to 70% of the virus population remained) relative to 18 and 25(deg)C (31 to 51% of the virus remained). Bacterial production measurements, performed at the same time and under the same conditions as decay experiments, allowed us to estimate virus-induced death rates, which ranged from 15.8 to 30.1% over the year, with an average of 20% viral control of the bacterial production. Considering that mature phage particles are visible only in the last phase of the latent period and using a mean conversion factor of 5.4 from the literature, based on descriptions of various phage host systems to relate the percentage of visibly infected cells to the total percentage of the bacterial community that is phage infected, we estimate that some 5.4 to 21.6% of the bacterial population is infected with viruses. This would imply that virus-induced death rates of bacteria range from 10.8 to 43.2%. The data on virus-induced bacterial mortality obtained by both the viral decay method and the determination of the frequency of infected cells are compared and discussed.
Procedures for Obtaining and Analyzing Writing Samples of School-Age Children and Adolescents.

PURPOSE Many students' writing skills are below grade-level expectations, and students with oral language difficulties are at particular risk for writing difficulties. Speech-language pathologists' (SLPs') expertise in language applies to both the oral and written modalities, yet evidence suggests that SLPs' confidence regarding writing assessment is low. Writing samples are a clinically useful, criterion-referenced assessment technique that is relevant to helping students satisfy writing-related requirements of the Common Core State Standards (National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers, 2010a). This article provides recommendations for obtaining and analyzing students' writing samples. METHOD In this tutorial, the authors provide a comprehensive literature review of methods regarding (a) collection of writing samples from narrative, expository (informational/explanatory), and persuasive (argument) genres; (b) variables of writing performance that are useful to assess; and (c) manual and computer-aided techniques for analyzing writing samples. The authors relate their findings to expectations for writing skills expressed in the Common Core State Standards (National Governors Association Center for Best Practices & Council of Chief State School Officers, 2010a). CONCLUSION SLPs can readily implement many techniques for obtaining and analyzing writing samples. The information in this article provides SLPs with recommendations for the use of writing samples and may help increase SLPs' confidence regarding written language assessment.
Susceptibility of multiresistant strains of Burkholderia cepacia to honey

Twenty strains of Burkholderia cepacia, isolated principally from the sputum of cystic fibrosis patients, were tested for their susceptibility to eight antibiotics with a modified Kirby‐Bauer Disc diffusion technique. All strains exhibited multiple but not identical patterns of antibiotic resistance. The sensitivity of all strains to honey was assessed with an agar dilution method. All strains exhibited susceptibility to concentrations of honey below 6% (v/v). This suggests that honey may have a potential role in the clinical management of B. cepacia infections.
Multiple dose pharmacokinetics of an oral solution of itraconazole in patients receiving chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukaemia.

The multiple dose pharmacokinetics of a solution of itraconazole given orally were measured in an open study of 20 patients undergoing remission induction chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukaemia. Patients were given itraconazole 5 mg/kg od, 2.5 mg/kg bd, 2.5 mg/kg od or 1.25 mg/kg bd. The mean daily dose of itraconazole was 407 mg for patients receiving 5 mg/kg/day and 148 mg in patients receiving 2.5 mg/kg/day. Mean concentrations of 493 and 495 micrograms/L were achieved on day 8 in patients who received 5 mg/kg/d od or 2.5 mg/kg bd itraconazole respectively. However, mean concentrations were significantly lower for those who received 2.5 mg/kg od itraconazole being 110 micrograms/L on day 8. Mean areas under the serum-concentration time curves were also markedly higher in patients receiving 5 mg/kg/day than in those receiving 2.5 mg/kg/day itraconazole and were 22,382 and 5615 micrograms.h/L on day 15 respectively. These findings suggest that the serum concentrations attained with an oral solution of 5 mg/kg itraconazole either once daily or in two divided doses are suitable for antifungal prophylaxis in patients receiving chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukaemia.
Fiscal Effects of the Voter Initiative Reconsidered: Addressing Endogeneity

Several recent studies have investigated the relationship between direct democracy and public policy outcomes, with mixed findings. These inconsistencies may stem, in part, from researchers' failure to recognize that direct democracy institutions are distributed nonrandomly across the American states. That is, certain factors may lead a state to adopt the initiative process and influence other policy choices. We revisit the question of how the initiative influences state fiscal policy using panel data from 1960–2000 and a full-information maximum likelihood estimator that explicitly accounts for the endogeneity of the initiative. Our findings suggest that failure to endogenize the initiative in empirical analyses leads to substantially biased estimates of its effects. In particular, we find that once factors that predict whether a state has adopted the initiative are controlled, the initiative has a positive effect on state revenue generation and spending.
Tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) synthesis is associated with the skin and peripheral nerve pathology of leprosy reversal reactions

Leprosy may be complicated by episodes of increased cell‐mediated immunity towards Mycobacterium leprae (reversal reactions) which result in severe local immunopathology in skin lesions and peripheral nerves. Using in situ hybridization and MoAb techniques we have demonstrated TNF‐α mRNA and TNF‐α protein in macrophages infiltrating leprosy skin and peripheral nerve. Levels of TNF‐α mRNA are significantly increased in reactional skin and nerve, particularly in borderline tuberculoid patients. TNF‐α mRNA and TNF‐α protein levels are higher in reactional nerves then reactional skin. In both reactional skin and nerve TNF‐α mRNA is more abundant than TNF‐α protein; this may reflect the rapid turnover of TNF‐α protein in an immunologically dynamic situation, such as is seen in reversal reaction. Our findings emphasize the importance of documenting both mRNA and protein production when assessing the role of cytokines in pathology. The leprosy reversal reaction may be regarded as a useful model of tissue immunopathology in which TNF‐α is generated as part of the host response to infection, but also produces local tissue damage.
Are conservation agriculture (CA) systems productive and profitable options for smallholder farmers in different agro-ecoregions of Zimbabwe?

Abstract Continuous conventional tillage coupled with unsystematic cereal/legume rotations has promoted low crop productivity on smallholder farms. A multi-locational study was established in three agro-ecoregions (AEs) of Zimbabwe. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of four tillage systems (conventional plowing, planting basins, rip-line and animal traction direct seeding systems) on maize (Zea mays L.), cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] yields, and evaluate the economic performance of the conservation agriculture (CA) systems relative to conventional plowing. Each farmer was a replicate of the trial over the three cropping seasons. In the high (750–1000 mm per annum) and low (450–650 mm) rainfall AEs, conventional practice and CA systems gave similar maize grain yield. Under medium rainfall conditions (500–800 mm) planting basins, rip-line and direct seeding systems gave 547, 548 and 1690 kg ha−1 more maize yield than the conventional practice. In the high and low rainfall AEs, conventional practice and planting basins had the lowest maize production risk. Cowpea yield was 35 and 45% higher in the rip-line and direct seeding than conventional practice. Soybean yield was higher in rip-line (36%) and direct seeding (51%) systems than conventional practice. Direct seeding system gave the highest net benefits in all AEs. A combination of long-term biophysical and socio-economic assessments of the different cropping systems tested in our study is critical in order to fully understand their performance under different AEs of Zimbabwe.
The effects and effectiveness of laparoscopic excision of endometriosis: a prospective study with 2-5 year follow-up.

BACKGROUND This study investigates the outcomes for women up to 5 years after laparoscopic excision of endometriosis. METHODS In this prospective observational cohort study, 254 women with chronic pelvic pain were referred to two units specializing in minimal access surgical management of endometriosis. Of these, 216 women underwent surgical assessment and 176 were confirmed to have endometriosis. Questionnaires and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for dysmenorrhoea, non-menstrual pelvic pain, dyspareunia and dyschesia as well as quality of life instruments; the EQ-5Dindex and EQ-5Dvas, Short-Form 12 (SF-12) and sexual activity questionnaires were completed pre-operatively. Intra-operative details of revised American Fertility Society (rAFS) stage, site of disease, associated tests, duration of surgery and complications were noted. Follow-up was performed by postal questionnaire and chart review. For women who had further surgery, rAFS stage, site of disease, other procedures and histology were all recorded. RESULTS Pain scores were all significantly reduced at 2-5 years for dysmenorrhoea (median VAS baseline versus follow-up 2-5 years); 9 versus 3.3 (P < 0.0001), non-menstrual pelvic pain 8 versus 3 (P < 0.0001), dyspareunia 7 versus 0 (P < 0.0001) and dyschesia 7 versus 2 (P < 0.0001). Quality of life was improved for the EQ-5Dindex (P = 0.008 and the EQ-5Qvas (P = 0.03) and for sexual function with pleasure (P = 0.001) and habit (P = 0.012) being improved and discomfort being decreased (P = 0.001). The chance of requiring further surgery as determined by the Kaplan-Meier survival curve was 36%. A rAFS score of >70 was predictive of requiring further surgery (P = 0.03). Of women who had further surgery, endometriosis was found histologically in 68%. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic excision of endometriosis significantly reduces pain and improves quality of life for up to 5 years. The probability of requiring further surgery is 36%. Return of pain following laparoscopic excision is not always associated with clinical evidence of recurrence.
Recent advances on lactose intolerance: Tolerance thresholds and currently available answers

ABSTRACT The genetically programmed reduction in lactase activity during adulthood affects 70% of the world adult population and can cause severe digestive disorders, which are the sign of lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance symptoms vary depending on the residual lactase activity, the small bowel transit time, and especially the amount of ingested lactose. To formulate dairy products suitable for the vast majority of lactose intolerants, it is essential to define lactose intolerance threshold. A recent meta-analysis permitted to show that almost all lactose intolerants tolerate 12 g of lactose in one intake and approximately 18 g of lactose spread over the day. The prevalence and severity of lactose intolerance are probably overestimated by the general public. This misconception usually leads to an unnecessary reduction of dairy foodstuff consumption. Nevertheless, dairy products are essential for health mainly due to their calcium content and the positive influence of probiotic bacteria. The formulation of dairy products suitable for most intolerant and suspicious subjects seems necessary. The use of exogenous enzyme preparations, as well as the consumption of lactose-free products or products rich in probiotic bacteria are proposed as symptom-reducing strategies.
Change in Women's Knowledge of General and Personal Preconception Health Risks following Targeted Brief Counseling in Publicly Funded Primary Care Settings

Purpose. To explore knowledge of general and personal preconception health risks among women in publicly funded clinics and whether brief counseling can improve knowledge. Design. Interventional cohort study. Setting. Five publicly funded primary care clinics. Subjects. Two cohorts of low-income, nonpregnant African-American and Hispanic women of reproductive age (300 in each cohort). Intervention. Targeted brief counseling based upon risks identified via preconception health risk assessment. Measures. Correct responses on test of women's knowledge of general and personal preconception health risks pre-encounter vs. 3 to 6 months postencounter. Analysis. McNemar's test to compare proportion of women in each cohort who correctly answer questions of preconception health knowledge pre-encounter vs. 3 to 6 months postencounter. Results. Women in the intervention cohort experienced a significant increase in knowledge related to preconception health from baseline to 3 to 6 months postencounter, including recognition of the importance of folic acid supplementation, seeking medical care for chronic conditions, and review of medication in the preconception period that was not observed for the comparison cohort. Among women with chronic medical conditions, those in the intervention cohort significantly increased their knowledge that the condition could lead to problems in pregnancy (+43%) relative to the lesser improvement in knowledge observed for those in the comparison cohort (+4%) (p < .05). Conclusions. Women's knowledge of general and personal preconception health risks improved following screening and brief counseling in publicly funded primary care clinics.
A matter of survival: proposition of a framework to expand the quantity of partners in inter-organisational networks

Inter-organisational networks represent a strategy for companies to become more competitive. The literature addresses the importance of increasing the number of partners to reach such goals, and empirically, it is noted that organisations encounter difficulty in this regard. Given this panorama, this study aimed to propose a framework to expand the number of partners in inter-organisational networks. To reach this objective, literature on other inter-organisational relationships supported the construction of a questionnaire and script for interviews. One hundred twenty managers of inter-organisational networks answered the questionnaires, and 16 managers were interviewed. These data were assessed using univariate and interpretative analyses, enabling the complementation of data. The resulting framework consists of 11 steps. This study contributes theoretically to filling a research gap and, in practical terms, serves as a guide for inter-organisational networks seeking to increase their number of partners.
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia and the dexamethasone suppression test

The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was administered to 30 inpatients who met the DSM‐III‐R criteria for chronic schizophrenia and shared similar environments. Four of them (13%) were DST nonsuppressors. The mean and maximum postdexamethasone cortisol levels were correlated with the patient's score on the scale for the Schedule for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms and with the score on the anergia subscale of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. None of the correlations were statistically significant. Furthermore, the scores on the above scales were not significantly correlated with clinical variables such as duration of illness, number of admissions or length of hospitalization, nor were any significant correlations found between the postdexamethasone cortisol levels and the score on the Beck Depression Inventory. In addition, depressed and nondepressed schizophrenics did not differ regarding the rate of nonsuppression and the postdexamethasone cortisol levels. This study found that: 1) dexamethasone nonsuppression in schizophrenia was not related to the presence of negative symptoms; 2) there was no relationship between negative symptoms and illness variables; and 3) the depressed schizophrenics did not display increased nonsuppression compared with nondepressed schizophrenics.
In vitro Differentiation of Human Cord Blood-Derived Unrestricted Somatic Stem Cells into Hepatocyte-Like Cells on Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Nanofiber Scaffolds

Tissue engineering of implantable cellular constructs is an emerging cellular therapy for hepatic disease. In this study, we tested the ability of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofiber scaffold to support and maintain hepatic differentiation of human cord blood-derived unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs) in vitro. USSCs, self-renewing pluripotent cells, were isolated from human cord blood. The electrospun PCL nanofiber porous scaffold was constructed of uniform, randomly oriented nanofibers. USSCs were seeded onto PCL nanofiber scaffolds, and were induced to differentiate into hepatogenic lineages by culturing with differentiation factors for 6 weeks. RT-PCR analysis of endoderm and hepatic-specific gene expression, immunohistochemical detection of cytokeratin 18 (CK-18), α-fetoprotein, albumin, glycogen storage and indocyanine green uptake confirmed the differentiation of USSCs into endoderm and hepatocyte-like cells. In the present study, we show that hepatocyte-like cells differentiated from USSCs on the PCL nanofiber scaffold can be candidate for tissue engineering and cell therapy of hepatic tissues.
Increased Mortality Associated with Diabetic Foot Ulcer

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between foot ulceration and short‐term mortality in veterans of the American military services with diabetes mellitus. A total of 725 diabetic subjects participated in a prospective study of risk factors for lower extremity complications between 1990 and 1994. Mean follow‐up was 691.8 days (± SD 339.9, range 28–1436 days). Subjects who died during follow‐up (n = 72) had a similar mean duration of diabetes to those who survived (12.6 years vs 11.2), but their mean age was greater (65.9 years vs 63.2, p = 0.026). The relative risk (RR) of death was 2.39 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13 to 4.58) in the subjects who developed foot ulcer (n = 88) compared to those who did not. The risk of death for those with foot ulcer was 12.1 per 100 person‐years of follow‐up compared to 5.1 in those without foot ulcer. Cox regression analysis demonstrated a greater than two‐fold increased risk of death in ulcerated subjects after adjustment for age; diabetes type, duration, and treatment; glycosylated hemoglobin level; history of lower extremity amputation; and cumulative pack years smoked. Higher ankle–arm index was significantly related to lower mortality risk, independent of foot ulcer occurrence. We conclude that foot ulcer and lower extremity vascular disease are related to a higher risk of death in diabetic subjects. The reasons for this excess mortality require further investigation.
Cash versus Debit Card: The Role of Budget Control: Cash Versus Debit Card: The Role of Budget Control

Due to the financial crisis, an increasing number of households faces financial problems. This may lead to an increasing need for monitoring spending and budgets. We demonstrate that both cash and the debit card are perceived to be helpful in this respect. We show that on average consumers who are responsible for the financial decision making within a household consider the debit card to be more useful for monitoring the total value and nature of their expenses than cash. There are however important differences across individuals. In particular, low income people and the liquidity-constrained attach the greatest value to cash as a monitoring and budgeting tool. Finally, we present evidence that these preferences strongly affect consumers’ payment behaviour at an aggregated level. We herewith suggest that the substitution of cash by cards may slow down because of the financial crisis. Also, we show that cash still brings benefits that current electronic counterparts have not yet succeeded to provide. This suggests that consumers may be encouraged to use electronic payment instruments more frequently by incorporating enhanced budgeting and monitoring features.