Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interaction between maternal 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and methionine synthase A2756G gene variants to increase the risk of fetal neural tube defects in a Shanxi Han population.

BACKGROUND The 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methionine synthase (MS) are attractive candidates for screening for risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). The aim of the current study was to investigate maternal MTHFR and MS polymorphisms and the interaction between them and their influence on children with NTDs in the Shanxi Province of northern China. METHODS Fifty-one mothers who previously had children with NTDs constituted the case group and 51 age-matched mothers with children that were unaffected by any birth defects constituted the control group. All subjects were genotyped for MTHFR C677T and MS A2756G polymorphisms. SPSS 11.5 software package was used for all analyses. RESULTS There was a significant difference for MTHFR genotype distribution for one site (C677T) between the case and control groups. The T allele frequencies were significantly higher in the case group than in the control group (55.9% vs. 35.3%, P < 0.05). A lack of association was observed for the MS A2756G polymorphism. There was an interaction between the maternal MTHFR C677T genotype and MS A2756G genotype. CONCLUSION Genetic interaction between MTHFR and MS genes raises the probability of neural tube defects.
Comparison of three methods for estimating environmental tobacco smoke exposure among children aged between 12 and 36 months.

BACKGROUND The methods currently used for measuring environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure among small children all have their limitations. The aim of this study was to compare the results of questionnaire assessments of children's ETS exposure with cotinine measurements in urine and nicotine measurements in hair, a new method for estimating average ETS exposure. METHODS Questionnaire information on ETS exposure and a sample of hair were collected from 94 children aged 12-36 months. A urine sample for cotinine analysis was obtained from 72 of the children. RESULTS Nicotine was found in all hair samples and cotinine in all urine samples. Compared to children registered as unexposed by the questionnaire, hair nicotine levels were 12.4 times higher among children exposed to more than 10 DNC (daily number of cigarettes) (P < 0.001) and 3.6 times higher among children exposed to 1-10 DNC (P < 0.001). The median cotinine creatinine ratio (CCR) was 2.4 times higher among children exposed to more than 10 DNC compared to unexposed children (P < 0.001). No significant difference in median CCR was found between unexposed children and children exposed to 1-10 DNC. The correlation coefficient was 0.64 between children's hair nicotine levels and DNC, 0.50 between CCR and DNC and 0.56 between children's hair nicotine levels and CCR. CONCLUSION Nicotine measurement in hair is a practical and valid method for estimating average ETS exposure in children. An underreporting of ETS exposure was indicated.
Leishmaniasis: Epidemiology, Control and Future Perspectives with Special Emphasis on Egypt

Leishmaniasis is a protozoan disease that is recorded in several Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) countries including Egypt. In Egypt, both forms of the disease that are Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) were recorded in several geographical localities. Different Leishmania isolates were isolated from different cases of leishmaniasis where several diagnostic tests that include parasite culturing, patterns of isoenzymes, inoculation of experimental animal models and molecular methods were used to define the underlined causative organism in each case. However, several reports of conflict in these studies make it harder to compile a map of disease distribution, its prevalence, the causative Leishmania species and the type of vector sandfly involved. Another significant problem is the absence of notification system with many of disease cases were just went unreported or been treated from dermatological aspect (CL) or internal medicine aspect (VL). All of these factors contribute to the neglect of the disease by health authorities and hinder the prospective of any control programs that can be deployed to combat it. In this review, we will start by summarizing the most recent data on the epidemiology, disease patterns and the life cycle of the causative organism. Then, in a more specific way, we will move to discuss the history of the disease and its geographical distribution, and to proceed by discussing the currently applied methods of diagnosis, and to finish by highlighting the control and treatment programs that are in act against the disease. All of the above will principally contribute to a better understanding of the disease epidemiology and will provide a foundation upon which more effective control and treatment programs should be developed.
The concomitant consumption of cod liver oil causes a reduction in the daily diclofenac sodium usage in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the concomitant consumption of Cod liver oil can reduce the daily dose of Diclofenac Sodium and probably the risk of the side effects which are associated with it in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS This longitudinal, prospective, open label study was conducted from April to September 2012 at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India. 30 Rheumatoid Arthritis patients who were aged between 19 to 60 years, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, were enrolled. Each patient was given five Cod liver oil capsules twice a day, for a period of 24 weeks. Each capsule which contained 300 mg of Cod liver oil had Eicosapentaenoic acid-20 mg and Docosahexaenoic acid-30 mg. The patients who took different Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs daily were switched over to Diclofenac Sodium 50 mg as a single dose, up to a maximum dose of 200 mg per day. The dose of Diclofenac Sodium which was consumed per day and the average daily requirement at different visits were recorded in each patient and they were compared. The patients were assessed for their pain scores by using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at different weeks. In addition, the 'Subjective Response' to the pain was evaluated in each patient at the respective visits. The Student's "t"-test was applied for the analysis of the VAS pain score and for the evaluation of the reduction in the mean daily dose of the Diclofenac Sodium consumption. A probability value of less than 0.05 (p< 0.05) was considered to be statistically significant. Moreover, the results of the 'Subjective Response' to the pain were expressed as percentage. RESULTS A significant decrease (p< 0.05) in the mean VAS pain score from 80.38 ± 6.4 at week 0 to 67.30 ± 5.3 at week 24 was noted in the patients. There was a significant reduction (p<0.05) in mean dose of Diclofenac Sodium consumed from 115.04 ± 24.56 at week 4 to 98.83 ± 22.32 at week 24. Moreover, the percentage of the patients who experienced a 'Better' Subjective Response increased from 15.38% at week 4 to 61.53% at week 24 of the treatment follow up. CONCLUSION This study revealed that the concurrent use of Cod liver oil which contained n-3 Essential Fatty Acid in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients reduced the mean daily dose of Diclofenac Sodium consumed and probably the incidence of the side effects which were associated with it.
International Evidence on the Relationship between Insider and Bank Ownership and CSR Performance

Manuscript Type. Empirical. Research Question/Issue. This study examines the relationship between blockholder and bank ownership and a firm's corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance. We analyze a multinational panel data sample for the period 2003–2012. Research Findings/Insights. We find that the degree of blockholder ownership is negatively related to CSR performance, whereas the degree of bank ownership is positively related to CSR performance. The negative (positive) relationship between blockholder (bank) ownership and CSR performance is more pronounced in firms with high ownership dispersion. Theoretical/Academic Implications. Our study contributes to existing literature by investigating the effects of blockholder and bank ownership on CSR performance within an international context. Prior research has predominantly examined local markets. Additionally, we identify ownership dispersion to strengthen the relationship between investors and CSR and thus provide further evidence on the factors influencing investors' CSR preferences. Conducting an instrumental variables approach supports our findings that bank ownership is positively, and blockholder ownership is negatively, related to CSR performance. Practitioner/Policy Implications. Our results may assist firms in understanding the demand for CSR by blockholders and bank owners. An awareness of this demand may help firms to optimize their CSR performance in line with their investors' preferences. The knowledge produced in this article could assist firms in adopting the optimal level of CSR performance. Viewed from another perspective, knowing that either blockholder or bank ownership is present allows other shareholders, for instance sustainability funds, to anticipate the long‐run equilibrium level of firm‐specific CSR performance.
Retrospective analysis of variation in heavy menstrual bleeding treatments by age and underlying cause

Abstract Objective: To describe treatment patterns associated with heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) in US practice. Study design: A retrospective claims-based analysis of organic (ICD-9 codes 218.x, 621.0, 622.7, 219.x, and bleeding disorders) or idiopathic (no underlying condition identified) HMB treatment patterns among newly diagnosed, commercially insured women who were enrolled in a large US health plan. First HMB claim (index date; ICD-9-CM 626.2 and 627.0), second HMB claim within 180 days of index date, and continuous enrollment ≥6 months prior to (pre-index period) and 18 months following (post-index period) index date were required. Results: The database included 13,579 organic and 21,362 idiopathic HMB patients. More organic HMB patients received only one treatment type (64% vs 58%; p < 0.001) or two treatments types (14% vs 11%; p < 0.001) compared to idiopathic HMB patients. During the 18 month post-index period, fewer organic HMB patients had no observed treatment compared to idiopathic HMB patients (21% vs 31%; p < 0.001). The idiopathic cohort had significantly higher rates (p < 0.001) of medication use and endometrial ablation, whereas the organic HMB cohort had a higher rate of hysterectomy (p < 0.001). Women <35 years were more frequently prescribed medical treatments (p ≤ 0.037), while women aged >35 years utilized significantly more surgical approaches (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Among organic and idiopathic HMB patients, considerable variation was observed in the medications and procedures used to treat HMB. Current treatment pattern awareness may improve HMB management. Future research is needed to understand factors that influence women’s treatment choices (including newer medications LNG-IUS and tranexamic acid) and age in relation to child-bearing preference.
A soluble class II cytokine receptor, IL-22RA2, is a naturally occurring IL-22 antagonist

IL-22 is an IL-10 homologue that binds to and signals through the class II cytokine receptor heterodimer IL-22RA1/CRF2–4. IL-22 is produced by T cells and induces the production of acute-phase reactants in vitro and in vivo, suggesting its involvement in inflammation. Here we report the identification of a class II cytokine receptor designated IL-22RA2 (IL-22 receptor-α 2) that appears to be a naturally expressed soluble receptor. IL-22RA2 shares amino acid sequence homology with IL-22RA1 (also known as IL-22R, zcytor11, and CRF2–9) and is physically adjacent to IL-20Rα and IFN-γR1 on chromosome 6q23.3–24.2. We demonstrate that IL-22RA2 binds specifically to IL-22 and neutralizes IL-22-induced proliferation of BaF3 cells expressing IL-22 receptor subunits. IL-22RA2 mRNA is highly expressed in placenta and spleen by Northern blotting. PCR analysis using RNA from various tissues and cell lines showed that IL-22RA2 was expressed in a range of tissues, including those in the digestive, female reproductive, and immune systems. In situ hybridization revealed the dominant cell types expressing IL-22RA2 were mononuclear cells and epithelium. Because IL-22 induces the expression of acute phase reactants, IL-22RA2 may play an important role as an IL-22 antagonist in the regulation of inflammatory responses.
The Morphology of Three Loxophyllum Species (Ciliophora, Pleurostomatida) from Southern China, L. lembum sp. n., L. vesiculosum sp. n. and L. perihoplophorum Buddenbrock, 1920, with Notes on the Molecular Phylogeny of Loxophyllum

Two new pleurostomatid ciliates, Loxophyllum lembum sp. n. , L. vesiculosum sp. n. , and the poorly known L. perihoplophorum Buddenbrock, 1920, isolated from brackish waters in coastal regions of southern China, are described following observations of live cells and protargol‐impregnated specimens. Loxophyllum lembum sp. n. is distinguished by a combination of characters including two macronuclear nodules, 6–9 contractile vacuoles along the ventral margin, 11–14 right and 6–8 left kineties and the presence of cortical granules. Loxophyllum vesiculosum sp. n. differs from its congeners mainly by the unique distribution of contractile vacuoles, several of which lie along the dorsal margin and one on the ventral margin, and 15–21 right and 6–8 left kineties. Loxophyllum perihoplophorum is characterized by its large cell size (350–450 μm long in vivo), 3–5 contractile vacuoles along the dorsal margin in the posterior region of the body, and 19–23 right and 7–9 left kineties. An improved diagnosis of L. perihoplophorum is provided. The SSU rDNA sequence of L. perihoplophorum is reported for the first time and its molecular phylogeny is analyzed. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses of SSU rDNA sequence data recover the monophyly both of the order Pleurostomatida and of the genus Loxophyllum.
Defining Local-Regional Control and Its Importance in Locally Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma

Introduction: Local-regional control (LRC) rates for non-small cell lung cancer after chemoradiotherapy were studied (using two different definitions of LRC) for the association between LRC and survival. Methods: Seven legacy Radiation Therapy Ooncology Group trials of chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer were analyzed. Two different definitions of LRC were studied: (1) freedom from local progression (FFLP-LRC), the traditional Radiation Therapy Oncology Group methodology, in which a failure is intrathoracic tumor progression by World Health Oorganization criteria; and (2) response-mandatory (strict-LRC), in which any patient not achieving at least partial response was considered to have failure at day 0. Testing for associations between LRC and survival was performed using a Cox multivariate model that included other potential predictive factors. Results: A total of 1390 patients were analyzed. The LRC rate at 3 years was 38% based on the FFLP-LRC definition and 14% based on the strict-LRC definition. Performance status, concurrent chemotherapy, and radiotherapy dose intensity (biologically equivalent dose) were associated with better LRC (using either definition). With the strict-LRC definition (but not FFLP-LRC), age was also important. There was a powerful association between LRC and overall survival (p, 0.0001) on univariate and multivariate analyses. Age, performance status, chemotherapy sequencing, and biologically equivalent dose were also significantly associated with survival. Histology and gender were also significant if the strict-LRC model was used. Conclusions: LRC is associated with survival. The definition of LRC affects the results of these analyses. A consensus definition of LRC, incorporating functional imaging and/or central review, is needed, with the possibility of using LRC as a surrogate end point in future trials.
Does Tourist–Host Social Contact Reduce Perceived Cultural Distance?

Tourist–host social contact significantly influences the perceptions of tourists and deserves more attention from scholars in the field of tourism research. However, studies on the relationship between these two constructs are limited. To address this research gap, the present study develops and validates instruments for measuring social contact and perceived cultural distance in the context of tourism, explores the effects of social contact on perceived cultural distance, and provides implications for tourism stakeholders, including governments, tourism operators, and local communities. A survey was conducted among Hong Kong tourists traveling to Mainland China. The study had two significant findings: (1) the quality of contact negatively influences tourists’ perceived cultural distance and (2) in terms of the quantity of contact, social-oriented contacts negatively influence perceived cultural distance, whereas service-oriented contacts positively affect perceived cultural distance. Implications were provided to contribute to theoretical and empirical realms, and to guide policy formulation.
Functional and Motor Outcome 5 Years After Stroke Is Equivalent to Outcome at 2 Months: Follow-Up of the Collaborative Evaluation of Rehabilitation in Stroke Across Europe

Background and Purpose— Recovery of patients within the first 6 months after stroke is well documented, but there has been little research on long-term recovery. The aim of this study was to analyze functional and motor recovery between admission to rehabilitation centres and 5 years after stroke. Methods— This follow-up of the Collaborative Evaluation of Rehabilitation in Stroke Across Europe study, included patients from 4 European rehabilitation centres. Patients were assessed on admission, at 2 and 6 months, and 5 years after stroke, using the Barthel Index, Rivermead Motor Assessment Gross Function, Leg and Trunk function, and Arm function. Linear mixed models were used, corrected for baseline characteristics. To account for the drop-out during follow-up, the analysis is likelihood-based (assumption of missingness at random). Results— A total of 532 patients were included in this study, of which 238 were followed up at 5 years post stroke. Mean age at stroke onset was 69 (±10 SD) years, 53% were men, 84% had ischemic strokes, and 53% had left-sided motor impairment. Linear mixed model analysis revealed a significant deterioration for all 4 outcomes between 6 months and 5 years (P<0.0001). Scores at 2 months were not statistically significant different from scores at 5 years after stroke. Higher age (P<0.0001) and increasing stroke severity on admission (P<0.0001) negatively affected long-term functional and motor recovery. Conclusions— Five-year follow-up revealed deterioration in functional and motor outcome, with a return to the level measured at 2 months. Increasing age and increasing stroke severity negatively affected recovery up to 5 years after stroke.
Do Executive Compensation Contracts Maximize Firm Value? Indications from a Quasi-Natural Experiment

We find significant positive abnormal returns surrounding a surprising and quick enactment of a law that restricts executive pay to a binding upper limit in a few industries. We find that the effect is concentrated only for firms in which the restriction is binding. We also find that the increase in value is greater for firms with weaker corporate governance and smaller for firms that grant a greater portion of equity-based compensation to their executives. These results provide indications that, on average, compensation contracts can be set in a way that does not maximize firm value.
Household costs of hospitalized dengue illness in semi-rural Thailand

Background Dengue-related illness is a leading cause of hospitalization and death in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, imposing a major economic burden on households, health systems, and governments. This study aims to assess the economic impact of hospitalized dengue cases on households in Chachoengsao province in eastern Thailand. Methods We conducted a prospective cost-of-illness study of hospitalized pediatric and adult dengue patients at three public hospitals. We examined all hospitalized dengue cases regardless of disease severity. Patients or their legal guardians were interviewed using a standard questionnaire to determine household-level medical and non-medical expenditures and income losses during the illness episode. Results Between March and September 2015, we recruited a total of 224 hospitalized patients (<5 years, 4%; 5–14 years, 20%, 15–24 years, 36%, 25–34 years, 15%; 35–44 years, 10%; 45+ years, 12%), who were clinically diagnosed with dengue. The total cost of a hospitalized dengue case was higher for adult patients than pediatric patients, and was US$153.6 and US$166.3 for pediatric DF and DHF patients, respectively, and US$171.2 and US$226.1 for adult DF and DHF patients, respectively. The financial burden on households increased with the severity of dengue illness. Conclusions Although 74% of the households reported that the patient received free medical care, hospitalized dengue illness cost approximately 19–23% of the monthly household income. These results indicated that dengue imposed a substantial financial burden on households in Thailand where a great majority of the population was covered by the Universal Coverage Scheme for health care.
Antioxidant activity and hypoglycemic effect of ferulic acid in STZ‐induced diabetic mice and KK‐Ay mice

Antioxidant activity and biological properties of ferulic acid (FA) are well recognized. This study was designed to estimate the potential utility of FA administered orally at low dosage for improvement of hyperglycemia in diabetes. With this aim we have evaluated the hypoglycemic effect of FA in two type diabetic animal models: (1) streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic mice, a model of insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM); (2) KK‐Ay mice, a model of non‐insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). In addition, we measured the production of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS) in brown adipose tissues of diabetic mice at the end of FA feeding experiment. FA at 0.01% and 0.1% of basal diet showed to suppress significantly blood glucose levels in STZ‐induced diabetic mice. In KK‐Ay mice 0.05% FA suppressed effectively blood glucose levels. In addition, FA inhibited the lipid peroxidation in brown adipose tissue of diabetic mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that dietary FA may be useful in alleviating oxidative stress and attenuating the hyperglycemic response associated with diabetes.