Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic variation in toll-like receptor 9 and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE Autoantibodies produced by differentiated B cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR-9) gene has recently emerged as an important costimulatory molecule for both B cells and dendritic cells that respond to chromatin immune complexes. Genetic variation affecting the function of TLR-9 may therefore increase or decrease the threshold of B cell or dendritic cell activation. This variability in activation threshold may, in turn, affect an individual's susceptibility to SLE. This study assessed the role of genetic variation within the TLR-9 gene in susceptibility to SLE. METHODS We genotyped 362 SLE-affected subject/parent trios for 10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) covering a 68,742-bp genomic segment that contains the TLR-9 gene and approximately 60 kb of flanking sequence. We analyzed the data using the transmission disequilibrium test. RESULTS There was no association of susceptibility to SLE with any of the 9 SNPs that generated usable data or the 8 haplotypes found at a frequency of >0.05 in this population. When analyzing the subset of 143 subjects with lupus nephritis, there was also no evidence of association between disease susceptibility and any SNP or haplotype. CONCLUSION These results indicate that there is no evidence that common (frequency higher than 5%) alleles of the TLR-9 gene contribute significantly to the genetic risk involved in susceptibility to SLE or lupus nephritis.
[Continuous oral hydration or with fractionated doses in acute diarrhea-induced dehydration in children].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of two oral rehydration techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS A randomized clinical trial was conducted at the oral rehydration unit of Hospital Infantil de Mexico "Federico Gomez", between September 1998 and June 1999. Forty patients five-year old and younger children, dehydrated due to acute diarrhea, were given oral rehydration solution (ORS) ad libitum (AL group); another forty patients received ORS in fractionated doses (FD group). Clinical characteristics were similar in both groups. Results are presented as means, standard deviations and medians, according the distribution of simple and relative frequencies. RESULTS The mean stool output in the AL group was 11.0 +/- 7.5 g/kg/h; as compared to 7.1 +/- 7.4 in the FD group (p = 0.03). ORS intake, rehydration time, and mean diuresis values were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Six patients in the AL group and five in the FD group had high stool output (> 10 g/kg/h), that improved after administration of rice starch solution. One patient in the AL group and two in the FD group had persistent vomiting that improved with gastroclisis. No patient required intravenous rehydration. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that ORS administration ad libitum under supervision, is a technique as safe and effective as the fractionated doses technique, for the treatment of dehydrated children due to acute diarrhea.
Pretreatment readiness for change in male alcohol dependent subjects: predictors of one-year follow-up status.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to test a model using pretreatment readiness for change scores (Contemplation, Determination and Action) to predict 1-year alcohol use and recovery activities (AA affiliation and having a sponsor). METHODS Subjects were 125 middle-aged, mostly white, high school educated, mostly unemployed, male patients who met DSM-III-R criteria for alcohol dependence. The patients participated in a 21-day, Minnesota model, inpatient treatment program. Pretreatment readiness for change was assessed using a modified version of the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES). The prediction model also included four pretreatment variables: DSM-III-R criteria, alcohol consumption, AA affiliation and presence of a sponsor. Logistic regression procedures were used to test the model. RESULTS High Action scores (and not having a sponsor at pretreatment) were predictive of no reported alcohol use at any time during the 1-year posttreatment period. High Determination scores (and low DSM-III-R criteria scores) were predictive of reported affiliation with AA. Having a sponsor at pretreatment and low Contemplation scores were predictive of reports having a sponsor at follow-up. There were no relationships between the pretreatment readiness for change measures and the actual quantity and frequency of alcohol consumed. There were indications that at follow-up those patients who affiliated with AA or had a sponsor consumed less alcohol than those patients who did not affiliate with AA or have a sponsor. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrated a relationship between pretreatment readiness for change and both the decision to drink and to engage in recovery activities; however, it appeared that, once drinking begins, variables other than pretreatment readiness for change influence frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption.
Mandatory and Voluntary Disclosures: Dynamic Interactions

Firms sometimes obtain soft private information about growth prospects along with hard information about current or past performance. In this environment, we find that optimizing disclosures over multiple periods yields nonlinear stock price reactions following both voluntary and mandatory disclosures. Further, we derive several predictions about distinct short‐run and long‐run effects of disclosures and nondisclosures on security prices. Under specified conditions, when the volatility of the firm's earnings increases, the average contemporaneous and prospective post‐mandatory‐disclosure market premia (for voluntary disclosures over nondisclosures) rise, while farther‐in‐future market discounts (for such voluntary disclosures) also become larger. Our analysis moreover predicts that both the disclosure probability and the information content of nondisclosures can increase in the persistence of earnings.
Developing methods to evaluate how people with Parkinson's Disease turn 180 degrees: an activity frequently associated with falls.

PURPOSE To develop a test that identified fallers from their turning strategies, as people with Parkinson's Disease (PD) commonly fall turning. METHOD We compared (1) Turn Types demonstrated when turning 180 degrees during the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG Test) by 19 non-fallers and 29 fallers (median age 71) and (2) Turn Types, Turning Steps, Heelstrike, Stability and the Use of Space and Support demonstrated when turning 180 degrees during an everyday activity by 15 non-fallers and 26 fallers (median age 75). Turns were rated from video by observers blinded to group. Inter-observer agreement was tested. RESULTS Similar proportions of fallers and non-fallers demonstrated multiple-step Turn Types during the TUG Test (69% v 58%; p=0.433) and the everyday activity (66% vs. 46%; p=0.241). When turning, similar proportions of each group lacked Heelstrike, lost Stability and used the available Space and Support (p>0.7); Turning Step counts were also similar (p=0.891). Inter-observer agreement proved acceptable except for Turn Type during everyday activity (Kappa=0.46). CONCLUSIONS The anticipated differences between fallers and non-fallers were not identified, perhaps obscured by insufficiently or overly challenging protocols and/or the compensations deployed by fallers. Further methodological development is needed in the analysis of fall-related activities with high-risk groups.
Identity choice of Somali College Students

Somali youth in the U.S. are introduced to a culture of racial division and an array of identity choices, and whatever trajectory they take will eventually be determinant of their language development. Race is a very key aspect to my research in discovering the effects of race and identity in the perceived development of immigrant English language learners in the school systems in America. Identity is potentially one of the most important factors in development of the learner’s motivation to excel in college. My research questions are the following: How are Somali college students molded into an ethnolinguistic category? How does the choice of their identity affect their perceived academic achievement in colleges/universities? What invokes Somali College students to black culture? My participants were from Somalia, an East African country. The Somali participants I chose for the study were all immigrant males whose ages ranged from 18-34yrs and all were enrolled in college or university for a minimum of one semester. It was crucial that each participant have been in the U.S. a minimum of two years or more. This assumed that each participant had spent enough time in the U.S. to begin adjusting to the culture and, therefore, has had ample time for formation of identity. My study reaffirmed that attitudes of Somali nationalism were prevalent and ultimately held true to be a central component of Somali identity amongst those immigrants to America. Phenotypical divisions based on race did not have much meaning or significance to Somali immigrants. Rather, Somalis were found to be very ethnocentric and most could not relate to divisions between White or Black. Because of their identity some felt their resources and networks were limited as a direct result of their identity. Phenotypical divisions based on race did not have much meaning or significance to Somali immigrants.
Power vector analysis of refractive, corneal, and internal astigmatism in an elderly Chinese population: the Shihpai Eye Study.

PURPOSE To investigate age-related trends in refractive, corneal, and internal astigmatism and to assess the association between internal astigmatism and lens opacity in an elderly Chinese population. METHODS A population-based study was conducted among 1360 inhabitants aged 65 years and older in Taipei, Taiwan. Participants underwent measurements of refraction, corneal dioptric power, and slit lamp biomicroscopy with lens grading. A total of 2084 eyes were included in power vector analyses of Cartesian astigmatism (J(0)) and oblique astigmatism (J(45)) components of refractive, corneal, and internal astigmatism. RESULTS The crude prevalence of refractive astigmatism (defined as ≥0.75 diopters) was 73.0% based on the right eyes and 76.4% based on the left eyes. The vector values in both refractive J(0) and corneal J(0) tended to be more negative with increasing age (P < 0.001), indicating the trend toward against-the-rule (ATR) astigmatism. Corneal J(0) alone accounted for 54% of the variability in refractive J(0). Refractive J(45) increased with age in the right eyes (P < 0.001) and decreased slightly with age in the left eyes (P = 0.012). Cortical opacity was associated with internal J(0) (P = 0.025), but the association was weak. CONCLUSIONS Astigmatism affects approximately three quarters of the Chinese population aged 65 years and older in Taiwan. With increasing age, the prevalence of astigmatism increases, and refractive and corneal astigmatism shift toward ATR. Continuous corneal changes appear to be responsible for the age trend in refractive astigmatism. The severity of lens opacity plays only a minor role in the change of internal astigmatism.
Effect of Demonstration, Peer-Tutoring, and Lecture Teaching Strategies on Senior Secondary School Students' Achievement in an Aspect of Agricultural Science.

This study investigated the effect of three teaching strategies; demonstration, peer-tutoring, and lecture strategies of teaching on students‟ achievement in pasture and forage crops which is an aspect of agricultural science. Lecture strategy served both as a teaching strategy as well as control since it is assumed to be a conventional strategy of teaching. A 3X2X2 pre-test, post–test experimental design with a control group was used in which a hundred and fifty randomly selected Senior Secondary School II (SSS II) Agricultural Science students were drawn from three schools.
Small-cell carcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract: a review.

PURPOSE To improve our understanding of the entity of small-cell carcinoma (SmCC) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. METHODS A MEDLINE search was done, using the terms "small cell carcinoma" or "oat cell carcinoma" combined with "gastrointestinal" or with any of the GI sites, for the period 1970 to 2003. The 138 eligible reports identified in this way were reviewed for clinical data. RESULTS To date, approximately 544 cases of GI SmCC have been reported. The disease represents 0.1% to 1% of all GI malignancies, with the esophagus being the most common primary site. A majority of patients present with overt distant metastases. Systemic symptoms are common; ectopic hormonal secretion may occur. By light microscopy, GI SmCCs are essentially indistinguishable from primary pulmonary SmCC. The presence of non-SmCC components is common. Data from molecular analysis of the disease has identified some similarities to pulmonary SmCC. Chemotherapy represents the main treatment option, with modest impact on survival. In locoregional disease, the literature suggests that treatment be initiated using chemoradiotherapy and then, if metastatic disease is still excluded, surgical resection be considered. The disease is highly aggressive, and survival is in the range of several weeks for untreated patients and of 6 to 12 months for those receiving therapy. CONCLUSION SmCC of the GI tract is a rare and lethal disease. Although there are many similarities to pulmonary SmCC, some differences between the two entities are suggested. While chemotherapy can achieve significant palliation, surgery may have a potential impact on long-term survival of patients with locoregional disease.
Anabolic steroids reduce spinal cord injury-related bone loss in rats associated with increased Wnt signaling

Abstract Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes severe bone loss. At present, there is no practical treatment to delay or prevent bone loss in individuals with motor-complete SCI. Hypogonadism is common in men after SCI and may exacerbate bone loss. The anabolic steroid nandrolone reduces bone loss due to microgravity or nerve transection. Objective To determine whether nandrolone reduced bone loss after SCI and, if so, to explore the mechanisms of nandrolone action. Methods Male rats with complete transection of the spinal cord were administered nandrolone combined with a physiological replacement dose of testosterone, or vehicle, beginning on day 29 after SCI and continued for 28 days. Results SCI reduced distal femoral and proximal tibial bone mineral density (BMD) by 25 and 16%, respectively, at 56 days. This bone loss was attenuated by nandrolone. In ex vivo osteoclasts cultures, SCI increased mRNA levels for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and calcitonin receptor; nandrolone-normalized expression levels of these transcripts. In ex vivo osteoblast cultures, SCI increased receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL) mRNA levels but did not alter osteoprotegerin (OPG) mRNA expression; nandrolone-increased expression of OPG and OPG/RANKL ratio. SCI reduced mRNA levels of Wnt signaling-related genes Wnt3a, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5), Fzd5, Tcf7, and ectodermal-neural cortex 1 (ENC1) in osteoblasts, whereas nandrolone increased expression of each of these genes. Conclusions The results demonstrate that nandrolone reduces bone loss after SCI. A potential mechanism is suggested by our findings wherein nandrolone modulates genes for differentiation and activity of osteoclasts and osteoblasts, at least in part, through the activation of Wnt signaling.
CAST: A retrospective analysis of cabazitaxel and abiraterone acetate sequential treatment in patients with metastatic castrate‐resistant prostate cancer previously treated with docetaxel

Cabazitaxel and abiraterone have both received approval for treating metastatic castrate‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients after first‐line docetaxel therapy. In the cabazitaxel and abiraterone sequential treatment (CAST) study, the clinical outcome of docetaxel‐treated mCRPC patients treated sequentially with both cabazitaxel and abiraterone was studied. Data were collected retrospectively from mCRPC patients at 12 hospitals across the Netherlands who initiated cabazitaxel and/or abiraterone before December 2012. Primary outcome measure was overall survival (OS); secondary measures were progression‐free survival (PFS), biochemical PFS, and best clinical and PSA response. Hospital admission data during treatment were collected, as well as toxicities resulting in treatment discontinuation or patient death. Sixty‐three and 69 patients received Cab→Abi (cabazitaxel prior to abiraterone) and Abi→Cab before July 10th, 2013, respectively. Median OS was 19.1 months and 17.0 months in Cab→Abi and Abi→Cab treated patients, respectively (p = 0.369). Median PFS and biochemical PFS were significantly longer in Cab→Abi treated patients: 8.1 versus 6.5 (p = 0.050) and 9.5 versus 7.7 months (p = 0.024), respectively. Although partial responses to cabazitaxel occurred in both groups, Abi→Cab treated patients had a significantly decreased antitumor response from cabazitaxel than Cab→Abi treated patients (median PFS 5.0 versus 2.6 months, p < 0.001). Minor differences in toxicities were observed based on therapy sequence; generally, toxicity from cabazitaxel could be severe, while abiraterone toxicity was milder. This retrospective analysis indicates that primary progression on cabazitaxel or abiraterone did not preclude a response to the other agent in mCRPC patients. However, tumor response of both agents, particularly cabazitaxel, was lower when administered as higher‐line therapy in the selected study population.
Value Matters: The Long-run Behavior of Stock Index Returns

We present a simple dynamical model of stock index returns grounded on the ability of the Cyclically Adjusted Price Earning valuation ratio devised by Robert Shiller to predict longhorizon performances of the market. Specifically, within the model returns are driven by a fundamental term and an autoregressive component perturbed by external random disturbances. The autoregressive component arises from the agentsi¯ belief that expected returns are higher in bullish markets than in bearish ones. The fundamental value, towards which fundamentalists expect that the current price should revert, varies in time and depends on the initial averaged Price-to-Earnings ratio. We demonstrate both analytically and by means of numerical experiments that the long-run behavior of the stylized dynamics agrees with empirical evidences reported in literature.
Systems pharmacology uncovers Janus functions of botanical drugs: activation of host defense system and inhibition of influenza virus replication

Abstract Given the imminent threat of influenza pandemics and continuing emergence of new drug-resistant influenza virus strains, novel strategies for preventing and treating influenza disease are urgently needed. Herbal medicine, used for thousands of years in combinational therapies (Herb Formula), plays a significant role in stimulating the host immune system in vivo, and meanwhile, in fighting against the pandemic by directly inhibiting influenza virus in vitro. Such potential Janus functions may spark interest in therapeutic manipulation of virus diseases. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanism of the Janus functions of the medicinal herbs in the treatment of influenza remains unclear. In this work, to illustrate the therapeutic concept of Janus functions in the treatment of influenza, we have introduced a novel systems pharmacology model that integrates pharmacokinetic screening, targeting and network analysis of two representative herbs Lonicera japonica and Fructus Forsythiae that are efficient in the treatment of influenza, inflammation and other diseases. 50 Chemicals with favorable pharmacokinetic profiles have been identified for the two herbs, and the ligand–target network was constructed by complementing the literature-based experimental data deposited in DrugBank. The annotation of these chemicals was assigned using a novel drug targeting approach, and mapped to target–disease and drug–target–pathway networks. The overall data suggest that the medicinal herbs function by indirectly suppressing the virus proliferation via regulating the immune systems in hosts, and also, by directly inhibiting virus proliferation through targeting viral proteins essential for the viral life cycle. For the first time, we have demonstrated the mechanism of medicinal herbs in prevention and treatment of virus diseases via the Janus functions on a systematic level.
Creditor Control Rights and Board Independence

We find that the number of independent directors on corporate boards increases by approximately 24% following financial covenant violations in credit agreements. Most of these new directors have links to creditors. Firms that appoint new directors after violations are more likely to issue new equity, and to decrease payout, operational risk and CEO cash compensation than firms without such appointments. We conclude that a firm’s board composition, governance, and policies are shaped by current and past credit agreements.
Selection Bias and the Underwriter Certification of the Largest Shareholders in Seasoned Equity Offerings

The largest shareholders of issuing firms in Hong Kong are eligible to underwrite rights issues and open offers. We hypothesize that the largest shareholders as underwriters who possess more information are better than investment banks in certifying firm value. Our analyses show that the largest shareholders selfâ€ select into their preferred issuing firms, and a selection bias in the choice of underwriters arises. After controlling for firm and issue characteristics and addressing the selection bias, our findings support our hypothesis. We also find that investment banks with greater access to information through prior underwriting relationship provide better certification than investment banks without such relationship.
Telerheumatology: an idea whose time has come

Australia is a vast country with one‐third of the population living outside capital cities. Providing specialist rheumatologist services to regional, rural and remote Australians has generally required expensive and time‐consuming travel for the patient and/or specialist. As a result, access to specialist care for remote Australians is poor. Rheumatoid arthritis is a common disease, but like many rheumatic diseases, it is complex to treat. Time‐dependent joint damage and disability occur unless best evidence care is implemented. The relatively poor access to rheumatologist care allotted to nonmetropolitan Australians therefore represents a significant cause of potentially preventable disability in Australia. Telehealth has the potential to improve access to specialist rheumatologists for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, thereby decreasing the burden of disability caused by these diseases. Advances in videoconferencing technology, the national broadband rollout and recent Federal government financial incentives have led to a heightened interest in exploring the use of this technology in Australian rheumatology practice. This review summarises the current evidence base, outlines telehealth's strengths and weaknesses in managing rheumatic disease, and discusses the technological, medicolegal and financial aspects of this model of care. A mixed model offering both face‐to‐face and virtual consultations appears to be the best option, as it can overcome the barriers to accessing care posed by distance while also mitigating the risks of virtual consultation.