Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adherence and Persistence with Methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review

Objective. Medication adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is typically suboptimal. Nonadherence has been associated with symptom worsening and increased disability. We systematically reviewed published clinical studies to evaluate methotrexate (MTX) adherence and persistence, factors associated with MTX adherence and persistence, and the effect of MTX nonadherence on clinical outcomes in RA. Methods. MEDLINE and Embase were systematically searched (inception to February 2016) using relevant keywords. Observational or interventional clinical studies in patients with RA that specifically reported adherence to or persistence with MTX were included. Data were extracted using a predesigned, standardized template that included study design, patient demographics, and relevant outcomes. Main outcomes were MTX adherence and persistence rates in patients with RA treated with MTX and factors associated with MTX adherence and persistence. Results. Of 365 references screened, 31 articles met inclusion criteria and another 10 were identified from searching reference lists. Estimates of MTX adherence varied from study to study because of heterogeneity in patient populations, duration of followup, definitions of adherence, and methods of assessment. Rates of MTX persistence ranged from 50% to 94% at 1 year and 25% to 79% at 5 years. No clear trends were identified in factors that influence MTX adherence and persistence. Two studies suggested that MTX adherence was associated with superior clinical outcomes. Conclusion. MTX adherence and persistence are highly variable in patients with RA. Research is necessary to determine the effect of nonadherence on health outcomes and to identify independent predictors of nonadherence to inform evidence-based interventions.
Survival and Growth Patterns among New Technology‐Based Firms: Empirical Study of Cohort 2006 in Sweden

This study investigates the survival and growth trends in a cohort of new technology‐based firms (NTBFs) established in Sweden in 2006. This cohort has faced both an economic upswing and a severe downturn, which started in 2008, and by 2014 provides 8 years of historical records. Our study makes several contributions to the current understanding of NTBF survival and growth. First, our empirical observations show that many NTBFs (72 percent) from the 2006 cohort were still operating at the end of 2014, indicating a much higher survival rate than those found in previous studies. Second, surviving firms from the 2006 cohort positively affected employment, as their annual job creation was higher than the reduction in employment caused by exiting firms. Third, very few companies experienced high‐growth during their first 7 years, and employment growth and sales growth were highly correlated among high‐growth firms.
Influence of early quantitative food restriction on long bone growth at different environmental temperatures in broiler chickens

1. This investigation was carried out to study the influence of early quantitative food restriction (40% of ad libitum intake from 7 to 14 d of age) and environmental rearing temperature (thermoneutral, cold and hot) on long bone (tibia, femur and humerus) development in broiler chickens. 2. Tibia, femur and humerus were obtained at the ages of 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 d, and the variables studied were: length and width (mm, expressed as absolute values), bone breaking strength (kgf) and bone weight/ bone length index (BW/BL, mg/mm). 3. All bone variables increased with bird age. Food restriction reduced bone length and width but did not affect bone weight. High environmental rearing temperature reduced bone length and width at 42 d of age. Bone strength was not affected by environmental temperature but the calculated BW/BL index was reduced by heat exposure. 4. The findings suggest that food restriction and high environmental rearing temperature reduce long bone growth; bone breaking strength was affected by bird age but not by food restriction nor rearing ambient temperature.
Market orientation of business schools: a development opportunity for the business model of University Business Schools in transition countries

MARKET ORIENTATION OF BUSINESS SCHOOLS: A DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE BUSINESS MODEL OF UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOLS IN TRANSITION COUNTRIES Maja Rosi, David Tuček, Vojko Potočan, Milan Jurše The adoption of market orientation practices at the Higher Education Institutions is a rising trend, since the challenges of changing the global higher education environment raise a growing issue for meeting the needs of the global market. Developing an appropriate strategy to cope with all of the requirements of the global education market changes and competitive pressures is especially challenging for University Business Schools in transition countries. The paper is based upon an identifi cation of a variety of theoretical perspectives about the global education market, its trends and infl uences on those schools in the aspects of market orientation. Conceptual framework analysis was used to characterise the market orientation of Business Schools as an opportunity for the strategic business model of University Business Schools in transition countries. Key factors and indicators for understanding their environment were identifi ed, structured and categorised within a theoretical framework. These factors refl ect the evolving context of reformation of the existing business model of University Business Schools in transition countries in a comprehensive way, since the framework outlines the complexity of their adaptation, considering the linkages and dependencies of all the crucial global external in internal environment trends and aspects. The authors suggest that, in order to align their business model more adequately to the global market needs and develop a sustainable competitive position, University Business Schools from transition countries have to follow the market orientation principles, taking into account also the limitations and challenges from a wider social and institutional environment.
Family quality of life among families with a member who has an intellectual disability: an exploratory examination of key domains and dimensions of the revised FQOL Survey.

BACKGROUND The Family Quality of Life Survey (FQOLS-2006) was developed as the result of increased interest in family quality of life (FQOL) among families with a member who has an intellectual disability (ID). The instrument includes nine life domains and six dimensions reflecting the main areas and characteristics of FQOL. The aim of the current study was to provide a descriptive analysis of the domains and dimensions of the survey and to explore their relationship to one another and to global satisfaction. METHOD A convenience sample of 35 participants with a family member who had ID completed the FQOLS-2006 in a large urban centre in Canada. The data were analysed using descriptive analyses. RESULTS The findings showed that although participants differentiated between different domains and dimensions, as reflected in their variability, stability was also found. For example, support from others was rated lowest across most dimensions, while family relationships and health of the family were generally rated higher. CONCLUSIONS The findings strengthen the importance of examining both the overall perception of FQOL as well as the perceptions in individual life domains. Moreover, they highlight the need to examine each life domain according to its various dimensions. In sum, the results call for further examination of the FQOLS-2006 as a useful tool for assessing FQOL and for implementing services based on it.
Patients infected with HIV are at high‐risk for hepatitis E virus infection in Spain

Hepatitis E virus is responsible for sporadic cases of acute, self‐limited viral hepatitis not only in endemic but also in industrialized countries. In addition, some reports confirm that it can cause chronic infection and even cirrhosis in immunosuppressed and also in patients infected with HIV. There are few data about prevalence and incidence of HEV chronic infection in HIV‐HEV coinfected individuals in Spain. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of anti‐HEV IgG in a representative sample of 448 patients infected with HIV and determine the role of age, gender, and CD4 counts in the detection of anti‐HEV IgG antibodies in blood. In addition, the clinical features and ALT levels in relation to the presence of anti‐HEV IgM and/or HEV‐RNA in the blood of these patients were investigated. Anti‐HEV IgG antibodies were detected in serum using a commercial enzyme immunoassay. All positive samples were studied further for the presence of anti‐HEV IgM antibodies. In addition, HEV RNA was amplified by reverse transcriptase (RT)‐nested PCR in all serum samples with IgM anti‐HEV. The overall prevalence of anti‐HEV IgG was 10.4% (45/448, 95% C.I. 7.2–12.8%). HEV‐RNA was found in only one patient out of the 45 anti‐HEV IgG positive samples studied. Regarding to gender and CD4 count, no difference in seroprevalence could be observed. This prevalence data suggest that patients infected with HIV can be considered a risk group for HEV infection and that chronic coinfection HEV‐HIV seems to be a very rare event. J. Med. Virol. 86:71–74, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantification of left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction from gated 99mTc-MIBI SPECT: MRI validation and comparison of the Emory Cardiac Tool Box with QGS and 4D-MSPECT.

UNLABELLED The goal of this study was to validate the accuracy of the Emory Cardiac Tool Box (ECTB) in assessing left ventricular end-diastolic or end-systolic volume (EDV, ESV) and ejection fraction (LVEF) from gated (99m)Tc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile ((99m)Tc-MIBI) SPECT using cardiac MRI (cMRI) as a reference. Furthermore, software-specific characteristics of ECTB were analyzed in comparison with 4D-MSPECT and Quantitative Gated SPECT (QGS) results (all relative to cMRI). METHODS Seventy patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease were examined using gated (99m)Tc-MIBI SPECT (8 gates/cardiac cycle) 60 min after tracer injection at rest. EDV, ESV, and LVEF were calculated from gated (99m)Tc-MIBI SPECT using ECTB, 4D-MSPECT, and QGS. Directly before or after gated SPECT, cMRI (20 gates/cardiac cycle) was performed as a reference. EDV, ESV, and LVEF were calculated using Simpson's rule. RESULTS Correlation between results of gated (99m)Tc-MIBI SPECT and cMRI was high for EDV (R = 0.90 [ECTB], R = 0.88 [4D-MSPECT], R = 0.92 [QGS]), ESV (R = 0.94 [ECTB], R = 0.96 [4D-MSPECT], R = 0.96 [QGS]), and LVEF (R = 0.85 [ECTB], R = 0.87 [4D-MSPECT], R = 0.89 [QGS]). EDV (ECTB) did not differ significantly from cMRI, whereas 4D-MSPECT and QGS underestimated EDV significantly compared with cMRI (mean +/- SD: 131 +/- 43 mL [ECTB], 127 +/- 42 mL [4D-MSPECT], 120 +/- 38 mL [QGS], 137 +/- 36 mL [cMRI]). For ESV, only ECTB yielded values that were significantly lower than cMRI. For LVEF, ECTB and 4D-MSPECT values did not differ significantly from cMRI, whereas QGS values were significantly lower than cMRI (mean +/- SD: 62.7% +/- 13.7% [ECTB], 59.0% +/- 12.7% [4DM-SPECT], 53.2% +/- 11.5% [QGS], 60.6% +/- 13.9% [cMRI]). CONCLUSION EDV, ESV, and LVEF as determined by ECTB, 4D-MSPECT, and QGS from gated (99m)Tc-MIBI SPECT agree over a wide range of clinically relevant values with cMRI. Nevertheless, any algorithm-inherent over- or underestimation of volumes and LVEF should be accounted for and an interchangeable use of different software packages should be avoided.
Genetic variability in hepatitis C virus and its role in antiviral treatment response

Summary. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major health problem worldwide, infecting an estimated 170 million people. The high genetic variability of HCV contributes to the chronicity of hepatitis C. Here, we report results from a large‐scale sequence analysis of 67 patients infected with HCV genotype 1, 23 with subtype 1a and 44 with subtype 1b. Two regions of the HCV genome were analysed in samples prior to combined therapy with alpha interferon plus ribavirin, one compressing the hypervariable regions (HVR1, HVR2 and HVR3) of the E2 glycoprotein and another one including the interferon‐sensitive determining region (ISDR) and the V3 domain of the NS5A protein. Genetic diversity measures showed a clear tendency to higher genetic variability levels in nonresponder patients to antiviral treatment than in responder patients, although highly disperse values were present within each response group for both subtypes. A more detailed analysis of amino acid composition revealed the presence of several subtype‐specific variants in a few positions, but no discriminating positions between responder and nonresponder patients were detected. Our results also revealed that most amino acid positions were highly conserved, especially for subtype 1a. We conclude that the outcome of the antiviral treatment might depend not only on the nature of one or a few independent positions, but more likely on the combination of several positions along the HCV genome. Moreover, the own host’s ability to generate an appropriate systemic response, in combination with the action of antivirals, is also likely to be essential for treatment outcome.
Polyphenol- and fibre-rich dried fruits with green tea attenuate starch-derived postprandial blood glucose and insulin: a randomised, controlled, single-blind, cross-over intervention

Abstract Polyphenol- and fibre-rich foods (PFRF) have the potential to affect postprandial glycaemic responses by reducing glucose absorption, and thus decreasing the glycaemic response of foods when consumed together. A randomised, single-blind, cross-over study was conducted on sixteen healthy volunteers to test whether PFRF could attenuate postprandial blood glucose in healthy volunteers when added to a source of carbohydrate (starch in bread). This is the first study to examine the effects of a meal comprised of components to inhibit each stage of the biochemical pathway, leading up to the appearance of glucose in the blood. The volunteers were fasted and attended four visits: two control visits (bread, water, balancing sugars) and two test visits (single and double dose of PFRF) where they consumed bread, water and PFRF. Blood samples were collected at 0 (fasted), 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min after consumption. The PFRF components were tested for α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory potential in vitro. Plasma glucose was lower after consumption of both doses compared with controls: lower dose, change in mean incremental areas under the glucose curves (IAUC)=−27·4 (sd 7·5) %, P<0·001; higher dose, IAUC=−49·0 (sd 15·3) %, P<0·001; insulin IAUC was also attenuated by−46·9 (sd 13·4) %, P<0·01. Consistent with this, the polyphenol components of the PFRF inhibited α-amylase (green tea, strawberry, blackberry and blackcurrant) and α-glucosidase (green tea) activities in vitro. The PFRF have a pronounced and significant lowering effect on postprandial blood glucose and insulin response in humans, due in part to inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, as well as glucose transport.
FATHERS' PERSPECTIVES ON THE TREATMENT FOR PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY: EXTENDING THE FINDINGS

There is scant research available about how fathers cope with their children receiving difficult treatment protocols for diseases such as childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The present discussion contributes to this area with findings on the paternal experience of treatment for pediatric ALL collected from the families in a longitudinal study conducted at Royal Children's Hospital and the Mater Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland. These findings emphasize the emotional shock and pain fathers experience in the early stages of the treatment process for children with leukemia. Their emotional responses run the gamut from engagement in the treatment process to withdrawal, from crying to taking "time out" to experiencing and expressing anger at their (and their child's) fate. In dealing with their child's illness over time fathers struggle with accepting the situation and attempting to restore some semblance of normality to their own and their families' lives.
Molecular basis of beta thalassemia in the south of thailand

A total of 103 beta thalassemia genes from 78 children (45 with Hb E/beta thalassemia, 8 with beta thalassemia heterozygotes, and 25 with homozygous beta thalassemia) were analyzed using dot‐blot hybridization of the polymerase chain reaction‐amplified DNA and direct DNA sequencing. Nine mutations were characterized in 98/103 (95%) of beta thalassemia alleles, of which six (a 4 bp deletion in codons 41–42, a G‐C transition at position 5 of IVS‐1, A‐G transition at codon 19, an A‐T transition at codon 17, an A‐G transition at position –28 upstream of the beta globin gene, a G‐T transition at position 1 of IVS‐1), accounted for 92%. The spectrum of beta thalassemia mutations in Chinese Thai is similar to that reported among the Chinese from other parts of the world. The distribution of beta thalassemia mutations in Muslim Thai is similar to that reported among Malaysians. The most common beta thalassemia mutation in Thai and Chinese Thai patients is the frameshift mutation at codons 41–42, in comparison with the Muslim Thai in whom the G‐C transition at position 5 of the IVS‐1 mutation predominates. The heterogeneity of molecular defects causing beta thalassemia should aid in the planning of a prenatal diagnosis program for beta thalassemia in the South of Thailand. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Monetary Policy, External Instruments and Heteroskedasticity

We develop a structural vector autoregressive framework that combines external instruments and heteroskedasticity for identification of monetary policy shocks. We show that exploiting both types of information sharpens structural inference, allows testing the relevance and exogeneity condition for instruments separately using likelihood ratio tests, and facilitates the economic interpretation of the structural shock of interest. We test alternative instruments and find that narrative and model‐based measures are valid, while high‐frequency data instruments show signs of invalidity. Finally, we document that monetary shocks identified with both a valid instrument and heteroskedasticity have larger effects on production and prices than monetary shocks identified via an instrument only.
Strategic review of Cape York Income management

Implemented in 2008, the Cape York Welfare Reform (CYWR) initiative aims to address passive dependence on welfare and commit people in the communities of Aurukun, Coen, Hope Vale, and Mossman Gorge to resume primary responsibility for the wellbeing of their families and their communities. This review examines one aspect of CYWR—income management (IM). Under the Cape York IM (CYIM) model, IM is administered by the Department of Human Services based on the guidance and decisions of the Family Responsibilities Commission (FRC). Ultimately, only a relatively small proportion of FRC clients have ever been subject to a CYIM order. At its peak in 2008– 2009 the percentage of FRC clients placed on a CYIM order was 20.7%, a figure which has declined annually to the 2017- 2018 figure of 7.7%. This review seeks to understand the impact of CYIM over the past ten years (2008 –2018) in the original CYWR communities (i.e. excluding Doomadgee 1 ), drawing on available qualitative and quantitative data (e.g. qualitative accounts in the existing literature, FRC reports and FRC client data). Cape York communities are looking to make a decision about evolving from CYWR towards new arrangements based on the empowerment/development model. There is an expectation from communities that this review will inform a decision about the future of welfare quarantining in Cape York and what role the current CYIM approach can/should have in any future models. Different communities have different needs and may come to different conclusions. CYIM is unique and, thus, conclusions arising from this review may not be able to be transferred to IM in other contexts. In fact, many of the conclusions depend on the unique IM delivery system that is peculiar to the CYIM model, rather than simply IM alone.
Musculoskeletal disorders: time trends, comorbid conditions, self-assessed health status, and associated activity limitations.

In this report, cases of musculoskeletal disease were identified by a yes response to questions involving joint pain and/or physician-diagnosed arthritis in four national surveys for the following objectives: (a) to assess time trends in case prevalence; (b) to describe respondent health status; (c) to estimate prevalence of joint pain by location; (d) to estimate prevalence of selected comorbid medical conditions; and (e) to estimate among these persons the burden of ADL and IADL disability. These surveys were conducted over a 25-year interval (1960-84). Joint pain is the final common pathway through which a number of these disorders operate and could be expected to identify a subset of persons who have not sought medical consultation. Physician diagnosis of disease is an item that is conceptually a measure of severity. In these samples, there were slightly more persons reporting joint pain than reporting a diagnosis of arthritis in most years. Increases in the prevalence of both joint pain and physician-diagnosed arthritis were noted across survey years and for the cohort aged 65-69 years in NHANES I. Although this analysis is based on national data from persons with arthritis, estimates of disability prevalence from national surveys of the total U.S. population (18,28) are also available for comparison. In this report, persons with arthritis suffer from poorer health status and more disability when compared with U.S. population prevalence. Overall, 14 percent of persons aged 65-74 years reported difficulty walking, and 20 percent of persons with arthritis reported this difficulty. In the U.S. cohort aged 75-84 years, 23 percent reported difficulty walking, compared with 31 percent of those with arthritis. Among persons aged 85 years and over, 40 percent reported difficulty walking, compared with 46 percent of respondents with arthritis. It should be recognized that persons with arthritis are included in the total population estimates and these differences in disability prevalence, therefore, could be much larger. It is important to note, however, that for tasks such as toileting, dressing, and managing money, estimates of disability for the total U.S. and arthritic U.S. populations are similar. These data suggest that arthritis may be a large contributor to certain types of disability. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)