Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy in the setting of iron deficiency anemia without evidence of gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND The diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy (CE) in the setting of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) without evidence of occult⁄overt bleeding has been questioned. Often, these patients have nongastrointestinal causes of iron deficiency but undergo CE to exclude a potential small bowel source. OBJECTIVE To assess the diagnostic yield of CE, the characteristics predicting positive results, the presumed etiology of IDA in negative⁄normal CE and patient management after CE. METHODS A retrospective review of 934 patients who underwent CE between December 2001 and February 2010 was conducted. All patients had undergone previous negative endoscopic examinations before CE. Patients with IDA but no evidence of overt⁄occult bleeding were separated into three categories based on CE findings: group A - positive; group B - negative⁄normal; and group C - incomplete⁄indeterminate. RESULTS A total of 101 capsules in 97 patients were evaluated. Group A had 25 subjects with positive findings on CE, 18 of whom were managed supportively. Group B consisted of 69 subjects with negative⁄normal CE, 60 of whom were treated supportively. Group C consisted of three subjects with incomplete CE results. CONCLUSION In patients with IDA without evidence of gastrointestinal bleeding, CE had a low diagnostic yield (25.7%), which increased to 45.5% after adjusting for low dietary iron intake and menorrhagia. However, CE did not alter management in most patients regardless of findings, and many of the lesions requiring intervention were within reach of standard endoscopes. No predictor of positive results was found. In this patient population, careful history taking and thorough endoscopy could improve CE utilization, although its value is still relatively limited.
Posttraumatic Embitterment Disorder and Hwa-byung in the General Korean Population

Objective Posttraumatic embitterment disorder (PTED) is characterized by states of “embitterment”, characteristically similar to “Hwa-byung”, which is a Korean culture-bound syndrome. The present study aimed to assess diagnostic relationships between PTED and Hwa-byung. Methods A total of 290 participants completed our survey. PTED and Hwa-byung were diagnosed using a diagnostic interview and scale. Scales for depression, suicide ideation, and anger were used for evaluation. Fisher's exact tests and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to evaluate diagnostic overlap between PTED and Hwa-byung, and associations of scale scores for depression, suicide ideation, and anger between the PTED, Hwa-byung, and non-diagnosed groups. Associations of these scales between the depressive and non-depressive groups, and suicidal and non-suicidal groups were also evaluated. Results Among the participants, 1.7% of the sample fit the diagnostic criteria for PTED and 2.1% fit the criteria for Hwa-byung. No individual fit the criteria for both. Anger scores were significantly higher in the Hwa-byung group than in the non-diagnostic group. There were not any significant differences in anger scores between the PTED and non-diagnostic groups. Depression scores were significantly higher in the PTED than in the non-diagnostic groups. In contrast, no significant differences were observed between depression scores in the Hwa-byung and non-diagnostic groups. Conclusion These results suggest that PTED may be a disorder category that is distinct from Hwa-byung.
Are Articular Cartilage Lesions and Meniscus Tears Predictive of IKDC, KOOS, and Marx Activity Level Outcomes After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction?

Background: Identifying risk factors for inferior outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is important for prognosis and future treatment. Hypothesis: Articular cartilage lesions and meniscus tears/treatment would predict International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) (all 5 subscales), and Marx activity level at 6 years after ACLR. Study Design: Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 1. Methods: Between 2002 and 2004, a total of 1512 ACLR patients were prospectively enrolled and followed longitudinally, with the IKDC, KOOS, and Marx activity score completed at entry, 2 years, and 6 years. A logistic regression model was built incorporating variables from patient demographics, surgical technique, articular cartilage injuries, and meniscus tears/treatment to determine the predictors (risk factors) of IKDC and KOOS scores and Marx activity level at 6 years. Results: A minimum follow-up on 86% (1307/1512) of the cohort was completed at 6 years. The cohort was 56% male and had a median age of 23 years at the time of enrollment, with 76% reporting a noncontact injury mechanism. Incidence of concomitant injury at the time of surgery consisted of the following: articular cartilage (medial femoral condyle [MFC], 25%; lateral femoral condyle [LFC] 20%; medial tibial plateau [MTP], 6%; lateral tibial plateau [LTP], 12%; patella, 20%; trochlear, 9%) and meniscus (medial, 38%; lateral, 46%). Both articular cartilage lesions and meniscus tears were significant predictors of 6-year outcomes on the IKDC and KOOS. Grade 3 or 4 articular cartilage lesions (excluding patella) significantly reduced IKDC and KOOS scores at 6 years. The IKDC demonstrated worse outcomes with the presence of a grade 3 or 4 chondral lesion on the MFC, MTP, and LFC. Likewise, the KOOS score was negatively affected by cartilage injury. The sole significant predictor of reduced Marx activity level was the presence of a grade 4 lesion on the MFC. Lateral meniscus repairs did not correlate with inferior results, but medial meniscus repairs predicted worse IKDC and KOOS scores. Lateral meniscus tears left alone significantly improved prognosis. Small partial meniscectomies (<33%) on the medial meniscus fared worse; conversely, larger excisions (>50%) on either the medial or lateral menisci improved prognosis. Analogous to previous studies, other significant predictors of lower outcome scores were lower baseline scores, higher body mass index, lower education level, smoking, and anterior cruciate ligament revisions. Conclusion: Both articular cartilage injury and meniscus tears/treatment at the time of ACLR were significant predictors of IKDC and KOOS scores 6 years after ACLR. Similarly, having a grade 4 MFC lesion significantly reduced a patient’s Marx activity level score at 6 years.
Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology Toward Therapy of Human Prion Diseases

Three decades after the discovery of prions as the cause of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, we are still nowhere close to finding an effective therapy. Numerous pharmacological interventions have attempted to target various stages of disease progression, yet none has significantly ameliorated the course of disease. We still lack a mechanistic understanding of how the prions damage the brain, and this situation results in a dearth of validated pharmacological targets. In this review, we discuss the attempts to interfere with the replication of prions and to enhance their clearance. We also trace some of the possibilities to identify novel targets that may arise with increasing insights into prion biology.
[Ca2+]i Oscillations and IL-6 Release Induced by α-Hemolysin from Escherichia coli Require P2 Receptor Activation in Renal Epithelia*

Background: The virulence factor HlyA elicits [Ca2+]i oscillations in renal epithelial cells. Results: These oscillations and following IL-6 release are reduced by inhibition or lack of P2Y2 receptors. Conclusion: The effects of HlyA in renal epithelial cells are mediated by P2Y2 receptors. Significance: ATP release and P2Y2 receptor activation are essential parts of the early interaction between Escherichia coli and the renal epithelium. Urinary tract infections are commonly caused by α-hemolysin (HlyA)-producing Escherichia coli. In erythrocytes, the cytotoxic effect of HlyA is strongly amplified by P2X receptors, which are activated by extracellular ATP released from the cytosol of the erythrocytes. In renal epithelia, HlyA causes reversible [Ca2+]i oscillations, which trigger interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 release. We speculate that this effect is caused by HlyA-induced ATP release from the epithelial cells and successive P2 receptor activation. Here, we demonstrate that HlyA-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations in renal epithelia were completely prevented by scavenging extracellular ATP. In accordance, HlyA was unable to inflict any [Ca2+]i oscillations in 132-1N1 cells, which lack P2R completely. After transfecting these cells with the hP2Y2 receptor, HlyA readily triggered [Ca2+]i oscillations, which were abolished by P2 receptor antagonists. Moreover, HlyA-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations were markedly reduced in medullary thick ascending limbs isolated from P2Y2 receptor-deficient mice compared with wild type. Interestingly, the following HlyA-induced IL-6 release was absent in P2Y2 receptor-deficient mice. This suggests that HlyA induces ATP release from renal epithelia, which via P2Y2 receptors is the main mediator of HlyA-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations and IL-6 release. This supports the notion that ATP signaling occurs early during bacterial infection and is a key player in the further inflammatory response.
Involvement of Caveolin-1 in CD83 Internalization in Mouse Dendritic Cells

To become potent T-cell stimulators, DCs need to mature. Treatment with soluble CD83 (sCD83) induces immune tolerance and protects against transplant rejection by maintaining dendritic cells in an immature, tolerogenic state. Until now, the mechanism through which sCD83 keeps DCs immature has not been investigated. The internalizing pathway of CD83 was screened by Western blot, and the direct interactions between internalized proteins were verified through coimmunoprecipitation (co-IP) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). CD83 plasma membrane levels were detected by Western blot using a plasma membrane protein extraction protocol. The changes in CD83 surface levels in DCs were detected by flow cytometry. Caveolin-1 function was detected in a kidney transplant model. In this study, we demonstrated that caveolin-1 could affect CD83 level during endocytosis in mouse DCs. Caveolin-1 coprecipitates with CD83, as demonstrated by co-IP analysis. TEM morphometric analysis of the entire CD83 distribution associated with internalized caveolin-1 demonstrated a significant interaction in cellular vesicles. sCD83 reduces endogenous CD83 plasma membrane levels, and caveolin-1 knockdown reverts CD83 levels in plasma membrane. sCD83 treatment decreases CD83 surface levels in DCs. siRNA to caveolin-1 in DCs inhibits this effect of sCD83. The effects of sCD83-treated DCs were proved in CD1 mice. Knocking down caveolin-1 in DCs obstructs the effects of sCD83 on kidney transplant. In conclusion, our data indicated that a caveolin-dependent endocytic pathway is involved in CD83 internalization in DCs and that caveolin-1 is involved in the activity of DCs.
Enhanced sensitivity to acute angiotensin II is testosterone dependent in adult male growth-restricted offspring.

Placental insufficiency results in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and hypertension in adult male growth-restricted rats. Although renal ANG II and plasma renin activity do not differ between growth-restricted and control rats, blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) abolishes hypertension in growth-restricted rats, suggesting that the RAS contributes to IUGR-induced hypertension. Moreover, castration abolishes hypertension in growth-restricted rats, indicating an important role for testosterone. Therefore, we hypothesized that enhanced responsiveness to ANG II contributes to hypertension in this model of IUGR and that androgens may play a pivotal role in this enhanced response. Physiological parameters were determined at 16 wk of age in male rats pretreated with enalapril (40 mg.kg(-1). day(-1)) for 1 wk. Baseline blood pressures were similar between growth-restricted (112 +/- 3 mmHg) and control (110 +/- 2 mmHg) rats; however, an enhanced pressor response to acute ANG II (100 ng.kg(-1). min(-1) for 30 min) was observed in growth-restricted (160 +/- 2 mmHg) vs. control (136 +/- 2 mmHg; P < 0.05) rats. Castration abolished the enhanced pressor response to acute ANG II in growth-restricted (130 +/- 2 mmHg) rats with no significant effect on blood pressure in controls (130 +/- 2 mmHg). Blood pressure was increased to a similar extent above baseline in response to acute phenylephrine (100 microg/min) in control (184 +/- 5 mmHg) and growth-restricted (184 +/- 8 mmHg) rats, suggesting the enhanced pressor response in growth-restricted rats is ANG II specific. Thus, these results suggest that growth-restricted rats exhibit an enhanced responsiveness to ANG II that is testosterone dependent and indicate that the RAS may serve as an underlying mechanism in mediating hypertension programmed in response to IUGR.
Efficacy and safety of combined radiotherapy with EGFR inhibitors and chemotherapy for laryngeal organ preservation in patients with locally advanced hypopharyngeal carcinomas.

BACKGROUND The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combination of helical tomotherapy (HT) or intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) inhibitor (Cetuximab or Nimotuzumab) with or without chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS The retrospective study included forty-six patients (12 stage III and 34 stage IV) with locally advanced hypopharyngeal cancer. Among them, 20 were treated with induction chemotherapy with docetaxel and cisplatin (TP) followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin and EGFR inhibitor, 13 received concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin and EGFR inhibitor, and 13 were treated with concurrent radiotherapy plus EGFR inhibitor. HT and IMRT were performed in 33 and 13 patients, respectively. Side effects were evaluated with the established CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) 3.0 criteria. RESULTS The median follow-up time was 39.4 months (range 3-69 months). All patients completed the planned RT without any treatment breaks. The 3-year local control survival, disease-free survival, overall survival, and laryngeal preservation survival rates were 66.8%, 59.0%, 68.9%, and 86.7%, respectively. The most common grade 3 or higher side effect was oropharyngeal mucositis. One patient required dilatation of a pharyngeal stricture 18 months after treatment. No patient required percutaneous gastrostomy and tracheostomy tube. CONCLUSION The treatment with EGFR inhibitor in combination with non-surgical combined modality in patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma was well tolerated and resulted in encouraging laryngeal preservation survival rate. HT or IMRT, EGFR inhibitor, and effective management of severe oropharyngeal mucositis contributed to the positive outcomes.
Top managers’ political ties,degree of market development and corporate M&A strategy:——an empirical study of the high-tech listed corporates in China

This paper examined the relationship between political ties of different level of the top managers and corporate merger,and the moderating effect of market development level.Through the analysis of the 183 merger events from 109 high-tech listed corporates during 2005-2009,we find that local political ties contribute to the merger in local and glocal in the industry,while central political ties contributes to mergers in local and glocal beyond the industry.The results also proved that the higher development of the region factor market,the more the political ties can contribute to the corporate merger,and the relationship between government and market plays different role in different level’s political ties and merger.
Different Market Reactions to Discretionary and Nondiscretionary Accounting Changes

The recent accounting literature has reported the results of a number of studies that have examined the market effects of accounting changes (ACs). None of the published studies has dealt directly with nondiscretionary changes. Because the accounting change signals to investors may differ between discretionary and nondiscretionary ACs, the potential market effect of nondiscretionary ACs provides an interesting empirical question. Moreover, the published studies to date have used research designs that share a common weakness in the control group to which the returns on the experimental firms were compared. Using a research design that mitigates the effect of that weakness, this study provides some evidence that the two categories of accounting changes (dichotomized on discretion characteristics) convey uniquely different signals to investors. The research design used here also incorporates a number of additional refinements that have not heretofore been applied to AC research. The theoretical link between economic events and stock returns in an efficient capital market is summarized in Beaver [1972]. The empirical link between accounting events and stock returns is well documented in * Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Austin. This research is a part of my
A Designer'S Choice between Single‐Prize and Parallel Tournaments

In this article, I theoretically and experimentally compare a designer's profits from two tournament designs. The first design is a standard winner‐take‐all tournament with a single prize. The second design features two winner‐take‐all (parallel) tournaments with different prizes where individuals choose which tournament to enter before competing. I develop a simple model that illustrates how the relative performances of these designs change as contestants' abilities differ. The theoretical model shows that the designer's profit is higher (lower) in the parallel tournament when contestants' abilities differ greatly (are similar). I complement these findings with experimental evidence. The experiments show that the parallel tournament is more profitable under high heterogeneity, whereas under low heterogeneity, the designer is better off with the single‐prize tournament. Furthermore, high‐ability agents under‐participate and low‐ability agents over‐participate in the high‐prize tournament relative to the theoretical prediction.
Influenza Vaccination Among Healthcare Workers in a University Children's Hospital

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the attitudes of pediatric healthcare workers (HCWs) toward influenza vaccination and to increase their rate of immunization. Methods: A survey was conducted among pediatric HCWs using an anonymous questionnaire. Survey results were used to design an intervention to increase the immunization rate of staff. Immunization rates before (2003-2004) and after (2004-2005) intervention were assessed using immunization clinic records. Setting: A university children's hospital in Switzerland. Interventions: (1) An informational letter based on misconceptions noted in the survey, (2) educational conversations with head nurses, (3) more “walk-in” immunization clinics, and (4) a direct offer of influenza immunization on the wards. Results: Among vaccine nonrecipients, doubts about the efficacy and necessity of influenza immunization were prevalent and more often reported by nurses than physicians (75% vs 41%, P = .002; and 55% vs 23%, P = .001, respectively). Physicians more often than nurses reported lack of time as a reason for not receiving influenza vaccination (23% vs 5%, P = .01). After intervention, the immunization rate of HCWs increased from 19% to 24% (P = .03). The immunization rate of physicians increased from 43% to 64% (P = .004). No change was noted among nurses (13% vs 14%) and other HCWs (16% vs 16%). Conclusions: Misconceptions about influenza vaccination were prevalent among pediatric staff, particularly nurses. Active promotion and educational efforts were successful in increasing the immunization rate of physicians but not nurses and other HCWs.
Measuring the sustainability of a community safety promotion network: working from the inside out

Background While project sustainability is a mandatory piece of politically correct rhetoric, it is less often achieved. Mackay Whitsunday Safe Communities (MWSC) was developed using a capacity building model that consciously attempted to design sustainability into the network. Aims/Objectives/Purpose This study sought to analyse the sustainability of MWSC by tracking the exchange of resources using Social Network Analysis (SNA). Method A snowballing methodology was used to identify the MWSC and its external support network (ESN). Respondents were asked to identify the type and amount of resources they shared with other network partners. Results/Outcome The study identified 168 members of the MWSC and its ESN. Thirty-five per cent of relationships did not share any resources; 47% shared in-kind resources, 54% shared human resources and 15% shared financial resources. In 2004 MWSC accessed an estimated 6.5 full time staff equivalents and $0.9 million Australian dollars. However, these resources were largely accessed through, and controlled by, the ESN. MWSC was rich in social resources, but considerable in-kind, human and financial resources were accessed through its ESN. The bridging relationships that connected MWSC to its ESN, more than half of which were maintained by six broker network facilitators, were the critical social asset required to access resources and thereby sustain network productivity. Significance/Contribution to Field MWSC is an open network. Open social networks can never be totally self-sufficient. The ongoing productivity of a social network is dependant on its capacity to develop and maintain productive links with external partners.
Test of Memory Malingering: Cutoff Scores for Psychometrically Defined Malingering Groups in a Military Sample

This research examined cutoffs for the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) in a military sample composed primarily of mTBI patients. The results are consistent with previous research and provide additional evidence that cutoffs higher than those originally recommended for the TOMM can produce excellent classification and diagnostic statistics when a psychometrically defined non-malingering group is compared with three psychometrically defined malingering groups: Probable, Probable to Definite, and Definite Malingering. The groups were formed based on the number of symptom and performance validity tests passed or failed. Cutoffs that were 4–5 points higher for Trial 2 and the Retention Trial than originally recommended produced very low false positive rates (.0 to .06) and excellent positive predictive values (.75 to 1.00) for a base rate of malingering commonly found in TBI patients. Positive likelihood ratios were all above 10 for these two trials indicating excellent ability to rule in malingering. A range of cutoffs for Trial 1 were also examined, and classification and diagnostic statistics are presented for cutoffs ranging from 40 to 44 with results similar to the other TOMM trials.