Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical outcome of medium-sized hepatocellular carcinoma treated with microwave ablation.

AIM To evaluate the outcomes of patients with medium-sized hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA). METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all patients with a single medium-sized HCC who underwent percutaneous MWA from January 2010 to January 2013. Technical success, technical effectiveness and complications were subsequently observed. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The Cox proportional hazards model was fitted to each variable. The relative prognostic significance of the variables for predicting overall survival rate, recurrence-free survival rate and local tumor recurrence(s) was assessed using univariate analysis. All variables with a P value < 0.20 were subjected to multivariate analysis. RESULTS The study included 182 patients (mean age, 58 years; age range: 22-86 years) with a single HCC (mean size, 3.72 ± 0.54 cm; range: 3.02-5.00 cm). The estimated technical effectiveness rate was 93% in 182 patients. The major complication rate was 2.7% (5/182), including liver abscess in 4 cases, and abdominal bleeding at the puncture site in 1 case. Thirty-day mortality rate was 0.5% (1/182). One patient died due to liver abscess-related septicemia. Cumulative recurrence-free survival and overall survival (OS) rates were 51%, 36%, 27% and 89%, 74%, 60% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Age (P = 0.017) and tumor diameter (P = 0.029) were independent factors associated with local tumor recurrence. None of the factors had a statistically significant impact on recurrence-free survival. Serum albumin level (P = 0.009) and new lesion(s) (P = 0.029) were independently associated with OS. CONCLUSION Percutaneous MWA is a relatively safe and effective treatment for patients with medium-sized HCC.
The Bournemouth Questionnaire: a short-form comprehensive outcome measure. I. Psychometric properties in back pain patients.

OBJECTIVE Develop and test a short-form comprehensive outcome measure for back pain. DESIGN Prospective longitudinal study of 3 consecutive cohorts of back pain patients. SETTING Anglo-European College of Chiropractic outpatient clinic and several field chiropractic practices. METHOD Domains judged important in the back pain model and responsive to clinical change were identified from the literature. Items were scored on an 11-point numerical rating scale. The instrument was psychometrically tested by use of those tests relevant to an evaluative measure. RESULTS Seven dimensions of the back pain model were included in the questionnaire. Having established face validity, the instrument was shown to demonstrate high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.9) and good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.95). All items were retained on the basis that they contributed to the overall score (item-corrected total score correlations) and to the instrument's responsiveness to clinical change (item change-corrected total change score correlations). The instrument demonstrated acceptable construct and longitudinal construct validity with established external measures. The effect size of the instrument was high (1.29) and comparable with established measures. CONCLUSION A reliable, valid, and responsive instrument has been developed for use in back pain patients. It is practical for use in investigations of both the efficacy and effectiveness of back pain treatments.
Diversity-related psychological contract breach and employee work behavior: insights from intergroup emotions theory

Abstract A diversity-related psychological contract (DPC) represents minority employees’ beliefs about the diversity-related promises their organization makes in return for their contributions. Based on social exchange theory, our study addresses the consequences of a DPC breach on the work behavior of ethnic minority employees, operationalized here as organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). For further insights, we apply intergroup emotions theory to develop and test a moderated mediation model. Our model presumes that DPC breaches may increase the intergroup anxiety of ethnic minority employees by activating intergroup appraisal processes. This, in turn, results in their avoidant behavior towards the organization in terms of reduced OCB. Moreover, we hypothesize that this intergroup anxiety-mediated relationship between DPC breach and OCB is stronger for ethnic minority employees who are more acculturated to the host culture. Data from 361 Turkish employees working as ethnic minorities for majority-dominated and majority-owned organizations in Belgium support this model.
The Economic Effect of Refugee Crises on Neighbouring Host Countries: Empirical Evidence from Pakistan

There is a considerable debate in terms of opportunities and challenges about the presence of refugees in the neighbouring host countries. Most of the existing discourse has focused only on their humanitarian and security implications. This article, on the other hand, seeks to uncover this issue through a purely economic lens, focusing on the economic impact of more than three million Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Utilizing data for the period 1979–2014 and the ARDL bounds testing approach, we arrive at few important conclusions. The empirical results indicate that Afghan refugees have a strong negative impact on economic growth in Pakistan. The effect holds in both the short run and the long run, suggesting that the influx of refugees lowers real economic activity in the country. Ultimately, the study implies that hosting refugees can never be a boon to Pakistan's economy.
Direct medical cost of stroke in Singapore

Background Globally, stroke is recognized as one of the main causes of long-term disability, accounting for approximately 5.7 million deaths each year. It is a debilitating and costly chronic condition that consumes about 2-4% of total healthcare expenditure. Aims To estimate the direct medical cost associated with stroke in Singapore in 2012 and to determine associated predictors. Methods The National Healthcare Group Chronic Disease Management System database was used to identify patients with stroke between the years 2006 and 2012. Estimated stroke-related costs included hospitalizations, accident and emergency room visits, outpatient physician visits, laboratory tests, and medications. Results A total of 700 patients were randomly selected for the analyses. The mean annual direct medical cost was found to be S$12 473.7, of which 93.6% were accounted for by inpatient services, 4.9% by outpatient services, and 1.5% by A&E services. Independent determinants of greater total costs were stroke types, such as ischemic stroke (P = 0.005), subarachnoid hemorrhage (P < 0.001) and intracerebral haemorrhage (P < 0.001), shorter poststroke period, more than one complications (P = 0.045), and a greater number of comorbidities (P = 0.001). Conclusion There is a considerable economic burden associated with stroke in Singapore. The type of stroke, length of poststroke period, and stroke complications and comorbidities are found to be associated with the total costs. Efforts to reduce inpatient costs and to allocate health resources to focus on the primary prevention of stroke should become a priority.
An Analysis of the Causes and Consequences of Kidnapping in Nigeria

Kidnapping is a serious crime and has potential for transforming into other felonious offenses, such as physical violence, financial victimisation, and murder. This paper did not focus only on the consequences of kidnapping but also examined its predisposing factors in Nigeria. Thus, the objectives of the study are: to examine the nexus between terrorism and kidnapping; to investigate the mutual reinforcement between corruption and kidnapping; to find out if kidnapping and poverty are correlated; and to examine the consequences of the problem. Using secondary qualitative data, the study found out that kidnapping has been taking place in Nigeria due to the activities of insurgent groups in the Niger Delta region, but it increased with the emergence of “Boko Haram” terrorism in the North-eastern Nigeria; corruption is not strongly related to kidnapping, but they have indirect connection whereby youth political thugs served corrupt political leaders and turned out to become kidnappers, sometimes for ransom from political opponents; poverty is correlated with kidnapping in Nigeria; and there are multiple consequences of kidnapping, such as financial victimization, rape and even death of the victims. The paper therefore suggested that for kidnapping to be eradicated in Nigeria, poverty and corruption must also be significantly reduced. The paper also suggested that terrorism and insurgency should be fought as they involved abductions of innocent people, females and children in particular; thus, for Nigeria to address the kidnapping phenomenon, strategic security action should be onslaught against terrorism and insurgency, etc. Key Words : Causes of Kidnapping, Kidnapping, Kidnapping in Nigeria, Abduction, Consequences of Kidnapping
Motion Sickness History, Food Neophobia, and Sensation Seeking

Motion sickness is believed to be caused by conflicting sensory signals, a situation that mimics the effects of ingesting certain toxins. Thus, one might suspect that individuals who have experienced a relatively high frequency of motion sickness may be particularly vigilant about avoiding anything that produces nausea, including potentially nauseating toxins. Consequently, they may be more resistant to trying new foods, i.e., be more food neophobic, since unfamiliar foods can have unexpected adverse effects due to toxins or allergens. Likewise, many highly stimulating experiences can trigger motion sickness, so individuals who are more susceptible may be more prone to avoid such experiences, i.e., be less sensation seeking. Finally, it was expected that food neophobia would be more frequent in individuals low on sensation seeking tendencies. Self-reported motion sickness history in 308 adults (M=18.8 yr.; SD=1.6) was correlated with scores on the Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking and the Food Neophobia Scale. As predicted, greater history of motion sickness was associated with lower Sensation Seeking scores. Food Neophobia was not correlated with motion sickness history but, as expected, was negatively correlated (r = –.42) with scores on Sensation Seeking. Further research is recommended that measures actual sensitivity to motion sickness.
Erythropoietin treatment elevates haemoglobin concentration by increasing red cell volume and depressing plasma volume

Erythropoietin (Epo) has been suggested to affect plasma volume, and would thereby possess a mechanism apart from erythropoiesis to increase arterial oxygen content. This, and potential underlying mechanisms, were tested in eight healthy subjects receiving 5000 IU recombinant human Epo (rHuEpo) for 15 weeks at a dose frequency aimed to increase and maintain haematocrit at approximately 50%. Red blood cell volume was increased from 2933 ± 402 ml before rHuEpo treatment to 3210 ± 356 (P < 0.01), 3117 ± 554 (P < 0.05), and 3172 ± 561 ml (P < 0.01) after 5, 11 and 13 weeks, respectively. This was accompanied by a decrease in plasma volume from 3645 ± 538 ml before rHuEpo treatment to 3267 ± 333 (P < 0.01), 3119 ± 499 (P < 0.05), and 3323 ± 521 ml (P < 0.01) after 5, 11 and 13 weeks, respectively. Concomitantly, plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentration were reduced. This maintained blood volume relatively unchanged, with a slight transient decrease at week 11, such that blood volume was 6578 ± 839 ml before rHuEpo treatment, and 6477 ± 573 (NS), 6236 ± 908 (P < 0.05), and 6495 ± 935 ml (NS), after 5, 11 and 13 weeks of treatment. We conclude that Epo treatment in healthy humans induces an elevation in haemoglobin concentration by two mechanisms: (i) an increase in red cell volume; and (ii) a decrease in plasma volume, which is probably mediated by a downregulation of the rennin–angiotensin–aldosterone axis. Since the relative contribution of plasma volume changes to the increments in arterial oxygen content was between 37.9 and 53.9% during the study period, this mechanism seems as important for increasing arterial oxygen content as the well‐known erythropoietic effect of Epo.
Heterogeneity of Loss Aversion and Expectations-Based Reference Points

This project examines the role of heterogeneity in loss aversion for identifying models of expectations-based reference dependence (Kőszegi and Rabin, 2006, 2007) (KR). Different levels of loss aversion lead to different signs for comparative statics previously used to test the KR model. In an experiment with 607 subjects, we show heterogeneous treatment effects over loss aversion types. Recognizing heterogeneity in loss aversion allows us to reliably recover the KR model’s central element of expectations-based reference points. Additional effects are discussed related to the subjective perception of exchange experiences.
Industrialization as driver of sustainable economic growth in Africa

ABSTRACT Whilst the last couple of decades have witnessed an unprecedented growth expedition in Africa, an important question is how to make the growth sustainable. A remarkable distinction between the growth experience in the Asian economies and the African economies is that Africa has more or less skipped the industrial stage which many developed countries observed. Given the major contribution of industrialization to growth, this paper examines the impact of industrialization on economic growth in Africa. The examination of industrialization has become more imperative following recent commitments of African governments and the African Development Bank to it, and also it been a core part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Employing data for the period 1980–2014 from 37 African countries and the generalized method of moments method, we show two main interesting results despite the fact that industrialization is very much on the low in the region. First, our results affirm the hypothesis that industrialization is an important booster of economic growth. Second, trade openness further augments the effect of industrialization on economic growth. We also employ alternative measures of industrialization and perform sub-regional/sampling analyses. The results are shown to be robust across.
Drug Use by the Elderly in Italy

Objectives To evaluate drug consumption in the elderly aged 75 years or more living at home. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Old-old (i.e., >75 y) people living in central Turin, a city in northern Italy. Participants Thirty-four general practitioners (GPs), with 50 or more old-old people in their patient list, randomly chosen among the GPs working in the Unità Socio-Sanitaria Locale I (Local Health Unit I) of Turin; 261 old-old people (135 men and 126 women) randomly selected from the practice records. Methods Data were collected by the GP through a structured questionnaire during an office visit and by a social worker in a home interview within 14 days of the GP visit GPs were asked to record every diagnosis and drug currently taken by the patient; social workers were trained in the administration of a structured questionnaire exploring sociodemographic variables, drug use (following the medication inventory strategy), disability, cognitive functions, and depressive symptoms. Results Nearly all subjects (95% of the women and 91% of the men) were taking at least 1 drug. The overall number of drugs recorded was 917 (47.1% for men and 52.9% for women), of which 172 (18.8%) were not reported by the GP but were recorded during the social worker's visit. The mean number of drugs was 3.2 for men and 3.8 for women, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.02), while the mean number of diagnoses was 2.3 and 2.6, respectively. The study of correlates of drug consumption showed a strong association with number of diagnoses at univariate analysis (p < 0.0001, with a linear correlation coefficient of 0.64). No multivariate model showed a clear superiority over the simple one containing only the number of diagnoses in predicting the total number of drugs taken. Cardiovascular, nervous system, and alimentary tract drugs were the most frequently used. A total of 107 subjects (41%) were taking at least 1 unreported drug. Conclusions Our study shows high drug consumption among old-old people, with nearly 20% of drugs taken not reported by the GP. These results emphasize the need for an essential therapeutic approach in old-old people, prescribing only drugs of scientifically proven efficacy. Furthermore, the GP must make more effort when collecting a drug history from old-old patients.
The p53-, Bax- and p21-dependent inhibition of colon cancer cell growth by 5-hydroxy polymethoxyflavones.

SCOPE Previously, we reported that 5-hydroxy polymethoxyflavones (5OH-PMFs) isolated from orange, namely 5-hydroxy-6,7,8,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,8,3',4'-hexamethoxyflavone (5HHMF) and 5-hydroxy-6,7,8,4'-tetramethoxyflavone (5HTMF), potently induced apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest in multiple human colon cancer cells. Herein, using isogenic variants of HCT116 human colon cancer cells, we investigated the effects of p53, Bax and p21 on the apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest induced by different 5OH-PMFs. METHODS AND RESULTS Annexin V/PI co-staining assay demonstrated that 5HHMF and 5HTMF significantly induced apoptosis in HCT116 (p53(+/+) ) cells but not in HCT116 (p53(-/-) ) cells. Furthermore, 5HHMF and 5HTMF significantly induced apoptosis in HCT116 (Bax(+/-) ) cells, whereas their pro-apoptotic effects on HCT116 (Bax(-/-) ) cells were marginal. All three 5OH-PMFs increased G0/G1 cell population of HCT116 (p53(+/+) ) cells, and these effects were abolished in HCT116 (p53(-/-) ) and HCT116 (p21(-/-) ) cells. Immunoblotting analysis showed that 5HHMF and 5HTMF increased the levels of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved PARP in both HCT116 (p53(+/+) ) and HCT116 (Bax(+/-) ) cells and these effects were much weaker in HCT116 (p53(-/-) ) and HCT116 (Bax(-/-) ) cells. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that 5OH-PMFs, especially 5HHMF and 5HTMF, induce apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest by p53-, Bax- and p21-dependent mechanism.
The impact of US uncertainty shocks on a panel of advanced and emerging market economies

In this paper, we analyze the spillovers of uncertainty from the United States (US) on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in a large panel of 50 advanced and emerging economies. We allow the response of GDP in each country to vary according to its exchange rate regime, trade openness, and a vulnerability index (based on current account, foreign reserves, inflation, and external debt). We observe large heterogeneity in the response of advanced and emerging economies to uncertainty surprises of the US. In response to an increase in US uncertainty, GDP in foreign economies drops slightly more, as it does in the US. In addition we find that, for advanced economies the exchange rate regime and financial vulnerability account for a large portion of the contraction in activity. In emerging economies, however, the responses do not depend on the exchange rate regime, but are larger when trade openness is high and weakness in the financial system is high.
Ventral visual cortex in humans: Cytoarchitectonic mapping of two extrastriate areas

The extrastriate visual cortex forms a complex system enabling the analysis of visually presented objects. To gain deeper insight into the anatomical basis of this system, we cytoarchitectonically mapped the ventral occipital cortex lateral to BA 18/V2 in 10 human postmortem brains. The anatomical characterization of this part of the ventral stream was performed by examination of cell‐body‐stained histological sections using quantitative cytoarchitectonic analysis. First, the gray level index (GLI) was measured in the ventral occipital lobe. Cytoarchitectonic borders, i.e., significant changes in the cortical lamination pattern, were then identified using an observer‐independent algorithm based on multivariate analysis of GLI profiles. Two distinct cytoarchitectonic areas (hOC3v, hOC4v) were characterized in the ventral extrastriate cortex lateral to BA 18/V2. Area hOC3v was found in the collateral sulcus. hOC4v was located in this sulcus and also covered the fusiform gyrus in more occipital sections. Topographically, these areas thus seem to represent the anatomical substrates of functionally defined areas, VP/V3v and V4/V4v. Following histological analysis, the delineated cytoarchitectonic areas were transferred to 3D reconstructions of the respective postmortem brains, which in turn were spatially normalized to the Montreal Neurological Institute reference space. A probabilistic map was generated for each area which describes how many brains had a representation of this area in a particular voxel. These maps can now be used to identify the anatomical correlates of functional activations observed in neuroimaging experiments to enable a more informed investigation into the many open questions regarding the organization of the human visual cortex. Hum Brain Mapp 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Double Inversion Recovery Sequence of the Cervical Spinal Cord in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Inflammatory Diseases

Double inversion recovery was used to study 30 patients with suspected or established MS and images were blindly evaluated by 2 neuroradiologists. DIR detected 28% more lesions than T2-weighted images with higher contrast-to-noise ratios leading to increased rating in lesion visibility. The authors concluded that the DIR sequence allowed better detection of lesions in MS and related inflammatory diseases of the cervical spinal cord compared with conventional T2WI. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MR imaging plays an important role in diagnosing MS and other related inflammatory diseases; however, imaging of the spinal cord is still challenging. We hypothesized that a 3D double inversion recovery sequence for cervical spinal cord imaging would be more sensitive in detecting inflammatory lesions than a conventional 2D T2-weighted TSE sequence at 3T. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On a 3T MR imaging scanner, we examined 30 patients with suspected or established MS (MS, n = 16; clinically isolated syndrome, n = 12; isolated myelitis, n = 2) and 10 healthy controls. Newly developed 3D double inversion recovery and conventional 2D axial and sagittal T2-weighted TSE images of the cervical spinal cord were acquired. Two blinded neuroradiologists independently assessed the scans in pseudorandomized order for lesion numbers and rated lesion visibility and overall image quality on 5-point scales. A subsequent consensus reading delivered definite lesion counts. Standardized contrast-to-noise ratios were calculated in representative lesions of each patient. RESULTS: Overall, 28% more lesions could be detected with 3D double inversion recovery than with conventional T2WI (119 versus 93, P < .002). On average, the standardized contrast-to-noise ratio was significantly higher (P < .001) in double inversion recovery than in T2WI. Lesion visibility was rated significantly higher (P < .001) in double inversion recovery compared with T2WI despite lower image quality. CONCLUSIONS: The novel 3D double inversion recovery sequence allowed better detection of lesions in MS and related inflammatory diseases of the cervical spinal cord, compared with conventional 2D T2WI.