Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Work loss and work entry among persons with systemic lupus erythematosus: comparisons with a national matched sample.

OBJECTIVE To prospectively track work loss among those employed and work entry among those not employed in a cohort of persons with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), assess risk factors for these outcomes, and compare rates of the outcomes with a matched national sample. METHODS The present study analyzed 4 years of data from the Lupus Outcomes Study (LOS), augmented by information on the local labor market from the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We used the Kaplan-Meier method to assess time from study initiation until work loss or work entry, and Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate factors affecting these outcomes. Finally, we compared rates of work loss and work entry in the LOS with rates in the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). RESULTS At study initiation, 394 LOS participants (51%) were employed, of whom 92 (23.4%) experienced work loss. In multivariate analysis, older age, lower cognitive and physical functioning, and higher reports of depressive symptoms predicted work loss. In comparison with the SIPP sample, rates of work loss did not differ. Of the 376 LOS participants not employed, 76 (20.2%) experienced work entry. In multivariate analysis, less disease activity, fewer lung manifestations, better physical functioning, and shorter time since last employment predicted work entry. In comparison with the SIPP, rates of work entry were only lower between ages 35 and 55 years. CONCLUSION Until age 55 years, low rates of employment among persons with SLE may be due to lower rates of work entry rather than higher rates of work loss. Beyond age 55 years, both high rates of work loss and low rates of work entry contribute to low rates of employment.
Genetic changes in the evolution of multidrug resistance for cultured human ovarian cancer cells

The multidrug resistant (MDR) phenotype is often attributed to the activity of ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters such as P‐glycoprotein (ABCB1). Previous work has suggested that modulation of MDR may not necessarily be a single gene trait. To identify factors that contribute to the emergence of MDR, we undertook integrative genomics analysis of the ovarian carcinoma cell line SKOV3 and a series of MDR derivatives of this line (SKVCRs). As resistance increased, comparative analysis of gene expression showed conspicuous activation of a network of genes in addition to ABCB1. Functional annotation and pathway analysis revealed that many of these genes were associated with the extracellular matrix and had previously been implicated in tumor invasion and cell proliferation. Further investigation by whole genome tiling‐path array CGH suggested that changes in gene dosage were key to the activation of several of these overexpressed genes. Remarkably, alignment of whole genome profiles for SKVCR lines revealed the emergence and decline of specific segmental DNA alterations. The most prominent alteration was a novel amplicon residing at 16p13 that encompassed the ABC transporter genes ABCC1 and ABCC6. Loss of this amplicon in highly resistant SKVCR lines coincided with the emergence of a different amplicon at 7q21.12, which harbors ABCB1. Integrative analysis suggests that multiple genes are activated during escalation of drug resistance, including a succession of ABC transporter genes and genes that may act synergistically with ABCB1. These results suggest that evolution of the MDR phenotype is a dynamic, multi‐genic process in the genomes of cancer cells. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impacts of Gratifications on Consumers’ Emotions and Continuance Use Intention: An Empirical Study of Weibo in China

Recently, several studies on information systems have applied the Uses and Gratifications theory to investigate individual use of social media, and have reported the role of different gratifications in predicting users’ behaviors. However, no attention was given to the influence of these gratifications on users’ emotional states (satisfaction and emotional commitment). To address this research gap, the current study integrates the Uses and Gratifications theory and the Stimulus-Organism-Response theory to provide a theoretical background for the impacts of gratification on consumers’ emotional states and continuance use intention. The study has proposed a theoretical model that was tested on data collected from 252 Sina Weibo users in China. The results revealed that social gratification is the most important factor influencing users’ satisfaction and emotional commitment. In addition, we report the roles that user satisfaction and emotional state provide in predicting users’ continuance intention. The theoretical and practical implications of the proposed theory are also discussed.
Exploring the limits of participatory democracy

Policy makers and many academics often define participatory processes as a tool to enhance democracy and to increase legitimacy. This paper presents empirical work in Flanders (for the Flemish government) and Tuscany (as part of the 6the Framework project ‘AG2020’ of the European Commission) followed by theoretical reflection on the conditions for success and failure of participatory democracy. The central proposition is that actors of participatory processes have mutual role expectations. Managing these role expectations at different levels at the same time is a necessary condition for building successful participative processes. In reality, this condition is often not met and the management of expectations is neglected by a lack of either financial or human resources. Especially in new democracies or transitory societies, participatory democracy bears some immanent dangers within it. This paper is an important contribution to the debate on democratisation since he offers a theoretical framework that (1) helps to understand and explain how and why participatory processes proceed and that (2) makes it possible to monitor ongoing process in order to improve their management. Introduction The ‘people of the West’ consider democracy as the best model to steer a society. For centuries, our ancestors experimented with various forms of government, resulting in an incremental process of democratisation (Van Caenegem, 1995). But just when representative democracy finally was established (e.g. universal suffrage for Belgian women in 1948), the model proved to be incompatible with the emerging risk society and its growing complexity (Duit & Galaz, 2008). This resulted in (1) devolution and the recognition of the importance of regions and (2) the exploration of more direct forms of democracy. The emancipation of May 1968 and the claim for the right of self-determination of each individual can be considered as manifestations of the same trend. Centralistic government became multi-level and multi-actor governance (Bekkers, Dijkstra, Edwards, & Fenger, 2007). At the same time, decolonisation occurred, and the number of sovereign states that needed a constitution increased. Later, the end of the Cold War was framed as a victory for liberal democracy (Fukuyama, 1992). Democracy –or attempts to establish a
Partial duplication at AZFc on the Y chromosome is a risk factor for impaired spermatogenesis in Han Chinese in Taiwan

The Azoospermia Factor c (AZFc) region on the Y chromosome long arm is one of the least stable regions in the human genome. It consists almost entirely of very long repeats and is prone to rearrangement. Numerous structures at AZFc have been identified, and some of them have been reported to be associated with male infertility. We screened 580 Han Chinese in Taiwan for AZFc deletion and duplication using three PCR assays, and characterized the DAZ genes in selected subjects with additional Southern analyses. About 9.5% of our subjects have AZFc partial deletion, 2.8% have partial deletion followed by duplication, and 1.7% have partial duplication. The overall rearrangement frequencies vary significantly between different Y chromosome haplogroups (Yhgs), ranging from 2.9% in O3e to 100% in N and Q. All individuals in Yhg‐N lack the sY1191 marker, but one out of three of them actually have four DAZ genes, indicating further duplication after the b2/b3 deletion. Our additional screening of 142 oligospermic men and 107 fertile controls found no significant difference in the frequencies of the gr/gr and the b2/b3 deletion. However, the frequency of AZFc partial duplication in the infertile group (7.0%) was significantly higher than that in the fertile control group (0.9%) and the general Taiwanese population (1.7%). Our results indicate that AZFc partial deletion and partial duplication are common polymorphisms in Han Chinese, and that the AZFc partial duplication, but not the AZFc partial deletion, is a risk factor for male infertility in the Taiwanese population. Hum Mutat 28(5), 486–494, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Epistaxis: are temperature and seasonal variations true factors in incidence?

OBJECTIVE To investigate the previously documented inverse association between ambient temperature and presentation rates for patients with epistaxis and seasonal variation of emergency presentation rates for patients with epistaxis. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective analysis of all consecutive emergency patients with epistaxis presenting to hospital from the community over a five-year period, 1997-2002 (1830 days), including those who required admission to hospital with epistaxis over the same period. Patients in whom there was a clear aetiology for the epistaxis (traumatic, recurrent, iatrogenic, coagulopathic and hypertensive) were excluded. SETTING A tertiary referral centre in south-west London serving a population in excess of 2.8 million. METHOD A retrospective analysis of all patients presenting or admitted to St George's Hospital with epistaxis over a five-year period. Daily ambient temperature readings from London Heathrow airport were recorded for the same period. Presentations were correlated with monthly temperature variations and the month itself. Statistical analysis with Pearson's correlation coefficient was performed. RESULTS 1373 patients with epistaxis presented to our department, of whom 386 (28.1 per cent) were admitted to hospital. No correlation is seen between ambient temperature and presentation rate for patients with epistaxis. No seasonal preponderance is noted for presentation rate (Pearson r = 0.160, p = 0.221) in this series. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the largest study to date examining ambient temperature association and epistaxis, and the first to investigate presentation rate in place of admission rate. We feel that the exclusion of all patients with epistaxis not admitted to hospital introduces a bias. In this series, there is no correlation between ambient temperature, seasonal preponderance, presentation rate or admission rate for patients with epistaxis. This is contrary to previously reported findings. We do not support the view that there is a relationship between epistaxis and temperature or seasonal variation. This contradicts the current belief that incidence of epistaxis displays seasonality, and has implications for the allocation of resources for healthcare provision within ENT departments.
Tax Ratios and Tax Effort in Developing Countries, 1969-71 (Pression fiscale et effort fiscal dans les pays en dÃ©veloppement, 1969-71) (Coeficientes y esfuerzo tributarios en los paÃ­ses en desarrollo, 1969-71)

THE MAJOR RESULTS of a study of tax ratios and tax effort in developing countries, undertaken by the Fund's Fiscal Affairs Department, were reported in Staff Papers, July 1971.1 The time-series section of the study was based on a comparison of data for 1953-55 with those for 1966-68 for a sample of 30 developing countries, while the cross-section analysis, based on averages for 1966-68, covered 50 countries. The study first outlined the major changes in the levels and composition of taxes between the periods 1953-55 and 1966-68 and then examined in detail the tax structure in the 50 countries in the latter period. More importantly, the study attempted to measure relative tax effort in the sample countries for the period 1966-68. For this purpose, regression analysis was used on the cross-section data to quantify the influence of objective conditions and economic factors on the tax ratio so that the residuals could be used with proper adjustments to construct indices of relative tax effort for developing countries. Since the Fund staff and others have frequently used the results of the 1971 study, in assessing tax effort in several member countries, it has been considered desirable to update the study by using more recent
Anticonvulsant valproic acid inhibits cardiomyocyte differentiation of embryonic stem cells by increasing intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species.

BACKGROUND The anticonvulsant valproic acid (VPA) exerts teratogenic properties and has been demonstrated to cause neural tube defects and malformations of the heart. The effect of VPA on the differentiation of cardiomyocytes from pluripotent murine embryonic stem cells (ES cells) was investigated. METHODS Embryoid bodies derived from ES cells were treated with different concentrations of VPA and the differentiation of cardiomyocytes was monitored by immunohistochemical staining for sarcomeric alpha-actinin. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by the use of the dead cell stain SYTOX green. Intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the tissue were evaluated by the use of the redox-sensitive dye dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA). RESULTS VPA retarded the growth of ES cell-derived embryoid bodies but did not exert cytotoxic effects. The compound dose-dependently inhibited the development of spontaneously beating clusters of cardiomyocytes within embryoid bodies grown from ES cells and reduced the extension of beating areas of cardiac cells. Furthermore, VPA significantly increased ROS levels, indicating that VPA altered the intracellular redox balance. To investigate whether the inhibition of cardiomyocyte differentiation by VPA was owing to increased ROS overwhelming the intracellular antioxidative defense, the compound was coadministered with the free radical scavenger vitamin E. CONCLUSIONS This treatment significantly restored cardiomyogenic differentiation, indicating that VPA inhibits cardiomyogenesis of ES cells by increasing intracellular ROS levels.
HAIRY‐CELL LEUKAEMIA: BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

Hairy-cell leukaemia (HCL) differs from all other haematological malignancies in two major respects. First, the disease is characterized by a range of highly unusual and distinctive biological features, all of which probably re ̄ect the activated nature of hairy cells (HCs), the pathognomonic malignant cells of the disease. Secondly, the disease is unusually sensitive to therapy with `unconventional' agents (interferon-a (IFN-a) and nucleosides). Intuitively, one feels that these two unusual features of HCL must be related, but the nature of any such relationship is as yet unclear. Here we review both the biology and management of HCL, and very brie ̄y speculate how the unusual biological features of the disease may be related to its high level of sensitivity to treatment.
Contagion And Flight-To-Quality: Evidences From The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Region

This paper investigates the existence and determinants of contagion and flight-toquality phenomena during crisis periods in the stock and bond markets of APEC countries between 1995 and 2010. The findings show the presence of contagion effects among stock markets of APEC countries and between the U.S. and Canadian bond markets. There are evidences of flight-to-quality from majority of the stock markets to the U.S. bond market. Market sentiment plays an important role in explaining both contagion and flight-to-quality phenomena. Our findings suggest that governments should facilitate bond market development to prevent the propagation of crises across countries.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) Pro12Ala polymorphism and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk.

BACKGROUND The association between the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) Pro12Ala polymorphism and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk was inconclusive. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the association between PPARγ Pro12Ala polymorphism and CRC risk. MATERIAL AND METHOD We searched Pubmed, EMBASE, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Data were extracted and pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS A total of 17 case-control studies with 12635 and 15803 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, PPARγ Pro12Ala polymorphism was associated with CRC risk (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.75-0.94, P = 0.003, I(2) = 35%). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, a significant association was found among Caucasians (OR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.75-0.96, P = 0.007, I(2) = 38%) but not among Asians (OR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.51-1.12, P = 0.17, I(2) = 28%). In the subgroup analysis by CRC site, a significant association was found among colon cancer (OR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.66-0.98, P = 0.03, I(2) = 16%) but not among rectal cancer (OR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.57-1.21, P = 0.34, I(2) = 63%). The sensitivity analysis did not influence the result by omitting low-quality studies (OR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.63-0.93, P = 0.006, I(2) = 51%). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggested that PPARγ Pro12Ala polymorphism was significant associated with CRC risk.
Strain-specific antibodies reduce co-feeding transmission of the Lyme disease pathogen, Borrelia afzelii.

Vector-borne pathogens use a diversity of strategies to evade the vertebrate immune system. Co-feeding transmission is a potential immune evasion strategy because the vector-borne pathogen minimizes the time spent in the vertebrate host. We tested whether the Lyme disease pathogen, Borrelia afzelii, can use co-feeding transmission to escape the acquired immune response in the vertebrate host. We induced a strain-specific, protective antibody response by immunizing mice with one of two variants of OspC (A3 and A10), the highly variable outer surface protein C of Borrelia pathogens. Immunized mice were challenged via tick bite with B. afzelii strains A3 or A10 and infested with larval ticks at days 2 and 34 post-infection to measure co-feeding and systemic transmission respectively. Antibodies against a particular OspC variant significantly reduced co-feeding transmission of the targeted (homologous) strain but not the non-targeted (heterologous) strain. Cross-immunity between OspC antigens had no effect in co-feeding ticks but reduced the spirochaete load twofold in ticks infected via systemic transmission. In summary, OspC-specific antibodies reduced co-feeding transmission of a homologous but not a heterologous strain of B. afzelii. Co-feeding transmission allowed B. afzelii to evade the negative consequences of cross-immunity on the tick spirochaete load.
Synthesis and analgesic effects of 1-[1-(2-methylphenyl)(cyclohexyl)]-3-piperidinol as a new derivative of phencyclidine in mice

Abstract Phencyclidine (1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl) piperidine, CAS 956-90-1, PCP, I) and its derivatives have shown many analgesic effects. In this research, a new derivative of PCP (1-[1-(2-methylphenyl)(cyclohexyl)]-3-piperidinol, PD, II) was synthesized and its analgesic (acute and chronic pains) effects were examined on rats using tail immersion (as a model of acute thermal pain) and formalin (as a model of acute and chronic chemical pain) tests and the results are compared to PCP and control groups. The results indicated that II produces higher analgesic effects in the tail immersion test compared to the PCP and control groups, with a marked and significant increase in tail immersion latency for the doses 1, 5 and 10 mg/kg. The formalin test showed that PD (II) is not effective in acute chemical pain (phase I, 0–5 min after injection) in all doses but chronic pain (initial-phase II, 15–40 min after injection) is significantly attenuated by this compound compared to PCP and saline (control) in doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg. It is concluded that II is effective in acute thermal (in all doses) and chronic (doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg) pains; however, it is not effective in acute chemical pain compared to PCP and control.
Risk Assessment of Feline Tooth Resorption: A Portuguese Clinical Case Control Study

Tooth resorption (TR) is one of the most common dental diseases in cats. Determination of risk factors has not yet been fully assessed and, to the best knowledge of the authors, this disease has never been studied in Portuguese cats. The objective of this case-control study was to determine type and distribution of TR lesions, evaluate risk factors, and establish relationships between variables in this disease. The study included data from 71 cats admitted for general anesthesia for various reasons. The cats were randomly selected. The inclusion criteria were availability of clinical history and owner permission. Cats with known oral disease were not excluded from the study. All cats received ultrasonic scaling and polishing of the teeth, a thorough oral examination, and full-mouth radiographs. A strong statistical relation was found between age and TR. The age group of 10 to 15-years showed an increased risk of 6.56 times for TR occurrence compared with the group 0 to 4-years of age. Presence of gingivitis in all index levels was related to an increased risk for TR. No relation was found between age or gingivitis index and lesion type. Mandibular third premolar and molar teeth were most commonly affected by TR, especially for type 1 lesions. Canine teeth were statistically more likely to have type 2 lesions. The trend for the canine teeth to be more affected with type 2 lesions needs further verification.
Dual-Wavelength Passively Q-Switched Nd,Mg:LiTaO3 Laser With a Monolayer Graphene as Saturable Absorber

Compact LD pumped, CW, and passively Q-switched Nd,Mg:LiTaO3 lasers with a stable, synchronous dual-wavelength operation near 1082 and 1092 nm were demonstrated for the first time. Under an incident pump power of 7.69 W, a maximum CW output power of 464 mW was obtained, corresponding to a slope efficiency of 7.6%. By using a monolayer graphene as saturable absorber, the steadily Q-switched Nd,Mg:LiTaO3 laser with dual-wavelength oscillation was achieved. The maximum output power of the Q-switched laser was 365 mW with a repetition rate of 133 kHz. The minimum pulse duration was measured to be 176 ns. The corresponding maximum pulse energy and peak power were 2.75 μJ and 15.7 W, respectively.
Compression Ultrasonography of the Leg Veins in Patients with Clinically Suspected Pulmonary Embolism

Summary We performed a multi-center study in consecutive patients with suspected pulmonary embolism to compare the diagnostic accuracy of a two-point compression ultrasonography (only the common femoral vein and popliteal vein) with an extensive examination of compressibility (from the common femoral vein until the trifurcation of calf veins). A total of 479 patients underwent the two-point compression ultrasonography. The prevalence of pulmonary embolism was 32%. The sensitivity and specificity of this procedure were 23% (95% CI 19-26) and 98% (95% CI 96-99), respectively. Extensive compression ultrasonography was performed in 461 (96%) of these 479 patients and showed comparable accuracy indices (sensitivity 25%, 95% CI 20-28 and specificity 97%, 95% CI 95-99). We conclude that compression ultrasonography has a limited sensitivity for the detection of thrombosis in patients with acute pulmonary embolism within 24 h of presentation. A more extensive assessment of compressibility of the leg veins in these patients has no additional value as compared to the two-point assessment.