Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Familial isolated primary hyperparathyroidism

Summary Familial primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) Is usually encountered in the context of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndromes. Few families have been reported in the literature where PHPT was the only abnormality. However, in these families no long-term follow-up data were reported and no genetic linkage studies were performed. OBJECTIVE We investigated a large family with a familial primary hyperparathyroidism for biochemical and genetic markers of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes. DESIGN A family screening study. PATIENTS Thirty-seven family members participated in this study including 7 patients who had been previously operated upon for PHPT. MEASUREMENTS Serum calcium (albumin adjusted), was measured in all family members. Hypercalcaemic subjects and patients who had been operated upon for PHPT were assessed for biochemical markers of MEN syndromes (serum gastrin, prolactin, calcitonin, fasting plasma glucose and 24-hours urinary excretion of adrenaline, noradrenaline and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA). Genetic linkage analysis was performed using DNA markers linked to chromosome 11q13, the presumed MEN type 1 (MEN-1) locus. RESULTS Four new patients with PHPT and two with probable PHPT were discovered. No clinical or biochemical evidence of MEN syndromes could be detected. DNA marker pMS5l(D11S97) was Informative, maximum two-point lodscore of 2·12 at a recombination fraction of 0·05 confirming linkage to chromosome 11q13. CONCLUSIONS Familial PHPT can exist as a separate clinical entity. Isolated familial PHPT is caused by mutation in a gene located in the MEN-1 region on chromosome 11q13, possibly the MEN-1 locus.
An Overview of the Canadian Banking System: 1996 to 2015

From 1996 to 2015, total assets at Canadian and foreign banks operating in Canada grew four-times in size. This growth occurred with neither a significant regulatory change, such as the repeal of Glass-Steagall, nor the introduction of new business lines, such as wealth management or investment banking. Using data from CANSIM and a little used dataset from OSFI, I describe how the Canadian banks earn revenue, fund business activities, and pay expenses. The success of the Canadian banking system can be attributed to: i) a focus on retail and branch-level banking, ii) a preference for deposit-financing, and iii) minimizing costs, particularly noninterest expenses. Furthermore, I provide a broad overview of the data, accounting rules, and trends in Canadian banking. Estimating a reduced form model similar to DeBoskey and Jiang (2012), I find no evidence that the Canadian banks manipulated the provision for credit losses to Â‘smoothÂ’ earnings.
Coerced Coarsening of Nanoparticle Assemblies : A Mechanical Drive Towards Equilibrium

Coarsening is a ubiquitous phenomenon which underpins countless processes in Nature including epitaxial growth; the phase separation of alloys, polymers, and binary fluids; the growth of bubbles in foams; and pattern formation in biomembranes. Here we show, in the first real time experimental study of the evolution of an adsorbed colloidal nanoparticle array, that tapping mode atomic force microscopy can drive the coarsening of Au nanoparticle assemblies on silicon surfaces. Although the growth exponent has a strong dependence on the initial sample morphology, our observations are largely consistent with modified Ostwald ripening processes. To date, ripening processes have been exclusively considered as thermally-activated but we show that nanoparticle assemblies can be mechanically coerced towards equilibrium, representing a new approach to directed coarsening. This strategy enables precise control over the evolution of microand nanostructures.
Photoactivation of Channelrhodopsin*

Channelrhodopsins (ChRs) are light-gated ion channels that control photomovement of microalgae. In optogenetics, ChRs are widely applied for light-triggering action potentials in cells, tissues, and living animals, yet the spectral properties and photocycle of ChR remain obscure. In this study, we cloned a ChR from the colonial alga Volvox carteri, VChR. After electrophysiological characterization in Xenopus oocytes, VChR was expressed in COS-1 cells and purified. Time-resolved UV-visible spectroscopy revealed a pH-dependent equilibrium of two dark species, D470/D480. Laser flashes converted both with τ ≈ 200 μs into major photointermediates P510/P530, which reverted back to the dark states with τ ≈ 15-100 ms. Both intermediates were assigned to conducting states. Three early intermediates P500/P515 and P390 were detected on a ns to μs time scale. The spectroscopic and electrical data were unified in a photocycle model. The functional expression of VChR we report here paves the way toward a broader structure/function analysis of the recently identified class of light-gated ion channels.
Corporate Boards, Ownership Structures and Corporate Disclosures: Evidence from a Developing Country

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of corporate board attributes, ownership structure and firm-level characteristics on both corporate mandatory and voluntary disclosure behaviour. Design/methodology/approach Multivariate regression techniques are used to estimate the effect of corporate board and ownership structures on mandatory and voluntary disclosures of a sample of Libyan listed and non-listed firms between 2006 and 2010. Findings First, the authors find that board size, board composition, the frequency of board meetings and the presence of an audit committee have an impact on the level of corporate disclosure. Second, results indicate that ownership structures have a non-linear effect on the level of corporate disclosure. Finally, the authors document that firm age, liquidity, listing status, industry type and auditor type are positively associated with the level of corporate disclosure. Research limitations/implications Future research could investigate disclosure practices using other channels of corporate disclosure media, such as corporate websites. Useful insights may be offered also by future studies by conducting in-depth interviews with corporate managers, directors and owners regarding these issues. Practical implications The evidence relating to the important role that corporate governance mechanisms play in shaping the expectations relating to the level of corporate voluntary and/or mandatory disclosures may be useful in informing investor decisions, as well as future policy and regulatory initiatives. Originality/value This paper contributes to the existing literature by examining the governance-disclosure nexus relating to both mandatory and voluntary disclosures in both listed and non-listed firms operating in a developing country setting.
An Experimental Study of the Factors Influencing Non-Work Related Use of IT Resources at Workplace

The misuse of information technology (IT) resources at workplace for non-work related purposes is an increasing concern to organizations. Such activities can increase the IT expenditure and may also result in security issues and legal liabilities. In view of these, this study aims to provide a better understanding of the factors influencing ethical decision-making process within the context of non-work related computing. It applies the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to investigate the effects of online anonymity, workplace privacy and punishment level in Acceptable Use Policy on the intention to misuse IT resources. A scenario-based experiment involving the surfing of pornographic materials and sharing of copyrighted materials through peer-to-peer software was conducted. The level of online anonymity present was found to be a significant predictor of the intention to misuse IT resources in both scenarios while workplace privacy significantly affects the behavioral intention to access pornographic materials.
Beyond motivation: on what it means to be a sperm donor in Denmark

This paper, analyzing interviews with men that donate their semen in Denmark, explores what it means to be a sperm donor. Breaking with the assumption that men have a specific and clearly identifiable motivation to become sperm donors, this paper leaves the confinement of such an accountable actor model implied in asking for men's motivations to donate semen. Instead, the author describes the experiences of sperm donors to show how the moral, organizational, and biomedical-technological context of sperm donation in Denmark makes for enactments of moral selves as well as specific embodiments of masculinity. Instead of looking for motivations that can be accounted for, the author engages with the question of how donating semen affords men the experience of moral and gendered selves.
Comparative in vitro and in vivo evaluation of matrix, osmotic matrix, and osmotic pump tablets for controlled delivery of diclofenac sodium

The aim of this investigation was preparation and comparative evaluation of fabricated matrix (FM), osmotic matrix (OM), and osmotic pump (OP) tablets for controlled delivery of diclofenac sodium (DS). All formulations were evaluated for various physical parameters, and in vitro studies were performed on USP 24 dissolution apparatus II in pH 7.4 buffer and distilled water. In vivo studies were performed in 6 healthy human volunteers; the drug was assayed in plasma using HPLC, and results were compared with the performance of 2 commercial tablets of DS. Various pharmacokinetic parameters (ie, Cmax, Tmax, area under the curve [AUC0–24], and mean residence time) and relative bioavailability were compared. All fabricated formulations showed more prolonged and controlled DS release compared with commercial tablets studied. The OM and OP tablets, however, performed better than the matrix tablets. The rate and extent of drug release from FM1 matrix tablets (single polymer) was significantly different from that of FM2 (admixed polymers). Type of porosigenic agents and osmogens also influenced the drug release. Analysis of in vitro data by regression coefficient analysis revealed zero-order release kinetics for OM and OP tablets, while FM tablets exhibited Higuchi kinetics. In vivo results indicated prolonged blood levels with delayed peak and improved bioavailability for fabricated tablets compared to commercial tablets. It was concluded that the osmotic matrix and osmotic pump tablets could provide more prolonged, controlled, and gastrointestinal environmental-independent DS release that may result in an improved therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance.
Delay-Dependent $H_{\infty }$  Control and Filtering for Uncertain Markovian Jump Systems With Time-Varying Delays

This paper deals with the problems of delay-dependent robust Hinfin control and filtering for Markovian jump linear systems with norm-bounded parameter uncertainties and time-varying delays. In terms of linear matrix inequalities, improved delay-dependent stochastic stability and bounded real lemma (BRL) for Markovian delay systems are obtained by introducing some slack matrix variables. The conservatism caused by either model transformation or bounding techniques is reduced. Based on the proposed BRL, sufficient conditions for the solvability of the robust Hinfin control and Hinfin filtering problems are proposed, respectively. Dynamic output feedback controllers and full-order filters, which guarantee the resulting closed-loop system and the error system, respectively, to be stochastically stable and satisfy a prescribed Hinfin performance level for all delays no larger than a given upper bound, are constructed. Numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the reduced conservatism of the proposed results in this paper.
Catering Through Nominal Share Prices Revisited

Finance research suggests that firms cater to investorsâ€™ time-varying preference for low-priced stocks by managing nominal share prices. We show that the existing empirical tests of such catering use highly persistent data that may lead to finding significant relations between variables that are actually independent (spurious regression bias). We revisit the catering hypothesis applying five estimation techniques that reduce the effects of data persistence. Adjusted for persistence, the data offer little evidence that stock splits respond to catering incentives. There is some, although mixed, evidence that catering incentives affect the firmsâ€™ choice of the post-split prices and the IPO prices.
Decreased Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression Is Associated With Cell Apoptosis in Low-Dose Aspirin-Induced Gastric Mucosal Injury

Background:The use of low-dose aspirin (LDA) has emerged as an important cause of gastrointestinal ulcers. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between LDA-induced gastric mucosal injury and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cell apoptosis in elderly Chinese patients. Methods:A total of 136 patients aged 60 to 80 years with LDA-induced (100 mg/d for at least 1 month) gastric mucosal injury and 48 age-matched healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into a low-severity group and a high-severity group based on their modified Lanza scale scores. Biopsy specimens of gastric mucosa from all participants were subjected to immunohistochemical staining for VEGF expression and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining for cell apoptosis. Staining indices and apoptotic indices were applied to assess VEGF expression level and the extent of cell apoptosis. Results:VEGF expression decreased significantly in the 2 patient groups, whereas the extent of cell apoptosis significantly increased compared with the control group. Furthermore, Spearman's correlation coefficients suggest that VEGF expression levels and the extent of cell apoptosis in gastric mucosae shared a significant correlation with the severity of LDA-induced gastric mucosal injury. Receiver operating characteristics analysis further confirmed these results. Conclusions:Our findings provide important clues as to the underlying molecular mechanism behind gastric mucosal injury resulting from exposure to LDA in elderly adults, and also suggest that interventions specifically targeting the pathways associated with angiogenesis and apoptosis may help facilitate the healing process.
Fear of childbirth before, during, and after childbirth

Background. Only scanty research exists about the relationship between women's expectations during pregnancy and their experiences as reported during the actual process of labor and afterwards. The aims of the present study were: 1. to investigate the associations between fear of childbirth during pregnancy and postpartum and fear and pain during early active labor (phase 1: cervix dilatation 3–5 cm), and 2. to explore possible differences regarding fear of childbirth during pregnancy and postpartum between women who did or did not receive epidural analgesia during labor. Methods. Fear of childbirth was measured in 47 nulliparous women during gestation weeks 37–39 by means of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W‐DEQ version A). During early active labor we measured women's fear (Delivery Fear Scale) and their experiences of pain (a pain intensity scale). Finally, fear after childbirth (W‐DEQ version B) was measured two hours, two days, and five weeks after delivery. Results. A positive correlation appeared between fear of childbirth during pregnancy, postpartum, and early active labor. There were no differences in fear of childbirth during late pregnancy between women who received epidural analgesia and those who did not. Postpartum fear was higher in the women who had received epidural analgesia. Conclusions. Pregnant women who fear childbirth are prone to report fear during the actual labor and postpartum. The administration of epidural analgesia is not a sufficient response to women's fear during the process of labor.
The acute physiological effects of the vaso-active drug, L-NNA, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, on renal and tumour perfusion in human subjects

Purpose: To assess the baseline variation in global renal and tumour blood flow, blood volume and extraction fraction, and changes in these parameters related to the acute physiological effects of a single dose of a non selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, L-NNA. Materials & Methods: Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained for this Phase I clinical study. Patients with advanced solid tumours refractory to conventional therapy were recruited and given L-NNA intravenously at two different dose levels. Volumetric perfusion CT scans were carried out at 1, 24, 48 & 72 hours post L-NNA. Blood pressures were taken at regular interval for 6 hours after LNNA. Results: L-NNA was well tolerated by the four patients who received it. Blood flow (BF) and blood volume (BV) in both tumour and kidney were reduced post L-NNA administration (renal BF—20%; renal BV—19.7%; tumour BF—16.9%; tumour BV—18.6%), though the effect was more sustained in tumour vasculature. A negative correlation was found between the change in systemic blood pressure and vascular supply to the tumour within 1 hour following L-NNA (p 0.0001). Differences in response to L-NNA by separate target lesions in the same patient were observed. Conclusion: The differential effect of L-NNA on tumour and renal blood flow, and the absence of any significant toxicity in this small cohort of patients permit further dose escalation of L-NNA in future early phase trials. The predictive value of blood pressure change in relation to the acute effect of L-NNA on tumour vasculature deserves further evaluation.
Very early antiretroviral therapy permits CD8 T cells to keep HIV reservoirs at bay.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is defined by a profound immune dysfunction and an abrogated T cell homeostasis (1). The gradual loss of CD4 T cells is associated with disease progression in the absence of treatment. On the other hand, CD8 T cell count becomes very elevated at the earliest phase of infection and plateaus during the chronic phase up until the very late phase, when major depletion of all T cell subsets occurs (2). In the majority of patients living with HIV, antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppresses HIV replication, reduces the risk for AIDS and non-AIDS events and contributes to an improved health status (3). Usually, an optimal CD4 T cell reconstitution (>500 cells/µL) is achieved a few years after treatment depending on CD4 T cell count at the time of treatment initiation (1).
Right laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy: a single institution experience

Background. Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (LLDN) is increasingly used by transplantation centers worldwide. As in open live donor nephrectomy, the left kidney is preferred for LLDN; however, not all potential donors have anatomy conducive to left nephrectomy. The purpose of our study, therefore, was to report on a large, single-institution experience with right LLDN performed using a hand-assisted, transperitoneal approach. Methods. We performed a retrospective review of 40 consecutive patients who underwent transperitoneal right hand-assisted LLDN at our institution. Information on donor age, relation to recipient, and indication for right-sided donation was collected. Surgical demographics included operative time, warm ischemia time, and estimated blood loss. Recipients were followed for graft loss and for long-term renal allograft function. Results. The indications for right-sided donor nephrectomy were a difference in split renal function of greater than 10%, multiple left renal vessels, and right renal cysts. The mean surgical time in our series was 115.8 min, with a mean estimated blood loss of 85.7 mL and a warm ischemia time of 116.0 seconds. Surgical and postoperative complications were limited. Mean serum creatinine levels in the recipients were 1.6 mg/dL on day 7, 1.4 mg/dL on day 30, and 1.4 mg/dL at 1 year after transplantation. Conclusions. Right LLDN using a hand-assisted, transperitoneal technique was performed with minimal morbidity and favorable graft function. We believe that offering hand-assisted LLDN to patients with an indication for right-sided donation can safely and effectively increase the pool of donor organs available to patients with end-stage renal disease.
Vulnerability of developing brain: relative effects of growth restriction during the fetal and suckling periods on behavior and brain composition of adult rats.

Growth restriction was achieved by underfeeding mother rats during pregnancy and lactation. Offspring were either ( i ) adequately nourished during the fetal and suckling periods, (ii) undernourished during both, or (iii) and (iv) undernourished during one or the other period. All rats were fed ad libitum from weaning. The post- natally underfed animals were the most efficient at running a maze for a food reward. Differences in levels of motivation were sought using a Skinner box in which rats learned to press a lever for food. Normal rats had the lowest lever-pressing rate and those re stricted both pre- and postnatally had the highest. The tendency to inhibit movement to avoid an electric shock was weakest in normal rats and greatest in the doubly deprived animals. As in the Skinner box test, rats undernourished during only one period occu pied intermediate positions. This is taken to indicate that, with respect to these two measures of behavior, the effects of undernutrition in the fetal and suckling periods were additive. Evidence for an additive effect on physical brain growth is confined to fore- brain DNA-P content, which was substantially reduced by both periods of growth retardation. Cerebellum DNA-P and weights of cerebellum and forebrain were all much more affected by the postnatal treatment. J. Nutr. 103: 1327-1338, 1973.
Physeal widening in the knee due to stress injury in child athletes.

OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to describe the MRI appearance of and possible mechanism responsible for physeal widening in the knees of high-level child athletes. CONCLUSION Widened physes in the knees of skeletally immature child athletes have MR signal characteristics similar to the normal physis but likely are a sign of stress injury. These children should cease the offending sport and rest the knee to allow rapid healing.
Hearing preservation in neurofibromatosis type 2.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to provide a clinical review of the middle fossa approach for hearing preservation in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). STUDY DESIGN The study design was a prospective case review. SETTING The study was conducted at a private practice tertiary neurotologic referral center. PATIENTS Eighteen patients diagnosed with NF2 underwent 23 middle fossa procedures between 1992 and 1996 for removal of an acoustic neuroma. The nine males and nine females ranged in age from 11-73 years with a mean age of 28 years. Tumor size ranged from 0.5-2.5 cm with a mean of 1.1 cm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES House-Brackmann facial nerve grade was measured. In addition, hearing level was classified both by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery criteria for reporting results of hearing preservation surgery and by comparison with preoperative level (15 dB/15%). RESULTS Measurable hearing was preserved in 65%, 48% within 15 dB of preoperative pure-tone average (PTA) and within 15% of preoperative speech discrimination. Bilateral hearing preservation occurred in five patients. Excellent facial nerve function (House-Brackmann grades I-II) was obtained in all patients with normal preoperative facial nerve function. CONCLUSIONS In this series of patients with NF2, outcomes in hearing and preservation of preoperative facial nerve function are similar to results seen in patients suffering a sporadic unilateral acoustic neuroma. However, early intervention is crucial in obtaining such favorable outcomes.