Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Designing for Diagnosticity and Serendipity: An Investigation of Social Product-Search Mechanisms

Users are increasingly sharing their product interests and experiences with others on e-commerce websites. For example, users can “tag” products using their own words, and these “product tags” then serve as navigation cues for other users who want to search for products. Also, socially endorsed information contributors are sometimes highlighted on websites and serve as direct information sources. This study examines the effects of these two distinct social product search cues, product tags and socially endorsed people, on users’ perceived diagnosticity and serendipity of their product search experience. While product tags support product navigation via a variety of product features tagged by the community, access to socially endorsed people enables users to browse diverse and high-quality alternatives favored by these individuals. We constructed an experimental website using real data from one of the largest social-network-based product-search websites in China to conduct an empirical study. The results o.
Burdens and benefits of placebos in antidepressant clinical trials: a decision and cost-effectiveness analysis.

OBJECTIVE The use of placebos is a necessary, if controversial, part of determining the efficacy of new antidepressants in randomized clinical trials. Such studies need to convey accurate and useful risk-benefit information to subjects since effective treatments are withheld. The authors assessed the cost-effectiveness of entering such a trial from the perspective of potential subjects. METHOD The choice between individualized psychiatric treatment and an 8-week placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was modeled by using a static model. The analysis was conducted from the perspective of a potential subject who has moderate depression, is at low risk for suicide, has no comorbid conditions, and lacks adequate insurance to pay for mental health services. The trial was assumed to be free for subjects, except for indirect costs. Model outcomes included the probability of treatment response at 8 weeks and "decremental" cost-effectiveness. Data were based on reviews of published and some unpublished clinical trials of novel antidepressants that were eventually shown to be efficacious. RESULTS A participant in a typical antidepressant efficacy trial has a chance of treatment response almost 25% less than that with individualized treatment. An uninsured participant can expect to save just over $164 for every 10% chance of response sacrificed by entering the placebo-controlled trial. CONCLUSIONS For placebo-controlled antidepressant trials, it is possible to derive systematic and evidence-based estimates of the burdens and potential benefits to subjects. Such information may be more useful for institutional review boards and potential subjects than an unstructured enumeration of risks and benefits.
The age-prospective memory-paradox: an exploration of possible mechanisms

ABSTRACT Background: The age-prospective memory-paradox describes the general pattern of age-related deficits in laboratory-based prospective memory tasks and age-related benefits in naturalistic tasks that are carried out in participants' everyday lives. However, the mechanisms which are critical in determining the direction of age effects remain poorly delineated. Method: Twenty young and 20 old adults performed a laboratory and a naturalistic prospective memory task, which were similar in structure and demand. Several factors highlighted in recent theoretical models as potentially important to understanding the paradox (motivation, metacognitive awareness, activity absorption, control over the task) were assessed and their contribution to the age paradox empirically explored. Results: First, analyzing mean level age differences, the paradox was confirmed. Second, exploring possible correlates of the paradox revealed that, while low levels of daily activity absorption, high motivation and good metacognitive awareness were associated with age benefits in prospective memory performance in the naturalistic task, high ongoing activity absorption and low control over the prospective memory cue seem important for understanding age deficits in lab-based tasks. Conclusion: The current study confirms the age-prospective memory-paradox within one sample and with carefully matched laboratory and naturalistic tasks. Additionally, it takes an important step forward in clarifying the role of different factors in understanding age effects across these different contexts. The results indicate that the relative importance of different factors vary as a function of assessment context, with conceptual as well as applied implications.
Linking Website Interactivity to Consumer Behavioral Intention in an Online Travel Community: The Mediating Role of Utilitarian Value and Online Trust

ABSTRACT Although prior studies have shown that perceived website interactivity plays an important role in positive behavioral intentions of online customers, the underlying psychological mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the mediating role of utilitarian value and online trust in relationship between perceived website interactivity and repurchase intention in an online travel community. Data were collected from 227 customers who had purchased travel-related products on any online travel website within the past 12 months. The empirical results supported all study hypotheses. As predicted, utilitarian value and online trust fully mediate the relationship between perceived website interactivity and repurchase intention. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Detection and Identification of Mycobacteria by Amplification of the Internal Transcribed Spacer Regions with Genus- and Species-Specific PCR Primers

ABSTRACT We evaluated the usefulness of PCR assays that target the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region for identifying mycobacteria at the species level. The conservative and species-specific ITS sequences of 33 species of mycobacteria were analyzed in a multialignment analysis. One pair of panmycobacterial primers and seven pairs of mycobacterial species-specific primers were designed. All PCRs were performed under the same conditions. The specificities of the primers were tested with type strains of 20 mycobacterial species from the American Type Culture Collection; 205 clinical isolates of mycobacteria, including 118Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates and 87 isolates of nontuberculous mycobacteria from 10 species; and 76 clinical isolates of 28 nonmycobacterial pathogenic bacterial species. PCR with the panmycobacterial primers amplified fragments of approximately 270 to 400 bp in all mycobacteria. PCR with the M. tuberculosiscomplex-specific primers amplified an approximately 120-bp fragment only for the M. tuberculosis complex. Multiplex PCR with the panmycobacterial primers and the M. tuberculosiscomplex-specific primers amplified two fragments that were specific for all mycobacteria and the M. tuberculosis complex, respectively. PCR with M. avium complex-, M. fortuitum-, M. chelonae-, M. gordonae-, M. scrofulaceum-, andM. szulgai-specific primers amplified specific fragments only for the respective target organisms. These novel primers can be used to detect and identify mycobacteria simultaneously under the same PCR conditions. Furthermore, this protocol facilitates early and accurate diagnosis of mycobacteriosis.
Effects of T-2 toxin on testosterone biosynthesis in mouse Leydig cells

Objective: To investigate the effects of T-2 toxin on testosterone biosynthesis in mouse Leydig cells. Methods: Leydig cells isolated from clean and healthy Kunming male mice, whose concentration was adjusted to 5 × 105/mL and the purity identified by the modified 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase staining method, were used to establish a primary Leydig cell culture model. Blank control group (treated with 0 ng/mL human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and 0 mol/L T-2 toxin), inductive control group (treated with 10 ng/mL hCG and 0 mol/L T-2 toxin), low-dose T-2-toxin-exposure group (treated with 10 ng/mL hCG and 10−9 mol/L T-2 toxin), middle-dose T-2 toxin-exposure group (treated with 10 ng/mL hCG and 10−8 mol/L T-2 toxin) and high-dose T-2-toxin-exposure group (treated with 10 ng/mL hCG and 10−7 mol/L T-2 toxin) were designed. The testosterone level was measured after 24 h incubation. Results: After 24 h culture in liquid medium containing serum, the fresh isolated Leydig cells grew well and the purity exceeded 90%. By inducing 10 ng/mL hCG, the testosterone level of Leydig cells increased significantly and the difference compared with the blank control was of statistical sense. Compared with the inductive control group, the testosterone level of Leydig cells decreased, and the difference was of statistical sense in all T-2-toxin-exposure groups. Furthermore, the decrease was due to the increase in the dosage of T-2 toxin. Conclusions: T-2 toxin can directly decrease the testosterone biosynthesis in the primary Leydig cells derived from the mouse testis.
Axial Psoriatic Arthritis: Update on a Longterm Prospective Study

Objective. To evaluate changes in symptoms, spinal mobility, and radiographic features in patients with axial psoriatic arthritis (AxPsA). Methods. Patients with AxPsA were identified from the University of Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis clinic database. Axial symptoms, metrology, and radiographic features at study entry were compared to 5-year and 10-year followup assessments. Data were analyzed using continuity adjusted McNemar’s test, an exact binomial test, or logistic regression. Results. Of 297 patients (mean age 42.5 yrs, PsA duration 8 yrs) in the study, 56% had axial symptoms, 43% had radiographic evidence of sacroiliitis, and 13% had syndesmophytes at entry. The number of patients with neck/back pain, neck/back stiffness, and clinical sacroiliitis declined significantly at both 5- and 10-year followup periods. There was a significant increase in the number of patients with restricted cervical spinal mobility at both 5- and 10-year visits and significant reduction in lateral flexion at both timepoints. At 5 (10) years, of those without sacroiliitis at baseline, 36.6% (51.7%) developed at least grade 2 sacroiliitis; 46.5% (52.0%) of those who presented with grade 2 progressed to a higher grade; and 15.6% (25.0%) with grade 3 progressed to grade 4 sacroiliitis. Of the patients without cervical/thoracic/lumbar syndesmophytes at study entry, 11%/16%/14% (14%/21%/20%) developed syndesmophytes in these regions at 5 (10) year followup. Similar results were obtained when analyses were restricted to patients satisfying radiographic criteria alone. Conclusion. Over a 10-year period, patients with AxPsA had improvement in neck and back pain, but lateral spinal flexion and cervical mobility deteriorated.
Estradiol 17β and Its Metabolites Stimulate Cell Proliferation and Antagonize Ascorbic Acid-Suppressed Cell Proliferation in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells

Estradiol 17β (E2β) and ascorbic acid (AA) have been implicated in cancer progression. However, little is known about the actions of biologically active metabolites of E2β, 2-hydroxyestradiol (2OHE2), 4-hydroxyestradiol (4OHE2), 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2), and 4-methoxyestradiol (4ME2) synthesized sequentially by cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A (CYP1A1) and B (CYP1B1), polypeptide 1, and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) on ovarian cancer. Herein, we examined the expression of CYP1A1, CYP1B1, COMT, and estrogen receptor α (ERα) and β (ERβ) in human ovarian surface epithelial (IOSE-385) and cancer cell lines (OVCAR-3, SKOV-3, and OVCA-432). We also investigated the roles of E2β, 2OHE2, 4OHE2, 2ME2, and 4ME2 in cell proliferation, and their interactive effects with AA on ovarian cells. We found the expression of CYP1A1, CYP1B1, COMT, ERα, and ERβ in most cell lines tested. Treating cells with physiological concentrations of E2β and its metabolites promoted (13%-42% of the control) IOSE-385 and OVCAR-3 proliferation. The ER blockade inhibited IOSE-385 (∼76%) and OVCAR-3 (∼87%) proliferative response to E2β but not to its metabolites. The ERα blockade inhibited (∼85%) E2β-stimulated OVCAR-3 proliferation, whereas ERβ blockade attenuated (∼83%) E2β-stimulated IOSE-385 proliferation. The AA at ≥250 μmol/L completely inhibited serum-stimulated cell proliferation in all cell lines tested; however, such inhibition in IOSE-385, OVCAR-3, and OVCA-432 was partially (∼10%-20%) countered by E2β and its metabolites. Thus, our findings indicate that E2β and its metabolites promote cell proliferation and antagonize the AA-suppressed cell proliferation in a subset of ovarian cancer cells, suggesting that blocking the actions of E2β and its metabolites may enhance AA’s antiovarian cancer activity.
Are we overusing blood transfusing after elective joint replacement?--a simple method to reduce the use of a scarce resource.

OBJECTIVES To determine the proportion of patients who received a blood transfusion after joint replacement, and to devise a simple method to ensure patients were transfused based on strict clinical and haematological need. DESIGN Prospective audit over 2 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study group was 151 patients who underwent total hip and knee arthroplasty in a typical district general hospital (Kettering) over a 2-year period. They were divided into three consecutive groups. Current practice was audited (producing the first group of 62 patients) and transfusion rates were compared to regional figures. Local guidelines were drawn up. A form was introduced on which the indications for any transfusion had to be documented prior to transfusion of the blood. This was designed to encourage transfusion only on strong clinical grounds or an haemoglobin (Hb) level < 8 g/dl. Transfusion practice was then re-audited (producing the second group of 44 patients) to assess whether practice had improved. A year later, all relevant staff were reminded by letter of the guidelines. The process was then re-audited (producing the third group of 45 patients) again to determine whether practice remained improved or not. RESULTS In the first audit (current practice) of 62 patients, the overall transfusion rate was 71%, with a higher rate in the hip replacement group (84%) ordered mainly by anaesthetic staff. Ward staff were reluctant not to transfuse patients whose Hb level fell below 10 g/dl. In the second audit, the transfusion rate fell by nearly 50% to 37%, with almost identical figures for knee and hip replacement. In the third audit of 45 patients, a year later, the transfusion rate was 40% overall. CONCLUSIONS Patients were being transfused routinely, generally without good clinical evidence of benefit to the patient. The audit process was successful in instituting change for the better in blood transfusion practice for elective joint replacement. The improved practice can be largely maintained provided staff are regularly reminded of appropriate guidelines and encouraged to transfuse for clinical need only. For absolute adherence to guidelines, we would recommend a compulsory form system be introduced for transfusion in the per-operative period, to ensure blood transfusion is only given when absolutely necessary.
Internal mammary node lymphoscintigraphy and biopsy in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND In patients with breast cancer, sentinel nodes (SNs) are detected outside the axilla in 1-2% of cases after superficial injection of radiocolloid in the breast. We investigated whether deep injection of tracer visualized internal mammary chain lymph (IMC) nodes more often, and assessed the impact of IMC status on disease staging. METHODS A total of 400 patients were enrolled in this trial. The study group included 200 patients with T1-T2 N0 breast cancer in an inner quadrant. Radio tracer was injected superficially in 100 (group A), and deeply under the tumor in the others (group B). If an IMC took up tracer in group B patients it was biopsied. An additional 200 patients with outer quadrant lesions were also studied lymphoscintigraphically following superficial (100 patients) or deep (100 patients) injection, but IMC nodes were not biopsied as this would have required an additional surgical excision. RESULTS An SN was visualized in the IMC in 65.6% of inner quadrant patients after deep injection and in 2.1% after superficial injection. In outer quadrant patients, deep injection visualized an SN in the IMC in 10% of cases. The IMC SN was located mainly in the 2nd and 3rd intercostal spaces. Radioguided IMC biopsy was performed in 62 patients. Node removal proved simple and risks insignificant. Stage migration occurred in 8% of cases. CONCLUSIONS Deep injection allows SN localization in the IMC in 65% of inner quadrant breast lesions. Biopsy of the axillary plus IMC resulted in stage migration in 8% of patients. It is unclear whether this additional information can lead to better survival.
Synthesis and screening of a rationally designed combinatorial library of affinity ligands mimicking protein L from Peptostreptococcus magnus

Rational design and combinatorial chemistry were utilized to search for lead protein L (PpL) mimetics for application as affinity ligands for the purification of antibodies and small fragments, such as Fab and scFv, and as potential diagnostic or therapeutic agents. Inspection of the key structural features of the complex between PpL and human Fab prompted the de novo design and combinatorial synthesis of a 169‐membered solid‐phase ligand library, which was assessed for binding to human IgG and subsequent selectivity for the Fab fragment. Eight ligands were selected, chemically characterized and compared with a commercial PpL‐adsorbent for binding pure immunoglobulin fractions. The most promising lead, ligand 8/7, when immobilized on an agarose support, behaved in a similar fashion to PpL in isolating Fab fragments from papain digests of human IgG to a final purity of 97%. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence for two organizational plans within the somatic sensory‐motor cortex of the rat

Previous electrophysiological mapping of somatic sensory (SI) and motor (MI) cortex in the rat has shown that these functional regions are completely overlapping in the hindlimb (HL) area. Partially separate in the forelimb area, and completel separate in the face area. The present studies were designed to show how the sensory and motor thalamic relay nuclei priject onto separate or overlapping subdivisions of SI and MI cortex. The experimental sequence involved physiological mapping of one subdivision of SI or MI cortex and then injecting horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as a retrograde cell marker to back‐fill the thalamic neurons that project to the identified area of cortex. The central issue was to compare the projection of the lemniscal‐recipient ventrobasal nucleus (VB) and the cerebellar‐recipient ventrolateral nucleus (VL) to the hindlimb and face subdivision of SI and MI cortex. Various authors, however have divided the ventral nucleus differently using Nisslstained transverse sections through the thalamus. Therefore, tritiated amino acids were also injected into the deep cerebellar nuclei and the distribution of cerebellar fiber terminals in the ventral nucleus was used as another criterion to identify the border between VB and VL.
Pseudo-spontaneous nystagmus in horizontal semicircular canal canalolithiasis

Abstract Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) involving horizontal semicircular canal (HSCC) is characterized by direction-changing positional nystagmus (DCPN) in a supine roll test, and the occurrence of spontaneous nystagmus in HSCC BPPV has been reported recently. The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of pseudo-spontaneous nystagmus (PSN) in patients with HSCC canalolithiasis, and evaluate the effect of the presence of PSN on treatment outcome. Between April 2014 and January 2016, 75 and 59 patients with HSCC canalolithiasis and cupulolithiasis, respectively, were enrolled. Spontaneous and positional nystagmus were examined. PSN was observed in 31 of 75 patients (41%) with HSCC canalolithiasis, and 55 of 59 patients (93%) with HSCC cupulolithiasis. PSN persisted during the period of observation, which was at least 1 minute in all patients with PSN. In HSCC canalolithiasis, direction-reversing nystagmus was observed in 58 patients (25 bilateral and 33 unilateral). Nine of 25 patients with bilateral direction-reversing nystagmus, and 22 of 33 patients with unilateral direction-reversing nystagmus showed PSN. None of 17 patients without direction-reversing nystagmus showed PSN. The direction of PSN corresponded to that of direction-reversing nystagmus in all 22 patients with unilateral direction-reversing nystagmus. The proportion of patients who recovered after 1 session of repositioning maneuver was not significantly different between patients with and without PSN (P = .867). PSN was observed more commonly in HSCC cupulolithiasis than canalolithiasis. The pathophysiologic mechanism underlying PSN can be explained by natural inclination of HSCC and medial to lateral orientation of the HSCC cupular axis in cupulolithiasis, and by spontaneous reversal of initial positional nystagmus (direction-reversing nystagmus) generated by short-term adaptation of vestibulo-ocular reflex in canalolithiasis. The presence of PSN in HSCC canalolithiasis may not affect the treatment outcome.
Lipopolysaccharide induces retroviral antigen expression in 129/J mouse lymphocytes: evidence for assembly of a defective viral particle

In contrast to those of many other mouse strains, spleen cell cultures of 129/J mice do not release reverse transcriptase activity into the supernatant upon stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide. We report here that lipopolysaccharide induced the expression of intracellular viral proteins in 129/J spleen cells. Furthermore, we found that stimulated spleen cells released retroviral particles. We conclude that 129/J mice are inducible with lipopolysaccharide but that the virus produced is a defective particle deficient in reverse transcriptase activity.
Antidiabetic effects of natural plant extracts via inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolysis enzymes with emphasis on pancreatic alpha amylase

Introduction: The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and the negative clinical outcomes observed with the commercially available anti-diabetic drugs have led to the investigation of new therapeutic approaches focused on controlling postprandrial glucose levels. The use of carbohydrate digestive enzyme inhibitors from natural resources could be a possible strategy to block dietary carbohydrate absorption with less adverse effects than synthetic drugs. Areas covered: This review covers the latest evidence regarding in vitro and in vivo studies in relation to pancreatic alpha-amylase inhibitors of plant origin, and presents bioactive compounds of phenolic nature that exhibit anti-amylase activity. Expert opinion: Pancreatic alpha-amylase inhibitors from traditional plant extracts are a promising tool for diabetes treatment. Many studies have confirmed the alpha-amylase inhibitory activity of plants and their bioactive compounds in vitro, but few studies corroborate these findings in rodents and very few in humans. Thus, despite some encouraging results, more research is required for developing a valuable anti-diabetic therapy using pancreatic alpha-amylase inhibitors of plant origin.