Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toll‐like receptor 4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms in gastric cancer of intestinal and diffuse histotypes

In the present study we investigated the potential role of Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR‐4) Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms as risk factors in the development of gastric cancer. TLR‐4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms were investigated in 171 Italian patients with sporadic gastric cancer and in 151 controls. Unconditional regression (odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals) were used to investigate the association of the studied polymorphisms with gastric cancer. TLR‐4 Thr399Ile polymorphism is linked with an increased susceptibility to gastric cancer (P = 0·023 and hazard ratio = 3·62). No significant association for TLR‐4 Asp299Gly polymorphism was found. In the subgroup of patients with intestinal‐type gastric cancer, a significant risk of gastric cancer was associated with TLR‐4 Thr399Ile genotype (P = 0·006). Our results demonstrated that TLR‐4 Thr399Ile polymorphism is linked with an increased susceptibility to gastric cancer. An increased risk for intestinal gastric cancer in carriers of the TLR4 Thr399Ile allele was observed. Future epidemiological studies should consider the possible interactions between proinflammatory genotypes (such as TLR and interleukin‐1R polymorphisms) and other risk factors for cancer such as dietary habits and/or exposure to environmental carcinogens.
The Insignificance of Clear-Day Poison Pills

Exploiting a hand-collected database with almost 2,200 firms during 1996–2014, I analyze the relationship between the presence of poison pills and firm value. Consistent with earlier results, I document a strong negative association between pills and firm value cross-sectionally and within firm. However, I document that all the within-firm association is driven by pill adoptions (and none by the dropping of pills), all the drop in value associated with adoptions precedes the pills’ adoption, and firms adopted their pills after experiencing drops in their operating performance. These results indicate that the ostensive negative effect of pills on firm value is due to a spurious correlation and that prior analyses were incorrect in concluding that pill adoptions are harmful and indicative of bad governance. Moreover, the results question the usefulness of the dramatic drop in the incidence of pills that took place during the last decade.
Limbic encephalitis not associated with neoplasm as a cause of temporal lobe epilepsy

Objective: To describe four patients with temporal lobe epilepsy with limbic encephalitis unrelated to neoplasm. Methods: The authors performed a retrospective evaluation of patient data obtained during presurgical evaluation, with additional CSF analyses, serum analyses, and histopathologic investigations. Results: The patients shared the following clinical features: onset of the disease in young adulthood with subacute onset or exacerbation of frequent intractable temporal lobe seizures, verbal and visual memory deficits, and affective abnormalities. MRI showed variably extended areas of increased T2 signal in limbic structures and adjacent areas. In the histopathologic investigation, chronic inflammation was observed without evidence of a viral origin. There was no evidence of an underlying malignancy. Conclusions: Nonparaneoplastic limbic encephalitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of adult patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.
Cultural Aspects of Healthy BRCA Carriers From Two Ethnocultural Groups

We explored the experiences of Ashkenazi Jewish and French Canadian women and meanings attributed to their hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) risk. We purposively sampled 40 BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA) mutation carriers and conducted theoretically driven semistructured interviews. According to content analysis, participants from these two ethnocultural groups held divergent meanings associated with being a BRCA carrier and different views pertaining to the illness experience and risk awareness. All participants identified a genetic basis; however, the French Canadian women also expressed other causes. The French Canadian women reported not knowing other carriers in their social environment, whereas the Ashkenazi Jewish women emphasized a strong sense of community contributing to their ethnic risk awareness. Based on these findings, we suggest that French Canadian women could benefit from greater awareness of the HBOC genetic risk and that health care providers should consider ethnically related and individual-based experiences and meanings during counseling.
Screening for abnormal placentation and adverse pregnancy outcomes with maternal serum biomarkers in the second trimester

Second trimester biomarkers were initially introduced with the intent of screening for neural tube defects and then subsequently for Down syndrome. It was soon realized that these markers can be indirect evidence of abnormal placentation and, therefore, can be used for screening for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Several new biomarkers have subsequently been described with conflicting findings regarding their efficiency for screening for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Although a biologically feasible mechanism has been proposed for the role of these biomarkers, they still fall short of an ideal screening test to be clinically useful. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Institutions, corporate governance and corporate governance institutions: The case of Estonia

During the last ten years, Estonia has made strong efforts in terms of the transition to a market economy. This is particularly true with respect to the soundness and transparency of monetary and fiscal policies, the privatisation of former state-owned enterprises, the development of the financial sector and the institutional setting. This paper argues that strengthening the formal institutional setting, and in particular the corporate governance institutions, is crucial to further enhance the process of economic transition of the country. It describes the current state of Estonia’s corporate governance structures as compared to other countries in Central and Eastern Europe and ends with some policy conclusions on how to improve its corporate governance institutions.
Measuring Religiosity in Nursing: Reliability, Validity and Psychometric Properties of the Greek Translation of the Centrality of Religiosity Scale -15

Many nurses today are religious and sometimes there exist some religious motivations on becoming a nurse. They are often responsible through their care to assess and facilitate spiritual well-being, identify spiritual distress and to provide religious and spiritual care. Nurses need to understand their own spirituality and religiosity before they can successfully integrate them into their care. Aim: The present study aims to assess Greek nurses’ religiosity and to validate the Centrality of Religiosity Scale (CRS) in the Greek language. Material and Methods: The CRS-15 questionnaire is an anonymous self-administered questionnaire that contains fifteen, five point Likert scale, closed questions (ranging 1-5). The sample of the study was 344 nurses and nurse assistants. Exploratory factor analysis, with principal components analysis, was performed for checking the construct validity of the questionnaire. The test–retest reliability and the internal consistency were also examined. Statistical analysis performed using SPSS 21.0. Statistical significance level was set at p=0.05. Results: The final Greek version of the questionnaire includes all the fifteen questions. The mean age of the participants was 42.9±7.5. Two factors exported from the statistical analysis: the first one corresponded to religious practices and the second one to religious beliefs and experiences. The Cronbach-a coefficient was 0.952 for the total questionnaire and for Religious beliefs and experiences is a=0.923 while for the religious practices is a=0.926. Conclusions: The CRS-15, is a valuable and reliable questionnaire that can be used for assessing religiosity in Greek population.
The Effects of Osmolality, Cryoprotectant and Equilibration Time on Striped Bass Morone saxatilis Sperm Motility

Four experiments were designed to evaluate the effects of osmolality, cryoprotectant, and equilibration time on striped bass sperm motility. In the first experiment, solutions of NaCI or KCI with osmolalities ranging from 0 to 700 mmol/kg were tested on sperm activation. Over 60% of the sperm were activated by isotonic NaCI and KCI solutions with a treatment osmolality of 350 mmol/kg. Sperm remained motile until osmolality increased to 600 mmol/ kg. In the second and third experiments, Extenders 1, 2 and 3 with osmolalities of 350, 500, and 600 mmol/kg, respectively, were tested. Sperm samples stored in Extender 2 showed significantly higher (P 0.01) sperm motility after 10 min of exposure as well as greater (P < 0.01) post-thaw motility when compared to samples stored in Extenders 1 and 3. In the fourth experiment, two trials were carried out to evaluate the effects of cryoprotectant and equilibration time. In the first trial, methanol with a concentration of 5% and 10% yielded the highest (P < 0.05) sperm motility prior to freezing at all equilibration times examined. However, 5% DMSO yielded the highest (P < 0.01) post-thaw motility (38 +/- 3.6%). DMSO with concentrations of 10% and 15% resulted in 17 +/- 2.3% and 6 +/- 1.0% post-thaw motility, respectively. Both methanol and DMA, at all concentrations tested, resulted in less than 10% post-thaw motility. In the second trial, four DMSO concentrations with three different equilibration times were examined. We observed a significant (P < 0.001) interaction effect between DMSO concentration and equilibration time. Post-thaw motility was significantly greater (P < 0.01) with a concentration of 5% DMSO at all equilibration times examined, compared to 1.25, 2.5, and 10% DMSO. An average post-thaw motility of 40 +/- 2.9% was achieved after 10 min equilibration using 5% DMSO.
Highly sensitive C-reactive protein levels in Iranian patients with pulmonary complication of sulfur mustard poisoning and its correlation with severity of airway diseases

Background: Sulfur mustard (SM) is a chemical warfare agent that can cause serious pulmonary complications. This study was designed to determine serum highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and evaluate its correlation with lung function parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to SM poisoning. Methods: Fifty consecutive SM patients with stable COPD and a mean age 46.3 ± 9.18 years were enrolled in this cross sectional study. Thirty healthy men were selected as controls. Lung function parameters were evaluated. Serum hs-CRP by immunoturbidometry assay was measured in both the patients and controls. Results: In the case group, the mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 2.14 ± 0.76 L (58.98% ± 17.51% predicted). The mean serum hs-CRP was 9.4 ± 6.78 SD and 3.9 ± 1.92 SD mg/L in the cases and controls, respectively, with significant statistical differences (p < .001). There was negative correlation between the serum hs-CRP and FEV1 levels (p = .01). The serum hs-CRP levels were also correlated with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung disease (GOLD) stages (r = .45, p < .001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the serum hs-CRP level is increased in SM patients with COPD and may have a direct correlation with disease severity. It may then be used as a marker for the severity of COPD in patients with SM poisoning.
Dietary fiber intake and risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women: the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study.

BACKGROUND Although dietary fiber has been hypothesized to lower risk of breast cancer by modulating estrogen metabolism, the association between dietary fiber intake and risk of breast cancer by hormone receptor status is unclear. OBJECTIVE The objective was to examine the relation of dietary fiber intake to breast cancer by hormone receptor status and histologic type among postmenopausal women in the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study (n = 185,598; mean age: 62 y). DESIGN Dietary intakes were assessed with a food-frequency questionnaire. Incident breast cancer cases were identified through linkage with state cancer registries. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 2-sided 95% CIs. RESULTS During an average of 7 y of follow-up, 5461 breast cancer cases were identified, of which 3341 cases had estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status. Dietary fiber intake was inversely associated with breast cancer risk [RR for the highest quintile (Q5) compared with the lowest quintile (Q1): 0.87; 95% CI: 0.77, 0.98; P for trend: 0.02]. The inverse association appeared to be stronger for ER(-)/PR(-) tumors (RR(Q5vsQ1): 0.56; 95% CI: 0.35, 0.90; P for trend: 0.008; 366 cases) than for ER(+)/PR(+) tumors (RR(Q5vsQ1): 0.95; 95% CI: 0.76, 1.20; P for trend: 0.47; 1641 cases). The RR(Q5vsQ1) of lobular tumors was 0.66 (95% CI: 0.44, 0.97; P for trend: 0.04), and the RR(Q5vsQ1) of ductal tumors was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.77, 1.04; P for trend: 0.10). Fiber from grains, fruit, vegetables, and beans was not related to breast cancer. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that dietary fiber can play a role in preventing breast cancer through nonestrogen pathways among postmenopausal women.
Four-terminal field-emission characteristics of double-gate metallic field-emitter array cathodes with controlled apex sizes fabricated by molding and self-aligned gate process

The field-emission characteristics of double-gate metallic tip array devices were studied. The array consist of pyramidal shaped molybdenum field emitters with ∼20 nm-apex-sizes fabricated by a mold technique. By a self-aligned gate-process, we have fabricated double-gate devices with up to 40×40-tips. The measurement of the emission current transfer characteristics as a function of the electron extraction gate bias and of the collimation gate bias showed that the influence of the collimation gate bias on the apex field is a factor of ∼5 smaller than that of the extraction gate bias voltage in our devices.
A phase I dose escalation study of BIBW 2992, an irreversible dual EGFR/HER2 receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumours.

3027 Background: BIBW 2992 is a novel, potent, orally bioavailable irreversible inhibitor of EGFR and HER2 receptor tyrosine kinases with IC50 values of 0.5 and 14 nM, respectively. METHODS Patients (pts) with advanced solid malignancies were enrolled. BIBW 2992 was given orally as a continuous once daily dose from 10 mg, doubled in successive cohorts until drug-related toxicity > grade 2, when escalation of no more than 50% was allowed. All pts had pharmacokinetic sampling and pre- and post-treatment skin biopsies. DNA sequencing of tumour cell EGFR and HER2 was performed on pts achieving objective response. RESULTS Twenty-six pts were treated (14 M/11 F). Median age: 53 (range: 30-68). ECOG PS 0/1: 7/19. 19 pts completing ≥ 28 days were evaluable for adverse events (AEs). Three dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) were seen. One pt with HER2+ breast cancer who had previously received trastuzumab and lapatinib treated at 30 mg of BIBW 2992 developed dyspnoea with radiological interstitial changes, which fully recovered on drug discontinuation. The 2 other DLTs were grade 3 acneiform skin rash, at doses of 40 mg and 50 mg daily. AEs resolved on drug discontinuation and the pts were dose reduced to 30 mg and 40 mg, respectively. The 50 mg dose level is being expanded. One pt treated at 50mg developed grade 3 diarrhoea in cycle 2 and was dose reduced to 40mg with resolution of the AE. Other AEs were mild (CTCAE v3 grade 1 or 2); nausea, diarrhoea, mucositis and fatigue. Two female pts with lung adenocarcinoma treated with 10 mg and 40 mg daily had confirmed partial responses (PR) and remain on study after 14 and 5 months, respectively. The pt with PR at 10mg has a complex heterozygous EGFR mutation in tumour cells, including a deletion and missense mutations of 4-amino acids (WT: KELREATSPKANKEILD; Patient: KEP--SPRANKEILD) in the kinase domain, but a wildtype HER2 domain. One pt with cervical and one pt with colorectal cancer had stabilization of disease and tumour markers for 6 and 4 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS BIBW 2992 shows promising activity with skin rash as the main AE. Maintained PR seen in lung adenocarcinoma indicates effective mutated EGFR kinase modulation at the lowest evaluated dose level. Exploration of BIBW 2992 in Phase II is warranted. [Table: see text].
Effects of sex and protein and energy levels in the diet on the blood parameters of the chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar)

1. The effects of sex and dietary composition were investigated in 48 male and 48 female 16-week old chukar partridges. 2. Sixteen starter and 16 grower diets were arranged in a 4 × 4 factorial design with 4 concentration of crude protein (CP) and 4 concentration of metabolizable energy (ME). 3. Blood samples were collected at 16 weeks of age and analysed for total protein, triglycerides, uric acid, total cholesterol, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chlorine. 4. There were no significant effects of sex on the measured parameters. 5. Serum total protein was highest in partridges fed on a diet containing 200/175 g CP/kg (starter grower). Serum cholesterol concentrations of partridge fed the diet with 240/200 or 280/225 g CP/kg were significantly higher than that for partridge fed diets containing a lower g CP/kg. 6. Serum total protein and glucose levels significantly decreased as dietary energy level was increased. Serum triglycerides and calcium were highest in partridge fed on the diets containing 13·39/13·81 and 11·71/12·55 ME MJ/kg, respectively. Serum phosphorus and chloride levels were highest in partridges given the diet containing 10·88/11·92 ME MJ/kg. 7. There were significant interactions between the effects of CP and ME on serum triglycerides, sodium and potassium levels. 8 The results of this study suggested that dietary CP, and especially ME concentration, significantly affect blood parameters in chukar partridge.
Relative Importance of Student Accommodation Quality in Higher Education

This study, which was part of a large study, empirically examinesthe importance students attach to different dimensions of Student Accommodation Quality (SAQ) delivered by Student Accommodation Providers (SAP) in two tertiary (higher education) institutions in Ghana. The study involved a cross-sectional survey that used a structured questionnaire administered to 700 tertiary students in residential and non-residential accommodation. The survey yielded a usable 66.6% response rate for analysis. The findings indicate that utility facility quality is the most important SAQ dimension to the students, followed by the overall impression of hostel, security, physical environment, toilet, distance to lecture, bedroom, bath room, accommodation fee, among others. Moreover, it was found that kitchen facility, access to transport and entertainment facility are less important SAQ items while the least important is garage facility. Few differences were found in the priority for SAQ items between COLTEK and K-Poly respondents and between residential and non-residential respondents. Implications for theory and recommendations to management of the two higher education institutions and SAP have been discussed. The study contributes to the body of knowledge in student affairs and managing student accommodation quality in higher education.
Peeling Back the Onion Competitive Advantage Through People: Test of a Causal Model

Abstract Proponents of the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm have identified human resource management (HRM) and human capital as organizational resources that can contribute to sustainable competitive success. A number of empirical studies have documented the relationship between systems of human resource policies and practices and firm performance. The mechanisms by which HRM leads to firm performance, however, remain largely unexplored. In this study, we explore the pathways leading from HRM to firm performance. Specifically, we use structural equation modeling to test a model positing a set of causal relationships between high performance work systems (HPWS), employee retention, workforce productivity and firm market value. Within a set of manufacturing firms, results indicate the primary impact of HPWS on productivity and market value is through its influence on employee retention. Key words: Competitive Advantage, Strategic HR, Performance ________________________ This research was partially supported by grants from the SHRM Foundation and the General Research Fund of the University of Kansas. An earlier version of this paper was accepted for presentation to the Academy of Management Meetings, New Orleans, LA, 2004. The authors wish to thank Martina Musteen for her contributions to this project.
Sputum smear grading and treatment outcome among directly observed treatment-short course patients of tuberculosis unit, Jagdalpur, Bastar

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health problem. In 2014, worldwide, 1.5 million deaths were reported from TB. The study was planned to assess sputum smear grading and treatment outcome among TB patients attending tuberculosis unit (TU), Jagdalpur of Bastar district in Chhattisgarh. Materials and Methods: It was a record-based analysis for the year 2014 data from TU, Jagdalpur, Bastar of Chhattisgarh. Statistical Analysis Used: Data entry and analysis were done using STATA/SE 14.1 software. Results: Out of total registered 496 TB patients in 2014, 207 were sputum smear positive with 83 (40.1%) having 3 + and 14 (6.8%) having scanty sputum grading. The percentage of successfully treated was lowest, 71.4% in scanty followed by 1+ (80.2%), compared to 84.1% in sputum smear negative (P = 0.02335). Overall rate of unfavorable outcome was 16.9%. Factors associated with unfavorable outcome were age more than 40 years (P = 0.01894), male gender (P = 0.06722), and retreatment cases (P = 0.0001136). Death rate was higher (6.6%) among patients of Category II. Higher default rate in new smear positive (8.3%), new smear negative (7.8%), and retreatment (16.7%) was noted. Conclusions: Overall rate of unfavorable outcome was higher in patients with scanty and 1+sputum grading. Age more than 40 years, male sex, and retreatment category were factors associated with unfavorable outcome.
Experiences and effects of psychiatric stigma: Monologues of the stigmatizers and the stigmatized in an African setting

People with mental illness (PWMI) are faced with a number of social and health-related challenges especially stigma and discrimination which tend to have negative effects on their lives. This paper presents narrative monologues portraying the experiences and effects of psychiatric stigma and discrimination on PWMI in South Africa. These narratives voice out the concerns of the stigmatizers (specifically family members and significant others of PWMI) and the stigmatized in a poetic fashion. The society is still not very sympathetic to the plights of PWMI and this affects their general health and well-being. Traditional beliefs and prejudice still drive public attitude towards PWMI especially in African settings. These narratives presented in a poetic fashion in this paper highlight some salient issues relating to the experience and effects of stigma and the desires of PWMI to be treated with love and respect and helped to lead healthy normal lives.