Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Health websites in Italy: use, classification and international policy

In this paper, we discuss international policy in relation to the use of health websites and we describe the results obtained from application of a search engine to the recognition and classification of health websites in Italy. We then compare the results with health websites in other countries. Effective use of technology has led to medical advances that have not only extended life expectancy, but also fuelled an increasingly well-informed public to expect more and more from today's healthcare providers. As a consequence of the Web's rapid, chaotic growth, the resulting network of information lacks organization and structure and the quest for a method of quickly finding relevant and reliable information is spawning the growth of Internet portal sites. The US and the European Union and now Italy, have established the importance of rules to check the quality of health sites both for the non-professional users (citizens), mainly for privacy and security (for example, of medical records); and for health operators (physicians and others), where the most important thing is to evaluate the quality of content. In June 2001, the search engine used here found 2627 Italian health sites, of which only 46 exhibited the HON Code, and they can be classified into: 1% personal medical sites, 17% health portals, 18% metasites, 27% documental sites and 37% information sites for health operators and/or for citizens.
The role of pentoxifylline on neuroprotection in neonatal rat model of hypoxic ischemic brain injury.

Despite important progress in obstetric and neonatal care, Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is one of the common causes of neonatal brain damage. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible neuroprotective effects of two different dosages of pentoxifylline (60 and 100 mg/kg) (PTX) on a model of perinatal HIE. Seven-day-old Wistar rat pups were subjected to right common carotid artery ligation and hypoxia (92% nitrogen and 8% oxygen) for 2h. They were treated with PTX or saline both immediately after hypoxia-ischemia (HI) and after 2h. In sham group animals, neither ligation, nor hypoxia was performed. Neuronal apoptosis was evaluated by the caspase-3 immunostaining methods. The numbers of caspase-3 immunoreactive cells in the parietal cortex and dentate gyrus were observed to have significantly increased in the HI, PTX60 and PTX100 groups compared to the sham group, and, no differences were detected between the HI, PTX60 and PTX100 groups. The numbers of caspase-3 immunoreactive cells in the cornu ammonis regions of the hippocampus were significantly higher in the HI, PTX60 and PTX100 groups than in the sham group. But, elevated in the PTX60 group was significantly lower than that determined in the HI group. However, the number of necrotic cells in all regions of brain were significantly lower PTX60 than HI and PTX100 groups. These results show that PTX administration after hypoxia-ischemia reduces neuronal apoptosis and necrosis. Therefore, PTX may be an effective drug to use to decrease the severity of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
Effects of anxiety on running with and without an aiming task

Abstract State anxiety is known to affect far aiming tasks, but less is known about the effects of state anxiety on running and aiming while running. Therefore, in the current study participants ran on a treadmill at their preferred speed in a low- and high-anxiety condition. In both conditions, running was combined with dart throwing in the last minutes. Results showed that attention shifted away from task execution with elevated levels of anxiety. Furthermore, gait patterns were more conservative and oxygen uptake was higher with anxiety. In addition, performance and efficiency on the dart throwing task also decreased with anxiety. These findings are in line with attentional control theory and provide an indication that state anxiety not only affects aiming tasks but also tasks that rely heavily on the aerobic system. Moreover, findings indicate that when combined, running, aiming, and anxiety all compete for attention leading to suboptimal attentional control and possibly a decrease in performance.
Expression and function of system N glutamine transporters (SN1/SN2 or SNAT3/SNAT5) in retinal ganglion cells.

PURPOSE Glutamine transport is essential for the glutamate-glutamine cycle, which occurs between neurons and glia. System N, consisting of SN1 (SNAT3) and SN2 (SNAT5), is the principal mediator of glutamine transport in retinal Müller cells. Mediators of glutamine transport in retinal ganglion cells were investigated. METHODS The relative contributions of various transport systems for glutamine uptake (systems N, A, L, y+L, ASCT, and ATB(0,+)) were examined in RGC-5 cells based on differential features of the individual transport systems. mRNA for the genes encoding members of these transport systems were analyzed by RT-PCR. Based on these data, SN1 and SN2 were analyzed in mouse retina, RGC-5 cells, and primary mouse ganglion cells (GCs) by in situ hybridization (ISH), immunofluorescence (IF), and Western blotting. RESULTS Three transport systems--N, A, and L--participated in glutamine uptake in RGC-5 cells. System N was the principal contributor; systems A and L contributed considerably less. ISH and IF revealed SN1 and SN2 expression in the ganglion, inner nuclear, and photoreceptor cell layers. SN1 and SN2 colocalized with the ganglion cell marker Thy 1.2 and with the Müller cell marker vimentin, confirming their presence in both retinal cell types. SN1 and SN2 proteins were detected in primary mouse GCs. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that in addition to its role in glutamine uptake in retinal glial cells, system N contributes significantly to glutamine uptake in ganglion cells and, hence, contributes to the retinal glutamate-glutamine cycle.
Apparel consumers' body type and their shopping characteristics

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the relationships between consumers' body types and characteristics such as shopping orientation, past experience with fit problems, attitudes toward internet shopping and attitudes toward 3‐D body scanning.Design/methodology/approach – This study collected body data from 441 Korean females who participated in 3‐D body scanning. Using a hierarchical cluster analysis, the body scanning identified five body types. Then body types and shopping characteristics variables were analyzed.Findings – Slim respondents showed significantly higher hedonic shopping orientation and their attitude to internet shopping was positive, since they evaluated using the internet as being “fun”. By contrast, respondents with larger body types considered the convenience of internet shopping to be the most important feature. Respondents, regardless of their body types, regarded 3‐D body scanning as an enjoyable, futuristic and interesting experience. Moreover, respondents showed a .
Olive oil intake and breast cancer risk in the Mediterranean countries of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study

Although there is some evidence suggesting that olive oil could reduce breast cancer (BC) risk, the epidemiological data are still relatively limited, not entirely consistent and mainly based on case–control studies. Therefore, we prospectively assessed the association between olive oil and BC risk in postmenopausal women from the Mediterranean cohorts within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. The analysis included 62,284 postmenopausal women recruited from Spain, Italy and Greece who had complete dietary data (collected from validated country‐specific dietary questionnaires). The risk of BC (overall and by hormone receptor subtypes) was assessed using hazards ratios (HRs) obtained from Cox proportional hazards regression, while adjusting for known BC risk factors. After a mean follow‐up of 9 years, 1,256 women were diagnosed with a primary incident invasive BC. The multivariate HRs for BC risk by olive oil intake (highest vs. lowest tertile of g/day/2,000 kcal) were 1.07 (95% CI = 0.91–1.25) in the adjusted model, 1.06 (95% CI = 0.91–1.24) in the model additionally adjusted for reproductive‐related factors and 1.10 (95% CI = 0.92–1.31) for the model additionally adjusted for dietary factors. There was no association between olive oil and risk of estrogen or progesterone receptor‐positive tumors, but a suggestion of a negative association with estrogens and progesterone receptor‐negative tumors. The results from our prospective study showed that olive oil consumption during adult life was not associated with the risk of BC. However, larger prospective studies are still needed to explore possible differences related to hormone receptor status.
Strategic Resource Extraction and Substitute Development

Abstract We analyze a dynamic game between a buyer and a seller of an exhaustible resource. The seller chooses resource supply; the buyer can pay a fixed cost to invent a perfect substitute for the resource at any time. In closed-loop equilibrium, the buyer adopts the substitute when the resource is exhausted. Investing makes the buyer worse off because it decreases resource supply, destroys his ability to derive surplus from the resource through delaying the investment cost incurrence, and causes a larger share of the resource stock to be sold at his reservation price. From the seller’s perspective, the buyer’s ability to develop a substitute is equivalent to an already available substitute with a higher marginal cost.
Resident-Based Acute Stroke Protocol Is Expeditious and Safe

Background and Purpose— The decision to administer tPA to acute stroke patients is frequently made by stroke attendings or fellows, but placing residents in this position may make tPA delivery more efficient. Methods— Beginning in 2004, we instituted a resident-based acute stroke protocol placing neurology residents in decision-making roles. Time-intervals, symptomatic hemorrhage rate, and discharge locations were prospectively collected and compared between two epochs, before and after 2004. Results— 59 acute ischemic stroke patients were treated with tPA before protocol initiation (1998 to 2002), while 113 patients were treated after protocol initiation (2004 to 2007). The average door-to-needle and onset-to-needle times were significantly shorter after initiation of the resident-based protocol (81 versus 60 minutes [P<0.001] and 138 versus 126 minutes [P<0.05]), respectively. Symptomatic hemorrhage rate (5.1% versus 3.5%) and favorable discharge location (68% versus 76%) did not differ between the two time periods. Conclusion— A resident-driven tPA protocol, with formal training and quality control, is safe and efficient.
Optimal Team Size and Overconfidence

In a team formation model with endogenous team size, we show that overconfidence may dominate rationality by increasing agents’ individual payoffs in teams. If team members are overconfident in their own ability, effort levels increase and the free rider problem is partially resolved. Because each member believes himself to be more skilled than the other members, agents prefer larger-sized teams only if complementarities are sufficiently strong. From the perspective of individual welfare, overconfidence partially undermines the efficient formation of teams. Although team members can benefit from their overconfidence only if complementarities exist, team formation can even be advantageous if members’ inputs are substitutes as it prevents agents from overinvesting in effort. We consider different extensions, including asymmetric agents, repeated interactions and the roles of monitoring and budget breaking as possible remedies to free riding.
Deviating from the benchmarks: Human capital inputs and the survival of new startups

This paper studies three related questions: To what extent otherwise similar startups employ different quantities and qualities of human capital at the moment of entry? How persistent are initial human capital choices over time? And how does deviating from human capital benchmarks influence firm survival? The analysis is based on a matched employer-employee dataset and covers about 17,500 startups in manufacturing and services. We adopt a new procedure to estimate individual benchmarks for the quantity and quality of initial human resources, acknowledging correlations between hiring decisions, founders' human capital, and the ownership structure of startups (solo entrepreneurs versus entrepreneurial teams). We then study the survival implications of exogenous deviations from these benchmarks, based on spline models for survival data. Our results indicate that (especially negative) deviations from the benchmark can be substantial, are persistent over time, and hinder the survival of firms. The implications may, however, vary according to the sector and the ownership structure at entry. Given the stickiness of initial choices, wrong human capital decisions at entry turn out to be a close to irreversible matter with significant survival penalties.
On the Differential Operators with Periodic Matrix Coefficients

We obtain asymptotic formulas for eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the operator generated by a system of ordinary differential equations with summable coefficients and quasiperiodic boundary conditions. Then by using these asymptotic formulas, we find conditions on the coefficients for which the number of gaps in the spectrum of the self-adjoint differential operator with the periodic matrix coefficients is finite.
A Prospective Study of Nosocomial Infections in a Chronic Care Facility

To elucidate the epidemiology of nosocomial infections occurring in nursing homes and chronic care facilities, the authors undertook a prospective study of patients requiring two different levels of nursing care. The overall rate of infection was higher on the intermediate care ward than on the nursing home ward (1.35 versus 0.67 infections/100 patient care days). Pneumonias and symptomatic urinary tract infections accounted for 49 per cent of all infections. Eight of ten cases of pneumonia occurring on the nursing home ward were diagnosed in the winter months, and no case was diagnosed in the summer months. Resistance to gentamicin, tobramycin, ampicillin, and trimethoprim—sulfa was common among organisms causing symptomatic urinary tract infections.
The effect of purchasing situation and conformity behavior on young students' impulse buying

The objective of this research is to explore the effects of purchasing situations (time pressure, economic pressure) and personal characteristics (impulse, conformity, gender) on students’ impulse buying behavior. This study employed a two-way factor 2 (time pressure) x 2 (economic pressure) experiment design by two scenarios in Paris, France and Prague, Czech Republic, resulting in eight manipulation treatments. This research found that respondents with high time pressure (limited time) or low economic pressure (larger budget) are significantly more likely to engage in impulse buying behavior. This study also found that female respondents’ impulsivity and conformity are higher than that of male respondents.
CARE GIVERS EXPERIENCES OF HAVING A CHILD WITH HYDROCEPHALUS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY AT RUHARO MISSION HOSPITAL

Background: Hydrocephalus is a long-term neurologic condition, normally identified in early childhood, where there is excessive fluid in the ventricular system within the brain which results into enlargement of the head to an abnormal size. The most common cause of hydrocephalus in most patient population is infection (over 60%) typically meningitis. In Uganda, it is estimated that about 1000 to 2000 new cases of hydrocephalus occur every year with 60 percent of these are reportedly attributed to neonatal infections. The general objective was to explore care givers' experiences of living with a child having hydrocephalus. Methods: The phenomenological descriptive study involved fifteen respondents who were purposively selected. The in-depth interviews were conducted with the aid of an interview guide and a tape recorder. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using the thematic approach. Results: Care givers were experiencing financial problems, psychological problems, lack of social support and cultural constraints and stigma associated with hydrocephalus. The care givers experiences were full of life changes and coping strategies, and they used both problem and emotion focused coping strategies to deal with the challenges as compassionate and responsive care was illustrated by the participants. Conclusion: The study discovered that having a child with hydrocephalus is challenging and frustrating in terms of financial, physical, social, and psychological experience. Therefore, these findings are essential for counselling care givers, families and communities affected by hydrocephalus. In this context, attention should be targeted to families and communities to reduce stigma and isolation faced by the affected.
Global Gene Expression Profiling and Tissue Microarray Reveal Novel Candidate Genes and Down-Regulation of the Tumor Suppressor Gene CAV1 in Sporadic Vestibular Schwannomas

BACKGROUND:The vestibular nerve is the predilection site for schwannomas. Few transcriptomic studies have been performed on solely sporadic vestibular schwannomas (VSs). OBJECTIVE:To detect genes with altered expression levels in sporadic VSs. METHODS:We studied 25 VSs and 3 tibial nerves (controls) with the ABI 1700 microarray platform. Significance analysis of microarrays was performed to explore differential gene expression. Selected genes were validated with quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. A tissue microarray was constructed for immunohistochemistry. Neurofibromatosis type II cDNA was sequenced for mutations. RESULTS:The VSs formed 2 clusters based on the total expression of 23 055 genes. Tumor size, previous Gamma Knife surgery, neurofibromatosis type II mutations, and cystic tumors were distributed equally in both. Significance analysis of microarrays detected 1650 differentially expressed genes. On the top 500 list, several cancer-related genes with an unrecognized role in VSs were down-regulated: CAV1, TGFB3, VCAM1, GLI1, GLI2, PRKAR2B, EPHA4, and FZD1. Immunohistochemistry showed no CAV1 expression in the VSs. The ERK pathway was the central core in the network linking the differentially expressed genes. The previously reported VS candidate genes SPARC, PLAT, and FGF1 were up-regulated. Nineteen of 25 VSs had NF2 mutations. CONCLUSION:Using microarray technology, we identified novel genes and pathways with a putative role in VSs, confirmed previous candidate genes, and found cancer-related genes with no reported role in VSs. Among these, down-regulation of CAV1 at both the mRNA and protein levels is of particular interest because this tumor suppressor normally is expressed in Schwann cells.
Global Sliding Mode Control based on a Hyperbolic Tangent Function for Matrix Rectifier

The conventional sliding mode control (CSMC) has a number of problems. It may cause dc output voltage ripple and it cannot guarantee the robustness of the whole system for a matrix rectifier (MR). Furthermore, the existence of a filter can decrease the input power factor (IPF). Therefore, a novel global sliding mode control (GSMC) based on a hyperbolic tangent function with IPF compensation for MRs is proposed in this paper. Firstly, due to the reachability and existence of the sliding mode, the condition of the matrix rectifier’s robustness and chattering elimination is derived. Secondly, a global switching function is designed and the determination of the transient operation status is given. Then a SMC compensation strategy based on a DQ transformation model is applied to compensate the decreasing IPF. Finally, simulations and experiments are carried out to verify the correctness and effectiveness of the control algorithm. The obtained results show that compared with CSMC, applying the proposed GSMC based on a hyperbolic tangent function for matrix rectifiers can achieve a ripple-free output voltage with a unity IPF. In addition, the rectifier has an excellent robust performance at all times.
Genes, Cloned cDNAs, and Proteins of Human Trypsinogens and Pancreatitis-Associated Cationic Trypsinogen Mutations

Historically, trypsinogens/trypsins have been one of the most extensively studied enzyme models of protein structure and function. They have received renewed attention after the identification of mutations in the cationic trypsinogen gene as being associated with hereditary pancreatitis. A survey of the literature revealed five cloned cDNAs, but only three protein products of human trypsinogens, and their nomenclature has been confusing. The availability of the complete genomic sequencing of the human trypsinogen gene family made it possible to provide a systematic review of the genes, cDNAs, and protein products of human trypsinogens and to clarify some controversial issues. Further, the confusing coexistence of two systems for naming the cationic trypsinogen mutations is addressed.
Bacterial examination of endodontic infections by clonal analysis in concert with denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The aim of this study was to examine the diversity of bacterial species in the infected root canals of teeth associated with endodontic abscesses by cloning and sequencing techniques in concert with denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography. METHODS Samples collected from five infected root canals were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with universal 16S ribosomal DNA primers. Products of these PCRs were cloned and sequenced. Denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) was used as a screening method to reduce the number of clones necessary for DNA sequencing. RESULTS All samples were positive for the presence of bacteria and a range of 7-13 different bacteria were found per root canal sample. In total, 48 different oral clones were detected among the five root canal samples. Olsenella profusa was the only species present in all samples. Porphyromonas gingivalis, Dialister pneumosintes, Dialister invisus, Lachnospiraceae oral clone, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudoramibacter alactolyticus, Peptostreptococcus micros and Enterococcus faecalis were found in two of the five samples. The majority of the taxa were present in only one sample, for example Tannerella forsythia, Shuttleworthia satelles and Filifactor alocis. Some facultative anaerobes that are frequently isolated from endodontic infections such as E. faecalis, Streptococcus anginosus and Lactobacillus spp. were also found in this study. CONCLUSION Clonal analysis of the microflora associated with endodontic infections revealed a wide diversity of oral species.
Utilization Patterns of Ambulatory Medical Care before and after the Diagnosis of Dementia in Germany – Results of a Case-Control Study

Aims: To analyze how the diagnosis of dementia changes the utilization of the ambulatory medical care services in the German statutory health insurance. Methods: In this case-control study, claims data of 1,848 insurants aged ≧65 years with incident dementia and 7,392 matched controls were compared regarding their utilization of ambulatory medical care services. Results: We found an increase in the utilization of ambulatory medical care services by demented patients of 50% in the year before and of 40% in the year after the incidence, predominantly in primary care and neurology/psychiatry settings. A negative interaction effect of age and gender (p ≤ 0.000) was found regarding the number of visited physicians. Conclusion: Service utilization by demented patients increases already within the year before the first diagnosis and stays on a relatively high level within the year after. Especially (female) patients aged 80 years and older at dementia onset ought to be observed to prevent a possible undersupply.