Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Tamoxifen on Sex Hormone Binding Globulin in Adolescents with Pubertal Gynecomastia

We investigated the relationship between sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and pubertal gynecomastia in 21 adolescents evaluated longitudinally. Thirteen patients were given tamoxifen treatment after grading according to the Nydick classification (group 1). Group 2 consisted of eight patients followed without treatment. Gynecomastia existed bilaterally in 15 patients. There was a statistically significant breast size reduction in both groups. There was a significant decrease in serum SHBG only in group 2. These findings suggest that serum SHBG is increased by tamoxifen treatment in male adolescents. There was a decrease in SHBG levels through the duration of follow up in patients who recovered with or without treatment. However, this decrease was statistically significant in the untreated group, but not in the tamoxifen treated group. In conclusion, we suggest that the pubertal fall in SHBG levels is attenuated by tamoxifen treatment given for pubertal gynecomastia since tamoxifen increases SHBG levels in male adolescents.
CX3CL1‐CX3CR1 interaction prevents carbon tetrachloride‐induced liver inflammation and fibrosis in mice

Chronic liver disease is associated with hepatocyte injury, inflammation, and fibrosis. Chemokines and chemokine receptors are key factors for the migration of inflammatory cells such as macrophages and noninflammatory cells such as hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The expression of CX3CR1 and its ligand, CX3CL1, is up‐regulated in chronic liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis C. However, the precise role of CX3CR1 in the liver is still unclear. Here we investigated the role of the CX3CL1‐CX3CR1 interaction in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)–induced liver inflammation and fibrosis model. CX3CR1 was dominantly expressed in Kupffer cells in the liver. In contrast, the main source of CX3CL1 was HSCs. Mice deficient in CX3CR1 showed significant increases in inflammatory cell recruitment and cytokine production [including tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α); monocyte chemoattractant protein 1; macrophage inflammatory protein 1β; and regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed, and secreted (RANTES)] after CCl4 treatment versus wild‐type (WT) mice. This suggested that CX3CR1 signaling prevented liver inflammation. Kupffer cells in CX3CR1‐deficient mice after CCl4 treatment showed increased expression of TNF‐α and transforming growth factor β and reduced expression of the anti‐inflammatory markers interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) and arginase‐1. Coculture experiments showed that HSCs experienced significantly greater activation by Kupffer cells from CCl4‐treated CX3CR1‐deficient mice versus WT mice. Indeed, augmented fibrosis was observed in CX3CR1‐deficient mice versus WT mice after CCl4 treatment. Finally, CX3CL1 treatment induced the expression of IL‐10 and arginase‐1 in WT cultured Kupffer cells through CX3CR1, which in turn suppressed HSC activation. Conclusion: The CX3CL1‐CX3CR1 interaction inhibits inflammatory properties in Kupffer cells/macrophages and results in decreased liver inflammation and fibrosis. (Hepatology 2010)
Social anxiety as a barrier to treatment for eating disorders.

BACKGROUND The goal of this pilot investigation is to determine the relationship between social anxiety and treatment-seeking behavior for eating disorders in an outpatient psychiatric clinic. METHOD Twenty-eight patients seeking treatment for anorexia or bulimia at an outpatient eating disorders clinic completed a battery of self-report measures on eating pathology, attachment style and functioning, and social anxiety at initial intake appointment. Levels of eating pathology and social anxiety at consult were compared with service utilization records on entry into treatment. RESULTS Individuals who did not engage in treatment had significantly higher levels of social anxiety (F = 8.29, df = 1, p < .05) compared with those who did engage in treatment. There were no differences in demographic characteristics, diagnoses, or level of eating pathology at intake. CONCLUSIONS Social anxiety may act as a barrier to effective help-seeking and utilization of mental health treatment among individuals with eating disorders. Replication of these findings in a larger sample and more in-depth study of the mechanism of the observed association between use of services and social anxiety may be useful in planning more effective outreach in the community to underserved populations in need of treatment for eating disorders.
Lymphocytes capable of making monoclonal autoantibodies that react with multiple organs are a common feature of the normal B cell repertoire.

Cette etude suggere que les cellules capables de faire des autoanticorps sont presentes mais ordinairement silencieuses chez les animaux normaux et peuvent quelquefois etre stimulees pa des facteurs environnementaux a produire des autoanticorps en l'absence de stimulation specifique par des autoantigenes
Are Islamic Banks Any Different in Financial Stability? An Empirical Investigation

This paper investigates the role that ownership structure and diversification of income plays in the financial stability of banks from the GCC region. We find evidence that suggests that higher concentration of ownership in any type of shareholding is associated with higher insolvency risk. However, this higher insolvency risk is not associated with any specific type of shareholders. Higher financial fragility is also associated with the size and whether the bank is an Islamic bank. Banks engaged in substantial fee-based activities are more financially stable as compared with banks that predominantly generate their incomes from traditional intermediation activities.
Quantitation of the Third Component of Human Complement Attached to the Surface of Opsonized Bacteria: Opsonin-Deficient Sera and Phagocytosis-Resistant Strains

The role of the third component of human complement (C3) in the opsonization of bacteria in nonimmune human sera was evaluated. The amount of C3 that becomes attached to the surface of bacteria upon incubation in serum was measured in a quantitative fluorescent immunoassay using fluorescein-conjugated monospecific antiserum to human C3. The intensity of the fluorescence from opsonized bacteria was found to be directly proportional to the absolute amount of C3 fixed, and this enabled the detection of as few as 300 molecules of bound C3 per bacterium. In normal serum the rate of C3 fixation was closely correlated with an increase in opsonization of the bacteria for human PMNs. Both C3 fixation and opsonization were maximal after 15 min of incubation. C3 fixation was also observed, albeit at a significantly slower rate, in human serum with a nonfunctional classical pathway but an intact alternative complement pathway and in serum deficient in immunoglobulins. Again, the kinetics of C3 fixation correlated with bacterial opsonization. Using a total of 21 strains of several bacterial species, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, encapsulation of bacteria was found to interfere with the process of C3 fixation in normal human serum, rendering these organisms resistant to subsequent phagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
Five-year follow-up of 665 Hungarian patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD).

OBJECTIVE To determine the clinical symptoms and the panel of autoantibodies of patients with early undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) followed for at least 1 year. METHODS 716 UCTD patients with manifestations suggestive but not diagnostic of specific connective tissue disease (CTD) were recruited and followed up between 1994-1999. The patients with early UCTD were subdivided into those with isolated Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) (50 patients), unexplained polyarthritis (31 patients) and "true" UCTD (665 patients). UCTD was diagnosed on the basis of clinical manifestations suggestive of a connective tissue disease and the presence of at least one non-organ specific autoantibody. The patients' sera were tested for anti-nuclear (ANA), as well as for nine different specific autoantibodies (anti-dsDNA, -Sm, -RNP, -SSA, -SSB, -Scl-70, -centromere, -Jo1 and -PM-Scl). RESULTS The most common clinical manifestations of UCTD included RP, arthritis/arthralgias, pleuritis/pericarditis, sicca symptoms, cutaneous involvement (photosensitivity, rash), central nervous symptoms, peripheral neuropathy, fever, vasculitis, less pulmonary involvement and myositis. 230 of the 665 true UCTD patients (34.5%) developed a defined CTD (28 systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE], 26 mixed connective tissue disease [MCTD], 19 progressive systemic sclerosis [PSS], 45 Sjögren's syndrome, 3 polymyositis/dermatomyositis [PM/DM], 87 rheumatoid arthritis [RA], and 22 systemic vasculitis. 435 of 665 patients (65.4%) remained in the UCTD state, and 82 of 665 patients (12.3%) achieved complete remission with symptoms not reappearing within the 5-year period. The highest probability of evolution to a defined CTD was during the first 2 years after onset: of 230 UCTD patients 183 (79.5%) developed major organ symptoms and signs. In particular skin and cardiac complications seemed to spread during the follow-up period in those patients who progressed to SLE. The condition of 18/50 patients with isolated RP evolved to UCTD and 3 of 31 patients with unexplained polyarthritis progressed to definite CTD (2 patients RA and one MCTD). CONCLUSION In our study most of the UCTD patients did not develop a definite CTD, but during the follow-up period we found new clinical and serological manifestations. One-third of the UCTD patients showed progress into different types of specific CTD.
A comparison of mathematical methods for the analysis of DNA histograms obtained by flow cytometry

Abstract. Twelve methods for analysing FCM‐histograms were compared using the same set of data. Some of the histograms that were analysed were simulated by computer and some were taken from experiments. Simulated data were generated assuming asynchronously growing cell populations and (i) measurement coefficients of variation (CV) from 2 to 16%; (ii) constant measurement CV or CV's increasing from G1 to G2 phase, and (iii) varying fractions of cells in each phase. Simulated data were also generated assuming synchronous cell populations in which a block in early S phase was applied and released. DNA histograms were measured for L‐929 cells at various times after mitotic selection. Labelling indices were also measured for these cells at the same time.
THE LINK BETWEEN CEO INCENTIVE STRUCTURES, MANAGERIAL POWER, AND FIRM RISK IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF US BANKING AND INSURANCE FIRMS

This paper aims to comprehensive insights regarding the link between CEO characteristics and investors ́ risk in the financial services industry. The paper examines the relation among CEO incentive structures, CEO duality, and several measures of stockholders ́ risk for samples of US banks and insurance firms. Our results provide empirical evidence that certain CEO characteristics are significantly related to equity investors ́ risk: A CEO’s pay sensitivity to annual base salary and yearly bonus payment is negatively related to firm risk. The value of a CEO’s unvested options und unvested stock is also negatively related to firm risk. CEO duality appears to be negatively related to firm risk for banks but positively related to risk for insurance firms. Our findings have implications for shareholders who are provided by an empirical framework that takes into account CEO characteristics as non-traded human resource risk factor.
Comparative evaluation of microshear bond strength of the caries-affected dentinal surface treated with conventional method and chemomechanical method (papain)

Background: There is a growing interest in chemomechanical excavation (papain) in permanent molar teeth. There are several studies dealing with primary molar teeth. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of conventional method and Carie-care (chemomechanical method) on the microshear bond strength (μSBS) and the type of failure of an adhesive system to caries-affected dentin of permanent molar teeth. Materials and Methods: Twenty permanent molar teeth with carious lesions extending into the dentin were selected. Through the center of the carious lesion, teeth were sectioned mesiodistally and divided into two groups based on the method of caries excavation (conventional and chemomechanical method). The time required for the completion of excavation procedure was noted. Samples were again divided into two subgroups in each according to the method of restoration (Ketac N100 and Filtek Z350 composite). The bonded interface was subjected to μSBS testing in a universal testing machine. Fractured surfaces were examined under a stereomicroscope, and representative specimens were examined under scanning electron microscope for the type of failure. Statistical Analysis: It was achieved with unpaired t-test and Kruskal-Wallis H-test at 5% level of significance. Results: The μSBS values of Carie-care groups were similar to that of the conventional method. The μSBSs of resin composite were significantly (P < 0.001) more than that of resin glass ionomer bonded irrespective of the method of caries excavation. Conclusion: A papain-based chemomechanical agent can be used safely as a method for caries removal when employing conventional adhesive systems.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND FIRM PERFORMANCE REVISITED: WHERE DO WE STAND?

How is corporate governance measured, and what is the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and corporate performance? This paper aims to shed light on these questions by providing an overview of the most important research findings in this area with a focus on the USA and Germany. My analysis gives rise to the following remarks. First, studies examining the impact of singles governance mechanisms are inconclusive and mixed in their findings, and especially the question of causality is still unanswered. Second, when a holistic approach is used, the proposition that good corporate governance enhances long-term performance is supported. However, corporate governance practices alone cannot assure long-term corporate performance and good standards of corporate governance are no substitute for the solidity of business models.
An Early Selective Medline: Henry Stelwagon's 1916 Textbook of Dermatology

Background: With the rapidly increasing amount of surgical and laser knowledge that has to be learned, we run the risk of not spending enough educational efforts on the morphologic findings on which the specialty of dermatology is based. Objective: To briefly review and evaluate a 1916 dermatology text by Henry Stelwagon. Conclusion: This text has excellent clinical descriptions of diseases. As a bonus, we can find a succinct summary of the world literature up to 1916 on each topic presented.
Attentional bias to incentive stimuli in frequent ketamine users

Background The attention-grabbing properties of drugs to drug-using individuals have been well documented and recent research has begun to suggest that such attentional bias may be related to the severity of drug dependency. Dependence on ketamine has been reported anecdotally but no systematic study has investigated this phenomenon. We aimed to explore attentional biases to incentive stimuli in different populations of ketamine users. Method Using a dot-probe paradigm, attentional bias to both drug-related and money-related stimuli was investigated in 150 participants: 30 frequent ketamine users, 30 infrequent ketamine users, 30 ex-ketamine users, 30 poly-drug users and 30 non-drug-using controls. Two stimulus presentation times were used (200 and 2000 ms) to investigate whether attentional bias was as a result of an automatic or a more conscious attentional shift. Participants also rated the degree to which stimuli used in the dot-probe paradigm were pleasurable. Results Frequent ketamine users demonstrated an attentional bias to both types of incentive stimuli only at the short stimulus presentation interval and this was significantly correlated with degree of ketamine use. No attentional biases were observed in any of the other groups. All groups rated money stimuli as more pleasurable than neutral stimuli. Conclusions These data support incentive models of drug use and demonstrate the ability of the attentional bias paradigm to discriminate recreational drug users from those with more dependent patterns of use. Ketamine is a potentially dependence-forming drug.
Education Differences in Life Expectancy With Cognitive Impairment

Background Low education has an impact on life expectancy and level of cognition, but little is known on its effect on life expectancy with cognitive impairment. Methods The Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study (MRC CFAS) collected population-based longitudinal data on people aged 65 years and older including measures of education and cognitive impairment, using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), for five geographically diverse areas around England and Wales interviewed between 1991 and 2003. Transitions between health states were calculated using Markov chain methods. Life expectancy in different states of cognitive function as measured by MMSE were further explored for different education groups. The effect of fixed and educationally based cut points for cognitive impairment are investigated. Results Life expectancy spent with cognitive impairment is fairly constant with increasing age at around 1.4 years in men and 2.5 years in women, though this reflects a large increase in the proportion of life spent with cognitive impairment. The differences seen between education groups for the proportion of total life with cognitive impairment (men 13% and women 22% of life lived for low education vs men 7% and women 12% in high education group) disappear when education-adjusted cut points are used (10% in men and 17% in women at age 65 for all education groups). Conclusions The results show that there is a substantial amount of life expectancy with cognitive impairment in both men and women. The impairment burden is just as great for those with high education as the lowest educated group.
Pengaruh Kepuasan Transaksi Online Shopping Dan Kepercayaan Konsumen Terhadap Sikap Serta Perilaku Konsumen Pada E-Commerce

The Influence Of Online Shopping Overall Satisfaction And Customer Trust On Attitudes And Behavior Of Online Shopping In E-Commerce. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of customer satisfaction before and after the transaction as well as consumer confidence in consumer attitudes and behavior of e-commerce. Exploratory research methods used by respondents as many as 60 students who have done pemberlian online transactions on e-commerce has been determined. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), component -based Partial Least Squares (PLS). The results showed that customer satisfaction when transacting effect on consumer confidence in shaping attitudes and behaviors to perform intention to use in e-commerce. Keywords: overall satisfaction ; trust; attitude; usage behavior
The effect of soil particle arrangement on shear strength behavior of silty sand

The presence of fines in sandy soil is recognized as a problem in geotechnical engineering. It is often assumed that the strength and liquefaction potential of a soil decreases with increasing fines content. Sand with a significant amount of fines is always encountered in geotechnical engineering projects. The main interest of this paper is to study the effect of particles arrangement and stress behaviour on sand and silty sand sample. The objectives are to determine the basic properties as well as the morphological and mineralogical properties and the relationship of those properties to the stress behaviour of the soils. Sand-silt mixtures with fines contents of 20% and 40% were prepared and a series of testing was carried out to determine their basic properties, morphological and thin section properties, and mechanical properties by using direct shear box equipment. Results show that the basic properties and morphological properties of soil affect the mechanical behaviour of soil. Shape of the soil particle can influence the packing of the soil, hence altering the mechanical behaviour of the soil. From the thin section, the soil is observed to be well graded and have a dense packing while the minerals observed were mainly quartz and rutile.
Factors influencing in-hospital length of stay and mortality in cancer patients suffering from febrile neutropenia.

INTRODUCTION Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a major complication of chemotherapy, costly in terms of morbidity, mortality and associated financial expenditure. The present study was conducted with the goal of highlighting FN as a serious problem in Pakistan, with the longer term objective of improved cancer survival, reduction in length of stay (LOS) in hospital, morbidity, mortality and costs in our existing developing country scenario. METHODS A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on patients, > or =18 years, admitted with FN as a consequence of chemotherapy at a referral hospital in Karachi from 1st September 2006 to 30th April 2007. RESULTS A total of 80 patients [43 (53.8%) males and 37 (46.2%) females] were selected. The mean age was 47.4 (SD +/-16.6; range 18-79) years. Sixty eight patients (86%) were < or = 65 years, 50% were < or = 50 years. Overall, inhospital mortality was 11%; 4% for patients on granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) prophylaxis as against 20% for those without. The cause of death was either pneumonia or septic shock. Mean LOS was 7.53 (SD +/-3.8; range 2-17) days. Hematological malignancies, older age, severity of dehydration, pneumonia and culture positivity were significantly associated with LOS and death. Those above 50 years of age were 1.5 times as likely to be hospitalized longer and > three times as likely to die. Bacteremia conferred a 5-fold and pneumonia an 8-fold increase in the risk of death. CONCLUSION The results of this study indicate that age, vital instability, dehydration, high creatinine, culture positivity and hematological malignancies are high risk factors in chemotherapy induced FN. Identification of FN risk factors with poor outcomes may help in devising protocols for modified dosage or including GCFs initially. This may help reduce the cost of cancer care as well as mortality and morbidity. Prospective studies of FN in multiple centers in Pakistan may be beneficial in evaluating these risk factors further.
Prognostic role of neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched for potential eligible literature. The study characteristics and relevant data were extracted. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled to estimate the prognostic role of NLR in patients with AIS. Poor functional outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale ≥ 3. Results: Nine studies with 2947 patients were included. The pooled OR of higher NLR for poor functional outcome at 3 months was 1.55 (95% CI, 1.21–2.00). The pooled ORs for death at 3 months, poor functional outcome at discharge, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) were 2.35 (95% CI, 0.40–13.78), 2.38 (95% CI, 0.49–11.69), and 4.32 (95% CI, 2.46–7.61), respectively. Conclusion: For patients with AIS, higher NLR was associated with poorer functional outcome at 3 months and may be associated with a higher risk of developing sICH. This readily available and inexpensive marker may be helpful in future clinical and research work. However, due to the limited number of included studies, more well-designed studies are warranted to further clarify this issue.