Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural Analysis and Ion Translocation Mechanisms of the Muscle-Type Acetylcholine Receptor Channel

Purpose The aim of this work is to analyze the conformational changes in the acetylcholine receptor caused by channel opening and to investigate the electrostatic profile during ion translocation through the channel. Methods A computational model of the human muscle-type acetylcholine receptor (AChR) was built and used to analyze channel structure and its interactions with different ions. Using the Torpedo AChR crystal structure as a homologous template, the 3D structure of the human muscle-type AChR was reconstructed. Results This first model is optimized and an open structure of the channel is generated using Normal Mode Analysis in order to assess morphologic and energetic differences between open and closed structures. In addition, the issue of ion translocation is investigated in further detail. Results elucidate different aspects of the channel: channel gate structure, channel interactions with translocating ions, differences between muscle-type AChR and previous neuronal-type AChR models. Conclusions The model constructed here is ideal for further computational studies on muscle-type AChR and its pathologic mutations.
Expression and prognostic relevance of tumor carcinoembryonic antigen in stage IB non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND High serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels have been reported to be associated with poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), while the prognostic role of tumor CEA expression remains to be defined. The present study investigated the expression of tumor CEA in stage IB NSCLC, and correlated it with clinicopathological features and prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS Immunohistochemistry for tumor CEA was assessed in the specimens of 183 patients with stage IB NSCLC. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the cut-off score for tumor positivity. RESULTS High CEA expression was detected more frequently in adenocarcinomas (72.2%) and other NSCLCs (69.0%) than in squamous cell carcinomas (25.4%, P<0.001). Both univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that tumor CEA was an independent prognostic factor for overall and disease-free survival (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Elevated expression of tumor CEA may be an adverse prognostic indicator in stages IB NSCLC.
The adoption of IAS/IFRS : the case of Greece

International Accounting Standards/ International Financing Reporting Standards (IAS/IFRS) were developed with a view to harmonizing accounting practices. Despite the fact that several papers have examined the effect of IAS/IFRS on equity and debt markets, only few have focused on Greece. The present thesis uses both polled and panel data (fixed and random effects techniques) analysis techniques. Using data from 181 Greek companies listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, the results show that firstly, IAS/IFRS adoption and earnings management are negatively related suggesting that Greek companies tend to use fewer discretionary accruals after IAS/IFRS adoption as a way of earnings management. Secondly, the adoption of IAS/IFRS lowered the cost of debt of Greek companies implying that the increased quality as well as quantity of accounting disclosures reduces the uncertainty regarding a company‟s default risk and the mis-coordination between companies and suppliers, which in turn enables companies to borrow at better terms. Finally, the results indicate that IAS/IFRS adoption increased the gearing level of Greek companies, implying that the decreased uncertainty and risk of a company through IAS/IFRS adoption, enhances the company‟s borrowing bargain power and subsequently its gearing level.
Factors Influencing Nursing Professionals' Computer-Based Information Systems (CBIS) Use Behavior

In today’s dynamic, information-intensive and result-focused environment, organizations including those in the healthcare sector continue to invest heavily in computer-based information systems (CBIS) (NShIS, 2005; Kijsanayotin et al., 2009). Examples of CBIS used in the healthcare sector include electronic health record, electronic medical record, clinical decision support, patient care systems, mobile healthcare system, and so forth. The management of healthcare organizations around the world demands that their employees utilize such technologies in their duties (Kaplan and Shaw, 2004). However, a good number of health-based CBIS projects around the world have failed or been abandoned, in part, due to reasons such as reluctance to use such systems due to limitation in information technology (IT) skills (Short et al., 2004), and other individual and environmental factors (Kaplan and Shaw, 2004). Therefore, it is critically important that factors influencing healthcare professionals’ acceptance and use behavior of CBIS and related technological be investigated.
Awareness of emergency contraception

Objective To study the level of awareness and use of emergency contraception (EC) in women attending a pregnancy termination clinic. Method A questionnaire was handed to all women attending the clinic for termination of pregnancy and related advice during the month of February 2003. Completed questionnaires were collected before the women left the clinic and the data analysed. Results A total of 78 women received the questionnaire and all except two were returned. Fifty-nine (78%) women were familiar with EC. Sixty percent of women felt that EC was easily accessible, but only 37% of them had ever used it. However, 90% of the women questioned would consider using EC in the future. Conclusion Despite the level of awareness of EC in Fife being quite good, EC is underused for many reasons.
USE OF PCR TO DETECT CLASSICAL ENTEROTOXINS GENES (ENT) AND TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME TOXIN-1 GENE (TST) IN STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS ISOLATED FROM CRUDE MILK AND DETERMINATION OF TOXIN PRODUCTIVITIES OF S. AUREUS ISOLATES HARBORING THESE GENES

ABSTRACT During a 2-year period (2003-2004), 132 strains of Staphylococcusaureus isolated from crude milk (without thermal treatment) collected in different places in Piracicaba, São Paulo State, Brazil, were investigated for the presence of genes for enterotoxins (ent) and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (tst). Polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) was performed by using 6 pairs of relevant oligonucleotide primers. Ninety isolates (68.18%) were positive for (47 strains) or 2 (43 strains) toxin genes. The combination of entA and tst showed the highest prevalence (33 strains). The good correlation between PCR results and toxin protein detection and identification by optimum-sensitivity-plate (OSP) test was observed when 44.45% of strains showed positive for toxin production.
Indian clinical trials: Paradigm shift from speed to quality?

Over the last decade, Indian has become an important country for clinical trials of international pharma companies. Since 2004, the number of new trials has increased at 31% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). [1] The clinical trials market has grown at 30%, which is almost double the global average. [1] Bolstered by the promise of fast and cheap trials, India has become one of the most attractive strategic imperatives for global clinical trials. However, globally, there has been a concern about ethical and scientific implications of globalization of clinical trials to developing countries. [2] These concerns have also been reflected in Indian media stories, questioning India’s quest for attracting global clinical trials. It is time to reflect on the QUEST – Quality, Ethics, Speed, and Trust.
Animal models of acute hepatic failure

The understanding and treatment of acute hepatic failure has developed rapidly over the last 40 years reducing morbidity and mortality from this syndrome. Progress has been made by the study of animal models that reflect the clinical, biochemical and histological pattern of the syndrome seen in man. This is of increasing importance with the use of therapeutic intervention, liver transplantation and the use of extra‐corporeal liver support devices.
Neuropsychological aspects of driving characteristics

Brain injury often causes impairments of cognitive functions, which may affect driving performance. The question of whether the brain-injured patient can resume car driving or not generally comes up during rehabilitation. The medical clinical examination, covering neurological status, screening of cognitive functions, and affective state, is insufficient in assessing relevant functions required for driving performance. A neuropsychological assessment and a driving test are additional parts of the driving assessment besides the medical examination. In this paper, neuropsychological test results and driving test results from four patients with brain injury are presented. The paper demonstrates the complementary value of neuropsychological assessment and a driving test: the relevance of cognitive factors for interpretation of driving problems, but also the relevance of a driving test to show compensatory capacity in some drivers with brain injury. Thus, collaboration between medical, neuropsychological and driving expertise can promote and deepen the total assessment of driving performance after brain injury.
Finite-state vector quantization for waveform coding

A finite-state vector quantizer is a finite-state machine used for data compression: Each successive source vector is encoded into a codeword using a minimum distortion rule, and into a code book, depending on the encoder state. The current state and the selected codeword then determine the next encoder state. A finite-state vector quantizer is capable of making better use of the memory in a source than is an ordinary memoryless vector quantizer of the same dimension or blocklength. Design techniques are introduced for finite-state vector quantizers that combine ad hoc algorithms with an algorithm for the design of memoryless vector quantizers. Finite-state vector quantizers are designed and simulated for Gauss-Markov sources and sampled speech data, and the resulting performance and storage requirements are compared with ordinary memoryless vector quantization.
Risk Management Practices and Islamic Banks: An Empirical Investigation from Pakistan

This study aims to determine the firm’s level factors which have significantly influence the risk management practices of Islamic banks in Pakistan. For this purpose, the current study selects credit, operational and liquidity risks as dependent variables while size, leverage, N PLs ratio, capital adequacy and asset management are utilize as explanatory variable for the period of four years from 2006 to 2009. The results indicate that size of Islamic banks have a positive and statistically significant relationship with financial risks (credit and liquidity risk), whereas its relation with operational risk is found to be negative and insignificant. The asset management establishes a positive and significant relationship with liquidity and operational risk. The debt equity ratio and N PLs ratio have a negative and significant relationship with liquidity and operational risk. In addition, capital adequacy has negative and significant relationship with credit and operational risk, whereas it is found to be positive and with liquidity risk.
Aspects of validity of the self-administered comorbidity questionnaire in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate criterion and construct validity of the self-administered comorbidity questionnaire (SCQ) in patients with AS. METHODS The SCQ and indices of disease activity, physical function, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and work disability were administered to 98 patients with AS. Criterion validity was assessed by the agreement between the SCQ answers and comorbidities identified in medical records. Construct validity was assessed by correlating the SCQ with the Charlson index and MichaudWolfe index; by correlating the SCQ with demographics, physical function, HRQoL and AS-related disease activity; and by exploring the contribution of comorbidity to these outcomes while adjusting for clinical-demographic characteristics. Furthermore, a modified version of the SCQ (mSCQ) was evaluated for the same aspects of validity, after removing rheumatic conditions. RESULTS Agreement was moderate to perfect for most conditions (k 0.471.00), except for ulcer disease, depression and OA (k 0.140.15). The correlation between the SCQ and Charlson and MichaudWolfe indices was 0.24 and 0.39 respectively, and between the mSCQ and both indices 0.36 and 0.53. Both SCQ and mSCQ correlated weakly to moderately with age, physical function and HRQoL (0.240.45). The SCQ also correlated weakly with disease activity (0.27) while the mSCQ did not (0.17). In multivariable analysis, both SCQ and mSCQ contributed independently to physical function, HRQoL and work disability, while the MichaudWolfe and Charlson indices did not. CONCLUSION The SCQ is a promising instrument to determine comorbidities and to understand the impact on health outcomes in patients with AS. Excluding rheumatic conditions from the SCQ (mSCQ) improved validity.
Pengaruh Karakteristik Perusahaan Terhadap Nilai Perusahaan Dan Pengungkapan Informasi Sosial Sebagai Variabel Intervening

The research was conducted to identify the social information disclosure on the companies listed in the Indonesian Stock Exchange at 2003-2007 and to analyze the effect of the companies characteristics toward firm value and the social information disclosure as the intervening variable. The companies characteristics consisting of the percentage of management ownership, leverage, company size, industry type and profitability were used as exogenuous variable and the social information disclosure all at once used as intervening variable. The endogenuous variable in this research were the firm value. The social information disclosure has focused on the voluntary disclosure. The voluntary disclosure on this research applied the annual reports which were measured by 32 items, while the procedures used were adopted from Glouter in Utomo (2000) and Rika and Islahuddin (2008). The statistical method used in this research was path analysis. This research used 267 sample companies non-financial sector listed and registered in the Indonesian Stock Exchange in 2003-2007. The result of this research showed that the industry types have significant effect toward the social information disclosure, the percentage of management ownership have significant effect toward the firm value and the industry types have significant effects toward the firm value.
Bone morphogenetic protein‐7 stimulates initial dendritic  growth in sympathetic neurons through an intracellular  fibroblast growth factor signaling pathway

Bone morphogenetic protein‐7 (BMP‐7), a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β superfamily of signaling cytokines, induces dendritic growth in rat sympathetic neurons. In this study, we present evidence that the recently discovered integrative nuclear FGFR1 signaling (INFS) pathway is involved in dendrite outgrowth mediated by BMP‐7. Immunocytochemical analysis of expressed fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) showed that little FGF‐2 was detected in control neurons, but the expression of this molecule in the cytoplasm and nucleus increased within 6 h after BMP‐7 treatment. In contrast, FGF‐1 was constitutively present in the peripheral cytoplasm and in neurites under control conditions, and its distribution did not change with BMP‐7 exposure. The high‐affinity receptor FGFR1 was present in low amounts in control neurons and was associated with the cytoplasm, the plasma membrane, and the nucleus. Twenty‐four hours of␣BMP‐7 treatment elicited an increase in FGFR1 nuclear localization. Overexpressed constructs of FGFR1 that lack the␣tyrosine kinase domain, and have been shown to act in a␣dominant‐negative manner on FGFR1 signaling, inhibited BMP‐7 mediated initial dendrite outgrowth in transfected neurons by ≈ 50%. However, targeted inhibition of extracellular FGF‐2 by overexpression of a secreted receptor mutant FGFR1(TM–) lacking the transmembrane domain failed to affect BMP‐7 induced dendritic growth, as did treatment with the extracellular FGFR antagonist inositol hexakisphosphate. These results suggest that the INFS, which has already been␣implicated in a broad range of activities in other cell types, may also be required for BMP‐7 to stimulate dendritic development.
Adverse drug events in emergency department population: a prospective Italian study

There is little evidence concerning adverse drug events (ADEs) in outpatients and related hospital admissions. In Italy, only one investigation was conducted on this important health issue. We therefore carried out a study to determine ADE incidence and ADE‐related hospital admissions among emergency department (ED) visits, and to identify the risk factors for serious ADE leading to ED visit.
The Signaling Effects and Predictive Powers of Dividend Announcements: Evidence from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

This study examines the implications of changes in dividends in the market of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). First, the research analyzes changes in dividends within the context of signaling hypothesis. Second, this study examines another aspect of signaling hypothesis by testing the abilities of dividends to predict future earnings and cash flows of Saudi firms. Financial economists have explored various aspects of changes in dividends and earnings for well developed markets such as markets of North America and Europe. The objective of this study is to see how the signaling hypothesis manifests itself in a small market, such as KSA, characterized by concentrated family-ownerships, non-taxability of dividends, and high degree of information asymmetry. Signaling hypothesis, initially formulated by Miller and Modigliani (1961), suggests that dividend changes convey material information and that share prices react positively to the announcements of dividend changes. Signaling hypothesis was further generalized to include other factors such as the information content of earnings announcements. Further development of the signaling hypothesis includes the association between dividend and earnings changes and future cash flows of the firms. In this context, we hypothesize that there is a positive relationship between dividend announcement and stock prices in the Saudi market. This study tests this hypothesis using all publicly traded firms listed on the Saudi Exchange Market (Tadawul). We use event study to test stock market responses to dividend announcements. To test the signaling hypothesis we used our cross section data to calculate accumulated average abnormal returns using 100 days as estimation period and 21 days as window period. We used parametric CAAR t test) and non-parametric (G sign) significance tests to verify that our results are significant and not due to pure chance. Our results show no significant reaction of prices to the dividend announcements, which means that signaling hypothesis cannot be generalized to all types of markets and that each market own characteristics have significant effect on the applicability of the signaling hypothesis. Further research is suggested to include earnings in the analysis.
Rexin-G, a targeted genetic medicine for cancer

Importance of the field: Rexin-G, a tumor-targeted retrovector bearing a cytocidal cyclin G1 construct, is the first targeted gene therapy vector to gain fast track designation and orphan drug priorities for multiple cancer indications in the US. Areas covered in this review: This review describes the major milestones in the clinical development of Rexin-G: from the molecular cloning and characterization of the human cyclin G1 proto-oncogene in 1994, to the design of the first knockout constructs and genetic engineering of the targeted delivery system from 1995 to 1997, through the initial proofs-of-concept, molecular pharmacology and toxicology studies of Rexin-G in preclinical cancer models from 1997 to 2001, to the pioneering clinical studies in humans from 2002 to 2004, which – together with the advancements in bioprocess development of high-potency clinical grade vectors circa 2005 – 2006 – led to the accelerated approval of Rexin-G for all solid tumors by the Philippine FDA in 2007 and the rapid progression of clinical studies from 2007 to 2009 to the cusp of pivotal Phase III trials in the US. What the reader will gain: In recording the development of Rexin-G as a novel form of targeted biological therapy, this review also highlights important aspects of vector design engineering which served to overcome the physiological barriers to gene delivery as it addresses the key regulatory issues involved in the development of a targeted gene therapy product. Take home message: Progressive clinical development of Rexin-G demonstrates the potential safety and efficacy of targeted genetic medicine, while validating the design engineering of the molecular biotechnology platform.
Protracted low-dose effects on human endothelial cell proliferation and survival in vitro reveal a selective antiangiogenic window for various chemotherapeutic drugs.

Recent preclinical studies have shown that frequent administration in vivo of low doses of chemotherapeutic drugs ("metronomic" dosing) can affect tumor endothelium and inhibit tumor angiogenesis, reducing significant side effects (e.g., myelosuppression) involving other tissues, even after chronic treatment. This suggests that activated endothelial cells may be more sensitive, or even selectively sensitive, to protracted ("high-time") low-dose chemotherapy compared with other types of normal cells, thus creating a potential therapeutic window. To examine this hypothesis, we assessed the effects of several different chemotherapeutic drugs--namely paclitaxel, 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, BMS-275183 (an oral taxane), doxorubicin, epothilone B (EpoB) and its analogue 5-methylpyridine EpoB--on human microvascular or macrovascular endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and drug-sensitive or multidrug-resistant breast cancer cell lines in cell culture, using both short-term (24 h) versus long-term (144 h), continuous exposures, where drug-containing medium was replaced every 24 h. Whereas little differential and only weak effects were observed using the short-term exposure, a striking trend of comparative vascular endothelial cell hypersensitivity was induced using the continuous long-term exposure protocol. Potent differential growth inhibition effects as well as induction of apoptosis were observed with IC(50) values in the range of 25-143 pM for paclitaxel, BMS-275183, EpoB, and 5-methylpyridine-EpoB. In contrast, the IC(50) values for tumor cells and fibroblasts tested were in the range of 500 pM to >1 nM for these drugs. Similar differential IC(50) values were noted using 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide. The results are consistent with the possibility that continuous low-dose therapy with various chemotherapeutic drugs may have a highly selective effect against cycling vascular endothelial cells, and may be relevant to the use of continuous or frequent administration of low doses of certain types of drugs as an optimal way of delivering antiangiogenic therapy.
The relationship between individual differences in defensive style and concept formation.

The relationship between defensive style and concept formation with aggressive and neutral stimuli was investigated. Very strong relationships were found between the use of avoidant and repressive defenses and the number of errors made in acquiring and utilizing an aggressive concept. This relationship was not found for the neutral concept. The results suggest the importance of directing attention to the relevant stimulus dimension in efficient concept formation. Insofar as defensive style involves a particular way of deploying attention (e.g. avoidance of a particular content) and insofar as the affective nature of the stimulus material lends itself to the elicitation of defensive reactions, individual differences in defensive style can serve as a robust predictor of efficiency of concept formation.