Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diet and pharyngeal cancer

A population‐based case‐control study was conducted to examine the effect of ingestion of vitamin C, carotenoids and retinol on risk of pharyngeal cancer. Data were available from 166 cases of pharyngeal cancer or their next‐of‐kin, and from 547 controls similar in age and sex to the cases. Odds ratios (ORs) relating consumption of vitamin C, carotenoids and retinol from foods and vitamins C and A from supplements to risk of pharyngeal cancer were calculated using multiple logistic regression analysis. After adjustment for smoking and alcohol consumption, a significant increase in risk associated with low intake of vitamin C from foods was observed. Compared to the highest quartile, the OR for the lowest quartile of intake was 2.5 (95% confidence interval, 1.5‐4.2). No overall effect of dietary carotenoid or retinol consumption was noted after adjustment for smoking and alcohol. Decreasing use of either vitamin C or vitamin A supplements was associated with increasing cancer risk among the case group as a whole. However, the effect of vitamin C supplement use was substantially lower when next‐of‐kin respondents were excluded from analysis. Also, the OR for use of vitamin A supplements is based on a very small number of cases reporting use, and must be viewed with caution. The results of our study suggest that intake of vitamin C may be protective against pharyngeal cancer, and are consistent with the results of previous studies which reported a decreased risk of pharyngeal cancer associated with intake of fruits and vegetables.
Treatment of experimental glioblastoma with a human major histocompatibility complex nonrestricted cytotoxic T cell line.

This study investigates a new approach to adoptive therapy of glioblastoma using as antitumor effector a potent major histocompatibility complex nonrestricted killer clone (TALL-104) established from a patient with acute T-lymphoblastic leukemia. The human glioblastoma cell line U-87 MG could be successfully engrafted in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency using the i.p., intracerebral, and s.c. routes. The latter model was elected to evaluate therapy based on its high reproducibility. Tumor growth in mice engrafted s.c. was proportionally associated with splenomegaly and leukocytosis. Multiple transfers of lethally irradiated (non-proliferating) TALL-104 cells at the tumor site resulted in about 50-70% inhibition of tumor growth as compared to untreated mice, with concomitant reduction of splenomegaly and leukocytosis. The antitumor effects were inversely proportional to the size of the tumor at initiation of therapy, 90-100% inhibition occurring in severe combined immunodeficiency mice treated from the day of U-87 MG challenge. Neither splenomegaly nor leukocytosis developed in animals in which tumor growth was completely blocked. Stimulation of TALL-104 cells with either interleukin 2 or interleukin 12 prior to irradiation and adoptive transfer increased the antitumor efficacy of the killer cells to about the same extent. The potential usefulness of irradiated TALL-104 cells in adjuvant therapy against glioblastomas and other well-localized tumors is discussed.
Asymmetric Cost Behavior and Dividend Policy

We study labor power as an important but largely under-explored determinant of payout policy. Using a regression discontinuity design that exploits locally exogenous variation in labor’s collective bargaining power, we find that an increase in labor power generated by close-call union elections leads to a lower level of dividend and total payout in subsequent years. Operating flexibility appears to be a plausible underlying mechanism through which labor power influences corporate payout. Firms use the saved earnings from reductions in payout to invest in net working capital rather than paying off debt or increasing cash holdings. Our paper sheds new light on the determinants of payout policy and the role of labor power in corporate finance decisions.
A structural model of the relationships among stress, coping, benefit-finding and quality of life in persons diagnosed with colorectal cancer

This study has used the structural equation modelling to examine the role of benefit-finding (BF) in the context of the stress and coping model. In the study, 1276 individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer completed a written questionnaire and telephone interview at around 4.5 months (on average) and 12 months post-diagnosis. Analyses revealed that the final model fit the data, where stress, coping and BF accounted for 63% of the variance in Time 1 quality of life (QOL). Threat appraisal, coping resources, avoidant coping and BF directly impacted on Time 1 QOL, while threat appraisal, social support and approach coping directly impacted on BF. Approach coping and BF had differential relationships with stress, coping resources and outcomes, indicating that BF may not be a meaning-based coping strategy, as proposed by Folkman [Folkman, S. (1997). Positive psychological states and coping with severe stress. Social Science and Medicine, 45, 1207–1221]. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.
Resolving Revenue Allocation Challenges in Nigeria: Implications for Sustainable National Development

This study examines the structure and formula for revenue allocation in Nigeria which has been fraught with challenges, proffers solution, and highlights its implications for sustainable national development. The work uses the methodology of Group Unit Root Test, auto regressive distributed lag (ARDL) Bounds Testing and Cointegrating Long Run tests for robust policy recommendations. Using the Gross Domestic Product as the dependent variable and revenue allocation to the three levels of government, and oil revenue as the independent variables, the results from the study show that revenue allocations and the other variables have significant relationship with economic growth in Nigeria. Based on our findings, the study recommends among others that the current revenue allocation formula should be reviewed to embrace autonomy in its entirety to achieve national goals and objectives. Various levels of government should be adequately funded to enable it carry out its expenditure responsibilities to accelerate grass root development. JEL classification: C22, C32, C58
Transitions in pharmacy practice, part 4: can a leopard change its spots?

The personal and social characteristics of pharmacy practitioners that predispose them to reacting in a certain way to a change in practice are examined. Individuals tend to choose vocations they perceive to be a match with their personality. Studies suggest a dominant personality type among pharmacists characterized by a strong sense of responsibility, conscientiousness, practicality, logic, and, in about 20% of practitioners, fear of interpersonal communication. As the profession seeks to adapt to new practice models, individual practitioners may find a significant mismatch between their personality and aspects of the new models. Pharmacists' professional socialization-the process by which expected roles, behaviors, and attitudes are acquired-is another major contributor to their receptiveness to changes in practice. Managers wanting to promote practice changes face considerable variance in the professional socialization of their individual staff members. Few staff members have been socialized for pharmaceutical care. Some may not have any of the values or attitudes of the idealized professional, and may simply have "a job. " Although personality is largely fixed, professional socialization is an ongoing process, so there is potential to resocialize practitioners for new practice models. Pharmacists are shaped by their personalities and professional socialization. Conflict may occur if a pharmacist's personality does not mesh with new professional roles. Most pharmacists will need resocialization to prepare them for changes in practice.
Contribution of biomechanical forces to inflammation‐induced bone resorption

AIM This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of biomechanical loading to inflammation-induced tissue destruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 144 adult Holtzman rats were randomly assigned into four experimental groups: control (C), ligature-induced periodontal disease (P), orthodontic movement (OM), and combination group (OMP). On days 1, 3, 7, and 15, following baseline, nine animals from each experimental group were killed. Bone volume fraction (BVF) and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured using micro-computed tomography. Expression and synthesis profile of cytokines and receptors of inflammation in gingival tissues were evaluated by PCR array assay and multiplex immunoassay. RESULTS At 15 days, the OMP group presented a significantly (p < 0.05) lower BVF and BMD levels when compared to all the other groups. The OMP group presented the highest number of upregulated protein targets in comparison to the other groups. Furthermore, the gene expression and protein levels of CCL2, CCL3, IL-1β, IL1-α, IL-18, TNF-α, and VEGF were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the OMP group when compared to the P group. CONCLUSIONS In summary, mechanical loading modulates the inflammatory response of periodontal tissues to periodontal disease by increasing the expression of several pro-inflammatory mediators and receptors, which leads to increased bone resorption.
Risk factors for death among critically ill patients with acute renal failure.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Acute renal failure is a common medical problem, with a high mortality rate. The aim of this work was to investigate the risk factors for death among critically ill patients with acute renal failure. DESIGN AND SETTING Retrospective cohort at the intensive care unit of Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio, Fortaleza. METHODS Survivors and non-survivors were compared. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to establish risk factors for death. RESULTS Acute renal failure occurred in 128 patients (33.5%), with mean age of 49 +/- 20 years (79 males; 62%). Death occurred in 80 (62.5%). The risk factors most frequently associated with death were hypotension, sepsis, nephrotoxic drug use, respiratory insufficiency, liver failure, hypovolemia, septic shock, multiple organ dysfunction, need for vasoactive drugs, need for mechanical ventilation, oliguria, hypoalbuminemia, metabolic acidosis and anemia. There were negative correlations between death and: prothrombin time, hematocrit, hemoglobin, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, arterial pH, arterial bicarbonate and urine volume. From multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors for death were: need for mechanical ventilation (OR = 3.15; p = 0.03), hypotension (OR = 3.48; p = 0.02), liver failure (OR = 5.37; p = 0.02), low arterial bicarbonate (OR = 0.85; p = 0.005), oliguria (OR = 3.36; p = 0.009), vasopressor use (OR = 4.83; p = 0.004) and sepsis (OR = 6.14; p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS There are significant risk factors for death among patients with acute renal failure in intensive care units, which need to be identified at an early stage for early treatment.
Impaired affective prosody in AD

Objective: To assess the ability of patients with AD to produce, repeat, and comprehend affective prosody in relationship to severity of dementia, aphasic deficits, and changes in emotional behaviors. Methods: An Aprosodia Battery was used to assess affective-prosodic performance and to identify patterns of deficits in affective communication. In addition, the presence and severity of aberrant behaviors, depression, and aphasia were assessed using standardized assessment tools. Results: Patients with AD had significant impairments in their ability to repeat, comprehend, and discriminate affective aspects of speech, but maintained normal spontaneous affective-prosodic performances. As dementia severity increased, performance on the comprehension tasks and, to a lesser degree, on the repetition tasks became more impaired; spontaneous affective prosody remained normal. In the current study, affective-prosodic comprehension impairments were present in patients with all stages of AD; comparable aphasic deficits were not observed until patients were severely demented. The majority of aphasic deficits involved anomia without loss of comprehension. Patients with AD with sensory aprosodia had increased frequency and severity of behavioral changes whereas patients with AD with normal affective-prosodic performance were significantly less demented, had normal linguistic ability, and displayed fewer aberrant psychiatric behaviors. Conclusion: Patients with mild AD are at considerable risk for affective-prosodic comprehension deficits. As patients become more demented and develop sensory aprosodia, they are at greater risk for disturbances in behavior and mood.
Prospective, Controlled Study of Acyclovir Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients

ABSTRACT The current recommendations for intravenous (i.v.) acyclovir dosing in obese patients suggest using ideal body weight (IBW) rather than total body weight (TBW). To our knowledge, no pharmacokinetic analysis has validated this recommendation. This single-dose pharmacokinetic study was conducted in an inpatient oncology population. Enrollment was conducted by 1:1 matching of obese patients (>190% of IBW) to normal-weight patients (80 to 120% of IBW). All patients received a single dose of i.v. acyclovir, 5 mg/kg, infused over 60 min. Consistent with current recommendations, IBW was used for obese patients and TBW for normal-weight patients. Serial plasma concentrations were obtained and compared. Seven obese and seven normal-weight patients were enrolled, with mean body mass indexes of 45.0 and 22.5 kg/m2, respectively. Systemic clearance was substantially higher in the obese than normal-weight patients (mean, 19.4 ± 5.3 versus 14.3 ± 5.4 liters/h; P = 0.047). Area under the concentration-time curve was lower in the obese patients (15.2 ± 2.9 versus 24.0 ± 9.4 mg · h/liter; P = 0.011), as was maximum concentration (5.8 ± 0.9 versus 8.2 ± 1.3 mg/liter; P = 0.031). Utilization of IBW for dose calculation of i.v. acyclovir in obese patients leads to lower systemic exposure than dosing by TBW in normal-weight patients. While not directly evaluated in this study, utilization of an adjusted body weight for dose determination appears to more closely approximate the exposure seen in normal-weight patients. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01714180.)
The influence of CD4 and CXCR4 on maedi‐visna virus‐induced syncytium formation

CD4 is the principal binding site for human and simian immunodeficiency virus (HIV/SIV) receptor interactions and the α chemokine receptor CXCR4 has been implicated as a primordial lentivirus receptor. This study sought to determine the relevance of CD4 and CXCR4 in virus‐receptor interactions for the prototype lentivirus, maedi‐visna virus (MVV) of sheep. Neither CD4 nor α/β chemokine receptors represent principal receptors for MVV since human osteosarcoma cells devoid of these molecules were susceptible to productive infection. Interestingly, the presence of either CD4 and/or CXCR4 on indicator cells dramatically enhanced MVV‐induced cell fusion (syncytium formation) for three independent virus strains. Syncytium formation results from virus‐receptor interactions and can be inhibited by receptor ligands. However, neither SDF‐1α that binds CXCR4 nor recombinant gp120 (rgp120) that binds CD4 could specifically inhibit the observed enhancement of MVV‐induced cell fusion under conditions that significantly reduced HIV‐1‐induced cell fusion. Our observations suggest that CD4 and CXCR4 may represent optional auxiliary components of an MVV receptor (or receptor complex) that facilitate MVV‐mediated membrane fusion events, a feature important for virus entry. This potential accessory role for CXCR4 in MVV receptor interactions may reflect the distant relationship between the ovine (MVV) and the human/feline lentiviruses (HIV/FIV).
Radiographic evaluation of trigeminal neurovascular compression in patients with and without trigeminal neuralgia.

OBJECT Neurovascular compression (NVC) of the trigeminal nerve is associated with trigeminal neuralgia (TN), but also occurs in many patients without facial pain. This study is designed to identify anatomical characteristics of NVC associated with TN. METHODS Thirty patients with Type 1 TN (intermittent shocklike pain) and 15 patients without facial pain underwent imaging for analysis of 30 trigeminal nerves ipsilateral to TN symptoms, 30 contralateral to TN symptoms, and 30 in asymptomatic patients. Patients underwent 3-T MR imaging including balanced fast-field echo and MR angiography. Images were fused and reconstructed into virtual cisternoscopy images that were evaluated to determine the presence and degree of NVC. Reconstructed coronal images were used to measure nerve diameter and crosssectional area. RESULTS The incidence of arterial NVC in asymptomatic nerves, nerves contralateral to TN symptoms, and nerves ipsilateral to TN symptoms was 17%, 43%, and 57%, respectively. The difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic nerves was significant regarding the presence of NVC, nerve distortion, and the site of compression (p < 0.001, Fisher exact test). The most significant predictors of TN were compression of the proximal nerve (odds ratio 10.4) and nerve indentation or displacement (odds ratio 4.3). There was a tendency for the development of increasingly severe nerve compression with more advanced patient age across all groups. Decreased nerve size was observed in patients with TN but did not correlate with the presence or extent of NVC. CONCLUSIONS Trigeminal NVC occurs in asymptomatic patients but is more severe and more proximal in patients with TN. This information may help identify patients who are likely to benefit from microvascular decompression.
The effects of tightness-looseness in organizational culture on corporate entrepreneurship and firm performance: A regional study in Turkey

In this study, the tightness-looseness dimension, suggested as a cultural dimension of community was examined at organizational level. Introducing the tightness-looseness dimension to the literature, and identifying the effects of the dimension on corporate entrepreneurship activities and firm performance, which poses great importance for organizations, were the main purposes of the study. In the study, the correlations between dependent and independent variables were examined through the hypotheses suggested, and the consistency level of the model was analyzed through the structural equation modeling. It was concluded from the study that there was a significant positive correlation between the tightness-looseness level and corporate entrepreneurship and firm performance. Coefficients of corporate entrepreneurship, proactivity, innovational orientation, and coefficients of firm performance, and coefficients concerning the profit, growth, and customer satisfaction seem to be statistically significant. Accordingly, the higher (or lower) the level of looseness is, the higher (or lower) the level of corporate entrepreneurship and firm performance will be. The validity of the model on the target sample has been discussed considering the compliance indices of the model proposed in the study on Turkey's leading industrial enterprises. As the results of the analysis of the constructed structural equation model gave the values of good and acceptance level goodness of fit (RMSEA 0.95 and AGFI> 0.90), the model was found to be acceptable.
The use of Blood Concentrations of Vitamins and their Respective Functional Indicators to Define Folate and Vitamin B12 Status

In recent years there has been growing interest in the vitamins folic acid and vitamin B12 because of the realization that the status of these vitamins in populations is less than adequate, and that such inadequacy may be linked to adverse public health outcomes. This concern has prompted the United States, Canada, and other countries to fortify grain products with folic acid, while additional countries are considering doing so in the near future. This presentation provides a new approach which relies on the combination of the concentrations in blood of vitamins and their respective functional indicators to establish cutoff points for assessing folate and vitamin B12 status in populations. The premise is based on the fact that the relationship between plasma vitamin concentrations and their respective functional indicators is inverse and biphasic, with a steep slope at low concentrations of the vitamin and a more moderate slope at higher plasma vitamin concentrations. We propose that the intersection of these two slopes be used as a guideline for assessing the status of these vitamins and the adequacy of fortification programs. The cutoff would be 10 nmol/L for serum folate and 340 nmol/L for red blood cell folate, based on lowest plasma homocysteine. For serum vitamin B12, the cutoff would be 150 pmol/L based on lowest methylmalonic acid and 300 pmol/L based on lowest homocysteine.
Effects of Dietary Isoflavones on Proliferation and DNA Integrity of Myoblasts Derived from Newborn Piglets

Soy-based formulas are consumed by growing numbers of infants and used as regular food supplements in livestock production. Moreover, constituent dietary phytoestrogens may compete with endogenous estrogens and affect individual growth. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro effects of isoflavones in comparison with estrogens on the proliferation of porcine satellite cells derived from neonatal muscle. After 7 h of exposure in serum-free medium, 17β-estradiol (1 nM, 1 μM), estrone (1 μM), and daidzein (1, 100 μM) slightly decreased whereas 100 μM genistein substantially lowered DNA synthesis. Declines in DNA amount were observed with genistein (1, 100 μM) and daidzein (100 μM). After 26 h of exposure, 100 μM genistein reduced DNA synthesis, whereas it was increased by 10 μM genistein and 10 and 100 μM daidzein. In the case of 10 μM genistein and 100 μM daidzein, these increases apparently resulted from the repair of damaged DNA. Genistein and daidzein (100 μM) reduced protein synthesis, caused a G2/M phase block, and decreased DNA amount in association with higher rates of cell death partially resulting from apoptosis. Conclusively, isoflavones at concentrations of greater than 1 μM act as inhibitors of porcine skeletal muscle cell proliferation.
Hepatocyte-specific Smad7 expression attenuates TGF-beta-mediated fibrogenesis and protects against liver damage.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The profibrogenic role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta in liver has mostly been attributed to hepatic stellate cell activation and excess matrix synthesis. Hepatocytes are believed to contribute to increased rates of apoptosis. METHODS Primary hepatocyte outgrowths and AML12 cells were used as an in vitro model to detect TGF-beta effects on the cellular phenotype and expression profile. Furthermore, a transgenic mouse model was used to determine the outcome of hepatocyte-specific Smad7 expression on fibrogenesis following CCl(4)-dependent damage. Samples from patients with chronic liver diseases were assessed for (partial) epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in hepatocytes. RESULTS In primary cell cultures and in vivo, the majority of hepatocytes survive despite activated TGF-beta signaling. These cells display phenotypic changes and express proteins characteristic for (partial) EMT and fibrogenesis. Experimental expression of Smad7 in hepatocytes of mice attenuated TGF-beta signaling and EMT, resulted in less accumulation of interstitial collagens, and improved CCl(4)-provoked liver damage and fibrosis scores compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS The data indicate that hepatocytes undergo TGF-beta-dependent EMT-like phenotypic changes and actively participate in fibrogenesis. Furthermore, ablation of TGF-beta signaling specifically in this cell type is sufficient to blunt the fibrogenic response.