Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Equity Ownership Structure, Risk Taking, and Performance: An Empirical Investigation in Turkish Listed Companies

The paper describes the main characteristics of ownership structure of Turkish nonfinancial firms listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) and examines the impact of ownership structure on performance and risk-taking behavior of Turkish firms. Turkish corporations can be characterized as highly concentrated, family owned firms attached to a group of companies generally owned by the same family or a group of families. Ownership structure is defined along two attributes: concentration and identity of the owner(s). We conclude that there is a significant impact of ownership structure—ownership concentration and ownership mix—on both performance and risk-taking behavior of the firms in our sample. Higher concentration leads to better market performance but lower accounting performance. Family owned firms, in contrast to conglomerate affiliates, seem to have lower performance with lower risk. Government-owned firms have lower accounting but higher market performance with higher risk.
Effect of level of dietary neutral detergent fiber on ileal apparent digestibility and ileal nitrogen losses in pigs.

A study was conducted with 20 barrows (average BW 25 kg) to determine the effect of various levels of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in the diet on the apparent ileal nutrient digestibility and ileal diaminopimelic acid (DAPA) content, and consequently on the amount of ileal endogenous nitrogen. The pigs were fitted with a post-valvular T-cecal cannula. They were fed . 8 kg/d of a corn starch-based semisynthetic diet formulated to contain equal amounts of protein and starch and 0, 60, 120, or 180 g of purified NDF/kg of diet, included at the expense of glucose. The purified NDF (pNDF) was isolated from wheat bran using an incubation procedure with pancreatin. Ileal digestibility of NDF was approximately 17% and was independent of the pNDF level in the diet. By increasing the amount of pNDF in the diets, apparent ileal digestibilities of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), neutral detergent insoluble N (NDF-N), and ash decreased linearly (P < .05). The DAPA content of the ileal digesta (g/d) was not affected by the percentage of pNDF in the diets. Calculation of the ileal bacterial N excretion indicated that more than 50% of the ileal N was of bacterial origin. With increased percentage of dietary pNDF, both endogenous and exogenous N in ileal chyme were linearly increased (P < .05). Thus, an increase in the dietary fiber content leads to a decreased apparent ileal protein digestibility due to increased ileal losses of both endogenous and exogenous protein.
Effect of pindolol on onset of action of paroxetine in the treatment of major depression: intermediate analysis of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Réseau de Recherche et d'Expérimentation Psychopharmacologique.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pindolol to accelerate the onset of action of paroxetine in patients suffering from major depression. METHOD Patients who met DSM-IV criteria for a nonpsychotic disorder, who had no previously treated episode of major depression episode, and who had a score of at least 18 on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were randomly assigned, for the first 21 days, to treatment with paroxetine (20 mg/day) and either pindolol (5 mg t.i.d.) or placebo. Patients were evaluated with the Hamilton depression scale, the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, and Global Clinical Impression (CGI) on days 0 (baseline), 5, 10, 15, 21, 25, 31, 60, 120, and 180. RESULTS Intermediate analysis of the first month's results for the first 100 patients (pindolol, N=50; placebo, N=50) was performed. At day 10 there were more improved patients (defined as patients with a maximum score of 10 on the Hamilton depression scale) in the pindolol plus paroxetine group (N=24; 48%) than in the placebo plus paroxetine group (N=13; 26%). At day 5 there was no statistically significant difference, and at day 15 and thereafter, the differences between the two groups disappeared. Hamilton depression scale scores were significantly lower on days 5 and 10 for the pindolol plus paroxetine group (mean=15.7, SD=5.3, and mean=11.7, SD=6.4, respectively) than for the placebo plus paroxetine group (mean=19, SD=5.9, and mean=14.7, SD=6.8); this was also true for Montgomery-Asberg depression scale and CGI scores. CONCLUSIONS The addition of pindolol to paroxetine treatment significantly accelerates the onset of therapeutic response in patients suffering from major depression. Nevertheless, the mechanism (pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic) of this beneficial effect remains unclear.
Systemic and Regional Hemodynamic Responses to Tempol in Angiotensin II–Infused Hypertensive Rats

Recent studies have indicated that angiotensin II (Ang II) can stimulate oxidative stress. The present study was conducted to assess the contribution of oxygen radicals to hypertension and regional circulation during Ang II–induced hypertension. With radioactive microspheres, the responses of systemic and regional hemodynamics to the membrane-permeable, metal-independent superoxide dismutase mimetic 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidinoxyl (tempol) were assessed in conscious Ang II–infused hypertensive rats. Ang II–infused rats (80 ng/min SC for 12 days: n=25) showed higher mean arterial pressure (MAP: 161±4 mm Hg) and total peripheral resistance (TPR: 1.59±0.08 mm Hg · min−1 · mL−1) than vehicle-infused normotensive rats (116±3 mm Hg and 0.95±0.04 mm Hg · min−1 · mL−1, respectively; n=23). The blood flow rates in the brain, spleen, large intestine, and skin were significantly reduced in Ang II–infused rats compared with vehicle-infused rats, whereas rates in the lung, heart, liver, kidney, stomach, small intestine, mesenterium, skeletal muscle, and testis were similar. Vascular resistance was significantly increased in every organ studied except the lung, in which the resistance was similar. Tempol (216 &mgr;mol/kg IV) significantly reduced MAP by 30±4% from 158±7 to 114±5 mm Hg and TPR by 35±6% from 1.57±0.17 to 0.95±0.04 mm Hg · min−1 · g−1 in Ang II–infused rats (n=9) but had no effect on these parameters in vehicle-infused rats (n=8). In Ang II–infused rats, tempol did not affect regional blood flow but significantly decreased vascular resistance in the brain (29±6%), heart (31±6%), liver (37±7%), kidney (30±7%), small intestine (38±6%), and large intestine (47±7%). Ang II–infused hypertensive rats showed doubled vascular superoxide production (assessed with lucigenin chemiluminescence), which was normalized by treatment with tempol (3 mmol/L, n=7). Further studies showed that the NO synthase inhibitor, N&ohgr;-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (11 &mgr;mol · kg−1 · min−1 IV, n=11) markedly attenuated the systemic and regional hemodynamic responses of tempol in Ang II–infused rats. These results suggest that in this model of hypertension, oxidative stress may have contributed to the alterations in systemic blood pressure and regional vascular resistance through inactivation of NO.
Molecular Characterization of a Novel Peroxidase from the Cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. Strain PCC 7120

ABSTRACT The open reading frame alr1585 of Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 encodes a heme-dependent peroxidase (Anabaena peroxidase [AnaPX]) belonging to the novel DyP-type peroxidase family (EC 1.11.1.X). We cloned and heterologously expressed the active form of the enzyme in Escherichia coli. The purified enzyme was a 53-kDa tetrameric protein with a pI of 3.68, a low pH optima (pH 4.0), and an optimum reaction temperature of 35°C. Biochemical characterization revealed an iron protoporphyrin-containing heme peroxidase with a broad specificity for aromatic substrates such as guaiacol, 4-aminoantipyrine and pyrogallol. The enzyme efficiently catalyzed the decolorization of anthraquinone dyes like Reactive Blue 5, Reactive Blue 4, Reactive Blue 114, Reactive Blue 119, and Acid Blue 45 with decolorization rates of 262, 167, 491, 401, and 256 μM·min−1, respectively. The apparent Km and kcat/Km values for Reactive Blue 5 were 3.6 μM and 1.2 × 107 M−1 s−1, respectively, while the apparent Km and kcat/Km values for H2O2 were 5.8 μM and 6.6 × 106 M−1 s−1, respectively. In contrast, the decolorization activity of AnaPX toward azo dyes was relatively low but was significantly enhanced 2- to ∼50-fold in the presence of the natural redox mediator syringaldehyde. The specificity and catalytic efficiency for hydrogen donors and synthetic dyes show the potential application of AnaPX as a useful alternative of horseradish peroxidase or fungal DyPs. To our knowledge, this study represents the only extensive report in which a bacterial DyP has been tested in the biotransformation of synthetic dyes.
EKC HYPOTHESIS AND THE EFFECT OF INNOVATION: A PANEL DATA ANALYSIS

In recent years, sustainable development has represented one of the most important aims of the economic policy explored in the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) literature. The present paper contributes to this ongoing literature by comparing two different EKC specifications for 27 developed countries over the period 1997-2009 using panel data methods. It is found an N-shaped relationship between CO2 per capita and GDP per capita which differs from the traditional U-shaped EKC. The paper also examines the possible effects of innovative investments and industrial production on the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) for CO2 emissions.
FIBRINOGEN MEDIA FOR STUDIES ON STAPHYLOCOCCI

Deneke, Anneliese (University of Wisconsin, Madison) and Hans Blobel. Fibrinogen media for studies on staphylococci. J. Bacteriol. 83:533–537. 1962—Fibrinogen media were prepared simply by spreading rabbit plasma or a bovine fibrinogen solution over the surface of certain solidified agar media, thus eliminating the necessity of incorporation of fibrinogen into liquefied agar media at a critical temperature. With agar media composed of heart infusion broth, blood agar base, or Trypticase soy broth, distinct coagulase reactions were observed which corresponded closely to those obtained with the tube test. A bovine fibrinogen solution, applied to the surface of some of the commonly used selective media for staphylococci, provided an additional and more specific test system for coagulase production of individual colonies, and consequently aided in the presumptive identification of pathogenic staphylococci.
Chemical mutagenesis at the thymidine kinase locus in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells: Results for 31 coded compounds in the national toxicology program

Experimental data from the testing of 31 chemicals for mutagenicity at the TK locus in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells are presented and evaluated. If mutagenic activity was not obtained for the chemical added to suspension cultures for 4 hr, then the testing was repeated in the presence of hepatic S9 mix prepared from Aroclor 1254‐induced male Fischer 344 rats. Multiple trials were performed for each chemical, and mutagenic treatments were analyzed for the induction of small and large mutant colony populations. Twelve chemicals were not detected as mutagenic, one (ascorbic acid) was questionable, and 18 were evaluated as mutagenic. These results were used in the evaluations presented by Tennant et al. [Science 236:933–941, 1987] in a critical comparison of four in vitro genotoxicity assays with rodent carcinogenicity results. The mouse lymphoma assay results were in general agreement with the carcinogenicity studies. Discordant evaluations with respect to carcinogenicity (four false negatives and six false positives) were discussed from the standpoint of how the predictive performance of the in vitro mutation assay might be improved.
Identification of cytotoxic T cell epitopes within Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) oncogene latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1): evidence for HLA A2 supertype‐restricted immune recognition of EBV‐infected cells by LMP1‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and latent membrane proteins (LMP) are the only antigens consistently expressed in malignancies such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and Hodgkin's disease (HD). Since EBNA1 is not recognized by EBV‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), there is increasing interest in the identification of the potential target epitopes within LMP1. Although LMP1‐specific CTL have been isolated from seropositive individuals, earlier attempts to identify the peptide epitopes recognized by these T cells have been unsuccessful. In the present report we used a novel protocol to identify CTL epitopes within LMP1 which can be recognized by both polyclonal and clonal CTL. Firstly, a computer‐based program was employed to identify the potential HLA‐binding peptides within LMP1. Polyclonal CD8+ CTL were then isolated from seropositive donors that recognized the peptide epitopes YLLEMLWRL and YLQQNWWTL from LMP1 in association with HLA A2. Limiting dilution analysis of the memory CTL response revealed that the LMP1‐specific CTL response constitutes a minor component of the CTL response in healthy virus carriers. Interestingly, analysis of YLLEMLWRL‐specific CTL revealed that these CTL were able to lyse EBV‐infected B cells expressing different HLA A2 supertype alleles including A*0201, A*0202, A*0203, A*0204, A*0206, A*6802 and A*6901. These data strongly support the notion that HLA class I supertype‐restricted CTL may be of significant use in the development of peptide‐based immunotherapeutics against EBV‐associated malignancies in different ethnic populations.
Digestibility, urinary excretion of purine derivatives and ruminal ciliate protozoa in buffalo on diets containing raw or roasted soybean

The aim of this study was to evaluate the apparent digestibility, excretion of purine derivatives (PD) as well as the rumen protozoa population (density and genus composition) in buffaloes on two comparative diets containing raw or roast soybean in concentrate. Four buffaloes with fistula in the rumen were fed with roughage grass hay (70%) and concentrate (30%) consisting ground grain corn and ground grain raw soybean (RAS treatment) or roasted soybean (RSB Treatment). Total collection of feces and urine were performed to estimate the apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber; urinary excretion of purine derivatives (PD), and rumen contents sampling to identification and counting of ciliate protozoa population. The apparent digestibility of the crude protein was higher in the animals receiving diets with roasted soybean (63.45%) than with raw soybean (47.16%). But, no significant differences were observed in the DM and NDF digestibility. Purine derivatives excretion did not differ between treatments, maintaining relative proportion of allantoin:uric acid of 89:11%. The average synthesis of microbial nitrogen was estimated in 33.88 g/d. We have concluded that substitution of the raw by roasted soybean in the diet for buffalo has promoted increase in the apparent digestibility of crude protein, and reduction of total number and Entodinium protozoa population in the rumen, but had no influence in the composition of the fauna, excretion of PD, and microbial protein synthesis.
Current Debates on the Treatment of Carotid Stenosis in Both Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Patients

We read with interest the debate on the treatment of carotid artery disease by Paraskevas et al. This is indeed very controversial, and the optimal management of patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS) or symptomatic carotid stenosis (SCS) needs to be elucidated in future randomized clinical trials (RCTs). We discuss the results of 3 relevant RCTs published following the article by Paraskevas et al. The first is the report of the long-term results of the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stenting Trial (CREST) trial. Once again, the rate of the primary long-term end point (postprocedural ipsilateral stroke over the 10-year follow-up) did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (hazard ratio 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.64-1.52). However, CREST included both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, and, more importantly, it did not compare carotid artery stenting (CAS) versus carotid endarterectomy (CEA) versus best medical treatment (BMT) for asymptomatic patients. As discussed by Paraskevas et al, this comparison is urgently needed and it is the very reason why CREST-2 was launched. A new RCT evaluated the efficacy of CAS in patients with ACS having severe stenosis and low or moderate morbidity risk. CAS was not inferior to CEA in terms of stroke, death, or myocardial infarction (MI) within the first 30 days after intervention (3.3% vs 2.6%, P 1⁄4 .6). Similarly, at 5-year follow-up, the survival rate for the CAS group was 87.1% and 89.4% for the CEA group (P 1⁄4 .21), and the rate of freedom from nonprocedure-related ipsilateral stroke was 97.8% and 97.3%, respectively (P 1⁄4 .51). Once again, this major RCT verified that CAS is associated with outcomes similar to CEA in patients with ACS. This, however, was already well known. The real issue (which is the comparison of CAS vs CEA vs BMT) was once again not addressed. The outcomes of CEA under regional anesthesia (RA) is another issue that deserves to be explored. Another analysis of the CREST data comparing CAS versus CEA under general anesthesia (GA) versus CEA-RA in both patients with SCS and patients with ACS demonstrated a noninferiority of CAS compared to CEA-RA in terms of periprocedural MI rates (odds ratio [OR]: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.25-4.66; P 1⁄4 .93) and a superiority when compared to CEA-GA (OR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.14-3.54; P1⁄4 .02). In terms of stroke or death, CAS was also not inferior compared to CEA-RA (OR: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.03-1.47; P 1⁄4 .11) and inferior to CEA-GA (OR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.27-0.76; P 1⁄4 .003). In both groups, the percentage and number of patients with SCS and ACS were similar. The CEA-RA group included less patients with SCS compared to the other groups, so the correlation of CEA-RA and periprocedural stroke rates in patients with SCS should be cautiously evaluated and further elucidated. Paraskevas et al identify a number of issues that need to be addressed in future RCTs. The recent trials do not provide definitive answers. These issues must be specifically identified and addressed in well-planned, appropriately designed RCTs.
Long-term quality of life after kidney and simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation.

We are using a validated questionnaire (SF-36) to annually assess health-related quality of life (QOL) in kidney and pancreas-kidney transplant recipients. The SF-36 consists of eight scales to assess physical functioning, general health, and mental functioning. Norms and 95% confidence intervals (C.I.) have been developed for the US population. At present, 1138 recipients with functioning grafts (520 Type I diabetic; 618 nondiabetic) 1-10 yr post-transplant have completed the questionnaire. Of the recipients, 446 completed the questionnaire once; 632 twice; and 53 three times (305 after 1 yr; 266 after 2 yr; 256 after 3 yr; 206 after 4 yr; 192 after 5 yr; 150 after 6 yr; 130 after 7 yr; 138 after 8 yr; 125 after 9 yr; 92 after 10 yr). For both diabetic and nondiabetic recipients, there was little change in average scores for each scale between years (p = NS). In relation to the US population, average scores for nondiabetics were below the 50th percentile on all 8 scales; for diabetics < 25th percentile on the physical functioning and vitality scales, < 50th percentile on all others. For both diabetic and nondiabetic recipients, average scores were higher than reported norms for patients with CHF, COPD, or depression but were similar to those with Htn or recent MI. Individual scores were then compared with age-matched means (+/- 2 SEMs) (95% C.I.) for the US population. At each year post-transplant, up to 40% of nondiabetic and up to 65% of diabetic recipients had scores below the 95% C.I. on individual scales (particularly the physical functioning and general health scales)--e.g. over 30% nondiabetic and up to 60% diabetic recipients had scores on the physical functioning scales below the 95% C.I. More diabetic recipients (vs. nondiabetics) reported poor QOL on the physical functioning, general health and social functioning scales. There was little difference in the mental health scales. For those with Type I diabetes, a similar percentage of kidney and K/P recipients reported QOL below the 95% C.I. for the age-matched population, except on the GH scale (better QOL for K/P recipients). We conclude that successful transplant recipients report health-related QOL below that of the age-matched general population but similar to those with other chronic diseases. Diabetic and nondiabetic recipients have similar scores on the mental health scales; nondiabetic recipients score better on the general health and physical functioning scales.
Exploring game experiences and game leadership in massively multiplayer online role-playing games

This study explored the in-game experiences of massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) players focusing on game leadership and offline leadership. MMORPGs have enormous potential to provide gameplayers with rich social experiences through various interactions along with social activities such as joining a game community, team play and others. In this study, a total of 808 Korean online gameplayers participated in an online survey. Amongst them, 300 MMORPG players were used as the final sample group. The results showed that joining a game community and playing in teams may help players build their leadership experience in games. The findings also suggest that there is a significant positive relationship between in-game leadership and offline leadership. However, there were no significant differences in gender regarding in-game and offline leadership. This study suggests that MMORPGs offer a useful place where people can grow their leadership skills and potentially transfer them into the real world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Heparanase expression upregulates platelet adhesion activity and thrombogenicity

Heparanase is an endo-glucuronidase that specifically cleaves heparan sulfate (HS) and heparin polysaccharides. The enzyme is expressed at low levels in normal tissues, but is often upregulated under pathological conditions such as cancer and inflammation. Normal human platelets express exceptionally high levels of heparanase, but the functional consequences of this feature remain unknown. We investigated functional roles of heparanase by comparing the properties of platelets expressing high (Hpa-tg) or low (Ctr) levels of heparanase. Upon activation, Hpa-tg platelets exhibited a much stronger adhesion activity as compared to Ctr platelets, likely contributing to a higher thrombotic activity in a carotid thrombosis model. Furthermore, we found concomitant upregulated expression of both heparanase and CD62P (P-selectin) upon activation of mouse and human platelets. As platelets play important roles in tumor metastasis, these findings indicate contribution of the platelet heparanase to hyper-thrombotic conditions often seen in patients with metastatic cancer.
Desmoid tumorsA clinical review of 30 patients with more than 20 years’ follow-up

We retrospectively studied the outcome in a consecutive series of 30 patients with desmoid tumors who were followed for more than 20 years after treatment (surgery in 29 patients). A local recurrence occurred in 12 patients and more than 1 recurrence occurred in 8. 3 patients had spontaneous complete regression of the tumor. At follow-up after mean 28 (20-54) years, all patients were tumor-free except 1 who had had a stable tumor for at least 11 years. Symptoms were related more to treatment than to the tumor. We conclude that desmoid tumors may have a high capacity for self-limitation and that conservative therapy should be considered in symptom-free patients.