Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Update on interleukin-6 and its role in chronic renal failure.

Although a number of pro-inflammatory [such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-a and interleukin (IL)-1] and anti-inflammatory (such as IL-10) cytokines orchestrate the inflammatory response, available data suggest that IL-6 and its soluble receptor (sIL-6R) are central regulators of the inflammatory process [1]. The IL-6 system promotes inflammatory events through the activation and proliferation of lymphocytes, differentiation of B cells, leukocyte recruitment and the induction of the acute-phase protein response in the liver [2]. Chronic inflammation is increasingly recognized as an important issue due to its role in various pathological states, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer and malnutrition [2]. Significant epidemiological information has recently linked plasma IL-6 to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in non-renal patient groups [3]. Also, in endstage renal disease (ESRD) patients an elevated IL-6 level is a strong predictor of poor outcome [4]. IL-6 is a 22–27 kDa polypeptide secreted from activated monocytes, macrophages, fibroblasts, adipocytes and endothelial cells in response to various stimuli, such as TNF-a, IL-1b, bacterial endotoxins, physical exercise and oxidative stress (Figure 1). It is notable that whereas most other cytokines function via paracrineuautocrine mechanisms, the major effects of IL-6 are a consequence of its concentration in the circulation and can take place at sites distinct and far from its origin. Circulating IL-6 can be detected in healthy individuals in the 1 pguml range and it is markedly elevated in most, but not all, ESRD patients [5]. IL-6 exhibits its action via a receptor complex consisting of a specific IL-6 receptor and a signaltransducing subunit (gp130). The soluble forms of both receptor components are generated by shedding; these forms then reach the circulation and regulate the IL-6 activity. While sIL-6R binds to IL-6 in plasma, expanding the IL-6usIL-6R half-life and extending the IL-6 bio-activity to organs containing the gp130 membrane-binding site [1], circulating gp130 acts as an antagonist of IL-6 biological functions, namely the activation of the acute-phase response, decrease in appetite, hypercatabolism, hypercoagulability and accelerated atherosclerosis [2]. Moreover, it was recently demonstrated that sIL-6R provides an important signalling pathway intimately involved in the transition between the early and late phase of the inflammatory response [1].
Improving Competitiveness of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises with the Application of Quality Management System

In a modern global economy, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have inviolable importance and inclusion in the overall social development and economic growth. Regarding the high share of SMEs in the total number of companies, given the number of employees and the share in export orientation, the question of SMEs existence, as well as their market share and competitiveness in the global environment, represents prime relevance to any national economy. Therefore, the issue of quality becomes a critical component of achieving competitiveness in delivering products and services to their consumers (customers.) Due to this extremely delicate issue, each company establishes and implements a systematic process relationship or a quality management system as a part of its general management mechanism. This is a reason for SMEs management to strategically decide on the challenges of introducing a quality management system; thus, to improve their competitiveness on the domestic and foreign markets, which is a very demanding, exhaustive and time absorbing process requiring detailed preparation and collective engagement. The basic reasons for applying a quality management system are apostrophised in any business objectives – improving business processes, product quality and services, increasing spending as a factor of developing higher market share, better reputation (image) and sustainable business results. Due to the measurable quantitative and qualitative attributes and features that can significantly enhance the introduction of quality management systems into practice of SMEs, numerous studies have been carried out, some of which are conducted within the last two decades. For the authors, this was an initiative to conduct a survey, within this paper, in the Primorsko-goranska county (Croatia) during the month of July 2018, in which a number of SMEs were analysed in the crucial areas of quality management systems. The authors’ objective was to assess the viability of SMEs regarding their application of a quality management system. The basic hypothesis was that introducing quality management systems into SMEs contributes to their foreign competitiveness i.e. strengthening their export activity in general. Beside positive outputs of applying quality management, the authors’ research presented in this paper also established some relatively high and negative quantifications in relation to the application of the quality management system. Such outcomes represent justified reasons for future scientific research in this area.
Outcome after Repair of Concurrent Upper and Lower Canalicular Lacerations

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the functional and cosmetic results after primary surgical repair of bicanalicular lacerations. Methods: We identified patients diagnosed with bicanalicular lacerations at the Eye Clinic of Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen from 2000 through 2009. Patient charts were reviewed and a telephone interview was conducted according to a standard questionnaire, regarding tearing and cosmesis. Symptoms (no epiphora, epiphora only when outdoors, epiphora when indoors, or epiphora with discharge) were compared to the healthy eye and scarring was graded from 0 to 10 by the patient (none to very disturbing). Results: Fifteen patients had bicanalicular lacerations. Canalicular silicone stents were used in six different ways: two monostents to the lacrimal sac (n = 1), one monostent to the nose in the upper canaliculus (n = 2), two monostents to the nose (n = 2), bicanalicular stent to the nose (n = 7), bicanalicular anular stent (n = 2), bicanalicular stent and dacryocystorhinostomy (n = 1). The surgery was carried out by 6 different surgeons. Eleven patients could be followed up. In these, epiphora was reported after primary surgery by 7 patients, and scarring was graded to more than 1 in 4 patients. However, it is noteworthy that 3 of 4 patients operated with monostents had no symptoms; the fourth patient reported having epiphora indoors. Furthermore, the four patients operated with monostents graded their scaring to be 0 (n = 3) or 1 (n = 1) only. Conclusion: Sequelae are common after bicanalicular lacerations. The use of one or two monostents to the nose appears to be a reasonable alternative to the traditional use of one bicanalicular stent.
The effects of digitalization on gender equaliy in the G20 economies: Women20 study

This study investigates how the digital revolution, which is characterized by artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing and mobile robotics, will affect gender equality in G20 countries, and how governments and non-governmental initiatives may exploit the new digital technologies to narrow these gender gaps in the future. The study focuses on four areas to derive its policy recommendations. First, it assesses if digital technologies will affect gender equality in the foreseeable future by replacing women’s jobs to a different extent than men’s jobs. Second, it determines the state of the art in gender equality and gender-oriented policies in labor markets, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship in the G20 countries. Third, it identifies deficits in women’s digital inclusion that may impair the effectiveness of digitally empowered gender policies. It also shows how digital technologies may empower women. And fourth, it provides three detailed case studies. Two case studies, coauthored by Urvashi Aneja and Vidisha Mishra, zoom deeper into the options for digitally empowered gender policies in two selected countries, India and South Africa, while the third, coauthored by Susan Coleman and Alicia Robb, highlights digitally empowered strategies for reducing the gender gap in angel investment, a promising tool for fostering female entrepreneurship.
Analysing Challenges of Teaching Supply Chain Management in Higher Education Institutions

The aim of this paper is to provide an analysis of the main challenges in teaching and learning Supply Chain Management in Higher Education Institutions. It also reviews the perceived challenges faced by university students studying SCM modules as part of business management studies in a Scottish university. Findings indicate that traditional ways of teaching Supply Chain Management are not always effective and students expect a more student-centred pedagogy to improve the depth of their learning.
Messenger RNA expression patterns of histone‐associated genes in bovine preimplantation embryos derived from different origins

Histone modification genes in bovine embryos: The mRNA expression pattern of histone‐related genes was determined in bovine oocytes and embryos. We compared immature and in vitro‐matured oocytes, either before or after enucleation and activation, in vitro produced embryos (zygotes, 8–16 cell stages, blastocysts), embryos cloned with female or male donor cells; parthenogenetic embryos, and in vivo‐derived blastocysts to detect deviations from the normal expression pattern. A sensitive semi‐quantitative endpoint RT‐PCR assay was used to reveal differences in histone deacetylation [histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2)]; histone acetylation [histone acetyltransferase 1 (HAT1)]; histone methylation [histone methyltransferases (SUV39H1, G9A)]; heterochromatin formation [heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1)]; and chromatin‐mediated transcription regulation [zygote arrest 1 (ZAR1)]. With the exception of ZAR1, these mRNAs were present throughout preimplantation development. The relative abundance of mRNAs for histone methyltransferases (SUV39H1 and G9A) and for heterochromatin‐associated protein (HP1) differed significantly before and after activation of the bovine embryonic genome. The similarity of HAT1 gene expression in 8–16 cell embryos and blastocysts suggests that histone acetylation is primarily affected by in vitro culture only prior to embryonic genome activation. HDAC2 gene mRNA expression was not affected by in vitro culture and/or cloning before and after activation of the embryonic genome. The donor cell line affected mRNA expression patterns of genes involved in reprogramming cloned embryos suggesting epigenetic dysregulation. Results show that both in vitro production and somatic cloning alter the mRNA expression of histone modifying genes in bovine embryos. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 731–743, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The development of knowledge through social capital in clusters

Clusters – a group of geographically proximate firms- can be the source of competitive advantage both at firm and cluster level. Knowledge, social capital and their interplay have been found to be major contributors to this advantage. However, the dynamics behind, and hence the question how it happens, have received considerably less attention. This project aims address this gap by unveiling the dynamics of social capital through which knowledge is developed for competitive advantage in clusters. Unveiling those dynamics will contribute to theory by exploring how some of the benefits of clustering are created through knowledge and social capital, and hence provide an explanation why clusters exist in the first place. ;
Inferior Sagittal Osteotomy of the Mandible with Hyoid Myotomy-Suspension: A New Procedure for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Five patients were treated by inferior sagittal osteotomy and hyoid myotomy-suspension. In three of the patients, palatopharyngoplasty had previously failed. One of the patients was noted to have mandibular deficiency; the others had normal skeletal development. Nocturnal polysomnograms were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. All patients showed significant improvement.
Saving and Investment Practice of Bank Workers: Case of Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Wolaita Sodo Branch Workers

The study is conducted on the title ‘determinants of saving and investment of bank workers case of commercial bank of Ethiopia wolaita sodo branch workers’ with the general objective of assessing determinants of saving and investment of bank workers. From a total of 72 target populations, sample size of 50 is selected using simple random sampling technique. The finding indicates that 86% of the respondents save from their monthly income for the purpose of saving is payment of educational fee, purchase of residence, investing the money in income generating activities and purchase of home facilities. This shows that only very few (11.63 %) of them save for investment activities. slightly more than half of the respondents save more than 10% of their monthly income for the mentioned purposes. Bank, microfinance institutions and credit and saving associations are the financial institutions where they save. Majority of the respondents saving experience is 1 to five year. Salary amount, number of dependent family members, interest rate on saving account and holidays are major determinants of saving for the bank workers. Awareness creation, additional jobs, family planning, making incentives as encouragements, trainings, and proper use of resources were recommended as solutions. Keywords: Commercial bank, Employees, Saving habits, Wolaita Sodo DOI : 10.7176/RJFA/10-7-04 Publication date : April 30 th 2019
Does the UK Minimum Wage Reduce Employment? A Meta‐Regression Analysis

The employment effect from raising the minimum wage has long been studied but remains in dispute. Our meta-analysis of 236 estimated minimum wage elasticities and 710 partial correlation coefficients from 16 UK studies finds no overall practically significant adverse employment effect. Unlike US studies, there seems to be little, if any, overall reporting bias. Multivariate meta-regression analysis identifies several research dimensions that are associated with differential employment effects. In particular, the residential home care industry may exhibit a genuinely adverse employment effect.
AIP expression in sporadic somatotropinomas is a predictor of the response to octreotide LAR therapy independent of SSTR2 expression.

mutation and/or a history of medical treatment with SRL before surgery. Biochemical assessment was performed 3 months after surgery by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and evaluations of IGF1 levels. Patients were considered non-cured based on nonsuppressible GH levels on OGTT and plasma IGF1 levels higher than those of age-matched normal subjects. Medical therapy with OCT-LAR was started at a dose of 20 mg every 4 weeks, and the dose was increased to 30 mg in patients with non-controlled disease after 3 months of therapy. The efficacy of medical therapy was evaluated during the last patient visit. Patients were considered to have non-controlled disease if they had plasma IGF1 levels greater than those of age-matched normal subjects or basal GH levels O1.0 ng/ml after at least 6 months of treatment with OCT-LAR at a dosage of 30 mg. The AIP and SSTR2 expressions were analyzed through immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded
First-Trimester Nasal Bone Evaluation for Aneuploidy in the General Population

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of fetal nasal bone imaging at 10 3/7 to 13 6/7 weeks as a screening tool for aneuploidy, in a prospective multicenter trial. METHODS: Unselected patients from the general population with viable singleton pregnancies at 10 3/7 to 13 6/7 weeks were recruited at 15 U.S. centers. All had screening with nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound by specially trained sonographers. In the last 8 months of this trial, first trimester nasal bone evaluation was added to the screening protocol. Nasal bones were described as present, absent, or unable to determine. RESULTS: A total of 38,189 patients completed first trimester NT screening, of whom 6,324 also underwent nasal bone sonography. An acceptable nasal image was obtained in 4,801 cases (76%), with nasal bones described as present in 4,779 (99.5%), and absent in 22 (0.5%). There were 11 identified cases of trisomy-21 in the population of 6,324 patients. In 9 of the 11 cases (82%) the nasal bones were described as present, and 2 cases were described as unable to determine. The only other aneuploidies were 2 cases of trisomy-18, in 1 of which the nasal bones were described as absent, and in 1 present. Absence of nasal bones had sensitivity for aneuploidy of 7.7%, false-positive rate 0.3%, and positive predictive value 4.5%. CONCLUSION: First-trimester nasal bone evaluation was not a useful test for population screening for trisomy-21 and added little to first-trimester NT screening. The difficulty in performing first-trimester nasal bone sonography consistently, in the general population setting, will significantly limit the usefulness of this aneuploidy screening technique. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III
Six hours positive pressure ventilation with size 5 laryngeal mask in a 55-kg patient

174 Figure 1: Photograph of operative field showing hydatid cyst and increase in airway pressures. We suspected an anaphylactic reaction which was further supported by reporting of an accidentally punctured hydatid cyst by the surgeon [Figure 1]. Immediately, all the anaesthetic gases were stopped and the patient was ventilated with 100% oxygen followed by administration of IV epinephrine 0.2 μg/kg, hydrocortisone 5 mg/kg and 2 l of Ringer’s lactate solution. In view of the persistent hypotension, we put the patient on epinephrine infusion at a rate of 0.005 μg /kg/min for a short duration. After 20 min, the patient’s vitals and airway pressure returned to normal. Rest of the surgery was uneventful.
Developing an XML framework for an electronic document delivery system

The Internet has forced libraries to consider how to assist users to rapidly retrieve information. Such a consideration has accelerated the development of electronic publishing and has positioned the library as mediator between users and providers: archiving information circulation and providing secure copyright clearance through an efficient electronic document delivery and payment mechanism. This work develops an Extensible Markup Language (XML) framework for electronic document delivery that offers a novel electronic document delivery system and also locates publishers who can provide the copyrighted material in an electronic format via the OPAC. The proposed electronic document delivery system has four functions: (1) it enables the electronic document payment; (2) it shortens the time between inquiry and electronic document retrieval; (3) it anticipates the changing role of libraries; and (4) it reduces the printed collection load of libraries.
Environmental and human exposure to persistent halogenated compounds derived from e‐waste in China

Various classes of persistent halogenated compounds (PHCs) can be released into the environment due to improper handling and disposal of electronic waste (e‐waste), which creates severe environmental problems and poses hazards to human health as well. In this review, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), polybrominated phenols (PBPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polybrominated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs), and chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ClPAHs) are the main target contaminants for examination. As the world's largest importer and recycler of e‐waste, China has been under tremendous pressure to deal with this huge e‐waste situation. This review assesses the magnitude of the e‐waste problems in China based on data obtained from the last several years, during which many significant investigations have been conducted. Comparative analyses of the concentrations of several classes of toxic compounds, in which e‐waste recycling sites are compared with reference sites in China, have indicated that improper e‐waste handling affects the environment of dismantling sites more than that of control sites. An assessment of the annual mass loadings of PBDEs, PBBs, TBBPA, PBPs, PCDD/Fs, and ClPAHs from e‐waste in China has shown that PBDEs are the dominant components of PHCs in e‐waste, followed by ClPAHs and PCDD/Fs. The annual loadings of PBDEs, ClPAHs, and PCDD/Fs emission were estimated to range from 76,200 to 182,000, 900 to 2,000 and 3 to 8 kg/year, respectively. However, PCDD/Fs and ClPAHs should not be neglected because they are also primarily released from e‐waste recycling processes. Overall, the magnitude of human exposure to these toxics in e‐waste sites in China is at the high end of the global range. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:1237–1247. © 2010 SETAC
Analysis of a Class of Models of Bursting Electrical Activity in Pancreatic Beta-Cells

Many models of bursting electrical activity (BEA) in pancreatic $\beta$-cells have been proposed. BEA is characterized by a periodic oscillation of the membrane potential consisting of a silent phase during which the membrane potential is varying slowly and an active phase during which the membrane potential is undergoing rapid oscillations. An important experimental observation of BEA is a correlation between the rate of insulin release from $\beta$-cells and the plateau fraction as a function of glucose concentration. The plateau fraction is the ratio of the duration of the active phase to the period of BEA. In [SIAM J. Appl. Math., 52 (1992), pp. 1627--1650], Pernarowski, Miura, and Kevorkian develop analytical techniques to determine the leading-order plateau fraction for one of the models, namely, the Sherman--Rinzel--Keizer (SRK) model [ Biophys. J., 54 (1988), pp. 411--425]. Applicability of these techniques depends critically on the fact that the fast subsystem of the SRK model is an integrable sy.
Diagnostic value and pathophysiologic basis of pulsus paradoxus in infants and children with respiratory disease *

The purpose of the study was to analyze the respiratory‐dependent intraarterial blood pressure variations (pulsus paradoxus, PP) in intensive care unit patients with obstructive and restrictive pulmonary disease, and to evaluate the usefulness of PP for assessment of disease severity. One‐minute paper recordings of arterial blood pressures, left atrial pressures (LAP, 16 patients), breathing cycles, and electrocardiograms (ECG) were taken in 54 nonintubated children.