Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stock repurchases and fundamental analysis: an empirical study of the brazilian market in the period from 1994 to 2006

This study examines whether there is a relation between stock repurchase announcements and abnormal returns of companies classified as winners and losers. The classification as winners or losers followed the method suggested by Piotroski (2000), as adapted to the Brazilian market by Lopes & Galdi (2007). The data were obtained from the Economatica database, referring to companies listed on the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange (Bovespa) in the period from 1994 to 2006. The hypotheses were tested through regression with panel data. The results show no abnormal returns for both winners and losers that announced share repurchases in the entire study period, without specifying whether this was before or after issuance in 1999 of Instruction 299 by the Brazilian Securities Commission (CVM), which enhanced protection of minority shareholders in public tender offers. After segregating the study period into two sub-periods, before and after the new rules, we found a negative relation with abnormal returns for losers that announced repurchases in the earlier period (1994 to 1999), while there was no statistically significant relation for winners. For the 2000-2006 period, however, there was a positive relation with abnormal returns for both winners and losers.
Glycol chitin/PAA hydrogel composite incorporated bio-functionalized PLGA microspheres intended for sustained release of anticancer drug through intratumoral injection

Abstract A novel anti-hepatoma drug release hybrid system is prepared by using poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and glycol chitin as substrate in combination with Paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded bio-biofunctionalized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) micro-particles, which is intended for cancer therapy through intratumoral injection. The rheological behavior of glycol chitin (7 wt%)/PAA illustrates that it has low gelling temperature (i.e. 17 °C at pH 7.56) which ensures that the formulation turns to gel at physiological condition. The gelling time of glycol chitin/PAA is 16 minutes at 25 °C and 3 minutes at 37 °C, which is convenient for doctors to inject the in-situ gel formulations into the tumor location of patient. The drug release behavior reveals that the system can dramatically postpone the drug release. The cell viability test indicates that the micro-particles with drug still have 62% inhibitory effect on hepatoma cells in the fourteenth day after combing with hydrogel. This system is a promising approach for cancer therapy through intratumoral injection of in-situ gel formulations to extend retention time at tumor sites.
Influence of Inflammation on the Pharmacokinetics of Perampanel

Background: It is well-known that the pharmacokinetics of various drugs are influenced by inflammation. This study evaluated the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP; an inflammation marker) and the pharmacokinetics of perampanel. Methods: Among 111 patients who underwent measurement of both CRP and perampanel, 23 patients had a serum CRP level exceeding 1.5 mg/dL (CRP-positive). We compared the concentration/dose ratio (CD ratio) of perampanel in these 23 patients between the times when they were CRP-positive and CRP-negative. To evaluate the effect of CRP on the CD ratio, multiple regression analysis was performed with the following covariates: CRP-positive status, body weight, and use of phenytoin, carbamazepine, or phenobarbital, and combinations of these drugs. Results: In 10 patients using enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), the mean CD ratio increased by 53.5% [from 1389 to 2132 (ng/mL)/(mg/kg)] when they were CRP-positive. In 13 patients without enzyme-inducing AEDs, the mean CD ratio increased by 100.8% [from 3826 ng/mL to 7683 (ng/mL)/(mg/kg)] when they were CRP-positive. By multiple regression analysis, the CRP level was a significant independent determinant of the CD ratio of perampanel. Despite a marked increase of the CD ratio, no adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Irrespective of concomitant administration of enzyme-inducing AEDs, the serum perampanel concentration showed a marked increase in patients with inflammation. However, this increase was not associated with central nervous system toxicity. Although it is unknown whether the concentration of free and/or bound perampanel was increased, it seems likely that dose reduction is unnecessary for elevation of the serum perampanel level in patients with inflammation.
Medication use in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis in Germany - a large retrospective patient-based study.

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study was to provide an insight into medical treatment practices among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in Germany. An investigation of ICD codes and ATC classes of CRS patients in general and otolaryngology offices in Germany should reveal the prevalent treatment behaviors of German physicians. METHODS The present study used data from the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA). The study sample included patients from 940 general (GP) and 106 otolaryngology (ENT) practices who were coded as having chronic sinusitis (ICD-10: J32) or nasal polyps (ICD-10: J33) in 2015 (index date). The primary outcome measures were the number of patients with these diagnoses per practice as well as the proportion of patients with prescriptions for topical corticosteroids, systemic corticosteroids, antibiotics, antihistamines, and local decongestants within 365 days after the first diagnosis. RESULTS This retrospective study included 26,768 patients with coding for chronic sinusitis (ICD-10: J32) and 516 patients for nasal polyps (ICD-10: J33) in 940 GP practices and 19,826 patients with coding for chronic sinusitis (ICD-10: J32) and 1,773 patients for nasal polyps (ICD-10: J33) in 106 ENT practices. In patients coded as having chronic sinusitis (ICD-10: J32), topical corticosteroids were prescribed at a low rate (GP: 12.3%, ENT: 34.3%). In patients coded as having nasal polyps (ICD-10: J33), topical corticosteroid usage was higher in GP practices (27.3%) and in ENT practices (71.2%). CONCLUSIONS Topical corticosteroid usage in CRS patients in GP practices in Germany is as low as in other Western countries. Increased usage of topical corticosteroids in CRS patients with polyposis should be encouraged in GP and ENT practices.
Early Ongoing Speciation of Ogataea uvarum Sp. Nov. Within the Grape Ecosystem Revealed by the Internal Variability Among the rDNA Operon Repeats

A yeast strain was isolated during a study on vineyard-associated yeast strains from Apulia in Southern Italy. ITS and LSU D1/D2 rDNA sequences showed this strain not to belong to any known species and was described as the type strain of Ogataea uvarum sp. nov., a close relative of O. philodendri. Several secondary peaks appeared in the sequences, suggesting internal heterogeneity among the copies of the rDNA. This hypothesis was tested by sequencing single clones of the marker region. The analyses showed different levels of variability throughout the operon with differences between the rRNA encoding genes and the internally transcribed regions. O. uvarum and O. philodendri share high frequency variants, i.e., variants frequently found in many clones, whereas there is a large variability of the low frequency polymorphisms, suggesting that the mechanism of homogenization is more active with the former than with the latter type of variation. These findings indicate that low frequency variants are detected in Sanger sequencing as secondary peaks whereas in Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) of metagenomics DNA would lead to an overestimate of the alpha diversity. For the first time in our knowledge, this investigation shed light on the variation of the copy number of the rDNA cistron during the yeast speciation process. These polymorphisms can be used to investigate on the processes occurring in these taxonomic markers during the separation of fungal species, it being a genetic process highly frequent in the complex microbial ecosystem existing in grape, must and wine.
Targeting Interleukin-6 (IL-6) Sensitizes Anti-PD-L1 Treatment in a Colorectal Cancer Preclinical Model

Background Limited efficacy of immune checkpoint blockades was observed in clinical trials in colorectal (CRC) patients, especially in the microsatellite-stable patients. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is critical in modeling immune responses in cancers. However, the effects of targeting IL-6 in combination with immune checkpoint blockades is unknown in CRC. Material/Methods In the present study, we investigated the profile of IL-6 expression in tumor tissues of CRC patient and we established CRC mouse models with various IL-6 expression levels using CT26 cells and MC38 cells. Effects of anti-IL-6 and anti-PD-L1 combination treatment were tested in these models. Results A total of 105 CRC patients were included in this study, with 41 (39%) females and 64 (61%) males. Sixty patients showed IL-6 high expression and 45 patients showed IL-6 low expression. The patients with IL-6 high expression tended to have shorter survival (median survival time of 25.5 months) than the patients with IL-6 low expression (median survival time of 46 months, P value=0.013). In the CRC mouse models, tumors with IL-6 overexpression tended to grow faster than the tumors with IL-6 knockout. The numbers of CD8+ T cells and CD4+ T cells were decreased in IL-6 overexpressed tumors. On the contrary, myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory/suppressor T cells were more numerous in tumors with IL-6 overexpression. PD-L1 expression was upregulated in the tumors with IL-6 overexpression. Importantly, an IL-6 blockade reversed the anti-PD-L1 resistance and prolonged tumor-bearing mouse survival. Conclusions Our study indicates that IL-6 induces strong immunosuppression in the CRC microenvironment by recruiting immunosuppression cells and impairing T cell infiltration. Inhibition of IL-6 enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-L1 in CRC, providing a novel strategy to overcome anti-PD-L1 resistance in CRC.
A study of psychiatric referrals for fitness for work

Background: There are very few Indian studies regarding the psychiatric evaluation of state government workers referred for psychiatric fitness for work. Aim: This study aimed to examine the reasons for referral, psychiatric diagnosis, and outcome of psychiatric referrals for fitness for work at a tertiary-level referral government hospital. Materials and Methods: The study evaluated consecutive psychiatric referrals at a tertiary-level referral government hospital with their informed consent utilizing a specially prepared pro forma, Kuppuswamy's Socioeconomic Status Scale and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview plus. Psychiatric diagnoses were based on the International Classification of Diseases 10th Edition Diagnostic Criteria for Research. Results: The study included 67 male and 8 female psychiatric referrals with a mean age of 39.5 years. Most of the psychiatric referrals were married (82.6%), Hindu by religion (97.3%), from urban areas (80%), belonged to upper middle class (46.7%), and had rotating shifts or emergency duties (50%). Psychiatric referrals were usually made for a single reason (57%), most commonly absenteeism (84%) followed by undisciplined behavior (38%). A past history of disciplinary action taken against them was given by 56% of the referrals. The most common psychiatric diagnosis was psychoactive substance-use disorder (21.3%) followed by psychotic disorders (20%) and mood disorders (14.7%). No psychopathology was detected in 18.7% of the referrals. Most of the psychiatric referrals (68%) were fit for work, though 22.67% were declared unfit for work (permanent invalidation). Psychiatric referrals with multiple reasons for referrals, longer duration of psychiatric illness (>5 years), and diagnosis of organic mental disorder or psychotic disorder received invalidation (permanent unfitness) on psychiatric grounds. Conclusions: Psychiatric referral for fitness for work is most commonly for absenteeism. The most common psychiatric diagnosis was substance-use disorder followed by psychoses. The majority (68%) were found fit for work after treatment though 22.6% required invalidment from service.
Protective effects of α‐bisabolol on altered hemodynamics, lipid peroxidation, and nonenzymatic antioxidants in isoproterenol‐induced myocardial infarction: In vivo and in vitro evidences

The effect of α‐bisabolol on hemodyanimcs, lipid peroxidation, and nonenzymatic antioxidants was evaluated in isoproterenol‐induced myocardial infarction in rats. They were pre‐ and cotreated with α‐bisabolol (25 mg/kg body weight) daily for 10 days along with the subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (85 mg/kg body weight) at an interval of 24 hours for 2 days (9th and 10th days). Increased activities of serum creatine kinase and creatine kinase‐MB along with altered levels/concentrations of lipid peroxidation products and nonenzymatic status were observed in the plasma and heart tissues of rats. Treatment with α‐bisabolol showed protective effects by reversing the altered biochemical parameters and hemodynamics studied. The in vitro reducing power of α‐bisabolol confirmed its potent antioxidant action. These biochemical benefits were translated into functional recovery by the maintenance of the hemodynamics in rats. The findings showed that α‐bisabolol has the potential to protect against isoproterenol‐induced myocardial infarction due to its potent antilipid peroxidation and antioxidant properties.
Clinical Correlation of Cytomegalovirus Infection With CMV-specific CD8+ T-cell Immune Competence Score and Lymphocyte Subsets in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Background. Control of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after solid organ transplantation (SOT) requires a functional immune system. We assessed the association between quantitation and function of CMV-specific CD8+ T cells and CMV infection in SOT recipients. Methods. During a 10-year period, selected kidney, heart, lung, pancreas, liver, and composite tissue recipients were tested for CMV-specific CD8+ T cells immune competence (CMV-CD8+), as measured by enumeration, interferon-gamma production, and CD107a/b degranulation. Quantitative and functional data were used to assemble T-cell immune competence (TIC) score. CMV infection was diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction in blood and other samples or histopathology. Results. Of 130 patients tested, 59 had CMV infection or disease. The median onset to CMV infection was 10.5 months (interquartile range [IQR], 5.5–18.7). Gastrointestinal disease (28.8%), pneumonia (20.3%), and CMV syndrome (17%) were most common presentation. An impaired nonspecific or CMV-CD8+ TIC score was associated with tissue-invasive disease (hazard risk, 2.84, 95% confidence interval, 1.03–11.81; P = 0.04). Patients with impaired CMV-CD8+ TIC score had longer viremia duration (42.4 days vs 18.8 d; P < 0.001). Patients with impaired nonspecific or CMV-CD8+ TIC score had higher risk of relapse (68.8% vs 27.9%; hazard risk, 2.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–5.89; P = 0.03). Patients with CMV infection or disease had lower median absolute lymphocyte count (380 [IQR, 240–540] vs 940 [IQR, 551–1210] cells/mm3; P < 0.0001) and CD4+ T cell count (29 cells/mm3 [IQR, 1.3–116.0] vs 325.5 cells/mm3 [IQR, 151.5–589.8]; P < 0.0001). Conclusions. Nonspecific and CMV-specific CD8+ T-cell function correlated with the course of CMV after SOT, and measuring these has the potential to assist in its clinical management.
Multi-Message Private Information Retrieval using Product-Matrix MSR and MBR Codes

Multi-message private information retrieval (MPIR) is an interesting variation of PIR which allows a user to download multiple messages from the database without revealing the identity of the desired messages. Obviously, the user can repeatly use a single-message PIR scheme, but we wish for a more efficient way to reduce the download cost. In [1], Banawan and Ukulus investigate the multi-message PIR problem with replicated database. In this paper, we consider multi-message PIR schemes where the database is stored using minimum storage regenerating (MSR) or minimum bandwidth regenerating (MBR) codes which are classes of optimal regenerating codes providing efficient repair when a node in the system fails. The relationships between the costs of storage, retrieval and repair are analysed, and explicit schemes using the MSR and MBR codes from [2], which both achieve the optimal curve of the trade-off, are given. To the best of our knowledge, our work is the first to explore the multi-message PIR with coded database.
Association between Manchester Triage System discriminators and nursing diagnoses

Objective: To analyze the association between Manchester Triage System flowchart discriminators and nursing diagnoses in adult patients classified as clinical priority I (emergency) and II (very urgent). Method: Cross-sectional study conducted in an emergency department in southern Brazil between April and August 2014. The sample included 219 patients. Data were collected from online patient medical records and data analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test or the chi-square test. Results: 16 discriminators and 14 nursing diagnoses were identified. Associations were found between seven discriminators and five problem-focused nursing diagnoses, including the discriminator Cardiac pain and the diagnosis Acute pain. Three discriminators were associated with four risk nursing diagnoses, among these Acute neurological deficit with the diagnosis Risk of ineffective cerebral tissue perfusion. Conclusion: Significant associations were found between Manchester Triage System discriminators and the nursing diagnoses most frequently established in the emergency department.
Plasma cell leukemia

We present a rare case report of a patient diagnosed with primary plasma cell leukemia (PCL) who presented with atypical signs and symptoms which acutely evolved into life-threatening multi-organ failure. This case raises questions regarding the latest diagnostic guidelines and therapeutic options in the management of acute PCL and reinforces the need for prompt treatment after diagnosis.
Effect of Institutional Case Volume on In-hospital Mortality After Living Donor Liver Transplantation: Analysis of 7073 Cases Between 2007 and 2016 in Korea

Background. The relationship between institutional case volume and clinical outcomes after living donor liver transplantation is not clarified. Methods. We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study using the database of Korean National Healthcare Insurance Service. Between January 2007 and December 2016, 7073 adult living donor liver transplantations were performed at 50 centers in Korea. Centers were categorized according to the average annual number of liver transplantations: >50, 10 to 50, and <10. Results. In-hospital mortality rates in the high-, medium-, and low-volume centers were 2.8%, 4.1%, and 6.7%, respectively. After adjustment, in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in low-volume centers (adjusted odds ratio, 2.287; 95% confidence interval, 1.471-3.557; P < 0.001) and medium-volume centers (adjusted odds ratio, 1.676; 95% confidence interval, 1.089-2.578; P = 0.019) compared with high-volume centers. Long-term survival for up to 9 years was better, and intensive care unit and hospital length of stay were shorter in high-volume centers. Conclusions. Centers with higher case volume (>50 liver transplantations/year) had better outcomes after living donor liver transplantation, including in-hospital mortality and long-term mortality compared with centers with lower case volume (⩽50 liver transplantations/year).
Endoscopic biliary stenting: indications, choice of stents, and results: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Clinical Guideline – Updated October 2017

Main Recommendations ESGE recommends against routine preoperative biliary drainage in patients with malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction; preoperative biliary drainage should be reserved for patients with cholangitis, severe symptomatic jaundice (e. g., intense pruritus), or delayed surgery, or for before neoadjuvant chemotherapy in jaundiced patients. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. ESGE recommends the endoscopic placement of a 10-mm diameter self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) for preoperative biliary drainage of malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. ESGE recommends SEMS insertion for palliative drainage of of extrahepatic malignant biliary obstruction. Strong recommendation, high quality evidence. ESGE recommends against the insertion of uncovered SEMS for the drainage of extrahepatic biliary obstruction of unconfirmed etiology. Strong recommendation, low quality evidence. ESGE suggests against routine preoperative biliary drainage in patients with malignant hilar obstruction. Weak recommendation, low quality evidence. ESGE recommends uncovered SEMSs for palliative drainage of malignant hilar obstruction. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. ESGE recommends temporary insertion of multiple plastic stents or of a fully covered SEMS for treatment of benign biliary strictures. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. ESGE recommends endoscopic placement of plastic stent(s) to treat bile duct leaks that are not due to transection of the common bile duct or common hepatic duct. Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.
The effect of group-based cognitive behavioral therapy on inflammatory biomarkers in patients with coronary heart disease—results from the SUPRIM-trial

Abstract Background: The Secondary Prevention in Uppsala Primary Healthcare Project (SUPRIM) is a prospective randomized controlled trial of a group-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) stress management program for coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. The intervention reduced the risk of fatal or non-fatal first recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events. The aim of the present study was to analyze if the positive effects of the CBT program on clinical outcomes could have been mediated by changes in biomarkers for inflammation. Methods: Altogether 362 patients with CHD were randomly assigned to intervention or usual care. The inflammatory biomarkers (VCAM-1, TNF-R1, TNF-R2, PTX3, and hs-CRP) were serially assessed at five time points every six months from study start until 24 months later, and analyzed with linear mixed models. Results: Baseline levels of the inflammatory markers were near normal, indicating a stable phase. The group-based CBT stress management program did not significantly affect the levels of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with CHD. Three out of five (VCAM-1, TNF-R2, and PTX3) inflammatory biomarkers showed a slight increase over time in both study groups, and all were positively associated with age. Conclusion: Group-based CBT stress management did not affect biomarkers for inflammation in patients with CHD. It is therefore unlikely that inflammatory processes including these biomarkers were mediating the effect the CBT program had on the reduction in CV events. The close to normal baseline levels of the biomarkers and the lack of elevated psychological distress symptoms indicate a possible floor effect which may have influenced the results.