Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Postural set for balance control is normal in Alzheimer's but not in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND It has been suggested that patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type have abnormalities in the basal ganglia, and thus, may have similar sensorimotor problems as patients with basal ganglia degeneration from Parkinson's disease. Whether the similarity extends to balance control is unknown. One distinguishing feature of balance disorder in Parkinson's disease is difficulty with changing postural set in terms of adapting the amplitude of leg muscle activity as a function of support condition. We, therefore, tested whether patients with Alzheimer's disease without extrapyramidal signs would show a similar problem in changing postural set as patients with Parkinson's disease. METHODS The ability to quickly change postural set was measured by comparing leg muscle activity under two conditions of support (free stance, versus grasping a frame, or sitting) during backward surface translations, during toes up surface rotations, and during voluntary rise to toes. Results were compared among 12 healthy adults, 8 nondemented Parkinson's patients on their usual dose of medication, and 11 Alzheimer patients without extrapyramidal signs. RESULTS Subjects with Alzheimer's, but not Parkinson's, disease performed similarly to the healthy control subjects. They changed postural set immediately, by suppressing leg muscle activity to low levels when supported. Parkinson subjects did not change postural set immediately. They did not suppress the tibialis anterior in voluntary rise to toes when holding, nor the soleus in perturbed sitting as much as the healthy control and Alzheimer subjects in the first trial. Instead, the Parkinson subjects changed set more slowly, over repeated and consecutive trials in both protocols. The onset latencies of soleus responses to backward surface translations and perturbed sitting, as well as tibialis anterior responses to toes up rotations, were the same for all three groups. CONCLUSION Alzheimer patients without extrapyramidal signs, unlike nondemented Parkinson's disease patients, have no difficulty in quickly changing postural set in response to altered support conditions. Our results, therefore, do not support the hypothesis that Parkinson's and uncomplicated Alzheimer's diseases share common postural set problems that may contribute to disordered balance control.
Preoperative prevalence of Barrett's esophagus in esophageal adenocarcinoma: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The public health impact of past screening and surveillance practices on the outcomes of Barrett's related cancers has not previously been quantified. Our purpose was to determine the prior prevalence of Barrett's esophagus in reported cases of incident adenocarcinoma undergoing resection, as an indirect measure of impact. METHODS We performed a systematic review of the literature from 1966 to 2000. Studies were included if they reported: (1) the number of consecutive adenocarcinomas resected, and (2) the number of those resected who had a previously known diagnosis of Barrett's. We generated summary estimates using a random effects model. RESULTS We identified and reviewed 752 studies. Twelve studies representing a total of 1503 unique cases of resected adenocarcinomas met inclusion criteria. Using a random effects model, the overall percentage of patients undergoing resection who had a prior diagnosis of Barrett's was 4.7% +/- 2.9%. CONCLUSIONS The low prior prevalence (approximately 5%) of Barrett's esophagus in this study population provides indirect evidence to suggest that recent efforts to identify patients with Barrett's-whether through endoscopic screening or evaluation of symptomatic patients-have had minimal public health impact on esophageal adenocarcinoma outcomes. The potential benefits of endoscopic surveillance seem to have been limited to only a fraction of those individuals at risk. These data thus provide a clear and compelling rationale for the development of effective screening strategies to identify patients with Barrett's esophagus.
Proton pump inhibitor use and risk of community-acquired Clostridium difficile-associated disease defined by prescription for oral vancomycin therapy

Background: The association between the use of proton pump inhibitors and the risk of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is controversial. In this study we re-examined a previously reported association between the use of proton pump inhibitors and the development of community-acquired CDAD, this time using an alternative case definition of the disease. Methods: We performed a case–control study of community-acquired CDAD using a United Kingdom clinical research database. Patients receiving oral vancomycin therapy were identified as having CDAD, the only indication for this drug. Each case subject was matched with up to 10 control subjects. Neither the cases nor the controls had been admitted to hospital in the year before the date of the vancomycin prescription (index date). Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for key covariates. Results: We identified 317 cases of community-acquired CDAD treated with oral vancomycin therapy and 3167 matched control subjects. Exposure to a proton pump inhibitor in the 90 days before the index date was associated with an increased risk of CDAD (odds ratio [OR] 3.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.3–5.2). Antibiotic exposure in the 90 days before the index date was also a significant risk factor for community-acquired CDAD (OR 8.2, 95% CI 6.1– 11.0), even though 45% of the case subjects had not received a prescription for an antibiotic during that period. Certain comorbidities, in particular renal failure, inflammatory bowel disease and malignant disease, as well as prior methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection, were also associated with an increased risk. Interpretation: Proton pump inhibitor use was associated with an increased risk of community-acquired CDAD, when cases were defined by receipt of prescription for oral vancomycin therapy. Prior antibiotic exposure was also a significant risk factor, but a significant proportion of the patients with community-acquired CDAD had no such exposure.
Blood Coagulation, Fibrinolysis and Cellular Haemostasis

the normal variation of vWF levels. Our results indicate that the ABO locus is the major genetic determinant of the plasma levels of the vWF in Spanish population. It is possible that there are other potential regions on chromosomes 1, 2, 5, 6 and 22 that influence this thrombosis risk factor. However, the structural vWF gene itself has a very low influence (if any) on the plasma levels of vWF.
Quantification of Neuroreceptors in the Living Human Brain: III. D2-Like Dopamine Receptors: Theory, Validation, and Changes during Normal Aging

Dopamine receptor density is believed to decline in normal aging. To test this hypothesis, we measured the density of dopamine D2-like receptors in vivo in the neostriatum of normal living humans by using the graphical method. This method determines the D2-like dopamine receptor density in the human brain with an occupying ligand (unlabeled haloperidol) and a radioligand (labeled 3-N-methylspiperone). The method was examined critically, and the assumptions underlying the method were shown to be valid. The validation included comparison of the representation of tracer metabolism by high-pressure liquid chromatography and model assays, calculation of the lumped constant Dw from the value of its components, and comparable tracer partition coefficients in vitro and in vivo. In error analysis, the method consistently performed as well as the direct least-squares regression at statistical noise levels appropriate for the tomograph used in these studies. The method revealed that the density of the D2-like receptors that bind haloperidol in the caudate nucleus of normal humans declined 1% per year after the age of 18 years.
Accessory anterolateral facet of the pediatric talus. An anatomic study.

BACKGROUND The accessory anterolateral talar facet may be associated with talocalcaneal impingement in the painful flatfoot. We performed an anatomic study to identify this accessory facet and its associated osteologic features. METHODS Within the Hamann-Todd Human Osteological Collection, seventy-nine paired tali and calcanei were identified among forty-three skeletons from individuals who had had an average age of 13.4 years at the time of death. Each specimen was surveyed for an accessory anterolateral talar facet, a calcaneal neck anterior extension facet, a dorsal talar beak, and the talocalcaneal facet pattern. Measurements included the angle of Gissane, posterior facet inclination, calcaneal neck length, posterior facet length, overall calcaneal and talar lengths, and accessory facet dimensions. Lateral radiographs of specimens with accessory facets were made in neutral and everted subtalar alignment. RESULTS An accessory anterolateral talar facet was identified in twenty-seven (34%) of the seventy-nine specimens and was large in two (2.5%). Of the thirty-six skeletons with paired specimens, fifteen had an accessory facet and, of those, ten had the finding bilaterally. Degenerative changes or tarsal coalitions were not observed. Lateral radiographs demonstrated that subtalar eversion obscured observation of the facet. The accessory facet was associated with greater mean age (16.7 compared with 10.9 years; p < 0.0001), male sex (63% compared with 21%; p = 0.011), and a smaller mean angle of Gissane (116.2 degrees compared with 122.2 degrees; p = 0.018). Relative accessory facet volume was positively correlated with increased relative calcaneal posterior facet length (r = 0.53, p = 0.029). The accessory facet was significantly associated with dorsal talar beaking (29% compared with 4%; p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS An accessory anterolateral talar facet was found in 34% of the specimens in a pediatric osteologic collection. The facet was associated with male sex, a smaller angle of Gissane, and dorsal talar beaking.
Pricing and optimal conversion strategy of convertible bonds

This paper develop a method based on the reflected Backward Stochastic Differential Equations (BSDEs for short) to solve the pricing and the optimal conversion strategy of noncallable American Style convertible bonds. We characterize the value functions of the noncallable convertible bonds in terms of the reflected Backward Stochastic Differential equation, and provide the optimal conversion strategy for bondholders. Some numerical Simulation methods for the pricing and the optimal conversion strategy of noncallable American Style convertible bonds are given.
Reversion of metabolic abnormalities after switching from HIV-1 protease inhibitors to nevirapine.

OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of switching from HIV-1 protease inhibitors (PI) to nevirapine on metabolic abnormalities in patients with fat redistribution and on CD4 T lymphocytes and plasma HIV-1 RNA. DESIGN Longitudinal data analysis of 23 consecutive patients treated with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and at least one PI who decided to stop PI despite sustained virological suppression (< 200 copies/ml) because of psychological repercussions caused by body changes. PI were replaced by nevirapine in all patients. METHODS Physical examination [including measurements of body mass index (BMI) and waist: hip ratio (WHR)], fasting cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, CD4 T lymphocytes and plasma HIV-1 RNA were performed at baseline and every 3 months. RESULTS Awareness of body changes occurred after a median of 12 months (range, 6-26 months) from the commencement of PI. Seventeen patients complained of increased abdominal girth (in 15 also of peripheral fat wasting) and six of peripheral fat wasting only. Hypertriglyceridemia (> or = 200 mg/dl) was present in 23 (100%), hypercholesterolemia (> or = 200 mg/dl) in 18 (78%), and impaired fasting glucose (> or = 110 mg/dl) in seven (30%) patients. Baseline CD4 T lymphocytes were 514 x 10(6)/l (range, 83-994 x 10(6)/l). HIV-1 RNA had been < 200 copies/ml a median of 9 months (range, 3-14 months) prior to withdrawal of PI. Median follow-up from the replacement of PI by nevirapine was 8 months (range, 7-11 months). Six months after PI withdrawal there was a significant improvement in cholesterol (decrease of 22%; P = 0.0005), triglycerides (decrease of 57%; P = 0.0001), glucose (decrease of 15%; P = 0.008), and fasting insulin resistance index (decrease of 45%; P = 0.0001). CD4 T-lymphocyte counts remained unchanged (401 x 10(6)/l; range, 57-941 x 10(6)/l; P = 0.13) and in only one patient did the viral load become detectable at a low count (546 copies/ml; P = 0.32). BMI did not vary (23.30 versus 23.56 kg/m2; P = 0.73), but WHR decreased significantly from 0.91 to 0.85 (P = 0.048). Twenty-one patients (91%) subjectively reported a partial improvement in their body shape (particularly in peripheral fat wasting), although none admitted to have their body shaped as prior to body changes. CONCLUSIONS Metabolic abnormalities associated with potent antiretroviral regimens including PI may revert at least partially, whereas the suppression achieved may be preserved at least at mid-term after replacing PI by nevirapine.
Risk-Based Asset Allocation: A New Answer to an Old Question?

In recent years, we have witnessed an alarmingly large and growing amount of literature on portfolio construction approaches focused on risks and diversification rather than on estimating expected returns. Numerous simulations applied to different universes have been documented in support of these approaches based on their apparent outperformance versus passive market capitalization–weighted or static fixed-weight portfolios. Many studies attribute the better performance of these risk-based asset allocation approaches to superior diversification. Given the absence of clearly defined investment objective functions behind these approaches as well as the metrics used by these studies to evaluate ex post performance, Lee puts these approaches into the same context of mean-variance efficiency in an attempt to understand their theoretical underpinnings. In doing so, he hopes to shed some light on what these approaches attempt to achieve and on the characteristics of the investment universe, if indeed these approaches are meant to approximate mean-variance efficiency. Rather than adding to the already large collection of simulation results, Lee uses some simple examples to compare and contrast the portfolio and risk characteristics of these approaches. He also reiterates that any portfolio which deviates from the market capitalization–weighted portfolio is an active portfolio. He concludes that there is no theory to predict, ex ante, that any of these risk-based approaches should outperform.
The 2015 Referendum in Poland

• The factor determining the call for referendum was the result in the elections for the President of the Republic of Poland. • The circumstances of calling the referendum, as well as the choice and content of questions caused a lot of debate. • The Civic Platform and Pawel Kukiz encouraged the citizens to participate in the referendum and to vote for changes. • The quality of the campaign preceding the referendum resulted in a low level of knowledge and interest on the part of the citizens. • A low turnout made the referendum a negative instance of applying the mechanisms of direct democracy in Poland.
To Be or Not to Be: Is India Prepared to Undertake Fuller Capital Account Convertibility?

This paper aims to show how India is not yet ready to implement and fully undertake Capital Account Convertibility (CAC) in the wake of economic globalisation. It deals with certain problems relating to CAC, especially in the context of developing countries. It looks at the three main conditions laid down by the Tarapore Committee, comparing them to India’s current macroeconomic position and finally, draws from the experience and lessons to be learnt from other developing countries who have implemented or attempted to undertake full convertibility.
Debwe : responding to social injuries

Informed by narrative inquiry and storywork, this qualitative research analyzes the extent to which non-Indigenous frontline workers are engaging with and responding to colonial history. The research aimed to gather and reflect on stories non-Indigenous service providers tell about their practice with Indigenous substance users. Within such stories, do practitioners speak of their role, if any, with regard to historically-determined inequities? Do they engage in hopeful exchanges? Five non-Indigenous practitioners working with Indigenous service users with substance use issues participated in the research. The analysis of the five in-depth interviews was informed by the author’s own mental health and addictions education and practice training, relevant Indigenous and mainstream research, literature, teachings and stories. This thesis contributes to understanding the role of practitioners in response to problematic substance use and social injuries in Canada. Findings suggests that while some social workers are keenly aware of colonial history, ongoing colonial violence and their relevance to work with Indigenous service users, they struggle with how to operationalize that knowledge. In terms of implications for social work, findings highlight ways in which the work of participants is ‘responsive to history,’ responsive to colonial complicity, and suggest considerations and concerns that require further attention. The study contributes to a fuller understanding of the constituents of decolonizing practice—history, cultural humility, etc.—as viewed by non-Indigenous
Individual Accommodation Versus Institutional Transformation: Two Paradigms for Reconciling Paid Work and Family Responsibilities

Workplace laws and policies on the reconciliation of work and family responsibilities have important human rights consequences. One such impact concerns gender equality, since most studies indicate that women assume a significantly larger share of family obligations. Beyond the particularly negative impacts on women in the labour market, the failure to reconcile work and family life also has detrimental effects on parents, children, families and the community. In this article, two paradigms for reconciling paid work and family obligations are examined, including the individual accommodation and the institutional transformation models. While the individual accommodation paradigm is an essential component of human rights law, it is suggested that an institutional transformation model has greater potential to alleviate the negative effects of family responsibilities on workplace opportunities. Nevertheless, both paradigms are encountering significant obstacles linked to the negative effects of economic restructuring and globalization, and continued institutional resistance to accommodating family obligations in many sectors of the economy.
Tourist Satisfaction and Destination Image of Vietnam's Ha Long Bay

Although considerable work has been done on destination image as a whole, far less research has investigated the differences in destination image assessments for domestic versus international visitors in developing countries. This study offers findings that illustrate the differences in perception of destination image, satisfaction attributes, and intention among domestic and international visitors to Ha Long Bay, a United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site in Vietnam. The results of a survey on 650 tourists suggest that international visitors to the Ha Long Bay region have higher standards and are more critical in their evaluation of services than domestic visitors when judging this destination. Destination image is a common factor determining the level of satisfaction of both groups. Basic and augmented services were found to influence international visitors’ future intention toward the destination. This finding implies that the destination managers of Ha Long Bay need to improve current standard of augmented services to yield higher visitors’ propensity to recommend and return to the destination.
Kingsley Davis on Reproductive Institutions and the Pressure for Population

principle around which concrete sentiments are clustered. Thus familistic systems motivate persons to bear and rear children within the kinship pattern. They occur only in rural-stable societies because it is only in such societies that the bulk of life can be organized on the basis of kinship. Urban-industrial-mobile society Modern society, characterized by a high degree of urbanization, based upon an elaborate industrial technology and maintained through a great amount of geographical and social mobility, is by its very nature destructive of the family. Its institutions not based on kinship and its dominant motif not familistic, the farther it moves in the direction of its own genius, the farther it moves away from the family. [296] Urbanism affects not merely the externals, such as size of the home, but also the very nature of the family. It forces individuals to cooperate 13 See Muller-Lyer, The Family (N.Y.: Knopf, 1931, trans.), chs. v-viii. The classic account of the evolution from primitive familism to civilized non-familism is Gustave Glotz, La solidarite de la famille dans le droit criminel en Grece (Paris, 1904). 1' No elaborate evolutionary sequence is suggested here. A culture, such as that of old China, may reach great complexity and yet retain a solidarity of extended kin. This is most likely, I think, where religion is mainly a family affair. Mediaval society was not completely familistic because the Church, though taking to itself the ideology of familism and ultimately giving marriage a sacramental character, was an inclusive group transcending the family. The Feudal hierarchy, however, presupposed a kinship organization and was to that extent familistic; and for the common peasant the family was practically all-sufficient. 15 W. Goodsell, The Family as a Social and Educational Institution (NY.: Macmillan, 1923), p. 185. Also Thomas and Znaniecki, op. cit., vol. i, pp. 87-302. Nora Waln, The House of Exile. This content downloaded from 157.55. 39.221 on Sun, 06 Nov 2016 06:00:30 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor. org/terms
Vanadate-induced Expression of Hypoxia-inducible Factor 1α and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor through Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt Pathway and Reactive Oxygen Species*

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is a heterodimeric basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor composed of HIF-1α and HIF-1β/aryl hydrocarbon nuclear translocator subunits. HIF-1 expression is induced by hypoxia, growth factors, and activation of oncogenes. In response to hypoxia, HIF-1 activates the expression of many genes including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and erythropoietin. HIF-1 and VEGF play an important role in angiogenesis and tumor progression. Vanadate is widely used in industry, and is a potent inducer of tumors in humans and animals. In this study, we demonstrate that vanadate induces HIF-1 activity through the expression of HIF-1α but not HIF-1β subunit, and increases VEGF expression in DU145 human prostate carcinoma cells. We also studied the signaling pathway involved in vanadate-induced HIF-1α and VEGF expression and found that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling was required for HIF-1 and VEGF expression induced by vanadate, whereas mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway was not required. We also found that reactive oxygen species (ROS) were involved in vanadate-induced expression of HIF-1 and VEGF in DU145 cells. The major species of ROS responsible for the induction of HIF-1 and VEGF expression was H2O2. These results suggest that the expression of HIF-1 and VEGF induced by vanadate through PI3K/Akt may be an important signaling pathway in the vanadate-induced carcinogenesis, and ROS may play an important role.