Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trends in survival of multiple myeloma patients in Germany and the United States in the first decade of the 21st century

Multiple myeloma is a chronic, incurable but highly treatable neoplasm. Recent population‐based studies have shown improvements in survival for patients diagnosed in the early 21st century. Here, we examine trends in survival for patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma in Germany and the United States (US) between 2002 and 2010. Data were extracted from 11 population‐based cancer registries in Germany and from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database in the US. Myeloma patients aged 15–74 years with diagnosis and follow‐up between 1997 and 2010 from Germany and the US were included. Period analysis was employed to assess trends in 5‐year relative survival in Germany and the US between 2002–04 and 2008–10. Age‐adjusted 5‐year relative survival increased from 47·3% to 53·8% in Germany and from 39·8% to 53·2% in the US between 2002–04 and 2008–10. There was a strong age gradient with lower survival among older patients, which persisted over time and was more pronounced in Germany than the US. Five‐year relative survival estimates for patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma below 75 years of age steadily increased throughout the first decade of the 21st century and reached levels above 50% in both Germany and the US, probably reflecting the increased use of newer agents in myeloma treatment.
Performance audit at the Swedish Supreme Audit Institution (SAI)

Summary Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) constitute important democratic institutions, providing citizens with an independent analysis on how the Governmental Offices and the central public administration function. This paper reports on findings from a survey, submitted to all performance auditors at the Swedish SAI, on 3 May, 2011. The response rate was 70 per cent (65 out of 93 respondents). The survey covered areas such as SAI performance, organisational culture, organisation design, leadership and audit approach. Although confidence in the three Auditors-General has increased considerably since new appointees have replaced these posts, serious problems are pointed out in other areas. Specifically, three areas stand out: SAI performance, SAI organisation and finally SAI compliance with international standards as well as with the Swedish Constitution. Only 3 out of 62 respondents believe that the number of managers at the Swedish SAI is reasonable and 5 out of 65 respondents believe that the organisation design works well. Only 23.8 per cent of respondents believe that the SAI itself meets the standards that it requires other agencies to meet and 26.7 per cent of respondents believe that the costs for the Swedish SAI are reasonable.
Ultrastructure of Lamellar Bodies in Congenital Surfactant Deficiency

Congenital surfactant deficiency (CSD) is a newly identified neonatal lung disorder associated with a variety of molecular defects affecting surfactant synthesis and secretion in alveolar type II cells. The authors present ultrastructural findings of abnormal lamellar bodies in lung biopsies from 4 infants with CSD. All were term infants presenting shortly after birth with severe respiratory failure that was unresponsive to conventional therapy and all died within the first month of life. Lung biopsies were performed between 8 and 25 days of age. Biochemical and molecular studies in 2 unrelated male infants identified SP-B deficiency, one case with 121 ins 2 mutation and the second with a 209 + 4 A > G mutaion. Light microscopy in both cases showed features of alveolar proteinosis. Ultrastructurally, alveolar type II cells lacked mature lamellar bodies, and their cytoplasm contained numerous pleomorphic inclusions with membranous and vesicular structures not seen in normal type II cells. The other 2 infants were a pair of siblings in whom molecular studies identified mutations in ABCA3 transporter gene. Light microscopy showed features of acinar dysplasia and desquamative interstitial pneumonitis. TEM studies revealed absence of mature lamellar bodies in type II cells and instead showed a mixture of cytoplsamic electron-dense inclusions with concentric membranes and distinctive electron dense aggregates. The ultrastructual changes in alveolar type II cells correlated well with specific gene defect. In SP-B deficiency, the absence of mature lamellar bodies is consistent with the postulated role for this protein in the formation of lamellar bodies. The lack of mature lamellar bodies in the ABCA3 gene mutations is due to the dysfunction of this endogenous lipid transporter that targets surfactant lipid moieties to the lamellar bodies. The findings demonstrate the importance of TEM studies of lung biopsies from infants with CSD as it is a critical adjunct in the diagnosis of neonatal lung disease and in defining the underlying cellular defects.
Towards a framework for auditing environmental reports

Audits of environmental reports first appeared about ten years ago. Both the number of environmental reports and the audit of these reports is still increasing. Audit firms perform a major part of these audits, but other professionals are also active in this field. Even today there are still important differences in the scope of these audits, in the audit procedures performed, in the structure of the audit report and in the way the opinion is formulated. This is confusing for readers of environmental reports. The different kinds of auditors should aim at more consistency in order to enhance credibility. In this thesis the various aspects common to all audits are identified. This general framework is further tailored using field evidence. In this way a framework is proposed for the audit of environmental reports that hopefully improves consistency and provides a basis for auditing in this continually changing field.
Central and Eastern Europe in the EU innovation system: Asset or liability?

During the 1990s the new EU member and candidate countries have experienced deep structural changes. These ranged from transformation in sectoral and industrial structure to changes in economic system. The issue is whether these changes have been sufficient to ensure catch-up in a period in which growth increasingly depends on the generation, use and diffusion of knowledge? Also, for the enlarged EU the emerging concern is whether the new member states (NMS) from central and eastern Europe (CEE) will be asset or liability in its objective to increase rate of productivity growth and base it on intensification of knowledge based activities. In a knowledge-based economy, growth depends essentially on a strong S&T system or the 'narrow NSI' and how that system is embedded within the wider economy. (1) This chapter aims to give a broader introduction into the issues of S&T, innovation and growth in CEECs. In the next section, we briefly review the role of S&T and innovation in growth of the CEECs during the transition period and we assess the effects of transition on restructuring of R&D system. In second part, we assess current innovation policies of the CEECs. Finally, we highlight the key issues that are important in future role of S&T and innovation in the CEECs, especially in view of Europeanization of S&T in these countries. Our conclusion is that a) we will see differentiation in the role of S&T and innovation in growth of individual CEECs, b) this role will be strongly shaped by the way CEECc countries managed the process of Europeanization of their R&D and innovation systems.
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Trichostatin A Sustains Sodium Pervanadate-induced NF-κB Activation by Delaying IκBα mRNA Resynthesis

NF-κB is a crucial transcription factor tightly regulated by protein interactions and post-translational modifications, like phosphorylation and acetylation. A previous study has shown that trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, potentiates tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α-elicited NF-κB activation and delays IκBα cytoplasmic reappearance. Here, we demonstrated that TSA also prolongs NF-κB activation when induced by the insulino-mimetic pervanadate (PV), a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor that initiates an atypical NF-κB signaling. This extension is similarly correlated with delayed IκBα cytoplasmic reappearance. However, whereas TSA causes a prolonged IKK activity when added to TNFα, it does not when added to PV. Instead, quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR revealed a decrease of iκbα mRNA level after TSA addition to PV stimulation. This synthesis deficit of the inhibitor could explain the sustained NF-κB residence in the nucleus. In vivo analysis by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays uncovered that, for PV induction but not for TNFα, the presence of TSA provokes several impairments on the iκbα promoter: (i) diminution of RNA Pol II recruitment; (ii) reduced acetylation and phosphorylation of histone H3-Lys14 and -Ser10, respectively; (iii) decreased presence of phosphorylated p65-Ser536; and (iv) reduction of IKKα binding. The recruitment of these proteins on the icam-1 promoter, another NF-κB-regulated gene, is not equally affected, suggesting a promoter specificity of PV with TSA stimulation. Taken together, these data suggest that TSA acts differently depending on the NF-κB pathway and the targeted promoter in question. This indicates that one overall histone deacetylase role is to inhibit NF-κB activation by molecular mechanisms specific of the stimulus and the promoter.
A Kinome RNAi Screen in Drosophila Identifies Novel Genes Interacting with Lgl, aPKC, and Crb Cell Polarity Genes in Epithelial Tissues

In both Drosophila melanogaster and mammalian systems, epithelial structure and underlying cell polarity are essential for proper tissue morphogenesis and organ growth. Cell polarity interfaces with multiple cellular processes that are regulated by the phosphorylation status of large protein networks. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms that coordinate cell polarity with tissue growth, we screened a boutique collection of RNAi stocks targeting the kinome for their capacity to modify Drosophila “cell polarity” eye and wing phenotypes. Initially, we identified kinase or phosphatase genes whose depletion modified adult eye phenotypes associated with the manipulation of cell polarity complexes (via overexpression of Crb or aPKC). We next conducted a secondary screen to test whether these cell polarity modifiers altered tissue overgrowth associated with depletion of Lgl in the wing. These screens identified Hippo, Jun kinase (JNK), and Notch signaling pathways, previously linked to cell polarity regulation of tissue growth. Furthermore, novel pathways not previously connected to cell polarity regulation of tissue growth were identified, including Wingless (Wg/Wnt), Ras, and lipid/Phospho-inositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways. Additionally, we demonstrated that the “nutrient sensing” kinases Salt Inducible Kinase 2 and 3 (SIK2 and 3) are potent modifiers of cell polarity phenotypes and regulators of tissue growth. Overall, our screen has revealed novel cell polarity-interacting kinases and phosphatases that affect tissue growth, providing a platform for investigating molecular mechanisms coordinating cell polarity and tissue growth during development.
Risk factors for HIV infection among men who have sex with men

Objectives:Risk factors for HIV acquisition were examined in a recent cohort of men who have sex with men (MSM). Design:A longitudinal analysis of 4295 HIV-negative MSM enrolled in a randomized behavioral intervention trial conducted in six US cities. Methods:MSM were enrolled and assessed for HIV infection and risk behaviors semi-annually, up to 48 months. Results:In multivariate analysis, men reporting four or more male sex partners, unprotected receptive anal intercourse with any HIV serostatus partners and unprotected insertive anal intercourse with HIV-positive partners were at increased risk of HIV infection, as were those reporting amphetamine or heavy alcohol use and alcohol or drug use before sex. Some depression symptoms and occurrence of gonorrhea also were independently associated with HIV infection. The attributable fractions of high number of male partners, use of alcohol or drugs before sex, and unprotected receptive anal intercourse with unknown status partners and the same with presumed negative partners accounted for 32.3, 29.0, 28.4 and 21.6% of infections, respectively. Conclusions:The challenge is to develop strategies to identify men in need. Interventions are needed to help men reduce their number of sexual partners, occurrences of unprotected anal intercourse, alcohol or drug use before sex and address other mental health issues.
Both total and phosphorylated tau are increased in Alzheimer's disease

BACKROUND Pathological tau protein concentrations in CSF are found in both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), but studies on brain tissue have suggested that the tau pathology in AD differs from that in FTD and that the difference may be related to the degree of phosphorylation. As CSF tau protein is increased after stroke, tau may also be implicated in the pathophysiology of vascular dementia, of which subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy (SAE) is a putative subtype. OBJECTIVES To investigate the nature of tau protein in CSF and the involvement of total CSF tau and phosphorylated CSF tau (phosphotau) in various types of dementia. METHODS Using ELISAs for total tau and tau phosphorylated at Thr181 (phosphotau), the CSF concentrations of total tau and phosphotau were determined in patients with probable and possible AD (n=41 and 19, respectively), FTD (n=18), SAE (n=17), and Parkinson's disease (PD; n=15) and in age matched controls (n=17). All the antibodies stained the lower molecular weight bands, whereas only the antibodies that recognise phosphorylated tau stained the higher molecular bands. RESULTS Both CSF tau and CSF phosphotau were increased in probable AD compared with FTD (p<0.001), SAE (p<0.001), PD (p<0.001), and controls (p<0.001). CSF phosphotau was increased in possible AD compared with FTD (p<0.001) and SAE (p<0.001). CSF tau and CSF phosphotau were positively correlated in all the groups. Molecular weight forms of tau ranging from 25 kDa to 80 kDa were found in the CSF CONCLUSION Both phosphorylated and unphosphorylated tau isoforms were present in the CSF, and tau protein appeared in both truncated and full length forms. The results suggest that the CSF concentrations of tau and phosphotau are increased in about two thirds of patients with probable AD and in half of those with possible AD but are normal in FTD, SAE, and PD compared with normal aging. Values in the normal range do not exclude AD.
Do Competitive Advantages in the Local Market Encourage Firms to Export?

Trade liberalization offers exporting opportunities for firms around the world. However, little is known if firms export as a strategy for leveraging their competitive advantages in the local market into the international level. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of competitive advantages in the local market on the export intention of manufacturing-based small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in an emerging economy. In particular, we test hypotheses on generic competitive advantages of cost, differentiation, focus, and integrated advantages on a sample of 140 SMEs in Malaysia. Using OLS regression, the results depict that differentiation, focus and integrated differentiation-focus advantages encourage firms to export. However, cost advantage does not significantly affect the export intention, while integrated cost-focus advantage holds firms back from going abroad. This study contributes by defining the types of competitive advantages in the local market that encourage domestic firms in developing countries to initiate exporting.
E-Commerce and Small Tourism Businesses in Developing Countries: Drivers versus Boundaries of Adoption

The uptake and adoption of e-commerce by small and medium-sized enterprises is still relatively low and slow. Whilst travel agents are typically classified as small and medium tourism enterprises, there has been a persistent threat of disintermediation in the global travel and tourism market particularly in developing countries. Approximately 59% of travel agents in Egypt were found to be operating without even a website. This study aims to identify the drivers motivating travel agents to adopt e-commerce and to discover the boundaries inhibiting agents in adopting technology. Drivers and boundaries perceived by adopters of high level e-commerce are examined. A stratified sample of category A travel agents in Egypt has been surveyed and results show that drivers strongly influencing adoption decision are suppliers' pressures and competitors' pressures. Aspects of boundaries factors found include resources limitations, internal and external business environments, and adopted-technology attributes are affecting the adoption of e-commerce amongst travel agents.
Family Firm Internationalization: Influence of Familiness on the Spanish Firm Export Activity*

This paper studies the determinants of the export activity of family SMEs, disentangling the three main dimensions that comprise the concept of familiness: power, experience, and culture. The results, using the F-PEC scale over a sample of 500 Spanish SMEs, show that this approach identifies the determinants that explain the export activity of family SMEs better than a simple dichotomous approach. Specifically, we find that the expertise transmitted from different generations and the family culture orientation to the firm positively affect the international activities of family SMEs; however, the composition of the firm control-management does not have any significant influence on internationalization.
Waiting for Service: The Relationship between Delays and Evaluations of Service

Delays in service are becoming increasingly common; yet their effects on service evaluations are relatively unknown. The author presents a model of the wait experience, which assesses the effects of delay duration, attribution for the delay, and degree to which time is filled, on affective and evaluative reactions to the delay. An empirical test of the model with delayed airline passengers reveals that delays do affect service evaluations; however, this impact is mediated by negative affective reactions to the delay. The degree to which the service provider is perceived to have control and the degree to which the delayed customer's time is filled also indirectly affect service evaluations, mediated by the customers’ affective reactions of uncertainty and anger.
Non-invasive diagnosis of infarct artery patency after acute myocardial infarction by use of serial plasma troponin T concentrations: importance of measurement of peak levels.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the validity of a previously described method for assessment of infarct artery patency involving serial measurements of creatine kinase activity by use of troponin T concentration as an independent plasma marker. DESIGN: Streptokinase (1.5 x 10(6) units) was given intravenously to 60 patients within 6 h of onset of prolonged chest pain and ST segment elevation, and blood was taken for measurement of troponin T concentration at baseline and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 h after starting treatment. Coronary arteriography was performed at 2.6 (SD 0.3) h. Plasma troponin T concentration was assessed by two methods: (1) as the absolute rise between 0 and 3 h; and (2) as the proportion of the total rise (from baseline to peak) over the same period. Accuracy for prediction of infarct artery patency, assessed by receiver operating characteristic curves, was compared for both methods of assessment using troponin T and was in turn compared with previously reported results on the same patients using serial measurements of creatine kinase activity. RESULTS: Sufficient values for prediction of patency using troponin T were available in 53 patients. A rise in troponin T between 0 and 3 h to > or = 9% of peak concentration predicted angiographic patency with sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 100%. By contrast, at the optimum cutoff for absolute rate of rise (0.5 micrograms/l/h) sensitivity was only 66% and specificity 86%. Comparable figures for creatine kinase were 92% and 91% (> or = 20% of peak by 3 h) and 62% and 78% (150 IU/l/h). Receiver operating curves confirmed better predictive accuracy for proportions over absolute rates of rise for both markers (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: For accurate diagnosis of infarct artery patency using plasma markers it is necessary to express the rate of rise as a proportion of the peak level. Analysed in this way, both creatine kinase and troponin T are suitable for use in randomised trials of new thrombolytic or adjuvant drugs.
A Cross-Category Analysis of Category Structure and Promotional Activity for Grocery Products

The authors analyze cross-category differences derived from a data source new to the marketing literature. For each of 331 separate grocery product categories, the authors examine two sets of variables, one set consisting of structural characteristics of each category, such as average purchase cycle and household penetration, and the other containing detailed promotional movement information. The overall approach is exploratory. For each set of variables, a separate cluster configuration is derived, which effectively conveys a broad yet meaningful classification of the full set of products. These clusters are then integrated and several hypotheses relating category structure to promotional activity are tested. These relationships have several remarkably strong and consistent patterns across categories. Future directions for cross-category research are discussed.
A Study on Loyalty using E-Travel based on Use, Satisfaction and Trust

E-travel (electronic travel) is form of business operation by used internet connection to run the business. Business of travel industry do service oriented that extremely diverse and complex, it potentially to support activities of tourism industry. Travel industry offers dozen related industries then it will be more potential because supported by technology. The development to become e-travel is as the tool to expand market with relative cheap and competitive cost by offers flexible transactions activity. This study tests empirically the factors that influence the loyalty to e-travel website in Malaysia based on student’s experiences. There are some variables that influence loyalty to e-travel website, contained with the use of e-travel website, trust and satisfaction. This research study supported by reviews of several theories from predecessor researchers related to this study. The interconnection variables set the conceptual study to build the theoretical framework. The current research was undertaken on 105-respondents who were selected using accidental sample technique in Malaysia. The data obtained was analyzed using SEM employing SmartPLS software in testing 5 hypotheses. The result of this study presents that all hypothesis have significantly impact on user loyalty which was determined by use, satisfaction and trust of e-travel uses.
The challenge of paediatric efavirenz dosing: implications and way forward for the sub-Saharan Africa.

The recent U.S.A. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expansion on indications of efavirenz (EFV) in under 3s [1] may result into many children being treated with EFVbased antiretroviral therapy (ART). The initial thought of EFVas teratogenic in children led to restriction of its use and related research including pharmacokinetic studies in infants and younger children. Anxieties over foetal toxic effects of EFV, an otherwise generally preferred antiretroviral drug, have however been allayed through recent studies [2]. As a result, to date, both FDA and WHO recommend use of EFV fixed-dose combinations as first-line ART for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Even though, citing limited pharmacokinetic data, WHO continues to limit its use in under 3s, in May 2013, FDA recommended EFV for children aged at least 3 months. The FDA recommendation points to possible increasing trends in paediatric EFV prescribing.