Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A retrospective analysis of low-field strength magnetic resonance imaging and the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess how in-office magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the hand/wrist or feet are utilized in a rheumatology practice to make clinical evaluations regarding therapeutic options for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods: In a large clinical practice, a retrospective review was conducted on the first 300 RA patients who had office-based MRI scans at baseline. Information was collected on demographics, baseline therapy, and whether any change in therapy occurred at the time of the MRI scans. MR images of the affected wrist were obtained with a low-field strength dedicated extremity unit. Results: Of the 300 patients, 99 patients (33%) had MRIs that exhibited signs of erosions, joint space narrowing, or bone edema. These patients were classified as MRI-positive. The remaining 201 patients (67%) were classified as MRI-negative. A substantial majority (85%) of MRI-positive patients received a change in their therapeutic regimen, compared with only 9.5% of the MRI-negative patients ( p < 0.001). In the 84 MRI-positive patients who had their therapy changed, 65% received a new prescription for a biologic or an increase in the dose of their existing biologic and 34% of the MRI-positive patients received a DMARD. In the 19 MRI-negative patients with a therapeutic change, 11% received a biologic agent and 88% received a DMARD. The major limitation of this study is that it was a retrospective analysis and the assessments of MRI findings were qualitative. Conclusion: In this large population of RA patients, there was an association between MRI detection of joint space narrowing, erosions, and/or bone edema and change in therapeutic management.
Insulin Decreases Inflammatory Signal Transcription Factor Expression in Primary Human Liver Cells after LPS Challenge

Hepatic homeostasis is essential for survival in critically ill and burned patients. Insulin administration improves survival and decreases infections in these patients. To determine the molecular mechanisms, the aim of the present study was to establish a stress model using primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) and to study the effects of insulin on the hepatic inflammatory signaling cascade. Liver tissue was obtained from general surgical patients, and PHHs were isolated and maintained in culture. Primary hepatocyte cultures were challenged with various doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the inflammatory signal transcription cascade was determined by real-time PCR. In subsequent experiments, primary hepatocyte cultures were challenged with LPS and insulin was added in various doses. Glucose was determined by colorimetric assays. PHHs treated with 100 µg/mL LPS showed a profound inflammatory reaction with increased expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT-5). Insulin at 10 IU/mL significantly decreased IL-6, TNF, and IL-1β at pretranslational levels, an effect associated with decreased STAT-5 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). Glucose concentration and cellular metabolic activity were not different between controls and insulin-treated cells. Based on our results, we suggest that primary hepatocyte cultures can be used to study the effect of LPS on the inflammatory cascade. Insulin decreases hepatic cytokine expression, which is associated with decreased STAT-5 expression.
The Effect of a Biotechnology SMEs' Network Position on Its Innovative Performance

This research paper studies the importance of an SME’s network position within the biotechnology industry, and the effect of it on its innovative performance. We developed theoretical propositions departing from the resource based view and network theory. We argue that a firm’s position within an SME network will have an influence on the innovation output. The more R&D collaboration a small biotech firm has with other SMEs in the biotech sector, the greater the subsequent innovation output of the firm. We also argue that centrality within the network matters. These propositions will be tested using a dataset we are constructing. We used the MERIT-CATI database to select companies that formed inter-firm R&D collaborations during the period 1990-2000 in the pharmaceutical biotechnology industry. We are linking innovation measures to the firms of these R&D alliances.
Entrepreneurial Motivation A Case Study of Small Scale Entrepreneurs In Mekelle, Ethiopia

It is entrepreneurs who act as a “spark plug” to transform the economic scene and bring a new sense of dynamism into it. Entrepreneurs like any other careerists are not born, they are made. Career making depends upon several factors. In addition to the attitudes of the careerist himself, the attitudes of others i.e., his family members, friends, relatives and the government will have their impact on the making or unmaking of the career. Entrepreneurship is no exception. Entrepreneurs are not only a product of their ambitions, but also those of their family members, friends and the nation. Motivational factors constitute the personality of the entrepreneur and there by generate an inclination to adopt entrepreneurial activity. Key Word: Entrepreneur, Motivation, Ambitions, Career, Facilitating Factors, Goal.
Asset market hangovers and economic growth: U.S. housing markets

This paper presents evidence that speculative bubbles can have sizeable effects on house prices, and on housing investment. We infer that deviations of asset prices from fundamental values may have serious consequences for real activity, and explore some policy implications. The analysis relies on a panel of U.S. state-level data covering 1973-1996.
Power analysis attack using neural networks with wavelet transform as pre-processor

This work proposes a novel methodology to perform power analysis attack on secure system by using wavelet transform as a pre-processor followed by machine learning technique. The proposed methodology uses known plain text attack. The power supply current traces from the cryptographic device are obtained by varying the atmospheric temperature. Then the current traces are pre-processed by using wavelet transform, data normalization and principal component analysis (PCA). The featured data samples selected by the pre-processor are then used to train the neural network. Through supervised learning algorithm and wavelet pre-processing, we are able to achieve around 25% improvement in guessing the secret key when compared to existing method of machine learning alone.
Epicardial Fat Tissue Predicts Increased Long-Term Major Adverse Cardiac Event in Patients With Moderate Cardiovascular Risk

We investigated the relationship between epicardial fat volume (EFV) measured by multislice computed tomography (MDCT) and long-term major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). Consecutive patients (n = 564) were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into tertiles according to EFV. Patients were followed up for an average of 18 months. Patients in each tertile were similar in terms of gender and risk factors. Patients with greater EFV in the third group were more likely to be overweight (P = .001) and older (P = .001). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were relatively lower in the third tertile (45 ± 9, 45 ± 11, and 43 ± 9 mg/dL, respectively; P = .018). The third group had a significantly higher rate of myocardial infarction (0.6%, 1.1%, and 3.7%, respectively; P = .043). The incidence of MACEs during the follow-up period was highest in the third group 15.9% (4.1%, 7.7%, and 15.9%, respectively; P = .001). Epicardial fat volume measured by MDCT was associated with increased long-term cardiovascular risk.
Value Nets: Breaking the Supply Chain to Unlock Hidden Profits

The Power of Value Nets. Value Nets and Business Design. Value Proposition: Crafting the Offer. Scope: Deciding Where and How to Play. Profit Capture: Casting the Net. Strategic Control: Staying in the Game. Design for Execution: Realizing the Net. Lessons from the Innovators. Appendix. Index.
Risk/Return Budgeting at Pension Plans

1. C. Guus E. Boender 1. is a partner and one of the founders of ORTEC Consultants bv, and professor of asset/liability management at the Free University in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 2. Martijn Vos 1. is with ORTEC Consultants bv in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. > Risk in institutional
Theory and practical understanding of the migration behavior of proteins and peptides in CE and related techniques

CEC is defined as an analytical method, where the analytes are separated on a chromatographic column in the presence of an applied voltage. The separation of charged analytes in CEC is complex, since chromatographic interaction, electroosmosis and electrophoresis contribute to the experimentally observed behavior. The putative contribution of effects such as surface electrodiffusion has been suggested. A sound theoretical treatment incorporating all effects is currently not available. The question of whether the different effects contribute in an independent or an interdependent manner is still under discussion. In this contribution, the state‐of‐the‐art in the theoretical description of the individual contributions as well as models for the retention behavior and in particular possible dimensionless ‘retention factors’ is discussed, together with the experimental database for the separation of charged analytes, in particular proteins and peptides, by CEC and related techniques.
Impact of ABC single nucleotide polymorphisms upon the efficacy and toxicity of induction chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract Anthracycline uptake could be affected by efflux pumps of the ABC family. The influence of 7 SNPs of ABC genes was evaluated in 225 adult de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. After multivariate logistic regression there were no significant differences in complete remission, though induction death was associated to ABCB1 triple variant haplotype (p = .020). The ABCB1 triple variant haplotype was related to higher nephrotoxicity (p = .016), as well as this haplotype and the variant allele of ABCB1 rs1128503, rs2032582 to hepatotoxicity (p = .001; p = .049; p < .001). Furthermore, the variant allele of ABCC1 rs4148350 was related to severe hepatotoxicity (p = .044), and the variant allele of ABCG2 rs2231142 was associated to greater cardiac (p = .004) and lung toxicities (p = .038). Delayed time to neutropenia recovery was observed with ABCB1 rs2032582 variant (p = .047). This study shows the impact of ABC polymorphisms in AML chemotherapy safety. Further prospective studies with larger population are needed to validate these associations.
Cytochrome c release from mitochondria proceeds by a two-step process

Cytochrome c is often released from mitochondria during the early stages of apoptosis, although the precise mechanisms regulating this event remain unclear. In this study, with isolated liver mitochondria, we demonstrate that cytochrome c release requires a two-step process. Because cytochrome c is present as loosely and tightly bound pools attached to the inner membrane by its association with cardiolipin, this interaction must first be disrupted to generate a soluble pool of this protein. Specifically, solubilization of cytochrome c involves a breaching of the electrostatic and/or hydrophobic affiliations that this protein usually maintains with cardiolipin. Once cytochrome c is solubilized, permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane by Bax is sufficient to allow the extrusion of this protein into the extramitochondrial environment. Neither disrupting the interaction of cytochrome c with cardiolipin, nor permeabilizing the outer membrane with Bax, alone, is sufficient to trigger this protein's release. This mechanism also extends to conditions of mitochondrial permeability transition insofar as cytochrome c release is significantly depressed when the electrostatic interaction between cytochrome c and cardiolipin remains intact. Our results indicate that the release of cytochrome c involves a distinct two-step process that is undermined when either step is compromised.
Barrier Perception and Its Influence on Self‐Esteem

&NA; This project was a correlational study that explored the relationships between client‐perceived physical and interpersonal barriers to activities of daily living and the self‐esteem of wheelchair‐bound individuals. Following data analysis, the conclusions of the study were: a) There were no significant correlations between client‐perceived barriers and self‐esteem in this sample, b) Persons who had been using wheelchairs for more than 6 years had significantly higher self‐esteem than those who had been using a wheelchair for less than 6 years, c) Individuals who used a wheelchair due to a spinal cord injury had significantly higher self‐esteem than persons who used wheelchairs due to the effects of multiple sclerosis, and d) Women perceived significantly more barriers than men. Implications for nursing include: a) Identifying those barriers that inhibit successful community reintegration and working for their elimination, b) Increasing efforts to assist clients in the maintenance or restoration of self‐esteem, and c) Considering the effects of time, progressive vs. stabilized conditions, and self‐concept of men as compared to women a key variable in the recovery/adaptation process.
Homocysteine, frailty, and all-cause mortality in older men: the health in men study.

BACKGROUND Frailty and hyperhomocysteinemia are common in the older population. The researchers' objectives were to determine whether elevated homocysteine (tHcy) is associated with frailty and mortality. METHODS The researchers conducted a prospective cohort study. tHcy was measured by immunoassay in 4,248 community-dwelling men aged 70-88 years. Frailty was assessed with the Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illness and Loss of weight (FRAIL) scale. Mortality was determined from the death registry. RESULTS At baseline, 1,117 men (26.3%) had high tHcy (≥15 µmol/L) and 685 (16.2%) were frail (ie, having three or more deficits in the FRAIL scale). There were 749 deaths during a follow-up duration of 5.1±1.3 years. In cross-sectional analysis, high tHcy was associated with increased prevalent frailty (odds ratio 1.49, 95% CI 1.22-1.81) after adjusting for confounding factors. After a period of 5.3±0.8 years, the longitudinal relationship between high tHcy and frailty was weakened in multivariate analysis (hazards ratio 1.25, 95% CI 0.95-1.65). When assessing the relationship between tHcy and incident frailty, the odds of being frail at follow-up for men with high tHcy and having zero deficit at baseline (ie, FRAIL scale = 0) were 1.59 (95% CI 0.88-2.89) in adjusted analysis. High tHcy also predicted all-cause mortality (hazards ratio 1.25, 95% CI 1.06-1.48) after adjusting for frailty and other covariates. CONCLUSIONS Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with the prevalence of frailty. It is also predictive of all-cause mortality, independent of frailty. The results suggest that the association between tHcy and mortality is largely not mediated through the occurrence of frailty.
Matrix metalloproteinases in multiple sclerosis: targets of therapy or markers of injury?

Interferon-beta (IFNβ) treatment represents a major advance in the management of MS that was made without a complete understanding of the cause of MS or the mechanism of action of IFNβ. It is widely believed that MS is an immune-mediated disease and that the mechanism of action of IFNβ is related to its immunomodulatory activity. In December 1996, two articles1,2 and an editorial3 were published that proposed, based on in vitro studies, that the therapeutic effect of IFNβ in MS might be caused by an inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (92-kDa type IV collagenase or MMP-9). Transmigration of activated lymphocytes across basement membranes is dependent on secreted MMP-9, and the two studies showed that IFNβ decreased MMP-9 secretion and lymphocyte transmigration across an artificial basement membrane. It was proposed that IFNβ treatment blocked lesion formation in MS by limiting the entry of lymphocytes into the CNS. If this hypothesis is true, then lymphocytic-secreted MMP-9 activity should increase before the appearance of new lesions and secreted MMP-9 activity should decrease during treatment with IFNβ in MS patients. This issue of Neurology contains two articles examining these questions in patients with MS, specifically following serum levels of MMP-9. Both provide data that support the hypothesis. Waubant …
Bubbles in Shanghai Real Estate Market

In this paper we emphasize that bubble is a very risky phenomenon in financial market. So development of measurement of bubbles is extremely meaningful. Many models have been established in stock market and they work quite well in due field. We try to transform two distinct stage models which are applied in stock market to a completely new stage model which is designed for bubble measurement in real estate market. This model is developed based on one assumption. A house only has two functions: residence and trade. It aims to evaluate the fundamental price of a house and compare it with its real price. A bubble is identified according to the distance between two prices. We separate Shanghai real estate market into three segments and test them individually. During the research, Hott and Monnin model is also used to test bubbles in same period and place. Both models have proved that a bubble has already existed in residential house market of Shanghai.
USING THE HIDDEN VALUE OF INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL AS A MANAGEMENT TOOL

Intellectual capital is the main ingredient of the future company valuation. It is, however, a hidden value driver and that is why it can be very difficult to determine its correct value. There are some studies in the research and academic community that emphasize the disclosure of intellectual capital information in a company’s annual report. Every such endeavor wants to invent the wheel all over again. In this paper no wheel will be invented, but an existing one will be turning. In this manner it is created the possibility for all stakeholders to interpret the information about the intellectual capital value in the same way they are used to evaluate a company’s financial situation and its future potential.
Chronic Liver Diseases and Parenterally Transmitted Hepatitis Viruses

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) are the leading cause of chronic liver diseases. The aims of the present study are to determine the etiological relationship of HBV and HCV in patients with chronic liver disease in North-Eastern Bulgaria and prevalence of dual and triple infections. A total of 434 patients were investigated for HBsAg, 402 of whom were also tested for anti-HCV. The HBsAg positive subjects were tested for anti-HDV and 32 of them also for HbeAg/anti-Hbe. Separated commercial ELISA kits were used. HBsAg was detected in 132 (30.4%); 10.6% were co-infected with HDV. Anti-HCV was detected in 15.4%. Five of 132 HbsAg positive patients (3.78%) were simultaneously HBV and HCV positive. Two patients out of 132 (1.52%) were positive to HBV, HCV and HDV. Our data indicate that HBV infection was the main cause of chronic liver diseases in North-Eastern Bulgaria, and 10.6% of the patients suffered from severe disease because of co-infection with HDV. HCV plays the same role in 15.4% of the cases. Recently, we observed dually infected (HBV and HCV) and triple infected (HBV, HCV, HDV) patients suffering from severe chronic liver diseases.
Culture, Advertising & Brand Equity: The Influence of Culture on Advertising and its Effect on Brand Equity

The main objective of this research is to explore the relationship between key factors of culture that are directly or indirectly effecting on advertisement and brand equity. The influence of culture on advertisement is create a different impact on brand equity, in this study we are trying to find the major factors that are most relevant to advertisement and have powerful impact on it. There are different factors that are directly involved with culture and advertisement. Language is one of these, we check the correlation of local languages and advertisement because we can convey clear message through local or regional language and it can play better role in advertisement and brand equity, secondly Lifestyle, we find the influence of lifestyle on our culture and advertisement. The last one is female role in advertisement and how much it is effective and linked with brand Equity.
Identification of FHL2‐Regulated Genes in Liver by Microarray and Bioinformatics Analysis

FHL2 is a LIM domain protein that is able to form various protein complexes and regulate gene transcription. Recent findings showed that FHL2 is a potential tumor suppressor gene that was down‐regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma. In the present study, microarray profiling of gene expression was performed to identify the genes regulated by FHL2 in mouse livers. The differentially expressed genes were further analyzed by bioinformatics tools including DAVID, KEGG, and STRING. Our data illustrate that FHL2 affects genes involved in various functions including signal transduction, responses to external stimulus, cancer‐related pathways, cardiovascular function and regulation of actin cytoskeleton. Moreover, a network of differentially expressed genes identified in this study and known FHL2‐interacting proteins was constructed. Then, genes identified by bioinformatics tools and most functional relevant to FHL2 were selected for further validation. Finally, the differential expression of Ar, Id3, Inhbe, Alas1, Bcl6, Pparδ, Angptl4, and Erbb4 were confirmed by quantitative real‐time PCR. In summary, we have established a database of genes that are potentially regulated by FHL2 and these genes should be future targets for the elucidation of functional roles of FHL2. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 744–753, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neutrophil adherence to isolated adult canine myocytes. Evidence for a CD18-dependent mechanism.

Cardiac myocytes were isolated from adult dogs and incubated with isolated canine neutrophils (PMN). Intercellular adhesion was low and unchanged by stimulation of the PMN with zymosan activated serum or platelet activating factor (PAF) at concentrations that significantly enhance PMN adhesion to protein-coated glass and canine endothelial cell monolayers. Intercellular adhesion was significantly increased only when both myocytes and PMN were stimulated (e.g., myocytes incubated with IL-1, tumor necrosis factor, or phorbol myristate acetate, and PMN were chemotactically stimulated). Inhibitors of protein synthesis diminished the IL-1 beta-induced effect by greater than 80%. The IL-1 beta, PAF-stimulated PMN-myocyte adhesion was associated with substantial H2O2 production. Under conditions with low PMN-myocyte adhesion (i.e., IL-1 beta alone, PAF alone, or no stimulus) H2O2 production was generally less than 5% of that occurring with high adhesion. An anti-CD18 monoclonal antibody (R15.7) inhibited stimulated PMN-myocyte adhesion by greater than 95% and reduced H2O2 production by greater than 90%. Control isotype-matched, binding, and nonbinding antibodies were without effect on adherence or H2O2 production. The results indicate that cytokine stimulation of adult myocytes induces expression of a ligand involved in CD18-dependent adherence of canine neutrophils.