Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psoriasis and Sexual Behavior in Men: examination of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in the United States.

INTRODUCTION Epidemiologic data on sexual behavior in psoriasis patients are lacking. AIM We aim to examine and compare the sexual behaviors between men with and without psoriasis in the United States. METHODS We analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2003 to 2006 and 2009 to 2010. Responses from male participants to the dermatology and sexual behavior questionnaires of the NHANES were collated and analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Outcome measures included sexual orientation, age of first sexual encounter, number of oral and non-oral sexual partners, and frequency of unprotected sex. RESULTS Among 6,444 U.S. men that responded to the psoriasis question, 170 (2.6%) reported a physician-given diagnosis of psoriasis. Heterosexual men accounted for 95.5% and nonheterosexual men 4.5% of the overall study population. On multivariate analysis, psoriasis was not associated with differences in sexual orientation (odds ratio 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75-4.15). Heterosexual men with psoriasis experienced first sexual encounter at an earlier age than those without psoriasis (weighted difference -0.9 years, P = 0.002). Heterosexual men with psoriasis had significantly fewer female oral sexual partners compared with heterosexual men without psoriasis on multivariate analysis (lifetime partner number: rate ratio [RR] 0.65, 95% CI 0.45-0.95; past-year partner number: RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.42-0.97). No significant differences existed between heterosexual men with and without psoriasis regarding frequency of unprotected sex (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.85-1.09). Among nonheterosexual men with and without psoriasis, no significant differences existed in age first had sex, number of sexual partners, or frequency of unprotected sex. CONCLUSION Heterosexual men with psoriasis have significantly fewer lifetime female oral sexual partners compared with those without psoriasis. Dermatologists and other healthcare providers need to examine the genital region routinely and initiate appropriate therapy to improve patients' sexual health.
Competition between the ports of Hong Kong and Singapore: a structural vector error correction model to forecast the demand for container handling services

The objective of this paper is to provide the Hong Kong government with an alternative forecast of container throughput, by studying various interactive relationships between major ports in East and Southeast Asia. As the demand for container handling services is 'derived' from the demand for imports, the resulting market shares for the container handling services gripped by different regions inevitably become a mirror image of the relative competitiveness of their exports. When the markets of the two ports overlap, their market shares will become a function of the prices they charge and how well they meet the needs of the shippers and shipping lines. A vector error correction model (VECM) with structural identification was set up to capture this kind of trade-interdependency and oligopolistic relationship in the East and Southeast Asian market for container handling services. In the course of so-doing, the upward sloping supply curves and downward sloping demand curve for the container handling services provided by Hong Kong and Singapore are identified from the model. Interestingly, the impulse response functions display what is reminiscent of the trade-interdependency and oligopolistic relationship. The forecast of Hong Kong container throughput generated by the structural VECM is then compared with that obtained by the Hong Kong Port Development Board (PDB). The sensitivity analysis shows that, in all possible cases, the structural VECM produces higher growth paths for the Hong Kong container throughput than the PDB does and, hence, suggests an earlier construction of new terminals.
Association of Anti-Modified Citrullinated Vimentin with Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Compared with Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide

Objective. To investigate anti-modified citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV) in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including correlation with disease activity and cardiovascular risk factors, compared with anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP3). Methods. Anti-MCV and anti-CCP3 concentrations were measured in 100 patients with early RA and 100 healthy controls at baseline to determine sensitivity and specificity. Patients received methotrexate (MTX) 0.2 mg/kg/week plus prednisone 10 mg/day. Anti-MCV, anti-CCP3, rheumatoid factor (RF), Disease Activity Score for 28 joints (DAS-28), lipid profile, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein assay (hsCRP), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) were measured before and after 12 months of treatment. Results. The sensitivity and specificity for anti-MCV antibody were 75% and 90%, respectively, and for anti-CCP3 antibody 71% and 96%. Serum anti-MCV and serum anti-CCP3 levels at baseline were positively correlated with hsCRP, IL-6, HOMA-IR index, serum RF levels (p < 0.001), and cIMT (p < 0.05). Serum anti-MCV was positively correlated with serum anti-CCP3 levels. There were significant positive correlations between the percentage of changes of anti-MCV levels versus changes in DAS-28, ESR, hsCRP, atherogenic ratios (TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C), apolipoprotein A-I, IL-6, TNF-α, HOMA-IR index, and cIMT. These correlations were not found between changes in anti-CCP3 levels compared to clinical, laboratory, and radiological variables. Conclusion. Anti-MCV was as sensitive as anti-CCP3 in diagnosing early RA. Anti-MCV testing appears to be useful for monitoring associated subclinical atherosclerosis in early RA.
Influence of peptidylarginine deiminase type 4 genotype and shared epitope on clinical characteristics and autoantibody profile of rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Recent evidence suggests that distinction of subsets of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) depending on anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP) status may be helpful in distinguishing distinct aetiopathologies and in predicting the course of disease. HLA-DRB1 shared epitope (SE) and peptidylarginine deiminase type 4 (PADI4) genotype, both of which have been implicated in anti-CCP generation, are assumed to be associated with RA. Objectives: To elucidate whether PADI4 affects the clinical characteristics of RA, and whether it would modulate the effect of anti-CCPs on clinical course. The combined effect of SE and PADI4 on autoantibody profile was also analysed. Methods: 373 patients with RA were studied. SE, padi4_94C>T, rheumatoid factor, anti-CCPs and antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) were determined. Disease severity was characterised by cumulative therapy intensity classified into ordinal categories (CTI-1 to CTI-3) and by Steinbrocker score. Results: CTI was significantly associated with disease duration, erosive disease, disease activity score (DAS) 28 and anti-CCPs. The association of anti-CCPs with CTI was considerably influenced by padi4_94C>T genotype (C/C: ORadj = 0.93, padj = 0.92; C/T: ORadj = 2.92, padj = 0.093; T/T: ORadj = 15.3, padj = 0.002). Carriage of padi4_94T exhibited a significant trend towards higher Steinbrocker scores in univariate and multivariate analyses. An association of padi4_94C>T with ANAs was observed, with noteworthy differences depending on SE status (SE−: ORadj = 6.20, padj<0.04; SE+: ORadj = 0.36, padj = 0.02) and significant heterogeneity between the two SE strata (p = 0.006). Conclusions: PADI4 genotype in combination with anti-CCPs and SE modulates clinical and serological characteristics of RA.
Varenicline treatment for smoking cessation in Asian populations: a pooled analysis of placebo-controlled trials conducted in six Asian countries

Abstract Objective: A pooled analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of varenicline versus placebo for smoking cessation in Asian populations. A secondary objective was to compare the data to pooled trials among predominantly Western populations. Research design and methods: Smokers (n = 893) in three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, phase IIb or III trials conducted in six Asian countries (Japan, Taiwan, Korea, China, Singapore, and Thailand), received varenicline (1 mg twice daily; n = 447) or placebo (n = 446) for 12 weeks. Non-treatment follow-up lasted 12 weeks (40 weeks in Japan). Primary endpoint was the carbon monoxide-confirmed continuous abstinence rate (CAR) for weeks 9–12 (last 4 weeks of treatment). Secondary endpoint was CAR for weeks 9–24. Results: CAR was higher for varenicline than placebo during weeks 9–12 (58.6 vs. 34.3%; odds ratio [OR]: 2.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.08–3.60; p < 0.0001), and through 12 weeks of follow-up (CAR weeks 9–24; 41.4 vs. 25.3%; OR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.56–2.77; p < 0.0001). The most frequent adverse events (AEs) in the varenicline group (greater incidence than the placebo group) were: nausea (31.5%), headache (8.5%), dizziness (7.8%), insomnia (7.4%), and upper abdominal pain (5.4%). Serious AEs occurred in four varenicline and five placebo participants. Discontinuations due to AEs occurred in 3.6% of varenicline and 1.6% of placebo participants. Compared with the Western studies, abstinence rates for both varenicline and placebo were numerically higher in the Asian studies, although treatment effects were similar between the two populations. AEs reported in the Asian trials were largely similar to those in the Western populations. Conclusions: Varenicline significantly improved smoking abstinence in Asian populations from six countries. AEs were predominantly of mild or moderate intensity. These data were largely the same as those seen in Western populations, but the studies were not designed to explore racial or cultural differences.
Empirical Studies of Strategic Trade Policy

Since the 1980s, economists have used the concept of strategic trade policy, which takes account of imperfect competition and increasing returns in the international marketplace, to criticize conventional views about free trade. According to the new view, a government can take strategic steps to raise its income at another country's expense—by subsidizing exports or erecting trade barriers, protecting certain firms from foreign competition, or promoting the development of new industries. This volume looks at the experience of specific industries in order to determine the effectiveness of strategic trade policy in promoting economic growth. The nine papers cover the U.S. and European auto industries, the U.S. steel industry, the commercial aircraft industry, airline deregulation in Scandinavia, and labor and industrial policy in Korea and Taiwan. The authors refine the basic techniques for measuring policy effectiveness, extend them to encompass industry dynamics, and test the implications of new trade models. International economists and trade experts in government and business will find important new insights into the role of strategic trade policy in international competitiveness.
Multivariate Financial Dependence Analysis of Asian Markets Using Vine Copulas

Modelling financial dependence is one of the major areas of research in quantitative finance and econometrics. Efficient quantification of dependence is desirable for portfolio theory, hedging, valuation of assets and risk management in general. Quantification of co-movement or multivariate dependence between various international stock markets results in better diversification which benefits investors as it helps in profitable risk distribution. Due to their phenomenal growth in recent years, Asian stock markets have become important for global investors. The study of dependence among Asian stock markets has gained importance as these markets promise diversification benefits. In this paper we study the multivariate dependence structure of eleven Asian financial markets, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Korea, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and India using sophisticated and recently developed model, Regular Vine (R-Vine) Copula. R-Vine Copulas constitute a flexible kind of multivariate dependence models which offer more flexibility than standard multivariate copulas. We also introduce the international markets of Australia, UK and US to the dependence analysis in order to study the influence of these international stock markets on the Asian markets.
Proteoglycan-induced arthritis and recombinant human proteoglycan aggrecan G1 domain-induced arthritis in BALB/c mice resembling two subtypes of rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To develop a simplified and relatively inexpensive version of cartilage proteoglycan-induced arthritis (PGIA), an autoimmunity model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to evaluate the extent to which this new model replicates the disease parameters of PGIA and RA. METHODS Recombinant human G1 domain of human cartilage PG containing "arthritogenic" T cell epitopes was generated in a mammalian expression system and used for immunization of BALB/c mice. The development and progression of arthritis in recombinant human PG G1-immunized mice (designated recombinant human PG G1-induced arthritis [GIA]) was monitored, and disease parameters were compared with those in the parent PGIA model. RESULTS GIA strongly resembled PGIA, although the clinical symptoms and immune responses in mice with GIA were more uniform than in those with PGIA. Mice with GIA showed evidence of stronger Th1 and Th17 polarization than those with PGIA, and anti-mouse PG autoantibodies were produced in different isotype ratios in the 2 models. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies were detected in both models; however, serum levels of IgG-RF and anti-CCP antibodies were different in GIA and PGIA, and both parameters correlated better with disease severity in GIA than in PGIA. CONCLUSION GIA is a novel model of seropositive RA that exhibits all of the characteristics of PGIA. Although the clinical phenotypes are similar, GIA and PGIA are characterized by different autoantibody profiles, and the 2 models may represent 2 subtypes of seropositive RA, in which more than 1 type of autoantibody can be used to monitor disease severity and response to treatment.
Draw the line/respect the line: a randomized trial of a middle school intervention to reduce sexual risk behaviors.

OBJECTIVES This study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of Draw the Line/Respect the Line, a theoretically based curriculum designed to reduce sexual risk behaviors among middle school adolescents. METHODS The randomized controlled trial involved 19 schools in northern California. A cohort of 2829 sixth graders was tracked for 36 months. RESULTS The intervention delayed sexual initiation among boys, but not girls. Boys in the intervention condition also exhibited significantly greater knowledge than control students, perceived fewer peer norms supporting sexual intercourse, had more positive attitudes toward not having sex, had stronger sexual limits, and were less likely to be in situations that could lead to sexual behaviors. Psychosocial effects for girls were limited. CONCLUSIONS The program was effective for boys, but not for girls.
RHODOMYRTUS TOMENTOSA: A PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW

R hodomyrtus tomentosa is a common wood, prevalent in areas with undemanding soil conditions and resistant toward pests and diseases. The plant can be found in China, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Literature and artwork indicate that R. tomentosa played an important holistic role in the daily lives of several ancient cultures, providing medicinal benefits. R. tomentosa exhibits a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects and has been used to treat colic diarrhea, wounds, heartburn, abscesses, gynecopathy, and as a pain killer. R. tomentosa was used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat urinary tract infection. 42 compounds have been isolated from this plant and structurally elucidated. They comprise phloroglucinol, flavonoid, terpenoid, anthracene glycoside, tannin, and other compounds. Rhodomyrtone, a member of the acylphloroglucinols demonstrated a significant activity against a wide range of Gram-positive bacteria. Rhodomyrtone exhibited both antimicrobial and anti-infective activities. Several biological activities have been documented as antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, osteogenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. R. tomentosa has been studied extensively for alternative antimicrobial agents. Although rhodomyrtone exhibited potential activity with a very low minimum inhibitory concentration value, the mechanisms of action of this compound are still unclear. Furthermore, toxicity studies on it extract to validate pharmacological activities are required. Ke ywords: R hodomyrtus tomentosa, Kemunting, Phytochemical, Pharmacological, Biological activities, Chemical constituents.
The Influence of Traditional Herbal Medicine (Kampo) on Anti-cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody Levels

We present three rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients successfully treated with traditional herbal medicine (THM: Kampo). The treatment with THM resulted in a decrease in RA disease activity such as DAS28, as well as in the serum levels of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP) in 3 cases. These observations suggest that disease progression may be retarded in patients who respond to THM since anti-CCP is important for the prediction of disease severity and radiographic joint damage. Additionally, serial mesurements of anti-CCP titers may be a useful indicator in assessing this kind of treatment efficacy.
Clinical significance of periodontitis in rheumatoid arthritis patients: association with disease activity and functional status

Objectives: To evaluate frequency of periodontitis (PD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and relate it with clinical characteristics, disease activity, functional status, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and radiographic scores.Methods: The study included 60 RA patients and 30 controls. Clinical Disease activity index (CDAI), Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (MHAQ), visual analogue scale of pain and Scott's modification to Larsen scoring method were assessed. Rheumatoid factor (RF) positivity and anti-CCP titer were measured. Periodontal examination was performed and relevant indices calculated.Results: The mean age of the patients was 49.1 ± 13 years and they were 52 females and 8 males. PD was present in 71.7% of RA patients versus 46.7% in control (p=0.02). PD was predominantly generalized (p=0.004) with moderate-severe degree (p=0.01). Age (p=0.007), disease duration (p<0.0001), morning stiffness (p=0.01), CDAI (p<0.0001), MHAQ (p=0.02), CRP (p=0.02), anti-CCP titer (p=0.01) and methotrexate treatment (p=0.005) were significantly higher in RA-PD versus RA. However, gender, smoking, oral hygiene, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, RF, anti-CCP positivity and radiographic scoring were insignificantly different. PD positivity was 96.3%, predominant generalized in 92.6%, moderate (40.7%) and severe degree (37%) in early RA versus (51.5%, 24.2%, 24.2%, 12.1% respectively) in late RA patients. All PD indices were higher in early patients (p ≤ 0.05) while teeth loss (p=0.03) was higher in late cases. CDAI, VAS and ACPA titer all significantly correlated with PD indices (p<0.05). Conclusion: Periodontitis is frequent in RA patients’ especially in early cases and is remarkably associated to disease activity and reduced functional status.
Threshold free shipping policies for internet shoppers q

http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.tra. 2015.09. 015 0965-8564/ 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. q This research was supported by a grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, R.O. C. (MOST103-2410-H-005-037-MY3). ⇑ Corresponding author. Tel. : +886 4 2284 0392x763; fax: +886 4 2286 0993. E-mail addresses: whh@nchu.edu. tw (W.-H. Huang), shn821@hotmail.com (Y.-C. Cheng). Wen-Hsien Huang ⇑, Yi-Ching Cheng
Motivation and Achievement of Gifted Children in East Asia and the United States

Analyses were conducted of data from 5 studies related to the academic achievement and cognitive abilities of students in Japan, Taiwan, Mainland China, and the United States. Cross-sectional and longitudinal data were available for students in kindergarten and grades 1, 5, and 11. The analyses compared the top 10 percent of students with the 10 percent of the students whose scores clustered most closely to the average on (a) tests of cognitive ability and then on (b) tests of mathematics achievement. The high ability students in Asian samples outperformed high ability American students in mathematics at grade level 1, 5, and 11 but not in reading. Parents of high ability students in the United States had a higher opinion of their children's ability and performance than did Japanese parents of high ability students. Many factors related to high ability and/or to high achievement are discussed, including mothers' and students'evaluations of the students' abilities and personality characteristics, attributional beliefs, sources of motivation, psychological well-being, and demographic factors. The relation of cognitive ability to academic achievement is also discussed.
Preliminary Evidence For Existence of Oral Sex in a Rural Igbo Community in Southeast Nigeria

There is debate regarding whether oral sex recurred over human evolution. We investigated the occurrence of oral sex (cunnilingus and fellatio) and other sexual activities among a rural Igbo community in south-east Nigeria. We found that giving and receiving oral sex was less common relative to other sexual activities in both men and women. Both sexes reported more frequent vaginal sexual intercourse (particularly ventro-ventral posture compared with dorso-ventral posture) in the past 10 days compared to oral sex. Taken together, our data suggests that vaginal sexual activities follow similar patterns that are documented in other parts of world and that oral sex occurred less frequently in this traditional society