Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Use of Neuromuscular Blocking Agents in the ICU: Where Are We Now?

Intensivists use neuromuscular blocking agents for a variety of clinical conditions, including for emergency intubation, acute respiratory distress syndrome, status asthmaticus, elevated intracranial pressure, elevated intra-abdominal pressure, and therapeutic hypothermia after ventricular fibrillation–associated cardiac arrest. The continued creation and use of evidence-based guidelines and protocols could ensure that neuromuscular blocking agents are used and monitored appropriately. A collaborative multidisciplinary approach coupled with constant review of the pharmacology, dosing, drug interactions, and monitoring techniques may reduce the adverse events associated with the use of neuromuscular blocking agents.
Hippocampal release of dopamine and norepinephrine encodes novel contextual information

The detection and processing of novel information encountered in our environment is crucial for proper adaptive behavior and learning. Hippocampus is a prime structure for novelty detection that receives high‐level inputs including context information. It is of our interest to understand the mechanisms by which the hippocampus processes contextual information. For this, we performed in vivo microdyalisis in order to monitor extracellular changes in neurotransmitter levels during Object Location Memory (OLM), a behavioral protocol developed to evaluate contextual information processing in recognition memory. Neurotransmitter release was evaluated in the dorsal hippocampus and insular cortex during OLM in 3‐month‐old B6129SF2/J mice. We found a simultaneous release of dopamine and norepinephrine in hippocampus during OLM, while neurochemical activity remained unaltered in the cortex. Additionally, we administered 6‐hydroxy‐dopamine (6‐OHDA), a neurotoxic compound selective to dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons, in the dorsal hippocampus in a different group of mice. Depletion of catecholaminergic terminals in the hippocampus by 6‐OHDA impaired OLM but did not affect novel object recognition. Our results support the relevance of hippocampal catecholaminergic neurotransmission in recognition memory. The significance of catecholaminergic function may be extended to the clinical field as it has been reported that innervation of hippocampus by the noradrenergic and dopaminergic system is reduced and atrophied in aging and Alzheimer's disease brain. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparative effectiveness of switching antipsychotic drug treatment to aripiprazole or ziprasidone for improving metabolic profile and atherogenic dyslipidemia: a 12-month, prospective, open-label study

We studied the effects of switching antipsychotic drug-treated patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder who evidenced adverse metabolic side effects as indicated by a triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein ratio (TG/HDL) ≥ 3.5 to aripiprazole (ARIP; 5–30 mg/day, n = 24) or ziprasidone (ZIP; 40–160 mg/day, n = 28). Anthropometric and metabolic measures, psychopathology, quality of life and motor adverse effects were assessed over a 52-week period with evaluations at baseline, 6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks. There were statistically significant improvements in body weight, body mass index (BMI), TG, HDL and TG/HDL which did not differ between treatments. However, numerous secondary measures including weight and BMI, and the proportion of patients who lost ≥ 7% or who no longer met criteria for obesity, favored ZIP over ARIP. Decreases in total cholesterol and increases in HDL-cholesterol also favored ZIP. On the other hand, decreases in TG/HDL ratio and reduction in HgbA1c favored ARIP. There were no significant time or group × time interaction effects for most psychopathology measures; however, Global Assessment of Functioning Scores favored ARIP at 6 and 12 months. We conclude that switching patients with evidence of metabolic side effects to either ARIP or ZIP may be beneficial for some, but not all metabolic measures, with minimal risk of worsening of psychopathology and possibly some benefit in that regard as well.
Intangibles Mismeasurement, Synergy, and Accounting Numbers: A Note

For the last two decades, authors (e.g. Ohlson, 1995; Lev, 2000, 2001) have regularly pointed out the enforcement of limitations by traditional accounting frameworks on financial reporting informativeness. Consistent with this claim, it has been then argued that accounting finds one of its major limits in not allowing for direct recognition of synergy occurring amongst the firm intangible and tangible items (Casta, 1994; Casta & Lesage, 2001). Although the firm synergy phenomenon has been widely documented in the recent accounting literature (see for instance, Hand & Lev, 2004; Lev, 2001) research hitherto has failed to provide a clear approach to assess directly and account for such a henceforth fundamental corporate factor. The objective of this paper is to raise and examine, but not address exhaustively, the specific issues induced by modelling the synergy occurring amongst the firm assets whilst pointing out the limits of traditional accounting valuation tools. Since financial accounting valuation methods are mostly based on the mathematical property of additivity, and consequently may occult the perspective of regarding the firm as an organized set of assets, we propose an alternative valuation approach based on non-additive measures issued from the Choquet's (1953) and Sugeno's (1997) framework. More precisely, we show how this integration technique with respect to a non-additive measure can be used to cope with either positive or negative synergy in a firm value-building process and then discuss its potential future implications for financial reporting.
U.S. Presidential Elections 1968-80: A Spatial Analysis

A methodology is presented for empirical estimation of spatial models of voting in mass elections. The basic choice model posits utility functions that depend on spatial distance and a random error term. The parameters of the utility functions are estimated by a polytomous logit model, which is applied to spatial maps of voters and candidates for all presidential elections since 1968. These maps indicate that presidential candidates take positions at the periphery of the distribution of voters. Results based on these maps support the hypothesis of sincere, spatial voting in two-candidate elections. In three-candidate elections, the coefficients of the voter utility function adjust to proxy for the lesser viability of the minor party candidate. In contrast to choice, turnout shows only weak spatial effects. The data are inconsistent with the proposition that turnout is low because voters are not offered distinct alternatives. While the utility function used by voters appears stable through time and candidate and voter positions appear stable in the last few months prior to an election, voter and candidate positions exhibit substantial change over longer time periods.
Effect of standard nicotinamide in the prevention of type 1 diabetes in first degree relatives of persons with type 1 diabetes

Background: Nicotinamide has been used with success to prevent type 1 diabetes in animal models and humans. This vitamin B3 derivative has attracting effects on β-cell protection and regeneration. Aim/hypothesis: To evaluate the effect of standard nicotinamide administration on type 1 diabetes prevention in first degree relatives of persons with type 1 diabetes as well as on the concentrations of islet-cell-related autoantibodies, insulin secretion and peripheral sensitivity. Subjects and methods: A randomized double-blind placebo controlled intervention trial was conducted in 40 first degree relatives of type 1 diabetic patients. Persistence of ICA ( ≥ 10 JDF units) was among inclusion criteria. Participants were randomly allocated oral standard nicotinamide (1.2 g/m2) or placebo for 5 years. Groups were also stratified by age. Islet associated antibodies, fasting blood glucose, fasting plasma insulin concentrations, OGTT, IVGTT and HLA-DR genotyping were performed in all participants. The main criterion to stop treatment was type 1 diabetes development as defined by WHO. Results: Type 1 diabetes development frequencies were similar between the treatment groups. ICA frequencies at the end of the study, first phase insulin release, and insulin sensitivity did not differ between groups as well. None of the participants suffered from any adverse events described for nicotinamide. Conclusions: Type 1 diabetes prevention trial using standard nicotinamide is feasible but fails to prevent or delay the disease onset at the dose we used.
After Seven Years

Will reading habit influence your life? Many say yes. Reading after seven years is a good habit; you can develop this habit to be such interesting way. Yeah, reading habit will not only make you have any favourite activity. It will be one of guidance of your life. When reading has become a habit, you will not make it as disturbing activities or as boring activity. You can gain many benefits and importances of reading.
Attributing negative intent to wife behavior: the attributions of maritally violent versus nonviolent men.

This study compared attributions for negative wife behavior offered by three groups of husbands: 22 maritally violent and distressed, 17 nonviolent but maritally distressed, and 17 nonviolent and nondistressed. Husbands rated wife behaviors presented in nine hypothetical problematic marital situation vignettes. On a measure of responsibility attributions, violent husbands were more likely than nondistressed husbands to attribute negative intentions, selfish motivation, and blame to the wife. On a measure of possible negative wife intentions, violent husbands were more likely than either distressed or nondistressed men to attribute negative intentions to the wife. Exploratory analyses suggested that certain types of marital situations (e.g., jealousy and rejection from wife) were particularly likely to elicit attributions of negative intent from violent husbands.
The Drosophila Polycomb Group Protein Psc Contacts ph and Pc through Specific Conserved Domains

ABSTRACT The Polycomb group proteins are transcriptional repressors that are thought to act through multimeric nuclear complexes. We show that ph and Psc coprecipitate with Pc from nuclear extracts. We have analyzed the domains required for the association of Psc with ph and Pc by using the yeast two-hybrid system and an in vitro protein-binding assay. Psc and ph interact through regions of sequence conservation with mammalian homologs, i.e., the H1 domain of ph (amino acids 1297 to 1418) and the helix-turn-helix-containing region of Psc (amino acids 336 to 473). Psc contacts Pc primarily at the helix-turn-helix-containing region of Psc (amino acids 336 to 473), but also at the ring finger (amino acids 250 to 335). The Pc chromobox is not required for this interaction. We discuss the implication of these results for the nature of the complexes formed by Polycomb group proteins.
Impaired behavioural and molecular adaptations to dopamine denervation and repeated L‐DOPA treatment in Nur77‐knockout mice

We have previously shown that dopamine (DA) denervation and repeated L‐DOPA treatment modulate the pattern of Nur77 mRNA expression in the striatum. However, the exact role of this nuclear receptor in L‐DOPA‐induced molecular and behavioural adaptations observed in animal models of Parkinson's disease is still unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Nur77 gene deletion on the development of behavioural sensitization and on changes in the regulation of neuropeptides and DA D3 receptor expression following DA denervation and repeated L‐DOPA treatment in Nur77+/+ and Nur77–/– hemiparkinsonian mice. One week postsurgery, hemiparkinsonian mice were treated with L‐DOPA (10 mg/kg) plus benserazide (3 mg/kg) once a day for 7 days. Despite similar extents of nigrostriatal denervation, L‐DOPA‐induced rotational response was exacerbated in Nur77–/– mice compared to Nur77+/+ ones. However, the rate of increase of the rotational behaviour after repeated L‐DOPA injections was similar in the two mouse strains. Lesioning the nigrostriatal pathway increased enkephalin (ENK) and neurotensin (NT) mRNA levels in both mouse strains. However, the up‐regulation of these neuropeptides was significantly reduced in Nur77–/– mice. There was no difference in the modulation of D3 receptor density and dynorphin (DYN) mRNA expression between the two mouse strains. The present results suggest that Nur77 is involved in setting the threshold level for L‐DOPA‐induced rotational behaviour, rather than controlling the development of behavioural sensitization. This specific behavioural change is associated with a selective regulation of neuropeptide expression specifically in the indirect striatal output pathway.
Labour and income effects of caregiving across Europe: an evaluation using matching techniques

This paper offers evidence on the effects of caregiving (i.e. looking after a dependent person within or outside the household) on labour outcomes such as employment, full time employment (conditional on employment), and income for women aged between 30 and 60 across different European countries. It does so by exploiting data from the European Community Household Panel (1994-2001) in order to match women who have become caregivers with “control” women who are deemed to be comparable in all relevant characteristics and compute a non-parametric measure of the effect of becoming a caregiver on the outcomes mentioned above. Our results suggest that, for women who are working before becoming a caregiver there is no statistically significant change in the chances of being employed. However, in the case of women who were not working prior to becoming a caregiver, there is a statistically significant decrease in the chances of entering employment. We also detect a negative and significant effect on labour income, which tends to be offset by a parallel increase in social transfers, except in the case of women with low levels of education in the Southern countries.
Internal conflict, terrorism and crime in Colombia

This article examines the relationship between terrorism, civil war and crime in Colombia where the internal conflict is both highly criminalized and low to medium in intensity. One of the main tenets of the 'new wars' thesis is that the civilian|combatant ratio in civil conflicts has worsened dramatically, said to be associated with the increasingly violent or terrorist behaviour of the groups that participate in the conflict. However, in Colombia the 'new wars' thesis does not hold, despite the very strong link between the guerrillas, the paramilitary and the narco-economy. This argument is supported by an exploration of the methods used and factors motivating the actors involved in the conflict. In constructing a political economy of internal conflicts and terrorism and in the context of territoriality, it is further argued that the 'political' part of the equation is often under-estimated, due not least of all to the lack of a working notion of governance. The policy relevance of the argument is that terrorist acts need to be located in political context and understood in relation to the political content of the challenge they pose and the response they elicit. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Customer satisfaction and Scuba-diving: Some insights from the deep

This paper explores the concept of customer satisfaction in relation to the scuba-diving consumption experience. It investigates the myriad of tangible and intangible elements of the experience, from which scuba-divers derive a sense of meaning and/or satisfaction. The results indicate that satisfaction is gained from a complex array of consumers' perceptions of the dive itself, but also from a range of associated peripheral experiences surrounding the dive such as the service provided by the operator, the ‘communitas’ from the social interaction with other divers and the functional aspects of the dive. The study takes an ethnographic approach using qualitative methods of inquiry, since the purpose of the study was to develop a deeper understanding of the inter-relationships between the levels of service provided; customer satisfaction of scuba-divers; and the dive consumption experience. The findings illuminate the diversity and complexity of dive consumption experiences themselves and the perceptual cues used by customers for determining customer satisfaction and longer term behavioural intentions.
On Applying Synthetic Indices of Multidimensional Well-Being: Health and Income Inequalities in Selected EU Countries

The multidimensional view of well-being is receiving growing attention, both in academic research and policy-oriented analysis. This paper examines empirical strategies to measure poverty and inequality in multiple domains, concentrating on two problems in the use of synthetic multidimensional indices: the weighting structure of different functionings and the functional form of the index. These problems are illustrated by comparing inequality and deprivation in income and health in the four largest countries of the EU: France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.
Differential Activation of Heme Oxygenase-1 by Chalcones and Rosolic Acid in Endothelial Cells

The induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is widely recognized as an effective cellular strategy to counteract a variety of stressful events. We have shown that curcumin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester, two naturally occurring phytochemicals that possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic activities, induce HO-1 in many cell types. This suggests that stimulation of HO-1 could partly underlie the beneficial effects exerted by these plant-derived constituents. Here we examined the ability of additional plant constituents to up-regulate heme oxygenase activity and HO-1 in aortic endothelial cells. Incubation of endothelial cells with a series of polyphenolic chalcones (5–50 μM) resulted in increased heme oxygenase activity; interestingly, the chemical structure dictated the pattern of heme oxygenase induction, which was unique to each particular compound employed. We also found that rosolic acid, a constituent isolated from the rhizome of Plantago asiatica L. dramatically increased HO-1 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Severe cytotoxicity was observed after prolonged exposure (24 or 48 h) of cells to curcumin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester, whereas 2′-hydroxychalcone and rosolic acid did not affect cell viability. By using different mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors, we determined that the extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38, and c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase pathways play only a minor role in the induction of HO-1 by rosolic acid and 2′-hydroxychalcone. On the other hand, increased intra- and extracellular thiols markedly reduced the rise in heme oxygenase activity elicited by rosolic acid. Thus, this study identified novel plant constituents that highly induce HO-1 in endothelial cells and investigated some of the mechanisms involved in this effect.
Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in community-acquired primary pyoderma.

BACKGROUND Although prevalence of MRSA strains is reported to be increasing, there are no studies of their prevalence in community-acquired primary pyodermas in western India. AIMS This study aimed at determining the prevalence of MRSA infection in community-acquired primary pyodermas. METHODS Open, prospective survey carried out in a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty-six patients with primary pyoderma, visiting the dermatology outpatient, were studied clinically and microbiologically. Sensitivity testing was done for vancomycin, sisomycin, gentamicin, framycetin, erythromycin, methicillin, cefazolin, cefuroxime, penicillin G and ciprofloxacin. Phage typing was done for MRSA positive strains. RESULTS The culture positivity rate was 83.7%. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in all cases except two. Barring one, all strains of Staphylococcus were sensitive to methicillin. CONCLUSIONS Methicillin resistance is uncommon in community-acquired primary pyodermas in Mumbai. Treatment with antibacterials active against MRSA is probably unwarranted for community-acquired primary pyodermas.
Catheter-related bloodstream infections in intensive care units: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

AIM This paper is a report of a systematic review and meta-analysis of strategies, other than antimicrobial coated catheters, hypothesized to reduce risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections and catheter colonization in the intensive care unit setting. BACKGROUND Catheter-related bloodstream infections occur at a rate of 5 per 1000 catheter days in the intensive care unit setting and cause substantial mortality and excess cost. Reducing risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections among intensive care unit patients will save costs, reduce length of stay, and improve outcomes. METHODS A systematic review of studies published between January 1985 and February 2007 was carried out using the keywords 'catheterization - central venous' with combinations of infection*, prevention* and bloodstream*. All included studies were screened by two reviewers, a validated data extraction instrument was used and data collection was completed by two blinded independent reviewers. Risk ratios for catheter-related bloodstream infections and catheter colonization were estimated with 95% confidence intervals for each study. Results from studies of similar interventions were pooled using meta-analyses. RESULTS Twenty-three studies were included in the review. The strategies that reduced catheter colonization included insertion of central venous catheters in the subclavian vein rather than other sites, use of alternate skin disinfection solutions before catheter insertion and use of Vitacuff in combination with polymyxin, neomycin and bacitracin ointment. Strategies to reduce catheter-related bloodstream infection included staff education multifaceted infection control programmes and performance feedback. CONCLUSION A range of interventions may reduce risks of catheter-related bloodstream infection, in addition to antimicrobial catheters.