Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of fenoldopam on regional vascular resistance in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The effects of fenoldopam, a selective dopamine-1 agonist, on regional blood flow and vascular resistance were examined in conscious unrestrained spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Rats were instrumented chronically with pulsed Doppler flow probes to allow measurement of renal, mesenteric and hindquarters blood flow. Maximal changes in mean arterial pressure, heart rate and regional blood flow were recorded after i.v. administration of fenoldopam (1-1000 micrograms/kg). Fenoldopam produced a dose-dependent reduction in arterial pressure and increased heart rate in the conscious SHR. Significant increases in mesenteric (maximal = 69 +/- 10%) and renal (maximal = 42 +/- 4%) blood flows were observed at all doses of fenoldopam. In the hindquarters, vascular resistance was increased after low doses of fenoldopam (1-30 micrograms/kg), but decreased with higher doses (100-1000 micrograms/kg). After ganglionic blockade, hindquarter vasodilation was observed with fenoldopam at low (10 micrograms/kg) and high (500 micrograms/kg) doses. Pretreatment with metoclopramide (20 mg/kg) or SCH 23390 (30 micrograms/kg), a new selective dopamine-1 antagonist, significantly attenuated the vasodilator responses to fenoldopam in all three vascular beds. Pretreatment with propranolol failed to alter the vascular effects of fenoldopam, but reduced the tachycardia markedly. This study indicates that fenoldopam decreased regional vascular resistance in the renal, mesenteric and hindquarters vascular beds of the conscious SHR with the mesenteric vascular bed demonstrating the greatest reactivity. The vasodilation induced by fenoldopam in these vascular beds appeared to be due to stimulation of vascular dopamine-1 receptors.
Advances in leaky-wave periodic structures after oliner's pioneering research

The research activity jointly developed during the last decade between the groups coordinated by P. Lampariello in Europe and by D. R. Jackson in the U.S.A. is reviewed, on the basis of the fruitful scientific interaction had with Prof. Oliner since the Eighties. The main focus here is on advances in leaky waves and leaky-wave antennas based on periodic structures. This involves topics of different nature, such as issues of numerical modeling in periodic Green's functions, leakage features in metamaterials and other innovative media, and one-dimensional and two-dimensional configurations of printed and planar leaky-wave radiators.
Identifying relationships between high-risk sexual behaviors and screening positive for chlamydia and gonorrhea in school-wide screening events.

BACKGROUND This article describes a school-wide sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening to identify adolescent high-risk sexual behaviors, STI history/incidence, and presence of chlamydia and gonorrhea, and examines relationships between high-risk behaviors and screening positive for chlamydia and gonorrhea in an alternative high school setting. METHODS School-wide chlamydia and gonorrhea education and screening was provided to 869 adolescents; 226 males and 282 females 14-20 years (mean age = 17.07) consented to urine screening. Relationships were examined between screening positive, history of STIs, and high-risk sexual behaviors. RESULTS A majority (69%) of the adolescents consented to screening: 17.76% (92) had a history of STI; 8.83% (46) tested positive at screening. More females than males tested positive (p = .001). Significant relationships existed between history of STIs and ≥ 4 sexual partners (p = .0022), no condom use (p = .06), and sexual intercourse in last 3 months (p = .03). CONCLUSIONS School-Based Health Center (SBHC) screening was well accepted by students and staff. Sexually transmitted infection history was correlated with all identified high-risk sexual behaviors supporting the need for in-depth assessment, counseling, and testing of adolescents wherever they present for care. This study also provides an example of the role SBHCs can play in the national strategy to control chlamydia and gonorrhea in adolescents.
Increase of TNFα-stimulated osteoarthritic chondrocytes apoptosis and decrease of matrix metalloproteinases 9 by NF-κB inhibition.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the in vitro effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a NF-κB inhibitor, on the apoptosis of osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes and on the regulation of the gelatinases matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9). METHODS Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) labeling and western blotting were used to observe and determine the apoptosis in TNFα-stimulated primary cultured osteoarthritic chondrocytes. Also, gelatin zymography was applied to examine MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities in supernatants. RESULTS It was confirmed by both flow cytometry and western blotting that chondrocytes from OA patients have an apoptotic background. Use of CAPE in combination with 10 ng/mL of TNFα for 24 h facilitated the apoptosis. MMP-9 in the supernatant could be autoactivated (from proMMP-9 to active MMP-9), and the physiologic calcium concentration (2.5 mmol/L) could delay the autoactivation of MMP-9. The activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the fresh supernatant increased significantly in response to stimulation by 10 ng/mL of TNFα for 24 h. The stimulatory effect of TNFα just on proMMP-9 was counteracted significantly by CAPE. CONCLUSION NF-κB could prevent chondrocytes apoptosis though its activation was attributed to the increase of proMMP-9 activity induced by TNFα (a pro-apoptotic factor). Therefore, therapeutic NF-κB inhibitor was a 'double-edged swords' to the apoptosis of chondrocytes and the secretion of MMP-9.
Self-monitoring in patients with schizophrenia

Background. The present study investigated whether a failure of self-monitoring contributes to core syndromes of schizophrenia. Method. Three groups of patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia (n=27), with either prominent paranoid hallucinatory or disorganization syndrome, or without these symptoms, and a matched healthy control group (n=23) drew circles on a writing pad connected to a PC monitor. Subjects were instructed to continuously monitor the relationship between their hand movements and their visual consequences. They were asked to detect gain changes in the mapping. Self-monitoring ability and the ability to automatically correct movements were assessed. Results. Patients with either paranoid-hallucinatory syndrome or formal thought disorder were selectively impaired in their ability to detect a mismatch between a self-generated movement and its consequences, but not impaired in their ability to automatically compensate for the gain change. Conclusions. These results support the claim that a failure of self-monitoring may underlie the core symptoms of schizophrenia.
Attenuation of pulmonary hypertension secondary to left ventricular dysfunction in the rat by Rho‐kinase inhibitor fasudil

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in left ventricular dysfunction is attributable not only to backward failure of the left ventricle, but also to increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in some patients. Recently, Rho‐kinase has been known as a potent growth stimulator and mediator of vasoconstriction, and Rho‐kinase inhibitors could ameliorate PVR, little is known about the role of Rho‐kinase in left ventricular dysfunction‐induced PH. We utilized the ascending aortic‐banded rat and assessed the effect of Rho‐kinase inhibitor fasudil on the development of PH secondary to left ventricular dysfunction. Subsequently, in rats subjected to aortic banding for 6 weeks, there were increases in mean pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary arteriolar medial thickness, active RhoA, Rho‐kinase II, Rho‐kinase activity, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and endothelin‐1(ET‐1) concomitant with decreased levels in NO and cGMP in the lung. Treatment with fasudil at a dose of 30 mg/kg/day from days 1 to 28 or from days 29 to 42 decreased the mean pulmonary arterial pressure by 57% and 56%, right ventricular hypertrophy by 31% and 30%, pulmonary arteriolar medial thickness by 50% and 50%, and pulmonary expression of Rho‐kinase II by 41% and 28%, respectively, as well as augmented pulmonary expression of eNOS by 16% and 31% and NO by 50% and 76%, respectively, when compared with the vehicle controls. In conclusion, these results suggest that inhibition of Rho‐kinase may provide therapeutic potential for preventing and attenuating the development of PH in left ventricular dysfunction. Further translational study in human is needed to substantiate the findings. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011; 46:45–59. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hospital Magnet Status, Unit Work Environment, and Pressure Ulcers.

PURPOSE To identify how organizational nursing factors at different structural levels (i.e., unit-level work environment and hospital Magnet status) are associated with hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) in U.S. acute care hospitals. DESIGN A cross-sectional observational study used data from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators®. Responses from 33,845 registered nurses (RNs) were used to measure unit work environments. The unit of analysis was the nursing unit, and there were 1,381 units in 373 hospitals in the United States. METHODS Unit work environment was measured by the Practice Environment Scale of Nurse Working Index (PES-NWI). Multilevel logistic regressions were used to estimate the effects of unit work environment and hospital Magnet status on HAPUs. All models were controlled for hospital and unit characteristics when considering clustering of units within hospitals. RESULTS Magnet hospital units had 21% lower odds of having an HAPU than non-Magnet hospital units (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-0.98). With one unit increase of the PES-NWI score, units had 29% lower odds of having an HAPU (95% CI, 0.55-0.91). When including both hospital Magnet status and unit work environment in the model, hospital Magnet status no longer had a significant effect on HAPUs (odds ratio [OR] = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.66-1.02), whereas the significant effect of unit work environment persisted (OR = 0.73; 95% CI, 0.56-0.93). CONCLUSIONS Both hospital and unit environments were significantly associated with HAPUs, and the unit-level work environment can be more influential in reducing HAPUs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Investment in the nurse work environments at both the hospital level and unit level has the potential to reduce HAPUs; and additional to hospital-level initiatives (e.g., Magnet recognition program), efforts targeting on-unit work environments deserve more attention.
Dollar as the world's reserve currency: Challenges and prospects

The US dollar gained the status of the world's reserve currency in the Bretton Woods system and has preserved it until the present day. Such position in international finance entails both advantages and disadvantages to the USA as the issuer of this currency, and to the rest of the world using it in trading, as store of value, and for the purpose of various financial operations and transactions. After the collapse of the Bretton Woods system, the regime of fixed FX rates was replaced by floating FX rates. Yet, regardless of this change, the dollar kept its role of the world's reserve currency. Numerous banking and currency crises following the transfer to the floating FX rates regime, along with the shifts in international capital flows, forced the developing countries and countries in transition to increase their FX reserves. In the tendency to store their value, central banks usually invest them into US Treasury securities, as liquid and reliable assets. However, due to the risk incurred by the reliance on a single national currency in the role of the world's reserve currency, there have been many proposals to reform the international monetary system. According to the current global tendencies, the most serious candidates for acquiring the status of the world's reserve currency in the future are the dollar, the euro, and the Chinese yuan.
Isolation and characterization of an extremely basic protein from adenovirus type 5

By starch-gel electrophoresis and a staining method that is highly sensitive for argininyl residues, adenovirus type 5 was found to contain two minor basic polypeptides of extreme cathodic mobility in addition to the two known core proteins. The fastest-migrating polypeptide, named mu protein, and the second fastest polypeptide are found in adenovirions and virus-infected KB cells but not in top components or in uninfected cells. The top components and infected cells contain an additional basic polypeptide, presumably P-VII, that migrates slightly slower than polypeptide VII. None of the basic polypeptides of adenovirions was electrophoretically identical to the host histone. The basic proteins of adenovirions were purified by urea phosphocellulose column chromatography and characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The two minor basic core proteins, mu and another component, have similar mobilities in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels as a complex of polypeptides X-XII. After further purification on a Sephadex G-75 column, the mu protein was found to have a molecular weight of about 4,000. Amino acid analysis showed that the mu protein lacks tryptophan and 69% of the total amino acid residues are basic, that is, 54% arginine, 13% histidine, and 2% lysine. Only eight amino acids seem to contribute to make the mu polypeptide. There are 125 copies of the mu polypeptide per 1,000 copies of polypeptide VII in a virion.
Consumer Value Co-creation in a Hybrid Commerce Service-Delivery System

Retailing firms operating in a hypercompetitive environment are increasingly leveraging a hybrid commerce strategy to reach their customers through both physical and virtual channels. This study seeks to better understand the aspects of physical and virtual retail channels that can be integrated to create value for consumers. The role of consumers in co-creating value is examined in a hybrid commerce service-delivery system. The study draws on the theoretical foundations of value co-production as well as the customer contact model to develop a set of hybrid process metrics. A structural model is then advanced to examine the relationships between these processes and consumer value. Survey data from 300 consumers assessing hybrid commerce stores were used to empirically test this value co-creation model. Results demonstrate that the integration of promotion information, product and pricing information, and transaction information enhances information quality, while the integration of information access, order fulfillment, and customer service increases service convenience. Overall, the metrics developed and the structural model results offer a better understanding of the design of an effective value-creating hybrid commerce service-delivery system.
Analisis Pengaruh Perubahan Arus Kas terhadap Return Saham

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the operating cash flow, the financing cash flow, and the influence of the investing cash flow to the stock returns, as well as to determine the influence of the operating cash flow, the financing cash flow, and the investing cash flow together equally against the stock returns. Number of sample that used in this research is 30 samples with the method purposive sampling. Based on the results of simultaneous research indicate that the operating cash flows, the financing cash flows and the investing cash flows did not have any influence on the stock returns. The result of research partially known that the operating cash flow has not an effect on stock returns, the financing cash flow has not an effect on stock returns, and the investment cash flow has not an effect on stock returns. The research concluded that the operating cash flow, the financing cash flow, and the investing cash flow did not have any influence on the stock returns, either simultaneously or partially. The suggestions of the research is for the investors and the potential investors or other stockholders taking into account the information of a company’s cash flow from the operating cash flows, the financing cash flows and the investing cash flows to predicting the stock returns.
Excessive Early Gestational Weight Gain and Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Nulliparous Women

OBJECTIVE: To estimate whether there is an association between excessive early gestational weight gain and the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and excessive fetal growth. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of vitamins C and E in nulliparous low-risk women. Maternal weight gain from prepregnancy (self-reported) to 15–18 weeks of gestation was measured, and expected gestational weight gain was determined using the Institute of Medicine 2009 guidelines for each prepregnancy body mass index category. Excessive early gestational weight gain was defined as gestational weight gain greater than the upper range of the Institute of Medicine guidelines. Rates of GDM, birth weight greater than 4,000 g, and large for gestational age (LGA, birth weight 90th percentile or higher) were calculated and compared between women with excessive early gestational weight gain and early nonexcessive gestational weight gain (within or below Institute of Medicine guidelines). RESULTS: A total of 7,985 women were studied. Excessive early gestational weight gain occurred in 47.5% of women. Ninety-three percent of women with excessive early gestational weight gain had total gestational weight gain greater than Institute of Medicine guidelines. In contrast, only 55% of women with nonexcessive early gestational weight gain had total gestational weight gain greater than Institute of Medicine guidelines (P<.001). Rates of GDM, LGA, and birth weight greater than 4,000 g were higher in women with excessive early gestational weight gain. CONCLUSION: In our population, excessive early gestational weight gain occurred in 93% of women who had total gestational weight gain greater than the Institute of Medicine guidelines. In low-risk nulliparous women, excessive early gestational weight gain is associated with the development of GDM and excessive fetal growth. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II
Increased lactate production follows loss of mitochondrial membrane potential during apoptosis of human leukaemia cells

Acute tumour‐lysis syndrome (ATLS) is a frequently fatal complication after cytoreductive leukaemia therapy. Lactic acidosis is associated with ATLS and its extent is correlated with the severity of ATLS. In the course of cytoreductive therapy, apoptosis is induced in tumour cells, which results in loss of mitochondrial function. We hypothesize that loss of mitochondrial function leads to compensatory glycolysis, which is the main cause of lactate accumulation and acidosis. We tested this hypothesis using the model of glucocorticoid‐induced apoptosis in the human acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cell line CCRF‐CEM. After induction of glucocorticoid‐induced apoptosis, a biphasic course of lactate production was observed. Prior to the onset of apoptosis, i.e. prior to the loss of membrane potential, lactate production was reduced. However, subsequent to loss of mitochondrial membrane potential a massive increase in lactate production was observed (15·5 ± 0·5 versus 10·17 ± 0·09 mmol/106 cells, P = 0·001). We also demonstrated that inhibition of respiratory chain activity by antimycin A resulted in excess lactate production. In the model cell line used, conditional bcl‐2 expression delayed glucocorticoid‐induced apoptosis by protecting against loss of mitochondrial membrane potential; bcl‐2 expression delayed the increase in lactate production and had no effect on the pre‐apoptotic drop in lactate production. Apoptosis‐induced lactate production was also observed in other cell lines (HL60, THP1 and OPM2) with various cytotoxic agents [doxorubicin, gemcitabine and vumon (VM26)]. Thus, the data suggest that lactate acidosis can be caused by apoptotic loss of mitochondrial function and massive apoptosis of a tumour mass via lactic acidosis may be the essential pathological event in ATLS.
Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty of hypospadias.

OBJECTIVE To describe tubularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty, for the treatment of anterior hypospadias. DESIGN Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY This study was carried out in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Children hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad, from January 2003 to February 2004. MATERIALS AND METHODS There were 30 patients with anterior hypospadias. Children between 2-years to 12 years were included in the study. Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty (Snodgrass procedure) was performed in all the patients. Meatus was matured taking care not to close too much to avoid stenosis. Dressing was kept to prevent haematoma and oedema formation. Frequent irrigation of the stent was done to avoid blockage. RESULTS Procedure was successful in 22 patients. Meatal stenosis was noted in three patients, two required dilatations only and in one patient meatotomy was performed. Three patients developed single urethrocutaneous fistula. One patient had complete breakdown. CONCLUSION Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty was found to be a useful procedure for distal or anterior hypospadias with less complications. Special precautions like maturing the meatus to avoid stenosis and keeping the stent patent with frequent irrigation helps in minimizing fistula formation. The dressing technique prevented postoperative haematoma and oedema of penile stuff.
Correlation between Apoptosis and Histological Grade of Transitional Cell Carcinoma of Urinary Bladder.

INTRODUCTION To evaluate the relationship between histological grade and apoptotic index (AI) in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of urinary bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from 75 patients with TCC, who undergone transurethral resection (TUR) were studied. One 3-micron section was provided from each TUR samples. In one section after hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, tumor grade was determined according to World Health Organization/International Society of Urology and Pathology (WHO/ISUP) criteria. The apoptotic cells were determined using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) mediated dUTP biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. Apoptotic index was then obtained as the percent of TUNEL positive cells from observations of at least 1000 cells in each section. RESULTS Forty-nine patients were men and 26 were women. Mean age was 56.349 years. Mean AI was 2.300. 50. The relationship between grade and AI was significant (p=0.000, r=0.551); a higher grade was associated with a higher AI. CONCLUSION Apoptosis index has a positive correlation with bladder TCC's grade. Further studies are needed to better determine the effect of apoptosis index on prognosis.
Analysts' Accuracy of Estimation and the Relative Trading Volume

This study contributes to the neglect effect literature by looking at the relative trading volume in terms of value. The results for the Swedish market show a significant positive relationship between the accuracy of estimation and the relative trading volume. Market capitalisation and analyst coverage have in prior studies been used as proxies for neglect. These measures however, do not take into account the effort analysts put in when estimating corporate pre-tax profits. I also find evidence that the industry of the firm influence the accuracy of estimation. In addition, supporting earlier findings, loss making firms are associated with larger forecasting errors. Further, I find that the average forecast error increased in the year 2000 – in Sweden. * Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration, P.O. Box 479. 00101 Helsinki, Finland; tel. +358-9-431 33 472; fax. +358-9-431 33 393; e-mail: nandelstadh@shh.fi I am grateful to SME Direkt for providing me the consensus estimate data and further acknowledge the useful comments and suggestions by Anders Ekholm, Eva Liljeblom, Anders Löflund, Daniel Pasternack and Thomas Sandvall.