Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Persistent Remodeling of Resistance Arteries in Type 2 Diabetic Patients on Antihypertensive Treatment

Abstract—We hypothesized that resistance arteries from diabetic patients with controlled hypertension have less remodeling than vessels from untreated hypertensive subjects. Eight normotensive subjects (aged 44±3 years, 3 men; values are mean±SEM), 19 untreated hypertensive subjects (46±2 years, 9 men), and 23 hypertensive subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus under antihypertensive treatment (58±1 years, 15 men) were studied. Resistance arteries dissected from gluteal subcutaneous tissue were assessed on a pressurized myograph. Most diabetic patients (70%) were being treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Although systolic blood pressure was still above the normotensive range in these patients (144±2 versus 150±3 mm Hg in hypertensive and 114±4 mm Hg in normotensive subjects), diastolic blood pressure was well controlled (83±2 mm Hg) and significantly lower compared with that in untreated hypertensives (100±1 mm Hg; P <0.001) but higher than in normotensives (76±3 mm Hg; P <0.05). Thus, pulse pressure was higher in diabetic patients (P <0.05). The media-to-lumen ratio of resistance arteries was greater in hypertensives (0.083±0.002) compared with normotensive controls (0.059±0.003; P <0.05) and was even higher in diabetic hypertensive subjects (0.105±0.004; P <0.001 versus normotensive controls). The medial cross-sectional area was greater in diabetic and hypertensive patients compared with normotensive controls (P <0.001). Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was impaired in vessels from hypertensive patients and from patients with both diabetes mellitus and hypertension (P <0.05 versus normotensive controls), whereas endothelium-independent vasorelaxation was similar in all groups. Despite effective antihypertensive treatment, resistance arteries from hypertensive diabetic patients showed marked remodeling, greater than that of vessels from untreated, nondiabetic, hypertensive subjects, in agreement with the high cardiovascular risk of subjects suffering from both diabetes and hypertension.
PATTERNS IN TREE BALANCE AMONG CLADISTIC, PHENETIC, AND RANDOMLY GENERATED PHYLOGENETIC TREES

I examine patterns in tree balance for a sample of 208 cladograms and phenograms from the recent literature. I provide an expression for expected imbalance under a simple, uniform‐rate random speciation model, and I estimate variances by simulation for the same model. Imbalance decreases with tree size (number of included taxa) in both theoretical and literature trees. In contrast to previous suggestions, I find cladistic trees to be no more imbalanced than phenetic trees when confounding variables are appropriately controlled. The degree of imbalance found in literature trees is inconsistent with the uniform‐rate speciation model; this is most likely a result of variability in speciation and extinction rates among real lineages. The existence of such variation is a necessary (but not sufficient) condition for the operation of the macroevolutionary processes of species sorting and species selection.
Multidomain Engagement and Self-Reported Psychosomatic Symptoms in Middle-Aged Women and Men

Background: Multimorbidity can be operationalized as the presence of multiple psychosomatic symptoms and has been shown to be detrimental to the quality of life across the life span. Middle-aged adults are generally engaged in multiple life domains simultaneously. This is one of the developmental challenges of middle adulthood as it can lead to conflict between the demands of different domains and, in turn, contribute to multiple psychosomatic symptoms, thereby diminishing the quality of life. This may be particularly true for women. Facilitation between life domains may serve to reduce the number of psychosomatic symptoms. However, this subject has been largely neglected in the literature. Objective: We aimed to close this gap by investigating the influence of conflict and facilitation between life domains (work, family, leisure) on self-reported psychosomatic symptoms in middle-aged women and men. Methods: Life domain conflict/facilitation and psychosomatic symptoms were assessed via self-report in a cross-sectional study with 277 adults aged 30-55 years (mean = 41.70, SD = 7.2; 56.7% women) who all worked at least 30 h/week and lived with their partner or family. Results: In line with our hypothesis, women reported more psychosomatic symptoms when they experienced conflict between life domains. However, contrary to expectation, they did not profit more from facilitation than men and, at low levels of facilitation, women even reported more psychosomatic symptoms than men. In men, there was no association between life domain conflict/facilitation and psychosomatic symptoms. The results were robust when statistically controlling for neuroticism. Conclusions: Engagement in multiple life domains influences the frequency of psychosomatic symptoms in women, but not in men: women suffer more and profit less than men from combining work, family and leisure.
Presence of Subepithelial Lymphoid Nodules in the Teat of Ewes

A total of 87 clinically healthy ovine teats were examined bacteriologically (by scraping the mucosa) and histologically. Teats examined were those of lactating mammary glands with no bacteria isolated (n = 23); of mammary glands after cessation of lactation with no bacteria isolated (n = 25); of lactating mammary glands with bacteria isolated (n = 22); and of mammary glands after cessation of lactation with bacteria isolated (n = 17). The salient histological feature was subepithelial leucocytic infiltration. In teat cisterns, lymphocytes were the predominant cell type and in teat ducts, lymphocytes and neutrophils were seen in equal proportions. Subepithelial lymphoid nodules, some with germinal centres, were detected in 43 (49%) teats. The majority of lymphoid nodules was observed at the border between teat duct and teat cistern. Presence of bacteria was significantly associated with the presence of leucocytic activity (P < 0.001) and with the presence of lymphoid nodules (P = 0.032). We conclude that the presence of induced subepithelial lymphoid tissue at the border between teat duct and teat cistern appears to be important in protecting the mammary gland during the early stages of bacterial invasion. The findings call for further investigations into the lymphoid structures of the teat; these should elucidate the role and development of mammary mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissues and may lead to strategies for enhancing non‐specific defence mechanisms of the mammary gland.
Effects of Consumer Search Behavior Typology on the Relationship Between Customer Satisfaction and Behavioral Intentions

The author investigates how consumer search behavior typology affects the relationship between customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions. The results show that the type of consumer as defined by whether and how they search for information (passive, rational-active, relational-dependent) perceive different levels of satisfaction and performs differently on satisfaction-behavioral intentions linkages. Relational-dependent and rational-active consumers are found to perceive higher satisfaction levels, and to express stronger intentions to engage in positive behavioral intentions than passive consumers. The identification of satisfaction and behavioral intentions within each search type allows managers to satisfy their consumers; hence, the company will obtain higher profit. Keywords: consumer behavior typology, satisfaction, behavioral intentions
Differential workloads of boys and girls in rural Nepal and their association with growth

In developing countries, heavy workloads of women adversely affect their nutritional status and that of their children. Little is known, however, about the effect of children's heavy workloads on their own well‐being. In Nepal, girls are expected to help their mothers in time‐consuming and energy‐demanding tasks from an early age. The aim of this study was to compare work patterns and anthropometric status of boys and girls age 6–17 years in western rural Nepal. It was hypothesized that girls would work longer and harder than boys and would have poorer growth status. It was also anticipated that children's work patterns might differ between highland and lowland areas. Two study sites were therefore chosen: one in the hills and the other in the lowland terai. A time allocation study was conducted for 237 children. They were observed continuously from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM to determine the time spent in light, moderate, and heavy activities. Body weights and heights were also measured. On average, girls worked twice as long as boys (5.8 vs. 2.8 h/day, P < 0.001) and undertook more heavy work (1.5 vs. 0.7 h/day, (P < 0.001), but they did not have poorer anthropometric status. Children in the hills worked longer hours and did heavier work than those in the terai and were more stunted in growth. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 14:356–363, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Changes in corticospinal drive to spinal motoneurones following visuo‐motor skill learning in humans

We have previously demonstrated an increase in the excitability of the leg motor cortical area in relation to acquisition of a visuo‐motor task in healthy humans. It remains unknown whether the interaction between corticospinal drive and spinal motoneurones is also modulated following motor skill learning. Here we investigated the effect of visuo‐motor skill training involving the ankle muscles on the coupling between electroencephalographic (EEG) activity recorded from the motor cortex (Cz) and electromyographic (EMG) activity recorded from the left tibialis anterior (TA) muscle in 11 volunteers. Coupling in the time (cumulant density function) and frequency domains (coherence) between EEG–EMG and EMG–EMG activity were calculated during tonic isometric dorsiflexion before and after 32 min of training a visuo‐motor tracking task involving the ankle muscles or performing alternating dorsi‐ and plantarflexion movements without visual feedback. A significant increase in EEG–EMG coherence around 15–35 Hz was observed following the visuo‐motor skill session in nine subjects and in only one subject after the control task. Changes in coherence were specific to the trained muscle as coherence for the untrained contralateral TA muscle was unchanged. EEG and EMG power were unchanged following the training. Our results suggest that visuo‐motor skill training is associated with changes in the corticospinal drive to spinal motorneurones. Possibly these changes reflect sensorimotor integration processes between cortex and muscle as part of the motor learning process.
Impact of Metabolic Syndrome Components on the Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease in a General Urban Japanese Population: The Suita Study

Abdominal obesity is a prerequisite for some definitions of metabolic syndrome (MetS). We investigated the impact of MetS defined by two different criteria, which either did or did not require abdominal obesity as a prerequisite, on cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence in an urban Japanese cohort study. We studied 5,332 Japanese (aged 30–79 years, without CVD at baseline), who completed a baseline survey (September 1989 to March 1994) and were followed up through December 2005. MetS was defined by the NCEP-ATPIII (modified by Asian obesity criteria) and the Japanese criteria. After 61,846 person-years of follow-up, we documented 317 CVD incidences. The MetS frequencies of the Japanese and of the modified NCEP-ATPIII criteria were 17.7% and 25.1% for men and 5.0% and 14.3% for women, respectively. The multivariate hazard ratios (HRs; 95% confidence intervals [CI]) of CVD incidence for MetS by the modified NCEP-ATPIII criteria were 1.75 (1.27–2.41) in men and 1.90 (1.31–2.77) in women, and those for MetS by the Japanese criteria were 1.34 (0.96–1.87) in men and 2.20 (1.31–3.68) in women. The multivariate HRs of CVD incidence for MetS for the Japanese and for the modified NCEP-ATPIII criteria were 2.92 (1.54–5.55) and 1.94 (0.98–3.82) in men under 60 years old, respectively. The CVD incidence risks increased according to the number of MetS components. The risks were similar among participants with the same number of MetS components, regardless of abdominal obesity. In conclusion, the number of MetS components (modified NCEP-ATPIII criteria) may be more strongly associated with CVD incidence than the abdominal obesity essential criteria (the Japanese criteria) in a general urban Japanese population.
A light and electron microscopic study of the inferior olivary nucleus of the squirrel monkey, Saimiri sciureus

This study provides a description of the normal morphology of the inferior olive of the squirrel monkey, Saimiri sciureus, at the light and electron microscopic level. The cytoarchitecture of the inferior olive was mapped from serial transverse sections stained with cresyl violet. In common with other mammals, the inferior olive of the squirrel monkey consists of three subdivisions. The medial accessory olive includes seven subnuclei. Both the dorsal and medial accessory olives extend through approximately 90% of the total length of the inferior olivary complex. The principal olive, consisting of a dorsal and ventral lamella continuous with one another laterally, extends through the rostral 55% of the inferior olive. It is somewhat less convoluted than the principal olive of the macaque (Bowman and Sladek, '73). In most other respects, the inferior olive of the two primates is quite similar.
A low dietary cation-anion difference precalving and calcium supplementation postcalving increase plasma calcium but not milk production in a pasture-based system.

It was hypothesized that a reduction in the dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) before calving, combined with an increase in Ca intake after calving, would reduce the incidence of periparturient hypocalcaemia and increase milk production in pasture-based dairy cows. Cows (n = 40) were assigned to one of two DCAD levels before calving (i.e., +7 and +50 mEq/100 g). Each group was then assigned to one of two dietary Ca concentrations after calving (i.e., 1.0 and 0.7%) in a 2 x 2 factorial design. The lower DCAD resulted in a nonrespiratory reduction in systemic pH as indicated by a lower urine pH. This acidosis resulted in an increased concentration of Ca in urine before calving. The lower precalving DCAD helped prevent the decline in blood Ca caused by the onset of lactation, even though blood Ca concentration was lower before calving compared with cows receiving a high DCAD. Supplementation of cows with Ca after calving increased plasma Ca concentration on the day of calving and during the subsequent 14 d. Milk production was not affected by pre- or postcalving treatments.
Myopic Market Pricing and Managerial Myopia

This paper develops a firm-level measure of myopic market pricing, which captures the extent to which the market overvalues short-term expected abnormal earnings relative to longer-term ones. The empirical analysis shows that myopically priced firms manage earnings more actively and invest less in R&D. The impact of myopic market pricing is concentrated in firms where managers cater more to market pricing, that is, in firms with greater short-term investor ownership, with CEO compensation that is more sensitive to the firm share price, and with higher equity dependence. Additional tests show that these findings are robust to the consideration of market (under)overpricing. The results suggest that when managers cater to market pricing, market myopia encourages managerial myopia. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Self-management and symptom monitoring among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

AIMS To describe self-management, symptom monitoring and the associated influences among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. BACKGROUND Optimal self-management and monitoring of key symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease reduces dyspnoea and preventable hospitalizations. METHOD A prospective, descriptive survey design was used and data collected from patients with moderate severity chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during home interviews between April 2005 and June 2006. Predictors of self-management and symptom monitoring were determined by linear regression analyses. RESULTS Patients' (n = 78) mean age was 73.37 years (SD 7.52); 55.1% were male and 66.7% were married. Most (92.3%) had concurrent illnesses, and 48.7% had been admitted to hospital for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the past 6 months. Self-management was good to very good, with poorer self-management predicted by lower self-efficacy (beta = -0.21), a weaker sense of coherence (beta = -0.03), and no hospitalization in the past 6 months (beta = -05). Symptom monitoring was not ideal, with more than 20% of patients not monitoring any of the key symptoms. More frequent symptom monitoring occurred among participants who were married (beta = 5.14) and had more severe disease (beta = 0.79). CONCLUSION As self-management and symptom monitoring ensure better outcomes among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, health professionals should encourage these behaviours. Involving partners, promoting self-efficacy and understanding of sense of coherence are helpful in this process.
A model for tear film thinning with osmolarity and fluorescein.

PURPOSE We developed a mathematical model predicting dynamic changes in fluorescent intensity during tear film thinning in either dilute or quenching regimes and we model concomitant changes in tear film osmolarity. METHODS We solved a mathematical model for the thickness, osmolarity, fluorescein concentration, and fluorescent intensity as a function of time, assuming a flat and spatially uniform tear film. RESULTS The tear film thins to a steady-state value that depends on the relative importance of the rates of evaporation and osmotic supply, and the resulting increase of osmolarity and fluorescein concentrations are calculated. Depending on the initial thickness, the rate of osmotic supply and the tear film thinning rate, the osmolarity increase may be modest or it may increase by as much as a factor of eight or more from isosmotic levels. Regarding fluorescent intensity, the quenching regime occurs for initial concentrations at or above the critical fluorescein concentration where efficiency dominates, while lower concentrations show little change in fluorescence with tear film thinning. CONCLUSIONS Our model underscores the importance of using fluorescein concentrations at or near the critical concentration clinically so that quenching reflects tear film thinning and breakup. In addition, the model predicts that, depending on tear film and osmotic factors, the osmolarity within the corneal compartment of the tear film may increase markedly during tear film thinning, well above levels that cause marked discomfort.
Psychoneuroendocrine effects of combined thyroxine and triiodothyronine versus tyrosine during prolonged Antarctic residence

Objectives. We previously reported that cognitive function improves with thyroxine and that there is a circannual pattern to mood and human TSH during Antarctic residence. To extend these findings, we examined the effects of tyrosine and a combined levothyroxine/liothyronine supplement in euthyroid men and women who spent the austral summer (n = 43) and/or winter (n = 42) in Antarctica. Study Design. Randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Methods. Subjects were randomized to receive the following each day for 91.6 +/- 3.2 days in summer and/or 138.0 +/- 3.2 days in winter: (1) 12g tyrosine mixed in 113g applesauce; (2) 50 microg of levothyroxine and 12.5 microg of liothyronine (T4-T3 Supplement); or (3) placebo. Cognitive performance and mood were assessed using the Automatic Neuropsychological Assessment Metric - Isolated and Confined Environments. Results. With placebo in summer, mood did not change while TSH decreased by 28%; in winter, there was a 136% degradation in mood (p & 0.01) and TSH increased by 18%. With combined T4-T3 supplement, there was a 51% degradation in mood in summer compared with placebo (p & 0.05) and TSH decreased by 57%; in winter there was a 135% degradation in mood while TSH was reduced by 26% (p & 0.05). Tyrosine use in summer was associated with no change in mood and a 30% decline in TSH, while in winter there was a 47% improvement in mood and TSH decreased by 28% along with a 6% increase in fT3 (p & 0.05). Conclusions. Administration of tyrosine leads to a significant reduction in serum TSH and improvement in mood in winter compared with placebo, while the combined T4-T3 supplement leads to a worsening of mood in summer and no improvement in winter. There appears to be a seasonal influence on the psychological response to interventions and the relationship to changes in TSH reductions.
An Institutional Configurational Approach to Cross‐National Diversity in Corporate Governance

Corporate governance (CG) research has typically been studied from rather disparate disciplinary approaches, thereby offering myopic and often conflicting rationales. We develop an institutional configurational approach to integrate this ‘siloed’ field and explain CG patterns around the world. To do so, we draw on an inductive, theory-building methodology based on fuzzy-set logic to uncover the configurations across institutional actor-centered domains and their impact on CG patterns. Empirically, we explore the necessary and sufficient causal conditions leading to different features of codes of good governance across 32 OECD countries. We generate propositions linking configurational institutional domains to code features. Our results show that a single institutional domain by itself is not sufficient to explain CG outcomes, and that these domains need to be considered in conjunction, leading, in turn, to the identification of four distinct configurational governance prototypes. Our study offers a comprehensive account of drivers of cross-national differences in CG and yields useful insights for managing and regulating governance.
Evaluation of the Effect of Local Corticosteroid Injection and Anti-inflammatory Medication in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Background and Aims To evaluate the effect of local corticosteroid injection versus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), 32 patients were included in this study. Methods A prospective, randomised clinical trial, assessing functional findings by Functional Status Scale (FSS), Jebsen Taylor Test (JTT) and electrophysiologic examinations, analysed on initial visit and at the third month after treatment. Group A was treated with betamethasone injection and group B with NSAIDs, both with concomitant use of wrist splints. Results The mean age of the patients was 40.8±11.2 (range 21–64) years. There was a significant improvement in FSS in groups A and B at the third month. In JTT, ‘writing’, ‘picking up small common objects’ and ‘picking up large heavy objects’ activities were improved in group A; ‘writing’ and ‘stacking checkers’ activities were improved in group B. Statistically significant improvement was observed in peak sensory conduction velocity and distal motor latency in groups A and B. Mixed nerve conduction velocity and compound sensory action potential were improved in group A. Conclusions The results showed that neither of the groups demonstrated superior results. We conclude that local steroid injection and NSAIDs with concomitant use of wrist splints may offer patients with CTS variable and effective treatment options for the management of functional scores and nerve conduction parameters.