Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of times to achieve tracheal intubation with three techniques using the laryngeal or intubating laryngeal mask airway *

Summary We compared the times to intubate the trachea using three techniques in 60 healthy patients with normal airways: (i) fibreoptic intubation with a 6.0‐mm reinforced tracheal tube through a standard laryngeal mask airway (laryngeal mask−fibreoptic group); (ii) fibreoptic intubation with a dedicated 7.0‐mm silicone tracheal tube through the intubating laryngeal mask airway (intubating laryngeal mask−fibreoptic group); (iii) blind intubation with the dedicated 7.0‐mm silicone tracheal tube through the intubating laryngeal mask airway (intubating laryngeal mask−blind group). Mean (SD) total intubation times were significantly shorter in the intubating laryngeal mask−blind group (49 (20) s) than in either of the other two groups (intubating laryngeal mask−fibreoptic 74 (21) s; laryngeal mask−fibreoptic group 75 (36) s; p < 0.001). However, intubation at the first attempt was less successful with the intubating laryngeal mask−blind technique (15/20 (75%)) than in the other two groups (intubating laryngeal mask−fibreoptic 19/20 (95%) and laryngeal mask−fibreoptic 16/20 (80%)) although these differences were not statistically significant. We conclude that in this patient group, all three techniques yield acceptable results. If there is a choice of techniques available, the intubating laryngeal mask−blind technique would result in the shortest intubation time.
The impact of South African real estate investment trust legislation on firm growth and firm value

CITATION: Carstens, R. & Wesson, N. 2019. The impact of South African real estate investment trust legislation on firm growth and firm value. South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, 22(1):a2257, doi:10.4102/sajems.v22i1. 2257.
Long-term treatment with desmopressin in children with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis: an open multicentre study. Swedish Enuresis Trial (SWEET) Group.

OBJECTIVE To study the long-term efficacy and safety of desmopressin treatment in children with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. PATIENTS AND METHODS Children (aged 6-12 years) with nocturnal enuresis were recruited into an open multicentre trial. All children underwent an observation period of 4 weeks before starting a 6-week dose-titration period with desmopressin. If the number of wet nights decreased by more than half during medication, they began long-term treatment on 20-40 microg desmopressin. To test for cure and avoid overtreatment, the medication was interrupted for one week every third month. RESULTS Of the 399 children forming the intention-to-treat cohort, 245 halved their number of wet nights and started long-term treatment. During the periods off medication, 77 children were dry and at the end of the study another 73 (still on medication) reduced the number of wet nights to < or =10% of that during the observation period. A further 51 children halved the number of wet nights compared with the observation period. No serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION Long-term treatment with nasal desmopressin at a main dose of 40 microg is an effective and safe treatment for monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis.
CORRUPTION, CULTURAL SIMILARITIES, AND GEOGRAPHIC DISTANCE AND THEIR IMPACT ON FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT

Foreign direct investment (FDI) plays an essential role in the growth of individual economies. Previous research has attempted to explain the wide variance in the amount of FDI that different countries receive by examining such factors as a nation’s political stability, the long term economic prospects, ease of doing business, and regulatory environment. This paper examines the impact on inward FDI of three factors that have been largely ignored or only partially studied by previous literature: the level of a country’s corruption, its geographic distance from countries that have traditionally been large sources of outward FDI, and a country’s sharing of cultural similarities with countries that tend to be large investors abroad. This paper has analyzed data obtained from countries in all areas of the world and over a number of years in order to eliminate potential biases due to exceptionally large investments or divestments that may distort the flow of FDI when a short period of time is studied. Overall, this paper attempts to shed light on the reasons that certain countries receive large amounts of FDI while others do not. Our analysis shows that corruption is the most important variable that determines the flow of inward FDI. These results have important implications for managers and policy makers that want to improve the amount of inward FDI that a country receives.
Demographic characteristics of hospitalized patients with alcoholic liver disease and pancreatitis in los angeles county.

BACKGROUND This study sought to identify demographic characteristics of hospitalized patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in Los Angeles County for the purpose of implementing new preventive and educational programs. Another specific aim of the study was to characterize demographic and comorbid differences between patients with ALD and patients with pancreatitis, another alcohol-related disease. METHODS Analyses were performed on discharge data from all nonfederal short-stay hospitals within Los Angeles County, released for the year 1999 by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. Repeated hospital stays for ALD by the same patients were deleted from the data analysis based on individual identification numbers. For the analysis of medical costs of ALD, repeated hospital stays were included. RESULTS Primary diagnosis of ALD accounted for 1.2% of total deaths among hospitalized patients and was the eighth most common cause of death among diseases examined. Moreover, the fatality rate of primary ALD among ALD hospital visits was the second highest, behind septicemia. ALD was most prevalent in the middle-aged (45-65 years old) and low- to middle-income men. The age-standardized hospitalization rate of ALD was highest in Hispanic men (61.1 per 100,000 per year), whereas that of chronic pancreatitis, another common complication of alcohol abuse, was most prevalent in African American men. CONCLUSIONS Middle-aged Hispanic men with low- to middle-income status were identified as a high-risk group for ALD in Los Angeles County. These data will guide us to develop a new strategy for future preventative and educational programs for ALD.
Modeling of electrical drive system with flexible shaft based on fractional calculus

In this paper a system containing two electrical motors connected by flexible shaft is taken into consideration. The flexible shaft introduces an additional dynamical behavior in the system. The dynamics of the flexible shaft can be described using partial differential equation. In order to include viscoelastic properties of used shaft, the fractional order partial differential equation was used, which gives rise to fractional order model. In this paper an experimental analysis of such a system will be presented. In order to obtain experimental results an experimental setup was build. The setup contains two electrical engines with encoders. Engines are connected by flexible shaft build from gHot glue sticks with length 200mm and diameter 11mm. Engines and encoders are connected to the DS1104 DPS card by specially prepared electronic interface. The results of modeling were obtained in time domain by using different types of models (fractional and integer order as well). The obtained results were presented and discussed.
Detecting genuinely read parts of web documents

In this paper, we propose a method for detecting genuinely read parts of documents based on gaze data from eye tracker. This work deals with the possibilities of identifying user interaction with (web-based) documents. Our algorithm takes into account user's eye fixation information and maps their coordinates onto word-level elements. These are then processed with respect to their relative word distance. Unlike studies that calculate distance in points that eyes moved around the screen, we consider the distance of words in the word sequence. We evaluate our approach by conducting a user study that shows promising results.
Assessment of the average price and ethanol content of alcoholic beverages by brand--United States, 2011.

BACKGROUND There are no existing data on alcoholic beverage prices and ethanol (EtOH) content at the level of alcohol brand. A comprehensive understanding of alcohol prices and EtOH content at the brand level is essential for the development of effective public policy to reduce alcohol use among underage youth. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively assess alcoholic beverage prices and EtOH content at the brand level. METHODS Using online alcohol price data from 15 control states and 164 online alcohol stores, we estimated the average alcohol price and percent alcohol by volume for 900 brands of alcohol, across 17 different alcoholic beverage types, in the United States in 2011. RESULTS There is considerable variation in both brand-specific alcohol prices and EtOH content within most alcoholic beverage types. For many types of alcohol, the within-category variation between brands exceeds the variation in average price and EtOH content among the several alcoholic beverage types. Despite differences in average prices between alcoholic beverage types, in 12 of the 16 alcoholic beverage types, customers can purchase at least 1 brand of alcohol that is under $1 per ounce of EtOH. CONCLUSIONS Relying on data or assumptions about alcohol prices and EtOH content at the level of alcoholic beverage type is insufficient for understanding and influencing youth drinking behavior. Surveillance of alcohol prices and EtOH content at the brand level should become a standard part of alcohol research.
Phosphorylation of Gephyrin in Hippocampal Neurons by Cyclin-dependent Kinase CDK5 at Ser-270 Is Dependent on Collybistin

Background: Formation of inhibitory synapses in the CNS is dependent on cluster formation of the scaffold protein gephyrin. Results: Knockdown of collybistin and inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK1,- 2, and -5) abolished the phosphorylation of gephyrin detected by mAb7a at Ser-270. Conclusion: Gephyrin detected with mAb7a is phosphorylated at Ser-270. Significance: These data suggest a novel view on kinases involved in gephyrin phosphorylation. Gephyrin is a scaffold protein essential for the postsynaptic clustering of inhibitory glycine and different subtypes of GABAA receptors. The cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in gephyrin-mediated receptor clustering are still not well understood. Here we provide evidence that the gephyrin-binding protein collybistin is involved in regulating the phosphorylation of gephyrin. We demonstrate that the widely used monoclonal antibody mAb7a is a phospho-specific antibody that allows the cellular and biochemical analysis of gephyrin phosphorylation at Ser-270. In addition, another neighbored epitope determinant was identified at position Thr-276. Analysis of the double mutant gephyrinT276A,S277A revealed significant reduction in gephyrin cluster formation and altered oligomerization behavior of gephyrin. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases in hippocampal neurons reduced postsynaptic gephyrin mAb7a immunoreactivities. In vitro phosphorylation assays and phosphopeptide competition experiments revealed a phosphorylation at Ser-270 depending on enzyme activities of cyclin-dependent kinases CDK1, -2, or -5. These data indicate that collybistin and cyclin-dependent kinases are involved in regulating the phosphorylation of gephyrin at postsynaptic membrane specializations.
Thermoregulatory demands of Elite Professional America's Cup Yacht Racing

America's Cup yacht racing predominantly occurs during the summer months under hot and humid conditions, with athletes exposed to the environment for prolonged periods, and yet the thermoregulatory responses to competitive sailing are largely unappreciated. This study aimed to assess the thermoregulatory responses to elite professional big‐boat yacht racing, according to crew position and upwind and downwind sailing. Intestinal (Tcore) and skin temperature, fluid balance and regional sweat compositions were measured in two America's Cup crews (n=32) during 100 min of racing. The environmental conditions were as follows: 32 °C, 52% RH and 5 m/s wind speed. Subjective race intensity was moderate. Bowmen recorded the greatest elevation in the heart rate (184 ± 10 beats/min) and Tcore (39.2 °C, P<0.01). Both heart rate and Tcore were higher during downwind sailing (P<0.001). Regional skin temperatures were significantly different according to site (P=0.05), with tibia being the lowest (33.3 ± 1.2 °C). The mean sweat loss during racing was 1.34 ± 0.58 L/h (range: 0.44–2.40 L/h), with bowmen experiencing the greatest loss of sweat (3.7 ± 0.9% of body mass). The mean fluid intake was highly correlated to sweat loss (r=0.74, P<0.001), with 72 ± 41% of sweat losses replaced. The mean sodium concentration of sweat was 27.2 ± 9.2 mmol/L (range: 12.0–43.5 mmol/L) and the total NaCl loss during sailing was 3.8 ± 2.4 g (range 0.7–10.0 g). America's Cup sailing is a demanding sport that presents considerable challenges to thermoregulation, fluid and electrolyte balance. Certain crew roles (bowmen) present an increased risk of developing exertional heat illness, and for the majority of crew downwind sailing results in greater thermal strain than upwind sailing – which may have implications for clothing selection and boat design.
Serum antibodies to enterotoxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus with special reference to enterotoxin F and toxic shock syndrome

The presence of antibodies to staphylococcal enterotoxins (enterotoxins A through F) in sera of healthy subjects (n = 567) and in sera of patients with toxic shock syndrome (n = 20) was determined. Furthermore, production of enterotoxins by Staphylococcus aureus isolated from humans was investigated. In 46, 86, 78, 41, 20, and 91% of the sera of healthy subjects, antibodies were found against enterotoxins A, B, C, D, E, and F, respectively. The high percentage of sera with antibodies against enterotoxin F correlated with the relatively high frequency of enterotoxin F-producing S. aureus isolated from humans (one-third of the isolates produced enterotoxin F). In patients with toxic shock syndrome, antibodies against enterotoxin F were not present or were present only at very low levels. An increase of antibodies after onset of the disease was observed in two of eight patients investigated. From the results, it can be concluded that only those humans who show low levels of antibodies are susceptible to toxic shock syndrome.
Phosphorylation of Nucleoside Analog Antiretrovirals: A Review for Clinicians

Nucleoside analogs (zidovudine, didanosine, zalcitabine, stavudine, abacavir, lamivudine) have been administered as antiretroviral agents for more than a decade. They undergo anabolic phosphorylation by intracellular kinases to form triphosphates, which inhibit human immunodeficiency virus replication by competitively inhibiting viral reverse transcriptase. Numerous methods are used to elucidate the intracellular metabolic pathways of these agents. Intracellular and extracellular factors affect intracellular phosphorylation. Lack of standardization and complexity of methods used to study phosphorylation in patients limit interpretation of study results and comparability of findings across studies. However, in vitro and in vivo studies give important insights into mechanisms of action, metabolic feedback mechanisms, antiviral effects, and mechanisms of toxicity, and have influenced dosing regimens of nucleoside analogs.
Various Clinical Approaches to Minimise Complications in Peritoneal Dialysis

The main reason for a failure of peritoneal dialysis is due to technical problems or infections. By starting PD immediately after the insertion of a dialysis catheter (instead of starting HD before optimal healing of the PD-catheter) it may be easier to achieve acceptance for PD by the patients. An easy and tight access is achieved when inserting the PD-catheter through the rectus muscle, fixing it with three purse string sutures, two of them fixing the inner cuff between the peritoneal membrane and the inner rectus fascia. Thereby early and late leakage will be rare and good drainage is normally achieved besides a low risk for exit site infections. Using Coloplast® adhesive insulin can be injected into the PD bags in a simple way even by patients with bad vision. Using ultraviolet light, as additional exchange device (UV-box), the risk for peritonitis is reduced compared to classic manual connection. Using the Y-set or duo-bag system the risk for peritonitis is further lowered. Malfunction by dislocation of the intraperitoneal part of the catheters can often be corrected without surgery using a bent stylet. A controlled study showed that antibiotic prophylactics could significantly reduce the risk for peritonitis in the follow up after insertion of PD catheters. Additionally the risk for peritonitis is reduced using a special connector for the PET-sampling procedures. X-ray of catheter location in the abdominal cavity can be performed by injection of 20-ml contrast media into 100 ml of PD fluid residing in the PD-bag. After mixing, small portions of this fluid can be infused into the abdomen for X-ray determination of the location. An increased ultrafiltration failure during PD may be due to use of beta-blocker medication. After ceasing this medication recovery may occur. Avoiding pets in the room used for PD-exchange may lower the risk for peritonitis further. A devoted nurse and physician will keep up the patients' spirit and help to convert patients not suitable for PD to HD or the other way round. By such measures the incidence of peritonitis can be reduced to 1 in 40 treatment months or less.
FDI & New Business Startups: Does Financial Development Matter?

: The present paper intends to investigate the relationship of foreign direct investment and new business startups in the presence of ﬁnancial development in EAGLE countries, an annual unbalanced data during the period from 2006 to 2016 is used. We apply system GMM approach to estimate the models. Findings suggest that foreign direct inﬂows boost new business start-ups in emerging countries. Moreover, the two measures of ﬁnancial development, domestic credit to private and ﬁnancial sector have shown a signiﬁcant and positive relationship with FDI. However, the mix results of business regulations and business density is found, in model 1 and 3, the relationship is positive, whereas, in model 2 and 4, the relationship is negative but insigniﬁcant. Essentially, it is also noted that ﬁnancial development facilitates the positive spillovers of FDI on new business startups. Therefore, we advise policymakers to regularize the ﬁnancial market in such a manner that attracts more FDI and eventually augment the new business opportunities.
Overexpression of CD151 as an adverse marker for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients

Previous studies have indicated that CD151, a hydrophobic protein, forms a functional complex with the proto‐oncogene that encodes an N‐methyl‐N′‐nitro‐N‐nitroso‐guanidine (MET) protein (c‐Met), and CD151 overexpression reportedly is involved in metastasis/invasion of several tumors. The objective of the current study was to investigate the expression and role of CD151 and/or c‐Met in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).
Role of complement in endotoxin/platelet-activating factor-induced lung injury.

C receptor-1 is a protein involved in the regulation of C3 and C5-convertases. Recombinant human soluble C receptor-1 has recently been produced and shown to reduce infarct size in a rat model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. The present study aimed to investigate whether recombinant human soluble C receptor-1 exerts any protective effect on pulmonary injury produced in a rodent model of adult respiratory distress syndrome. In this model, Escherichia coli endotoxin (LPS, 0.1 microgram/kg) combined with platelet-activating factor (1 pmol/kg/min over 60 min, n = 10) caused microvascular lung injury characterized by elevation of myeloperoxidase activity, deposition of C3 and C5b-9 on the endothelium of pulmonary vessels, and pulmonary edema. Furthermore, bronchoalveolar lavage revealed increased neutrophil count and elevated protein concentration. These pulmonary responses were associated with elevated serum TNF-alpha. Pretreatment (10 min, i.v.) with recombinant human soluble C receptor-1 at 10 mg/kg (n = 13), but not at 1 mg/kg, prevented the LPS/platelet-activating factor-induced pulmonary edema (p less than 0.01) and changes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cell count (p less than 0.01) and protein concentration (p less than 0.05), and attenuated the deposition of C3 and C5b-9 to lung vessels. There was no effect on lung myeloperoxidase activity and serum TNF-alpha. Also, C depletion by cobra venom factor (500 U/kg, i.v.) eliminated the pulmonary edema and elevated leukocyte count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, but had no effect on lung myeloperoxidase activity and serum TNF-alpha. These data suggest that C factors may play an important role in the pathophysiology of adult respiratory distress syndrome.
Acute Postoperative Endophthalmitis Following Cataract Surgery: A Review

AbstractEndophthalmitis following cataract surgery is rare but continues to be a serious complication following cataract surgery. Over the years, the incidence of endophthalmitis has declined because of various preoperative and perioperative measures. They include use of antiseptic and appropriate surgical draping techniques. In this review, we have focused on the incidence, existing risk factors, various clinical features, management strategies, and prophylaxis pertaining to postoperative endophthalmitis following cataract surgery. Outcomes and pitfalls of 2 landmark studies, namely, the Endophthalmitis Vitrectomy Study and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons Endophthalmitis Study, are briefly mentioned.Infectious endophthalmitis following cataract surgery is a dreaded complication. Preoperative identification of risk factors and effective prophylaxis could help in reducing its incidence. Early diagnosis followed by management of these patients either with vitreous tap or vitrectomy coupled with intravitreal antibiotics holds the key.
Src‐protein tyrosine kinases are required for cocaine‐induced increase in the expression and function of the NMDA receptor in the ventral tegmental area

Cocaine‐induced long‐term potentiation of glutamatergic synapses in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) has been proposed as a key process that contributes to the development of addictive behaviors. In particular, the activation of ionotrophic glutamate NMDA receptor (NMDAR) in the VTA is critical for the initiation of cocaine sensitization. Here we show that application of cocaine both in slices and in vivo induced an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of the NR2A, but not the NR2B subunit of the NMDAR in juvenile rats. Cocaine induced an increase in the activity of both Fyn and Src kinases, and the Src‐protein tyrosine kinase (Src‐PTKs) inhibitor, 4‐amino‐5‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐7‐(t‐butyl)pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine (PP2), abolished both cocaine‐induced increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of the NR2A subunit and the increase in the expression of NR1, NR2A, and NR2B in the VTA. Moreover, cocaine‐induced enhancement in NMDAR‐mediated excitatory post‐synaptic currents was completely abolished by PP2. Taken together, these results suggest that acute cocaine induced an increase in the expression of NMDAR subunits and enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2A‐containing NMDAR through members of the Src‐PTKs. This in turn, increased NMDAR‐mediated currents in VTA dopamine neurons. These results provide a potential cellular mechanism by which cocaine triggers NMDAR‐dependent synaptic plasticity of VTA neurons that may underlie the development of behavioral sensitization.