Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Cohort Study of Pediatric Shock: Frequency of Corticosteriod Use and Association with Clinical Outcomes

Introduction: Pediatric shock is associated with significant morbidity and limited evidence suggests treatment with corticosteroids. The objective of this study was to describe practice patterns and outcomes associated with corticosteroid use in children with shock. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, cohort study in four pediatric intensive care units (PICU) in Canada. Patients aged newborn to 17 years admitted to PICU with shock between January 2010 and June 2011 were eligible. Results: 364 patients were included. The frequency of hydrocortisone administration was 22.3% overall (95% CI: 18.0, 26.5) and 59.4% in patients who received at least 60 cc/kg of fluid and were on two or more vasoactive agents. Patients administered hydrocortisone had higher PRISM scores (19, IQR 11–24 versus 9, IQR 5–16; P < 0.0001), higher inotrope scores (15, IQR 10–25 versus 7.5, IQR 3.3–10.6, P < 0.0001) and were more likely to have received 60 cc/kg of fluid resuscitation (59.3% versus 33.6%, OR 2.88, 95% CI: 2.09, 3.96). In an adjusted analysis, patients who received hydrocortisone spent more time on vasoactive infusions (64 versus 34 hours, hazard ratio 0.72, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.84) and had a higher incidence of positive cultures between day 4 and day 28 post admission (24.7% versus 14.5%, OR 1.79, 95% CI: 1.58, 2.04). Conclusion: Hydrocortisone administration was associated with longer time on vasopressors and increased incidence of positive cultures even after correcting for illness severity. Caution should be exercised in administering hydrocortisone for shock until there is clear evidence for benefit in this patient population.
Distinct roles of complement receptor 3, Dectin‐1, and sialic acids in murine macrophage interaction with Histoplasma yeast

The yeast cells of dimorphic fungal pathogen Histoplasma reside primarily within the macrophages of an infected host; the interaction between the yeast and macrophage has a profound impact on host defense against the fungus. We used blocking antibodies and saccharides to identify the receptors that participate in the phagocytosis of and the cytokine response to Histoplasma. The phagocytosis and cytokine response results show that sialic acids on the macrophages were involved in the interaction between macrophages and Histoplasma. CR3, although not the only receptor involved, was responsible for phagocytosis and cytokine response. It is unclear which receptors other than CR3 are responsible for phagocytosis, but we did rule out the participation of TLR2, TLR4, MR, DC‐SIGN/SIGNR1, FcγR, VLA‐5, and Dectin‐1. Even though Dectin‐1 did not participate in phagocytosis, it collaborated with CR3 in the cytokine response to Histoplasma, suggesting that in the presence of phagocytic receptors, Histoplasma triggers cytokine signals through Dectin‐1. Moreover, macrophage phagocytosis of and cytokine response to Histoplasma are Syk kinase‐dependent. Our study delineated the distinct roles of CR3, Dectin‐1, and sialic acids in the interaction with Histoplasma and suggested that multiple receptor use might be important to host defense against Histoplasma.
Macroeconomic Risk Revisited: Term Structure of Risk Premia and Long Run Risk in a Two-State Economy with Epstein-Zin Preferences

Under what conditions can the term structure of risk premia be downward sloping, as reported in a number of recent empirical studies? I study fixed income and equity risk premium term structures and the long run risk in a continuous time Lucas-style economy subject to a persistent regime change modelled as a two-state Markov chain with a representative agent having Epstein-Zin-Weil preferences. I derive closed form solutions for the term structures of the risk premia of finite maturity bonds, the equity market and equity dividend strips, as well as the term structure of Sharpe ratio, and clarify under what conditions the risk term structures can be downward sloping. When fitted with historic data for U.S. consumption, this model is capable of generating downward sloping risk premium term structure for the parameters traditionally used in long run risk models.
Chromatin‐related properties of CBP fused to MLL generate a myelodysplastic‐like syndrome that evolves into myeloid leukemia

As a result of the recurring translocation t(11;16) (q23;p13.3), MLL (mixed‐lineage leukemia) is fused in frame to CBP (CREB binding protein). This translocation has been documented almost exclusively in cases of acute leukemia or myelodysplasia secondary to therapy with drugs that target DNA topo isomerase II. The minimal chimeric protein that is produced fuses MLL to the bromodomain, histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain, EIA‐binding domain and steroid‐receptor coactivator binding domains of CBP. We show that transplantation of bone marrow retrovirally transduced with MLL–CBP induces myeloid leukemias in mice that are preceded by a long preleukemic phase similar to the myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) seen in many t(11;16) patients but unusual for other MLL translocations. Structure–function analysis demonstrated that fusion of both the bromodomain and HAT domain of CBP to the amino portion of MLL is required for full in vitro transformation and is sufficient to induce the leukemic phenotype in vivo. This suggests that the leukemic effect of MLL–CBP results from the fusion of the chromatin association and modifying activities of CBP with the DNA binding activities of MLL.
Curcumin blocks activation of pancreatic stellate cells

Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrosis and inflammation. Inhibition of activation and cell functions of PSCs is a potential target for the treatment of pancreatic fibrosis and inflammation. The polyphenol compound curcumin is the yellow pigment in curry, and has anti‐inflammatory and anti‐fibrotic properties. We here evaluated the effects of curcumin on the activation and cell functions of PSCs. PSCs were isolated from rat pancreas tissue and used in their culture‐activated, myofibroblast‐like phenotype unless otherwise stated. The effects of curcumin on proliferation, α‐smooth muscle actin gene expression, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)‐1 production, and collagen expression were examined. The effect of curcumin on the activation of freshly isolated cells in culture was also assessed. Curcumin inhibited platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐induced proliferation, α‐smooth muscle actin gene expression, interleukin‐1β‐ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α‐induced MCP‐1 production, type I collagen production, and expression of type I and type III collagen genes. Curcumin inhibited PDGF‐BB‐induced cyclin D1 expression and activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK). Curcumin inhibited interleukin‐1β‐ and TNF‐α‐induced activation of activator protein‐1 (AP‐1) and mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinases (ERK, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAP kinase), but not of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB). In addition, curcumin inhibited transformation of freshly isolated cells to myofibroblast‐like phenotype. In conclusion, curcumin inhibited key cell functions and activation of PSCs. J. Cell. Biochem. 97: 1080–1093, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A comprehensive method for extraction and quantitative analysis of sterols and secosteroids from human plasma[S]

We describe the development of a method for the extraction and analysis of 62 sterols, oxysterols, and secosteroids from human plasma using a combination of HPLC-MS and GC-MS. Deuterated standards are added to 200 μl of human plasma. Bulk lipids are extracted with methanol:dichloromethane, the sample is hydrolyzed using a novel procedure, and sterols and secosteroids are isolated using solid-phase extraction (SPE). Compounds are resolved on C18 core-shell HPLC columns and by GC. Sterols and oxysterols are measured using triple quadrupole mass spectrometers, and lathosterol is measured using GC-MS. Detection for each compound measured by HPLC-MS was ∪ 1 ng/ml of plasma. Extraction efficiency was between 85 and 110%; day-to-day variability showed a relative standard error of <10%. Numerous oxysterols were detected, including the side chain oxysterols 22-, 24-, 25-, and 27-hydroxycholesterol, as well as ring-structure oxysterols 7α- and 4β-hydroxycholesterol. Intermediates from the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway were also detected, including zymosterol, desmosterol, and lanosterol. This method also allowed the quantification of six secosteroids, including the 25-hydroxylated species of vitamins D2 and D3. Application of this method to plasma samples revealed that at least 50 samples could be extracted in a routine day.
Spectrophotometric Analysis of All-ceramic Materials and Their Interaction with Luting Agents and Different Backgrounds

In this study, two All-Ceramic (AC) materials—Empress 2 (EMP) (Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein) and In-Ceram ALUMINA (ICA) (Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Germany)—were analyzed, along with the effects of 3 luting agents—viz. Zinc Phosphate cement (ZNPO, PhospaCEM PL, Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein), Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC, Ketac-Cem Radiopaque, ESPE Dental AG, Seefeld, Germany), and Compolute (COMP, ESPE Dental AG, Seefeld, Germany)—on the final color, using the CIELab system. Color differences (DeltaL, Deltaa, Deltab, and DeltaE) were calculated for samples with luting agents and for samples without luting agents with standard white and black backgrounds, with the use of a spectrophotometer, Luci 100 (Dr. Lange, Berlin, Germany). One-way ANOVA for DeltaL, Deltaa, Deltab, and DeltaE within both the AC systems, with and without luting agents, showed significant contributions of the background (p < 0.05). EMP was seen to be more translucent than ICA. Darker ceramics showed less color variation. Luting agents altered the final color of the restoration. ZNPO was least translucent, followed by GIC and COMP. Marginal increases in thicknesses of ICA samples (0.4 mm) do not show a statistically significant color difference. No method exists to predict the outcome of an AC restoration based on consideration of the luting agent and the background color.
Energy expenditure in children with severe head injury: lack of agreement between measured and estimated energy expenditure.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to test the hypotheses that estimates of resting energy expenditure (REE) vary significantly from measured energy expenditure in a population of head-injured children and are not accurate for use in determining nutrition needs in this population. METHODS This is a retrospective study of 30 children with severe head injury, with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of <8 and needing mechanical ventilation. Measured REE was obtained using indirect calorimetry. Estimated REEs were calculated using Harris-Benedict, World Health Organization (WHO), Schofield, and White formulas. Severity of illness was calculated using Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) score. Agreement between measured REE and estimated REE was tested using the Bland-Altman method. Correlation coefficient between PRISM score and measured REE was calculated using Spearman test. RESULTS More than half of the estimates of REE differed from measured REE by >10%. Significant disagreement between estimated REE and measured REE was demonstrated using the Bland-Altman method. There was no correlation between severity of illness and measured REE to explain the inaccuracies of REE estimates. CONCLUSION Energy expenditure in critically ill children cannot be estimated accurately; hence, nutrition for critically ill children with head injury should be provided according to measurement of REE to avoid the consequences of overfeeding or malnutrition.
THE EFFECT OF INSULIN TREATMENT ON FUNCTION OF INTRAPORTALLY GRAFTED ISLETS IN STREPTOZOTOCIN‐DIABETIC RATS

This study examines whether a 10-week period of daily insulin injections following intraportal islet transplantation improves the metabolic state in streptozotocin-diabetic recipients of a suboptimal number of β cells. In recipients receiving 0.5 million β cells, insulin treatment increased the number of animals with normal basal glycemia (from 2/6 to 7/8) and normal serum fructose-mine (from 1/6 to 6/8). However, during the four weeks following a 10-week insulin regimen, this beneficial effect was lost and no differences were noticed in glucose tolerance curves and hepatic insulin reserves of insulin-treated and untreated recipients. In recipients receiving 1.1 million β cells, administration of insulin did not influence the number of animals with normal basal glycemia (7/7 in both groups) or with normal serum fructosamine (5/7 versus 4 to 6/7) during the period of treatment or during the subsequent 4 weeks; prior insulin treatment did not improve glucose tolerance curves but reduced the hepatic insulin reserves by one-third. It is concluded that insulin injections can improve the metabolic state in recipients of an insufficient islet mass but do not enhance the metabolic capacity or insulin reserves of a hepatic islet implant. The reduced hepatic insulin content in one group of insulin-treated recipients raises the possibility that supplements of insulin injections reduce the size of grafted insulin reserves.
degS (hhoB) is an essential Escherichia coli gene whose indispensable function is to provide σE activity

DegS (HhoB), a putative serine protease related to DegP/HtrA, regulates the basal and induced activity of the essential Escherichia coli sigma factor σE, which is involved in the cellular response to extracytoplasmic stress. DegS promotes the destabilization of the σE‐specific anti‐sigma factor RseA, thereby releasing σE to direct gene expression. We demonstrate that degS is an essential E. coli gene and show that the essential function of DegS is to provide the cell with σE activity. We also show that the putative active site of DegS is periplasmic and that DegS requires its N‐terminal transmembrane domain for its σE‐related function.
Effect of the anti‐factor Xa and anti‐factor IIa activities of low‐molecular‐weight heparins upon the phases of thrombin generation

Summary. Background: Low‐molecular‐weight heparins (LMWHs), derived from unfractionated heparin (UFH) by different depolymerization procedures, vary in both their relative abilities to enhance the inhibition of FXa (anti‐FXa) and thrombin (anti‐FIIa), and in their physicochemical properties. Objective: We aimed to profile the inhibition of thrombin generation induced by bemiparin, enoxaparin, nadroparin, dalteparin and tinzaparin in platelet‐rich plasma (PRP), and to compare them with UFH and fondaparinux (a synthetic pentasaccharide that specifically enhances FXa inhibition). Methods: Different LMWHs, UFH or fondaparinux were added to normal PRP. Thereafter, tissue factor‐triggered thrombin generation was assessed using the Thrombogram–Thrombinoscope® assay. Results: At equivalent anti‐FIIa activity concentrations, LMWHs and UFH exhibited similar inhibitory effects upon thrombin generation. However, when used at equivalent anti‐FXa activity concentrations, tinzaparin was significantly more active than the other LMWHs at inhibiting thrombin generation, and had similar activity to that of UFH. Enoxaparin, nadroparin and dalteparin all showed similar inhibitory activities. In these experiments, bemiparin exhibited the lowest inhibitory effect on thrombin generation of all the LMWHs. At 0.1 μg mL–1 (0.093 anti‐FXa IU mL–1), fondaparinux inhibited the rate of thrombin generation by 50%. A 7‐fold higher concentration of fondaparinux was required to inhibit the endogenous thrombin potential by 50%. Conclusions: LMWHs have a variable inhibitory effect on thrombin generation in vitro when compared by anti‐FXa activity, but are similar when compared by their anti‐FIIa activities. The rate of thrombin generation during the propagation phase, rather than the endogenous thrombin potential, is more sensitive to the anticoagulant activity of fondaparinux and the polysaccharide chains of LMWHs possessing only anti‐FXa activity.
The Lost Human Capital: Teacher Knowledge and Student Learning in Africa

In many low income countries, teachers do not master the subject they are teaching and children learn little from attending school. Using unique data from nationally representative surveys from seven Sub-Saharan African countries, we propose a methodology to assess the effect of teacher knowledge on student learning when panel data on students are not available. We show that data on test scores of the current and the previous year's teachers allows us to estimate a lower bound on the cumulative effect of teacher knowledge on student achievement. With further restrictions on the cumulative student achievement function we can also estimate bounds on both the contemporaneous effect of teacher content knowledge and the extent of fade out of the teachers' impact in earlier grades. We use these structural estimates to answer two questions. To what extent can shortfalls in teachers' content knowledge account for the large learning gap observed across countries? How much learning is lost because of misallocation?
B-vitamins, homocysteine metabolism and CVD

The present review focuses on the B-vitamins, i.e. folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and riboflavin, that are involved in homocysteine metabolism. Homocysteine is a S-containing amino acid and its plasma concentrations can be raised by various constitutive, genetic and lifestyle factors, by inadequate nutrient status and as a result of systemic disease and various drugs. Hyperhomocysteinaemia is a modest independent predictor of CVD and stroke, but causality and the precise pathophysiological mechanism(s) of homocysteine action remain unproven. The predominant nutritional cause of raised plasma homocysteine in most healthy populations is folate insufficiency. Vitamin B12 and, to a lesser extent, vitamin B6 are also effective at lowering plasma homocysteine, especially after homocysteine lowering by folic acid in those individuals presenting with raised plasma homocysteine. However, riboflavin supplementation appears to be effective at lowering plasma homocysteine only in those individuals homozygous for the T allele of the C677 T polymorphism of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. This gene codes for the MTHFR enzyme that produces methyltetrahydrofolate, which, in turn, is a substrate for the remethylation of homocysteine by the vitamin B12-dependent enzyme methionine synthase. Individuals with the MTHFR 677 TT genotype are genetically predisposed to elevated plasma homocysteine, and in most populations have a markedly higher risk of CVD.
The Relationship between BPR Strategy and Change Management for the Sustainable Implementation of ERP: An Information Orientation Perspective

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is an IT system that supports the business functions that firms adopt to gain advantages and development possibilities. However, some firms do not show positive financial performance after implementing ERP. Why is this the case? An ERP is an information system (IS) that brings about radical changes within organizations, changing both the IS environment and overall corporate business process, which may cause resistance from the organization’s members. Thus, change management is crucial, in operating a successful ERP, to addressing organizational changes after the adoption of ERP. The objective of this study was to examine the influence that the depth of business process reengineering (BPR) and change management have on ERP performances. To this end, KOSPI companies with more than a year of experience using ERP were analyzed using the structural equation method. This study confirmed mutual relationships between ERP success factors and its performance. In future research, it would be helpful to determine if companies with higher IT performances actually have better financial results.
The Influence of Forest Stand and Site Characteristics on the Composition of Exotic Dominated Ambrosia Beetle Communities (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

ABSTRACT Economic and biological consequences are associated with exotic ambrosia beetles and their fungal associates. Despite this, knowledge of ambrosia beetles and their ecological interactions remain poorly understood, especially in the oak—hickory forest region. We examined how forest stand and site characteristics influenced ambrosia beetle habitat use as evaluated by species richness and abundance of ambrosia beetles, both the native component and individual exotic species. We documented the species composition of the ambrosia beetle community, flight activity, and habitat use over a 2-yr period by placing flight traps in regenerating clearcuts and older oak—hickory forest stands differing in topographic aspect. The ambrosia beetle community consisted of 20 species with exotic ambrosia beetle species dominating the community. Similar percentages of exotic ambrosia beetles occurred among the four forest habitats despite differences in stand age and aspect. Stand characteristics, such as stand age and forest structure, influenced ambrosia beetle richness and the abundances of a few exotic ambrosia beetle species and the native ambrosia beetle component. Topographic aspect had little influence on ambrosia beetle abundance or species richness. Older forests typically have more host material than younger forests and our results may be related to the amount of dead wood present. Different forms of forest management may not alter the percent contribution of exotic ambrosia beetles to the ambrosia beetle community.
A study on work-life balance, mentoring support, and networking towards women s career advancement in Malaysia

Purpose - There was a slight increase of women in Malaysia’s labor force in 2016. However, there are still some deep-rooted mind-sets that women are not proficient to be at the top of the corporate ladder. Women in many countries including Malaysia consistently face barriers in their career advancement as most of the top management are dominated by males. Therefore, this exploratory study examines the relationship between work-life balance, mentoring support and networking towards women’s career advancement in Malaysia. Methodology - This survey uses convenient sampling methodology to conduct the survey of 110 female employees in Malaysia. Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient and Multiple Regression Test were used to analyze the correlation between the independent and dependent variables. Findings - The finding of the results shows that all three independent variables, work-life balance, mentoring support, and networking are positively correlated with the dependent variable, women career advancement. Conclusion- Work-life balance, mentoring support, and networking is a crucial factor that affects the advancement of female in the workforce in Malaysia. Therefore, future surveys and organizations should focus on women career advancement as the Malaysia government has strived to increase the participation of female in the workforce.