Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Consumer trust and physician prescription of branded medicines: an exploratory study

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent of consumer trust of physicians’ prescription of branded medications. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopts a qualitative research approach to study consumers’ self-reported experiences with respect to their trust in physicians’ prescription of branded medications. An open-interview approach and a focus group discussion were adopted in collecting research evidence from a sample of middle-level executives from various Ghanaian industries who have experienced physicians’ prescription of branded medications. Findings Consumers have mix reactions toward physicians’ prescriptions of branded medicines. Whereas some trust, others are uncertain, while some do not trust physicians at all. The last group believes the physicians are serving the interest of third parties in prescribing branded medications. Research limitations/implications This study focuses only on patients’ perspectives. This research could be widened to include other important stakeholders of healthcare delivery such as physicians, pharmacists and management of health institutions. Practical implications The study provides a platform for physicians to appreciate the trust their clients repose in them as they prescribe medication to them. Social implications It is envisaged that the research will assist consumers of branded medications to probe into why branded medications are insisted on to be purchased instead of alternatives. Originality/value This study provides further perspectives on consumer reactions to physicians’ prescription of branded medications.
Anti-androgenic treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder: an open-label clinical trial of the long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue triptorelin

Some case reports have shown that patients suffering from obsessive–compulsive disorder can be effectively treated with anti-androgenic pharmacological agents with various modes of action. The most effective group of such agents is the long-acting analogues of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone. This investigation was undertaken in order to further elucidate the possibility of using such powerful anti-androgenic agents in the treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder. Six male patients, all suffering from therapy-resistant obsessive–compulsive disorder, were included in a 48 weeks open-label trial of the long-acting GnRH-analogue triptorelin. Every other week, the patients rated the severity of obsessive–compulsive disorder symptoms by means of a visual analogue scale. During the course of the trial, five out of six patients experienced a considerable improvement. The finding gives further support to the contention that anti-androgenic agents are effective in the treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder.
Climate Change Impacts on Rice Farming Systems in Northwestern Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has achieved tremendous progress since 1950 in crop production and food availability. Yields grew at an impressive rate until leveling off in the mid-eighties. Sri Lanka's population is anticipated to grow in the coming decades, creating an ever-greater demand for food security on the household, sub-district, regional, and national scales.The agricultural sector in Sri Lanka is vulnerable to climate shocks. An unusual succession of droughts and floods from 2008 to 2014 has led to both booms and busts in agricultural production, which were reflected in food prices. In both instances, the majority of farmers and consumers were adversely affected.At present the rice-farming systems are under stress due to inadequate returns for the farmers and difficulty in coping with shocks due to climate, pests, and diseases, and prices for produce. There are government price-support mechanisms, fertilizer-subsidy schemes, and crop insurance schemes, but the levels of the supports are modest and often do not effectively reach the farmers.
Occlusion of Internal Mammary Grafts: a review of the Potential Causative Factors

Abstract The outcome of patient undergoing CABG is largely dependant on the long-term patency of the conduit used. Internal mammary artery (IMA) is considered whenever possible due to its improved long-term functionality over saphenous vein graft. However, a 10% rate of late arterial closure is described without well-known predictors. Chronic competition induced by a moderate coronary lesion on the bypassed native vessel is thought to be a major factor of arterial graft shrinkage even if conflicting data are reported in the available literature. Therefore, the decision to use an IMA to bypass a moderate native coronary lesion should be carefully weighted. When angiography is doubtful, more accurate functional investigations should be considered. Among them, pressure-derived fractional flow reserve could give an immediate answer of whether an intermediate lesion should be bypassed.
[Long-term captopril therapy in asymptomatic patients with severe chronic aortic insufficiency].

BACKGROUND Clinical history of patients with severe chronic aortic regurgitation is characterized by a long period without any symptom, although the left ventricle enlarges progressively. The administration of oral vasodilators could reduce ventricular enlargement or its progression, delaying the development of myocardial dysfunction and/or the need for valvular surgery. OBJECTIVES To verify the efficacy of long-term captopril therapy to reduce left ventricular mass and dimensions in patients with severe chronic aortic regurgitation. METHODS This is a prospective echocardiographic study in which each individual patient is considered his own control case. Eleven asymptomatic patients with severe chronic aortic regurgitation in sinus rhythm, who had an ejection fraction greater than 50% and were not taking cardiovascular drugs, were orally administered captopril at the maximum tolerated dosage (127 +/- 13 mg/day). Follow-up lasted for 24 +/- 3 months. RESULTS Left ventricular telediastolic diameter decreased from 69 +/- 5 to 61 +/- 3 mm (p < 0.01), telesystolic diameter decreased from 48 +/- 5 to 41 +/- 4 mm (p < 0.01); ejection fraction increased from 56 +/- 4 to 61 +/- 3% (p < 0.001); myocardial mass decreased from 208 +/- 32 to 174 +/- 27 g/m2 (p < 0.01), and mean wall stress from 264 +/- 35 to 203 +/- 25 mmHg (p < 0.001). All variations were still significant at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that captopril has a favourable effect on left ventricular mass, dimensions and load conditions, and could favourably influence the natural history of chronic aortic regurgitation. The efficacy of medical treatment can be verified through serial echocardiographic study.
Clinical significance of Serum Amylase in Acute Organo phosphorus Poisoning

Introduction: OP compounds constitute heterogeneous category of chemicals used as pesticides. In this study we intend to know the clinical significance of serum amylase levels in OP poisoning cases at the time of admission in assessing the severity. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in a total of 36 clinically proven cases of OP poisoning. Serum amylase, lipase and Cholinesterase were measured at the time of admission. Patients were followed up for final outcome. Results: Serum cholinesterase is decreased in all the groups. Serum amylase is significantly elevated in group III when compared to group I and II. Serum lipase is not statistically significance. Correlation of serum cholinesterase levels with serum amylase and lipase showed significant negative correlation with serum amylase. Conclusion: Hyperamylasemia is common in OP poisoning. Serum amylase estimation can be used as a prognostic indicator along with the serum cholinesterase activity in assessing severity of OP poisoning. However estimation of lipase in cases with hyperamylasemia helps to differentiate cases with acute pancreatitis. Further studies with estimation of isoenzymes of amylase and correlation with clinical severity in larger population is necessary.
Nociceptin (ORL‐1) and μ‐Opioid Receptors Mediate Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase Activation in CHO Cells Through a Gi‐Coupled Signaling Pathway: Evidence for Distinct Mechanisms of Agonist‐Mediated Desensitization

Abstract: The recently identified 17‐amino acid peptide nociceptin (orphanin FQ) is the endogenous ligand for the opioid receptor‐like‐1 (ORL‐1) receptor. A physiologic role for nociceptin (OFQ) activation of the ORL‐1 receptor (OFQR) may be to modulate opioid‐induced analgesia. The molecular mechanism by which nociceptin (OFQ) and ORL‐1 (OFQR) modify opioid‐stimulated effects, however, is unclear. Both ORL‐1 (OFQR) and opioid receptors mediate pertussis toxin (PTX)‐sensitive signal transduction, indicating these receptors are capable of coupling to Gi/Go proteins. This study determines that nociceptin stimulates an intracellular signaling pathway, leading to activation of mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase in CHO cells expressing ORL‐1 receptor (OFQR). Nociceptin (OFQ)‐stimulated MAP kinase activation was inhibited by PTX or by expression of the carboxyl terminus of β‐adrenergic receptor kinase (βARKct), which specifically blocks Gβγ‐mediated signaling. Expression of the proline‐rich domain of SOS (SOS‐PRO), which inhibits SOS interaction with p21ras, also attenuated nociceptin (OFQ)‐stimulated MAP kinase activation. The phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI‐3K) inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 reduced nociceptin (OFQ)‐stimulated MAP kinase activation, whereas inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) activity by bisindolylmaleimide I or cellular depletion of PKC had no effect. In a similar manner, in cells expressing μ‐opioid receptor, [d‐Ala2,N‐Me‐Phe4,Gly‐ol]‐enkephalin (DAMGO; a μ‐opioid receptor‐selective agonist) stimulated PTX‐sensitive MAP kinase activation that was inhibited by wortmannin, LY294002, βARKct expression, or SOS‐PRO expression but not affected by inhibition of PKC activity. These results indicate that both ORL‐1 (OFQR) and μ‐opioid receptors mediate MAP kinase activation via a signaling pathway using the βγ‐subunit of Gi, a PI‐3K, and SOS, independent of PKC activity. In cells expressing both ORL‐1 (OFQR) and μ‐opioid receptors, pretreatment with nociceptin decreased subsequent nociceptin (OFQ)‐ or DAMGO‐stimulated MAP kinase activation. In contrast, pretreatment of cells with DAMGO decreased subsequent DAMGO‐stimulated MAP kinase but had no effect on subsequent nociceptin (OFQ)‐stimulated MAP kinase activation. These results demonstrate that nociceptin (OFQ) activation of ORL‐1 (OFQR) can modulate μ‐opioid receptor signaling in a cellular system.
Terminal Sialic Acid Residues on Human Glycophorin A Are Recognized by Porcine Kupffer Cells

Background. We have previously shown that recognition of human erythrocytes by porcine Kupffer cells is mediated by a carbohydrate-dependent mechanism. The present study explores the possible ligands existing on human glycophorin A and tests their ability to inhibit erythrocyte rosette formation. Methods. Human erythrocytes were tested for ABO and MN specificity and used as targets in a 51Chromium quantitative erythrocyte rosette assay. Monosaccharides present on human glycophorin A, neuraminyl lactoses, bovine and porcine submaxillary mucins (BSM and PSM), and hyaluronic acid as well as proteoglycan N-linked glycosidase F(PNGaseF)- and sialidase A-treated human erythrocyte glycoproteins (hEGP) and human erythrocytes were all tested for inhibitory potential in the rosetting assay. Results. Porcine Kupffer-cell recognition of human erythrocytes was insensitive to differences in blood groups A, B, O, or MN. At 30 mM, the monosaccharide, N-acetylneuraminic acid, and the trisaccharide mixture, neuraminyl lactoses, disrupted human erythrocyte recognition by 25% and 30%, respectively. A dilution of BSM but not PSM inhibited the rosetting assay by 17% (.2 mg/mL), 33% (1 mg/mL), and 53% (2 mg/mL). The same dilution of hyaluronic acid had no effect on rosetting. Removal of N-linked oligosaccharides from hEGP with PNGaseF did not impair its ability to inhibit the rosetting assay. In contrast, removal of sialic acid completely abrogated its inhibitory ability. Treatment of whole human erythrocytes with sialidase A likewise prevented recognition by porcine Kupffer cells. Conclusions. Terminal sialic acid on human erythrocytes is a target recognized by porcine Kupffer cells, suggesting a role for a sialic-acid receptor in innate cellular recognition of xenogeneic epitopes. Inasmuch as this work reveals a carbohydrate-recognition mechanism for cellular rejection, we shed light on a potential new boundary that will need to be overcome within xenotransplantation.
Numerical simulations in a bony callus

We are undertaking a set of studies on the evolution (geometrical, morphological, etc.) of callus on a long bone after a fracture. The presence of a callus is a classic phenomenon in orthopaedics corresponding to a bony thickening. We discard in the first step the case of vicious callus. Hours after a fracture, the body is able to produce a ‘bone-filling’ that will reseal the pieces together and whose main purpose is to promote future bone healing. This ‘first’ bone is not structured, i.e. it does not present osteonal architecture with a preferred orientation of the Haversian canals. It will gradually mineralise and become strong enough to be loaded again. This is when the bone remodelling phenomenon will appear to allow (partly or completely) the vanishing of the callus by creating new bone structure regarding the cortical part. Our goal is to quantify the various physical phenomena related to the evolution of bone remodelling in this area with a similar protocol as we have done in previous studies (Racila et al. 2012; Crolet et al. 2013 a,b) and which consists of three steps, each at distinct scales: macroscopic, microscopic and nanoscopic. The evolution of a callus being very patient dependent, we would like to open a discussion on how best to choose the geometry of the callus (size and thickness of the cortical part).
The influence of nymphal and adult dietary protein on food intake and reproduction in female brown‐banded cockroaches

Female brown‐banded cockroaches, Supella longipalpa (F.) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae), failed to elevate consumption rates when fed a 5% protein diet compared with females fed either 25% protein or commercial rat food. Adult performance was directly influenced by dietary protein level: Females fed 65% protein died rapidly, while in females fed 5% protein feeding and reproductive rates were reduced after production of three oothecae. In females fed a low protein diet as both late instar nymphs and as adults, mating was delayed and they required more time to form oothecae than females switched to 25% protein as adults. The role of nymphal reserves in adult reproduction is discussed.
The Role of Aquaporins in Ocular Lens Homeostasis

Aquaporins (AQPs), by playing essential roles in the maintenance of ocular lens homeostasis, contribute to the establishment and maintenance of the overall optical properties of the lens over many decades of life. Three aquaporins, AQP0, AQP1 and AQP5, each with distinctly different functional properties, are abundantly and differentially expressed in the different regions of the ocular lens. Furthermore, the diversity of AQP functionality is increased in the absence of protein turnover by age-related modifications to lens AQPs that are proposed to alter AQP function in the different regions of the lens. These regional differences in AQP functionality are proposed to contribute to the generation and directionality of the lens internal microcirculation; a system of circulating ionic and fluid fluxes that delivers nutrients to and removes wastes from the lens faster than could be achieved by passive diffusion alone. In this review, we present how regional differences in lens AQP isoforms potentially contribute to this microcirculation system by highlighting current areas of investigation and emphasizing areas where future work is required.
Tolerogenic versus Immunogenic Lipidomic Profiles of CD11c+ Immune Cells and Control of Immunogenic Dendritic Cell Ceramide Dynamics

Lipids affect the membrane properties determining essential biological processes. Earlier studies have suggested a role of switch-activated protein 70 (SWAP-70) in lipid raft formation of dendritic cells. We used lipidomics combined with genetic and biochemical assays to analyze the role of SWAP-70 in lipid dynamics. TLR activation using LPS as a ligand represented a pathogenic immunogenic stimulus, physical disruption of cell–cell contacts a tolerogenic stimulus. Physical disruption, but not LPS, caused an increase of phosphatidylcholine ether and cholesteryl esters in CD11c+ immune cells. An increase of ceramide (Cer) was a hallmark for LPS activation. SWAP-70 was required for regulating the increase and localization of Cers in the cell membrane. SWAP-70 controls Cer accumulation through the regulation of pH-dependent acid-sphingomyelinase activity and of RhoA-dependent transport of endosomal contents to the plasma membrane. Poor accumulation of Cers in Swap70−/− cells caused decreased apoptosis. This shows that two different pathways of activation, immunogenic and tolerogenic, induce different changes in the lipid composition of cultured CD11c+ cells, and highlights the important role of SWAP-70 in Cer dynamics in dendritic cells.
Neutron scattering studies of the magnetic structure of cupric oxide.

In light of the recent discovery of copper oxide high-${T}_{c}$ superconductors, we have reexamined the early neutron diffraction measurements on CuO by Brockhouse [B. N. Brockhouse, Phys. Rev. 94, A781 (1954)]. Our measurement confirmed the antiferromagnetic ordering in CuO below 225 K. The magnetic unit cell has a volume double that of the chemical unit cell. The ordered moment is 0.68${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$ per Cu, significantly smaller than 1${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$ expected for a spin-only ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{2+}$ ion. The diffuse scattering was also studied well above the N\'eel temperature, and was found to be mostly elastic, in clear contrast to that of ${\mathrm{La}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CuO}}_{4}$.
Is your information sensitive?:creating a new measure for the sensitivity of personal information and predicting information disclosure

Disclaimer This document contains a student thesis (bachelor's or master's), as authored by a student at Eindhoven University of Technology. Student theses are made available in the TU/e repository upon obtaining the required degree. The grade received is not published on the document as presented in the repository. The required complexity or quality of research of student theses may vary by program, and the required minimum study period may vary in duration.
Learning style, sense of community and learning effectiveness in hybrid learning environment

The purpose of this study is to investigate how hybrid learning instruction affects undergraduate students' learning outcome, satisfaction and sense of community. The other aim of the present study is to examine the relationship between students' learning style and learning conditions in mixed online and face-to-face courses. A quasi-experimental design was used and 140 sophomores were recruited in this study. Students' learning outcomes, satisfaction, sense of community and learning styles were measured. Results showed that students in a hybrid course had significantly higher learning scores and satisfaction than did students of the face-to-face courses. The result also indicated that students of hybrid learning classrooms felt a stronger sense of community than did students in a traditional classroom setting. Analysis of learning style indicated that learning style had significant effect on learning outcome in the study group. Accommodator learners had higher e-learning effectiveness than other style learners. Possible reasons of results were discussed.
In Vitro Activities of Two Ketolides, HMR 3647 and HMR 3004, against Gram-Positive Bacteria

ABSTRACT The in vitro activities of two new ketolides, HMR 3647 and HMR 3004, were tested by the agar dilution method against 280 strains of gram-positive bacteria with different antibiotic susceptibility profiles, including Staphylococcus aureus,Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium,Streptococcus spp. (group A streptococci, group B streptococci, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and alpha-hemolytic streptococci). Seventeen erythromycin-susceptible (Ems), methicillin-susceptible S. aureus strains were found to have HMR 3647 and HMR 3004 MICs 4- to 16-fold lower than those of erythromycin (MIC at which 50% of isolates were inhibited [MIC50] [HMR 3647 and HMR 3004], 0.03 μg/ml; range, 0.03 to 0.06 μg/ml; MIC50 [erythromycin], 0.25 μg/ml; range, 0.25 to 0.5 μg/ml). All methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains tested were resistant to erythromycin and had HMR 3647 and HMR 3004 MICs of >64 μg/ml. The ketolides were slightly more active against E. faecalis than against E. faecium, and MICs for individual strains varied with erythromycin susceptibility. The MIC50s of HMR 3647 and HMR 3004 against Ems enterococci (MIC ≤ 0.5 μg/ml) and those enterococcal isolates with erythromycin MICs of 1 to 16 μg/ml were 0.015 μg/ml. E. faecalis strains that had erythromycin MICs of 128 to >512 μg/ml showed HMR 3647 MICs in the range of 0.03 to 16 μg/ml and HMR 3004 MICs in the range of 0.03 to 64 μg/ml. In the group of E. faecium strains for which MICs of erythromycin were ≥512 μg/ml, MICs of both ketolides were in the range of 1 to 64 μg/ml, with almost all isolates showing ketolide MICs of ≤16 μg/ml. The ketolides were also more active than erythromycin against group A streptococci, group B streptococci,S. pneumoniae, rhodococci, leuconostocs, pediococci, lactobacilli, and diphtheroids. Time-kill studies showed bactericidal activity against one strain of S. aureus among the four strains tested. The increased activity of ketolides against gram-positive bacteria suggests that further study of these agents for possible efficacy against infections caused by these bacteria is warranted.
Manifestation of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis in head and neck.

INTRODUCTION Besides an obvious clinical involvement of the ear, nose and throat (ENT)-region in Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA), systematic data is sparse. Only a few case series and case reports are available that particularly describe rhinological, otological or other manifestations of EGPA in the ENT-region. Therefore, the objective of this study is to systematically describe data on ENT-region involvement in a large series of EGPA patients. METHOD EGPA patients examined in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel between 1990 and 2010 were included in the study. Criteria for ENT-manifestation were assigned to five subgroups (history, ENT examination, audiological and rhinological diagnostic findings and cranial MRI) and documented cumulatively. EGPA patients were examined in a standardized way based on the validated Ear Nose and Throat Activity Score (ENTAS) or its precursor, including audiological and rhinological diagnostic findings. MRI scans were analysed to further evaluate ENT involvement. RESULTS A total of 95 EGPA patients were included in the study. In approximately 80% of them, ENT-involvement was documented and the assumption of a frequent rhinological manifestation in patients with EGPA was confirmed. Moreover, the data reveals remarkable evidence for an otological manifestation. A missing correlation between the rhinological and the otological manifestation indicates an independent autoimmune-inflammatory process for this manifestation. CONCLUSION The data of the largest monocentric study presented here confirms the hypothesis of a frequent ENT involvement in EGPA patients, in whom rhinological and otological manifestations are most common. Therefore, treatment should include long term follow-up and should be managed interdisciplinary.