Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resistance among fecal flora of patients taking sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim or trimethoprim alone

Because of the widespread occurrence of resistance to sulfonamides among Enterobacteriaceae, some researchers have suggested using trimethoprim (TMP) alone instead of the combination sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMX-TMP) in treating infections with TMP-susceptible organisms. To answer whether SMX-TMP suppresses the emergence of resistant organisms compared with TMP alone, quantitative fecal cultures were made for total and TMP-resistant organisms before, during, and after SMX-TMP (800/160 mg twice a day) or TMP (200 or 100 mg twice a day) was given to 48 patients for 4 weeks in a prospective, randomized study. All three regimens left anaerobes intact and reduced the total aerobic coliform fecal flora by approximately 4 logs throughout the 4-week treatment period. In 11 of 19 (58%) patients taking TMP 200 mg twice daily, TMP-resistant organisms emerged or increased during therapy (P less than 0.01, compared with none of the 12 controls), whereas in only 4 of 18 (22%) patients on SMX-TMP did TMP-resistant organisms increase. These TMP-resistant organisms increased by less than 1 log and were predominantly Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter species. In only one instance did an SMX-TMP-resistant Escherichia coli strain emerge after 4 weeks of SMX-TMP therapy. The slight increase in Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter species seen with TMP alone in this study raises a potential risk of giving TMP alone in settings where these organisms may cause serious infections, as in immunosuppressed patients.
What’s in Your Benchmark? A Factor Analysis of Major Market Indexes

The authors examine the factor exposures of several popular market-capitalization indexes and how they vary over time. The authors find that most market-capitalization-weight indexes are effectively exposed to only two or three factors, with value and momentum being increasingly dominant. They find that the proportion of index movements explained by factors has materially increased in recent years, which is consistent with a more top-down, macro-driven environment or the increasing importance of economy-wide risks for financial markets.
Double blind randomised controlled trial of effect of metoprolol on myocardial ischaemia during endoscopic cholangiopancreatography

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effect of metoprolol, a ß adrenergic blocking drug, on the occurrence of myocardial ischaemia during endoscopic cholangiopancreatography. Design: Double blind, randomised, controlled trial. Setting: University Hospital. Subjects: 38 (two groups of 19) patients scheduled for endoscopic cholangiopancreatography. Interventions: Metoprolol 100 mg or placebo as premedication two hours before endoscopy. Main outcome measures: Heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation by continuous pulse oximetry, ST segment changes during endoscopic cholangiopancreatography (an ST segment deviation >1 mV was defined as myocardial ischaemia), electrocardiogram monitored continuously with a Holter tape recorder. Results: All patients had increased heart rate during endoscopy compared with rate before endoscopy, but heart rate during endoscopy was significantly lower in the metoprolol group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.0002). Twenty one patients (16 placebo, 5 metoprolol; P = 0.0008) developed tachycardia (heart rate > 100/min) during the procedure, and 11 patients (10 placebo, 1 metoprolol; P = 0.003) developed myocardial ischaemia. One patient in the placebo group had an acute inferolateral myocardial infarction. In the 10 other patients with signs of myocardial ischaemia during endoscopy the ST deviation disappeared when the endoscope was retracted. In all patients myocardial ischaemia was related to increases in heart rate, and 10 of the 11 patients had tachycardia coherent with myocardial ischaemia. Conclusions: Metoprolol prevented myocardial ischaemia during endoscopic cholangiopancreatography, probably through lowering the heart rate. Thus, tachycardia seems to be a key pathogenic factor in the development of myocardial ischaemia during endoscopy. Key messages Metoprolol prevented myocardial ischaemia during endoscopy Myocardial ischaemia was related to tachycardia more than to concomitant hypoxaemia Tachycardia seems to be a key pathogenic factor in the development of myocardial ischaemia during endoscopy
Reliability of metal interconnect after a high-current pulse

In certain situations, very large scale integration (VLSI) metal interconnects are subjected to short duration high current pulses. This occurs in FPGA programming, and in radiation testing for latchup. The authors have determined the effects of such pulsing on the long term reliability of Al (1% Cu) metallization with W cladding on top and bottom. The reliabilities of pulsed and unpulsed lines were established using accelerated electromigration testing. Lines pulsed below the immediate catastrophic threshold were seen to have slightly improved electromigration lifetimes, but as the failure threshold is approached, electromigration lifetime decreases abruptly. Therefore, high current pulsing provides no reliability hazard in this metallization system below catastrophic threshold.
The Multivariated Effect of City Cooperation in Land Use Planning and Decision-Making Processes: A European Analysis

Spatial and urban planning processes regarding border cooperation have reached unprecedented levels in recent decades, not only due to their potential for territorial integration, i.e., infrastructure construction and planning activities worldwide. Bearing in mind the European project, for a united and strong network of nations, this scenario is more evident in European territories. In this regard, through multivariated analyzes of city cooperation on European border areas, it is possible to identify the factors that influ ence the territorial success and also a sustainable regional development and even their effects over the urban agglomerations. From the identified factors, the study pointed out one that is common to all cases: connectivity-movement between cities.
Two Strategies For Prophylaxis of Fatal Postoperative Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract While subcutaneous heparin is a standard prophylaxis for death from pulmonary embolism following general surgery, it has been suggested that adding the vasoconstricting drug dihydroergotamine would improve survival compared to heparin alone. Dihydroergotamine may be associated with rare but life-threatening side effects; thus, reduced mortality from pulmonary embolism could be offset by increased mortality from other causes. Because a clinical trial to examine this possibility would be impractical, we performed a cost-effectiveness analysis to evaluate the effects of prophylactic dihydroergotamine on mortality. Based on published data, despite its favorable effects on the prevention of deep vein thrombosis, the addition of dihydroergotamine did not appear to save lives when added to heparin as prophylaxis. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis demonstrated that even if published risk estimates are in error, substantial changes would still not support the conclusion that dihydroergotamine is lifesaving. In the absence of clear potential for improved survival, the increased costs associated with dihydroergotamine provide reason to question its routine prophylactic use in general surgery.
Vitellogenin Transport and Yolk Formation in the Quail Ovary

Abstract Morphological and biochemical investigations were made on the yolk formation in ovaries of the quail Coturnix japonica. Morphologically, two ways of nutrient uptake were observed in follicles. In small oocytes of white follicles, vitellogenin (VTG) was taken up through fluid-phase endocytosis which was assisted by follicular lining bodies. The lining bodies were produced in follicle cells. They adhered to the lateral cell membrane, moved along the membrane in the direction of the enclosed oocyte and were posted to the tips of the microvilli. These tips, now with lining bodies, were pinched off from the main cell body, engulfed by indented cell membranes of the oocyte, and transported to yolk spheres. In large oocytes of yellow follicles, VTG and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) were taken up through receptor-mediated endocytosis. The VTG and VLDL particles diffused through the huge interspaces between follicle cells, and once in oocytes were transported to yolk spheres via coated vesicles. Immunohistochemistry showed that the VTG resides on or near the surface of the follicle cell membrane at the zona radiata whereas the cathepsin D resides at or near the oocytic cell membranes. Tubular and round vesicles in the cortical cytoplasm of oocytes were also stained with both antisera, suggesting that these vesicles are the sites where the VTG is enzymatically processed by cathepsin D. Upon analysis by SDS-PAGE, a profile similar to that of yolk-granule proteins was produced by incubating VTG with a quail cathepsin D of 40 kD.
Who are the influentials? : the relationship between opinion leadership and new product adoption

iii ÖZET . iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . v TABLE OF CONTENTS . vi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 CHAPTER 2: THEORY . 7 2.1 Opinion Leadership . 7 2.1. 1 Self-Reported Opinion Leadership and New Product Adoption . 12 2.1. 2 Sociometric Opinion Leadership and New Product Adoption . 13 2.2 Antecedents to Opinion Leadership . 16 2.2.1 Innovativeness and Opinion Leadership . 18 2.2.2 Innovativeness and New Product Adoption . 20 2.2. 3 Self-construal and Opinion Leadership . 23 CHAPTER 3: HYPOTHESES . 26 3.1 Antecedents to Self-reported and Sociometric Opinion Leadership . 26 3.1. 1 Innovativeness and Opinion Leadership . 27 3.1. 2 Self-construal and Opinion Leadership . 30 3.2 Innovativeness and New Product Adoption . 32 3.3 Opinion Leadership and New Product Adoption . 33 CHAPTER 4: METHOD . 36
Quality of life and pain in advanced stage prostate cancer: results of a Southwest Oncology Group randomized trial comparing docetaxel and estramustine to mitoxantrone and prednisone.

PURPOSE Palliation of bone pain can be achieved in men with androgen-independent prostate cancer treated with docetaxel and estramustine (DE) or mitoxantrone and prednisone (MP). While Southwest Oncology Group trial 99-16 demonstrated a survival improvement of DE over MP, the study also was designed to compare the palliation of disease-related symptoms. METHODS Pain palliation and global quality of life (QOL) were the two primary patient-reported outcomes. Pain was measured with the Present Pain Intensity scale of the McGill Pain Questionnaire-Short Form. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (QLQ-C30) and its Prostate Cancer Module (PR25) measured QOL and symptom status. Pain and analgesic use were measured at random assignment, every cycle for eight cycles, and 1 year from random assignment; the QLQ-C30 and the PR25 were administered at random assignment, before cycle four (week 10) and cycle eight (month 6) and at 1 year. In addition to the primary intent-to-treat, missing at random analysis, sensitivity analyses were performed to assess robustness of global QOL conclusions under alternative informative missing data assumptions. RESULTS Six hundred seventy four eligible patients received DE (n = 338) or MP (n = 336). In an intention-to-treat analysis, median overall survival was 17.5 months for the DE arm and 15.6 months for the MP arm (P = .02). There were no statistically significant differences in pain palliation between the treatment arms. The sensitivity analyses showed a consistent lack of statistically significant global QOL differences for the two arms. CONCLUSION DE had superior clinical efficacy (overall survival, time-to-progression, and prostate-specific antigen declines) with similar global QOL and pain palliation in the MP arm.
Iron acquisition and virulence in Helicobacter pylori: a major role for FeoB, a high‐affinity ferrous iron transporter

The genome sequence of Helicobacter pylori suggests that this bacterium possesses several Fe acquisition systems, including both Fe2+‐ and Fe3+‐citrate transporters. The role of these transporters was investigated by generating insertion mutants in feoB, tonB, fecA1 and fecDE. Fe transport in the feoB mutant was ≈ 10‐fold lower than in the wild type (with 0.5 μM Fe), irrespective of whether Fe was supplied in the Fe2+ or Fe3+ form. In contrast, transport rates were unaffected by the other mutations. Complementation of the feoB mutation fully restored both Fe2+ and Fe3+ transport. The growth inhibition exhibited by the feoB mutant in Fe‐deficient media was relieved by human holo‐transferrin, holo‐lactoferrin and Fe3+‐dicitrate, but not by FeSO4. The feoB mutant had less cellular Fe and was more sensitive to growth inhibition by transition metals in comparison with the wild type. Biphasic kinetics of Fe2+ transport in the wild type suggested the presence of high‐ and low‐affinity uptake systems. The high‐affinity system (apparent Ks = 0.54 μM) is absent in the feoB mutant. Transport via FeoB is highly specific for Fe2+ and was inhibited by FCCP, DCCD and vanadate, indicating an active process energized by ATP. Ferrozine inhibition of Fe2+ and Fe3+ uptake implied the concerted involvement of both an Fe3+ reductase and FeoB in the uptake of Fe supplied as Fe3+. Taken together, the results are consistent with FeoB‐mediated Fe2+ uptake being a major pathway for H. pylori Fe acquisition. feoB mutants were unable to colonize the gastric mucosa of mice, indicating that FeoB makes an important contribution to Fe acquisition by H. pylori in the low‐pH, low‐O2 environment of the stomach.
Search Benefit in Housing Markets: An Inverted U‐Shaped Price and Tom Relation

The nature of the relationship between a property's selling price and its marketing time in the housing market remains an open question to date, despite almost 40 years of inquiry and hundreds of regressions conducted on various data sources. This study attempts to settle the long-standing open question by examining the issue from a new perspective. We demonstrate that the true price–TOM relationship should be nonlinear and characterized by an inverted U-shaped curve wherein the selling price increases with TOM up to a certain threshold, reflective of a positive exposure effect and decreases thereafter to reflect a negative stigma effect. This relationship is borne out in an empirical analysis using a large sample of home sales from the Hampton Roads, Virginia metropolitan area during an extended period of time. We then formulate hypotheses about the benefit of search by home sellers, which are subsequently confirmed by the empirical findings.
Apoptosis of spinal interneurons induced by sciatic nerve axotomy in the neonatal rat is counteracted by nerve growth factor and ciliary neurotrophic factor

We have previously shown that not only motoneurons and dorsal root ganglion cells but also small neurons, presumably interneurons in the spinal cord, may undergo apoptotic cell death as a result of neonatal peripheral nerve transection in the rat. With the aid of electron microscopy, we have here demonstrated that apoptosis in the spinal cord is confined to neurons and does not involve glial cells at the survival time studied (24 hours). To define the relative importance of the loss of a potential target (motoneuron) and a potential afferent input (dorsal root ganglion cell) for the induction of apoptosis in interneurons in this situation, we have compared the distributions and time courses for TUNEL labeling, which detects apoptotic cell nuclei, in the L5 segment of the spinal cord and the L5 dorsal root ganglion after sciatic nerve transection in the neonatal (P2) rat. In additional experiments, we studied the effects on TUNEL labeling of interneurons after treatment of the cut sciatic nerve with either ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) to rescue motoneurons or nerve growth factor (NGF) to rescue dorsal root ganglion cells. The time courses of the TUNEL labeling in motoneurons and interneurons induced by the lesion show great similarities (peak at 8–48 hours postoperatively), whereas the labeling in dorsal root ganglion cells occurs later (24–72 hours). Both CNTF and NGF decrease the number of TUNEL‐labeled interneurons, but there is a regional difference, in that CNTF preferentially saves interneurons in deep dorsal and ventral parts of the spinal cord, whereas the rescuing effects of NGF are seen mainly in the superficial dorsal horn. The results are interpreted as signs of a trophic dependence on both the target and the afferent input for the survival of interneurons neonatally. J. Comp. Neurol. 447:381–393, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Animal model of Mycobacterium abscessus lung infection

Chronic lung disease as a result of Mycobacterium abscessus is an emerging infection in the United States. We characterized the lung immune responses in mice and guinea pigs infected with M. abscessus. C57BL/6 and leptin‐deficient ob/ob mice challenged with a low‐dose aerosol (LDA) of M. abscessus did not develop an infection. However, when challenged with a high‐dose aerosol (HDA), C57BL/6 and ob/ob mice developed an established infection and a pulmonary immune response consisting of an early influx of IFN‐γ+ CD4+ T cells; this immune response preceded the successful clearance of M. abscessus in both strains of mice, although mycobacterial elimination was delayed in the ob/ob mice. Infected guinea pigs showed an increased influx of lymphocytes into the lungs with bacterial clearance by Day 60. In contrast to the C57BL/6 and ob/ob mice and guinea pigs, IFN‐γ knockout (GKO) mice challenged with a LDA or HDA of M. abscessus showed a progressive lung infection despite a robust influx of T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, culminating in extensive lung consolidation. Furthermore, with HDA challenge of the GKO mice, emergence of IL‐4‐ and IL‐10‐producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was seen in the lungs. In conclusion, IFN‐γ is critically important in the host defense against M. abscessus. As the number of effective drugs against M. abscessus is limited, the GKO mice provide a model for in vivo testing of novel drugs.
Reflux Esophagitis in Infants and Children: A Report from the Working Group on Gastro‐Oesophageal Reflux Disease of the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Summary In this article, the Working Group on Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux of the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition presents and discusses a definition of reflux esophagitis and recommends a diagnostic approach and therapeutic management for this condition. Histologic criteria for reflux esophagitis, modified and adapted to the particular needs of infants and children, are suggested. Upper gastrointestinal en-doscopy is recommended as the technique of choice in infants and children presenting with symptoms suggestive of reflux esophagitis. Prokinetics, although still a relatively new drug family, have already established a definitive place in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease in infants and children and could also be used in the treatment of nonulcerative esophagitis, as suggested in the literature. If the esophagitis is more severe (ulcerative), treatment should initially consist of H2 blockers and then be continued with prokinetics. New drugs, such as omeprazole, are suggested in cases refractory to H2 blockers. Surgery is indicated in life-threatening conditions or if the esophagitis is resistant to adequate medical management.
Ethics teaching and learning in pediatric training: development of a curriculum.

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada has stated that residency programs "must provide opportunities for residents to gain an understanding of the basic principles of biomedical ethics as it relates to the specialty. " This article presents the steps taken to develop a curriculum for teaching and learning biomedical ethics in Canadian pediatric residency programs, and to provide a model for teaching ethics in this context. Using literature reviews, and opinion surveys of departmental chairpersons, pediatric residents, and practising pediatricians across Canada, we have developed a teachers' handbook to help faculty members in teaching ethics. It can also be used as a tool to enhance faculty development in ethics. The manual is to be distributed to all pediatric training programs throughout Canada in 1997, and its use will be evaluated over the subsequent year. It offers a prototype that is adaptable to Royal College programs other than pediatrics.
Current Account Deficit Dynamics in Kenya: Evidence from Time-series Data (1980-2014)

As a rule of thumb, current account deficit should not exceed 5% of GDP. If it exceeds, it must raise concerns about its sustainability. In Kenya, current account balance deficit increased to 10.5% of the GDP by 2014 and 8.3% in 2015. Empirical evidence shows that there is an unsustainable current account deficit in Kenya. Unsustainable current account deficits are a potential recipe for a currency crisis and current account reversal which have negative implications on macroeconomic stability of a country. This study sought to determine the drivers of current account balance and policies that should be put into place to revert the balance to sustainable levels. It used time series data spanning 1980-2014 and employed VAR and VECM models. The estimated long run co-integrating model revealed that financial deepening in Kenya has no effect on the current account balance at 5%, 10% and 1% statistical significance levels. However, trade openness, oil prices, fiscal deficit, output gap, real effective exchange rate, GDP per-capita, dependency ratio and net financial assets significantly affect current account balance. Original Research Article Mbithi and Mutuku; JEMT, 19(2): 1-11, 2017; Article no.JEMT. 31334 2
Asynchronous release of GABA via tonic cannabinoid receptor activation at identified interneuron synapses in rat CA1

The influence of local circuit interneurons is thought to play an important role in adjusting synaptic strength via endogenous cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors. Using paired whole‐cell recordings, combined with double immunofluorescence and biocytin labelling in acute slices of rat CA1 at postnatal day 18–23, we investigated the properties of Cholecystokinin (CCK)‐positive stratum radiatum local circuit interneuron connections that utilised CB1 receptors. Three types of synaptic connections were studied, lacunosum‐moleculare‐radiatum perforant path‐associated (LM‐R PPA) to Shaffer collateral‐associated (SCA) interneurons, SCA–SCA interneurons and SCA–pyramidal cells. These three synapses were differentially under tonic reduction of inhibition that was blocked by the CB1 receptor inverse agonist AM‐251 (10 μm), which enhanced IPSPs. The strength of tonic reduction of inhibition was correlated with asynchronous release which was apparent at connections among interneurons. AM‐251 increased the ratio of synchronous to asynchronous release (synchronicity ratio), while the CB receptor agonist anandamide (14 μm) decreased the synchronicity ratio. Fast and slow calcium chelators (BAPTA‐AM and EGTA‐AM) also increased the synchronicity ratio, accelerated inhibitory time courses and reduced IPSP amplitudes. These data suggest that CB1 receptors at connections among interneuron synapses play a role in tonic suppression of inhibition and govern the asynchronous release of GABA, modulating the time windows of inhibition. Effects of calcium chelators suggest that asynchronous release is a result of a long‐lasting presynaptic calcium transients and/or a large distance between calcium source and sensor of exocytosis. These properties of specialised inhibitory neurons may have important modulatory roles in controlling spike timing among local circuit interneurons.