Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of galanin on hormone secretion from the in situ perfused rat pancreas and on glucose production in rat hepatocytes in vitro.

UNLABELLED Galanin is a novel peptide, widely distributed throughout the central and peripheral nervous system, including nerve endings surrounding the pancreatic islets. In dogs, galanin infusion has been reported to induce hyperglycemia along with a reduction of circulating insulin. In this work, we have studied the effect of galanin (a 200 ng bolus followed by constant infusion at a concentration of 16.8 ng/ml for 22-24 min) on insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin secretion in the perfused rat pancreas. In addition, we have investigated the effect of galanin (10 and 100 nM) on glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in isolated rat hepatocytes. In the rat pancreas, galanin infusion marked inhibited unstimulated insulin release as well as the insulin responses to glucose (11 mM), tolbutamide (100 mg/liter) and arginine (5 mM). Galanin failed to alter the glucagon and somatostatin responses to glucose, tolbutamide, and arginine. In isolated rat hepatocytes, galanin did not influence glycogenolysis or glucagon phosphorylase a activity. Gluconeogenesis and the hepatocyte concentration of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate were also unaffected by galanin. IN CONCLUSION in the perfused rat pancreas, galanin inhibited insulin secretion without modifying glucagon and somatostatin output, thus pointing to a direct effect of galanin on the B cell; and in rat hepatocytes, galanin did not affect glycogenolysis or gluconeogenesis; hence, the reported hyperglycemia induced by exogenous galanin does not seem to be accounted for by a direct effect of this peptide on hepatic glucose production.
Risk factors for contamination of domestic hot water systems by legionellae

To assess risk factors associated with the contamination of the domestic environment by legionellae, 211 houses in the Quebec City area were randomly selected and water samples were collected from the hot water tank, the shower heads, and the most frequently used faucet. After centrifugation, concentrated samples were seeded in triplicate on BCYE and GPV media. Data on the characteristics of the hot water system and plumbing in the house and on the personal habits of the occupants were collected for each house. Among these 211 houses, hot water was provided by either an oil or gas heater in 33 and by an electric heater in 178. Legionellae were isolated from none of the samples from houses with oil or gas heaters and from 39% (69 of 178) of those with electric water heaters (P less than 0.0001). This association remained highly significant after control for water temperature and other variables in a stratified analysis. In the 178 houses with an electric heater, 12% of the faucets, 15% of the shower heads, and 37% of the water heaters were contaminated. Legionella pneumophila serogroups 2 and 4 were the most frequently isolated strains. Logistic regression showed that factors associated with electric water heater contamination were (i) location of the house in older districts of the city (P less than 0.0001), (ii) old age of the water heater (P = 0.003), and (iii) low water temperature (P = 0.05). Contamination of the water heater was the only factor significantly associated with the contamination of peripheral outlets (P less than 0.0001). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Post-reorganization survival: a semi-parametric and non-parametric analysis of firm characteristics

This paper aims at bringing evidence on firm survival after bankruptcy. Instead of considering survival as a binary variable we take into account the duration of the reorganization procedure. We follow a sample of French firms throughout their restructuring process and document factors influencing the reorganization outcome. Based on the existing theoretical and empirical literature on the link between firm ownership structure and performance, we particularly focus on the influence of firm affiliation to a business group and business groups characteristics. Using a Cox proportional hazards model and a Random Forests model, we find that firm structural and financial characteristics have a strong power to explain survival at different time horizons, however, very few of firm financial characteristics used previously for bankruptcy prediction are useful for predicting the final outcome of reorganization once a reorganization plan is voted. In addition, we show that firm ownership structure proxied by firm affiliation to a business group and business group characteristics has no significant influence on the outcome and duration of reorganization.
Immediate complications after medical compared with surgical termination of pregnancy.

To the Editor: The article by Niinimäki et al reports a 20% compared with 5.6% incidence of adverse events in the medical compared with surgical abortion cohorts, respectively.1 Other databases and peer-reviewed literature about medical abortion report a dramatically lower incidence of complications, such as hemorrhage and infection, than are reported by Niinimäki and colleagues.2 The most frequent adverse event reported was hemorrhage (15.6%). Using a mifepristone and misoprostol regimen for medical abortion, the previously published rate of blood transfusion (indicative of hemorrhage) in large trials ranges from 0.1% to 0.4%. 3 In short, the rate of hemorrhage reported in the Niinimäki article is inconsistent with rates previously reported. Based on correspondence with Dr. Heikinheimo, one of the authors of the Niinimäki article, in Finnish health registries any return visit to the health facility, even for additional consultation, is categorized as a complication. Thus, a woman whose bleeding may have been within the normal range but who sought reassurance could have been coded as having had a “hemorrhage. ” Similarly, the rate of “incomplete” abortion both with and without surgical evacuation was reported to be 12.6%; without a definition of incomplete abortion, we cannot know what condition(s) the authors describe. The rate of surgical intervention for reasons other than ongoing pregnancy (a possible definition of incomplete abortion) reported in the literature is 2.8%4 when using mifepristone with buccal misoprostol and 1.8% when using mifepristone with vaginal misoprostol.5 The rate of ongoing pregnancy in the Winikoff et al4 study was 1% and 0.55% in the Ashok et al5 study. The data collected for the article began with the initiation of medical abortion in Finland in 2000 and continued for 8 years. We have seen in other countries, with increased provider experience, the rate of intervention decline significantly over time. Although the use of routinely collected data often can be valuable, in this instance, the lack of strict definitions for hemorrhage and incomplete abortion may have led to inflated reports of these complications. Medical abortion is very safe, but definitions of adverse events need to be defined clearly when outcomes are compared. In published clinical trials, the rate of complications of medical abortion is far less than the 20% rate reported in the Niinimäki article.
Social Capital and Firm Performance: Moderating Effect of Environmental Turbulence

This study aims to determine the moderating effect of environmental turbulence on the relationship among firm performance, entrepreneurial orientation, entrepreneurial management, and social capital. Along with survey on Indonesia SMEs, the finding shows that social capital plays pivotal role on firm performance. This study also provides evident that that environmental turbulence dampens the positive impact of social capital on firm performance. Under low environmental turbulence, social capital has positive impact on firm performance. However, social capital brings negative impact on firm performance during high environmental turbulence. This provides more fundamental issues on intersection between resource based view (RBV) and contingency theory (CT).
Foreign Language Teachers and the Intercultural Dimension in Primary Education

The article presents the results of an investigation into the self-concepts primary school teachers of English hold regarding foreign language teaching objectives, culture teaching objectives, the possibility of developing intercultural competence in foreign language classes and their culture teaching practices. The aim was to establish to what extent the teachers comply with a newly conceptualised foreign language and intercultural competence teacher profile. The results have confirmed the teachers' positive disposition towards intercultural competence development. The results also reveal certain inconsistencies between the teachers' cognition and beliefs on the one hand and the teachers' self-perception of their culture teaching practices on the other. A number of implications arise from the results which might be relevant to further research on both teacher competences required for the development of intercultural competence in foreign language classes and foreign language teachers' initial education and professional development. Key words : development of intercultural competence in foreign language classes; foreign language and intercultural competence teacher profile; foreign language teaching and learning; intercultural competence. --- Normal 0 21 false false false HR X-NONE X-NONE U radu se prikazuju rezultati istraživanja predodžbi osnovnoskolskih ucitelja engleskog jezika s obzirom na ciljeve ucenja i poucavanja stranih jezika, ciljeve nastave stranih jezika u segmentu kulture i civilizacije, na mogucnosti razvoja interkulturalne kompetencije u nastavi stranih jezika, kao i s obzirom na vlastitu nastavnu praksu poucavanja kulturne dimenzije. Istraživanjem se željelo ustanoviti u kojoj mjeri ucitelji odgovaraju recentnoj konceptualizaciji profila „ucitelja stranog jezika i interkulturalne kompetencije“. Rezultati potvrđuju pozitivan odnos ucitelja prema razvoju interkulturalne kompetencije, no istodobno pokazuju određenu inkonzistenciju između uciteljske kognicije i uvjerenja s jedne i samopercepcije nastavne prakse s druge strane. Polazeci od tih rezultata, izvode se implikacije za daljnja istraživanja u podrucju uciteljskih kompetencija za razvoj interkulturalne kompetencije u nastavi stranih jezika i za inicijalno obrazovanje ucitelja stranih jezika i njihov profesionalni razvoj. Kljucne rijeci : interkulturalna kompetencija; nastava stranih jezika; profil ucitelja stranog jezika i interkulturalne kompetencije; razvoj interkulturalne kompetencije u nastavi stranih jezika. Normal 0 21 false false false HR X-NONE X-NONE
Online Gaming: Demographics, Motivations, and Information Processing

Online gaming has become a major part of our culture. In order to understand this new media in our society we must examine the motivations for playing these types of games and how that impacts individuals processing of information. This book chapter sets out to examine those motivations and how motivational processing influences in-game content during game play. More importantly how individuals recognize, process
Homocysteine and steroids levels in metformin treated women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

UNLABELLED Risk for atherosclerosis is increased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Homocysteine (Hcy) is one of the independent risk factors for ischemic heart disease. We examined the effect of metformin (M) treatment on Hcy levels, steroids and glycide tolerance in PCOS. MATERIAL AND METHODS 9 women with PCOS (defined as hyperandrogenemia and chronic anovulation); age 20 +/- 3.8 yrs, BMI 28.1 +/- 6.5 kg/m(2); examined in the follicular phase of spontaneous menstrual cycle before and after 27 +/- 4 weeks of treatment with M 1000 mg/day. The plasma concentrations of Hcy, DHEA, DHEA-S, cortisol (F), allopregnanolone (HPO), 17OHpregnenolone (17OHPl), insulin (I) and blood glucose (G) before and after the course of M were measured. RESULTS After the course of M, Hcy significantly increased (10.1 +/- 2.6 to 13.4 +/- 5.1 micromol/l, p < 0.05.). There was no significant change in levels of I, HPO, F, DHEA-S and 17OHPl. DHEA levels increased significantly (from 26.9 +/- 15.7 to 44.4 +/- 24.6 nmol/l, p < 0.05). A borderline significant trend towards reduction in waist-hip ratio was seen (from 0.986 +/- 0.042 to 0.951 +/- 0.085; p < 0.06). CONCLUSIONS Treatment with metformin in women with PCOS can lead to the increase in homocysteine levels--a risk factor for atherosclerosis.
Dialysis Rounds A Dialysis Case  Presentation and Discussion Edited by Roger A. Rodby : Long‐Term Intravenous Sodium Thiosulfate in the Treatment of a Patient with Calciphylaxis

Calciphylaxis is a disabling and life‐threatening complication that primarily affects patients who are dialysis dependent. This disease entity is characterized by calcification, intimal hypertrophy, and thrombosis of small vessels, which results in necrotizing, nonhealing ulcers. The development of these lesions portends a grim prognosis, as they are often accompanied by severe and sometimes fatal infectious complications. Although several strategies aimed at treating and preventing this affliction have been reported in the literature, the outcome for most patients with calciphylaxis remains quite poor. We describe an anuric hemodialysis patient who developed severe calciphylaxis that proved refractory to conventional treatment. Following extensive debridement of several wounds, intravenous sodium thiosulfate was utilized as an adjunctive therapy four times a week. Within 6 months, excellent wound healing ensued as well as a dramatic improvement in the lesions that were not previously resected. Aside from occasional nausea, these treatments were well tolerated, despite the development of an anion gap metabolic acidosis. After 34 months of continued treatment the patient remains free from disease recurrence and has demonstrated no untoward effect of prolonged therapy. In an effort to delineate the pharmacokinetics of this drug in a hemodialysis patient, serum thiosulfate levels were obtained 15 minutes after infusion as well as before and after subsequent dialysis treatments. Consistent with prior studies in anuric canines, we found measurable quantities of the drug more than 50 hours after treatment, in addition to a markedly elevated half life of 478 minutes. However, given the lack of significant toxicity, as well as a dramatic clinical improvement, we feel that sodium thiosulfate may have an important adjunctive role in the treatment of calciphylaxis in dialysis patients.
Put Your Money Where Your Butt Is: a Commitment Savings Account For Smoking Cessation

We designed and tested a voluntary commitment product to help smokers quit smoking. The product (CARES) offered individuals an account in which they deposit funds for six months, after which they take a urine test for nicotine and cotinine. If they pass, their money is returned; otherwise, their money is forfeited. Smokers randomly offered CARES were an estimated 3.1 percentage points more likely to pass the test than the control group. Treatment-on-the-treated estimates suggest that CARES increased test passage by 29 percentage points. We also find that graphic, aversive cue cards are effective, although less effective than CARES.
Comparative effect of thymol or its glucose conjugate, thymol-β-d-glucopyranoside, on Campylobacter in avian gut contents

Campylobacter jejuni is an important human food-borne pathogen that can contaminate meat and poultry during processing. Consequently, strategies are sought to reduce the carriage of C. jejuni in food animals before they arrive at the abattoir. Thymol is a natural product that reduces survivability of Campylobacter in vitro, but its rapid absorption from the proximal alimentary tract limits its bactericidal efficacy in vivo. Thymol-β-d-glucopyranoside is more resistant to absorption than free thymol, but its administration to chickens has not been reported. In the present studies, 1 mM thymol-β-d-glucopyranoside was shown to exhibit near equal anti-Campylobacter activity as 1 mM thymol when incubated anaerobically in avian crop or cecal contents in vitro, resulting in reductions of 1.10–2.32 log10 colony forming units mL−1 in C. jejuni concentrations after 24 h incubation. In a follow-up live animal study, oral administration of thymol-β-d-glucopyranoside, but not free thymol, significantly lowered (>10-fold) recovery of Campylobacter from the crop of market-aged broilers when compared to placebo-treated controls (n = 6 broilers/treatment). Neither thymol-β-d-glucopyranoside nor thymol affected recovery of Campylobacter from cecal contents of the treated broilers. These results indicate that rapid absorption or passage of free thymol from the crop precluded its anti-Campylobacter activity at this site and throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract. Conversely, lower recovery of Campylobacter from the crop of birds treated with thymol-β-d-glucopyranoside indicates this conjugate was retained and able to be hydrolyzed to biologically active free thymol at this site as intended, yet was not sufficiently protected to allow passage of efficacious amounts of the intact glycoside to the lower gut. Nevertheless, these results warrant further research to see if higher doses or encapsulation of thymol-β-d-glucopyranoside or similar glycosides may yield an efficacious additive to reduce carriage of Campylobacter as well as other pathogens throughout the avian gut.
Impact of Firm Specific Factors on Capital Structure Decision: An Empirical Study of Bangladeshi Companies

This study attempts to explore the impact of firm specific factors on capital structure decision for a sample of 39-firm listed on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) during 2003-2007. To achieve the objectives, this study tests a null hypothesis that none of the firm’s specific factors namely profitability, tangibility, non-debt tax shield, growth opportunitiy, liquidity, earnings volatility, size, dividend payment, managerial ownership, and industry classification has significant impact on leverage using estimate of fixed effect model under Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression. Checking multicollinearity and estimating regression analysis through Pearson correlation and autoregressive model respectively this study found that profitability, tangibility, liquidity, and managerial ownership have significant and negative impact on leverage. Positive and significant impact of growth opportunity and non-debt tax shield on leverage has been found in this study. On the other hand size, earnings volatility, and dividend payment were not found to be significant explanatory variables of leverage. Results also reveal that total debt to total assets ratios are significantly different across Bangladeshi industries.
The effectiveness of corporate governance on real earnings management in selected Malaysian companies

The practice of real earnings management occurs at companies where investors’ protection is high and stringent corporate governance measures are put to place. The study examines the relationship between corporate governance attributes and real earnings management. In this study real earnings management is measured using three proxies, abnormal discretionary expenses, abnormal production cost, and abnormal cash flow from operations. The corporate governance attributes examined are board structure characteristics and audit committee characteristics. The sample consist of top 100 companies rated high based on Malaysia Corporate Governance Index 2011 (MCG Index) on best practices of corporate governance. Financial companies are excluded resulted to a final sample of 78 companies. The relationships of board structure and audit committee are tested using Ordinary Least Square regression. The results reveal that certain corporate governance variables are effective in constraining real earnings management activities. The findings of the hypothesised variables, board structures and audit committee. The study find that only board size and directors expertise constrain earnings management, but none of the audit committee variables show significant relationship with real earnings management. It can be conclude that board size and directors expertise are constraining factors in constraining real earnings management. The finding of the study is important for market participant and policy makers in defining effective corporate governance mechanism that could address the issue of real earnings management
Side Effects of Insecticides on Natural Enemies and Possibility of Their Integration in Plant Protection Strategies

Recently, plant protection strategy has recommended, minimizing the use of chemical pesticides. Therefore, studying the side effect of insecticides on the natural enemies is highly required to exclude the detrimental effects on the natural enemies. Every crop is infested by various pests; some but not all of them may be controlled by biological means using pathogens, predators, parasitoids and spiders. But to achieve a satisfactory control of complexes of pests, selective pesticides are also indispensable. In fact, they are a prerequisite of Integrated Pest Management.
Effects of Augmenting N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Signaling on Working Memory and Experience-Dependent Plasticity in Schizophrenia: An Exploratory Study Using Acute D-cycloserine

Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia have been hypothesized to reflect N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) dysfunction. However, the mechanisms through which the NMDAR contributes to individual cognitive functions differ. To explore how NMDAR signaling relates to specific cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, we tested the effects of enhancing NMDAR signaling on working memory and experience-dependent plasticity using d-cycloserine (DCS). Plasticity was assessed using an EEG paradigm that utilizes high-frequency visual stimulation (HFvS) to induce neural potentiation, and 2 learning tasks, the information integration (IIT) and weather prediction (WPT) tasks. Working memory was assessed using an N-back task. Forty-five schizophrenia patients were randomized to receive a single 100 mg DCS dose (SZ-DCS; n = 24) or placebo (SZ-PLC; n = 21) in a double-blind, between-groups design. Testing occurred on a single day after placebo or DCS administration; baseline values were not obtained. DCS did not affect plasticity, as indicated by similar neural potentiation, and similar IIT and WPT learning between groups. However, among patients who successfully engaged in the working memory task (ie, performed above chance), SZ-DCS (n = 17) showed superior 2-back performance compared to SZ-PLC (n = 16). Interestingly, SZ-DCS also showed larger pre-HFvS neural responses during the LTP task. Notably, this pattern of DCS effects is the opposite of those found in our prior study of healthy adults. Results are consistent with target engagement of the NMDAR by DCS, but suggest that NMDAR signaling was not translated into synaptic plasticity changes in schizophrenia. Results highlight the importance of considering how distinct NMDAR-associated processes contribute to individual cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.