Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Delivery-Room Respiratory Management in Very Preterm Infants

BACKGROUND. Initial ventilation strategy may play an important role in the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very preterm infants. Early nasal continuous positive airway pressure is an accepted approach, but randomized clinical trials are lacking. Our aim was to determine whether early nasal continuous positive airway pressure, preceded by a sustained inflation, is more effective and less injurious in very preterm infants than conventional intervention. METHODS. Two hundred seven very preterm infants were assigned randomly in the delivery room to either a sustained inflation through a nasopharyngeal tube followed by early nasal continuous positive airway pressure (early functional residual capacity intervention) or repeated manual inflations with a self-inflating bag and mask followed by nasal continuous positive airway pressure, if necessary, after arrival at the NICU. The primary outcome measure was intubation <72 hours of age and bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks was used as secondary outcome. This trial was registered as an early functional residual capacity intervention trial (ISRCTN 12757724). RESULTS. In the early functional residual capacity intervention group, fewer infants were intubated at <72 hours of age or received >1 dose of surfactant, and the average duration of ventilatory support was less. Infants in the early functional residual capacity intervention group developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia less frequently. CONCLUSIONS. A sustained inflation followed by early nasal continuous positive airway pressure, delivered through a nasopharyngeal tube, is a more efficient strategy than repeated manual inflations with a self-inflating bag and mask followed by nasal continuous positive airway pressure on admission to the NICU.
Technology-push and demand-pull factors in emerging sectors: evidence from the electric vehicle market

Abstract Despite consensus on the mutual dependence of the technology-push and demand-pull factors, their interactions can depend on industry life cycles and domestic market status. Using patent and Google search traffic data, this study brings robust evidence supporting the hypothesis that technology development occurs ahead of market demand in the U.S. electric vehicle sector, while this is not the case in Germany. Market demand does not precede technology development in either country. This shows the importance of the technology-push factor and the role of the lead market in the electric vehicle sector. This study elaborates technology-push and demand-pull hypotheses with a focus on industry life cycles and domestic market status and contributes to the discussion on technology-push, demand-pull and mixed policies in emerging sectors.
EARLY AMNIOCENTESIS AT 10–12 WEEKS' GESTATION

In this study we report the results of 181 ultrasound‐guided genetic amniocenteses performed at 10–12 weeks of gestation and describe the indication, technical problems, amniotic fluid volume, culture success and timing, abortion and fetal loss rate, and perinatal results. Amniotic fluid was obtained in 98·4 per cent of the cases; at the first attempt, in 167 out of 181. The culture success rate was 94·5 per cent, and the fetal loss rate within 2 weeks was 0·5 per cent (one case with a sonographic abnormality). The total fetal loss rate during pregnancy was 1·6 per cent. A comparison of our data and those of other published series shows no significant differences, either with respect to this period of gestation (10–12 weeks) or with respect to the traditionally called ‘early amniocentesis’ (12–14 weeks) or conventional amniocentesis (15 weeks or more). The mean culture time was just a few days longer in some of the series, and in some cases, there was also a lower success rate after culture, particularly when amniocentesis was carried out at 10 weeks or less. We conclude that amniocentesis performed at 10–12 weeks is feasible, safe, and easy to perform, and provides a real benefit to the pregnant woman.
Rabbit Model of Candida albicans Biofilm Infection: Liposomal Amphotericin B Antifungal Lock Therapy

ABSTRACT Catheter-related infections due to Candida albicans biofilms are a leading cause of fungal nosocomial bloodstream infection. In this paper, we describe the development of a model of catheter-associated infection with C. albicans biofilms and show that antifungal lock therapy with liposomal amphotericin B is an effective treatment strategy for these infections. Silicone catheters surgically placed in New Zealand White rabbits were infected with C. albicans, and the rabbits were randomized into three groups: (i) untreated controls, (ii) liposomal amphotericin B lock, and (iii) fluconazole lock. Upon completion of therapy, blood cultures were obtained and the catheters were removed for quantitative culture and scanning electron microscopic analyses. Quantitative cultures revealed that catheters treated with liposomal amphotericin B yielded 0 CFU, which was significant compared to the untreated controls (P < 0.001) and the fluconazole-treated group (P = 0.0079). Although fluconazole treatment tended to have lower CFU compared to untreated controls, there was no difference in mean colony counts between these two groups (1.128 ± 0.764 and 1.841 ± 1.141 log10 CFU/catheter segment, respectively; P = 0.297). Scanning electron microscopy revealed abundant biofilm in the control and fluconazole groups, while the liposomal amphotericin B group was virtually cleared. These findings suggest a possible treatment strategy for the successful salvage of catheters infected with C. albicans biofilms and describe an animal model that may play an important role in the further study of C. albicans biofilm pathogenesis and evaluation of potential antibiofilm agents.
TLR9 Contributes to the Recognition of EBV by Primary Monocytes and Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells

TLR9 plays an important role in innate defense against viruses by the detection of CpG motifs of foreign DNA within intracellular compartments. In this study, we evaluated the ability of EBV to promote monocyte and plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) activation and cytokine release through TLR9 activation. We demonstrated that treatment of primary monocytes with EBV and with purified EBV DNA induced the release of IL-8 through TLR9. Activation of TLR9 by viral DNA requires endosomal maturation because pretreatment of monocytes with chloroquine strongly reduced IL-8 secretion. However, pretreatment of monocytes with siRNA directed against TLR2, with inhibitory ODN (iODN) or with a combination of both inhibitors strongly reduced the secretion of IL-8, providing evidence of a dual action of TLR2 and TLR9 in EBV recognition by monocytes. In contrast, production of MCP-1 and IL-10 in EBV-treated monocytes was mainly regulated through TLR2. Although EBV does not establish infection in pDCs, challenge with either live EBV particles or isolated EBV DNA was found to induce the release of IFN-α through TLR9, as supported by blockage of TLR9 activity with iODN or chloroquine. The role of TLR9 in the recognition of EBV by pDCs appears to be dominant, as confirmed by the marked inhibitory effect of iODN observed on the synthesis of IFN-α, IL-6, and IL-8 by pDCs. These results demonstrate that recognition of EBV by TLR9 is differently orchestrated in primary monocytes and pDCs to optimize viral recognition and antiviral response.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ligands induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human renal carcinoma cell lines.

AIM To study the effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) ligands on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human renal carcinoma cell lines. METHODS The expression of PPARgamma was investigated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The effect of thiazolidinedione (TZD) PPARgamma ligands on growth of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells was measured by MTT assay and flow cytometric analysis. Cell death ELISA, Hoechst 33342 fluorescent staining and DNA ladder assay were used to observe the effects of PPAR gamma ligands on apoptosis. Regulatory proteins of cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS PPARgamma was expressed at much higher levels in renal tumors than in the normal kidney (2.16+/-0.85 vs 0.90+/-0.73; P<0.01). TZD PPARgamma ligands inhibited RCC cell growth in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values of 7.08 micromol/L and 11.32 micromol/L for pioglitazone, and 5.71 micromol/L and 8.38 micromol/L for troglitazone in 786-O and A498 cells, respectively. Cell cycle analysis showed a G0/G1 arrest in human RCC cells following 24-h exposure to TZD. Analysis of cell cycle regulatory proteins revealed that TZD decreased the protein levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, pRb, cyclin D1, and Cdk4 but increased the levels of p21 and p27 in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, high doses of TZD induced massive apoptosis in renal cancer cells, with increased Bax expression and decreased Bcl-2 expression. CONCLUSION TZD PPAR gamma ligands showed potent inhibitory effect on proliferation, and could induce apoptosis in RCC cells. These results suggest that ligands for PPAR gamma have potential antitumor effects on renal carcinoma cells.
Cross-Clade Ultrasensitive PCR-Based Assays To Measure HIV Persistence in Large-Cohort Studies

ABSTRACT A small pool of infected cells persists in HIV-infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Here, we developed ultrasensitive assays to precisely measure the frequency of cells harboring total HIV DNA, integrated HIV DNA, and two long terminal repeat (2-LTR) circles. These assays are performed on cell lysates, which circumvents the labor-intensive step of DNA extraction, and rely on the coquantification of each HIV molecular form together with CD3 gene sequences to precisely measure cell input. Using primary isolates from HIV subtypes A, B, C, D, and CRF01_A/E, we demonstrate that these assays can efficiently quantify low target copy numbers from diverse HIV subtypes. We further used these assays to measure total HIV DNA, integrated HIV DNA, and 2-LTR circles in CD4+ T cells from HIV-infected subjects infected with subtype B. All samples obtained from ART-naive subjects were positive for the three HIV molecular forms (n = 15). Total HIV DNA, integrated HIV DNA, and 2-LTR circles were detected in, respectively, 100%, 94%, and 77% of the samples from individuals in which HIV was suppressed by ART. Higher levels of total HIV DNA and 2-LTR circles were detected in untreated subjects than individuals on ART (P = 0.0003 and P = 0.0004, respectively), while the frequency of CD4+ T cells harboring integrated HIV DNA did not differ between the two groups. These results demonstrate that these novel assays have the ability to quantify very low levels of HIV DNA of multiple HIV subtypes without the need for nucleic acid extraction, making them well suited for the monitoring of viral persistence in large populations of HIV-infected individuals. IMPORTANCE Since the discovery of viral reservoirs in HIV-infected subjects receiving suppressive ART, measuring the degree of viral persistence has been one of the greatest challenges in the field of HIV research. Here, we report the development and validation of ultrasensitive assays to measure HIV persistence in HIV-infected individuals from multiple geographical regions. These assays are relatively inexpensive, do not require DNA extraction, and can be completed in a single day. Therefore, they are perfectly adapted to monitor HIV persistence in large cohorts of HIV-infected individuals and, given their sensitivity, can be used to monitor the efficacy of therapeutic strategies aimed at interfering with HIV persistence after prolonged ART.
Corporate identity: The concept, its measurement and management

textabstractArticulates the main trends in the literature on corporate identity; defines corporate identity; explains the rationale for corporate identity management and describes the main methods used to reveal the desired and the actual corporate identity. Particular reference will be made to two recently developed models used to reveal an organization's identity: Balmer's Affinity Audit (BAA) and The Rotterdam Organizational Identification Test (ROIT). Concludes that while empirical research on the area will increasingly be multidisciplinary marketing will, nonetheless, play a pivotal role in an understanding of corporate identity.
Alteration of Fatty Acid and Sterol Metabolism in Miltefosine-Resistant Leishmania donovani Promastigotes and Consequences for Drug-Membrane Interactions

ABSTRACT Miltefosine (hexadecylphosphocholine [HePC]) is the first orally active drug approved for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. In order to investigate the biochemical modifications occurring in HePC-resistant (HePC-R) Leishmania donovani promastigotes, taking into account the lipid nature of HePC, we investigated their fatty acid and sterol metabolisms. We found that the content of unsaturated phospholipid alkyl chains was lower in HePC-R parasite plasma membranes than in those of the wild type, suggesting a lower fluidity of HePC-R parasite membranes. We also demonstrated that HePC insertion within an external monolayer was more difficult when the proportion of unsaturated phospholipids decreased, rendering the HePC interaction with the external monolayer of HePC-R parasites more difficult. Furthermore, HePC-R parasite membranes displayed a higher content of short alkyl chain fatty acids, suggesting a partial inactivation of the fatty acid elongation enzyme system in HePC-R parasites. Sterol biosynthesis was found to be modified in HePC-R parasites, since the 24-alkylated sterol content was halved in HePC-R parasites; however, this modification was not related to HePC sensitivity. In conclusion, HePC resistance affects three lipid biochemical pathways: fatty acid elongation, the desaturase system responsible for fatty acid alkyl chain unsaturation, and the C-24-alkylation of sterols.
Home-ownership as a social norm and positional good: Subjective wellbeing evidence from panel data

Much attention has been devoted to examining the absolute benefits of home-ownership (e.g. security and autonomy). This paper, by contrast, is concerned with conceptualising and testing the relative benefits of home-ownership; those benefits that depend on an individual’s status in society. Home-ownership has previously been analysed as a social norm, implying that the relative benefits (costs) associated with being an owner (renter) are positively related to relevant others’ home-ownership values. The theoretical contribution of this paper is to additionally conceptualise home-ownership as a positional good, implying that the status of both home-owners and renters is negatively related to relevant others’ home-ownership consumption. The empirical contribution of this paper is to quantitatively test for these relative benefits in terms of subjective wellbeing. We run fixed effects regressions on three waves of the British Household Panel Study. We find that (1) a strengthening of relevant others’ home-ownership values is associated with increases (decreases) in the subjective wellbeing of home-owners (renters), and (2) an increase in relevant others’ home-ownership consumption decreases the life satisfaction of owners but has no effect for renters. Overall our findings suggest that (1) the relative benefits of home-ownership are both statistically significant and of a meaningful magnitude, and (2) home-ownership is likely to be both a social norm and a positional good. Without explicitly recognising these relative benefits, policymakers risk overestimating the contribution of home-ownership to societal wellbeing.
Nyo dua hli--30 days confinement: traditions and changed childbearing beliefs and practices among Hmong women in Australia.

OBJECTIVE To examine traditional and changed beliefs and practices related to the puerperium of Hmong women in Melbourne, Australia. DESIGN An ethnographic study of reproductive health among Hmong women in Australia. SETTING Melbourne Metropolitan Area, Victoria, Australia. PARTICIPANTS 27 Hmong women, three shamans, two medicine women and one magic healer who are now living in Melbourne. FINDINGS In the Hmong tradition, the first 30 days after birth is seen as the most dangerous period for a new mother. There are several beliefs and practices which women must observe in order to regain strength and avoid poor health in the future. Lying near the fire in the first three days is one such belief. The woman's body during the puerperium is considered polluted. Hence, there are several rules to restrict the woman and the substance of her body. It appears the Hmong continue to observe their post-birth confinement practices regardless of their new environment. Most women mentioned that this is to avoid ill health and misfortune in the future. There are only a few customs which they have to modify due to changes in their living situations in a new country. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Hmong cultural beliefs and practices concerning the puerperium in particular, and childbearing in general, have specific implications for midwifery care. Since midwives will continue to encounter many traditional beliefs and practices of the Hmong when providing birthing care to Hmong women, it is essential that their cultural beliefs and practices be taken into account. This will not only help to avoid misunderstanding, but also result in culturally appropriate and sensitive care for immigrant women.
Automatic Adjustment of Pacemaker Stimulation Output Correlated with Continuously Monitored Capture Thresholds: A Multicenter Study

Pacing threshold is affected by many factors. A pacing system able to confirm capture at each beat and automatically adjust its output close to the actual pacing threshold is highly desirable. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of the Autocapture function of the Pacesetter Microny SR+. One hundred thirteen patients were recruited from 16 centers in 7 European countries and followed up for 1 year. All pacemakers were implanted with Pacesetter's low polarization, bipolar leads. The key feature of Autocapture is the immediate delivery of a 4.5 V safety backup pulse 62.5 ms after any ineffective ongoing low output pulse. Holter recordings confirmed total reliability of this feature without any exit block. The measured evoked response (ER) signal was stable over time. Acute and chronic pacing thresholds measured by VARIO and Autocapture tests correlated (r > 0.79) over the period of the study. The incidence of backup pulses was 1.1% during pacing. With Autocapture programmed ON, the overall total current consumption was 4.1 μA for VVI and 5.0 μA for VVIR pacing. Tbis study proved that the Autocapture safely and reliably regulates the pacemaker's output according to the prevailing threshold thus providing maximum patient safety and prolonging service life.
Multiple input/outputs Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) module for educational applications

Multiple input/output Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) module for educational purposes is fabricated because of current PLC Kit that was unable to enhance learners theoretical understanding and hands-on skill especially for programming, wiring, design of circuit and problem solving. The available PLC Kit comes with a casing which learners struggling in comprehend the theoretical knowledge, cabling connection between input components, PLC modules and output components respectively. Newly designed PLC modules are developed and fabricated with additional input and output devices, cost effective and user friendly. Moreover, this module come with multiple Input/Output (I/O) devices such as push buttons (normally open), DC motor (24V), DC relay (24V), DC solenoid piston cylinder (24V) and DC light (24V) and able to interfacing with different kinds of PLC controller produced by Matsushita, Omron, Siemens and etc. Through conducted surveyed, it is found that on average of 93.20% agreed that newly developed Multiple I/O PLC module is user friendly, safe and attractive to be used while 95.70% participants agreed that there are enhancements in theoretical understanding and hands-on skill aspect in their learning process.
Comparison of PMSG and DFIG for marine current turbine applications

Emerging technologies for marine current turbine are mainly relevant to works that have been carried out on wind turbines and ship propellers. It is then obvious that many electric generator topologies could be used for marine current turbines. As in the wind turbine context, doubly-fed induction generators and permanent magnet generators seems to be attractive solutions to be used to harness the tidal current energy. In this paper, a comparative study between these two generators type is presented and fully analyzed in terms of generated power, maintenance and operation constraints. This comparison is done for the Raz de Sein site (Brittany, France) using a multiphysics modeling simulation tool. This tool integrates, in a modular environment, the resource model, the turbine hydrodynamic model and the generators models.1
Therapy of Estrogen Receptor-Positive Micrometastases in the Peritoneal Cavity with Auger Electron-Emitting Estrogens - Theoretical and Practical Considerations

Previous studies have demonstrated that Auger electron-emitting estrogens, when associated with the estrogen receptor (ER), can effect breaks in DNA and ER-dependent radiotoxicity. To evaluate the potential of [123I]-iodoestrogens, ([123I]-IE) to treat ER-positive human cancer cells, we have studied the effect of incubation of [123I]-IE with ER-positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells on cell survival in vitro and found that subnanomolar concentrations of [123I]-IE effectively reduce survival, with a mean lethal dose of about 800 decays per cell. MCF-7 cells incubated 30 min with 2 nM [123I]-IE (13 MBq/ml) showed a 2 log reduction in the ability to form tumors in immunodeficient mice. Evaluation of a mathematical model for [123I]-IE therapy for intraperitoneal micrometases in vivo in the mouse, based on variables related to the (a) specific activity of [123I]-IE; (b) its affinity for ER; (c) the characteristics of the uptake and retention of [123I]-IE by the target cells; (d) the concentration of ER in the tumor cells and (e) the tumor weight suggest that such therapy may be feasible.