Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Twenty‐Four-Hour β‐Blockade in Stable Angina Pectoris: A Study of Atenolol and Betaxolol

Summary We examined the importance of a long plasma half-life (t 1/2) on the antianginal effects of β-blockade by comparing equivalent doses of once-daily atenolol 100 mg (t 1/2 6–8 h) and betaxolol 20 mg (t 1/2 20–22 h) in a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study of 20 patients with stable angina pectoris. At 20 h postdose, heart rate (HR) was lower with betaxolol than with atenolol whereas blood pressure (BP) was equally reduced by both drugs. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory HR recording demonstrated that this difference existed for the last 6 h of the dosage cycle. During treadmill exercise, HR remained lower with betaxolol than with atenolol and exercise time was significantly prolonged only by betaxolol. With placebo, radionuclide ventriculography demonstrated that left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decreased during exercise. Betaxolol, but not atenolol, significantly attenuated the exercise-induced decrease in EF. Thus, the long plasma t1/2 of betaxolol is associated with a reduction in exercise-induced ischemia when tested toward the end of the 24-h dosage cycle. Plasma t 1/2 therefore is of clinical relevance to the antianginal, but not antihypertensive, actions of β-blockers.
Combinatorial Phenotypic Signatures Distinguish Persistent from Resolving Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia Isolates

ABSTRACT Persistent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia (PB) (positive blood cultures after ≥7 days of therapy) represents a clinically challenging subset of invasive MRSA infections. In this investigation, we examined the potential correlation of specific virulence signatures with PB versus resolving MRSA bacteremia (RB) (negative blood cultures within 2 to 4 days of therapy) strains. Thirty-six MRSA isolates from patients enrolled in a recent multinational clinical trial were studied for (i) susceptibility to host defense cationic peptides (HDPs) (i.e., thrombin-induced platelet microbicidal proteins [tPMPs] and human neutrophil peptide 1 [hNP-1]); (ii) adherence to host endovascular ligands (fibronectin) and cells (endothelial cells); and (iii) biofilm formation. We found that PB isolates exhibited significantly reduced susceptibilities to tPMPs and hNP-1 (P < 0.001 and P = 0.023, respectively). There was no significant association between the PB outcome and fibronectin binding, endothelial cell binding, or biofilm formation (P = 0.25, 0.97, and 0.064 versus RB strains, respectively). However, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the PB outcome was significantly associated with the combination of reduced susceptibilities to HDPs and extent of biofilm formation (P < 0.0001). Similar results were obtained in a second analysis using days of bacteremia as a continuous outcome, showing that reduced HDP susceptibilities and increased biofilm formation cocontributed to predict the duration of bacteremia. Our data indicate that PB isolates have specific pathogenic signatures independent of conventional antimicrobial susceptibility. These combinatorial mosaics can be defined and used to prospectively distinguish PB from RB strains in advance and potentially to predict ultimate clinical outcomes.
Patient Experiences of Loneliness: An Evolutionary Concept Analysis

Loneliness is a painful experience for patients. To clarity the concept of patient loneliness, this study undertook an evolutionary concept analysis based on a literature search in the main relevant databases. We identified 7 dimensions in adult patients' experiences of loneliness. These dimensions of loneliness have different causes and theoretical foundations, which have different implications for patient care. Patients may be lonely in their different relationships, including those with nurses and doctors. Loneliness in relation to health care professionals is a new application of the concept of loneliness that provides a useful starting point for future research.
[Will adolescents visit discotheque less often if sound levels of music are decreased?].

BACKGROUND This study investigated whether adolescents are likely to decrease their frequency of discotheque attendance if the sound levels are lowered moderately. METHODS A sample of 1,213 high school students aged between 13 and 20 years (mean: 15.8 years) were given a questionnaire and asked their views on the current sound levels at discotheques, and whether they would change their attendance if the levels were somewhat lower. RESULTS Some 53.7% of the respondents wished to keep the current sound levels, while only 2.5% preferred a raise, and 43.8% a decrease. In the case of a moderate decrease, 85% of respondents would not change their frequency of discotheque attendance, while 5% would reduce it, and 10% would increase it. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study contradict the fears of discotheque operators that adolescents would visit the discotheque less frequently if the sound levels are lowered moderately. To prove the effects of a sound level reduction, however, separate studies are needed.
The Bivariate Normal Distribution and the IQ of Learning Disability Samples

Several studies have indicated that the average IQ score of many learning disability samples is significantly below 100, although above the educable mental retardation range. The bivariate normal probability distribution was used to explain how selecting cases with achievement scores below a given z score cutoff (e.g., scores less than -1.0) and IQ scores above a given cutoff (e.g., IQ scores 80 or greater) can result in an average IQ score significantly below 100. Because of the relationship between achievement and IQ, as the correlation between achievement and IQ increases, the average IQ score of learning disability samples decreases. The bivariate normal probability distribution was illustrated by considering correlations of 0.0, . 5, and 1.0.
Epidermal growth factor receptor is a preferred target for treating Amyloid-β–induced memory loss

Current understanding of amyloid-β (Aβ) metabolism and toxicity provides an extensive list of potential targets for developing drugs for treating Alzheimer’s disease. We took two independent approaches, including synaptic-plasticity–based analysis and behavioral screening of synthetic compounds, for identifying single compounds that are capable of rescuing the Aβ-induced memory loss in both transgenic fruit fly and transgenic mouse models. Two clinically available drugs and three synthetic compounds not only showed positive effects in behavioral tests but also antagonized the Aβ oligomers-induced activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Such surprising converging outcomes from two parallel approaches lead us to conclude that EGFR is a preferred target for treating Aβ-induced memory loss.
Structural basis of immune recognition of influenza virus hemagglutinin.

Article de synthese sur la structure et la fonction de l'hemagglutinine (HA), la variation naturelle de l'HA, les reponses des cellules B et T a l'HA, la neutralisation du virus, et l'immunite apportee par les vaccins
Simple and rapid cultivation of Trypanosoma danilewskyi strain FCc-1 in monophasic liquid culture medium.

Trypanosoma danilewskyi strain F Cc-1 was isolated from the blood of a laboratory infected juvenile common carp. Trypanosomes (blood stream forms) were first adapted to culture conditions in Tobie’s medium. Ten sterilized glass culture tubes each containing 2 ml of Tobie’s medium solidified in slants and covered with 1 ml Locke-Krebs overlay, were inoculated with 0.1 ml of infected blood containing 1x 10 live trypanosomes and incubated at 20o C. Tobie's medium supported growth and trypanosomes were well adapted to culture conditions because small colonies were seen in 6th and 7th subculture. The adapted trypanosomes were re-inoculated in a monophasic liquid culture medium (L4 NHS). Ten sterilized caped glass culture tubes, each containing 3 ml of medium, were inoculated with 0.1 ml culture containing 3 x 10 flagellates and incubated at 20o C. Trypanosome propagation / multiplication were examined on day 3 p.i. and daily later on and their number ml was estimated by the Rapid Matching Method. Trypanosomes growth obtained in L4 NHS culture medium on day 7-8 was 5.0 ± 0.56 x 10 live trypanosomes ml. The trypanosome number significantly (P<0.05) increased from day 3 to 8 as compared to day 1. Flagellate numbers remained high until day 10 but decreased from day 12-15 p.i. L4 NHS, mono-phasic culture medium supported growth of T. danilewskyi strain FCc-1 (culture forms) significantly high (P<0.01) at 20o C and found the best for rapid fish trypanosome culture.
The Times They Are a Changin': Marital Status and Health Differentials from 1972 to 2003∗

Although the meanings and rates of being married, divorced, separated, never-married, and widowed have changed significantly over the past several decades, we know very little about historical trends in the relationship between marital status and health. Our analysis of pooled data from the National Health Interview Survey from 1972 to 2003 shows that the self-rated health of the never-married has improved over the past three decades. Moreover, the gap between the married and the never married has steadily converged over time for men but not for women. In contrast, the self-rated health of the widowed, divorced, and separated worsened over time relative to the married, and the adverse effects of marital dissolution have increased more for women than for men. Our findings highlight the importance of social change in shaping the impact of marital status on self-reported health and challenge long-held assumptions about gender, marital status, and health.
EFFECTS OF METHIONINE AND THREONINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS INFECTED BY BURSAL DISEASE UNDER HEAT STRESS

This study was conducted to find the effect of methionine and threonine supplementations higher than the NRC recommendation on growth performance and white blood cell differentiation of broiler chickens challenged with infectious bursal disease. A total of 450 day-old male broiler chicks were assigned to nine groups. Chickens were fed by three graded levels of DLmethionine [NRC (M1), 2 times NRC (M2) and 3 times NRC (M3)] and three graded levels of L-threonine [NRC (T1), 2 times NRC (T2) and 3 times NRC (T3)] from day 1 till 42 days of age. On day 28, all birds were challenged with a commercial live-IBDV vaccine. Body weight gain and feed intake and feed conversion ratio were significantly influenced by the dietary treatments before challenge and either methionine or threonine at the highest levels significantly decreased productive performance parameters in broiler chickens. Birds were fed with M3T3 had the lowest body weight gain after challenge. Treatment of two times methionine and threonine (M2T2) to the diet decreased peripheral blood heterophils and increased lymphocytes and H/L ratio on day 28. On day 42, complete white blood cell tended to increase with increasing level of methionine supplementation. Threonine did not affect peripheral blood differential leukocyte count of broiler chickens. In conclusion, present data suggest that the methionine and threonine requirement of male broiler chicks is higher for growth performance than was suggested by the last NRC committee and methionine and threonine higher than NRC requirements in tropical condition can ameliorate the negative effects of heat stress.
Structure–function relationships of complement receptor type 1

Human complement receptor type 1 (CR1) is a large, multifunctional glycoprotein which is a member of the regulators of complement activation family. Like other members of this family, it is composed mainly of tandemly arranged modules, each about 60–70 amino acids long, known as complement control protein repeats (CCPs). Each domain folds independently and contains a hydrophobic core wrapped in β sheets. These domains mediate interactions with C3/C4‐derived fragments. CR1 is the most versatile inhibitor of both classical and alternative pathway C3 and C5 convertases due to its decay‐accelerating activity and co‐factor activity for C3b/C4b cleavage. Moreover, CR1 plays a major role in immune complex clearance due to its high affinity for C3b and C4b. CR1 is an excellent model to study structure–function relationships because its functions are mediated by two distinct but highly homologous sites, each composed of three CCPs. CR1 derivatives carrying just one active site were used to define critical sequences/amino acids. This was achieved by testing functional profiles of the proteins carrying a mutated active site produced by substituting peptides/amino acids with their counterparts from the other site. These mutated proteins, of which we analyzed over 100, permitted the fine mapping of the functional sites. CR1 on primate erythrocytes varies in size. In most cases it is smaller and has fewer active sites than does human CR1. This variation was used to determine that increased copy number (3,000 to 20,000 versus 300 for human CR1) compensates for a smaller size. Moreover, studies of primate CR1 led to the finding that subtle differences in the critical areas, as compared to human sites, produce active sites with a broader functional repertoire. These alterations ensure that short CR1 forms possess similar biologic activities to the large CR1 forms. There is much interest in producing therapeutic agents to inhibit unwanted complement activation. Based on these structure–function analyses, smaller and more potent complement inhibitors derived from CR1 can be produced.
The vagus and sympathetic nerves in alcoholic polyneuropathy.

Four patients with alcoholic neuropathy had hoarseness and weakness of the voice and dysphagia as prominent clinical manifestations. These symptoms were due to varying degrees of degeneration of the vagus nerves—changes that were similar, both in nature and severity, to those in the peripheral nerves. In one of the cases, which was characterized clinically by hypothermia and persistent hypotension, there was also degeneration of the nerves of the sympathetic trunks. Vocal cord palsy, on the basis of vagal neuropathy, is a relatively rare but well-documented feature of neuritic beriberi. The occurrence of a similar disorder in alcoholic neuropathy, which, to our knowledge, has not been clearly described heretofore, provides further support for the idea that the two disorders are identical.
The Intelligibility of Synthesized Speech Data Inquiry Systems.

Recent improvements in speech technology have made synthetic speech a viable form of system feedback. However, little is known about the effects of various speech parameters on speech intelligibility and system performance. Experiment 1 examined the effect of situational context clues and speech rate on synthesized speech intelligibility. Subjects who received pragmatic context information prior to each message had transcription error rates 50% lower than those who received no context information. Speech rates of 250 words per minute (wpm) yielded significantly more transcription errors and longer response latencies than rates of 180 wpm. In Experiment 2 the effects of speech rate, message repetition, and location of information in a message were examined. Transcription accuracy was best for messages spoken at 150 or 180 wpm and for messages repeated either twice or three times. Words at the end of messages were transcribed more accurately than words at the beginning of messages. Subjective ratings indicated that subjects were aware of errors when incorrectly transcribing a message even though no feedback was provided.
Role of luteal phase support on gonadotropin ovulation induction cycles in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of luteal phase progesterone support on pregnancy rates in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who were treated for clomiphene citrate-resistant anovulatory infertility with ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (OI/ IUI). STUDY DESIGN This randomized study included 110 clomiphene citrate-resistant PCOS patients. All patients underwent ovulation induction with recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone and intrauterine insemination, up to 3 cycles, and were randomized into 2 groups: (1) luteal support with progesterone or (2) a control group. The main outcomes were clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates per cycle. RESULTS Demographic data were not different between the study and control groups. Cycle characteristics were found to be homogeneous between groups. A total of 38 pregnancies were achieved (15.5% pregnancy rate per cycle). The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate per cycle in progesterone supported cycles were 18.9% and 16.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION There might be a clinical benefit of luteal progesterone supplementation on OI/IUI cycles for women with PCOS. Although we did not reach a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups, luteal-supported cycles demonstrated a 6.7% higher clinical pregnancy rate and 6.1% higher live birth rate.
Moving forward with service dominant logic: Exploring the strategic orientations of a service-centred view of the firm

Service Dominant Logic (SDL) has been the subject of great conceptual debate over the past years. We are now clearly at a crossroad where application is required to cement its practical relevance to the organization and its performance. This paper extends the SDL debate, as founded by Vargo and Lusch (2004), by analyzing it through the lens of strategic orientations, in combination with a service-centred view of the firm. In doing so, the purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly we aim to identify the existence of ‘common characteristics’ between SDL and existing conceptual orientations. Secondly, we go further to explore the conceptual relationships between these identified and empirically evaluated strategic orientations (market, resource, learning, service, and entrepreneurship orientations) and SDL theory. We proffer that a service-centred view of the firm requires the deployment of key facets of all of these strategic orientations. In this way, we argue that a SD ‘orientation’ emerges that is in essence a strategic orientation ‘combination’. In doing so, we develop a comprehensive framework and lay the foundation for the initiation of empirical work on SDL to further enrich the work initiated by Vargo and Lusch (2004). The paper concludes with a discussion of this framework, its implications for scholars and practitioners and areas for future research.
Retinal Nerve Fiber Loss in Anti-VEGF Therapy for Age-Related Macular Degeneration Can Be Decreased by Anterior Chamber Paracentesis

Purpose: To analyze peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) change after long-term intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy. Patients with regular anterior chamber paracentesis (ACP) prior to intravitreal injections (IVIs) were compared to those without ACP. Methods: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) was treated in a pro re nata regimen with a minimum of 9 IVIs. RNFLT change was determined in spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Results: In 32 patients without ACP, mean RNFLT loss (-2.16 ± 3.60 µm) was significantly higher than in 44 patients with regular ACP (0.16 ± 3.60; p = 0.029). Both groups were comparable in age (75.0 vs. 76.8 years; p = 0.35), number of IVIs (16.2 vs. 16.6; p = 0.98), and observational time (30.0 vs. 32.3 months; p = 0.32). In patients without ACP, RNFLT loss was higher compared to IVI-naive fellow eyes (p = 0.005), whereas in ACP patients, no difference was detected (p = 0.5). Conclusions: A moderate RNFLT loss is found in nonglaucomatous patients after injection therapy for nAMD. As it is decreased with regular ACP, tight management of intraocular pressure seems advisable.
Molecular Cloning and Expression of a Modulatory Subunit of the Cyclic Nucleotide-gated Cation Channel (*)

The cDNA of three variants of a cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel modulatory subunit (CNG4c-CNG4e) has been cloned. CNG4c, CNG4d, and CNG4e differ slightly from each other within an amino-terminal sequence that was originally reported as part of the bovine retinal glutamic acid-rich protein (GARP). The core region of CNG4 is homologous to the second subunit of the human rod photoreceptor channel (hRCNC2b), suggesting that both proteins are alternatively spliced products of the bovine and human homologue of the same gene. CNG4 transcripts are present in retina, testis, kidney, heart, and brain. Expression of CNG4 in HEK293 cells did not lead to detectable currents. Coexpression of CNG4 with the principal subunit of the bovine testis CNG channel (CNG3) resulted in currents which differed in several aspects from that induced by CNG3 alone. The heterooligomeric CNG3/CNG4 and the homooligomeric CNG3 channels were modified by Ca-calmodulin and some calmodulin antagonists. The results suggest that CNG4 forms functional heterooligomeric channels with CNG3 in vitro and probably also in intact tissues.
Structure, taxonomic status, and host list of Tritrichomonas batachorum (Perty).

Tritrichomonas batrachorum (Perty) is one of the more common inhabitants of the large intestine of frogs and toads. It occurs also in the same site in salamanders. Furthermore, an examination of the intestinal contents of numerous lizards and snakes convinced me that a flagellate which, on morphological grounds, cannot be distinguished from T. batrachorum, is found in squamate reptiles. One could argue that morphologically identical organisms harbored by taxonomically distant hosts may exhibit profound physiological differences. It is doubtful that we can base classification of organisms, the physiology of which is largely unknown, on characters other than morphological. Those who insist, not always justifiably, that results obtained in transfer experiments should play an important role in taxonomic separation of parasites which are identical in structure, will find a report of successful transfers of a strain of T. batrachorum from a snake to toad tadpoles in Whittington's (1951) paper. Much confusion exists in the literature concerning the details of structure, and indeed, even the very identity of T. batrachorum. Not until its identity is established may this easily cultivated and sturdy organism be used successfully in physiological studies, for which it is so well suited. A short report of the results of investigation of T. batrachorum was given at the second Annual Meeting of the American Society of Protozoologists (Honigberg, 1951b).
Anti-Herpes simplex virus activity of Bidens pilosa and Houttuynia cordata.

The present study evaluated the antiviral activity of Bidens pilosa L. var. minor (Blume) Sherff and Houttuynia cordata Thunb. , using cytotoxicity test with XTT-based colorimetric assay. BCC-1/KMC cells were infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV) and then were cultured with hot water extract of B. pilosa (HWBP) or H. cordata (HWHC). Results showed that HWBP significantly inhibited the replication of HSV at a concentration of 100 microg/ml (11.9% for HSV-1, p < 0.01; 19.2% for HSV-2, p < 0.005), whereas HWHC had the same effect at a concentration of 250 microg/ml (10.2% for HSV-1, p < 0.05; 32.9% for HSV-2, p < 0.005). The ED50 of HSV type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV type 2 (HSV-2) for HWBP was 655.4 microg/ml and 960 microg/ml respectively, for HWHC it was 822.4 microg/ml and 362.5 microg/ml respectively. Both drugs had selective indexes above 1.04. H. cordata had better effect against HSV-2 than HSV-1, and had a low ED50 against HSV-2. We suggest that H. cordata might be a useful medicinal plant against infection of HSV-2.