Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of oral administration of extracts of Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) on brain serotonin transporter, serotonin uptake and behaviour in mice

The pharmacological effects of extracts of Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) were characterized in‐vitro and ex‐vivo, in relation to its behavioural effects. In in‐vitro experiments, St John's wort inhibited brain synaptosomal [3H]serotonin uptake in mice with little effect on specific [3H]paroxetine binding. For selective serotonin‐reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the IC50 value for [3H]serotonin uptake (molar concentration of unlabelled drug necessary to displace 50% of specific uptake) correlated well with the inhibition constant Ki value for [3H]paroxetine binding in mouse brain. Oral administration of St John's wort (900 mg kg−1), paroxetine (1 mg kg−1) and sertraline (10 mg kg−1) brought about significant increases in the Km value for [3H]serotonin uptake into brain synaptosomes 4 h later, and only SSRIs suppressed specific [3H]paroxetine binding in mouse brain. St John's wort and SSRIs significantly inhibited marble‐burying behaviour in mice and the time‐course of attenuation of this behaviour by St John's wort was similar to that of [3H]serotonin uptake inhibition. In the forced swimming test, St John's wort, but not SSRIs, suppressed the immobility time of mice after oral administration. These results provide the first in‐vivo evidence to suggest that the mode of antidepressant action of St John's wort differs from that of SSRIs. Thus, this study may have a significant impact on phytotherapy with St John's wort.
Elasticities of Substitution in Real Business Cycle Models with Home Production

This paper constructs a simple model of home production that demonstrates the connection between the intertemporal elasticity of substitution in market consumption (IES) and the static elasticity of substitution between home and market consumption (SES), when the utility function is additively separable over home and market consumption. Understanding this connection is important because there is a large body of empirical evidence suggesting that the IES is small, but little evidence on the size of the SES. We use our framework to shed light on the properties of a home production model with a low IES. We find that such a model must have two fundamental properties in order to match key aspects of the U.S. aggregate data. First, the steady-state growth rate of technology must be the same across sectors. Second, shocks to technology must be sufficiently positively correlated across sectors.
“Slash and Burn” and “Shifting” Cultivation Systems in Forest Agriculture Frontiers from the Brazilian Amazon

We analyze changes in the extent of slash and burn cultivation (SBC) and shifting cultivation (SC) and the main drivers of change observed in the last 10 years across the Brazilian Amazon. Our results show that SC is stable in indigenous and caboclo communities from Amazonas and Acre. SBC increases along new roads, illustrating how roads shape deforestation frontiers beyond the “arc of deforestation. ” In established forest frontiers, the conversion of forests into pasture or cash crops through SBC continues to increase locally, but smallholders' diversification strategies translate into complex land uses with both the increase and decrease of SBC and SC observed locally. Secure land tenure, access to markets, and population increase appear to be driving to the classic intensification path. Overall, access to cash transfer programs has helped stabilize forest frontiers as households become less reliant on subsistence agricultural production.
Debt Incorporation To The Capital Structure In Mexico: A Study With Panel Data

The purpose of this research is to identify the main factors of the country and the firm, as well as assess and determine the mathematical relationship of individual exercise, by incorporating debt into the capital structure of companies located in Mexico. The analysis was conducted with the financial information published for the Mexican Stock Market between 2000 and 2007. An empirical study was performed where long-term debt was the dependent variable using the E-views 7.1 program and the technique known as panel data. The mathematical relationships between the dependent and independent factors were identified and analyzed. The study results are from theoretical and practical interest, identifying and understanding the relationship of the main factors by including debt in the capital structure facilitates and contributes to the normative postulates’ construction.
Diesel Exhaust Particles Induce Impairment of Vascular and Cardiac Homeostasis in Mice: Ameliorative Effect of Emodin

Background/Aim: There is strong epidemiological and clinical evidence that components of the cardiovascular system are adversely affected by particulate air pollutants through the generation of inflammation and oxidative stress. Emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone), which is commonly found in the roots of rhubarb plant, has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its possible protective effect on the cardiovascular effect of particulate air pollutants has never been reported before. Methods: We tested, in Tuck-Ordinary mice, the possible ameliorative effect of emodin on the acute (24h) cardiovascular effects of diesel exhaust particles (DEP, 1 mg/kg) or saline (control). Emodin (4 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 1h before and 7h after pulmonary exposure to DEP. Twenty four h following DEP exposure, several cardiovascular endpoints were assessed. Results: Emodin significantly prevented the increase of leukocyte (n=8, P<0.001) and erythrocyte (n=8, P<0.01) numbers caused by DEP. Likewise, emodin abrogated DEP-induced increase of heart tissue levels of interleukin 1β (n=8, P<0.01) and tumour necrosis factor α (n=8, P<0.05), and significantly mitigated the change of the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (n=8, P<0.001) and glutathione reductase (n=8, P<0.05). Emodin abolished the in vivo prothrombotic effect of DEP in pial arterioles (n=6, P<0.01) and venules (n=6, P<0.001). Similarly, emodin prevented platelet aggregation in vitro in whole blood (n=4-5, P<0.01), and the shortening of activated partial thromboplastin time (n=4, P<0.001) and prothrombin time (n=4, P<0.01) caused by DEP. Conclusion: We conclude that emodin treatment has consistently protected against DEP-induced impairment of vascular and cardiac homeostasis in mice. Our study provides experimental evidence that the use of functional food such as emodin, pending further studies, can be considered a useful agent and may have the potential to protect or mitigate the cardiovascular detrimental effects observed in people living in cities with high concentrations of particulate air pollution.
The prognostic value, in active ulcerative colitis, of an increased intensity of colonic perivisceral fat signal on magnetic resonance imaging with ferumoxil

OBJECTIVE:In active ulcerative colitis (UC), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with ferumoxil, a superparamagnetic oral contrast agent, accurately evaluates, in our experience, the increased wall thickness and frequently shows a stronger perivisceral fat signal intensity (PFSI). The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical significance of these MRI findings in active UC.METHODS:Twenty-four consecutive patients affected by moderate pancolitis were enrolled. At entry, each patient underwent MRI with ferumoxil to evaluate wall thickness and PFSI. Two groups of patients were individuated: group A (increased PFSI) and group B (normal PFSI). After obtaining remission, the number of relapses and, at each flare-up, the clinical activity index (CAI) were evaluated in all patients in a 2-yr follow-up period. The mean CAI was calculated at the end of the follow-up in each patient. Where there was colectomy, a complete histological examination of the colon was performed.RESULTS:PFSI was increased in 16 patients (group A) and was normal in the remainder (group B). There was a significant difference of wall thickness, number of relapses/yr, and mean CAI between the two groups of patients. No difference was observed with regard the duration of disease. Six patients of group A and no patient of group B underwent colectomy. The histological evaluation showed an increased thickness of the entire colonic wall with significant changes of the perivisceral fat structures.CONCLUSIONS:An increased PFSI on MRI identifies a group of UC patients with an increased wall thickness, significantly higher than that observed in patients with normal PFSI and seems to be related to a poor prognosis.
Acquired immunodeficiencies and tuberculosis: focus on HIV/AIDS and diabetes mellitus

The spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection within Africa led to marked increases in numbers of cases of tuberculosis (TB), and although the epidemic peaked in 2006, there were still 1.8 million new cases in 2013, with 29.2 million prevalent cases. Half of all TB cases in Africa are in those with HIV co‐infection. A brief review of the well‐documented main immunological mechanisms of HIV‐associated increased susceptibility to TB is presented. However, a new threat is facing TB control, which presents itself in the form of a rapid increase in the number of people living with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), particularly in areas that are already hardest hit by the TB epidemic. T2DM increases susceptibility to TB threefold, and the TB burden attributable to T2DM is 15%. This review addresses the much smaller body of research information available on T2DM‐TB, compared to HIV‐TB comorbidity. We discuss the altered clinical presentation of TB in the context of T2DM comorbidity, changes in innate and adaptive immune responses, including lymphocyte subsets and T‐cell phenotypes, the effect of treatment of the different comorbidities, changes in biomarker expression and genetic predisposition to the respective morbidities, and other factors affecting the comorbidity. Although significant gains have been made in improving our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of T2DM‐associated increased susceptibility, knowledge gaps still exist that require urgent attention.
Integrated Covariance Estimation Using High-Frequency Data in the Presence of Noise

We analyze the effects of nonsynchronicity and market microstructure noise on realized covariance type estimators. Hayashi and Yoshida (2005) propose a simple estimator that resolves the problem of nonsynchronicity and is unbiased and consistent for the integrated covariance in the absence of noise. When noise is present, however, we find that this estimator is biased, and show how the bias can be corrected for. Ultimately, we propose a subsampling version of the bias-corrected estimator which improves its efficiency. Empirically, we find that the usual assumption of a martingale price process plus an independently and identically distributed (i.i.d.) noise does not describe the dynamics of the observed price process across stocks, which confirms the practical relevance of our general noise specification and the estimation techniques we propose. Finally, a simulation experiment is carried out to complement the theoretical results. Copyright 2007, Oxford University Press.
Franchise Core Competency and Its Relationship with Environmental Uncertainty, Competitive Advantage, and Financial Performance: An Empirical Assessment of Food-Service Franchise Firms

This paper examines the relationships between environmental uncertainty, franchise core competency, competitive advantage, and financial performance within the context of food-service franchise companies that build and maintain harmony between external characteristics and internal resources and competency. A survey of 156 food-service franchise firms provides the basis for this empirical investigation. Findings show that both environmental uncertainty and franchise core competency can lead to firm success – but in very different ways. Franchise core competency enhances firm performance by providing differentiation advantage, whereas environmental uncertainty improves performance through franchise core competency. This paper discusses the implications of these findings for researchers and managers.
Protection Against Wine Price Risks: A Real Option Approach*

Abstract Since the beginning of 2006, the federation of wine producers (Inter-Rhône) offers its members (wine producers of the Rhône Valley) protection against wine price risks giving them the option to sell a portion of their production at €80 per hl, regardless of the prevailing market price. This risk management tool has the general features of an American put option with a strike price of 80 €/hl. Two mechanisms are used to reduce the hedging cost: the introduction of a barrier “up and out”, and the option to force producers to implement a non-optimal exercise strategy. We present two pricing models of this option (with and without barrier) followed by an application using the Inter-Rhône wine price data base. The cost of the first protection mechanism (without barrier) is about €10 per hi (i.e., 13.3 % of the current price) but only about €8 for the second (with barrier) representing 10.7 % of the current price. Beyond its traditional role of protection against price fluctuation, the option may also have a positive impact on price levels by stopping panic movements and strengthening the negotiating power of producers. (JEL Classification: Q14, G32)
ACTION AT THE FRONT END OF INNOVATION

In recent years, the front end of innovation has drawn a great deal of attention as an important driver of new product development (NPD) success. In this study, we analyze the impact of knowledge gathering, project planning, interfunctional collaboration and formalization on the ability to reduce technical and market uncertainties, creativity, and the efficiency of the early stages. 352 Austrian B2B-companies from technology-intensive sectors participated in the study. The results indicate that collaboration quality, formalization of the different phases of the front end and identification of customer-needs are fundamental for front-end performance, while collaboration quantity is less important. Moreover, planning was found to be central for efficiency and did not have a negative impact on creativity. Managerial recommendations from the study include scrutinizing the way in which interfunctional collaboration takes place, increasing customer integration and formalizing the early phases.
Congressional Hearings and the Division I (Football Bowl Subdivision) Postseason Arrangement: A Content Analysis on Letters, Testimonies, and Symposiums

The purpose of this investigation aimed to examine public information presented at U.S. Congressional Hearings regarding the legitimacy of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) arrangement from important stakeholders related to the Division I (Football Bowl Subdivision). This work centered on using actual transcripts, letters, and testimonies published by the: a) Senate Committee on the Judiciary (2003); b) Judiciary Subcommittee on Anti-trust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights (2005); c) House Committee on Ways and Means (2006); and the d) Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection (2009). A content analysis identified several themes which juxtaposed BCS-charter members and their supporters against non-BCS conferences and their supporters. The various themes emerging from this public discourse centered on the: a) welfare of student-athletes; b) protecting the sanctity and tradition of bowl games; c) the growing financial chasm between BCS and non-BCS institutions; d) logistical concerns related to alternative postseason formats; e) antitrust concerns regarding the current BCS agreement; and f) the fundamental fairness of the BCS arrangement, structure, and selection process compared to alternative formats (e.g., playoff).
Dexmedetomidine versus Morphine or Fentanyl in the Management of Children after Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objectives: The primary objective of this review was to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride with the efficacy and safety of opioids for postoperative management of children after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Methods: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Central) in the Cochrane Library (most recent issue), Medline (1966 to date) through Ovid, Embase (1980 to date), and Web of Science (1945 to date). The number of patients who required rescue analgesics (morphine or fentanyl) in the postanesthesia care unit, the number of patients with emergence agitation, the number of patients with postoperative nausea and vomiting, the time to eye-opening in response to verbal stimuli, and the time to extubation were analyzed. Results: We included 5 trials, consisting of 482 patients in total. There were no significant differences in the number of patients who required rescue analgesics in the postanesthesia care unit, the number of patients with emergence agitation, the number of patients with postoperative nausea and vomiting, or the time to extubation between patients who received dexmedetomidine and those who received opioids. Compared with opioids, dexmedetomidine was associated with a significantly decreased time to eye-opening in response to verbal stimuli (mean difference, −2.11 minutes; 95% confidence interval, −3.32 to −0.91 minutes; p = 0.0006). Conclusions: Intraoperative use of dexmedetomidine was as effective as opioids in preventing postoperative pain and emergence agitation in children who had undergone tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.
Intercultural competencies as antecedents of responsible global leadership

To date, little is known about the intercultural competencies that enable global leaders to effectively address CSR-related demands of global stakeholder communities. In order to explore this gap in the literature we empirically investigate several intercultural competencies and their influence on Responsible Global Leadership (RGL). In delineating the antecedents of RGL we studied three CSR decision-making approaches: the globally standardised, the locally adapted, and the transnational. We found that different competency configurations were related to each of the three approaches and that intercultural competencies are most critical for the utilisation of the transnational approach. Our study contributes to the CSR literature by delineating some of the antecedents of RGL, and to global leadership research by establishing the scope of intercultural competencies within the domains of CSR and stakeholder management.
Low morbidity after palliation of obstructing gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma to restore swallowing function.

INTRODUCTION This study describes the procedure-related complications and survival after deployment of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) or use of argon plasma coagulation (APC) in patients with obstructing gastro-oesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS During an 8-year period, 312 patients with non-resectable, obstructing adenocarcinoma at the GEJ were treated with SEMS and/or APC and thereafter followed with endoscopies. RESULTS A total of 707 procedures (246 SEMS procedures and 461 ablations) were performed. No patients died in relation to the procedures. Minor bleeding during APC was seen in 20 patients. Early complications to SEMS were migration and misplacement. A single perforation with the guide-wire was seen. Late complications were tumour overgrowth and food impaction. A single treatment with SEMS or APC was performed in 115 (37%) and 49(16%) patients, respectively. SEMS replacement was necessary in 17 (5%) patients. Repeated APC treatments were necessary in 57 (18%) patients. The median time of survival in patients treated with SEMS, APC or both procedures was 134 days, 114 days and 215 days (p = 0.004), respectively. The survival in patients palliated with SEMS and/or APC alone was significantly lower compared to those who were palliated with SEMS and/or APC in combination with chemoradiotherapy. The median time of survival was 120 days in SEMS and 203 days in APC patients (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION SEMS and APC are safe treatment options for restoration of the swallowing function in patients with obstructing GEJ adenocarcinoma. SEMS or APC are equivalent treatment modalities in terms of survival.
Newly developed transurethral radiofrequency thermotherapy device for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a pilot study in canine prostate.

The safety and efficacy of transurethral microwave thermo-therapy (TUMT) for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have been demonstrated in the urological literature. Since a radiofrequency electromagnetic wave has deeper and more even transmission of heat to tissues than a microwave, we have developed a new prototype device for transurethral thermotherapy using a radiofrequency electromagnetic wave. The device consists of a microcomputer-controlled heat generator operating at 8 Mhz, a temperature monitoring system, a urethral cooling system and a urethral applicator and a rectal thermosensor probe. A balloon electrode encased in a specialized Foley catheter is connected parallel to twin plate electrodes on both sides of the pelvic region. An 8-MHz electromagnetic wave is directed to the prostate by means of capacitive coupling. The water coolant continuously perfused through the catheter allows high temperatures within the prostate while preserving the urethral mucosa. Heating experiment using agar phantom showed the hot spots to be distributed at 0.5-3 cm from the catheter surface. Heating experiment using canine prostates demonstrated that an intraprostatic temperature of > 48 degrees C could be achieved while the urethral and rectal temperatures had not exceeded 36 and 40 degrees C respectively. Histological examination immediately after the experiment showed the urethral mucosa to be preserved while coagulation necrosis of the periurethral prostate accompanied with congestion and hemorrhage of small blood vessels were observed at 5-8 mm from the urethra. The bladder and the rectum showed no gross alterations. Histopathological examination 10 days after the experiment revealed the intact urethral mucosa and mild mononuclear infiltration around the destroyed periurethral glands. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Statin Use and Breast Cancer Risk in the Nurses' Health Study

Preclinical studies support an anticancer effect of statin drugs, yet epidemiologic evidence remains inconsistent regarding their role in breast cancer primary prevention. Here, we report an updated analysis of the association between statin use and breast cancer incidence in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) cohort. Postmenopausal NHS participants without a cancer history were followed from 2000 until 2012 (n = 79,518). Data on statin use were retrieved from biennial questionnaires. We fit Cox regression models to estimate associations between longitudinal statin use and breast cancer incidence. Over 823,086 person-years of follow-up, 3,055 cases of invasive breast cancer occurred. Compared with never users, both former and current statin users had similar rates of invasive breast cancer incidence [former users: HRadj, 0.96; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.82–1.1; current users: HRadj, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.92–1.3]. Associations did not differ by estrogen receptor (ER) status or histology (ductal vs. lobular carcinoma). Statin use was not associated with risk of invasive breast cancer, irrespective of histologic subtype and ER status. Statin drugs do not appear to modify processes involved in breast cancer initiation. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(1); 201–6. ©2016 AACR.