Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of a Limited Fluoroquinolone Reimbursement Policy on Antimicrobial Prescription Claims

OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence on administrative pharmacy claims of a policy that limited the reimbursement of the fluoroquinolones and other antimicrobials in the senior population within Nova Scotia, Canada. METHODS: The administrative claims database of the Nova Scotia Seniors' Pharmacare Program was used to identify all prescription claims for orally administered antibiotics and urinary antiinfectives. The number of beneficiaries receiving antimicrobials and the number, duration, and cost of prescriptions for antimicrobials were measured monthly. Descriptive time-series plots were used to compare antimicrobial use for two 12-month periods before the institution of the policy (December 1, 1994–November 30, 1995, and December 1, 1995–November 30, 1996) and the 12 months after the policy took effect (January 1, 1997–December 31, 1997). RESULTS: Following the implementation of the fluoroquinolone reimbursement policy, the number of patients using antimicrobials decreased by 2.2% and the number of prescriptions for antimicrobials decreased by 3.4%. Fluoroquinolone prescriptions decreased by 80.2%; prescriptions for sulfonamides and trimethoprim increased by 34.9%, cephalosporins by 17.0%, and macrolides and lincosamides by 16.5%. The only prescription duration to change was the fluoroquinolones, which increased by 25%. The average cost per antimicrobial user/year decreased from $35.24 during prepolicy period 2 to $27.51 during the postpolicy period. CONCLUSIONS: Prescription claims for fluoroquinolones in seniors decreased following the introduction of the policy. Total antimicrobial use also decreased, although this may be related to other factors. The effect of this policy change on patient outcomes requires further study.
Effects of low oxygen levels on the expression and function of transporter OCTN2 in BeWo cells

Although hypoxia is normal in early pregnancy, low placental oxygen concentrations later in pregnancy are often linked to complications such as pre‐eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. The effects of low oxygen levels on drug and nutrient uptake via the organic cation transporter OCTN2 has been studied in BeWo cells, an in‐vitro model of human trophoblast. BeWo cells were cultured under 20% (control) or 2% O2 (hypoxia) for 48 h before each experiment. In‐vitro hypoxia was also simulated by the addition of CoCl2 to the cell culture medium. RT‐PCR indicated increased transcription of OCTN2 in BeWo cells cultured under hypoxia, but Western blots did not show a corresponding increase in the amount of OCTN2 protein in the hypoxic cells compared with control. Hypoxia resulted in significant reductions in OCTN2‐mediated carnitine uptake. Decreased placental transport of carnitine may lead to symptoms of carnitine deficiency in infants from hypoxic pregnancies, whether caused by high altitude, pre‐eclampsia or other factors. The OCTN1 substrate ergothioneine reversed the effects of hypoxia on carnitine transport, but identical concentrations of N‐acetylcysteine, another water‐soluble intracellular antioxidant, did not have the same effect.
Early diabetes mellitus stimulates proximal tubule renin mRNA expression in the rat.

BACKGROUND Enhanced intrarenal angiotensin II (Ang II) activity may contribute to diabetic nephropathy. The proximal tubule is a proposed site of significant intrarenal Ang II production. We determined the effect of early diabetes on mRNA expression of components of the proximal tubule renin-angiotensin system. METHODS Three groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were studied after two weeks: (1) control (C), (2) streptozotocin-induced diabetes (STZ), and (3) STZ-induced diabetes, with normoglycemia maintained by insulin implants (STZ-I). Competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to assay mRNA for renin, angiotensinogen, and angiotensin-converting enzyme in suspensions of proximal tubules; plasma and kidney levels of Ang II were measured by radioimmunoassay, and Western analysis of Ang II subtype 1 (AT1) receptors was performed. RESULTS STZ rats tended to have increased plasma and intrarenal levels of Ang II compared with C and STZ-I rats. In proximal tubules, mRNA for renin was significantly increased in STZ rats, with reversal to control values in STZ-I rats (C, 2432 +/- 437 vs. STZ, 5688 +/- 890 fg/0.25 microg RNA, P < 0.05 vs. C, N = 9, vs. STZ-I, 1676 +/- 376 fg/0.25 microg RNA, P = NS vs. C). In STZ rats, the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan caused a further fivefold increase in proximal tubule renin mRNA, associated with proximal tubular renin immunostaining. STZ had no significant effect on mRNA expression for angiotensinogen or angiotensin-converting enzyme in proximal tubules. By Western blot analysis, cortical and proximal tubule AT1 receptor protein expression was significantly decreased in STZ rats. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest activation of the proximal tubule renin-angiotensin system in early STZ diabetes, mediated at least partly by enhanced expression of renin mRNA. Increased local production of Ang II could contribute to tubulointerstitial injury in this model.
Anterolateral Entorhinal Cortex Volume Predicted by Altered Intra-Item Configural Processing

Recent functional imaging studies have proposed that the human entorhinal cortex (ERC) is subdivided into functionally distinct anterolateral (alERC) and posteromedial (pmERC) subregions. The alERC overlaps with regions that are affected earliest by Alzheimer's disease pathology, yet its cognitive function remains poorly understood. Previous human fMRI studies have focused on its role in object memory, but rodent studies on the putatively homologous lateral entorhinal cortex suggest that it also plays an important role in representing spatial properties of objects. To investigate the cognitive effects of human alERC volume differences, we developed an eye-tracking-based task to evaluate intra-item configural processing (i.e., processing the arrangement of an object's features) and used manual segmentation based on a recently developed protocol to delineate the alERC/pmERC and other medial temporal lobe (MTL) subregions. In a group of older adult men and women at varying stages of brain atrophy and cognitive decline, we found that intra-item configural processing, regardless of an object's novelty, was strongly predicted by alERC volume, but not by the volume of any other MTL subregion. These results provide the first evidence that the human alERC plays a role in supporting a distinct aspect of object processing, namely attending to the arrangement of an object's component features. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Alzheimer's disease pathology appears earliest in brain regions that overlap with the anterolateral entorhinal cortex (alERC). However, the cognitive role of the alERC is poorly understood. Previous human studies treat the alERC as an extension of the neighboring perirhinal cortex, supporting object memory. Animal studies suggest that the alERC may support the spatial properties of objects. In a group of older adult humans at the earliest stages of cognitive decline, we show here that alERC volume selectively predicted configural processing (attention to the spatial arrangement of an object's parts). This is the first study to demonstrate a cognitive role related to alERC volume in humans. This task can be adapted to serve as an early detection method for Alzheimer's disease pathology.
Differential effects of monoclonal antibodies to tumor necrosis factor alpha and gamma interferon on induction of hepatic nitric oxide synthase in experimental gram-negative sepsis

To investigate the stimuli required for the induction of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in sepsis, we have analyzed the levels of this enzyme in the livers of mice infected with a 90% lethal dose of Escherichia coli in a model of gram-negative sepsis. Hepatic NOS levels are markedly induced in this model, with peak values occurring 12 to 22 h following infection. Treatment with TN3-19.12, a neutralizing monoclonal antibody to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), resulted in complete protection from death in this model of sepsis but had no significant effect on the level of induction of hepatic NOS. Treatment with H22, a monoclonal antibody to gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), also gave significant protection against death and, in addition, did lead to a decrease in the level of induction of the hepatic NOS. Treatment of mice with pure TNF-alpha (0.2 microgram), IFN-gamma (2,000 U), or a combination of the two did not induce the hepatic NOS, but treatment with the combination led to significant mortality (probability of survival at 22 h, 0.32). Thus, the level of induction of NOS within the liver either in sepsis or by the coadministration of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma does not correlate with death.
All motivated by public service? The links between hierarchical position and public service motivation

Research into public service motivation (PSM) is currently witnessing exponential growth. However, the universal application of the concept to all categories of public employees raises questions. Indeed, the origins of the concept, which can be traced back to political science studies in the United States, may suggest that the concept applies mainly to senior management but much less to other types of employee, whose motivations seem more instrumental. Research into the antecedents of PSM has thus shown that high hierarchical levels were associated with employee profiles with a high level of PSM (Bright, 2005; Camilleri, 2007). Some authors go as far as to consider that the concept does not apply at all to blue-collar jobs (Gabris and Simo, 1995). The purpose of this article is therefore to analyse the differences between the public service motivation of operatives and that of other categories of employees. To do so, we draw on two empirical studies, one quantitative (n = 2868), conducted among the public employees of cities in 12 countries, and the other qualitative, conducted among public employees working in the technical service of a French town. Our results show that the level of PSM is not lower among blue-collar workers but that, on the other hand, it is different in nature and dimensions. Points for practitioners The issue of the PSM of blue-collar public employees takes on a managerial dimension. Indeed, it has potential policy implications for human resource management policies to be implemented and on the segmentation of the public employees in the light of these policies. Our results thus argue for the mainstreaming of the public service dimension in the management of executives and would suggest that it is in the interest of public organizations to encourage the public service motivation of their employees by designing tasks in such a way that public employees can better appreciate the result of their work among customers and users.
Soybean Growth and Seed Yield Response to Tillage and Compost

Plant response to organic amendment often varies and may interact with tillage. The objectives of this research were to determine if soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] growth, nutrient uptake, and soil water use could explain whole-plant and seed yield responses to tillage and compost amendment. A corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)/clover {Trifolium spp. ) rotation, with or without fall compost application was initiated in 1998 in plots that had been managed with moldboard plow (MP), chisel plow (CT), or no-tillage (NT) since 1988. No tillage by amendment interaction for yield was detected. Yield was similar in MP and CT. In 2003, yield was similar among tillage systems, but NT yielded 15% greater than MP and CT in 2004 and 8% lower in 2005. Mean yield across the 3 yr was similar. Compost amendment increased yield (9%) compared with nonamended soil only in 2004. Mean yield was 2% higher with compost than without. Water depth from the 0 to 90 cm soil depth was not affected by tillage or amendment. Seed P and K uptake were 18 and 16% greater in NT compared with MP and CT and 16 and 13% greater with compost than without in 2004. Soybean growing on compost-amended soil had less seed protein compared with nonamended soil. Alternatively, seed oil content was 2 and 1% lower in nonamended than amended soil in 2003 and 2004. The mechanisms responsible for compost-enhanced plant growth are difficult to quantify in the field under natural conditions because effects are short-lived or too extreme.
Colchicine alters apamin receptors, electrical activity, and skeletal muscle relaxation

A low conductance calcium‐activated K+ channel is thought to regulate the rate of firing of several excitable cells. In skeletal muscle the expression of this channel is under nerve control. Previously, we reported that axonal flow blockade of rat nerves, induced by colchicine, caused atransient increase in muscle apamin receptors, determined by 125I‐apamin binding to membrane fractions. The increase in apamin receptors was correlated with repetitive discharges resembling myotonic potentials in the electromyogram, that were blockable by apamin. Here we show that the increase in muscle apamin receptors and the alteration of the electromyogram are followed closely by a slowing of the twitch relaxation, that in turn, is decreased by apamin. Furthermore, the presence of myotonic‐like alterations in the electromyogram and a slowing of muscle relaxation when muscle apaminreceptors are increased suggests that these channels may participate, amongother factors, in the generation of some kinds of myotonia. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Epithelial cell invasion and survival of Bordetella bronchiseptica

Wild-type Bordetella bronchiseptica and a bvg mutant strain were used for invasion and survival experiments in human Caco-2 and A549 epithelial cells. Both bacterial strains were able to enter and persist within the host cells for at least a week. A significant proportion of the bacteria from both B. bronchiseptica strains but not from Bordetella pertussis were found free in the cytoplasm, suggesting different invasion and survival strategies of the two species in epithelial cells.
Feedforward Delay Estimators in Adverse Multipath Propagation for Galileo and Modernized GPS Signals

The estimation with high accuracy of the line-of-sight delay is a prerequisite for all global navigation satellite systems. The delay locked loops and their enhanced variants are the structures of choice for the commercial GNSS receivers, but their performance in severe multipath scenarios is still rather limited. The new satellite positioning system proposals specify higher code-epoch lengths compared to the traditional GPS signal and the use of a new modulation, the binary offset carrier (BOC) modulation, which triggers new challenges in the delay tracking stage. We propose and analyze here the use of feedforward delay estimation techniques in order to improve the accuracy of the delay estimation in severe multipath scenarios. First, we give an extensive review of feedforward delay estimation techniques for CDMA signals in fading channels, by taking into account the impact of BOC modulation. Second, we extend the techniques previously proposed by the authors in the context of wideband CDMA delay estimation (e.g., Teager-Kaiser and the projection onto convex sets) to the BOC-modulated signals. These techniques are presented as possible alternatives to the feedback tracking loops. A particular attention is on the scenarios with closely spaced paths. We also discuss how these feedforward techniques can be implemented via DSPs.
Study on Prevalence of Small Ruminants Hydatidosis and Its Economic Importance at Gindhir Municipal Abboittar

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November, 2015 to March, 2016 to determine the prevalence and economic importance of small ruminants hydatidosis at Gindhir Municipal Abattoir. Routine meat inspection, at ant-mortem and post-mortem was performed on a total of 384 randomly selected slaughtered sheep and goats. Of this total examined, 36 (9.4%) of them had harboured hydatid cysts in one or more of their offal’s. Species, sex, age, body condition score and origin of animals were taken into consideration as rik factors.The age, sex, species and origin of animal as a risk factors were statistically significant (P < 0.05), but no significant variation was observed with regarding to body condition score of animals (P>0.05) on prevalence of the disease. Out of the total infected animals 7 (19.4%) and 5 (13.9%) of them had hydatid cysts on their lung and liver alone, respectively while 24 (66.7%) animals had hydatid cysts on both liver and lung. The prevalence among different organs involved in harboring of the cyst was (51.7%) and (48.3%) in lung and liver respectively. From 158 cysts examined for fertility status 69 (43.7%), 45 (28.5%) and 44 (27.8%) were found fertile, sterile and calcified, respectively. A total of 69 fertile cysts originating from lung and liver and were tested for viability, 37 (53.6%) viable and 32 (46.4%) nonviable. The estimated annual financial loss due to direct organ condemnation and indirect carcass weight loss from small ruminants hydatidosis in the area was estimated to be 58,755.1ETB. In conclusion, this study indicated that hydatidosis is an important disease of small ruminants that causes great economic losses due to organ condemnation and weight loss in the study area. The high fertility and viability rate of hydatid cysts obtained indicates that the presence of high possibility of circulation of the parasite between the intermediate host and the final host. Due to these, the awareness of the communities about the disease, restrict meat inspection and condemnation of infected offal and regular treatment of the dogs to eradicate the disease are highly recommended.
Comparative analysis of Polyphenol Oxidase, Catalase and Lycopene production in Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.

Plants survive with various biotic and abiotic environmental stresses by altering their cellular metabolism and bringing into play different defense mechanisms. Reactive species are highly unstable structures; which are divided into four categories based on their central atom: Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), Reactive Nitrogen Species, Reactive Chloride Species and Reactive Sulphur Species (Halliwell and Gutteridge, 2007). Foraging or detoxification of excess ROS is attained by a competent anti-oxidative system comprising of non-enzymatic as well as ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 3 Number 4 (2014) pp. 969-983 http://www.ijcmas. com
Identifying Effecting Factors and Landslide Mapping of Cameron Highland Malaysia

The combination of the tectonic processes and the impacts on the environment can be seen in the form of landslides. Structural features such as faults, lineaments and folds play a major role in controlling landslides. This may help to evaluate more accurate landslide mapping. The phenomena of landslides from diverse origins are very frequent in Malaysia and mainly in the region which the bed rocks are clays, sandy limestone, and marls. Due to the susceptibility of the population, the economy and the infrastructure, it is necessary to identify locations and develop landslides maps. This study tries to express identified factors effecting landslides based on the previous works. In addition, it tries to interpret and discuss on behavior of landslide occurrence of the Cameron Highland. However, this study presents an emphasis on potential areas for landslides mapping with considering lineaments as one of the effecting for probability occurrence of landslides. Also, the usefulness of GIS technologies has made us enable to develop various maps of effecting factors. This study has identified the localization of landslides for susceptibility mapping.
Re: Autoimmunity in sudden sensorineural hearing loss… by Cadoni et al

Sir, Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) can be defined as sensorineural hearing loss of > 30 dB occurring in at least 3 contiguous audiometric frequencies over a period of :::;; 72 h (1). SSHL can occur in systemic autoimmune diseases or as a symptom in the setting of autoimmune diseases of the inner ear. Immunomediated vascular damage has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of SSHL. In this regard, anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) have been proposed as serological markers of vascular damage due to vasculitis (2, 3). We have read with interest the paper by Cadoni et al. (2), who reported 15 (47%) patients with positive AECA among 32 patients diagnosed with SSHL. They described a poorer audiological recovery prognosis in patients diagnosed with SSHL who had positive AECA. Consequently, they suggested that AECA may act as serological markers and play a pathological role in SSHL. We have recently assessed the audiovestibular manifestations of a series of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) (4). None of our 32 biopsy-proven GCA patients in whom AECA were tested yielded positive results (5). Furthermore, in a prospective study of 25 patients with SSHL, AECA were only found to be positive in 1 case (4%). As described by Cadoni et al. (2), in our studies AECA serum levels were assessed using a standardized immunofluorescence technique ( 6). Thus, in both biopsy-proven GCA and SSHL patients from Northwest Spain, AECA tested by means of indirect immunofluorescence are not good markers of vasculitis. As the technique used for detecting AECA was the same in the series of Cadoni et al. (2) and in our studies, alternative explanations are required for these contradictory results. It is possible that the different genetic backgrounds of our Caucasoid Celtic population (7) and the Italian population of Cadoni et al. (2) may account for these
Effects of fructose on the energy metabolism and acid-base status of the perfused starved-rat liver. A 31phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance study.

Fructose metabolism has been studied with 31P n.m. r. in perfused livers from rats starved for 48h. The time course of changes in liver ATP, Pi and sugar phosphate (fructose l-phosphate) concentrations, and intracellular pH were followed in each perfusion after infusion of fructose to give an initial concentration of either 5mM or 10mM. Rapid falls in the concentrations of ATP and Pi and intracellular pH occurred after infusion of fructose, reaching a minimum after 4-5 min, which was lower in the 10mM group than in the 5mM group. These changes were accompanied by a rapid rise in fructose 1-phosphate, reaching a plateau also after 4-5 min. At both concentrations of fructose, after the early falls, some recovery of ATP, Pi and intracellular pH occurred; this was complete for Pi and intracellular pH in the 5mM-fructose experiments (within 12-30 min). Complete restoration of ATP to the pre-fructose value was not achieved in either the 5mM of 10mM groups. Measurements of the uptake of lactate by the liver indicated that the fall in intracellular pH was caused primarily by production of protons accompanying the formation of lactate from fructose with possibly a transient contribution generated during the rise in fructose 1-phosphate.