Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Safety and efficacy of urapidil and nitroglycerin in the treatment of elderly patients with acute heart failure : a randomized multi-center parallel-control study in China

The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency and safety of urapidil and nitroglycerin in treating elderly patients with acute heart failure. A total of 248 patients with acute heart failure were recruited randomly from 10 clinical centers. In this article, efficiency of medication to elderly patients (age ≥60 yrs., n = 222) was specially focused. Patients were administrated with urapidil (n = 107) or nitroglycerin (n = 115) by micro-pump continuously for 48 hours. Compared with nitroglycerin, urapidil significantly increased ejection fraction (EF%), decreased left ventricular end diastolic volume (EDV) and end systolic volume (ESV). No significant difference of NT-pro BNP was detected (2-day: ESV, P = 0.067; EDV, P = 0.016; EF%, P = 0.054; NT-pro BNP, P = 0.853; 7-day: ESV, P = 0.039; EDV, P = 0.054; EF%, P = 0.035; NT-pro BNP, P = 0.931); Urapidil provided significantly lipid-decreasing effects, and showed no disadvantage effects on blood glucose (⊿2d: cholesterol, P = 0.016; LDL, P = 0.031; blood glucose, P = 0.613; ⊿7d: cholesterol, P = 0.012; LDL, P = 0.059; blood glucose, P = 0.422); More severely deteriorated baseline renal function was observed in urapidil group (P = 0.024), however, the increase amplitude of creatinine was comparable at all tested time points between the two groups (⊿2d: P = 0.692; ⊿7d: P = 0.742); And 30-day incidence of re-hospitalization and deterioration of cardiac function was significantly lower in urapidil group (P = 0.046). Therefore, urapidil more effectively reduces cardiac load and improves cardiac function, while providing more significant protection to renal function and improving blood lipid metabolism. We recommended that urapidil should be preferably used for elderly patients with acute heart failure as an effective and safe vasodilator.
Improvement of microstrip antenna performance using two triangular structures

To improve the performance of microstrip antennas, the use of triangular configurations in analysis and design is proposed. Moreover, a full-wave spatial-domain technique together with the closed-form Green's function has been employed to obtain the S-parameters of microstrip antennas. Numerical results are obtained and a very good agreement with published results is observed. The double-triangular patch antenna is discussed in detail, and some valuable results are acquired.
An assessment of food safety knowledge and practices of catering employees

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the food safety knowledge and practices of catering employees in one city in the Southwestern United States.Design/methodology/approach – The researchers administered a 20‐question food safety survey to catering employees and observed their actions while performing catering duties.Findings – The paper finds that employees earned a mean score of 71.5 per cent on the 20‐question survey. They were most knowledgeable about personal hygiene, but did not practise proper hygiene during the catering functions. The most common food safety violations were not wearing gloves when required, not washing hands, not checking food temperatures, and not properly covering foods in warming and/or refrigeration units.Research limitations/implications – Lack of interest and concern about bad publicity prevented many caterers from participating in the study. The presence of observers during a catering event could have affected employees' performance.Practical implications – The.
The effectiveness of tobramycin and Ocuflox® in a prophylaxis model of Staphylococcus keratitis

Purpose. To determine the effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotic treatment prior to intra-corneal infection with Staphylococcus aureus. Methods. One topical drop of Tobrex ® (0.3% tobramycin), tobramycin (0.3%) in the Tobrex ® vehicle with 0.05% dodecyl maltoside (DDM)/4.0% hydroxypropylmethycellulose (HPMC), Ocuflox ® (0.3% ofloxacin) or DDM/HPMC vehicle were applied to rabbit eyes at one or five hours prior to injection of bacteria. Approximately 500 colony-forming units (CFU) of S. aureus strain 8325-4 were injected into the corneal stroma. Rabbits were sacrificed five hours after infection and corneal homogenates were cultured to determine the number of colony forming units (CFU) per cornea. Results. Rabbits treated at five hours prior to infection with tobramycin-DDM/HPMC reduced the bacterial load by approximately 2.4 log CFU/cornea as compared to the untreated control (3.47 ± 0.98 vs. 5.71 ± 0.14 log CFU/cornea, respectively; P = 0.0010); however, Ocuflox ®, Tobrex ®, or DDM/HPMC vehicle did not significantly reduce the log CFU (P = 0.4837). Rabbits treated at 1 hour prior to infection with Ocuflox ® or tobramycin-DDM/HPMC had significantly reduced CFU/cornea (1.31 ± 0.86 and 0.48 ± 0.31 log CFU/cornea, respectively) as compared to the untreated group (5.71 ± 0.14 log CFU/cornea; P = 0.0001). Neither Tobrex ® nor the DDM/HPMC vehicle significantly reduced the CFU/cornea compared to the untreated group (P = 0.2312). Conclusions. This pre-treatment model of Staphylococcus keratitis quantitatively measured the prophylactic effectiveness of topical antibiotic formulations. An important finding was that a tobramycin-DDM/HPMC formulation was highly effective as a prophylactic medication.
Synergistic effect of SCF and TNF‐α on the up‐regulation of cell‐surface expression of ICAM‐1 on human leukemic mast cell line (HMC)‐1 cells

Intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) has been shown to play crucial roles in mast cell interaction with other inflammatory cells and recruitment into the inflamed tissue. In the present study, human mast cell line‐1 (HMC‐1) was stimulated with different cytokines including stem cell factor (SCF), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐13, IL‐18, and IL‐25. Cell‐surface expression of ICAM‐1 was assessed by flow cytometry. To elucidate the intracellular signal transduction regulating the ICAM‐1 expression, phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), phosphorylated p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nuclear factor (NF)‐κB translocation were assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results showed that SCF, TNF‐α, and IL‐13 but not IL‐18 and IL‐25 could up‐regulate the surface expression of ICAM‐1 on HMC‐1 cells. A synergistic effect of SCF and TNF‐α on ICAM‐1 expression was demonstrated. This synergistic effect was shown to be dose‐dependently enhanced by SCF but not TNF‐α. Results indicated that SCF activated ERK, and TNF‐α activated the p38 MAPK and NF‐κB pathway. Selective inhibitor of ERK, PD098059, and c‐kit inhibitors, STI571 and PP1, suppressed the combined SCF and TNF‐α‐induced ICAM‐1 expression. BAY117082 but not SB203580, which are the inhibitors of NF‐κB and p38 MAPK, respectively, suppressed the TNF‐α‐induced ICAM‐1 expression. Therefore, SCF and TNF‐α acted through ERK and the NF‐κB pathway to regulate the ICAM‐1 expression and elicited the synergistic effect. In conclusion, our results provide insight for cross‐talk between different signaling pathways that can help in understanding the fine control of adhesion molecule expression under the concerted effects of cytokines.
Understanding motives of consumers who help

This study integrates insights from several theories, including consumer coproduction, organizational and customer citizenship behavior, functional motivation and social norms to examine consumers' decisions to perform voluntary tasks in retail outlets where they shop. Results of this study suggest that the reasons for engaging in customer citizenship behavior in the retail setting are determined largely by the type of behavior or context. Regardless of whether the voluntary behavior is incentivized or not, altruism and enhancement are the strongest motives of consumers who engage in the widest range of voluntary consumer behaviors examined. This study adds to the literature by uniquely establishing a connection between customer citizenship behavior and charitable volunteering behavior.
Correlations of the nonexponentiality and state dependence of mechanical relaxations with bond connectivity in Ge-As-Se supercooled liquids.

We have studied the mechanical responses of supercooled Ge-As-Se liquids to flexural strains and temperature steps. The departures from exponential relaxation correlate well with the variations in connectivity. The structural state dependence of the mechanical relaxation, detected in pure and weakly cross-linked Se, is suppressed completely at the rigidity percolation threshold {l angle}{ital r}{sub {ital c}}{r angle}, where the liquid fragility is a minimum. The shapes of the decay functions of samples with the same {l angle}{ital r}{sub {ital c}}{r angle} but different compositions are not universal at {ital T}{sub {ital g}} probably because of chemical effects near the binary edges of the ternary system.
Insomnia and Somnolence Associated With Second-Generation Antidepressants During the Treatment of Major Depression: A Meta-Analysis

Background Sleep reduction or enhancement is frequently observed with second-generation antidepressant treatments, and they can be beneficial or harmful depending on the symptom profile of each subject. Nevertheless, relatively little attention has been given so far to rank those effects across compounds. The aim of this meta-analysis is to provide quantitative data about short-term rates of insomnia and somnolence associated with 14 second-generation antidepressants during the treatment of major depression. Methods A literature search and a search of unpublished documents were performed. Eligible studies focusing on MD patients treated with second-generation antidepressants were entered in the analysis. Our primary outcome measures were insomnia and somnolence rates induced by antidepressants as compared with those associated with placebo. Sensitivity analyses were carried out as well. Results Ten second-generation antidepressants showed higher rates of insomnia than placebo. The highest incidence was found for bupropion and desvenlafaxine. Agomelatine was the only antidepressant with a lower likelihood of inducing insomnia than placebo. Eleven antidepressants were associated with higher rates of somnolence than placebo. Fluvoxamine and mirtazapine showed the highest frequency of somnolence. Bupropion induced somnolence to a lower extent than placebo. Sensitivity analyses showed a degree of variation of those findings. Discussion Antidepressants are associated with different insomnia and somnolence rates, mainly depending on their mechanisms of action. Despite some limitations, we underscore that the treatment-emergent insomnia and/or somnolence are frequent, and they could be used in clinical practice to face the specific needs of each patient.
Forecasting Volatility - Evidence from Indian Stock and Forex Markets

Volatility forecasting is an important area of research in financial markets and lot of effort has been expended in improving volatility models since better forecasts translate in to better pricing of options and better risk management. In this direction this paper attempts to evaluate the ability of ten different statistical and econometric volatility forecasting models in the context of Indian stock and forex markets. These competing models are evaluated on the basis of two categories of evaluation measures – symmetric and asymmetric error statistics. Based on an out of the sample forecasts and a majority of evaluation measures we find that GARCH (4, 1) and EWMA methods will lead to better volatility forecasts in the Indian stock market and the GARCH (5, 1) will achieve the same in the forex market. The same models perform better on the basis of asymmetric error statistics also.
New narrowband active noise control systems with significantly less computational requirements

In a typical conventional narrowband ANC system, the discrete Fourier coefficients (DFC) for each frequency are estimated by a linear combiner. Each reference (cosine or sine) wave has to be filtered by an estimate of the secondary-path before it is fed to the LMS algorithm. We call this part x-filtering block. The number of x-filtering blocks is 2q where q is the number of targeted frequencies. For larger q and/or higher order (M) of estimated FIR-type secondary-path, the computational cost due to x-filtering may become a bottleneck in real system implementation. Here, we propose a new narrowband ANC system structure which requires only two (2) x-filtering blocks regardless of q. All the cosine waves (or sine waves) are combined as an input to a x-filtering block. The output of this block is decomposed by an efficient bandpass filter bank into filtered-x cosine or sine waves for the FXLMS that follows. The computational cost of the new system is significantly reduced especially for large q and/or M. The new structure is also modified to cope with the frequency mismatch (FM). Simulations demonstrate that the new systems present performance which is very similar to that of the conventional system, but enjoy great advantages in system implementation.
Hedonic usage of product virtualization technologies in online apparel shopping

– The purpose of this study is to investigate whether online apparel shoppers' adoption of product virtualization technologies is facilitated more by hedonic motivations than functional motivations due to the hedonic nature of the product virtualization technologies. , – In addition to the focus group interview, two separate online surveys with links to a stimulus web site containing one of the two product virtualization technologies was conducted to a national online shopper sample. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling by comparing the structural coefficients of hedonic and functional motivations on the attitude toward using the product virtualization technologies. The linear combination of functional and hedonic roles of each technology was examined using discriminant function analysis to see if the results were consistent. , – The results showed that the hedonic motivation had a stronger positive relationship than functional motivations with the attitude toward using product virtualization technologies. The empirical findings of this study confirm our proposition that perceived entertainment value is a stronger determinant of attitude toward using product virtualization technologies than perceived usefulness. , – The findings of the paper support the idea that the direction of technology acceptance model related research should be drawn by the (functional or hedonic) purpose of the technology/system. Based on the current findings, it seems likely that the predictive importance of the hedonic or functional benefits on attitude toward using a particular technology/system will depend, to a large extent, on the primary purpose of the system/technology.
Cultivation of vertebrate infective forms derived from metacyclic forms of pleomorphic Trypanosoma brucei stocks. Short communication.

The first success in the continuous cultivation of vertebrate infective forms of Trypanosoma brucei has been recently reported (Hirumi et al., 1977a, b; Hill et al, 1978a). These investigators used HEPES buffered RPMI 1640 (Rosewell Park Memorial Institute) medium supplemented with 20% inactivated foetal bovine serum over a feeder layer of bovine or other fibroblast-like cells. Le Page (1967) had earlier attempted similar experiments, using a feeder layer in combination with tissue culture medium but with little success. It has to be pointed out that these investigators were using the monomorphic T brucei stock 427 which no longer exhibits pleomorphism in the vertebrate host and is not transmissible by the tsetse fly. Hill et al. (1978b) have reported the successful growth of a pleomorphic T. rhodesiense stock as vertebrate infective forms in vitro. In this note we present a new culture system for the long-term cultivation of vertebrate infective bloodstream-like forms of pleomorphic, tsetse fly transmissible stocks of T. brucei and T rhodesiense. The trypanosome stocks grown in vitro (Table
Nonemployer Start-Up Puzzle

Understanding the dynamics of nonemployer firms has been an unsolved puzzle because of a dearth of data. Nonemployer firms represent three-quarters of the businesses in the United States but only 3 percent of business receipts. While they represent a relatively small share of economic activity, nonemployer firms are important as a gateway to becoming employer firms, providing flexible work opportunities and a path to economic prosperity. Using special tabulations from the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual nonemployer firm program, we find nonemployers have a startup rate nearly three times the rate of employer firms, 35 percent and 13 percent, respectively. Analysis of the determinants of nonemployer start-up rates across states and industries indicates that they seem countercyclical with respect to the labor market, while employer start-up rates move in line with the overall economic cycles. The determinants of start-ups have disparate effects on employer and nonemployer firms.
Continuous Femoral Nerve Block versus Patient-Controlled Analgesia following Total Knee Arthroplasty

Purpose. To compare total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients who received continuous femoral nerve block (FNB) with local anaesthetics through a catheter versus patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with intravenous morphine. Methods. 50 women and 10 men aged 51 to 84 years with matched characteristics underwent TKA and received either continuous FNB with local anaesthetics through a catheter (n=30) or PCA with intravenous morphine (n=30). None of the patients had had previous knee surgery. All operations were performed according to the standard protocol. Daily mean pain numerical rating scale at rest (NRS-R) and during movement (NRS-M), requirement of extra pain control, complications related to pain control, and overall patient satisfaction in both groups were compared. Results. Both groups were similar in terms of pain NRS-R and NRS-M, overall satisfaction, and length of hospital stay. Within each group, pain NRS-M score was significantly higher than pain NRS-R score. In the FNB group, 3 patients had dislodgement of the femoral catheter on day 1 and switched to PCA with intravenous morphine. Two of them had fair satisfaction. Patients in the PCA group had significantly more side-effects (nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and pruritis); 2 of the 5 patients with nausea and vomiting had fair satisfaction. No patients had any surgical complication. Conclusion. Both FNC and PCA provide reliable pain control.
Cetuximab and irinotecan as third line therapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer after failure of irinotecan, oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil

Cetuximab (Erbitux®) in combination with irinotecan is the most promising combination in heavily pretreated patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Efficacy of this combination was confirmed in the pivotal BOND I study. The aim of the present study was to evaluate efficacy and toxicity of a combination regimen of cetuximab and irinotecan but in contrast to the BOND I study all patients had previously received 5-FU, oxaliplatin and irinotecan and all had progressed during or shortly after completion of treatment. Before January 2005 salvage therapy with cetuximab and irinotecan was not used in Denmark. The Danish government had initiated a national programme for patients with advanced cancer and according to this programme the National Board of Health may approve and finance experimental treatment. From January 2005 to September 2005, 65 consecutive patients were treated with cetuximab (weekly) and irinotecan (each 2 or 3 weeks) at three university hospitals. Median age was 57 years (23–78), and median performance status was 1 (0–3). Response rate was 20%, median TTP was 5.5 months and median OS was 10.4 months. Response and survival was significantly correlated with severity of skin toxicity. Toxicity grade 3 was rare (skin toxicity 8%, diarrhoea 10%, nausea 3%, vomiting 3%, fatigue 8%). Salvage therapy with cetuximab and irinotecan is effective in patients pretreated with irinotecan, and oxaliplatin and in a general population the results from the BOND I study was confirmed.
Performance, Slack, and Risk Taking in Organizational Decision Making

This research paper investigates the relationship between organizational performance and risk taking in organizational decision making. A complex model is proposed in which the direct relationship, which is triggered by performance below acceptable levels, is negative, but the indirect relationships, which are mediated by organizational slack and decentralization, are positive. A test of the model for a cross-sectional sample of firms shows general support for the model. The findings have implications for theories that view change as arising from stable organizational processes.
VLDL Induced Modulation of Nitric Oxide Signalling and Cell Redox Homeostasis in HUVEC

High levels of circulating lipoprotein constitute a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and in this context, the specific role of the very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) is poorly understood. The response of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) to VLDL exposure was studied, especially focusing on the pathways involved in alteration of redox homeostasis and nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. The results obtained by the analysis of the expression level of genes implicated in the NO metabolism and oxidative stress response indicated a strong activation of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) upon 24 h exposure to VLDL, particularly if these have been preventively oxidised. Simultaneously, both mRNA and protein expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) were decreased and its phosphorylation pattern, at the key residues Tyr495 and Ser1177, strongly suggested the occurrence of the eNOS uncoupling. The results are consistent with the observed increased production of nitrites and nitrates (NOx), reactive oxygen species (ROS), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), and, at mitochondrial level, a deficit in mitochondrial O2 consumption. Altogether, these data suggest that the VLDL, particularly if oxidised, when allowed to persist in contact with endothelial cells, strongly alter NO bioavailability, affecting redox homeostasis and mitochondrial function.
Geldanamycin Leads to Superoxide Formation by Enzymatic and Non-enzymatic Redox Cycling

The ansamycin antibiotic geldanamycin has frequently been used as an inhibitor of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), and this agent has been widely employed as a probe to examine the interactions of Hsp90 with endothelial nitric-oxide synthase. Geldanamycin contains a quinone group, which may participate in redox cycling. When geldanamycin was exposed to the flavin-containing enzyme cytochrome P-450 reductase, both semiquinone and superoxide (O 2 ⨪ ) radicals were detected using electron spin resonance. The treatment of endothelial cells with geldanamycin resulted in a dramatic increase in O 2 ⨪ generation, which was independent of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase, because it was not inhibited byN-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester and also occurred in vascular smooth muscle cells. Diphenylene iodinium inhibited this increase in O 2 ⨪ by 50%, suggesting that flavin-containing enzymes are involved in geldanamycin-induced O 2 ⨪ generation. In the absence of cells, geldanamycin directly oxidized ascorbate, consumed oxygen, and produced O 2 ⨪ . Geldanamycin decreased the bioavailable nitric oxide generated by 3,4-dihydrodiazete 1,2-dioxide in smooth muscle cells by 50%, whereas pretreatment with superoxide dismutase inhibited the effect of geldanamycin. These findings demonstrate that geldanamycin generates O 2 ⨪ , which scavenges nitric oxide, leading to loss of its bioavailability. This effect is independent of the inhibition of Hsp90 and indicates that geldanamycin cannot be used as a specific inhibitor of Hsp90. In light of these findings, the studies using geldanamycin as an inhibitor of Hsp90 should be interpreted with caution.