Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dexamethasone for the Treatment of Tuberculous Meningitis in Adolescents and Adults

To investigate whether adjunctive therapy with dexamethasone reduces the risk for death or severe disability from tuberculous meningitis in patients with and without HIV infection, researchers randomized 545 patients over age 14 with definite, probable, or possible tuberculous meningitis to receive either dexamethasone or placebo in addition to standard antituberculosis drugs. Dexamethasone was administered at a dosage of 0.3-0.4 mg/kg (depending on disease severity) per day intravenously for the first week and …
A Case of Hepatomegaly due to Diabetic Glycogenosis Reversed by Glycemic Control

Diabetes mellitus is well known to be associated with various structural and functional liver abnormalities. If diabetic patients are accompanied by hepatomegaly or abnormal findings from a liver function test, the most common pathological findings are steatosis and glycogenosis. The steatosis is characterized by deposition of macrovesicular fat droplets in the hepatocytes, which is common in obese, type 2 diabetes mellitus. If macrovesicular steatosis is combined with mixed inflammatory infiltrate, without evidence of alcoholic hepatitis, the case could be diagnosed as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH has the possibility of progressing to cirrhosis. Secondary glycogenosis is common in uncontrolled type 1 diabetes mellitus, and is completely reversible. A 22-year-old male, with uncontrolled type 1 diabetes mellitus, was admitted with anorexia, nausea and right upper quadrant pain. Hepatomegaly and elevated aminotransferases were noted. He was diagnosed as diabetic glycogenosis using computed tomogram and liver biopsy. The hepatomegaly and liver function test abnormalities were markedly improved with glycemic control.
Effects of Volatile and Intravenous Anesthetic Agents on Neutrophil Function

The potential for anesthetic agents to influence immune function has been an issue for a surprisingly long time. In 1890, Platania observed a worsening of bacterial infection caused by anesthetic drugs. Twenty years later, Graham observed that ether suppressed the phagocytic ability of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Since then, many investigators have examined different aspects of the influence of anesthetic agents on neutrophil function, but a unified picture has yet to emerge. We cannot yet select the most appropriate agent for a patient’s immune status, nor can we use the potential immunomodulatory ability of a drug for therapeutic benefit. The aim of this review is to assess the existing evidence for alteration of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function, to compare the effects of different drugs and the implications for clinical practice, and to examine what work needs to be done to complete our understanding of this phenomenon. We will concentrate on work published in the last 10 to 15 years and on results produced by exposure to anesthetic agents at clinically relevant concentrations.
The Potential Link between Gut Microbiota and Serum TRAb in Chinese Patients with Severe and Active Graves' Orbitopathy

Background and Objective A previous study reported alterations in the intestinal microbiota in patients with Graves' orbitopathy (GO). Thyrotropin receptor autoantibody (TRAb) stimulates orbital and periorbital tissues and plays a pivotal role in the development of GO. However, the association between gut microbiota and TRAb in GO patients has still remained elusive. In this study, we explored the relationships between gut microbiota and GO-related traits, in which we applied a metabolic-network-driven analysis to identify GO trait-related modules and extracted significant operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Methods In the present study, we profiled gut microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing in 31 GO patients. We performed metabolic-network-driven analysis to investigate the association between gut microbiota and GO-related traits (e.g., TRAb, TGAb, and TPOAb) in the combination of microbial effects. Results Applying microbiome network analysis of cooccurrence patterns and analysis of topological properties, we found that s_Prevotella_copri and f_Prevotellaceae showed a significant correlation with TRAb. In particular, we applied the latent class model to explore the association between gut microbiota and GO-related traits in the combination of microbial effects. It was revealed that the subjects involved in the latent class model with the higher abundance of s_Prevotella_copri and g_Bacteroides had a higher TRAb level. Conclusions Our results revealed the potential relationships between gut microbiota and GO-related traits in the combination of microbial effects. This study may provide a new insight into the interaction between the intestinal microbiota and TRAb-associated immune responses in GO patients.
Network topology of the Argentine interbank money market

This article provides the first empirical network analysis of the Argentine interbank money market. Its main topological features are examined applying graph theory, focusing on the unsecured overnight loans settled from 2003 to 2017. The network, where banks are the nodes and the operations between them represent the links, exhibits low density, a higher reciprocity than comparable random graphs, short average distances and its clustering coefficient remains above that of a random network of equal size. Furthermore, the network is prominently disassortative. Its structural metrics experienced significant volatility, in correlation with the economic activity fluctuations and regulatory shifts. Signs of nodes’ random-like behaviour are detected during contractions. The degree distributions fit better to a Lognormal distribution than to a Poisson or a Power Law. Additionally, different node centrality measures are computed. It is found that a higher centrality enables a node to settle more convenient bilateral interest rates compared to the average market rate, identifying a statistical and economically significant effect by means of a regression analysis. These results constitute a relevant input for systemic risk assessment and provide solid empirical foundations for future theoretical modelling and shock simulations, especially in the context of underdeveloped financial systems.
Phytochemical Evaluation and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oil, and Aqueous and Organic Extracts of Artemisia dracunculus

Background: The genus Artemisia has various medicinal effects. Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon) is one of the species that belongs to the genus Artemisia, cultivated in Iran. Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of extracts and essential oil obtained from aerial parts of A. dracunculus. Methods: The total amounts of phenolics, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins as well as the antioxidant activity in the various extracts (methanol, dichlormethane, water, n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts) of A. dracunculus were assessed by four different antioxidant activity tests (DPPH (2, 2’-diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging, reducing power, ferrous chelating activity and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay). Vitamin C, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and quercetin were used as reference compounds. Gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-massspectrometry (GC-MS) were used to identify the compositions of the essential oil. Thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) and β-carotene bleaching (BCB) methods were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the essential oil. Results: The methanol extract showed the highest antioxidant activity among others in all methods. Estragole (57.1%) was the major component of the essential oil of the plant. The essential oil showed a weak activity in BCB test. Conclusions: The methanol extract showed the highest activity in all tests and was a rich source of antioxidants, with high level of polyphenolic content.
Analysis of Depression Among Adult Indian Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Background Depression has recently been recognized as a highly prevalent, treatable condition among dialysis patients, which adversely affects their outcome. The incidence of depression among dialysis patients is reported to be around 25-50% in various western studies. In the few studies that have looked at depression among the chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, depression has been variously linked with; adverse patient outcome, higher incidence of peritonitis and poor nutritional status. Only a few studies have looked at the socio-economic and medical factors associated with depression among these patients, especially from our sub-continent. The present study was therefore undertaken to look at; the prevalence of depression, factors associated with depression among Indian PD patients. Methods All consenting patients on PD for ≥6 months were administered Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to screen for depression. Depression was classified on BDI scores as borderline to moderate (score ≥17) and severe (score >30). Patients demographic, medical and co-morbidity profile was also recorded. Results 82 patients were administered BDI (mean PD duration, 47.6±21.1 months). 50 (61%) had depression (BDI scores 17-30), while 12.2% (n=10) had severe depression (BDI scores >30). On multivariate regression analysis we found that depressed patients had lower blood urea, serum alkaline phosphatase and serum albumin. Residual renal function, duration of peritoneal dialysis and presence of diabetes and other co-morbid conditions did not correlate significantly with depression. Conclusion We document a high prevalence of depression among Indian PD patients. Depressed patients had evidence of poor dietary protein intake and poorer nutrition as evidenced by lower serum urea and albumin. Further studies looking at effect of early detection and treatment of depression on PD outcome are warranted.
Comparison of atomoxetine and methylphenidate for treating children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of once-daily atomoxetine compared with methylphenidate immediate-release in children with ADHD.Methods Totally 46 ADHD children aged 6~16 years were randomly assigned to receive once-daily atomoxetine or twice-daily methylphenidate in a 1:1 ratio for 8 weeks.ADHD symptoms were primarily assessed by baseline-to-endpoint change on the ADHDRS-IV-Parent:Inv,CPRS-R and CGI-ADHD.Results After 8 weeks of treatment,ADHDRS-IV-Parent:Inv scores,CPRS-R:S and CGI-ADHD scores were significantly decreased for ADHD children treated with atomoxetine or methylphenidate,including inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptom,and there was no significant difference between these two treatment groups.The final mean daily dose of atomoxetine was 1.33 mg/(kg·d). No serious adverse event occurred,and no statistically significant changes in physical and laboratory examinations were observed.The common adverse events of atomoxetine were decreased appetite,somnolence,abdominal pain and so on,and somnolence was a lot more frequent in atomoxetine group.Conclusion These data provide preliminary evidence that atomoxetine is effective,safe and well tolerated in the treatment of ADHD children,and once-daily atomoxetine is associated with therapeutic effects comparable to those of twice-daily methylphenidate.
Location determinants of high-tech firms: an intra-urban approach

ABSTRACT This paper analyses location determinants of high-tech firms at the intra-urban level, concretely for neighbourhoods of Barcelona. Mercantile Register data is used to analyse the location of 515 firms between 2011 and 2013 through count data estimations. The identification of the location patterns, followed by a typology of the firms, and the role played by neighbourhood characteristics in attracting them, constitutes a contribution to the empirical literature. Our results help in understanding the entry processes within cities and show that i) there are certain specificities at industry level, ii) that both amenities and economic-oriented neighbourhood characteristics matter, and iii) that spatial spillovers are relevant for some high-tech industries.
The Relationship Between Conventional Prosthesis Wearing and Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index in Garhwa Town, Jharkhand

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the relation between conventional prosthetic status and quality of life of a 60-75 year old patients by using the GHOAI MATERIALS AND METHODS: One seventy six old patients who reported in VDCH Garhwa for their prosthetic treatment includes in the study. They were divided in three groups according to the type of prostheses: Group 1=people with complete dentures, Group 2=people with removable partial dentures, and Group 3=people with fixed or no prostheses. The subjects were clinically examined according to World Health Organization 1997 criteria and their oral health-related quality of life was assessed using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) questionnaire. The resulting data were entered in to a statistical software program, for a statistical significance threshold at P<0.05. Analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The three prosthetic cohort were established according to types of rehabilitaon performed. Kruskal – Wallis and Spearman correlation analysis were used to analyze the study. The most affected quality of life dimension was discomfort when eating any kind of food reported by 120 (68%) of subjects among them most of them for Group 1 (n=68%) . medication for oral pain 2 % and problem with swallowing comfort fully was least affected. By comparing the three groups of subjects with the Kruskal-Wallis test, the results, the differences were statistically significant only for the questions, (P<0.05) like limit the kind of food, trouble in chewing, discomfort when eating any kind of food, limit contact with people, unsatisfied with look of teeth, medication for oral pain, uncomfortable eating in front of others and sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods. Spearman correlation analysis showed Social indicators such as gender and age had a moderate correlation with GOHAI 1, which relates to physical dimension. For social (GOHAI 6) and psychological dimensions (GOHAI 9), there was only a significant correlation with social indicator age (r=0.389). CONCLUSION: In the subjects studied, wearing complete or partial removable dentures was a better predictor
EXCHANGE RATE, MONETARY POLICY AND MANUFACTURING OUTPUT IN MALAYSIA

The article builds small VAR systems to assess the dynamic responses of manufacturing output to exchange rate and moneta ry policy shocks in the case of Malaysia. To capture these responses , th authors employ generalised impulse response functions to avoid the “orthogonality” assumption that needs to be made under the traditio nal Cholesky decomposition method. As expected, they find that m onetary tightening leads to negative responses from real activities. Further more, in their estimation, the responses of manufacturing output seem bigger in ma gnitude than those of aggregate output or output from other sectors (i.e. , aggregate output less manufacturing output). In the case of exchange rate shocks, the authors find the temporal responses of real activities to be consist ent with the presence of the J-curve effect. Again, the exchange rate shocks see m to have larger effects on the manufacturing output than on the aggregate outp ut. The authors also note from the results that the temporal responses of man ufacturing output seem to coincide with the aggregate output responses but pr ecede other output reactions.
Study of Physicochemical Parameters of Baobab and Nere Flours and their Influence on Fermentative Activity of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus

In this work, we are interested in studying the use of Baobab (Adansonia digitata) and Néré (Parkia biglobosa) flours in production of fermented milk (yoghurt type). This study aims to diversify dairy and specifically creates another type of yoghurt, which can meet the market requirement. Yoghurts were prepared by fermentation of milk added Baobab or néré flour using Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus. Biochemical and microbial properties of yoghurt prepared with Baobab and Néré were studied in order to determine the best preparation depending on the rate of the flour. The results obtained showed that the low rate of incorporation (5%, 10%, and 15%) of baobab and Néré flour improve considerably the process of fermentation time, the total and Dornic acidity, pH. Even if the in L. delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus decreases when the rate of incorporation increases, this load remains always higher than that necessary by the international standards. It is thus possible to make formulations of yoghurt by incorporating baobab and Néré flour in
Original Article

We examined the relationship between locus of control and sleep among firefighters using predictions driven by life history theory. Firefighters (n=115, males, aged 22-54) completed the Nowicki and Duke Locus of Control (LOC) questionnaire. Average minutes slept and sleep debt (number of nights on shift) were provided via selfreport. Statistical output supported the underlying theoretical relationship between LOC and life history strategy. Further results indicate a quadratic effect on LOC such that sleeping very little or sleeping a lot was associated with more external LOC scores when controlling for station-specific emergency response call volume and participant current health status. Finally, as sleep loss accumulates due to increasing nights on shift, LOC externality significantly increases. This data supports the notion that sleep acquisition may pose a mediating role in personality psychology in ways predicted by life history and evolutionary ecological theories.
Study of Variation of Biochemical Components in Hypericum Perforatum L. Grown in North of IRAN

Hypericum perforatum L. is among important herbs worldwide, which growing wild in Iran various areas and altitudes particularly north of the country. However, according to different regional and genetic reasons, its secondary metabolites differ in its growth vegetative. Therefore, in order to define its best vegetative area, the most important biochemical components in five regions and three altitudes and four samples from each regions (60 samples all together) were sampled and analyzed. Experiment revealed that the highest values of hypericin (0.251% DW) and total phenols (412 mg/l) were obtained in Jannat Roodbar region in a height of 1218 m and the highest amounts of flavonoid (73 μg/ml) and carotenoid (0.13 mg/ml) were observed in Pole Zangoole region in a height of 2300 m. Regression equations have been demonstrated to have a positive linear relationship between hypericin and total phenols contents. While among hypericin and flavonoid as well as carotenoid, this relation forms a second degree equation. The relationship of hypericin and total phenols contents was a negative correlation as well. Keyword: Hypericum perforatum L. , Biochemical Components, Variation , Hypericin,Total phenol, Flavonoid
Dielectric properties of hydroxyapatite based ceramics

This paper studies the ac conductivity and permittivity of hydroxyapatite based ceramics (HA) at temperatures from room temperature to 1000oC. HA ceramics were prepared either as dense ceramics or in porous form with interconnected porosity and were sintered in either air or water vapour. Samples were thermally cycled to examine the influence of surface adsorbed water on conductivity and permittivity. Surface bound water was thought to contribute to conductivity for both dense and porous materials at temperature below 200oC. At temperatures below 700oC the permittivity and ac conductivity of HA was also influenced by the degree of dehydration and thermal history. At higher temperatures (700-1000oC), bulk ionic conduction was dominant and activation energies are in the range of ~2eV, indicating that hydroxyl ions are responsible for conductivity.
Global Asset Allocation: Risk and Return on Emerging Stock Markets

This paper is about international capital allocation, it focuses on the risk-return tradeoff when investing in both emerging stock markets and developed stock markets. Thus, many questions are raised in this study: what are the advantages to investors when they consider assets from emerging stock market in their global portfolio, what are the risks international investors bear in these markets, to what extent emerging stock markets are integrated in the global financial market, and what are the major barriers to the investment in these markets. Using a database from the International finance corporate (IFC), the algorithm of Markowitz adjusted for the main constraint to investing in emerging market (short sale constraint) and the market model we show that the low correlation between stock returns in emerging markets and stock returns in developed markets provides an important opportunity of diversification, the efficient frontier of a portfolio that considers both markets (emerging and developed) dominates the one that considers only the developed markets. Our results show also that the return on investment in emerging markets is much higher than the returns on investment in developed markets, however by the same token, emerging stock markets are riskier than the developed stock markets. We also show that emerging market are less integrated in
Investigations on Accurate Analysis of Microstrip Reflectarrays

An investigation on accurate analysis of microstrip reﬂectarrays is presented. Sources of error in reﬂectarray analysis are examined and solutions to these issues are proposed. The focus is on two sources of error, namely the determination of the equivalent currents to calculate the radiation pattern, and the inaccurate mutual coupling between array elements due to the lack of periodicity. To serve as reference, two offset reﬂectarray antennas have been designed, manufactured and measured at the DTU-ESA Spherical Near-Field Antenna Test Facility. Comparisons of simulated and measured data are presented to verify and demonstrate the improved results using the proposed solutions.