Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Amendment history : Corrigendum ( May 2014 ) Dapagliflozin improves muscle insulin sensitivity but enhances endogenous glucose production

Chronic hyperglycemia impairs insulin action, resulting in glucotoxicity, which can be ameliorated in animal models by inducing glucosuria with renal glucose transport inhibitors. Here, we examined whether reduction of plasma glucose with a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor could improve insulin-mediated tissue glucose disposal in patients with type 2 diabetes. Eighteen diabetic men were randomized to receive either dapagliflozin (n = 12) or placebo (n = 6) for 2 weeks. We measured insulin-mediated whole body glucose uptake and endogenous glucose production (EGP) at baseline and 2 weeks after treatment using the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique. Dapagliflozin treatment induced glucosuria and markedly lowered fasting plasma glucose. Insulinmediated tissue glucose disposal increased by approximately 18% after 2 weeks of dapagliflozin treatment, while placebo-treated subjects had no change in insulin sensitivity. Surprisingly, following dapagliflozin treatment, EGP increased substantially and was accompanied by an increase in fasting plasma glucagon concentration. Together, our data indicate that reduction of plasma glucose with an agent that works specifically on the kidney to induce glucosuria improves muscle insulin sensitivity. However, glucosuria induction following SGLT2 inhibition is associated with a paradoxical increase in EGP. These results provide support for [. ] Research Article Metabolism
WHISTLE BLOWING IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR OF ROMANIA

The paper presents the phenomenon of whistle blowing in the public sector and tries to explain its complexity. The concept has different significance in various countries, some of them perceive the phenomenon and whistle blowers as moral, and others have an opposite image. The article will present the concept, the regulation and procedures from different countries, in order to protect those involved, with a focus on Romanian case. We also analyzed the connection between encouraging or discouraging whistle blowing and the level of ethics in a public institution. There are a lot of questions in the professional literature we tried to give an answer to, making an exploratory research. We presented in the paper our perspective regarding this phenomenon and how it should be integrated in the management of a company or public institution, ensuring a higher control on it.
Posterior Cortical Atrophy

Background: Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) may represent a discrete syndrome of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) rather than amnestic AD with visual deficits. Methods: We separated 30 patients with PCA based on ventral and dorsal visual symptoms using cluster analysis and analyzed the demographic, cognitive, and functional imaging features. Results: This analysis revealed subgroups of 26 dorsal and 4 ventral patients. The ventral subgroup had greater confrontational naming impairment, and the dorsal subgroup had greater hypofunction in the parietal regions. The PCA cohort had memory retrieval rather than encoding deficits, and clinical follow-up showed relative isolation of dorsal and ventral visual manifestations. Conclusion: These results support 2, mostly nonoverlapping syndromes in patients with PCA, with the commonest affecting the dorsal visual pathway; moreover, the memory retrieval difficulty in the patients with PCA was dissimilar to the amnestic pattern in typical AD. These results suggest that, in most cases, PCA syndromes are discrete clinical variants of AD.
TRACK ACCESS CHARGES AND RAIL COMPETITION: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BRITAIN AND SWEDEN

Comparison and contrasts of recent British and Swedish experiences of rail reforms are provided in this paper. Provided is some relevant background that shows that in both countries, on-track competition in the passenger rail market is currently limited. If such competition were permitted on a wider scale, the extent would be influenced by the level of track access charges. A simulation model to assess the impact of on-track competition has been developed and it has been applied to both Britain and Sweden. The paper describes the results of the model in detail. It is also shown that in both countries there is substantial off track competition in the form of tendering and franchising. Some conclusions are drawn about the efficacy of on-track competition.
Détection de la spécialisation scientifique et technique des documents biomédicaux grâce aux informations morphologiques [Spotting scientific and technical specialization in biomedical documents using morphological clues]

RESUME. La distinction du degre de specialisation des documents de sante en ligne est une indication importante, surtout lorsque ces documents sont consultes par des utilisateurs non experts, comme le sont les patients. Effectivement, une tres grande technicite des documents empeche les patients de bien comprendre le contenu et peut avoir des consequences negatives sur la gestion de leur maladie et la communication avec les medecins. Lorsque les portails de sante proposent cette distinction, elle est effectuee manuellement. Nous effectuons une categorisation automatique des pages de la Toile en fonction de leur specialisation. Nous exploitons l’information morphologique obtenue grâce a l’analyse morphologique des lexemes. L’evaluation montre que la precision, le rappel et la f-mesure sont souvent superieurs a 90 %.
Linking strategy to value

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide business executives with a practical and systematic way of preparing for board member questions on the shareholder value of proposed strategic initiatives.Design/methodology/approach – The authors observe that previous work has shown how shareholder value is derived from revenue growth, margin improvement, and asset efficiency. While such general value levers are useful they do not guide any particular organization regarding the critical decisions on where and how to compete. They also observe that strategic plans show how strategic initiatives support the overall corporate vision, but apart from ad hoc business cases, do not systematically link to shareholder value. By depicting shareholder value as a vertical tree, and strategic plans as a horizontal tree, the authors are able to construct a systematic mechanism for explicitly linking strategy to value.Findings – The approach enables mapping strategic initiatives to their contribution to shareholder valu.
Coronary Artery Disease Clinical Significance of Antibody Against Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein in Patients With Atherosclerotic Coronary Artery Disease

OBJECTIVES This study was designed to establish the clinical significance of antibodies against oxidized low density lipoprotein (anti-Ox-LDL) titer in atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD). BACKGROUND Oxidative modification of LDL, which plays a key role in the development of atherosclerosis, induces immunogenic epitopes in the LDL molecule, and the presence of anti-Ox-LDL has been demonstrated in human sera. METHODS Anti-Ox-LDL titer was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 108 patients who had angiographically verified CAD, and 31 patients who had chest pain but no significant CAD, as controls. RESULTS The anti-Ox-LDL titer was higher (p , 0.01) in patients with multivessel CAD (19.4 6 10.1 AcU/ml, n 5 68) than in the controls (9.8 6 4.1). However, no significant difference was shown between the single-vessel CAD group (15.1 6 6.4, n 5 40) and the controls, or between the multivessel CAD group and the single-vessel CAD group. The titer was higher in patients with unstable angina (21.5 6 11.8 AcU/ml, n 5 20, p , 0.01), or in patients with acute myocardial infarction (23.1 6 12.0, n 5 20, p , 0.01) than in patients with stable-effort angina or old myocardial infarction (12.2 6 8.6, n 5 68). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the anti-Ox-LDL titer most powerfully discriminated CAD patients from controls (odds ratio [OR]: 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07–1.33, p 5 0.0006) and acute coronary syndrome from chronic CAD (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04–1.14, p 5 0.0008). CONCLUSIONS Serum anti-Ox-LDL titer not only can predict a presence of atherosclerotic CAD but also may be a marker of plaque instability. Low density lipoprotein oxidation may play an important role in the development of plaque instability. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2001;37:775–9) © 2001 by the American College of Cardiology
Interactions between Asset Prices and Monetary Policy in Taiwan: A Structural VAR Model

Aims: This paper analyzes the role of house prices in monetary policy tr ansmission mechanisms in Taiwan using structural VAR (SVAR). The discussion of the role of asset prices in the monetary policy transmission mechanism can help us determine the effectiveness of monetary policy. Results:The contemporaneous effect of contractionary monetary policy on house prices exhibits a significant and positive relationship, and the response gradually approaches zero. The contemporaneous effect of contractionary monetary policy on stock prices is negative and statistically insignificant. The empirical results of this study may not support the transmission role of house and stock prices due to the low interest rate and the possibility of non -banking system channels of investment and consumption capital
The Use of Beta-Adrenergic Blockade in Preventing Trauma-Induced Hepatomegaly

Objective:The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that hepatomegaly in burned children can be attenuated or reversed by blocking lipolysis and reducing free fatty acids delivered to the liver. Summary Background Data:Accelerated lipolysis in severely burned children has been shown to play an important role in the accumulation of hepatic TGs. Severely burned children who survive 10 days or more after injury commonly have enlarged livers often twice or more normal size for their sex, age, and weight. Methods:Ninety-eight children, 2 to 18 years of age, with burns covering more than 40% of their body surface and who received either propranolol (β-adrenergic blockade) or placebo were studied. Liver weights were measured by ultrasonic scanning. Body composition changes were identified by dual-image x-ray absorptiometry and validated by whole-body potassium-40 scintillation counting. Discarded abdominal cutaneous adipose tissue was collected before and after propranolol or placebo for microarray analysis. Results:In 80% of severely burned children studied not receiving propranolol, liver sizes increased by 100% or more while 86% of burned children receiving propranolol showed a decrease or no change in liver size over the same period of time after injury. Gene expression patterns of adipose tissue after propranolol treatment showed that all of the identified genes related to lipid metabolism were down-regulated. Conclusions:Data reported here support the hypothesis that β-adrenergic blockade can reduce delivery of fatty acids to the liver and hepatic congestion commonly found in severely burned children by inhibiting lipolysis and reducing hepatic blood flow.
Molecular and Functional Characterization of O Antigen Transfer in Vibrio cholerae*

The majority of Gram-negative bacteria transfer O antigen polysaccharides onto the lipid A-core oligosaccharide via the action of surface polymer:lipid A-core ligases (WaaL). Here, we characterize the WaaL proteins of Vibrio cholerae with emphasis on structural and functional characterization of O antigen transfer and core oligosaccharide recognition. We demonstrate that the activity of two distantly related O antigen ligases is dependent on the presence of N-acetylglucosamine, and substitution of an additional sugar, i.e. galactose, alters the site specificity of the core oligosaccharide necessitating discriminative WaaL types. Protein topology analysis and a conserved domain search identified two distinct conserved motifs in the periplasmic domains of WaaL proteins. Site-directed mutagenesis of the two motifs, shown for WaaLs of V. cholerae and Salmonella enterica, caused a loss of O antigen transfer activity. Moreover, analogy of topology and motifs between WaaLs and O polysaccharide polymerases (Wzy) reveals a relationship between the two protein families, suggesting that the catalyzed reactions are related to each other.
Inhibitory effect of vitamin K2 (menatetrenone) on bone resorption in ovariectomized rats: a histomorphometric and dual energy X-ray absorptiometric study.

To clarify how vitamin K2 prevents bone loss in vivo, it was given to ovariectomized 20-week-old rats for 2 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD) in the whole femur and in 7 specific portions (F1 to F7 from the proximal to the distal end) was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and histomorphometry was also performed in proximal tibial metaphysis. Ovariectomy (OVX) resulted in significant decreases in the BMD in the whole femur and the F1, F2, F6 and F7 portions. Histomorphometrical analysis of the tibia showed that the bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) and trabecular number (Tb.N) were decreased, while trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) and osteoclast number/bone surface (Oc.N/BS) were increased by OVX. The parameters for bone formation were not changed by OVX. These data indicate that the bone loss within 2 weeks is due to the enhancement of bone resorption. Vitamin K2 at 50 mg/kg inhibited the decrease in the BMD of the whole femur together with the F6 and F7 portions. Vitamin K2 also inhibited the decrease in Tb.N and the increases in Tb.Sp, Oc.N/BS and osteoclast surface/bone surface (Oc.S/BS) caused by OVX. These results suggest that vitamin K2 prevents bone loss through the inhibition of bone resorption and osteoclast formation in vivo.
Management Training in Moldova

A World Bank economist investigates the general question of whether managers of former state-owned enterprises in the successor countries of the Soviet Union are able to acquire new skills through training. More specifically, using data on 137 Moldovan enterprises and their managers (all of whom were promoted to their positions prior to transition), he examines the extent to which manager training is associated with subsequent improvements in the performance of their enterprises. The findings highlight the importance of human capital formation in transition economies. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: G34, J24, M10. 2 tables, 21 references.
The TET2 and TET3 aminopeptidases from Pyrococcus horikoshii form a hetero‐subunit peptidasome with enhanced peptide destruction properties

TET aminopeptidases assemble as large homo‐dodecameric complexes. The reason why prokaryotic genomes often encode a diverse set of TET peptidases homologues remains unclear. In the archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii, PhTET1, PhTET2 and PhTET3 homo‐oligomeric particles have been proposed to work in concert to breakdown intracellular polypeptides. When coexpressed in Escherichia coli, the PhTET2 and PhTET3 proteins were found to assemble efficiently as heteromeric complexes. Biophysical analysis demonstrated that these particles possess the same quaternary structure as the homomeric TET dodecamers. The same hetero‐oligomeric complexes were immunodetected in P. horikoshii cell extracts analysed by sucrose gradient fractionation and ion exchange chromatography. The biochemical activity of a purified hetero‐oligomeric TET particle, assessed on chromogenic substrates and on a complex mixture of peptides, reveals that it displays higher efficiency than an equivalent combination of homo‐oligomeric TET particles. Interestingly, phylogenetic analysis shows that PhTET2 and PhTET3 are paralogous proteins that arose from gene duplication in the ancestor of Thermococcales. Together, these results establish that the PhTET2 and PhTET3 proteins are two subunits of the same enzymatic complex aimed at the destruction of polypeptidic chains of very different composition. This is the first report for such a mechanism intended to improve multi‐enzymatic complex efficiency among exopeptidases.
Islamic Intellectual Capital Management as the New Educational Management Concept in Madrasah Aliyah (Case studies in MAN 1 Kota Bandung and MAS Husnul Khotimah Kuningan)

This research aims to elaborate Islamic Intellectual Capital Management (ICM) as management model formulated by balancing between the conventional working principles of ICM spiritual values as a basic philosophical foundation in Islamic High or Madrasah Aliyah (MA). This research used descriptive analytics method by survey. In a mainly qualitative investigation, empirical data from two MA’s in West Java province were collected by means of focus group and individual interviews as well as observation. These data were analyzed in accordance with accepted procedures for qualitative data processing. The result of the research showed that the intellectual capital in MA Husnul Khotimah, Kuningan city is better than MA 1, Bandung city. The conclusion is that Islamic ICM balances material and immaterial qualitative aspects of the educational management currently as a focus of the development of Islamic institutions in order to achieve high Madrasa Aliyah values. Keywords—intellectual capital management; islamic education management; human resource development
Measurement of continuity of care in cardiac patients: reliability and validity of an in-person questionnaire.

BACKGROUND Breaks in continuity of care occur during the care of patients with cardiac conditions, such as congestive heart failure (CHF) and atrial fibrillation (AF), during their hospitalization, the discharge process or follow-up care. Recently, to measure continuity of care for such patients, a comprehensive questionnaire was developed to reflect the cardiac patient's perspective on multifaceted aspects of continuity of care. OBJECTIVE To examine the psychometric properties of an in-person interview questionnaire for the measurement of continuity of care in patients recently hospitalized with CHF or AF. METHODS The Heart Continuity of Care Questionnaire (HCCQ) was administered to 350 cardiac patients (176 with CHF and 174 with AF) at least six months after discharge from hospitals in two urban centres. The questionnaire was assessed by item and principal components analysis. Factors derived from principal components analysis were assessed for internal consistency and construct validity against variables of comorbidity, health status and symptom severity. RESULTS A principal components analysis produced three subscales. These subscales were internally consistent, and demonstrated construct validity through expected correlations with other variables and theoretical constructs. CONCLUSION The present study supports the reliability and validity of the HCCQ for measuring continuity of care. The HCCQ subscales correspond to the theoretical components of continuity of care that have been proposed, namely relational, informational and management continuity. The HCCQ subscales may be of value for identifying problems in continuity of care and for evaluating interventions aimed at improving continuity of care for cardiac patients after hospital discharge.
Interactions between bradykinin (BK) and cell adhesion molecule (CAM) expression in peptidoglycan‐polysaccharide (PG‐PS)‐induced arthritis

Bradykinin (BK), a vasoactive, proinflammatory nonapeptide, promotes cell adhesion molecule (CAM) expression, leukocyte sequestration, inter‐endothelial gap formation, and protein extravasation in postcapillary venules. These effects are mediated by bradykinin‐1 (B1R) and‐2 (B2R) receptors. We delineated some of the mechanisms by which BK could influence chronic inflammation by altering CAM expression on leukocytes, endothelium, and synovium in joint sections of peptidoglycan‐polysaccharide‐injected Lewis rats. Blocking B1R results in significantly increased joint inflammation. Immunohistochemistry of the B1R antagonist group revealed increased leukocyte and synovial CD11b and CD54 expression and increased CD11b and CD44 endothelial expression. B2R antagonism decreased leukocyte and synovial CD44 and CD54 and endothelial CD11b expression. Although these findings implicate B2R involvement in the acute phase of inflammation by facilitating leukocyte activation (CD11b), homing (CD44), and transmigration (CD54). Treatment with a B2R antagonist did not affect the disease evolution in this model. In contrast, when both BK receptors are blocked, the aggravation of inflammation by B1R blockade is neutralized and there is no difference from the disease‐untreated model. Our findings suggest that B1R and B2R signaling show physiologic antagonism. B1R signaling suggests involvement in down‐regulation of leukocyte activation, transmigration, and homing. Further studies are needed to evaluate the B1 receptor agonist's role in this model.
Development and validation of RAYDOSE: a Geant4-based application for molecular radiotherapy

We developed and validated a Monte-Carlo-based application (RAYDOSE) to generate patient-specific 3D dose maps on the basis of pre-treatment imaging studies. A CT DICOM image is used to model patient geometry, while repeated PET scans are employed to assess radionuclide kinetics and distribution at the voxel level. In this work, we describe the structure of this application and present the tests performed to validate it against reference data and experiments. We used the spheres of a NEMA phantom to calculate S values and total doses. The comparison with reference data from OLINDA/EXM showed an agreement within 2% for a sphere size above 2.8 cm diameter. A custom heterogeneous phantom composed of several layers of Perspex and lung equivalent material was used to compare TLD measurements of gamma radiation from 131I to Monte Carlo simulations. An agreement within 5% was found. RAYDOSE has been validated against reference data and experimental measurements and can be a useful multi-modality platform for treatment planning and research in MRT.
G‐protein coupled receptor kinase 5 mediates lipopolysaccharide‐induced NFκB activation in primary macrophages and modulates inflammation in vivo in mice

G‐protein coupled receptor kinase‐5 (GRK5) is a serine/threonine kinase discovered for its role in the regulation of G‐protein coupled receptor signaling. Recent studies have shown that GRK5 is also an important regulator of signaling pathways stimulated by non‐GPCRs. This study was undertaken to determine the physiological role of GRK5 in Toll‐like receptor‐4‐induced inflammatory signaling pathways in vivo and in vitro. Using mice genetically deficient in GRK5 (GRK5−/−) we demonstrate here that GRK5 is an important positive regulator of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, a TLR4 agonist)‐induced inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production in vivo. Consistent with this role, LPS‐induced neutrophil infiltration in the lungs (assessed by myeloperoxidase activity) was markedly attenuated in the GRK5−/− mice compared to the GRK5+/+ mice. Similar to the in vivo studies, primary macrophages from GRK5−/− mice showed attenuated cytokine production in response to LPS. Our results also identify TLR4‐induced NFκB pathway in macrophages to be selectively regulated by GRK5. LPS‐induced IκBα phosphorylation, NFκB p65 nuclear translocation, and NFκB binding were markedly attenuated in GRK5−/− macrophages. Together, our findings demonstrate that GRK5 is a positive regulator of TLR4‐induced IκBα–NFκB pathway as well as a key modulator of LPS‐induced inflammatory response. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 1323–1333, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.