Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ffects of yokukansan on behavioral and psychological symptoms of vascular ementia : An open-label trial

Previous clinical trials suggest that the traditional Japanese medicine yokukansan has beneficial effects on the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The present study was conducted to elucidate the efficacy of yokukansan on BPSD in patients with vascular dementia. Thirteen Japanese patients (9 men and 4 women) who were diagnosed as having vascular dementia (VaD) according to the diagnostic criteria of NINDS-AIREN were subjected to the open-label clinical trial in which yokukansan (7.5 g/day) has been given for 4 weeks. Their mean age was 71.2 ± 6.5 years. The BPSD was evaluated using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), cognitive function was evaluated by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the activities of daily living was evaluated by Barthel index (BI) and Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD), and the extrapyramidal signs were evaluated by United Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). The mean NPI was 33.0 ± 17.3 and 23.6 ± 13.9 for the baseline and after treatment, respectively. It was significantly improved after treatment (p < 0.05). In the NPI-subcategories, there was a significant improvement in agitation and disinhibition after the treatment. There was no significant change in MMSE, BI, DAD or UPDRS before and after the treatment. There was no adverse effect during the treatment period. The present results suggest that yokukansan is beneficial for the treatment of BPSD in VaD patients.
Reporting patterns of adverse drug reactions over recent years in China: analysis from publications

Purpose: The goal of this study was to clarify the reporting patterns of self-reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in China. Methods: A variety of sources were searched, including the official website of China FDA, the national center for ADR monitoring center, publications from PubMed, and so on. We retrieved the relevant information and made descriptive and comparative analysis from the year 2009 to 2013. Results: The ADR reporting numbers were 638,996, 692,904, 852,799, 1,200,000 and 1,317,000 from 2009 to 2013, respectively. Healthcare professionals contributed significantly, and their proportion always exceeded 80% before 2012. The average report per million inhabitants has increased from 479 to 983 from 2009 to 2013. However, the proportion of new or serious report was always below 25%. The reports mainly concern anti-infective agents and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), especially TCM injection. The proportion of ADR reports in geriatric patients has increased for 4 consecutive years. Conclusions: ADR report numbers and reporting rates in China are on the rise. However, the proportion of new or serious reports as well as the proportion of reports contributed by consumers and pharmaceutical companies are still quite low. More attention should be paid to the elderly, anti-infective agents and TCM, especially TCM injections.
Improving Prediction Accuracy in Neighborhood-Based Collaborative Filtering by Using Local Similarity

Neighborhood-based algorithms are some of the most promising memory-based collaborative filtering approaches for recommender systems. Many of these algorithms rely on a global similarity measure to select the most similar neighbors for rating prediction. However, these approaches may fail in capturing some meaningful relationships among users. In the real world, although users can show interest in a wide range of objects, they can express more interest in objects contained in a specific topic, which typically comprises a bulk of closely related objects. In this paper, we propose a local similarity method that has the ability to exploit multiple correlation structures between users who express their preferences for objects that are likely to have similar properties. For this, we use a clustering method to find groups of similar objects. Then we create a user-based similarity model for each cluster, which we named Cluster-based Local Similarity (CBLS) model. Each similarity model relies on rating normalization and resource allocation techniques that are sensitive to the ratings assigned to objects contained in the cluster. We performed experiments using two clustering algorithms (affinity propagation and K-Means) and compared the results with other neighborhood-based collaborative filtering approaches. Our numerical results on three benchmark datasets (MovieLens 100k, MovieLens 1M, and Netflix) demonstrate that the proposed method is competitive and outperforms traditional and state-of-the-art collaborative filtering-based similarity models in terms of accuracy metrics like mean absolute error (MAE) and root-mean-square error (RMSE).
Overdose--the early treatment.

THE ACCIDENTAL or purposeful ingestion of large quantities of drugs is epidemic! Emergent care of an overdosed patient cannot be solely the responsibility of the emergency department physician, for in order for treatment to be most effective, it must be rendered early. Therefore, all physicians must be prepared to deliver immediate care for this potentially lethal condition. Unfortunately, although the basic goals of therapy are simple, many physicians are unfamiliar with the details of treatment. Much of what many of us have learned is based on anecdotes, and perhaps the scientific principles of therapy have not been adequately stressed. In addition, many of the reviews of the treatment of drug ingestion are quite general, making detailed information difficult to acquire.2'3 With these thoughts in mind, we have attempted to provide concise, practical information for the early care of overdosed patients. Much of the body of data reviewed is based on studies in vitro, in animal models or in children, but the recommendations are quite applicable to adults. We will not attempt to describe long-term therapy, but will focus only on immediate care.
The role of nurse support within an Internet-delivered weight management intervention: A qualitative study

This qualitative study explored patients’ experiences of nurse support for an Internet-delivered weight management intervention. Eighteen patients who had received either basic or regular nurse support (three or seven contacts, respectively) for the Internet intervention were interviewed. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings suggest that more regular support for Internet interventions may have the potential to inhibit the development of autonomous motivation for weight loss, which might lead to problems in sustaining losses after support ends. Further research is now needed to confirm whether motivation is influenced by frequency of nurse support in Internet interventions in order to inform the development of optimal support which promotes sustained weight loss.
The Impact of Penetration Enhancers on Transdermal Drug Delivery System: Physical and Chemical Approach

There is considerable interest in the skin as a site of drug application for both local and systemic effect. However, the skin, in particular the stratum corneum, possesses a formidable barrier to drug penetration thereby limiting topical and transdermal bioavailability. Skin penetration enhancement techniques have been developed to improve bioavailability and to increase the range of drugs for which topical and transdermal delivery is a viable option. Transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) having objective to deliver the therapeutic moiety via the skin into the systemic circulation for its therapeutic effect. This route provides many advantages over other routes as avoiding first pass hepatic metabolism, decrease side effects, GI effects and increased bioavailability. The skin, in particular stratum corneum provides protective barrier that prevents the loss of physiologically essential substances and provide resistance to penetration and it is the rate limiting step in percutaneous absorption. So, various penetration enhancers have been used to promote the percutaneous absorption of a number of drugs. Several research studies have been done in transdermal permeation studies using various enhancers for several drug moieties. This review high lights the detailed role of penetration enhancers and describes the classification of different penetration enhancers with their mechanism of action and properties. Most of the earlier reviews have focused on a certain selected aspect of transdermal drug delivery. This review presents a comprehensive account of various aspects of drug delivery by transdermal route including the various chemical and physical penetration enhancers.
A Gurmukhi script recognition system

A system for recognition of machine printed Gurmukhi script is presented. The recognition system presented operates at sub-character level. The segmentation process breaks a word into sub-characters and the recognition phase consists of classifying these sub-characters and combining them to form Gurmukhi characters. A set of very simple and easy to computer features is used and a hybrid classification scheme consisting of binary decision trees and nearest neighbours is employed. A recognition rate of 96.6% at the processing speed of 175 characters second was achieved on clean images of text without employing any post-processing technique.
Integrating truck arrival management into tactical operation planning at container terminals

Abstract Truck arrival management (TAM) has been recognized as an effective solution to alleviate the gate congestion at container terminals. To further utilize TAM in improving the overall terminal performance, this study integrates TAM with the other terminal operations at a tactical level. An integrated planning model and a sequential planning model are presented to coordinate the major terminal planning activities, including quayside berth allocation, yard storage space allocation and TAM. A heuristic-based genetic algorithm is developed to solve the models. A range of numerical examinations are performed to compare two planning models. The result shows that: the integrated model can improve the terminal performance significantly from the sequential model alone, particularly when the gate capacity and the yard capacity are relatively low; whereas the sequential model is more efficient than the integrated model in terms of computational time.
Standardization of relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) image maps for ease of both inter‐ and intrapatient comparisons

Relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) measured using dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI suffers from interpatient and interstudy variability for the same tissue type. Traditionally, when a more quantitative assessment of rCBV is required, as for comparison across studies and patients, the rCBV values are normalized to the rCBV in a reference region such as normal‐appearing white matter. However, this technique of normalization is subjective and time consuming and introduces user‐dependent variability. In this study, we demonstrate that a method called standardization, applied to rCBV maps, is an objective means of translating all rCBV values to a consistent scale. This approach reduces interpatient and interstudy variability for the same tissue type, thus enabling easy and accurate visual and quantitative comparison across studies. One caveat to this approach is that it is not appropriate for the evaluation of global changes in blood volume, since systematic differences are removed in the process of standardization. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mediators of HIV-related stigma and risk behavior in HIV infected young women

Abstract Stigma in HIV positive persons has been associated with numerous negative sequelae, including decreased social support, depressive symptoms, and engagement in risk behaviors. Few studies examined the interrelationships of these factors to facilitate understanding of the mechanisms by which HIV stigma influences risk behavior, thus the current study focuses on identifying pathways between HIV-related stigma and risk behavior in 147 young HIV positive women. Depression and social support were hypothesized to mediate between HIV-related stigma and risk behavior. Structural equation modeling was used to test these hypothesized pathways, results suggested that depression was a significant mediator between HIV-related stigma and risk behavior. Implications for interventions with young HIV positive women who report high levels of HIV-related stigma include a focus on depression as a method of reducing engagement in risk behavior and improving mental health and health behaviors in persons living with HIV.
Lateralized effect of rapid-rate transcranial magnetic stimulation of the prefrontal cortex on mood

We studied the effects of rapid-rate transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of different scalp positions on mood Ten normal volunteers rated themselves before and after rTMS on five analog scales labeled ``Tristeza'' (Sadness), ``Ansiedad'' (Anxiety), ``Alegria'' (Happiness), ``Cansancio'' (Tiredness), and ``Dolor/Malestar'' (Pain/Discomfort). rTMS was applied to the right lateral prefrontal, left prefrontal, or midline frontal cortex in trains of 5 seconds' duration at 10 Hz and 110% of the subject's motor threshold intensity. Each stimulation position received 10 trains separated by a 25-second pause. No clinically apparent mood changes were evoked by rTMS to any of the scalp positions in any subject. However, left prefrontal rTMS resulted in a significant increase in the Sadness ratings (Tristeza) and a significant decrease in the Happiness ratings (``Alegria'') as compared with right prefrontal and midfrontal cortex stimulation. These results show differential effects of rTMS of left and right prefrontal cortex stimulation on mood and illustrate the lateralized control of mood in normal volunteers. NEUROLOGY 1996,46 499-502.
Does Implementation of a Human Resource Information System Influence Employee's Turnover Intention in Developing Country?

This study aims to determine the factors that influence employees' intentions to take certain actions or behaviors which have implications for employee satisfaction and employees' desires to leave the company. This research provides insights for companies so that they can utilize HR information systems (HRIS) not only for personnel administrative purposes but also for increasing company productivity. The results of this study are expected to provide the company an overview on how to automate human resources management by utilizing HRIS effectively and efficiently. The respondents of this research were HR employees who work in state-owned enterprises in Indonesia. Structural Equation Modeling was used to analyze the data and hypotheses. This study found that compatibility, visibility, and relative advantage have positive effects on behavioral intention to use and have implications for user satisfaction. In addition, this study also found a relationship between complexity and behavioral intention to use as well as between behavioral intention to use and turnover intention.
The Potential of Statins for Buccal Delivery

Statins minimize the endogenous synthesis of cholesterol preventing the onset and development of artherosclerosis and are therefore used as an effective treatment against primary hypercholesterolemia. Statins do exhibit antiinflammatory, vasculoprotective, and antioxidant effects. The promising delivery of statins across the buccal mucosa poses a continuing challenge as well as a great opportunity. Buccal delivery has progressed far beyond the use of traditional dosage forms with novel approaches emerging continuously. Buccal drug delivery system in which drug enters directly in systemic circulation thereby by passing the first pass effect. The buccal route has been researched for a wide variety of drugs and has gained significant attention and momentum since it offers remarkable advantages. Buccal adhesive systems offer innumerable advantages in terms of accessibility, administration and withdrawal, retentivity, enhanced bioavailability, avoid first pass effect. At the current global scenario, scientists are finding ways to develop buccal adhesive systems through various approaches to improve the bioavailability of antihyperlipidemic drugs by manipulation of the formulation strategies like inclusion of pH modifiers, enzyme inhibitors, permeation enhances. This review highlights the buccal delivery approaches of statins.
Ionic Polymer Metal Composite Transducer and Self-Sensing Ability

During the recent decade, ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC), as a smart material, is gaining great importance in the use for both sensors and actuators. An ion polymer metal composite (IPMC) is an Electro-Active Polymer (EAP) that bends in response to a small applied electrical field as a result of mobility of cations in the polymer network [1] and vice versa. A typical IPMC sheet is constructed with a thin (200 μm) ionic polymer membrane like Nafion or Flemion and two metalic electrode layers (10 μm thick) outside such as platinum or gold. When a low voltage electrical field (1 – 5V) is applied, the transport of hydrated cations within the solvated IPMC and the associated electrostatic interactions lead to bending motions of the IPMC sheet. Thus, an IPMC can work as a small size actuator. Figure 1 illustrates the mechanism of the IPMC as actuator. On the other hand, when an IPMC is mechanically bent, it will generate a low voltage (order of milivolts) between the two electrodes. The generated voltage is due to the non-uniform concentration of ions in the IPMC membrane. Figure 2 illustrates the behavior of the IPMC as sensor.
Automated basal cell carcinoma detection in high-definition optical coherence tomography

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common non-melanoma skin cancer. Conventional diagnosis of BCC requires invasive biopsies. Recently, a high-definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT) technique has been developed, which provides a non-invasive in vivo imaging method of skin. Good agreements of BCC features between HD-OCT images and histopathological architecture have been found. Therefore it is possible to automatically detect BCC using HD-OCT. This paper presents a novel BCC detection method that consists of four steps: graph based skin surface segmentation, surface flattening, deep feature extraction and the BCC classification. The effectiveness of the proposed method is well demonstrated on a dataset of 5,040 images. It can therefore serve as an automatic tool for screening BCC.
A numerical method for solving reaction-advection-diffusion equations in irregular domains using the cellular automata

In this paper, a new numerical method is proposed to solve the reaction-advection-diffusion equation with spatio-temporal variation parameters by using the cellular automata. To this end, we first combine the finite difference method and the cellular automata to discretize the considered equation. The numerical solution and the corresponding convergence analysis are then carried out. A numerical simulation example is finally included to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of our proposed method.
The effects of DNA supercoiling on the expression of operons of the ilv regulon of Escherichia coli suggest a physiological rationale for divergently transcribed operons

Transcriptional activities of closely spaced divergent promoters are affected by the accumulation of local negative superhelicity in the region between transcribing RNA polymerase molecules (transcriptional coupling). The effect of this transcription‐induced DNA supercoiling on these promoters depends on their intrinsic properties. As the global superhelical density of the chromosome is controlled by the energy charge of the cell, which is affected by environmental stresses and transitions from one growth state to another, the transcriptional coupling that occurs between divergently transcribed promoters is likely to serve a physiological purpose. Here, we suggest that transcriptional coupling between the divergent promoters of the ilvYC operon of Escherichia coli serves to co‐ordinate the expression of this operon with other operons of the ilv regulon during metabolic adjustments associated with growth state transitions. As DNA supercoiling‐dependent transcriptional coupling between the promoters of other divergently transcribed operons is investigated, additional global gene regulatory mechanisms and physiological roles are sure to emerge.
Oral delivery of bioencapsulated exendin-4 expressed in chloroplasts lowers blood glucose level in mice and stimulates insulin secretion in beta-TC6 cells.

Glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) increases insulin secretion but is rapidly degraded (half-life: 2 min in circulation). GLP-1 analogue, exenatide (Byetta) has a longer half-life (3.3-4 h) with potent insulinotropic effects but requires cold storage, daily abdominal injections with short shelf life. Because patients with diabetes take >60 000 injections in their life time, alternative delivery methods are highly desired. Exenatide is ideal for oral delivery because insulinotropism is glucose dependent, with reduced risk of hypoglycaemia even at higher doses. Therefore, exendin-4 (EX4) was expressed as a cholera toxin B subunit (CTB)-fusion protein in tobacco chloroplasts to facilitate bioencapsulation within plant cells and transmucosal delivery in the gut via GM1 receptors present in the intestinal epithelium. The transgene integration was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analysis. Expression level of CTB-EX4 reached up to 14.3% of total leaf protein (TLP). Lyophilization of leaf material increased therapeutic protein concentration by 12- to 24-fold, extended their shelf life up to 15 months when stored at room temperature and eliminated microbes present in fresh leaves. The pentameric structure, disulphide bonds and functionality of CTB-EX4 were well preserved in lyophilized materials. Chloroplast-derived CTB-EX4 showed increased insulin secretion similar to the commercial EX4 in beta-TC6, a mouse pancreatic cell line. Even when 5000-fold excess dose of CTB-EX4 was orally delivered, it stimulated insulin secretion similar to the intraperitoneal injection of commercial EX4 but did not cause hypoglycaemia in mice. Oral delivery of the bioencapsulated EX4 should eliminate injections, increase patient compliance/convenience and significantly lower their cost.