Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cost-effectiveness of antiseptic-impregnated central venous catheters for the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infection.

CONTEXT A recent randomized controlled trial and meta-analysis indicated that central venous catheters impregnated with an antiseptic combination of chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine are efficacious in reducing the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI); however, the ultimate clinical and economic consequences of their use have not been formally evaluated. OBJECTIVE To estimate the incremental clinical and economic outcomes associated with the use of antiseptic-impregnated vs standard catheters. DESIGN Decision analytic model using data from randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and case-control studies, as well as safety data from the US Food and Drug Administration. SETTING AND PATIENTS A hypothetical cohort of hospitalized patients at high risk for catheter-related infections (eg, patients in intensive care units, immunosuppressed patients, and patients receiving total parenteral nutrition) requiring use of a central venous catheter. INTERVENTION Short-term use (2-10 days) of chlorhexidine-silver sulfadiazine-impregnated multilumen central venous catheters and nonimpregnated catheters. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Expected incidence of CR-BSI and death attributable to antiseptic-impregnated and standard catheter use; direct medical costs for both types of catheters. RESULTS In the base-case analysis, use of antiseptic-impregnated catheters resulted in a decrease in the incidence of CR-BSI of 2.2% (5.2% for standard vs 3.0% for antiseptic-impregnated catheters), a decrease in the incidence of death of 0.33% (0.78% for standard vs 0.45% for antiseptic-impregnated), and a decrease in costs of $196 per catheter used ($532 for standard vs $336 for antiseptic-impregnated). The decrease in CR-BSI ranged from 1.2% to 3.4%, the decrease in death ranged from 0.09% to 0.78%, and the costs saved ranged from $68 to $391 in a multivariate sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSION Our analyses suggest that use of chlorhexidine-silver sulfadiazine-impregnated central venous catheters in patients at high risk for catheter-related infections reduces the incidence of CR-BSI and death and provides significant saving in costs. Use of these catheters should be considered as part of a comprehensive nosocomial infection control program.
Modulation of cholinergic neurotransmission in guinea‐pig airways by opioids

1 Opioid receptors have been localised on sensory fibres in the vagus nerve and opioids have previously been shown to inhibit non‐adrenergic, non‐cholinergic (NANC) neurotransmission in guinea‐pig bronchi in vitro and in vivo. We have now investigated whether an inhibitory effect could be demonstrated on cholinergic neurotransmission. 2 Electrical field stimulation (EFS) (8 Hz, 0.5 ms, 40 V for 20 s) produced only a rapid, cholinergic response in the upper trachea but in the lower trachea and main bronchi a cholinergic response which was atropine‐sensitive and a longer lasting NANC contraction that was atropine‐insensitive was demonstrated. This slow contraction could be blocked by tetrodotoxin and capsaicin pretreatment. 3 [d‐Ala2, NMePhe4, Gly‐ol5]enkephalin (DAMGO), a selective μ‐opioid receptor agonist, inhibited the cholinergic response to EFS at 8 Hz in a dose‐dependent manner in main bronchi (IC50 = 113 nm with a maximal inhibition of 35.7 ± 5.6% 10 μm, n = 5). In the lower trachea, DAMGO inhibited the cholinergic response to a similar extent (inhibition of 35.8 ± 3.5% at 10 μm, n = 5). However, DAMGO had no effect on the contractile response to exogenously applied acetylcholine in the main bronchi. By contrast, opioids had no inhibitory effect on cholinergic neurotransmission in the upper trachea. DAMGO (1 μm) inhibited the cholinergic response to EFS in a frequency‐dependent manner in the main bronchi with greater inhibition at lower frequencies of stimulation. 4 The δ‐opioid receptor agonist [d‐Pen2, d‐Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE) significantly inhibited the cholinergic component of the constrictor response to EFS at 8 Hz in the bronchi but at the highest dose used (10 μm). U‐50,488H, a κ‐receptor agonist, had no inhibitory effect on the cholinergic constrictor component in the main bronchi (10 μm). 5 DAMGO also inhibited the NANC responses to EFS in the main bronchi in a dose‐dependent manner (with an IC50 = 36 nm and a maximal inhibition of 63.4 ± 8.3%, at 1 μm, n = 5). DAMGO had no effect on contractile responses to exogenously applied substance P (SP). DPDPE (10 μm) was less effective in inhibition of the NANC bronchoconstriction with a maximal inhibition of 29.2 ± 4.2% (n = 7), and U‐50,488H (10 μm) had no inhibitory effect. 6 After capsaicin pretreatment, which depleted sensory nerves of neuropeptides, the inhibitory effect of DAMGO (1 μm) on cholinergic constriction in main bronchi at 8 Hz was only 13.4 ± 1.9% (n = 13) compared with 32.9 ± 4.0% (n = 9) inhibition in vehicle‐treated controls (P < 0.001). 7 Opioids may reduce the cholinergic neural responses in airways partly via an inhibitory action on excitatory NANC nerves and partly by a direct effect on cholinergic neurotransmission. The opioid receptor involved is of the μ‐opioid receptor subtype.
Characterization of streptomyces lydicus WYEC108 as a potential biocontrol agent against fungal root and seed rots

The actinomycete Streptomyces lydicus WYEC108 showed strong in vitro antagonism against various fungal plant pathogens in plate assays by producing extracellular antifungal metabolites. When Pythium ultimum or Rhizoctonia solani was grown in liquid medium with S. lydicus WYEC108, inhibition of growth of the fungi was observed. When WYEC108 spores or mycelia were used to coat pea seeds, the seeds were protected from invasion by P. ultimum in an oospore-enriched soil. While 100% of uncoated control seeds were infected by P. ultimum within 48 h after planting, less than 40% of coated seeds were infected. When the coated seeds were planted in soil 24 h prior to introduction of the pathogen, 96 h later, less than 30% of the germinating seeds were infected. Plant growth chamber studies were also carried out to test for plant growth effects and for suppression by S. lydicus WYEC108 of Pythium seed rot and root rot. When WYEC108 was applied as a spore-peat moss-sand formulation (10(8) CFU/g) to P. ultimum-infested sterile or nonsterile soil planted with pea and cotton seeds, significant increases in average plant stand, plant length, and plant weight were observed in both cases compared with untreated control plants grown in similar soils. WYEC108 hyphae colonized and were able to migrate downward with the root as it elongated. Over a period of 30 days, the population of WYEC108 colonized emerging roots of germinating seeds and remained stable (10(5) CFU/g) in the rhizosphere, whereas the nonrhizosphere population of WYEC108 declined at least 100-fold (from 10(5) to 10(3) or fewer CFU/g). The stability of the WYEC108 population incubated at 25 degrees C in the formulation, in sterile soil, and in nonsterile soil was also evaluated. In all three environments, the population of WYEC108 maintained its size for 90 days or more. When pea, cotton, and sweet corn seeds were placed into sterile and nonsterile soils containing 10(6) or more CFU of WYEC108 per g, it colonized the emerging roots. After a 1-week growing period, WYEC108 populations of 10(5) CFU/g (wet weight) of root were found on pea roots in the amended sterile soil environment versus 10(4) CFU/g in amended nonsterile soil. To further study the in vitro interaction between the streptomycete and P. ultimum, mycelia of WYEC108 were mixed with oospores of P. ultimum in agar, which was then used as a film to coat slide coverslips. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Debt Financing and the Cost of Capital in the Neoclassical Investment Model

versa. The MM analysis, however, operates at the level of market equilibrium on the demand side, taking the firm's real invest ment decisions and the supply of securities as given. In addition, the model is static in that the cost of capital is held constant over time.1 The neoclassical investment model [Jor genson (1963)], on the other hand, focuses on the firm's real investment decisions and operates at a micro level on the supply side of the securities market. Real investment is endogenous and the cost of capital is allowed to change dynamically. This model, however, does not incorporate the firm's financing con straint or investors' reactions to different fi
The influence of inulin on the absorption of nitrogen and the production of metabolites of protein fermentation in the colon

In the present study, the production and fate of bacterial metabolites in the colon were investigated in a direct way using two substrates labelled with stable isotopes: lactose [15N, 15N]ureide as a source of labelled ammonia and egg proteins intrinsically labelled with [2H4]tyrosine as a precursor of [2H4]p-cresol. Both ammonia and phenolic compounds are believed to be carcinogenic. Stimulation of carbohydrate fermentation in order to prevent accumulation of these toxic metabolites was induced by inclusion of inulin in a test meal or by addition of inulin to the daily diet, allowing us to distinguish between changes induced by the actual presence of a fermentable carbohydrate and effects caused by a long-term dietary intervention. When a single dose of inulin was administered together with the labelled substrates, a significant increase in faecal 15N excretion, accompanied by a proportional decrease in urinary 15N excretion was observed, probably reflecting an enhanced uptake of ammonia for bacterial biosynthesis, since an increased concentration of labelled N in bacterial pellets was found. A statistically significant reduction of urinary [2H4]p-cresol excretion was also noted. Upon supplementation of inulin to the daily diet during 4 weeks, however, only a tendency towards decreased urinary excretion of both labelled and unlabelled p-cresol was noted. Further studies are warranted to confirm these results in a larger cohort.
Implementation of IEQMS model in engineering educational institutions – a structural equation modelling approach

Quality education is considered to be pivotal and imperative in the present context of cut-throat competition. This has prompted higher educational institutions to go for a quality model. Responding to the stakeholders’ expectations and the government's regulations, most of the engineering institutions in India have implemented one or two of the quality management concepts in a bid to maintain quality in education. In compliance with the above, a comprehensive quality model called IEQMS (Integrated Educational Quality Management System) was developed incorporating the important dimensions from the following quality concepts. The quality concepts are ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System, ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System, Occupational Health and Safety Management System, Six Sigma (Define–Measure–Analyse–Improve–Control [DMAIC] Methodology), Knowledge Management, Lean Thinking, and Total Quality Management. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the importance of the critical success factors in the implementation of the IEQMS model in Engineering Educational Institutions from the perspective of members of faculty. For this purpose, data were collected from 324 faculty members of engineering colleges in India through a structured, validated, and standardised questionnaire. The model fit was established by using the structural equation modelling technique. The findings of the research showed the goodness of the model fit.
Term-Structure Modelling at the Zero Lower Bound: Implications for Estimating the Forward Term Premium

Although the affine Gaussian term-structure model has been a workhorse model in term-structure modelling, it remains doubtful whether it is an appropriate model in a low interest rate environment because of its inability to preclude negative interest rates. This paper uses an alternative quadratic Gaussian-term structure model which is well known to be as tractable as the affine model and yet is suitable for interest rates close to zero. Compared with the quadratic model under the zero lower bound, we illustrate how the estimated term premium can be biased upward under the affine model. In contrast to the affine model, our numerical study shows that the quadratic model renders the estimated term premium less likely to be affected by the persistence of the data near the zero lower bound.
A long‐lasting interferon‐γ response is induced to a single inoculation of antigen‐pulsed dendritic cells

Vaccines against infectious organisms must produce not only long‐lasting immunity but also the appropriate immune response to clear the infection. Obligate intracellular parasites, such as mycobacteria, require a predominantly cell‐mediated immune response rather than antibody. Presentation of antigen by dendritic cells (DC) has been associated with the development of strong cell‐mediated responses generating the production of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ). This cytokine has an essential role in the elimination of mycobacteria. Therefore, we investigated both the duration and the nature of the immune response after priming with DC pulsed with mycobacterial antigen and compared this with priming using a conventional adjuvant. We used two strains of mice: C57BL/6, which inherently produces a T‐helper 1 (Th1)‐type response to mycobacterial antigen, and BALB/c, which does not. DC‐enriched cell suspensions, purified DC or cultured bone marrow cells resembling DC (BMAPC) were prepared, pulsed overnight with PPD and injected intravenously (i.v.) into naive mice. Six and 12 weeks later, splenic T lymphocytes from these mice were challenged in vitro with antigen and their proliferative response and cytokine production was determined. Significant antigen‐specific proliferation was observed in all assays on rechallenge with antigen in vitro 6 and 12 weeks after the initial priming with DC. IFN‐γ was detected in both strains but was only antigen specific in the C57BL/6 strain. Purified protein derivative (PPD)‐pulsed BMAPC generated similar responses 6 weeks after priming. Thus, long‐term T‐lymphocyte responses and the production of IFN‐γ can be generated using a single inoculation of PPD‐pulsed DC.
Survival benefits from reduced‐intensity conditioning in allogeneic stem cell transplantation for young lower‐risk MDS patients without significant comorbidities

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the optimum conditioning intensity for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in young (age ≤50), lower‐risk (INT‐1 by IPSS) Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients without significant comorbidities (hematopoietic cell transplantation‐comorbidity index score ≤3). Methods: Transplant outcomes from 46 consecutive patients were retrospectively analyzed according to the conditioning intensity: reduced‐intensity conditioning (RIC; n = 14), intensified RIC by adding low‐dose total body irradiation (iRIC; n = 15), and myeloablative conditioning (MAC; n = 17). Results: After a median follow‐up of 73.7 months, RIC had a better 4‐yr overall survival (OS) (92.9%) compared with the iRIC (64.2%) or MAC (70.6%). Multivariate analysis showed that RIC was associated with improved OS compared with the MAC [relative risk (RR) of 0.08, P = 0.022] because of a lower transplant‐related mortality (TRM) (RR, 0.08, P = 0.035). iRIC failed to show survival benefits over the MAC (RR of 0.77, P = 0.689) because of similarly high TRM (RR of 0.41, P = 0.480). Cumulative incidence of acute and chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) after RIC was higher, but GVHD‐specific survival was significantly better (RIC 100% vs. iRIC 45.7% vs. MAC, P = 0.018). Relapse rate was not different among the three groups, but in the RIC group, azacitidine was available and useful for inducing remission in two patients. Conclusion: This study shows that RIC improved OS by directly lowering TRM and indirectly giving an additional chance for relapsed MDS in the era of hypomethylating treatment. RIC–SCT should be considered for relative healthy lower‐risk MDS patients.
Structural basis for binding the TREX2 complex to nuclear pores, GAL1 localisation and mRNA export

The conserved Sac3:Thp1:Sem1:Sus1:Cdc31 (TREX2) complex binds to nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) and, in addition to integrating mRNA nuclear export with preceding steps in the gene expression pathway, facilitates re-positioning of highly regulated actively transcribing genes (such as GAL1) to NPCs. Although TREX2 is thought to bind NPC protein Nup1, defining the precise role of this interaction has been frustrated by the complex pleiotropic phenotype exhibited by nup1Δ strains. To provide a structural framework for understanding the binding of TREX2 to NPCs and its function in the gene expression pathway, we have determined the structure of the Nup1:TREX2 interaction interface and used this information to engineer a Sac3 variant that impairs NPC binding while not compromising TREX2 assembly. This variant inhibited the NPC association of both de-repressed and activated GAL1 and also produced mRNA export and growth defects. These results indicate that the TREX2:Nup1 interaction facilitates the efficient nuclear export of bulk mRNA together with the re-positioning of GAL1 to NPCs that is required for transcriptional control that is mediated by removal of SUMO from repressors by NPC-bound Ulp1.
The upper(lower) boundaries of RMB in net foreign exchange reserves with penalty cost

This study intends to develop long-/short-term mathematical models to calculate the upper and lower boundaries of foreign exchange rate and the penalty cost interval by (i) using the weights derived from the volatility between the actual and expected exchange rates forecasted with three hypotheses, purchasing power parity, international Fisher effect, and forward rate as an unbiased predictor of the future spot exchange rate; (ii) focusing on the movement of foreign exchange reserves as the major consequence of trade imbalance to estimate the penalty cost on holding foreign exchange reserves a a basis to adjust the net foreign exchange reserves level. By analyzing the results, the short-term RMB foreign exchange rate boundary and penalty cost interval are 8.7134–7.9321 and US$323,276-$59,572 million respectively while the long-term RMB foreign exchange rate boundary and penalty cost interval are 8.3746–6.1177 and US$1 16,777-$ 1,78 1,235 million respectively
Family, Friends and Framing: A Cross-Country Study of Subjective Survival Expectations

We implement a two-country online choice experiment on around 2000 respondents per country, first, to investigate the formation of subjective survival expectations; and second, to evaluate the relation between subjective survival expectations and attitudes to pension regulations. Each respondent provided subjective survival probabilities to a range of target ages in either a "live to" or "die by" framing, then subsets of respondents were sorted to conditions where information about current cohort survival, personalized information on same-sex parent or grandparent survival, or both, were provided and the respondent updated their subjective survival expectations. Finally, respondents were asked their views on changes to pension eligibility ages. We find that giving people information about the longevity of peers does not induce them to revise their subjective survival expectations much, and neither does information about the relative longevity of their same-sex parent or grandparent. "Live to" and "die by" framing has a much larger effect on reported subjective expectations than personalized information about cohort or family longevity. However subjective expectations are relevant to explaining opinions on retirement policy and planning. Regulators trying to educate the public about longevity and the consequent need for delayed retirement or pension ages need alternative strategies.
Suppressive Effect of IL-27 on Encephalitogenic Th17 Cells and the Effector Phase of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis1

IL-27 has been shown to play a suppressive role in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as demonstrated by more severe disease in IL-27R-deficient (WSX-1−/−) mice. However, whether IL-27 influences the induction or effector phase of EAE is unknown. This is an important question as therapies for autoimmune diseases are generally started after autoreactive T cells have been primed. In this study, we demonstrate maximal gene expression of IL-27 subunits and its receptor in the CNS at the effector phases of relapsing-remitting EAE including disease peak and onset of relapse. We also show that activated astrocyte cultures secrete IL-27p28 protein which is augmented by the endogenous factor, IFN-γ. To investigate functional significance of a correlation between gene expression and disease activity, we examined the effect of IL-27 at the effector phase of disease using adoptive transfer EAE. Exogenous IL-27 potently suppressed the ability of encephalitogenic lymph node and spleen cells to transfer EAE. IL-27 significantly inhibited both nonpolarized and IL-23-driven IL-17 production by myelin-reactive T cells thereby suppressing their encephalitogenicity in adoptive transfer EAE. Furthermore, we demonstrate a strong suppressive effect of IL-27 on active EAE in vivo when delivered by s.c. osmotic pump. IL-27-treated mice had reduced CNS inflammatory infiltration and, notably, a lower proportion of Th17 cells. Together, these data demonstrate the suppressive effect of IL-27 on primed, autoreactive T cells, particularly, cells of the Th17 lineage. IL-27 can potently suppress the effector phase of EAE in vivo and, thus, may have therapeutic potential in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Spatial alignment across gaps: contributions of orientation and spatial scale.

To assess the contributions of orientation and spatial scale to the processing of relative-position information for broadband spatial targets, we measure misalignment thresholds for dots separated by as much as 6 deg, in the presence of one-dimensional spatial noise. For all the dot separations, thresholds for misalignment are raised most when the mask is oriented at approximately 20 deg to either side of true alignment. This bimodal orientation tuning function appears to be fundamental to the alignment judgment, including abutting vernier acuity for equally visible lines [Vision Res. 33, 1619 (1993)]. With increasing dot separation the spatial frequency at which peak masking occurs becomes progressively lower, a finding that suggests that the spatial mechanisms important for processing this information become larger. However, the rate of increase in size of these putative mechanisms is insufficient to account for the increase in relative-position thresholds for increasingly separated stimuli (i.e., Weber's law for alignment). In addition, oriented masks placed between two target lines lead to threshold elevation, revealing that the collection of positional information between target features may be important for optimal processing of misalignment thresholds. The findings of this study suggest that, although shifts in spatial scale of the underlying low-level oriented mechanisms may contribute to increased misalignment thresholds with increasing separation, additional factors, such as positional uncertainty associated with eccentricity per se, are limiting.