Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical pharmacology of neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists for the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy

ABSTRACT Introduction: Five NK-1 RA formulations are commercially available to treat the delayed phase of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) occurring between days 2–5 post chemotherapy (aprepitant oral capsule and suspension, fosaprepitant intravenous infusion, netupitant/palonosetron capsules and rolapitant tablet) but no direct comparative studies have been conducted to determine their relative clinical utility. Areas covered: Information on pharmacology and safety of the NK-1 RAs derived from PubMed showed that all bind the NK-1 receptor with high affinity and selectivity. There is substantial variation in the disposition and time course in the body of NK-1 RAs because of the differential effects of hepatic metabolism. Unlike netupitant and rolapitant, aprepitant is metabolized extensively by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4. Aprepitant and netupitant also both inhibit CYP3A4. Consequently, aprepitant not only has a much shorter elimination half-life than netupitant and rolapitant but also a more prolific drug interaction profile. All of the NK-1 RAs are efficacious and safe, and are suitable for use in a range of different patient populations, including those with mild or moderate hepatic or renal impairment. Expert opinion: While discovery of NK-1 RAs represents a major breakthrough in CINV control, further work is needed to improve control of chemotherapy-induced nausea.
Developmental Trajectories of Writing Skills in First Grade

We examined growth trajectories of writing and the relation of children’s socioeconomic status and language and/or speech impairment to the growth trajectories. First-grade children (N = 304) were assessed on their written composition in the fall, winter, and spring, and their vocabulary and literacy skills in the fall. Children’s SES had a negative effect on writing quality and productivity. Children with language and/or speech impairment had lower scores than typically developing children in the quality and productivity of writing. Even after accounting for their vocabulary and literacy skills, students with language and/or speech impairment had lower scores in the quality and organization of writing. Growth rates in writing were not different as a function of children’s SES and language/speech impairment status. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Antibody response to enteric adenovirus types 40 and 41 in sera from people in various age groups

A total of 322 single and paired serum samples from children (newborn to 10 years old), young adults (18 to 20 years old), pregnant women and their cord serum samples, and elderly people (more than 70 years old) was tested for antibodies to enteric adenovirus types 40 and 41 by neutralization test. Serum samples were also tested for antibody to the common antigen of adenovirus by enzyme immunoassay. The incidence of antibodies rose gradually through childhood. Antibodies were found in 20% of children between 1 and 6 months old and in 50% of those 37 to 48 months old. Of serum samples from young adults, 48% had antibodies. Antibodies were found in 10% of serum samples from the aged. Of patients with acute gastroenteritis, 19% showed a significant rise in antibody to adenovirus type 40 or 41 or both, and 42% of the same serum samples had a significant rise in antibody to rotavirus by enzyme immunoassay. None of the serum samples tested was negative to adenovirus common antigen.
Whole-Genome Draft Sequences of 26 Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strains

ABSTRACT First identified in 1982, Escherichia coli O157:H7 is the dominant enterohemorrhagic serotype underlying food-borne human infections in North America. Here, we report the genomes of twenty-six strains derived from patients and the bovine reservoir. These resources enable detailed whole-genome comparisons and permit investigations of genotypic and phenotypic plasticity.
Vasospastic myocardial infarction caused by a slimming agent—do not forget non-prescription drugs

Abstract A 41-year-old woman presented with central chest discomfort. She had been previously well, was an ex-smoker and reported no regular medication. The ECG developed T-wave changes inferiorly and anterolaterally and troponin I concentrations were elevated confirming non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. Cardiac catheterization showed severe spasm of the right and left anterior descending coronary arteries which resolved with intracoronary nitrates. She later volunteered that prior to presentation she had been taking non-prescription Acti-Phen a slimming agent containing phentermine. Acti-Phen had its licence withdrawn in 2001 because of cardiovascular side effects including coronary spasm. Accordingly, she was advised to avoid Acti-Phen in future. The case emphasizes the importance of obtaining a complete drug history, including non-prescription drugs, in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes.
Successful Pancreas Preservation by a Perfluorocarbon-Based One-Layer Method For Subsequent Pig Islet Isolation

Background. The oxygenation of human pancreas by the two-layer method (TLM) during cold storage was recently established for clinical islet transplantation. Simplification of TLM would facilitate the application of perfluorocarbon (PFC) as a regularly used preservation solution for subsequent islet transplantation. The present study examined whether PFC can be used in a one-layer method (OLM) for long-term pancreas preservation before isolation of adult pig islets. Methods. Resected pancreases were intraductally flushed with cold University of Wisconsin solution and immediately processed (n=6) or subjected to 7-hour storage by OLM (n=8) or TLM (n=10). Subsequently, pancreases were intraductally distended with collagenase NB-8 supplemented with neutral protease. Isolation and purification were performed as previously described. Results. Compared with unstored pancreases (3,670±740 islet equivalents [IEQ]) purified islet yield in TLM-stored organs (2,080±290 IEQ, P<0.05) was significantly decreased in contrast with OLM-preserved pancreases (3,110±520 IEQ, NS). No differences were observed between groups regarding purity (>90%), trypan-blue exclusion (>95%), adenosine triphosphate content, and mitochondrial viability of islets. Stimulation index during static glucose incubation (20 vs. 2.8 mm) was decreased after storage by TLM (1.81±0.20, P<0.05) but not by OLM (2.27±0.57) if compared with unstored pancreases (2.47±0.36). However, transplantation into diabetic nude mice resulted in sustained normoglycemia of recipients of either group until nephrectomy of graft-bearing kidneys was performed. Conclusions. This study demonstrates that PFC alone can be used in a one-layer procedure for successful pig-pancreas preservation. This simplification can facilitate the broad application of PFC as pancreas preservation solution without reducing its benefits demonstrated by TLM.
Intellectual capital, impact factor on competitiveness: manufacturing industry SMEs in Mexico

Purpose The main purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of the intellectual capital (IC) on the competitiveness in the manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Mexico. Design/methodology/approach The approach of this investigation is developing a theoretical construct to determine the correlation between IC and competitiveness and find the most relevant factors that impact it, where IC is independent variable and the competitiveness is dependant variable. Using the Likert scale to determine the degree of agreement or disagreement, the survey was applied to 420 SMEs. The results were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha and subsequently structural equation models. Findings The results show that the IC dimensions – the information obtained, IC developed and learning and feedback – have an effect on the competitiveness of SMEs. The paper presents the theoretical validation of the factors that impact on IC and competitiveness and hence they are the key elements that impact mostly on each analysed variable. Practical implications The results obtained measure the level of correlation between the variables in the study, helping to design strategies for the key factors needed to integrate the IC and to develop competitive synergies in the manufacturing SMEs. Originality/value This study shows the effects of the IC that are directly impacting the competitiveness of SMEs so that each factor of the dependent and independent variables should be analysed separately to propose improvements in implementing IC to seek higher level of competitiveness.
Psychosocial risk factors for depression during pregnancy

Objective. To assess the prevalence of antenatal depressive disorder in different trimesters and to evaluate the relation of psychosocial risk factors to antenatal depressive disorder. Design. Cohort follow‐up. Setting. University Hospital, Kaunas, Lithuania. Sample. Two hundred and thirty pregnant women consecutively admitted. Methods. At 12–16 weeks, 22–26 weeks, and 32–36 weeks of pregnancy, participants were screened for depression using the World Health Organization's Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short Form (CIDI‐SF). Women who gave at least one positive answer to the CIDI‐SF depression‐screening question were evaluated for depressive disorder using the non‐patient version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐III‐R (SCID‐NP). Psychosocial stressors and two Big Five Personality dimensions, neuroticism and extraversion, were also evaluated. Main outcome measures. Prevalence of depressive disorder. Results. The prevalence of the antenatal depressive disorder at 12–16 weeks’ gestation was 6.1%, at 22–26 weeks 3.5%, and at 32–36 weeks 4.4%. In the first trimester, a greater prevalence of current depressive disorder was independently associated with unplanned and unwanted pregnancy, high neuroticism, low education, and a previous history of depression; in the second trimester with unplanned and unwanted pregnancy and high neuroticism; in the third trimester with unplanned and unwanted pregnancy, high neuroticism, and the occurrence of psychosocial stressors during the last year. Conclusions. The highest prevalence of depressive disorders was found in the first trimester, the lowest in mid‐pregnancy. Several determinants (unwanted and unplanned pregnancy, high neuroticism) were independent predictors of antenatal depressive disorders throughout whole pregnancy, while other determinants (low education, previous history of depression, the occurrence of psychosocial stressors at the end of pregnancy) were trimester specific.
Ablation of cellular prion protein expression affects mitochondrial numbers and morphology.

The cellular prion protein (PrP(C)), predominantly expressed in the central nervous system, is required for pathogenesis of prion neurodegenerative diseases and its conversion into a pathogenic isoform (PrP(Sc)) is a common feature of disease. While the physiological function of PrP(C) remains unclear, accumulating evidence indicates a role for PrP(C) in oxidative homeostasis in vivo and suggests that PrP(C) may be involved in the cellular response to oxidative stress. Mice in which PrP(C) expression has been ablated are viable and develop normally. Here we show that in an inbred line of mice, in tissues that normally express PrP at moderate to high levels, ablation of PrP(C) results in reduced mitochondrial numbers, unusual mitochondrial morphology, and elevated levels of mitochondrial manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase antioxidant enzyme. These observations may have relevance to the pathogenic mechanism for this group of fatal neurodegenerative conditions.
An analysis on the combination expression of HPV L1 capsid protein and p16INK4a in cervical lesions

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in cervix is the most important reason for cervical cancer, but only 2% cervical HPV infection will develop into cervical cancer. So how to identify patients at risk of progressive cervical lesions from those infected with HPV to avoid over treatment is a big issue in clinic. The aims of this study were to detect the expression of HPV L1 capsid protein and p16INK4a in cervical lesions and to investigate the combination expression of HPV L1 capsid protein and p16INK4a in cervical lesions and its diagnostic efficiency in clinic. Immunochemical method was used to detect the expression of HPV L1 capsid protein and p16INK4a in 169 cases of abnormal cytology. Histopathologic test was performed to identify cervical lesions of all the cases. χ2 test and spearman's rank correlation were used for statistical analysis. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), negative predictive values (NPV), accuracy, and the area under the receive operating characteristic (ROC) curve (denoted by AZ) were calculated with SPSS 13.0. All the statistical tests were two sided at the 5% level of significance. L1 expression decreased (P < 0.001), but p16INK4a expression increased (P < 0.001) with histopathologic diagnosis increasing. The expression rates of HPV L1 capsid protein, p16INK4a, and L1(−)/p16(+) in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)2, CIN3, and squamous‐cell carcinoma were statistically different from those in CIN1 (P < 0.001). The expressions of HPV L1 capsid protein, L1(+)/p16(+), L1(+)/p16(−), and L1(−)/p16(−) were negatively correlated with the severity of cervical lesions (P < 0.001), whereas the expressions of p16INK4a and L1(−)/p16(+) were positively correlated with the severity of cervical lesions (P < 0.001). The specificity and AZ of combining L1 with p16 INK4a were statistically higher than L1 or p16 INK4a alone (P < 0.05). L1 and p16INK4a are useful biomarkers for the early diagnosis of cervical lesions. The combination of L1 and p16INK4a has a higher diagnostic accuracy than L1 or p16INK4a alone in diagnosis of cervical lesions. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010;38:573–578. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Control Over Bureaucracy: Cultural Theory and Institutional Variety

The grid-group cultural theory of Mary Douglas is used to produce a basic categorization of polar approaches to control over public administration and management and to illuminate the selfdisequilibrating dynamics of public administration control systems. The four polar types are based on contrived randomness, competition, mutuality and review. The self-disequilibrating processes work through a combination of mutual repulsion among the polar types and the inherent limitations of each type, which will tend to produce more serious side-effects and reverse effects the more emphasis is placed on any one type. Six hybrid types of control are discussed as simple pairwise combinations of the four polar types, but such hybrids are also likely to be unstable. The approach used here appears at least as good on three criteria as any other current available classification of controls over public administration and it offers a distinctive agenda for examining
Restructuring Welfare Governance: Marketization, Managerialism and Welfare State Professionalism

Contents:IntroductionEmmanuele Pavolini and Tanja KlenkPART I: THE MARKETIZATION AND MANAGERIALIZATION OF WELFARE GOVERNANCE 1. Marketization and Managerialization of Health Care Policies in Europe in a Comparative PerspectiveEmmanuele Pavolini2. Marketization and Managerialization of Long-term Care Policies in a Comparative PerspectiveHildegard Theobald3. Marketization and Managerialization of Higher Education Policies in a Comparative Perspective Roberto Moscati, Alberto Stanchi, Matteo Turri, Massimiliano Vaira, and Emmanuele Pavolini4. Marketization and Managerialization of Education Policies in a Comparative Perspective Emmanuele Pavolini5. Marketization and Managerialization of Active Labour Market Policies in a Comparative Perspective Bastian Jantz and Tanja Klenk PART II: NEW GOVERNANCE AND PROFESSIONALISM - REFORMING HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT6. New Governance and Professionalism Mirko Noordegraaf7. 'Soft Governance' and the Knowledge-power Bonds in Professionalism: Case Studies from the Healthcare Sector in GermanyEllen Kuhlmann and Viola Burau8. De-Professionalization through Managerialization in Labour Market Policy: Lessons from the Danish experienceHenning Jorgensen, Kelvin Baadsgaard, and Iben Norup 9. "New Public Management" as De-Professionalization - Conceptual Reflections with Some Applications to School TeachersUwe Schimank10. Reforming School Leadership: From Primus Inter Pares to Managers? Thorsten Peetz11. Higher Education Professionals Facing Managerialism: A Quantitative International ComparisonMichele Rostan, Flavio A. Ceravolo, and Massimiliano Vaira12. Interactions of Governance and Professionalism in Higher Education, A Qualitative Longitudinal Study in the Netherlands, Sweden and the United KingdomChristine Teelken and Marian ThunnissenConclusionsTanja Klenk and Emmanuele PavoliniIndex
Protein kinase B/Akt activity is involved in renal TGF-β1-driven epithelial-mesenchymal transition in vitro and in vivo

The molecular pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN), the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide, is complex and not fully understood. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1) plays a critical role in many fibrotic disorders, including DN. In this study, we report protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) activation as a downstream event contributing to the pathophysiology of DN. We investigated the potential of PKB/Akt to mediate the profibrotic bioactions of TGF-β1 in kidney. Treatment of normal rat kidney epithelial cells (NRK52E) with TGF-β1 resulted in activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and PKB/Akt as evidenced by increased Ser473 phosphorylation and GSK-3β phosphorylation. TGF-β1 also stimulated increased Smad3 phosphorylation in these cells, a response that was insensitive to inhibition of PI3K or PKB/Akt. NRK52E cells displayed a loss of zona occludins 1 and E-cadherin and a gain in vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin expression, consistent with the fibrotic actions of TGF-β1. These effects were blocked with inhibitors of PI3K and PKB/Akt. Furthermore, overexpression of PTEN, the lipid phosphatase regulator of PKB/Akt activation, inhibited TGF-β1-induced PKB/Akt activation. Interestingly, in the Goto-Kakizaki rat model of type 2 diabetes, we also detected increased phosphorylation of PKB/Akt and its downstream target, GSK-3β, in the tubules, relative to that in control Wistar rats. Elevated Smad3 phosphorylation was also detected in kidney extracts from Goto-Kakizaki rats with chronic diabetes. Together, these data suggest that TGF-β1-mediated PKB/Akt activation may be important in renal fibrosis during diabetic nephropathy.
Visuo-proprioceptive training reduces risk of falls in patients with multiple sclerosis

Lack of balance and falls are common and disabling symptoms of multiple sclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a novel visuo-proprioceptive feedback training in ameliorating balance and reducing the risk of falls. Patients with multiple sclerosis with unrestricted walking ability and healthy age/sex-matched controls were recruited. After a baseline clinical evaluation, including a postural assessment in double- (stabilometric test) and single-leg stance (monopodalic test) by a computerized postural recorder device, patients were submitted to a run-in period lasting 6 weeks without any rehabilitative intervention. Two further clinical and postural evaluations before and after a 6-week period of training were performed. The training protocol provided static and dynamic exercises both in double- and single-leg stance, with and without a translating Freeman-like board. Visual feedback was shown on the computer screen during the exercises. We recruited 40 consecutive patients and 12 controls. Patients had significantly poorer postural performances than controls. Twenty-eight patients completed the study follow-up. No significant changes in risk of falls emerged after the run-in period. A significant reduction in the median percentage of risk of falls in single-leg stance (open eyes: 39.3 versus 15.7; closed eyes: 67.3 versus 52.6; p < 0.001, respectively) were observed after rehabilitation. Moreover, an improvement in walking speed (median time: 7.4 s versus 6.3; p = 0.001) was detected in the absence of Expanded Disability Status Scale changes. We conclude that visuo-proprioceptive training improves balance and reduces falls in multiple sclerosis.
Review of magnet hospital research: findings and implications for professional nursing practice.

The label "magnet hospitals" originally was given to a group of U.S. hospitals that were able to successfully recruit and retain professional nurses during a national nursing shortage in the early 1980s. Studies of magnet hospitals illuminated the leadership characteristics and professional practice attributes of nurses within these organizations. Recent investigations within magnet hospitals document significant relationships between nursing and patient outcomes, including mortality and patient satisfaction. The purpose of this review is to: 1) synthesize the magnet hospital research that describes and evaluates the professional practice of nurses within these institutions and (2) identify areas for future research to advance professional nursing models within current hospital organizations.
Cell-to-cell communication coordinates blood flow control.

The control of tissue blood flow is a dynamic process exemplified by the interaction among physical, chemical, and electrical events occurring within the vessel wall and between the vasculature and tissue parenchyma. The range of blood flow control achieved in vivo is illustrated by functional hyperemia in exercising skeletal muscle: maximal flow can exceed resting values by more than 50-fold. Blood flow control is integrated among many vessel segments, beginning with resistance arteries external to the muscle and encompassing the arteriolar network within the muscle. As metabolic demand increases, the locus of blood flow control shifts from distal arterioles, which control capillary perfusion and blood flow distribution within the tissue, to the proximal arterioles and resistance arteries, which control the total volume of flow into the muscle. A fundamental question centers on how this vasomotor activity is actually coordinated throughout the resistance network. The interaction within and among vascular segments can be explained by chemical and electrical signals to smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) in response to changes in transmural pressure as well as luminal shear stress. Increasing pressure results in SMC contraction via the myogenic response. Increasing flow stimulates ECs to release autacoids (eg, nitric oxide), which relax SMCs. Pressure and flow thereby provide opposing mechanical stimuli that interact in the maintenance of vasomotor tone throughout the resistance network. Vasomotor signals are also conducted along arterioles through cell-to-cell coupling between ECs and SMCs, thereby coordinating vasomotor activity of cells within a branch and among branches. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Democracy and Redistribution

In a probabilistic voting model with three jurisdictions with residents with different income levels, we demonstrate that it is always optimal to distribute tax revenues as public good to only the residents of richest and median income jurisdictions. In this context, we compare the overall welfare of all citizens in a one bracket Tax Structure where the poor contribute to tax and does not receive public goods, to that in a progressive Two bracket or a Three bracket Tax Structure where the poor face no taxes but neither do they receive any public goods. In a situation where the government extracts a part of the tax revenues as political rents and maximizes expected payoff rather than the probability of re-election, there is a possibility of complete extraction which implies taxing away all private income with no allocation of public good, if electoral uncertainty be high.