Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Calcitriol on Bone Loss After Cardiac or Lung Transplantation

Rapid bone loss after cardiac and lung transplantation results in an increased risk of osteoporotic fracture. This study examined the efficacy of treatment with calcitriol (1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3) in preventing bone loss in patients undergoing cardiac or lung transplantation. In this 2‐year double‐blind, stratified study, 65 patients undergoing cardiac or single lung transplantation were randomly allocated to receive either placebo or calcitriol (0.5‐0.75 μg/day), the latter for either 12 months or 24 months. All patients received 600 mg calcium/day. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured every 6 months for 2 years by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. There was no significant difference between groups with respect to age or cumulative dose of prednis(ol)one or cyclosporine over the 2 years. Bone loss at the proximal femur was significantly reduced or prevented at all three sites by treatment with calcitriol for 2 years compared with treatment with calcium alone. Treatment with calcitriol for 12 months followed by calcium for 12 months resulted in similar proximal femoral bone loss to that seen in those patients treated with calcium for 24 months, suggesting calcitriol prophylaxis needs to be continued beyond 12 months. At the lumbar spine, there were no significant differences in BMD between groups. Over a period of 2 years, 22 new vertebral fractures/deformities occurred in 4 patients treated with calcium alone compared with one new vertebral fracture in 1 patient treated with calcitriol. Because the sample size was too low to provide reliable interpretation of vertebral fracture rates, this difference is likely a chance result. Mild hypercalcemia was common with calcitriol therapy, as was mild hypercalciuria (59% of patients vs. 10% controls), but there were no significant differences between groups in serum creatinine after 2 years. These data suggest calcitriol has a role in reducing proximal femur bone loss after cardiac or lung transplantation but treatment needs to be continued beyond 1 year.
Negative Media Coverage,Management Reputation and Firm Performance Improvement:Evidence from China's Listed Firms

Media coverage could theoretically play a role of corporate governance by making management behavior sensitive to the interests of the public besides introduction of administrative intervention of the regulation authorities. Based on the data of the Chinese listed firms,this paper shows that negative media coverage is significantly and positively correlated with the firm performance improvement for the next period.After controlling the various potential influential factors as well as endogeneity of media coverage,the paper therefore provides the indirect evidence that media coverage could play a role of corporate governance by affecting management reputation. The results indicate that media coverage could play a role of corporate governance for the Chinese listed firms as one of the important extra-legal institution since it may not only introduce administrative intervention of the regulation authorities,but also work by way of affecting management reputations.
Characterization of ramified microglia in tissue culture: Pinocytosis and motility

Functional properties of ramified microglia were investigated in primary cultures of rat cerebral cortical celts. These microglia could be readily identified in both fixed and living cultures through previously established features. Based on their destruction by 5 mM L‐leucine methyl ester, a high level of intrinsic endocytotic activity was established. When cultures were incubated with fluorescent latex beads to assess phagocytosis, little or no such activity was exhibited by ramified cells. However, when cultures were incubated with dyes or other soluble tracer compounds, these cells always exhibited labeling. This labeling was selective for ramified microglia in the cultures and was demonstrated using a variety of compounds, including trypan blue, lucifer yellow, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and India ink. Intracellular label could be observed in vesicular structures; this localization corresponded to an active cellular process. Also, cellular labeling was inhibited by the presence of colchicine. These features supported the inference that the labeling was attributable to pinocytosis, and this process appeared to account for the vast majority of endocytotic activity in the ramified microglia. Possible physiological significance of this pinocytotic activity was indicated by the accumulation of various neurotransmitters/modulators: γ‐aminobutyric acid and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). Ramified cells in these cultures have been previously noted to exhibit a constant and rapid pattern of motility, which was consistently observed here through time‐lapse video recording; pinocytosis and rapid motility were shown to concur in individual cells. Based on their high intrinsic pinocytotic activity and pattern of cellular motility, the ramified microglia specifically are suggested to serve a constitutive function of fluid cleansing within the interstitial spaces of brain tissue.
Routes and mechanisms of extracellular vesicle uptake

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small vesicles released by donor cells that can be taken up by recipient cells. Despite their discovery decades ago, it has only recently become apparent that EVs play an important role in cell-to-cell communication. EVs can carry a range of nucleic acids and proteins which can have a significant impact on the phenotype of the recipient. For this phenotypic effect to occur, EVs need to fuse with target cell membranes, either directly with the plasma membrane or with the endosomal membrane after endocytic uptake. EVs are of therapeutic interest because they are deregulated in diseases such as cancer and they could be harnessed to deliver drugs to target cells. It is therefore important to understand the molecular mechanisms by which EVs are taken up into cells. This comprehensive review summarizes current knowledge of EV uptake mechanisms. Cells appear to take up EVs by a variety of endocytic pathways, including clathrin-dependent endocytosis, and clathrin-independent pathways such as caveolin-mediated uptake, macropinocytosis, phagocytosis, and lipid raft–mediated internalization. Indeed, it seems likely that a heterogeneous population of EVs may gain entry into a cell via more than one route. The uptake mechanism used by a given EV may depend on proteins and glycoproteins found on the surface of both the vesicle and the target cell. Further research is needed to understand the precise rules that underpin EV entry into cells.
Heme Oxygenase and Atherosclerosis

Overproduction of reactive oxygen species under pathophysiological conditions, including dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, is integral in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The reactive oxygen species released from all types of vascular cells regulate various signaling pathways that mediate not only vascular inflammation in atherogenesis but also antioxidative and antiinflammatory responses. One such protective and stress-induced protein is heme oxygenase (HO). HO is the first rate-limiting enzyme in heme breakdown to generate equimolar quantities of carbon monoxide, biliverdin, and free ferrous iron. Accumulating evidence has shown that inducible HO (HO-1) and its products function as adaptive molecules against oxidative insults. The proposed mechanisms by which HO-1 exerts its cytoprotective effects include its abilities to degrade the pro-oxidative heme, to release biliverdin and subsequently convert it bilirubin, both of which have antioxidant properties, and to generate carbon monoxide, which has antiproliferative and antiinflammatory as well as vasodilatory properties. Herein, I highlight the relationship of HO and cardiovascular disease, especially atherosclerosis, gene-targeting approaches in animal models, and the potential for and concern about HO-1 as a novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases.
Active Surveillance for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) Decreases the Incidence of MRSA Bacteremia

Objectives. To evaluate the influence of performance of active surveillance cultures for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on the incidence of nosocomial MRSA bacteremia in an endemic hospital. Design. Before-after trial. Setting. A 700-bed hospital. Patients. All patients admitted to the hospital who were at high risk for MRSA bacteremia. Intervention. Performance of surveillance cultures for detection of MRSA were recommended for all patients at high risk, and contact isolation was implemented for patients with positive results of culture. Each MRSA-positive patient received one course of eradication treatment. We compared the total number of surveillance cultures, the percentage of surveillance cultures with positive results, and the number of MRSA bacteremia cases before the intervention (from January 2002 through February 2003) after the start of the intervention (from July 2003 through October 2004). Results. The number of surveillance cultures performed increased from a mean of 272.57 cultures/month before the intervention to 865.83 cultures/month after the intervention. The percentage of surveillance cultures with positive results increased from 3.13% before to 5.22% after the intervention (P<.001). The mean number of MRSA bacteremia cases per month decreased from 3.6 cases before the intervention to 1.8 cases after the intervention (P< 0.001). Conclusions. Active surveillance culture is important for identifying hidden reservoirs of MRSA. Contact isolation can prevent new colonization and infection and lead to a significant reduction of morbidity and healthcare costs.
β-Lactam/β-Lactamase Inhibitor Combinations

Objective: To review the available evidence regarding the utility of the currently available β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations (BLICs) as well as the emerging body of data for the novel agents in the pipeline. Data Sources: A MEDLINE literature search (1960-August 2014) was performed using the search terms β-lactamase, β-lactamase inhibitor, clavulanate, sulbactam, tazobactam, avibactam, NXL104, MK-7655, and RPX7009. Current studies focusing on new agents were obtained from clinicaltrials.gov. Additional references were identified from a review of literature citations and meeting abstracts. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All English-language studies pertaining to BLICs were evaluated. Data Synthesis: Historical clinical and in vitro data focusing on the characteristics of the conventional BLICs are reviewed. Avibactam, relebactam (formerly MK-7655), and RPX7009 are new β-lactamase inhibitors that are being studied in combination with β-lactams. Clinical and in vitro data that provide support for their use for multidrug-resistant organisms are reviewed. β-Lactam antibiotics are a mainstay for the treatment of many infections. The addition of β-lactamase inhibitors enhances their activity against organisms that produce β-lactamases; however, organisms that produce extended-spectrum β-lactamases, AmpC β-lactamases, and carbapenemases are proliferating. The BLICs (amoxicillin/clavulanate, ticarcillin/clavulanate, ampicillin/sulbactam, and piperacillin/tazobactam) lack activity against some of these enzymes, presenting a critical need for new antibiotics. Conclusions: The historical BLICs are useful for many infections; however, evolving resistance limits their use. The new BLICs (combinations with avibactam, relebactam, and RPX7009) may be valuable options for patients infected with multidrug-resistant organisms.
Identification of strong interleukin‐10 inducing lactic acid bacteria which down‐regulate T helper type 2 cytokines

Background Decreased exposure to microbial stimuli has been proposed to be involved in the increased prevalence of atopic disease. Such a relationship was indicated by enhanced presence of typical probiotic bacteria in the intestinal flora correlating with reduced prevalence of atopic disease. Recent clinical trials suggested that probiotic bacteria may decrease and prevent allergic symptoms, but which (different) species or strains may contribute is poorly understood.
Joint scheduling and power allocation in cellular OFDMA systems for target SINR provision

This paper addresses subcarrier allocation and power distribution in a sectorized two-cell downlink OFDMA system impaired by multicell interference. The objective is to maximize the sum throughput in a way that the SINR of the transmitted data substream on each subcarrier meets a target SINR. In cellular systems due to intercell interference, it may not be possible to guarantee the target SINR in all cells simultaneously; therefore, we have suggested a cooperative resource allocation algorithm which tries to provide the target SINR in all cells through cooperation in the interference control. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm not only guarantee the target SINR but achieve an efficient sum throughput in many practical situations.
Anti-inflammatory phenolics isolated from Juniperus rigida leaves and twigs in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells

Inflammation is an essential host defense system particularly in response to infection and injury; however, excessive or undesirable inflammatory responses contribute to acute and chronic human diseases. A high-throughput screening effort searching for anti-inflammatory compounds from medicinal plants deduced that the methanolic extract of Juniperus rigida S. et L. (Cupressaceae) inhibited significantly nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Activity-guided fractionation and isolation yielded 13 phenolic compounds, including one new phenylpropanoid glycosides, 3,4-dimethoxycinnamyl 9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1). Among the isolated compounds, phenylpropanoid glycosides with p-hydroxy group (2, 4) and massoniaside A (7), (+)-catechin (10), amentoflavone (11) effectively inhibited LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells.
Big Data and algorithmic governance: the case of financial practices

ABSTRACT Big Data and algorithmic governance are transforming traditional institutions and media of transnational governance in manners that hold important implications for power, accountability and effectiveness. Drawing on actor-network theory, this paper contrasts utopian or dystopian views on the increasing presence of Big Data in contemporary financial practices. We scrutinise the emerging impacts of Big Data in the public governance of private banks in the Basel III arrangements, private governance of individual actors in credit scoring and anarchic competitive governance of markets in high-frequency trading. Our findings reveal varied and emergent forms of governance through, with and by algorithms.
Panic, Agoraphobia, and Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia: Data from a Multicenter Anxiety Disorders Study

In a cross-sectional investigation of the properties of DSM-III-R panic disorder (PD), panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA), and agoraphobia without history of panic disorder (AWOPD), we analyzed demographic, descriptive, comorbidity, treatment, and course data for 562 subjects with PD, PDA, or AWOPD in a multicenter anxiety-disorders study. In general, AWOPD subjects had the worst functioning and PD subjects the best, as measured by length of intake episodes, education attained, likelihood of receiving financial assistance, depressive comorbidity, and likelihood of having experienced 8 weeks symptom-free. Panic disorder with agoraphobia was the most common disorder and emerged as a condition intermediate in severity between the other two. Treatments received varied little by diagnosis. Most subjects received medication, usually benzodiazepines. Psychodynamic psychotherapy was the most frequently received psychosocial treatment; cognitive and behavioral approaches were less common. Subjects classified with AWOPD were the most likely to have received exposure therapies.
Modeling of pulsed finite-amplitude focused sound beams in time domain.

A time-domain numerical model is presented for simulating the finite-amplitude focused acoustic pulse propagation in a dissipative and nonlinear medium with a symmetrical source geometry. In this method, the main effects responsible in finite-amplitude wave propagation, i.e., diffraction, nonlinearity, and absorption, are taken into account. These effects are treated independently using the method of fractional steps with a second-order operator-splitting algorithm. In this method, the acoustic beam propagates, plane-by-plane, from the surface of a highly focused radiator up to its focus. The results of calculations in an ideal (linear and nondissipative) medium show the validity of the model for simulating the effect of diffraction in highly focused pulse propagation. For real media, very good agreement was obtained in the shape of the theoretical and experimental pressure-time waveforms. A discrepancy in the amplitudes was observed with a maximum of around 20%, which can be explained by existing sources of error in our measurements and on the assumptions inherent in our theoretical model. The model has certain advantages over other time-domain methods previously reported in that it: (1) allows for arbitrary absorption and dispersion, and (2) makes use of full diffraction formulation. The latter point is particularly important for studying intense sources with high focusing gains.
Kernel Nonparametric Weighted Feature Extraction for Hyperspectral Image Classification

In recent years, many studies show that kernel methods are computationally efficient, robust, and stable for pattern analysis. Many kernel-based classifiers were designed and applied to classify remote-sensed data, and some results show that kernel-based classifiers have satisfying performances. Many studies about hyperspectral image classification also show that nonparametric weighted feature extraction (NWFE) is a powerful tool for extracting hyperspectral image features. However, NWFE is still based on linear transformation. In this paper, the kernel method is applied to extend NWFE to kernel-based NWFE (KNWFE). The new KNWFE possesses the advantages of both linear and nonlinear transformation, and the experimental results show that KNWFE outperforms NWFE, decision-boundary feature extraction, independent component analysis, kernel-based principal component analysis, and generalized discriminant analysis.
Cleft hand.

Definition, incidence, genetics, and etiology of typical cleft hand are discussed in this paper. Cleft hand, central polydactyly, and osseous syndactyly were induced experimentally when the same teratogenic factors acted on the embryos at the same developmental stage. Typical cleft hand, central polydactyly, and syndactyly should be classified together as manifestations of the same entity, that is, failure of induction of finger rays. Typical cleft hand may be further subdivided into five types on the basis of the number of defective finger rays. Treatment of the typical cleft hand involves cosmetic and functional considerations. Reduction of the wide interdigital space is performed primarily for cosmetic reasons, while separation of syndactyly between thumb and index finger and correction of deviation of the thumb is performed for functional improvement. A zigzag incision with a small triangular flap is recommended for reduction of the interdigital space. If metacarpal remnants or cross bones prevent drawing the metacarpals together, they should be removed. The deep transverse metacarpal ligament should be reconstructed by ligamentous flap made out of the flexor tendon sheaths of the index and ring fingers to prevent later spreading of the fingers. A dorsal-based rotation flap fashioned from the skin of the cleft is recommended for the treatment of cleft hand with partial syndactyly of the thumb and index finger. Deviation of the thumb is often caused by a delta phalanx by a trapezoidal-shaped extra phalanx. Deviation of the thumb is corrected by removing the delta phalanx or osteotomy of the trapezoidal phalanx. When the cleft is closed at approximately 1 year of age, spontaneous correction of the flexion deformity of the ring finger is sometimes observed.
Temperature controlled dip-pen nanolithography

Dip-pen nanolithography (DPN) has emerged as a powerful tool for creating sophisticated micron- and nanoscale features of various molecules, such as small organic molecules, on a variety of substrates. Despite significant advances in recent years, the influence of temperature on molecular transport for nanostructure fabrication has not been fully explored. Herein, it is shown how the dimensions of patterned organic nanostructures can be controlled by using a cooling/heating module. This method allows nanometer-sized feature fabrication of a variety of small organic molecules, including ‘inks’ that have been deemed very difficult to write under ambient conditions. Features with dimensions as small as 30 nm have been successfully reproduced using the newly developed temperature control device in conjunction with DPN.
Control of Persistent Asthma in Spain: Associated Factors

Introduction. The main objective of asthma treatment is tailored control for each patient. However, despite the excellent therapeutic arsenal currently available, many patients remain unable to achieve adequate control of this disease. Objective. The main objective this study was to evaluate the degree of control and the determinants of asthma in patients with persistent asthma in Spain in usual clinical practice. Materials and Methods. This was a cross-sectional epidemiological study. The patients enrolled were 18 years of age or over, with a 6-month history of diagnosed persistent asthma, who were followed up by primary care physicians in Spain between the months of June and December 2006. Demographic and socioeconomic data were collected, as were anthropometric data and different clinical variables. The control of asthma was evaluated using the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ). Results. The study included 6,824 patients, of whom 306 were excluded; therefore the final number of patients analyzed was 6,518 (95.5%). According to severity, 41.4% of patients had mild persistent asthma, 51.2% had moderate persistent asthma, and the remainder severe persistent asthma. The mean score in the ACQ was 1.4 ± 1.0, distributed as follows: in 28.4% of cases, the score was below 0.75; in 31.6%, it was between 0.75 and 1.5; and in 39.7% it was above 1.5. Multiple regression analysis showed that the factor that most affected the degree of control of the disease was classification by severity. Other associated factors were sex, race, body mass index, smoking, level of education, habitual activity, years since diagnosis of asthma, number of exacerbations and admissions to hospital during the last year, and basic treatment of the disease. Conclusions. The number of patients with poorly controlled persistent asthma in Spain is high (71.6%). There are demographic, socioeconomic, anthropometric, and clinical variables that affect the level of control of this disease.
Evaluating antirheumatic treatments using synovial biopsy: a recommendation for standardisation to be used in clinical trials

Inflammation of synovium is one of the hallmarks of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Analysis of synovial tissue has increased our understanding of RA pathogenesis, aided in identifying potential therapeutic targets and has been used in the response and mechanistic evaluation of antirheumatic treatments. In addition, studies are ongoing, aimed at the identification of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in the synovium. This paper outlines the currently used procedures for sampling and processing of synovial tissue, and presents a standardised recommendation to support multicentre translational research.