Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparable postprandial glucose reductions with viscous fiber blend enriched biscuits in healthy subjects and patients with diabetes mellitus: acute randomized controlled clinical trial.

AIM To compare the blood glucose-lowering effect of a highly viscous fiber blend (VFB) added to a starchy snack on postprandial glycemia between healthy participants and participants with diabetes mellitus. METHODS Ten healthy participants (4 men and 6 women, aged 28+/-2.6 years, body mass index [BMI], 24.3+/-0.8 kg/m(2)) and 9 participants with diabetes mellitus type 2 (3 men and 6 women, aged 68+/-3.8 years, BMI 28.8+/-1.2 kg/m(2)) on four separate occasions took either 50 g available carbohydrates as control biscuits, biscuits with 10 g of highly viscous fiber blend, white bread with 12 g of margarine, or white bread alone. Postprandial blood glucose response, glycemic index (GI), and palatability were determined. RESULTS Mean (95% confidence interval) GI values of the viscous fiber blend biscuits were 26 (16-36) and 37 (27-47) GI units for healthy participants and participants with diabetes mellitus, respectively. These values were significantly lower than those of white bread, white bread with 12 g of margarine, and control biscuits (P<0.001, paired t test) both in healthy participants (GI 100, 108 [57-159], and 101 [44-158], respectively) and participants with diabetes mellitus (GI 100, 103 [79-127], and 94 [78-110], respectively). Viscous fiber blend significantly reduced the glycemic index by 74% (7.4 GI units/g of fiber) in healthy participants and by 63% (6.3 GI units/g of fiber) in participants with diabetes. The GI did not differ between control meals in both healthy participants and participants with diabetes. There were no significant differences in palatability among the types of meals, although participants with diabetes found the viscous fiber blend biscuits more palatable (P=0.002, t test). CONCLUSION Viscous fiber blend is a very potent and palatable soluble fiber addition to a starchy snack, which is able to reduce the glycemic response to a similar extent in both healthy participants and individuals with diabetes mellitus. Biscuits with low GI, and possibly other viscous fiber blend fortified starchy foods, may potentially be a useful replacement of high GI snack foods in the diet.
The Scientific Articles on Art Criticism

Research has been extremely involved in improving in the art criticism area. These improvements are reflected in scientific articles. This article purposed to investigate the 214 articles in art criticism to explore their main characteristics. These articles published in the Web of Science database of the Institute of Scientific Information (ISI) from the period of 1980 till 20 December 2013. Types of articles were article and review which is included in the study. The three top cited (more than 10 times citations) articles in art criticism were published in 1993 and 1999. The 214 articles mean citation rate was 0.87 (SD 2.38) times. Among the various fields, art (58.87%), arts humanities other topics (28.03%), both art and arts humanities other topics (5.14%), both art and education and educational research (2.33%), both art and history (1.40%), art, arts humanities other topics and literature (1.40%), both art and cultural studies (0.93%), both art and philosophy (0.93%), both art and literature (0.46%), and both arts humanities other topics and cultural studies (0.46%) were the most popular fields of research. The results showed that researches were done in the United States had highest citation which was written in English language.
Modelo Bayesiano para la Optimización de Aseguradoras de Autos

La toma de decisiones en los distintos niveles de las organizaciones cada vez es de mayor complejidad, dadas las crecientes restricciones de disponibilidad de todo tipo de recursos. En una compania de seguros para automoviles, los gerentes se ven en la necesidad de decidir si otorgar, renovar, cancelar o rechazar una poliza de seguros a un cliente. Existen grandes cantidades de datos almacenados en distintos formatos en tales companias, las cuales pueden ser usadas para ayudarse a decidir si otorgar o no la poliza de seguros a un cliente especifico. Es decir, dichas aseguradoras pueden explotar integramente los datos acerca de los patrones de compra y comportamiento de sus clientes, entender mejor las motivaciones de los mismos, ayudando con ello a la reduccion de los costos y del fraude, optimizando asi los recursos de la compania.Este articulo presenta el diseno de un modelo bayesiano que integra las caracteristicas principales del conductor y de su auto, y que sirve para predecir si se otorga o no la poliza de seguros al cliente. Se usan redes bayesianas para prever la probabilidad de un accidente automovilistico, basandose en los datos del cliente disponibles en el tiempo de la solicitud de compra de la poliza. Las redes bayesianas son una herramienta util en la estimacion de probabilidades ante incertidumbres y nuevas evidencias. Este modelo puede optimizar la utilidad de una compania de seguros de automoviles, porque este sugiere la autorizacion o no, de la poliza mencionada. El modelo se valida mediante una muestra aleatoria de 1,200 automovilistas con sus respectivos automoviles.
The Anticoagulant Effect of Protamine Sulfate Is Attenuated in the Presence of Platelets or Elevated Factor VIII Concentrations

BACKGROUND: Protamine sulfate is the antidote for heparin, but in excess it exerts weak anticoagulation. METHODS: We evaluated the effects of increasing protamine concentrations (0 to 24 &mgr;g/mL) on prothrombin time and diluted Russell's viper venom time measurements on thrombin generation in platelet-poor and platelet-rich plasma after activation by tissue factor or actin, and on thromboelastometry in platelet-poor plasma and whole blood from 6 healthy volunteers. The reversibility of excess protamine (24 &mgr;g/mL) by recombinant factor VIIa or factor VIII/von Willebrand factor concentrate was also tested. RESULTS: Protamine prolonged prothrombin time and Russell's viper venom time, concentration dependently. Protamine also increased lag time and decreased peak of thrombin generation in platelet-poor plasma after tissue factor and actin activation. In platelet-rich plasma with platelets at 50 to 200 × 103/&mgr;L, protamine (24 &mgr;g/mL) prolonged the lag time, but had no effect on peak thrombin generation. The addition of factor VIII/von Willebrand factor (1.5–3.0 U/mL) to platelet-poor plasma with protamine (24 &mgr;g/mL) decreased lag time and increased peak thrombin generation with actin activation. A therapeutic concentration of recombinant factor VIIa (60 nM) only affected the lag time of thrombin generation triggered with actin. In agreement, protamine increased coagulation time evaluated by thromboelastometry significantly more in platelet-poor plasma than in whole blood. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that protamine affects the propagation of thrombin generation, which is partially reversed by platelets or increased factor VIII/von Willebrand factor concentrations. The present data suggest that excess protamine might potentially increase bleeding in the case of severe thrombocytopenia or low factor VIII.
Cardiovascular pharmacology of Panax notoginseng (Burk) F.H. Chen and Salvia miltiorrhiza.

The cardiovascular pharmacology of two Chinese herbs, Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) and Panax notoginseng (Burk) F. H. Chen (PNG) were studied both in vivo and in vitro. Extracts of both herbs suppressed systemic blood pressure in albino rats and rabbits, an effect which was blocked or reversed by atropine, propranolol, and chlorpheniramine plus cimetidine. This reversed hypertension was blocked by phenoxybenzamine. These results indicate that these herbs have multiple effector sites in the cardiovascular system. This could be due to an increased utilization of extracellular calcium ions since the activity of SM on isolated blood vessels of rabbits was enhanced by 2 mM Ca++. The effects of aqueous extract of SM and purified active principles of SM (tanshinones) on rat and rabbit blood vessels in vitro were very similar both qualitatively and quantitatively. Both caused vasodilation of coronary arteries at all concentrations tested but induced vasodilation of renal, mesenteric and femoral arteries only at low concentrations. At higher concentrations, vasoconstriction was induced in these vessels. These results indicate that an economical decoction of SM is as efficacious as the more expensive isolated tanshinones. Both SM and PNG would be useful as antianginal agents since they dilate coronary vessels. Their use in hypertension is questionable since they induce both vasodilation and vasoconstriction depending on dose and target vessel.
Department of Economics Working Paper Series Partner Heterogeneity Increases the Set of Strict Nash Networks Partner Heterogeneity Increases the Set of Strict Nash Networks*

* We thank Francis Bloch for useful suggestions. Sudipta Sarangi acknowledges the support of NSF grant HSD-0527315 and the hospitality of CREUSET, Jean Monnet University. Abstract Galeotti et al. (2006, [2]) show that all minimal networks can be strict Nash in two-way flow models with full parameter heterogeneity while only inward pointing stars and the empty network can be strict Nash in the homogeneous parameter model of Bala and Goyal (2000, [1]). In this note we show that the introduction of partner heterogeneity plays a major role in substantially increasing the set of strict Nash equilibria.
Moment du traitement orthodontique : que repérer et quand référer : état des pratiques en cabinet dentaire

Le chirurgien-dentiste joue un role important d’information quant au moment du traitement orthodontique. En effet, que ce soit par le biais du bilan « M’T Dents » ou a la demande des parents, l’omnipraticien voit les enfants en consultation bien plus tot que l’orthodontiste. Il semble donc interessant que tous les chirurgiens-dentistes aient une idee des âges auxquels entreprendre un traitement orthodontique de facon a conseiller au mieux leurs patients. Pour repondre a ces interrogations, ce travail de these s’est organise autour de trois objectifs. Premierement, il visait a rappeler le diagnostic des malocclusions frequentes et des anomalies fonctionnelles et a les synthetiser sous forme de tableaux. Deuxiemement, il visait a etablir une frise chronologique, basee sur les dernieres donnees de la litterature, indiquant le moment auquel commencer un traitement en fonction de l’anomalie reperee. Enfin, il visait a analyser le comportement et les avis des omnipraticiens sur ce sujet. Concernant la prevention, le dentiste pourra informer et conseiller les parents sur l’arret des HSNN ainsi qu’aider l’enfant dans cette demarche souvent difficile. Reperer les signes de ventilation orale ou de deglutition atypique sont egalement des elements essentiels pour retablir un bon cadre fonctionnel et prevenir l’apparition de malocclusions ou de problemes de sante plus generaux. Concernant le depistage, reperer des signes de malocclusions et savoir a quel moment devoir prendre en charge l’anomalie sont des elements qui devraient etre effectues systematiquement lors de la consultation d’un enfant. Le fait de regrouper ces informations de facon simple et tres synthetique permet au chirurgien-dentiste d’avoir les reponses a ces questions sans perdre de temps. L’enquete realisee sur les dentistes de la region PACA a revele une attitude rassurante de la part des praticiens. La meme tendance de reponse a ete constatee tout au long du questionnaire : les omnipraticiens preferent referer trop tot que trop tard. L’analyse des resultats a montre que cette idee n’est pas toujours adaptee a la situation ce qui reflete le besoin d’information sur le sujet. Cependant, bien que peu precise et pas toujours adaptee, l’idee de vouloir referer systematiquement tot evite une perte de chance pour le jeune patient.
USING COMPUTER-BASED TESTING AS ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT METHOD OF STUDENT LEARNING IN DISTANCE EDUCATION

This paper addresses the use of computer-based testing in distance education, based on the experience of Universitas Terbuka (UT), Indonesia. Computer-based testing has been developed at UT for reasons of meeting the specific needs of distance students as the following: In 2004, UT initiated a pilot project in the development of system and program for computer-based testing method. Then in 2005 and 2006 tryouts in the use of computer- based testing methods were conducted in 7 Regional Offices that were considered as having sufficient supporting recourses. The results of the tryouts revealed that students were enthusiastic in taking computer-based tests and they expected that the test method would be provided by UT as alternative to the traditional paper and pencil test method. UT then implemented computer-based testing method in 6 and 12 Regional Offices in 2007 and 2008 respectively. The computer-based testing was administered in the city of the designated Regional Office and was supervised by the Regional Office staff. The development of the computer-based testing was initiated with conducting tests using computers in networked configuration. The system has been continually improved, and it currently uses devices linked to the internet or the World Wide Web. The construction of the test involves the generation and selection of the test items from the item bank collection of the UT Examination Center. Thus the combination of the selected items compromises the test specification.
Phase II, Double-Blinded, Randomized Study of Enzastaurin Plus Pemetrexed as Second-Line Therapy in Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Introduction: We examined the efficacy of enzastaurin plus pemetrexed as second-line therapy in patients with advanced (stage IIIA/B or IV) non-small cell lung cancer in a double-blinded, randomized, phase II study. Methods: Patients received pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1 of 21-day cycles (day 8 in cycle 1) plus oral enzastaurin (250 mg two times per day; combination arm) or placebo (pemetrexed arm). Both arms received supplementation with vitamin B12, folic acid, and dexamethasone. An interim analysis was conducted to determine whether efficacy would warrant a phase III study. Results: The interim analysis showed no evidence of improved progression-free survival with enzastaurin. At final analysis (N = 160, 80 in each arm), baseline characteristics were well balanced. There was no significant difference in progression-free survival (3.0 months, p = 0.544) or overall survival (9.6 months in combination arm and 7.4 months in pemetrexed arm, p = 0.171). Drug-related serious adverse events included cerebrovascular accident, palpitations, and renal failure (n = 1, each) in combination arm and neutropenic sepsis, thrombocytopenia, and panniculitis (n = 1, each) in pemetrexed arm. Nonhematologic drug-related grade 3/4 toxicities were similar in both arms. Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities were higher with the combination, specifically leukopenia (6.3% versus 0%), neutropenia (15.2% versus 5.0%), and thrombocytopenia (8.9% versus 1.3%). Of the 26 deaths reported on-study or within 30 days of discontinuation (10 in combination arm and 16 in pemetrexed arm), none were drug related. Conclusion: The combination regimen of enzastaurin and pemetrexed is well tolerated but does not improve efficacy over pemetrexed and placebo as second-line treatment of unselected patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Recombinant gp 350 Vaccine for Infectious Mononucleosis : A Phase 2 , Randomized , Double-Blind , Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Safety , Immunogenicity , and Efficacy of an Epstein-Barr Virus Vaccine in Healthy Young Adults

Etienne M. Sokal,1 Karel Hoppenbrouwers,3 Corinne Vandermeulen,3 Michel Moutschen,4 Philippe Léonard,4 Andre Moreels,2 Michèle Haumont,5 Alex Bollen,5 Françoise Smets,1 and Martine Denis6 1Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc, and 2Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Campus Etterbeek, Brussels, 3Department of Youth Health Care, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, 4Laboratory of Pathology, University of Liège, Liège, 5Henogen, Gosselies, and 6GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium
Bicyclic Nucleoside Inhibitors of Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV): Pd-Catalysed Synthesis of 5-aryl Derivatives and Their Biological Evaluation

We have recently reported the discovery of an entirely new category of potent antiviral agents based on novel deoxynucleoside analogues with unusual fluorescent bicyclic furano base moieties. In order to probe structure activity relationships we prepared a series of 5-aryl derivatives of the lead structures. We herein report the synthesis, characterization, and antiviral evaluation of these novel compounds. 5-Aryl derivatives of the parent nucleosides were synthesized from the corresponding alkynyl deoxyuridines using a simple, versatile and efficient one-step conversion, based on a palladium-catalysed cyclization. As previously noted for the lead compounds, a long alkyl side-chain on the base moiety is essential for antiviral activity. Even with the optimal (C8-C10) side-chain, most of the present compounds are markedly less active than their parent structures. However, some of the synthesized compounds still retained antiviral activity at non-cytotoxic concentrations, being only two- to fivefold less active than the current clinical agent acyclovir. Possible reasons for this structure activity relationship are discussed.
Stimulation of cannabinoid receptors by using Rubus coreanus extracts to control osteoporosis in aged male rats

Abstract A substantial proportion of men with prostatic disease have an increased risk of bone loss. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCM) extracts on osteoporosis that occurs with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced prostatic hyperplasia. The rats used in this study were categorized into groups of healthy controls, rats treated with MNU, and rats treated with MNU and RCM. The rats were sacrificed after 10 weeks of RCM treatment, after which ultrasonography, serum biochemical tests, histopathological examinations, immunohistochemical analysis, and semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis were performed. There were no marked differences in body weight gain and the size and weight of the prostate gland between the MNU group and the MNU and RCM group. However, treatment with RCM inhibited osteoclastic osteolysis and reduced dysplastic progress in the prostate gland, as observed by histopathological evaluation and by analyzing changes in the levels of bone regulatory factors. In addition, the group treated with MNU and RCM had higher expression levels of cannabinoid receptors-1, -2, and osteoprotegerin. These results indicate that the anti-osteoporotic effect of RCM in prostatic hyperplasia is attributable to the cannabinoid receptor-related upregulation of osteoblastogenesis and inhibition of prostatic hyperplasia. The results of the present study suggest that treatment with RCM may benefit osteoporotic patients with prostatic disease by simultaneously altering the activation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts.
Immunohistochemistry in dermatopathology.

CONTEXT Immunohistochemistry is not a diagnostic test but a highly valuable tool that requires interpretation within a context. OBJECTIVE To review the current status and limitations of immunohistochemistry in dermatopathology. DATA SOURCES English-language literature published between 1980 and 2014. CONCLUSIONS Although immunohistochemistry is rarely completely specific or sensitive, it is an important adjunctive technique in dermatopathology and can be helpful in a series of diagnostic dilemmas.
Biological treatment characteristics of benzene and toluene in a biofilter packed with cylindrical activated carbon.

The biodegradation of toluene and benzene in a biofilter using cylindrical activated carbon as the filler materials was studied. Three gas low rates, i.e. 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 m3/h, corresponding to empty bed gas residence of 75, 37.5 and 25 s, respectively, and total organic load lower than 400 g/m3 x h were tested. The biofilter proved to be highly efficient in biodegradation of toluene and benzene, and toluene was more easily degraded than benzene. When each inlet load was lower than 150 g/m3 x h, removal rate increased with inlet load and reached a maximum, which was 150 and 120 g/m(-3) x h for toluene and benzene, respectively. For inlet load higher than the maximum removal capacity conditions, the removal rate decreased with inlet load. Carbon dioxide concentration profile through the biofilter revealed that the mass ratios of carbon dioxide produced to the toluene and benzene removed were 2.15 g(CO2)/g(toluene) and 1.67 g(CO2)/g(benzene), which furthermore, confirmed the biodegradation performance in biofilter. The observation of biotic community demonstrated that the microbes consisted of bacillus, spore bacillus and fungi, of which the spore bacillus was dominant.
Bhutanese Health Care Reform : A Paradigm Shift in Health Care to Increase Gross National Happiness

Health care services in Bhutan have improved significantly in recent decades. Yet enormous challenges remain because of the lack of resources and increase in lifestyleand stress-related disorders. Buddhist practices, including mindfulness meditation, will have an important role to play in mitigating the effects of modernization and material desires. The hitherto doctor-centered “medical model” of treatment will need to give way to a holistic, patientcentered bio-psychosocial approach to health care management. In addition, the private sector will need to play a major role to sustain quality health care service in the country.
Intensidade constante ou ajustável de corrente elétrica não elicita diferentes níveis de fadiga do músculo quadríceps femoral durante sessões de estimulação elétrica neuromuscular em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica leve-moderada.

A estimulacao eletrica neuromuscular (EENM) tem sido aplicada em pacientes com DPOC. Apesar da intensidade da corrente eletrica desempenhar um papel importante no aumento da forca muscular, esta tem sido mantida constante durante as sessoes de EENM nestes pacientes. A proposta deste estudo foi avaliar a fadiga muscular apos diferentes modalidades de EENM em pacientes com DPOC. 22 pacientes com DPOC foram randomizados para dois modos de EENM do quadriceps femoral (QF): (i) intensidade constante (IC), o qual a intensidade foi mantida fixa por 40 min; e (ii) intensidade ajustavel (IA), o qual se iniciou como o modo IC, porem, com um ajuste apos 5 min e mantido por 35 min. Avaliacao eletromiografica de fadiga do QF (pela frequencia mediana: FM e root mean square: RMS) foi realizada em 40% da contracao voluntaria maxima pre e pos os modos de EENM. Os principais resultados foram: (i) a intensidade de corrente no modo IA foi significantemente maior do que o modo de IC (34,53±11,35 vs 36,22±10,41mA, p <0.05); (ii) para ambos modos de IC e IA houve reducao da FM (75,28 para 70,08Hz e 72,36 para 69,28Hz - p < 0,05, respectivamente) e aumento da RMS (53,67 para 64,20 μv e 59,05 para 64,00μv p<0,05, respectivamente); e (iii) nao foi observada diferenca em relacao aos niveis de fadiga entre os modos de IC e IA. Em conclusao, um unico ajuste da intensidade durante a mesma sessao de EENM nao e capaz de recrutar mais unidades motoras.