Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Randomized, double-blind clinical trial of topical imiquimod 5% with parenteral meglumine antimoniate in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Peru.

BACKGROUND Current treatments for cutaneous leishmaniasis are limited by their toxicity, high cost, and discomfort and the emergence of drug resistance. New approaches, including combination therapies, are urgently needed. We performed a double-blind, randomized trial of therapy with parenteral antimony plus topical imiquimod, an innate immune-response modulator, versus therapy with antimony alone, in subjects with cutaneous leishmaniasis for whom an initial course of antimony therapy had failed. METHODS Forty subjects with clinical resistance to antimony were recruited in Lima, Peru, between February 2001 and December 2002. All subjects received meglumine antimoniate (20 mg/kg/day im or iv) and were randomized to receive either topical imiquimod 5% cream (Aldara; 3M Pharmaceuticals) or vehicle control every other day for 20 days. Lesions and adverse events were evaluated during treatment and at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after the treatment period. RESULTS The mean number of lesions was 1.2 per person; 71% of the lesions were facial and 76% were ulcerative. There were no major differences between the groups, and all but 2 subjects completed therapy. Mild adverse events were reported by 73% of the subjects, but only erythema occurred more commonly in the imiquimod group (P < or = .02). Lesions resolved more rapidly in the imiquimod group: 50% of the imiquimod group achieved cure at 1 month after the treatment period versus 15% of the vehicle cream group (P < or = .02); 61% of the imiquimod group at 2 months versus 25% of the vehicle cream group (P < or = .03); and 72% of the imiquimod group at 3 months versus 35% of the vehicle cream group (P < or = .02). Residual scarring in the imiquimod group was less prominent than in the vehicle cream group. CONCLUSIONS Combined antimony plus imiquimod treatment was well tolerated, accelerated healing of lesions, and improved scar quality. This therapy may have particular advantages for subjects with facial lesions.
Risk Factors for Acquisition of Fluoroquinolone or Aminoglycoside Resistance in Addition to Carbapenem Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Right © 2017 Kosai et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. NAOSITE: Nagasaki University's Academic Output SITE
Epstein‐Barr virus nuclear antigen 2 is a transcriptional suppressor of the immunoglobulin mu gene: implications for the expression of the translocated c‐myc gene in Burkitt's lymphoma cells.

A conditional mutant of Epstein‐Barr virus nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2) regulated by estrogen was employed to study the effect of EBNA2 on the cellular phenotype. Activation of EBNA2 in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) and in B cell lymphoma lines resulted in down‐regulation of cell surface IgM and Ig‐mu steady‐state RNA expression. In LCLs, activation of EBNA2 is required for maintaining proliferation, whereas in Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell lines with t(8;14) translocations, activation of EBNA2 induces growth arrest. In these cells, Northern and nuclear run‐on analyses revealed rapid simultaneous repression of Ig‐mu and c‐myc transcription as early as 30 min after activation of EBNA2. Since c‐myc expression is under the control of the Ig heavy chain locus in BL cell lines with a t(8;14) translocation, we propose that Ig‐mu and c‐myc are down‐regulated by EBNA2 through a common mechanism.
Completing the Technology Transfer process: the IPOs and M&As of Biotech Spin-Offs

This paper investigates the valuation and MA this distinction persisted after controlling for intellectual capital and other possible determinants. We argue that science-based firms do contribute to the technology transfer process, as evidenced by the widespread interest of the business world in investing in these firms. The take-over of these firms may be a final outcome of the process of knowledge diffusion.
A Firm-Level Panel Study for India

Traditionally, firms in India have shown a low preference towards debt financing, despite its advantages. Using panel data from 450 firms during 1992-93 and 2003-04, we attempt to identify factors which could explain the pattern of financing of manufacturing firms in India and the key determinants of their debt structure. We examine the roles of age of the firm, long term borrowing and net sales in affecting its debt structure.
Evaluating Dynamic Analysis Techniques for Program Comprehension

Program comprehension is an essential part of software development and software maintenance, as software must be sufficiently understood before it can be properly modified. One of the common approaches in getting to understand a program is the study of its execution, also known as dynamic analysis. While many such approaches have been proposed in the literature, their empirical evaluation is often missing or inconclusive, and their added values to existing solutions are seldomly quantified. This dissertation aims to characterize, and extend upon, the existing work on program comprehension through dynamic analysis. A strong emphasis in our research is put on empirical evaluation. To structure the current state of the art and to identify research opportunities, we first conduct a systematic survey of all publications on this topic in the past decades. We then propose both a traditional and a more advanced visualization technique, experiment with the necessary abstraction techniques, and provide tool implementations. Our approaches are validated through extensive case studies and a controlled experiment. Finally, we conclude with a set of recommendations for future directions.
Analysis of worm-like locomotion

Nature is a storehouse of great ideas, which are mostly so well planned, that engineers can apply them directly via examining, understanding and imitating the natural working principles. Snakes and worms can be found in almost every region of our planet. Their success is mainly based on the simple construction of their body and their robust locomotion technique. Snakes and worms move their body periodically, to generate propulsive force and get forward, using the interaction with the surrounding environment. The aim of this work is the analysis of a particular worm-like locomotion technique through numerical simulations. The worm is modeled by a multibody system containing lumped masses constrained to each other by ideal rigid rods. The periodic motion of the worm body is achieved via the use of an artificial muscle-like actuator system. The results and experiences can be exploited in future work when a worm-like robot will be built for exploration and rescue purposes.
Designing a model of intuitionistic fuzzy VIKOR in multi-attribute group decision-making problems

Multiple attributes group decision making (MAGDM) is regarded as the process of determining the best feasible solution by a group of experts or decision makers according to the attributes that represent different effects. In assessing the performance of each alternative with respect to each attribute and the relative importance of the selected attributes, quantitative/qualitative evaluations are often required to handle uncertainty, imprecise and inadequate information, which are well suited to represent with fuzzy values. This paper develops a VIKOR method based on intuitionistic fuzzy sets with multi-judges and multi-attributes in real-life situations. Intuitionistic fuzzy weighted averaging (IFWA) operator is used to aggregate individual judgments of experts to rate the importance of attributes and alternatives. Then, an intuitionistic ranking index is introduced to obtain a compromise solution to solve MAGDM problems. For application and validation, this paper presents two application examples and solves the practical portfolio selection and material handling selection problems to verify the proposed method. Finally, the intuitionistic fuzzy VIKOR method is compared with the existing intuitionistic fuzzy MAGDM method for two application examples, and their computational results are discussed.
Comparative practices of food label claims from US, EU and selected Southeast Asian countries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to fulfil gaps in knowledge regarding food packaging practices in Southeast Asia by examining the informational content of food labels on a variety of packaged foods. Design/methodology/approach – Using local and imported food products found in supermarkets in Singapore, a quantitative content analysis of food label claims in a wide range of packaged food products was conducted. A codebook was developed to capture the attributes of the food labels and claims, content categories, product names, food categories, sources of manufacture and countries of brand origin. The three main regions of analysis of country of manufacture were the USA, European Union (EU) and Southeast Asia. Findings – Analysis of food products manufactured in five Southeast Asian countries revealed the presence of various claims in food products, and a number of specific claims exceeded the percentages found in products from the USA or EU. The results showed that a significant proportion of product.
Growing radial basis neural networks with potential function generators

In this paper, we propose an approach for shaping the adaptive radial basis functions through potential functions for the purposes of classification. We propose a multilayer potential function generators neural network (PFUGNN) with two fundamental components: potential function generators (PFGs) and potential function entities (PFEs) which create the decision rules by constructing multivariate potential functions and adjusting the weights as well as the parameters of the cumulative potential functions. The two proposed criteria evaluate the NN performance during the learning phase and force PFUGNN to enter the dynamic phase and perform structural changes before entering the next learning cycle. The implementation of the presented method with several data sets demonstrates its power in generating classification solutions for learning samples of various shapes.
Remote Sensing of Soil Moisture Content by GPR Signal Processing in the Frequency Domain

This paper presents a method, based on ground penetrating radar (GPR) signal processing in the frequency domain, to estimate moisture content in a porous medium without preventive calibration. Several indicators based on high order moments are extracted from the GPR spectra and their dependency on the moisture content is evaluated. Experimental results confirm the theoretical expectations and show the effectiveness of the proposed approach to estimate soil moisture content.
Application of single nucleotide polymorphisms to non‐model species: a technical review

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have gained wide use in humans and model species and are becoming the marker of choice for applications in other species. Technology that was developed for work in model species may provide useful tools for SNP discovery and genotyping in non‐model organisms. However, SNP discovery can be expensive, labour intensive, and introduce ascertainment bias. In addition, the most efficient approaches to SNP discovery will depend on the research questions that the markers are to resolve as well as the focal species. We discuss advantages and disadvantages of several past and recent technologies for SNP discovery and genotyping and summarize a variety of SNP discovery and genotyping studies in ecology and evolution.
Wooing zoomers: marketing to the mature traveler

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight consumer trends relating to the baby boomer generation and identify the relevant marketing communications required to connect with these travelers.Design/methodology/approach – This study involved a thorough review of recently published marketing research and new reports dedicated to the baby boomer generation and the travel industry.Findings – Traveling boomers are looking for a memorable experience rather than a holiday, seeking authenticity, spiritual and mental enlightenment, nostalgia, convenience and spontaneity, all packaged in a safe, customized, healthy, green wrapping and delivered with great customer service. To connect with these boomers, marketers should emphasize youth, use nostalgia, show how to improve boomers' lives, provide detailed information, promote the experience, and use a variety of media.Research limitations/implications – The literature on marketing to baby boomers is fragmented and sometimes contradictory. This could be becaus.
Infection of mouse neurones by West Nile virus is modulated by the interferon‐inducible 2′‐5′ oligoadenylate synthetase 1b protein

Over the past 7 years, West Nile zoonosis has been an emerging concern for public health in Europe, Middle East and more recently in North America. West Nile virus causes epidemic outbreaks in humans and infected patients may exhibit severe neurological symptoms. Because susceptibility and sensitivity to West Nile virus infections may depend on host genetic factors, a mouse model has been established to investigate the genetic determinism of host susceptibility to West Nile virus. A nonsense mutation in gene encoding the 1b isoform of the 2′‐5′oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS1b) was constantly associated with the susceptibility of mouse strains to experimental West Nile virus infection. Oligoadenylate synthetase are interferon‐inducible proteins playing a role in the endogeneous antiviral pathway. It was of interest to establish whether interferon‐α and OAS 1B were sufficient to mediate resistance to West Nile virus infection. In the present study, we showed that interferon‐α had the ability to modulate West Nile virus infection in mouse. In vitro, interferon‐α protected mouse neuroblastoma cells against West Nile virus infection if cells have been pretreated with the cytokine for several hours. As a consequence of the presence of a stop codon, the Oas1b gene of the susceptible mice encodes a truncated and presumably inactive form, while resistant mice have a normal copy of the gene. Stable mouse neuroblastoma cell clones overexpressing mutant or wild‐type OAS 1B were established. Replication of West Nile virus was less efficient in cells that produce the normal copy of OAS 1B as compared to those expressing the truncated form. Our data illustrate the notion that interferon‐α and Oas genes may be critical for West Nile virus pathogenesis.
New directions of Housing Policy in Japan On the Report of Central Housing and Land Council

The Report of Central Housing and Land Council stated some new directions of Housing Policy in Japan in June 2000. The Report stated many important changes of housing policy from housing policy in growth society to housing policy in matured society. A main purpose of housing policy in growth society had given the first priority to lead households to own their own houses. But a main purpose of housing policy in matured society will change to lead households to make use of houses. To make such radical changes, the report put stress two points; we think of making use of market mechanism important and of the quality of housing stock important.
Preliminary Study for the Anticancer Activity of Flavonoids Extracted from Wild Lycium barbarum Leaves

The discovery and identification of a new drugs, which can act as anticancer agents had an important goal of researches. This study demonstrates the favorable effects of Iraqi wild type Lycium barbarum active components as anticancer agent. Flavonoids from Lycium barbarum leaves were extracted and identified by the preparative thin layer chromatography (PTLC) technique which was the best to separate several flavonoids among them; Rutin, Quercetin, Kaempferol, luteolin and a major quantity of unknown flavonoid that had been separated and purified to evaluate its biological activity. Results showed that Iraqi L. barbarum leaves contain total flavonoids (11.28 mg/g dried leaves) calculated as Quercetin, and the purified extracted flavonoid showed cytotoxic effect towards both: the primary cell culture of normal hepatic cells (WRL-68), and cancer hepatic cell lines (HepG-2) at 100μg/ml concentration for 24 hours treatment. The High Content Screening (HCS) assay was held only for the purified flavonoid to investigate the mechanism by which the purified flavonoid affected living cells toward apoptosis. The most significant reduction (p≤0.05) in cell viable count was at the concentration 100μg/ml which appear to cause the induction of cell death via mitochondrial pathway for HepG-2 cell line after 24 hours exposure.
Adopting, Using, and Discarding Paper and Electronic Payment Instruments: Variation by Age and Race

This paper uses data from the 2008 Survey of Consumer Payment Choice to discuss the adoption, use, and discarding of various common payment instruments. Using a nationally representative sample of individual-level data, it presents evidence in unparalleled detail about how consumers use different payment instruments. Most interestingly, it displays robust evidence of significant age- and race-related differences in payments choices. Among other things, it suggests that the range of payment instruments adopted and regularly used by blacks is narrower than that chosen by whites, presumably because of relatively limited access to financial institutions. With regard to age, it documents pervasive (and complex) age-related patterns at every step of the decisions to adopt, use, and discard payment instruments.
Status of Diabetes Care: “It Just Doesn’t Get Any Better . . . or Does It?”

The July 2014 issue marks the halfway point for our editorial team’s tenure in overseeing the scientific aspects of Diabetes Care . At this time in the process, we would have thought that things would have become very routine. Specifically, one might expect that changes made at the beginning of our term would now be complete and we would be at a stage (to borrow a term from the aviation industry) of “autopilot. ” But, instead, we have realized that there is a new norm at the journal . one that dictates a consistent principle … that Diabetes Care and its editorial team continue to evolve! For example, when we provided our update on the journal for July 2013, we titled it “The Hits Just Keep on Coming! ” (1). It was stated at the time: “To be honest, I would be thrilled if, in January 2014, I can simply state we’ve had more of the same! ” Honestly, this is far from the truth. It has not been more of the same . we have exceeded our own expectations! Over the last year, new initiatives have continued, the number of new submissions is at record level, the quality of published articles continues to increase, and our pleasure in seeing each and every journal issue is heightened each month. It is fitting at this halfway point to have our editorial team collectively report on our further progress to you, the readers we serve. From our perspective, this progress report is very appropriately titled as “It Just Doesn’t Get Any Better … or Does It? ” To be fair, some of the developments from our team have been noted in past editorials and are now considered as standard. For example, as you may well know by now, our editorial team has …
Early remodeling of müller cells in the rd/rd mouse model of retinal dystrophy

We studied the anatomical remodeling and gliosis of retinal Müller cells in the rd/rd mouse model of photoreceptor degeneration. A computational calculation of glutamine synthetase immunoreactivity was developed so we could specifically quantify changes in Müller cell anatomy between control mice (C57Bl/6) and the dystrophic strain. We found no change in the number of Müller cell somata between mice strains, indicating no cell proliferation as a function of development and degeneration. The retinal area occupied by the total Müller cell body (soma and processes) was significantly less in the rd/rd mouse retina compared with control mice. When only the outer retina was considered, we found rd/rd Müller cell processes were dramatically reduced during the cone phase of photoreceptor degeneration. However, at older ages an increase in Müller cell processes was seen. Conversely, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression showed a significant increase during cone degeneration followed by a reduction in older ages. Müller cell electrophysiology, particularly K+ currents and membrane potential, was similar between rd/rd and control Müller cells during cone degeneration. Together, these results show that glial remodeling in the rd/rd retina follows separate phases—an initial conservative glial response involving the loss of Müller cells processes, hyperexpression of GFAP, and preservation of normal electrophysiology followed by an active growth of Müller cell processes, glial seal formation, and attenuation of GFAP expression after complete photoreceptor loss. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:2439–2453, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
HIGHLIGHTED TOPIC Physiology and Pathophysiology of Physical Inactivity Metabolic deterioration of the sedentary control group in clinical trials

clinical trials of exercise training regimens in sedentary individuals have provided a mechanistic understanding of the long-term health beneﬁts and consequences of physical activity and inactivity. The sedentary control periods from these trials have provided evidence of the progressive metabolic deterioration that results from as little as 4–6 mo of continuing a physically inactive lifestyle. These clinical trials have also demonstrated that only a modest amount of physical activity is required to prevent this metabolic deterioration, and this amount of physical activity is consistent with current physical activity recommendations (150 min/wk of moder- ate intensity physical activity). These recommendations have been issued to the general population for a vast array of health beneﬁts. While greater adherence to these recommendations should result in substantial improvements in the health of the population, these recommendations still remain inadequate for many individu- als. An individual’s physical activity requirements are inﬂuenced by such factors as an individual’s diet, nonexercise physical activity patterns, genetic proﬁle, and medications. Improving the understanding of how these factors inﬂuence an individual’s physical activity requirements will help advance the ﬁeld and help move the ﬁeld toward the development of more personalized physical activity recommendations. (Chg) in visceral abdominal fat ( A ), subcutaneous abdominal fat ( B ), and total abdominal fat ( C ). Findings are from an analysis of STRRIDE (45). The mean percent changes in the control, low amount-moderate intensity, low amount-high intensity, and high amount-high intensity groups for visceral abdominal fat were 8.6%, 1.7%, 2.5%, and (cid:2) 6.9% ( A ); subcutaneous fat 1.1%, (cid:2) 1.2%, 3.1%, and (cid:2) 7.1% ( ); and total abdominal fat 3.9%, 0.2%, 2.0%, and (cid:2) 6.8% (