Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What Causes Increased Stroke Mortality in Patients with Prestroke Dementia?

Background and Purpose: In patients with dementia, the incidence of stroke is higher and strokes are more severe and lethal. The purpose of this population-based study was to describe in what way previous dementia affects mortality in stroke patients. Methods: Subjects were all persons ≧65 years old who had a first-ever stroke during 1 year (n = 327). The prestroke dementia (PSD) diagnosis was made at the time of the stroke diagnosis using data from next of kin and from patient records. Patients were followed prospectively and causes of death were evaluated. Results: The 28-day case fatality was 44% for PSD patients and 15% for non-PSD patients. Corresponding ratios at 1 year were 71 and 36%, respectively. Twenty-eight percent of the PSD patients had a new stroke during the first year, compared to 8% of the non-PSD patients. More patients in the PSD group died as a direct or indirect consequence of their stroke. Multivariate analysis showed that PSD, in addition to age, atrial fibrillation and stroke severity, was an independent predictor of mortality. Conclusions: The PSD patients more often had a stroke-related death, even when we adjusted for a number of other factors. The cause for this is most likely multifactorial, including an increased tendency to contract complications in the acute phase, and iatrogenic causes. The brain of the PSD patients may also be frailer and more susceptible to ischemic or hemorrhagic damage than the nondemented brain.
Resolving the debate over birth order, family size, and intelligence.

Hundreds of research articles have addressed the relationship between birth order and intelligence. Virtually all have used cross-sectional data, which are fundamentally flawed in the assessment of within-family (including birth order) processes. Although within-family models have been based on patterns in cross-sectional data, a number of equally plausible between-family explanations also exist. Within-family (preferably intact-family) data are prerequisite for separating within- and between-family causal processes. This observation reframes an old issue in a way that can be easily addressed by studying graphical patterns. Sibling data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth are evaluated, and the results are compared with those from other studies using within-family data. It appears that although low-IQ parents have been making large families, large families do not make low-IQ children in modern U.S. society. The apparent relation between birth order and intelligence has been a methodological illusion.
Targeted disruption of the Kcnq1 gene produces a mouse model of Jervell and Lange– Nielsen Syndrome

KCNQ1 encodes KCNQ1, which belongs to a family of voltage-dependent K+ ion channel proteins. KCNQ1 associates with a regulatory subunit, KCNE1, to produce the cardiac repolarizing current, IKs. Loss-of-function mutations in the human KCNQ1 gene have been linked to Jervell and Lange–Nielsen Syndrome (JLNS), a disorder characterized by profound bilateral deafness and a cardiac phenotype. To generate a mouse model for JLNS, we created a line of transgenic mice that have a targeted disruption in the Kcnq1 gene. Behavioral analysis revealed that the Kcnq1−/− mice are deaf and exhibit a shaker/waltzer phenotype. Histological analysis of the inner ear structures of Kcnq1−/− mice revealed gross morphological anomalies because of the drastic reduction in the volume of endolymph. ECGs recorded from Kcnq1−/− mice demonstrated abnormal T- and P-wave morphologies and prolongation of the QT and JT intervals when measured in vivo, but not in isolated hearts. These changes are indicative of cardiac repolarization defects that appear to be induced by extracardiac signals. Together, these data suggest that Kcnq1−/− mice are a potentially valuable animal model of JLNS.
Antagonism by fenamates and like‐acting drugs of bronchoconstriction induced by bradykinin or antigen in the guinea‐pig

1 Nine non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs were tested for antagonism of bradykinin‐induced bronchoconstriction in guinea‐pig lungs in vivo. Only one, benzydamine, was inactive. 2 The descending order of potency of the active anti‐inflammatory drugs was meclofenamate = Scha 306>Scha 87/2>indoxole>Mi85>indomethacin>glafenine>ibufenac. 3 Of eight other drugs tested, chlorpromazine, phenoxybenzamine and four others were inactive, whereas phenelzine and mebanazine possessed activity. 4 In tests at two dose‐levels of meclofenamate, the dose‐ratio of bradykinin increased proportionately with the dose of meclofenamate. 5 The anti‐bradykinin effect of meclofenamate was still observed after destruction of the brain and spinal cord, after bilateral adrenalectomy or after blockade of β‐receptors for adrenaline. 6 Meclofenamate did not release catecholamines from the adrenal medulla or prevent such a release by bradykinin given intra‐arterially. 7 The fenamates and like‐acting drugs reduced the intensity of anaphylactic bronchoconstriction in guinea‐pigs treated with mepyramine or propranolol. The descending order of potency was meclofenamate>flufenamate>mefenamate. 8 Dose/response curves for the antagonism of anaphylactic bronchoconstriction by the fenamates, in the presence of propranolol, turned downwards at high doses. 9 These findings suggest that the fenamates may find a useful place in the treatment of bronchial asthma or other conditions involving allergic ventilatory impairment.
Development to Blastocyst Stage of Pig Oocytes Matured, Fertilized and Electroactivated In Vitro

Summary This study was designed 1) to determine the effectiveness of two in vitro maturation (IVM) media (tissue culture medium [TCM] and modified synthetic oviduct fluid supplemented with amino acids [mSOFaa]), 2) to compare the effects of two in vitro fertilization (IVF) media (modified Tris-buffered medium [mTBM] and mSOFaa) on the developmental competence of pig oocytes, and 3) to test the activation ability of IVM pig oocytes matured in TCM or mSOFaa, electroactivated and cultured in mSOFaa. The nuclear maturation rates were similar between IVM media (91.0 % vs. 89.0 %). A similar result was obtained when the activation rates were 54.2 % in TCM and 56.0 % in mSOFaa, and the blastocyst rates were 7.9 % and 6.1 %, respectively. There was no significant difference between mSOFaa and mTBM in the percentage of embryos with two pronuclei 33.2 % vs. 13.8 % or polypronuclei 5.3 % vs. 13.4 %. The cleavage rate was the same in both media. The medium mSOFaa gave a significantly higher (P< 0.05) blastocyst rate than mTBM (12.7 % vs. 3.9 %). We concluded that mSOFaa can enhance in vitro maturation, fertilization and culture of pig oocytes.
Analysis of expected processing time for multiple memory backup servers

Data stores in distributed systems maintain backup servers for data recovery. Most existing data stores use non-volatile storage to store backup data. However, high-performance systems may require the use of the main memory for backup storage instead of disks due to the performance gap between the disks and the memory. In this paper, we present an expected processing time analysis for data stores in distributed systems using multiple memory backup servers for recovery. Our analysis shows that the expected processing time decreases as the number of backup servers increases. Thus the number of backup servers can be chosen to meet the performance requirement based on our analysis.
Cyber security threats — Smart grid infrastructure

Smart grid is an evolving new power system framework with ICT driven power equipment massively layered structure. The new generation sensors, smart meters and electronic devices are integral components of smart grid. However, the upcoming deployment of smart devices at different layers followed by their integration with communication networks may introduce cyber threats. The interdependencies of various subsystems functioning in the smart grid, if affected by cyber-attack, may be vulnerable and greatly reduce efficiency and reliability due to any one of the device not responding in real time frame. The cyber security vulnerabilities become even more evident due to the existing superannuated cyber infrastructure. This paper presents a critical review on expected cyber security threats in complex environment and addresses the grave concern of a secure cyber infrastructure and related developments. An extensive review on the cyber security objectives and requirements along with the risk evaluation process has been undertaken. The paper analyses confidentiality and privacy issues of entire components of smart power system. A critical evaluation on upcoming challenges with innovative research concerns is highlighted to achieve a roadmap of an immune smart grid infrastructure. This will further facilitate R&D and associated developments.
Ionic binding characteristics of monoclonal autoantibodies to DNA from NZB.H-2bm12 mice.

NZB (H-2d) mice are well known for the production of IgM autoantibodies to ssDNA. However, an F1 cross between NZB and either NZW or SWR mice is required to produce IgG nephritogenic antibodies to dsDNA and glomerulonephritis. The contribution of parental class II loci in the hybrid mice is clearly important to the development of anti-dsDNA antibodies. In contrast, NZB mice congenic with the Iabm12 mutation develop IgG autoantibodies to dsDNA despite being homozygous for Ia. As a part of our effort to examine the mechanisms of disease development in NZB.H-2bm12 mice, we have generated a panel of monoclonal antibodies against nucleic acids. A subgroup of these antibodies exhibited strong electrostatic interaction with nucleic acids as evidenced by inhibition of their binding by a moderate increase in ionic strength. Interestingly, the effect of salt was either all or none; e.g., antibodies were either markedly inhibited or virtually unaffected. The importance of this ionic interaction was highlighted by analysis of DNA binding of antibodies from serum and nephritic kidneys of NZB.H-2bm12 mice. Antibodies specific for ssDNA, which are common in NZB mice and not associated with nephritic lupus, are largely unaffected by salt. However, serum and kidney eluted IgG antibodies specific for dsDNA were markedly inhibited by salt. We postulate that B cell clones whose antibodies exhibit electrostatic interaction with DNA are preferentially expanded during the course of lupus in NZB.H-2bm12 mice and that such antibodies contribute significantly to glomerulonephritis.
Going Bankrupt in China

Using a new case-level dataset we document a set of stylized facts on bankruptcy in China and study how the staggered introduction of specialized courts across Chinese cities affected insolvency resolution and the local economy. For identification, we compare bankruptcy cases handled by specialized versus traditional civil courts within the same city and filed in the same year. We find that specialized courts decrease case duration by 36% relative to traditional civil courts. We provide evidence consistent with court specialization increasing efficiency via selection of better trained judges and higher judicial independence from local politicians. We document that cities introducing specialized courts experience a relative reallocation of employment out of zombie firms-intensive sectors, as well as faster firm entry and a larger increase in average capital productivity.
Enabling location‐based services in wireless LAN hotspots

The wide deployment of IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN (WLAN) makes possible application services developed in WLAN hotspots. Owing to the small cell size in WLAN hotspots, it is practical to develop location‐based services with the awareness of the WLAN access points (APs) that mobile devices currently access. In this paper, we propose an effective location determination technique using the inherent SNMP support in WLAN APs. It is shown that the current location of a mobile device can be determined from the SNMP traps sent by APs. Since the SNMP‐based approach doesn't need any particular software or hardware in mobile devices, location‐based services can be widely deployed, especially in public WLAN hotspots. To further enable location‐based services through the WWW, this paper also considers the location determination of a mobile device from its IP address, retrieved in a WWW environment. In addition, we propose a web service framework for location‐based services in WLAN hotspots. Thus, location‐based services can be developed in a standard way. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Review of Research on Organizational Culture in Health Care System

Abstract Introduction. Organizational culture is an ambiguous concept, it reflects norms and values considered important in a given society. It is subject to the influence of internal and external factors, as well as its technical and organizational solutions. It is considered a significant factor in the organization’s success and sets the direction of most of its members’ activities. Aim. The aim of the work was to present a review of research on organizational culture in the health care system based on the literature. Methods. The article is in the form of an unsystematic review. The medical databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar have been reviewed (from January 1963 to January 2017). Results. The concept of organizational culture in the management literature for the first time was defined in the 1950s. The subject of research on organizational culture in the health care system and subsystem of nursing was mainly dealt with in North America and Western Europe. In Poland, the study of organizational culture in the nursing sector was analyzed in relation to the mental burden of nurses. The review of the literature shows that organizational culture affects many elements of the professional work of nurses, such as; efficiency, quality, mental stress, burnout, the occurrence of work-related diseases, and also is associated with satisfaction with care and a sense of security.
Melatonin as an antioxidant: under promises but over delivers

Melatonin is uncommonly effective in reducing oxidative stress under a remarkably large number of circumstances. It achieves this action via a variety of means: direct detoxification of reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species and indirectly by stimulating antioxidant enzymes while suppressing the activity of pro‐oxidant enzymes. In addition to these well‐described actions, melatonin also reportedly chelates transition metals, which are involved in the Fenton/Haber–Weiss reactions; in doing so, melatonin reduces the formation of the devastatingly toxic hydroxyl radical resulting in the reduction of oxidative stress. Melatonin's ubiquitous but unequal intracellular distribution, including its high concentrations in mitochondria, likely aid in its capacity to resist oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis. There is credible evidence to suggest that melatonin should be classified as a mitochondria‐targeted antioxidant. Melatonin's capacity to prevent oxidative damage and the associated physiological debilitation is well documented in numerous experimental ischemia/reperfusion (hypoxia/reoxygenation) studies especially in the brain (stroke) and in the heart (heart attack). Melatonin, via its antiradical mechanisms, also reduces the toxicity of noxious prescription drugs and of methamphetamine, a drug of abuse. Experimental findings also indicate that melatonin renders treatment‐resistant cancers sensitive to various therapeutic agents and may be useful, due to its multiple antioxidant actions, in especially delaying and perhaps treating a variety of age‐related diseases and dehumanizing conditions. Melatonin has been effectively used to combat oxidative stress, inflammation and cellular apoptosis and to restore tissue function in a number of human trials; its efficacy supports its more extensive use in a wider variety of human studies. The uncommonly high‐safety profile of melatonin also bolsters this conclusion. It is the current feeling of the authors that, in view of the widely diverse beneficial functions that have been reported for melatonin, these may be merely epiphenomena of the more fundamental, yet‐to‐be identified basic action(s) of this ancient molecule.
The toxic effects of amphotericin B in man.

Studies of 47 patients with intravenous amphotericin B revealed some impairment of renal function in all cases. Azotemia developed in 46 cases. Microscopic examination in eight cases showed damage to the distal renal tubule. Profound hypokalemia was recognized in two cases; and symptoms suggesting hypokalemia, which were generally ameliorated by potassium administration, were noted in most cases. It is postulated that the initial potassium loss is due to a "tubular leak" and that subsequent potassium depletion leads to further tubular damage. Mild to severe anemia developed in all cases during therapy. Serial red cell indices, bone marrow examinations and red cell survival studies indicated that hemolysis, rather than bone marrow depression, was responsible.The decision to treat, to modify therapy or to terminate treatment must be made on the basis of severity of disease, probability of progression, and renal status.
Crystal Structure of a Multidomain Human p53 Tetramer Bound to the Natural CDKN1A (p21) p53-Response Element

The p53 tumor suppressor protein is a sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factor. Structures of p53 bound to DNA have been described, but, so far, no structure has been determined of p53 bound to a natural p53-response element. We describe here the structure of a human p53 homotetramer encompassing both the DNA-binding and homo-oligomerization domains in complex with the natural p53-response element present upstream of the promoter of the CDKN1A (p21) gene. Similar to our previously described structures of human p53 tetramers bound to an artificial consensus DNA site, p53 DNA binding proceeds via an induced fit mechanism with loops L1 of two subunits adopting recessed conformations. Interestingly, the conformational change involving loop L1 is even more extreme than the one previously observed with the artificial consensus DNA site. In fact, the previously determined loop L1 conformation seems to be a transition intermediate between the non–DNA-bound and CDKN1A-bound states. Thus, the new structure further supports our model that recognition of specific DNA by p53 is associated with conformational changes within the DNA-binding domain of p53. Mol Cancer Res; 9(11); 1493–9. ©2011 AACR.
DOES THE WING MOLT CAUSE NUTRITIONAL STRESS IN LESSER SNOW GEESE ?

--To test the hypothesis that wing molt causes nutritional stress for geese and ducks, I investigated what effect wing molt has on nutrient reserves of adult Lesser Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens). The study was done in 1971 and 1972 at the McConnell River (60ø50'N, 94ø25'W), Northwest Territories, Canada. Body weight, weight of body fat, dry weight of breast and leg muscle, and leg bone weight were used to index reserves. The data showed that these geese rely very little, if at all, on catabolism of body tissue to obtain nutrients for feather growth. Thus, I conclude that the molt does not cause nutritional stress for Lesser Snow Geese. I argue that this is predictable and suggest that it is true of other waterfowl. Received 24 April 1978, accepted 3 October 1978. MOLT is a nutrient-costly process in birds (Payne 1972, King 1974). To meet that nutrient demand, a molting bird can use one or more of these tactics: 1) increase its daily nutrient intake, 2) make a compensatory reduction in other nutrient-demanding functions, or 3) catabolize body tissue. The timing, duration, and pattern of molt vary greatly among bird species (King 1974: 9) and probably are important determinants of the tactic(s) used by a species. Birds that molt and regrow all flight feathers simultaneously apparently have a higher daily nutrient demand than those that have a sequential molt (King 1974: 37). Studies of energy intake by sequential-molters suggest that they use the first and/or the second of the above tactics (King 1974: 37-38). Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) are simultaneous-molters, and according to Hanson (1962) are unable to meet the demands of wing molt by increased food intake. Hanson argued that Canada Geese catabolize pectoral muscle and leg bone to get additional nutrients for wing-feather growth. Hence, he hypothesized (Hanson 1962: 13-14, Hanson and Jones 1976: 191) that molt, especially by females, is the most stressful period in the life cycle of waterfowl. Hanson (1962) did not define stress, but presumably meant a situation in which a bird's nutrient demands exceed its nutrient ingestion, resulting in catabolism of body tissue. That is how I define nutritional stress in this paper. But for such a situation to be stressful, in an evolutionary sense, the catab-' olism must result in a lowered fitness of the bird; Hanson (1962: 14) suggested that "the apparent differential stress of molt may be a primary reason for the preponderance of males in populations of adult waterfowl. " Data are presented here to show that the dynamics of nutrient reserves in molting Lesser Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) are somewhat like those of Canada Geese. However, I argue that Hanson's hypothesis does not hold for Lesser Snow Geese and that these geese meet the nutrient demands of the wing molt through
Women's health is not in focus in disaster zones: lessons from the Nepal earthquake

Nepal was hit by a powerful earthquake in 2015, causing enormous damage to physical infrastructure and human lives in many parts of the country. It caused serious threat to women's and children’s health both during and after the earthquake. An article in this issue of the journal highlights one easily forgotten hardship among many faced by women in this situation. Budhathoki and coworkers describe the difficulties surrounding menstrual hygiene in post-earthquake Nepal, where women used and reused clothes as sanitary towels – a practice that was considered culturally acceptable and feasible in crisis situations.1 The authors argue that menstrual hygiene received a low priority due to the overwhelming need of water, food and shelter in such crisis situations. An earlier report based on field visits carried out in temporary camps in Sindhupalchok district has also highlighted that menstruation and childbirth are considered natural physiological phenomena not requiring attention, and are not prioritised in disaster areas.2 Even before the earthquake, women's health had not been prioritised in Nepal, …
Intrathecal cannabinoid administration suppresses noxious stimulus-evoked Fos protein-like immunoreactivity in rat spinal cord: comparison with morphine.

AIM To determine whether cannabinoids suppress noxious stimulus-evoked Fos protein-like immunoreactivity (FLI) through direct actions at the spinal level. METHODS Rats were implanted with intrathecal (ith) catheters at least one week prior to evaluation in the formalin test. Effects of the cannabinoid agonist, CP55,940 (80 micrograms ith) on formalin pain and FLI in rat spinal cord were compared with that of the prototypic narcotic analgesic, morphine (20 micrograms ith). CP55,940 suppressed pain behavior and FLI induced by intraplantar formalin. The cannabinoid suppressed Fos in the neck region of the dorsal horn and in the ventral horn, but not in the nucleus proprius. The efficacy of the cannabinoid in suppressing FLI in these laminae and pain behavior was comparable to morphine administered via the same route. However, only morphine suppressed FLI in the superficial dorsal horn relative to vehicle treatment. CONCLUSION Cannabinoids suppress nociceptive processing, in part, through actions at the spinal level. However, morphine showed greater potency and efficacy than CP55,940 in suppressing formalin-induced FLI following spinal administration.