Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficiency and safety of roflumilast combined with long-acting bronchodilators on moderate-to-severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Roflumilast, a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor recommended by clinical guideline, is always being used in combination with at least one long-acting bronchodilator in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, there are few evidences about whether the combination of roflumilast and long-acting bronchodilators is safer and more effective in patients with moderate-to-very severe stable COPD. In our study, we investigate the effect and safety of roflumilast combined with long-acting bronchodilators on moderate-to-severe stable COPD patients. METHODS Several databases were adopted in February 5th 2016, so as to identify relevant randomized controlled trial (RCT). Studies indicated that the patients in the experimental group had to receive roflumilast and concomitant treatment with long-acting bronchodilators, and the patients in the control group had to receive placebo and concomitant treatment with long-acting bronchodilators. The primary outcome was COPD exacerbations and the secondary outcome was adverse events. The relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS Total 5,746 patients were involved in all six trials. Roflumilast combined with long-acting bronchodilators could lead to significant reduction in exacerbations of COPD (RR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.69 to 0.86; P<0.00001; I2=0%), and cause some adverse events such as: back pains, headache, diarrhea, nausea, weight loss, insomnia and decreased appetite. According to the subgroup analysis, the test for finding subgroup difference between roflumilast combined with long-acting bronchodilators and roflumilast combined with ICS and long-acting bronchodilators showed no significance in reducing exacerbations. CONCLUSIONS Roflumilast combined with long-acting bronchodilators is a better option for moderate-to-severe COPD patients than exclusive use of long-acting bronchodilators in reducing exacerbations. However, it can cause some side effects. Further study needs consider well enough of the benefits and adverse events caused by roflumilast combined with long-acting bronchodilators.
Gamma/delta T cells are the predominant source of interleukin-17 in affected joints in collagen-induced arthritis, but not in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE Although interleukin-17 (IL-17)-producing gamma/delta T cells were reported to play pathogenic roles in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), their characteristics remain unknown. The aim of this study was to clarify whether gamma/delta T cells or CD4+ T cells are the predominant IL-17-producing cells, and to determine what stimulates gamma/delta T cells to secret IL-17 in mice with CIA. The involvement of IL-17-producing gamma/delta T cells in SKG mice with autoimmune arthritis and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was also investigated. METHODS IL-17-producing cells in the affected joints of mice with CIA were counted by intracellular cytokine staining during 6 distinct disease phases, and these cells were stimulated with various combinations of cytokines or specific antigens to determine the signaling requirements. Similar studies were performed using SKG mice with arthritis and patients with RA. RESULTS Gamma/delta T cells were the predominant population in IL-17-producing cells in the swollen joints of mice with CIA, and the absolute numbers of these cells increased in parallel with disease activity. IL-17-producing gamma/delta T cells expressed CC chemokine receptor 6, were maintained by IL-23 but not by type II collagen in vitro, and were induced antigen independently in vivo. Furthermore, IL-17 production by gamma/delta T cells was induced by IL-1beta plus IL-23 independently of T cell receptor. In contrast to what was observed in mice with CIA, IL-17-producing gamma/delta T cells were nearly absent in the affected joints of SKG mice and patients with RA, and Th1 cells were predominant in the joints of patients with RA. CONCLUSION Gamma/delta T cells were antigen independently stimulated by inflammation at affected joints and produced enhanced amounts of IL-17 to exacerbate arthritis in mice with CIA but not in SKG mice with arthritis or patients with RA.
Oestrous behaviour in a herd of dairy cows

A group of 60 housed Friesian cows were observed continuously for a period of 25 days, during which time all cows were recorded for incidence of mounting activity and 18 selected cows were recorded for various aspects of maintenance activity. All 60 cows were judged as showing oestrus. Average duration of oestrus (+/-SD) in 33 cows was 14-9 +/- 4-7 hours, and the cows were mounted 56-3 +/- 34-8 times. The greatest mounting activity was associated with the night hours. There was no diurnal pattern of onset of oestrus. The majority of mounting activity (79 per cent) occurred in the cubicle area of the building. Comparison of maintenance activities showed that oestrous cows spent, on average, less time standing in a cubicle (P less than 0-01), lying in a cubicle (P less than 0-001) and more time standing elsewhere (P less than 0-001) than non-oestrous cows. The results are discussed in relation to oestrus detection.
Emergency Management Organizational Structure of China and Its Information Transmission Ability

Information is the key to the success of the emergency management. The research suggests that the ability of information transmission is related to organizational structure in emergency management process. In order to get relatively accurate emergency response, it is necessary to change the structure of emergency organizations. In this paper, in the case of The Earthquake Relief Headquarters of the State Council, we change the current structure of emergency management organizations by adding sidelinks and shortcuts. The results show that the organizational structure with sidelinks and shortcuts has the higher ability of information transmission. Keywords—Emergency management; Organizational structure; Information
Importance of Compensation and Benefits on Performance of Public Water Utilities in Tanzania

This study was conducted to determine the importance of compensation and benefits on performance of public water utilities in Tanzania. Probability and none probability techniques was applied in this study and both correlation and descriptive research designs were used. The study targeted a population of 1355 employees of the five selected public water utilities. A sample size of 417 was obtained by the use of Krejcie and Morgan formula (1970). Questionnaire, focus group discussion and interview instruments were used for data collection. Data analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of the SPSS Version 20.0. The results revealed that there is a statistical significant relationship between compensation and benefits with organizational performance. Correlation correlated at r(370)= 0.505**, p<0.01 signified that compensation and benefits practices are positive predictors of performance of the public water utilities . The study recommends that financial, non-financial, tangible and intangible compensation should be effectively realized to the public water utilities employees’ so as to enhance performance of both employees and organization.
Effectiveness of Digital Pheromones Controlling Swarming Vehicles in Military Scenarios

The use of digital pheromones for controlling and coordinating swarms of unmanned vehicles has been studied under various conditions. This paper describes experiments that demonstrate their effectiveness in several militarily significant scenarios in simulation. The scenarios are described along with the results comparing the performance of swarming to traditional military tactics. A demonstration was conducted using these same algorithms to coordinate unmanned vehicles in a simulated exercise. Two air vehicles controlled by digital pheromones and four ground robots controlled by a related stigmergic algorithm successfully executed a two-hour multi-mission surveillance, patrol, target acquisition, and tracking scenario. The vehicles were given only high-level instructions, such as “survey this areaandidentifyandtrackanytargets”or“patrolaroundthisconvoy”. Theairvehicleswere abletodynamicallyadapttonewcommandsandcoordinatetheiractionswitheachotherand the ground robots to achieve the objectives. The algorithm’s robustness was demonstrated when it dynamically adjusted to the unplanned failure of one of the ground robots without any operator intervention.
An Empirical Study of Flexibility in Manufacturing

Despite the popularity of flexible manufacturing systems, managers suffer from inadequate frameworks to help incorporate flexibility into their strategic planning. Through a study of thirty-one plants in the printed circuit board industry, the authors progress toward such a framework, define types of flexibility, and examine the relationships among them. Their findings have implications for technology, production management, human resource management, supplier relationships, and product development.
Techniques to assess bone ultrastructure organization: orientation and arrangement of mineralized collagen fibrils

Bone's remarkable mechanical properties are a result of its hierarchical structure. The mineralized collagen fibrils, made up of collagen fibrils and crystal platelets, are bone's building blocks at an ultrastructural level. The organization of bone's ultrastructure with respect to the orientation and arrangement of mineralized collagen fibrils has been the matter of numerous studies based on a variety of imaging techniques in the past decades. These techniques either exploit physical principles, such as polarization, diffraction or scattering to examine bone ultrastructure orientation and arrangement, or directly image the fibrils at the sub-micrometre scale. They make use of diverse probes such as visible light, X-rays and electrons at different scales, from centimetres down to nanometres. They allow imaging of bone sections or surfaces in two dimensions or investigating bone tissue truly in three dimensions, in vivo or ex vivo, and sometimes in combination with in situ mechanical experiments. The purpose of this review is to summarize and discuss this broad range of imaging techniques and the different modalities of their use, in order to discuss their advantages and limitations for the assessment of bone ultrastructure organization with respect to the orientation and arrangement of mineralized collagen fibrils.
The human homolog of the JE gene encodes a monocyte secretory protein

The mouse fibroblast gene, JE, was one of the first platelet-derived growth factor-inducible genes to be described as such. The protein encoded by JE (mJE) is the prototype of a large family of secreted, cytokinelike glycoproteins, all of whose members are induced by a mitogenic or activation signal in monocytes macrophages, and T lymphocytes; JE is the only member to have been identified in fibroblasts. We report the identification of a human homolog for murine JE, cloned from human fibroblasts. The protein predicted by the coding sequence of human JE (hJE) is 55 amino acids shorter than mJE, and its sequence is identical to that of a recently purified monocyte chemoattractant. When expressed in COS cells, the human JE cDNA directed the secretion of N-glycosylated proteins of Mr 16,000 to 18,000 as well as proteins of Mr 15,500, 15,000, and 13,000. Antibodies raised against mJE recognized these hJE species, all of which were secreted by human fibroblasts. hJE expression was stimulated in HL60 cells during phorbol myristate acetate-induced monocytoid differentiation. However, resting human monocytes constitutively secreted hJE; treatment with gamma interferon did not enhance hJE expression in monocytes, and treatment with phorbol myristate acetate or lipopolysaccharide inhibited its expression. Thus, human JE encodes yet another member of the large family of JE-related cytokinelike proteins, in this case a novel human monocyte and fibroblast secretory protein.
Enhanced oxygen saturation in optic nerve head of non-human primate eyes following the intravitreal injection of NCX 434, an innovative nitric oxide-donating glucocorticoid.

PURPOSE Hypoxia of the retina and optic nerve head (ONH) is believed to be pivotal in the development of ocular vascular disorders, including diabetic macular edema (DME). Glucocorticoids are among the most effective agents for the treatment of back of the eye diseases. However, this class of compounds is highly liable to increase intraocular pressure (IOP) and does not improve ocular perfusion or tissue oxygenation. Nitric oxide (NO) has vasodilating properties and lowers IOP in experimental models and humans, suggesting that its properties might complement those of glucocorticoids. NCX 434 is an NO-donating triamcinolone acetonide (TA) that is less likely to increase IOP while targeting both the vascular and inflammatory components of DME. METHODS NCX 434 was studied in vitro with respect to its NO-releasing properties in isolated methoxamine-precontracted rabbit aortic rings and glucocorticoid-like activity in recombinant human glucocorticoid receptors. IOP and oxygen saturation in the ONH and overlaying arteries and veins were studied in the anesthetized cynomolgus monkey. Measurements were taken using, respectively, an applanation tonometer and a hyperspectral imaging system before and 7, 14, 21, 31 and 41 days after the intravitreal injection of NCX 434 (5.8 mg/eye) or TA equimolar doses (4.0 mg/eye). RESULTS NCX 434 inhibited (3)H-dexamethasone-specific binding (IC(50)=34±5 nM) on human glucocorticoid receptors and elicited NO-dependent aortic ring relaxation (EC(50) of 0.5±0.1 μM, E(max) 98.9%). In monkey eyes, NCX 434 enhanced, whereas TA did not, oxygen saturation in various ONH areas (*P<0.05 vs. basal), decreased it in veins, and did not affect it in the overlaying arteries. Neither NCX 434 nor TA altered IOP significantly at all time points. However, at 31 days post-treatment TA appeared to start increasing IOP (Δ(IOP)=+3.31±0.51 mmHg, 30.8%, over baseline, NS). CONCLUSIONS NCX 434 enhances ocular tissue oxygenation. This feature appears to depend on its NO-donating properties; thus, the compound deserves to be further investigated for the treatment of DME and other ocular disorders with impaired ocular perfusion.
Advanced methods in meta‐analysis: multivariate approach and meta‐regression

This tutorial on advanced statistical methods for meta‐analysis can be seen as a sequel to the recent Tutorial in Biostatistics on meta‐analysis by Normand, which focused on elementary methods. Within the framework of the general linear mixed model using approximate likelihood, we discuss methods to analyse univariate as well as bivariate treatment effects in meta‐analyses as well as meta‐regression methods. Several extensions of the models are discussed, like exact likelihood, non‐normal mixtures and multiple endpoints. We end with a discussion about the use of Bayesian methods in meta‐analysis. All methods are illustrated by a meta‐analysis concerning the efficacy of BCG vaccine against tuberculosis. All analyses that use approximate likelihood can be carried out by standard software. We demonstrate how the models can be fitted using SAS Proc Mixed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Imaging of urothelial cancers: what the urologist needs to know.

OBJECTIVE Imaging is vital in the diagnosis, staging, and surveillance of urothelial carcinomas. In this review, we discuss what treating urologists need to know from radiologists to optimally identify disease, plan surgery, determine prognosis, and identify patients in need of multimodal or alternative treatment strategies. We identify key points that a radiologist should convey to the treating urologist, in writing, in order to be an active partner in the formulation of an effective course of care. CONCLUSION Because imaging plays a crucial role in the diagnosis, staging, and surveillance of patients with tumors of the urinary tract, it is imperative that radiologists provide information about the anatomic features related to the primary tumor, the surrounding anatomy, and involvement or lack of involvement of known potential landing sites for metastases. A good understanding of the imaging features that affect management of the disease and a good relationship between the radiologist and the urologist are vital to the care of patients with urothelial cancers.
Does Financial Literacy Moderate the Relationship among Demographic Characteristics and Financial Risk Tolerance? Evidence from Egypt

Financial risk tolerance is certainly an important topic for researchers, investors and personal financial planners or consultants. The study purposed to investigate the effect of demographic characteristics on financial risk tolerance among Egyptians. A literature review of demographic determinants of financial risk tolerance showed dialectical results. Therefore, this study attempts to clarify the debatable of these results by studying the moderating role of financial literacy in relationships among demographic characteristics and financial risk tolerance. The study sample included 386 respondents representing different segments of Egyptian people. Using the hierarchical regression analysis, the results demonstrated that there were significant effects of gender, age, educational level and annual income on financial risk tolerance. Moreover, the financial literacy moderates the relationships among demographic characteristics of individuals and their tendency to take a risk.
A histone-mimicking interdomain linker in a multidomain protein modulates multivalent histone binding

N-terminal histone tails are subject to many posttranslational modifications that are recognized by and interact with designated reader domains in histone-binding proteins. BROMO domain adjacent to zinc finger 2B (BAZ2B) is a multidomain histone-binding protein that contains two histone reader modules, a plant homeodomain (PHD) and a bromodomain (BRD), linked by a largely disordered linker. Although previous studies have reported specificity of the PHD domain for the unmodified N terminus of histone H3 and of the BRD domain for H3 acetylated at Lys14 (H3K14ac), the exact mode of H3 binding by BAZ2B and its regulation are underexplored. Here, using isothermal titration calorimetry and NMR spectroscopy, we report that acidic residues in the BAZ2B PHD domain are essential for H3 binding and that BAZ2B PHD–BRD establishes a polyvalent interaction with H3K14ac. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the disordered interdomain linker modulates the histone-binding affinity by interacting with the PHD domain. In particular, lysine-rich stretches in the linker, which resemble the positively charged N terminus of histone H3, reduce the binding affinity of the PHD finger toward the histone substrate. Phosphorylation, acetylation, or poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of the linker residues may therefore act as a cellular mechanism to transiently tune BAZ2B histone-binding affinity. Our findings further support the concept of interdomain linkers serving a dual role in substrate binding by appropriately positioning the adjacent domains and by electrostatically modulating substrate binding. Moreover, inhibition of histone binding by a histone-mimicking interdomain linker represents another example of regulation of protein–protein interactions by intramolecular mimicry.
Aging increases the oxidation of dichlorohydrofluorescein in single isolated skeletal muscle fibers at rest, but not during contractions

An increase in the activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in the mechanisms of loss of skeletal muscle that occurs during aging, but few studies have attempted to directly assess activities in intact muscle fibers. The current project used the nonspecific fluorescent probe for ROS and reactive nitrogen species, 5-(and-6)-chloromethyl-2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein (CM-DCFH), in single, isolated, mature skeletal muscle fibers from adult and old mice in addition to biochemical measurements of key regulatory proteins for ROS in muscles of these animals. Data confirmed the changes in key regulatory processes for ROS (increased glutathione peroxidase 1 and catalase activities and reduced total glutathione content) previously reported in muscle from old mice and showed increased CM-DCFH oxidation in muscle fibers from old mice at rest and indicate that these changes are likely due to an increase in generation of oxidants rather than a lack of scavenging capacity. The increased CM-DCFH oxidation persisted even when cellular defenses against oxidants were increased by loading fibers from young and old mice with glutathione. During contractile activity, and in contrast to the increase observed in fibers from young mice, there was no further increase in CM-DCFH oxidation in muscle fibers from old mice. These data also suggest that the defect in short-term adaptations to contractions that occurs in old mice may be related to a diminished, or absent, increase in the muscle generation of ROS and/or reactive nitrogen species that normally accompanies contractile activity in young mice.
Correlation of the Extent and Severity of Atherosclerosis in the Coronary and Cerebral Arteries

A study of correlation of the extent and severity of atherosclerosis in the coronary and cerebral arteries and between their individual branches has been undertaken in 200 consecutive medicolegal autopsies.The coronary atherosclerosis developing first in the second decade appears about 20 years earlier than the cerebral atherosclerosis. There is, however, a significant correlation between the coronary and cerebral arterial beds.There is a significant interbranch relationship within the coronary system. The atherosclerotic process starts earliest in the left anterior descending branch of the coronary arteries. The extent of correlation is more marked between the two branches of the left coronary artery than that of either of them with the right coronary artery. The interbranch relationship in the cerebral arterial bed also shows a significant correlation. Basilar artery shows the maximum atherosclerosis, next in order being middle cerebral artery; the postcerebral artery shows much less affliction to the atheroma and the anterior cerebral artery exhibits a high degree of freedom.
A case study of internal auditing practice in a State-Owned Enterprise in Indonesia

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