Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of pioglitazone in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a postmarketing observational study.

AIM to assess the effectiveness and safety profile of pioglitazone in Indonesian type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS type 2 diabetic patients, naive or under oral antidiabetics, with uncontrolled fasting (FBG) or postprandial blood glucose (PPBG) were enrolled from September 2009 to December 2010 from 23 cities in Indonesia. Pioglitazone (Actos®) 15 mg or 30 mg daily was prescribed by the physician and performed observation for 12 weeks. Body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), FBG and PPBG were measured every 4 weeks and serum transaminase (SGPT) was measured at the beginning and at the end of the study. Changes from baseline to each visit were analyzed using Wilcoxon-test. RESULTS 190 patients (92 male and 98 female) aged 56.3 (28-80) years were included. Mean FBG decreased from 191.8 mg/dL at baseline to 155.9; 141.0; and 127.3 mg/dL, at week 4, 8, and 12, respectively (p<0.001). Mean PPBG decreased from 267.3 mg/dL at baseline to 209.7; 188.2; and 174.9 at week 4, 8, and 12, respectively (p<0.001). BW slightly increased from 67.3 (range: 40-98) kg at baseline to 67.7 (42.0-98.5) and 67.8 (43.0-99.0) kg at weeks 8 and 12, respectively (p<0.001) and BMI increased from 25.6 (16.2-38.6) kg/m2 at baseline to 25.7 (17.0-36.3) and 25.7 (17.4-36.6) kg/m2 at weeks 8 and 12, respectively (p<0.001). SGPT values were not significantly changed (35.6U/L at baseline and 35.5U/L at week 12, p=0.93). CONCLUSION Pioglitazone is effective in controlling blood glucose, without harmful effect on the liver. However, there was a slight but statistically significant increase in body weight, that mandates the precaution when using this drug in patients with heart failure or other conditions with water retention.
The speed of sound in DNA

We have used Brillouin scattering to determine the speed of sound in (and hence longitudinal modulus of) A‐ and B‐DNA fibers. The speed of sound is very sensitive to the degree of hydration of the fibers, and measurements have to be made at laser powers below 5 mW to avoid local heating and dehydration. Under those conditions, we obtain sound speed perpendicular to the fiber axis of about 2.2 and 1.9 km/s in A‐ and B‐DNA fibers, respectively. A‐DNA fibers show a small anisotropy with sound speeds along the fiber axis higher by up to 10% B‐DNA fibers appear to be isotropic.
HIV and viral protein effects on the blood brain barrier

ABSTRACT The blood brain barrier (BBB) plays a critical role in the normal physiology of the central nervous system (CNS) by regulating what crosses from the periphery into the brain. Damage to the BBB or alterations in transport systems may mediate the pathogenesis of many CNS diseases, including HIV-associated CNS dysfunction. HIV-1 infection can result in neuropathologic changes in about one half of infected individuals and also can result in damage to the BBB. HIV-1 and the HIV-1 viral proteins, Tat and gp120, cause alterations in the integrity and function of the BBB through both paracellular and transcellular mechanisms. The current review discusses HIV and viral protein-mediated injury to the BBB with a focus on the effects on tight junction proteins, barrier permeability, and drug efflux proteins.
Shape control with the XSC during plasma current ramp-up and ramp-down at the JET tokamak

The eXtreme Shape Controller (XSC) has been originally designed to control the plasma shape at JET during the flat-top phase, when the plasma current has a constant value. During the JET 2012 experimental campaigns, the XSC has been used to improve the shape control during the transient phases of plasma current ramp-up and ramp-down. In order to avoid the saturation of the actuators with these transient phases, a Current Limit Avoidance system (CLA) has been designed and implemented. This paper discusses the CLA algorithm and presents the experimental results achieved at JET during the 2012 campaigns using the XSC.
Correlation between trap parameters and breakdown strength of polyethylene/alumina nanocomposites

This paper focuses on the effect of trap parameters on dc breakdown properties of LDPE/Al2O3 nanocomposites. The thermally stimulated discharge current (TSDC) measurement was conducted to characterize the trap parameters of specimens, including trap level and trap density. The experimental results indicated that incorporating of nanoAl2O3 into LDPE changes the trap level and density, which presents that the deep trap level initially increases and then decreases, and the shallow trap level increases with the increase of nanoparticle loading. At 5 wt%, the deep and shallow trap levels are almost the same value. Moreover, the trap density initially decreases and then increases with increasing nanoparticle loadings. The dc breakdown strength initially increases and then decreases with increasing loadings, which corresponding to the variation of the deep trap depth. The enhancement of dc breakdown strength is attributed to the increase in deep trap levels and the increase in trap density. It should be noted that the dc breakdown properties would be improved steadily in a vicinity of 5 wt% nanocomposites with the same deep and shallow trap level.
Evaluation of modeling and simulation complexity on studying the impacts of electrical vehicles fleets in distribution systems

Evaluations of possible grid impacts from electric vehicles have been published extensively during the past years. Different parameters and assumptions of simulation models are used in these studies. In this work it is investigated if the evaluations of grid impacts can be affected by simulation parameters and modeling complexity. Possible consequences from varying simulation parameters are analyzed at a worst case scenario and randomly generated charging scenarios. For evaluation of minimal voltages or grid losses, smaller time steps and more sophisticated models lead to more precise results. These findings will be used in upcoming works on real time simulator design, for defining study scenarios and choosing proper simulation models.
Posttraumatic stress disorder: the burden to the individual and to society.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the total population prevalence and societal costs of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); this report reviews relevant literature on these topics. METHOD A literature search of computerized databases for published reports on trauma and PTSD was conducted. This literature was reviewed to find data on general population exposure to trauma, conditional risk of PTSD among those exposed to trauma both in focused samples of trauma victims and in general population samples, and the adverse consequences of PTSD. RESULTS PTSD was found to be a commonly occurring disorder that often has a duration of many years and is frequently associated with exposure to multiple traumas. The impairment associated with PTSD in U.S. samples, where the majority of research on these consequences has been carried out, is comparable to, or greater than, that of other seriously impairing mental disorders. Risk of suicide attempts is particularly high among people with PTSD. Available evidence suggests that the prevalence of PTSD and the adverse emotional and psychological consequences of PTSD are much greater in the many countries around the world that are in the midst of armed conflicts involving political, racial, or ethnic violence. CONCLUSION PTSD is a highly prevalent and impairing condition. Only a minority of people with PTSD obtain treatment. Early and aggressive outreach to treat people with PTSD could help reduce the enormous societal costs of this disorder.
Orienting and Onboarding Clinical Nurse Specialists: A Process Improvement Project

Purpose: Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) have a unique advanced practice role. This article describes a process useful in establishing a comprehensive orientation and onboarding program for a newly hired CNS. Description: The project team used the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists core competencies as a guide to construct a process for effectively onboarding and orienting newly hired CNSs. Standardized documents were created for the orientation process including a competency checklist, needs assessment template, and professional evaluation goals. In addition, other documents were revised to streamline the orientation process. Outcome: Standardizing the onboarding and orientation process has demonstrated favorable results. As of 2016, 3 CNSs have successfully been oriented and onboarded using the new process. Conclusion: Unique healthcare roles require special focus when onboarding and orienting into a healthcare system. The use of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists core competencies guided the project in establishing a successful orientation and onboarding process for newly hired CNSs.
Correlates of participation in physical activity for adolescent girls: A systematic review of recent literature.

Background: Many adolescent girls have low levels of physical activity and participation declines with age. This review identifies recent correlates of physical activity in adolescent girls. Methods: Systematic review of papers published 1999 to mid-2003. Papers (k = 51) reporting a measure of physical activity and at least one potential correlate of physical activity in adolescent girls were analyzed. Results: Demographics related to physical activity were female gender (–), non-white ethnicity (–), age (–), and socio-economic status (+). Psychological correlates positively associated with physical activity were enjoyment, perceived competence, self-efficacy, and physical self-perceptions. Behavioral correlates showed that smoking was associated with lower and organized sport involvement with greater activity. Physical activity was associated with parental and family support but we found no consistent trends for environmental variables. Effects were small-to-moderate. Conclusions: Modifiable correlates f.
Optical Bistable Response in AlGaAs-Based Photonic Crystal Microcavities and Related Nonlinearities

Optical bistable responses in AlGaAs-based photonic crystal cavities with Al fractions of 0.16 and 0.27 under a stationary condition are studied. An analysis of the experimental results with a one-dimensional etalon model indicates that the bistable response is primarily driven by optical nonlinearities that stem from a heat generation in two-photon absorption and in free-carrier absorption. A free-carrier plasma effect is not influential, which is a major difference from the case of Si photonic crystal cavities. The accumulation of heat enables the phase or index to significantly change. An estimate indicates that a high $Q$-factor is advantageous for driving bistability exclusively by the Kerr effect.
Amygdalofugal and amygdalopetal connections with modality‐specific visual cortical areas in macaques (macaca fuscata, M. mulatta, and M. fascicularis)

The origins and terminations of the amygdaloid connections with the modality‐specific visual cortical areas TEa (anterior TE area), TEp (posterior TE area), TEO, V4, V2, MST (medial superior temporal visual area), MT (middle temporal visual area), and V1 were studied in macaques. These were compared with the amygdaloid connections of a vision‐related polysensory area TG by making cortical injections of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and incubating the sections with tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) as the chromogen. Both areas TEa and TEp receive a major projection from the lateral basal nucleus and a minor one from the accessory basal nucleus of the amygdaloid complex, whereas these areas send a major projection to the lateral nucleus and a minor one to the lateral basal nucleus. Areas TEO, V4, V2, MST, MT, and V1 receive projections only from the lateral basal nucleus; none of them project to any amygdaloid nucleus. Thus, the amygdalofugal projections are more widespread and more complex than the amygdalopetal projections. These findings indicate that the connections between the amygdaloid nuclei and the visual areas are generally nonreciprocal and underlie the importance of a feedback mechanism from the amygdala to the visual cortical areas in visual information processing. There appears to be a caudorostral (occipitotemporal) gradient in the distribution and density of the amygdaloid projections, which become progressively more widespread and heavier among the progressively more rostral visual areas (from area V1 to area TEa).
Is abdominal fat preferentially reduced in response to exercise-induced weight loss?

PURPOSE It is known that a preferential deposition of fat in the abdominal region is the obesity phenotype that conveys the greatest health risk. Although physical activity is commonly prescribed to reduce obesity, the influence of exercise-induced weight loss on abdominal fat is unclear. This review was undertaken to clarify whether abdominal fat is preferentially reduced consequent to weight loss induced by regular exercise. METHODS A literature search (Medline, 1966-1998) was performed using appropriate keywords to identify studies reporting changes in both whole body and abdominal fat in response to exercise. RESULTS At present there are no randomized controlled trails (RCT) wherein it was clear that exercise alone induced weight loss. For the four RCT within which regular exercise was not associated with weight loss, abdominal fat measured by waist circumference was unchanged. A similar trend is observed for the nonrandomized studies. Abdominal obesity as measured by waist circumference is unchanged for those studies reporting no loss in weight or fat; however, a modest reduction (approximately 3 cm) is observed in response to exercise-induced weight loss of about 3 kg. Without exception, these studies were not designed to determine whether abdominal obesity was preferentially reduced. Absent from the literature are RCT that employ imaging techniques (e.g., computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) to determine whether exercise-induced weight loss is associated with reductions in either visceral or abdominal subcutaneous fat. However, the findings from four nonrandomized or controlled studies report that exercise with or without weight loss is associated with reductions in both visceral and subcutaneous fat. CONCLUSION There is insufficient evidence to determine whether exercise-induced weight loss is associated with reductions in abdominal fat. Clearly there is a need for carefully controlled studies wherein the primary aim is to determine the influence of regular exercise on total and abdominal adiposity.
[Efficacy and safety of etofibrate in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy].

INTRODUCTION Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss or blindeness in working-age adults in the developed and developing countries. No curative treatments are available for diabetic retinopathy and the most common symptomatic treatment, laser photocoagulation, provides only partial and temporary relief from the progressive vascular damage caused by this disease. Etofibrate (Lipo-Merz) is an orally-administered treatment for lipid disorders that combines fibrate and nicotinic acid in a slow-release formulation. PATIENTS AND METHODS This report describes the results of a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study, performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of etofibrat in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and concomitant diabetic retinopathy. They received either placebo or 1000 mg/day etofibrate for up to 12 months. Efficacy analyses were based on visual acuity assessment and blinded expert ratings of ocular fundus pathology, as well as laboratory analyses of serum lipid parameters. RESULTS The evaluable population comprised 296 patients, 148 in each treatment group, of whom 89% completed the study and 73% completed according to protocol. After 12 months of treatment, a significantly larger population of etofibrate-treated patients than placebo-treated patients showed improvements in ocular pathology (46% versus 32%, respectively, p < 0.001); similar findings were already apparent after 6 months of treatment (43% versus 31%, respectively p < 0.001). Etofibrate treatment also produced significant improvements in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in comparison to the placebo treatment group. Safety evaluations (adverse events, laboratory parameters) did not reveal any clinically significant adverse effects of etofibrate in comparison to placebo. CONCLUSION Etofibrate provides a safe and effective treatment for ocular pathology resulting from type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Combined knee loading states that generate high anterior cruciate ligament forces

Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament frequently occur under combined mechanisms of loading. This in vitro study was designed to measure levels of ligament force under dual combinations of individual loading states and to determine which combinations generated high force. Resultant force was recorded as the knee was extended passively from 90° of flexion to 5° of hyperextension under constant tibial loadings. The individual loading states were 100 N of anterior tibial force, 10 Nm of varus and valgus moment, and 10 Nm of internal and external tibial torque. Straight anterior tibial force was the most direct loading, mechanism; the mean ligament force was approximately equal to applied anterior tibial force near 30° of flexion and to 150% of applied tibial force at full extension. The addition of internal tibial torque to a knee loaded by anterior tibial force produced dramatic increases of force at full extension and hyperextension. This loading combination produced the highest ligament forces recorded in the study and is the most dangerous in terms of potential injury to the ligament. In direct contrast, the addition of external tibial torque to a knee loaded by anterior tibial force decreased the force dramatically for flexed positions of the knee; at close to 90° of flexion, the anterior cruciate ligament became completely unloaded. The addition of varus moment to a knee loaded by anterior tibial force increased the force in extension and hyperextension, whereas the addition of valgus moment increased the force at flexed positions. These states of combined loading also could present an increased risk for injury. Internal tibial torque is an important loading mechanism of the anterior cruciate ligament for an extended knee. The overall risk of injury to the ligament from varus or valgus moment applied in combination with internal tibial torque is similar to the risk from internal tibial torque alone. External tibial torque was a relatively unimportant mechanism for generating anterior cruciate ligament force.
Reconstitution of somatostatin and muscarinic receptor mediated stimulation of K+ channels by isolated GK protein in clonal rat anterior pituitary cell membranes.

Somatostatin (SS) inhibits secretion from many cells, including clonal GH3 pituitary cells, by a complex mechanism that involves a pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive step and is not limited to its cAMP lowering effect, since secretion induced by cAMP analogs and K+ depolarization are also inhibited. SS also causes membrane hyperpolarization which may lead to decreases in intracellular Ca2+ need for secretion. Using patch clamp techniques we now demonstrate: 1) that both (SS) and acetylcholine applied through the patch pipette to the extracellular face of a patch activate a 55-picosiemens K+ channel without using a soluble second messenger; 2) that, after patch excision, the active state of the ligand-stimulated channel is dependent on GTP in the bath, is abolished by treatment of the cytoplasmic face of the patch with activated PTX and NAD+, and after inactivation by PTX, is restored in a GTP-dependent manner by addition of a nonactivated human erythrocyte PTX-sensitive G protein, and 3) that the 55-picosiemens K+ channel can also be activated in a ligand-independent manner with guanosine [gamma-thio] triphosphate (GTP gamma S) or with Mg2+/GTP gamma S-activated erythrocyte G protein. We call this protein GK. It is an alpha-beta-gamma trimer of which we have previously shown that the alpha-subunit is the substrate for PTX and that it dissociates on activation with Mg2+/GTP gamma S into alpha-GTP gamma S plus beta-gamma. A similarly activated and dissociated preparation of GS, the stimulatory regulatory component of adenylyl cyclase, having a different alpha-subunit but the same beta-gamma-dimer, was unable to cause K+ opening. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Economic evaluation of influenza pandemic mitigation strategies in the United States using a stochastic microsimulation transmission model.

OBJECTIVES To project the potential economic impact of pandemic influenza mitigation strategies from a societal perspective in the United States. METHODS We use a stochastic agent-based model to simulate pandemic influenza in the community. We compare 17 strategies: targeted antiviral prophylaxis (TAP) alone and in combination with school closure as well as prevaccination. RESULTS In the absence of intervention, we predict a 50% attack rate with an economic impact of $187 per capita as loss to society. Full TAP (FTAP) is the most effective single strategy, reducing number of cases by 54% at the lowest cost to society ($127 per capita). Prevaccination reduces number of cases by 48% and is the second least costly alternative ($140 per capita). Adding school closure to FTAP or prevaccination further improves health outcomes but increases total cost to society by approximately $2700 per capita. CONCLUSION FTAP is an effective and cost-saving measure for mitigating pandemic influenza.
Letters to the Editor Re : The Bipolar Spectrum — A Bridge Too Far ?

Dear Editor: The review paper by Dr Patten and Dr Paris in the November 2008 issue of The CJP is a very important one. On one hand, a growing number of researchers have been diagnosing bipolar disorders (BDs) (bipolar spectrum) more and more, and, on the other hand, a group of researchers remark that many disorders of the bipolar spectrum lack diagnostic validation. This upward trend of bipolar diagnoses, mainly bipolar II disorder (BD-II), has reached a figure of around 50%, compared with major depressive disorder (MDD), in outpatient clinical settings. The broad boundaries of the bipolar spectrum are mainly related to:
Packaging of MMIC by using gap waveguide and design of a microstrip to ridge gap waveguide transition

In this work, gap waveguide based packaging technique is used to improve the isolation among critical microwave circuit components such as high gain amplifier chain. Amplifier chains at Ka-band were tested for a stable forward gain and it was found that-with gap waveguide packaging, 65~70dB of forward gain is achievable without the problem of self-resonance. Apart from the new packaging technique, a low-loss transition from microstrip to ridge-gap waveguide had been designed and tested. This transition is a key component to connect such amplifier chains to a planar slot array antenna. Experimental results for manufactured back to back transition show 14 dB return loss over 55% relative bandwidth from 2343GHz.