Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intratracheal Administration Of Glucocorticoids Using Surfactant As A Vehicle

1. Glucocorticoids are an effective treatment in the amelioration of chronic lung disease in neonates. However, systemic administration of glucocorticoids to neonates is associated with significant side‐effects that preclude them as an early intervention to prevent onset of the condition. Conversely, local intratracheal administration of glucocorticoids may prevent inflammatory insult to the lungs without the development of systemic side‐effects. We therefore investigated whether local intratracheal delivery of corticosteroids could be facilitated using surfactant as a vehicle.
Patterns of third mission engagement among scientists and engineers

In the context of growing societal demand and interdependency, universities need to prioritize their ‘third mission’ activities and balance them against core functions. Individual researchers too are faced with multiple external constituencies and various mechanisms for interaction. The degree, target, and mode of their involvement with societal actors must be considered in light also of high performance expectations concerning traditional teaching and research activities. In this study, we explore patterns of third mission involvement among 652 researchers at the Science and Technology Faculty, Aarhus University from 2009 to 2012 using register-based data. First, we collect 13 indicators of third mission involvement from the university register system PURE, and find that these can be organized in distinct sets. External interaction and knowledge sharing can take many shapes, but they appear to group together empirically in ways that reflect the external partners and mode of involvement. Secondly, we determine five clusters of researchers based on their third mission activities. The majority of researchers have limited engagement in any kind of third mission activities, while an almost negligible minority entertain activities across the board. The remaining researchers focus their engagement on one type of third mission activity: public sector service, industrial collaboration, or executive involvement. Finally, we explore the interrelatedness of third mission involvement and research performance. Researchers who work closely with industry perform extremely well in terms of both publication productivity and impact, while those primarily engaged with public authorities perform considerably below average. We contextualize the results and highlight the limitations of the study.
Interaction of CD163 with the regulatory subunit of casein kinase II (CKII) and dependence of CD163 signaling on CKII and protein kinase C

CD163 is a recently identified member of the scavenger receptor cysteine‐rich superfamily, which is expressed on peripheral blood monocytes and most tissue macrophages and is thought to play an important role in the regulation of the inflammatory response of these cells. Cross‐linking of CD163 on glucocorticoid‐stimulated macrophages results in the secretion of several proinflammatory cytokines, but the precise mechanism of CD163 mediated signal transduction is not understood. The existence of several CD163 isoforms, which differ in the structure of their cytoplasmic domains and putative phosphorylation sites, suggests that these isoforms also differ in their signaling mechanism. Using the Yeast Two‐Hybrid system and further in vitro and in vivo studies, we identified the regulatory β‐subunit of casein kinase II (CKII), which specifically binds to the cytoplasmic domain of CD163 and its isoforms. We also found, that in vitro the CD163 isoforms differ in their association with the CKII holoenzyme and in the phosphorylation by CKII. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the cytoplasmic domains of CD163 variants are phosphorylated by PKC‐α in vitro. Inhibition studies using specific kinase inhibitors reveal that both CKII and PKC are involved in the CD163 signaling mechanism resulting in the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines.
The attitude of patients towards antipsychotic depot treatment

In spite of their well known advantages, depot antipsychotics are seldom prescribed in the treatment of schizophrenia. A frequently stated reason is the patient's objection to depot treatment. We questioned 300 patients in nine psychiatric hospitals shortly before their discharge about their preferences in the mode of administration of antipsychotic treatment, taking earlier depot experience into account. 145 patients were naive to depot treatment, 95 had experienced a depot earlier and 60 were currently on a depot medication. Acceptance of depot treatment in relapse prevention was 73% in patients currently being treated with a depot and 45% in depot-experienced patients, compared with 23% in depot-naive participants. Participants, depending on their experience with the formulation, acknowledged suggested potential advantages of depot treatment. Preference of depots as favorable antipsychotic treatment depends on the patient's experience with the formulation. A considerable number of patients would accept a depot drug as a long-term treatment option. The gap between patients' acceptance and the low prescription rates can be narrowed by offering antipsychotic depots to more patients.
A Novel Mechanism for Exposure of Fibrinogen Binding Sites on GPIIb-IIIa by a Monoclonal Antibody

Summary Conformational changes in platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa, whose nature is not defined, lead to exposure of fibrinogen binding sites. We have reported previously that F(ab’)2fragments of a monoclonal antibody, PMA4, directed against the GPIIb-IIIa complex- specific domain, induced binding of fibrinogen to platelets without causing intracellular activation, whereas Fab did not. In this study, we examined the mechanism responsible for the difference in the ability of PMA4 F(ab’)2and Fab to expose fibrinogen binding sites. PMA4 Fab had affinity for GPIIb-IIIa similar to that of PMA4 F(ab’)2. Addition of F(ab’)2goat anti-mouse Fab antibody to cross-link PMA4 Fab-bound GPIIb-IIIa molecules induced fibrinogen binding. There was a direct correlation between the number of molecules of PMA4 F(ab’)2and the amount of fibrinogen bound. PMA4 did not recognize ligand-induced binding sites (LIBS). These results suggest that the cross-linking of special sites on the GPIIb-IIIa complex-specific domain by bivalent antibody alters the conformation of GPIIb-IIIa to a state competent to bind soluble fibrinogen and that conformational changes in non-LIBS are involved in the mechanism for exposing fibrinogen binding sites on GPIIb-IIIa.
Hemostatic Efficacy of a Traditional Medicinal Plant Extract (Ankaferd Blood Stopper) in Bleeding Control

The aim of this study is to assess the in vivo hemostatic effect of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) on rats using a tail bleeding model. Wistar rats were randomized into 4 groups of 9 each: group 1, control, no pretreatment, irrigated with saline; group 2, no pretreatment, irrigated with ABS; group 3, control, heparin pretreatment, irrigated with saline; and group 4, heparin pretreatment, irrigated with ABS. To control bleeding, compressive dressings were placed after instilling 1 mL of either ABS or saline to the bleeding area. Without heparin pretreatment, ABS shortened hemostasis time by 1.57 minutes and reduced the amount of bleeding by 0.85 g. With heparin pretreatment, ABS shortened hemostasis time by 3.29 minutes and reduced the amount of bleeding by 1.32 g. The ABS was more effective than saline irrigation for treating tail tip bleeding in rats, with or without heparin pretreatment, while also using a compressive dressing.
Echocardiography overestimates left ventricular mass in hemodialysis patients relative to magnetic resonance imaging.

UNLABELLED Echocardiography overestimates left ventricular mass in hemodialysis patients relative to magnetic resonance imaging. BACKGROUND Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a common finding and a strong adverse prognostic factor in patients with chronic renal failure. An accurate method of measuring left ventricular mass (LV mass) is therefore a prerequisite in the management of these patients. Recent evidence has suggested that echocardiography overestimates LV mass in patients with essential hypertension, and this error increases with increasing LV mass. METHODS We studied 35 patients on maintenance hemodialysis within 24 hours of their last dialysis. LV mass was measured by both echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed less than three hours apart. Clinic and ambulatory blood pressure (ABPM), resting echocardiogram, and blood sampling were performed at the same visit. RESULTS Thirty-two patients had results from both methods. Clinic blood pressure, ABPM, and QT dispersion all correlated with LV mass, with a stronger correlation observed for MRI values. Intraobserver and interobserver variability were significantly greater for echocardiography (although similar to other published data). Comparing the two methods, the difference in LV mass values (echo minus magnetic resonance) increased in a linear fashion with an increasing mean mass and chamber diameter. CONCLUSIONS Echocardiography significantly overestimates LV mass relative to MRI in the presence of LVH and dilation. This overestimation is the result of assumptions made in the calculation of mass from echocardiography M-mode images, which are invalid when LV geometry is abnormal. This error is therefore amplified in dialysis patients, the majority of whom have LVH and in whom intravascular volume is constantly changing.
Identification of chaperonin CCTγ subunit as a determinant of retinotectal development by whole-genome subtraction cloning from zebrafish no tectal neuron mutant

Zebrafish no tectal neuron (ntn) mutant obtained by trimethylpsoralen (TMP) mutagenesis showed defects in tectal neuropil formation and small eyes. We carried out whole-genome subtraction between wild-type and mutant zebrafish embryos using the representational difference analysis (RDA) method. Nineteen subtraction products enabled us to construct genetic and physical maps of the ntn region. Direct selection of cDNAs using a YAC clone encompassing the ntn locus and RT-PCR analysis of transcripts identified a 143 bp deletion in the cct3 gene encoding the γ subunit of chaperonin containing TCP-1 (CCT). Injection of antisense cct3 morpholino oligonucleotides into zebrafish embryos induced characteristic ntn phenotypes including defects in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) differentiation and tectal neuropil formation. Moreover, injection of cct3 mRNA successfully rescued ntn mutant embryos. Our results suggest that RDA is an efficient and widely applicable cloning strategy in zebrafish genetics. The strong expression of the cct3 mRNA started in the entire embryos by 12 hpf and was sustained thereafter, but there were no detectable abnormalities in body patterning and neurogenesis in ntn mutant embryos at 30 hpf. The expression patterns of transcription factor genes ath5 and brn3b that are essential for the development and maintenance of RGCs were indistinguishable between wild-type and ntn mutant embryos, but those of early and late differentiation markers of RGCs, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor β3 and zn5, were diminished in mutant embryos. Immunostaining of acetylated tubulin also revealed the impairment of RGC neurite extension. Thus, the ntn mutation of the cct3 gene impaired the differentiation of retinal neuroepithelial cells to RGCs. Similarly, the expression of brn3b was normal in the tectum of ntn mutants, but tectal neuropil formation was abolished. These results suggest that the γ subunit of chaperonin CCT plays an essential role in retinotectal development.
Diet and dyslipidemias in a Lithuanian rural population aged 25-64: the CINDI survey.

UNLABELLED The aim of the study was to evaluate the dietary intake of a Lithuanian rural population and to assess the relationship between diet and dyslipidemias. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross-sectional health survey was carried out in 5 municipalities of Lithuania in 2007. The random sample was obtained from lists of 25- to 64-year-old inhabitants registered at primary health care centers (n=1739). The food frequency questionnaire and 24-hour recall was used for the evaluation of nutrition habits. The levels of serum lipids were determined using enzymatic methods. Factor analysis was employed in order to reduce the number of food items. The scores of food factors were used in linear regression analysis of associations between nutrition and serum lipid levels. RESULTS The diet of the study population was very high in fat, especially in saturated fatty acids. The content of cholesterol in the diet of men was higher than recommended. The main sources of fat and protein were meat, milk, and their products. Cereals were the main source of carbohydrates. The major proportion of monosaccharide and disaccharides was derived from confectionary and fruits. The mean serum total cholesterol level was 5.60 mmol/L in men and 5.51 mmol/L in women. CONCLUSIONS Healthier food patterns were associated with the lower levels of total, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride.
Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on ictogenesis in genetically epileptic EL mice

Genetically epileptic EL mice develop the ictogenesis if they receive tossing-up stimulation from 12 weeks old. We investigated the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the development of ictogenesis in EL mice. Female EL mice have received low (1Hz)- or high (10Hz)-frequency rTMS (100% of motor threshold, 300 pulses/day, once a week) from 8 to 19 weeks old. From 12 to 19 weeks, we evaluated the seizure frequency, seizure threshold and duration of seizures. Low-frequency rTMS decreased the frequency of seizure from 12 to 15 weeks. High-frequency rTMS also decreased the frequency of seizure from 15 to 19 weeks. Low and high-frequency rTMS didn't change the seizure threshold and durations of seizures. Our results suggest that rTMS has the potency to inhibit the development of ictogenesis, but the efficacy is varied according to the frequency of rTMS.
Post-Velvet Revolution Armenia's Foreign Policy Challenges

Abstract:In the decades since independence, Armenian foreign policy has prioritized complementarity—as articulated by then-Minister of Foreign Affairs Vardan Oskanyan in 1998—and national interests in carrying out activities with external actors. These concepts will continue to be driving forces behind Armenian foreign policy under the new government. As such, Armenia will deepen its interactions with the EU, the United States, and regional players, albeit within the framework determined by strategic relations with Russia, the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and closed borders with Turkey. Despite Armenia's best efforts to balance the interests of different regional players, it may find itself affected by changes to the regional geopolitical environment. The security threats that existed before the revolution due to the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and historico-political relations with Turkey will persist, and it is important to develop political and economic dialogue with China, aimed primarily at integrating Armenia into "One Belt, One Road. "
The Role of Human Resource Management (HRM) for the Implementation of Sustainable Product-Service Systems (PSS)—An Analysis of Fashion Retailers

Implementation of product-service systems (PSS) requires structural changes in the way that business in manufacturing industries is traditionally conducted. Literature frequently mentions the importance of human resource management (HRM), since people are involved in the entire process of PSS development and employees are the primary link to customers. However, to this day, no study has provided empirical evidence whether and in what way HRM of firms that implement PSS differs from HRM of firms that solely run a traditional manufacturing-based business model. The aim of this study is to contribute to closing this gap by investigating the particular HR components of manufacturing firms that implement PSS and compare it with the HRM of firms that do not. The context of this study is the fashion industry, which is an ideal setting since it is a mature and highly competitive industry that is well-documented for causing significant environmental impact. PSS present a promising opportunity for fashion firms to differentiate and mitigate the industry’s ecological footprint. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to analyze data of 102 international fashion firms. Findings reveal a significant higher focus on nearly the entire spectrum of HRM components of firms that implement PSS compared with firms that do not. Empirical findings and their interpretation are utilized to propose a general framework of the role of HRM for PSS implementation. This serves as a departure point for both scholars and practitioners for further research, and fosters the understanding of the role of HRM for managing PSS implementation.
Neural KCNQ (Kv7) channels

KCNQ genes encode five Kv7 K+ channel subunits (Kv7.1–Kv7.5). Four of these (Kv7.2–Kv7.5) are expressed in the nervous system. Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 are the principal molecular components of the slow voltage‐gated M‐channel, which widely regulates neuronal excitability, although other subunits may contribute to M‐like currents in some locations. M‐channels are closed by receptors coupled to Gq such as M1 and M3 muscarinic receptors; this increases neuronal excitability and underlies some forms of cholinergic excitation. Muscarinic closure results from activation of phospholipase C and consequent hydrolysis and depletion of membrane phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate, which is required for channel opening. Some effects of M‐channel closure, determined from transmitter action, selective blocking drugs (linopirdine and XE991) and KCNQ2 gene disruption or manipulation, are as follows: (i) in sympathetic neurons: facilitation of repetitive discharges and conversion from phasic to tonic firing; (ii) in sensory nociceptive systems: facilitation of A‐delta peripheral sensory fibre responses to noxious heat; and (iii) in hippocampal pyramidal neurons: facilitation of repetitive discharges, enhanced after‐depolarization and burst‐firing, and induction of spontaneous firing through a reduction of action potential threshold at the axon initial segment. Several drugs including flupirtine and retigabine enhance neural Kv7/M‐channel activity, principally through a hyperpolarizing shift in their voltage gating. In consequence they reduce neural excitability and can inhibit nociceptive stimulation and transmission. Flupirtine is in use as a central analgesic; retigabine is under clinical trial as a broad‐spectrum anticonvulsant and is an effective analgesic in animal models of chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
Inhibition of KATP channels in the rat tail artery by neurally released noradrenaline acting on postjunctional α2‐adrenoceptors

In rat tail artery, activation of postjunctional α2‐adrenoceptors by noradrenaline (NA) released from sympathetic axons produces a slow depolarization (NAD) of the smooth muscle through a decrease in K+ conductance. In this study we used intracellular recording to investigate whether the K+ channel involved is the ATP‐sensitive K+ (KATP) channel. Changes in membrane resistance were monitored by measuring the time constant of decay of excitatory junction potentials. The KATP channel blockers, glibenclamide (10 μm) and PNU 37883A (5 μm), depolarized the smooth muscle and increased membrane resistance. Conversely, the KATP channel openers, pinacidil (0.1 and 0.5 μm) and levcromakalim (0.1 μm), hyperpolarized the smooth muscle and decreased membrane resistance. Activation of KATP channels with calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP; 10 nm) also hyperpolarized the smooth muscle and decreased membrane resistance. The NAD was abolished by both glibenclamide and PNU 37883A but was potentiated by CGRP. However, unlike CGRP, the directly acting KATP channel openers, pinacidil and levcromakalim, inhibited the NAD. The effects of other K+ channel blockers were also determined. A high concentration of Ba2+(1 mm), which would be expected to block KATP channels, abolished the NAD, whereas teteraethylammonium (1 mm) and 4‐aminopyridine (1 mm) increased its amplitude. Apamin (0.5 μm) and a lower concentration of Ba2+ (0.1 mm) did not affect the NAD. These findings indicate that activation of α2‐adrenoceptors by neurally released NA depolarizes the membrane of vascular smooth muscle by inhibiting KATP channels open in the resting membrane.
Religious Coping in the Nursing Home: A Biopsychosocial Model

Objective: To examine psychosocial and physical health correlates of religious coping in medically ill chronically institutionalized older adults. Religious coping is defined as the extent to which persons use religious beliefs and practices to help them to cope. Method: This is a cross-sectional cohort study conducted in a 120 bed VA-affiliated and a 125 bed university-affiliated community-based nursing home in Durham, North Carolina. Participants were 115 chronic care nursing home residents; mean age of the sample was seventy-nine years, 44 percent were women, and 17 percent were African Americans. Subjects were enrolled for a one-month period during which comprehensive psychosocial and health assessments were performed, including evaluation of cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Exam), physical function (Barthel index), severity of medical comorbidity (Cumulative Illness Rating Scale), self-reported physical pain (vertical verbal descriptor scale), depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale), social support (social network), and religious coping (Religious Coping Index). Results: Over 43 percent of the sample scored in the depressed range of the Geriatric Depression Scale. Almost 60 percent reported they used religion at least to a large extent when coping with their problems; 34 percent said that it was the most important factor that enabled them to cope. Patients who used religion to cope had greater social support (p = .01), more severe medical illness (p = .04), and better cognitive functioning (p = .02). Conclusions: Religious beliefs and practices are frequently used by chronically institutionalized older adults to help them to cope. Religious coping is associated with more severe medical illness, higher social support, and better cognitive functioning.
ETHICS OF SMART HOUSE WELFARE TECHNOLOGY FOR OLDER ADULTS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Background: The University College of Southeast Norway has an on-going project to develop a smart house welfare system to allow older adults and people with disabilities to remain in their homes for as long as they wish in safe, dignified, living conditions. Objectives: This article reviews reported ethical challenges to implementing smart houses for older adults. Methods: A systematic literature review identified twenty-four articles in English, French, Spanish, and Norwegian, which were analyzed and synthesized using Hofmann's question list to investigate the reported ethical challenges. Results: Smart houses offer a promising way to improve access to home care for older adults and people with disabilities. However, important ethical challenges arise when implementing smart houses, including cost-effectiveness, privacy, autonomy, informed consent, dignity, safety, and trust. Conclusions: The identified ethical challenges are important to consider when developing smart house systems. Due to the limitations of smart house technology, designers and users should be mindful that smart houses can achieve a safer and more dignified life-style but cannot solve all the challenges related to ageing, disabilities, and disease. At some point, smart houses can no longer help persons as they develop needs that smart houses cannot meet.