Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examination of instruments used to rate quality of health information on the internet: chronicle of a voyage with an unclear destination

Abstract Objective: This study updates work published in 1998, which found that of 47 rating instruments appearing on websites offering health information, 14 described how they were developed, five provided instructions for use, and none reported the interobserver reliability and construct validity of the measurements. Design: All rating instrument sites noted in the original study were visited to ascertain whether they were still operating. New rating instruments were identified by duplicating and enhancing the comprehensive search of the internet and the medical and information science literature used in the previous study. Eligible instruments were evaluated as in the original study. Results: 98 instruments used to assess the quality of websites in the past five years were identified. Many of the rating instruments identified in the original study were no longer available. Of 51 newly identified rating instruments, only five provided some information by which they could be evaluated. As with the six sites identified in the original study that remained available, none of these five instruments seemed to have been validated. Conclusions: Many incompletely developed rating instruments continue to appear on websites providing health information, even when the organisations that gave rise to those instruments no longer exist. Many researchers, organisations, and website developers are exploring alternative ways of helping people to find and use high quality information available on the internet. Whether they are needed or sustainable and whether they make a difference remain to be shown. What is already known on this topic The rapid growth of healthcare websites in the 1990s was accompanied by initiatives to rate their quality, including award-like symbols on websites A systematic review of the reliability and validity of such rating instruments, published in 1998, showed that they were incompletely developed What this study adds Few of the rating instruments identified in 1998 remain functional; 51 new instruments were identified Of the 51 newly identified instruments, 11 were not functional, 35 were available but provided no information, and five provided information but were not validated Many researchers, organisations, and website developers are exploring alternative ways of helping people to find high quality information on the internet
Continuous positive airway pressure: current controversies

Purpose of review Continuous positive airway pressure is increasingly being used in the care of premature infants. The purpose of this review is to highlight the current controversies in the use of neonatal continuous positive airway pressure. Recent findings This review explores information about the devices available for delivering continuous positive airway pressure and the pressures that can be used. It also investigates the controversial issues of using continuous positive airway pressure during resuscitation of premature infants and whether infants who are going to be managed on continuous positive airway pressure should be intubated and given surfactant before continuous positive airway pressure is started. It reviews the use of continuous positive airway pressure and the prevention of chronic lung disease and the use of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation and the difficult area of weaning from continuous positive airway pressure. Summary Existing evidence suggests that short binasal prongs are most effective, nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation is a useful way of augmenting neonatal continuous positive airway pressure and that very premature infants can be managed with neonatal continuous positive airway pressure in the delivery room as part of the resuscitation. Further research is required to determine whether important outcomes are improved with the use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure rather than endotracheal intubation and, if so, whether surfactant should be given to infants so managed. Definition of optimal levels of continuous positive airway pressure for infants at varying stages of their disease also requires further research.
Interleukin-10 Controls the Onset of Irreversible Septic Shock

ABSTRACT Lethality from sepsis is believed to be mediated by a proinflammatory cytokine cascade, yet blocking the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) fails to prevent mortality in human disease and a mouse model of sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The role of the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10 in the CLP model of sepsis is unclear, with either protective or harmful effects demonstrated, depending upon the time of intervention. We therefore hypothesize that IL-10 functions as a temporal regulator of the transition from early reversible sepsis to the late phase of irreversible shock. Transition from reversible sepsis to irreversible shock in the CLP model was defined as the time when removal of the necrotic cecum by rescue surgery is no longer effective. We subjected IL-10-deficient (IL-10−/−) and wild-type (IL-10+/+) mice to CLP and monitored the progression of sepsis, the onset of irreversible shock, and mortality. Onset of lethality in IL-10−/− mice occurred significantly earlier than in IL-10+/+ mice and was associated with 15-fold-higher serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6. Consistent with these findings, the efficacy of rescue surgery after lethal CLP is lost 10 h earlier in IL-10−/− mice than in IL-10+/+ mice. Treatment with recombinant human IL-10 5 h after CLP significantly improved survival and lengthened the therapeutic window for rescue surgery in both strains of mice. These results demonstrate that IL-10 controls the onset of irreversible septic shock after CLP.
Superoxide Dismutase-Deficient Mutants ofHelicobacter pylori Are Hypersensitive to Oxidative Stress and Defective in Host Colonization

ABSTRACT Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a nearly ubiquitous enzyme among organisms that are exposed to oxic environments. The single SOD ofHelicobacter pylori, encoded by the sodB gene, has been suspected to be a virulence factor for this pathogenic microaerophile, but mutations in this gene have not been reported previously. We have isolated mutants with interruptions in thesodB gene and have characterized them with respect to their response to oxidative stress and ability to colonize the mouse stomach. The sodB mutants are devoid of SOD activity, based on activity staining in nondenaturing gels and quantitative assays of cell extracts. Though wild-type H. pylori is microaerophilic, the mutants are even more sensitive to O2 for both growth and viability. While the wild-type strain is routinely grown at 12% O2, growth of the mutant strains is severely inhibited at above 5 to 6% O2. The effect of O2 on viability was determined by subjecting nongrowing cells to atmospheric levels of O2 and plating for survivors at 2-h time intervals. Wild-type cell viability dropped by about 1 order of magnitude after 6 h, while viability of the sodBmutant decreased by more than 6 orders of magnitude at the same time point. The mutants are also more sensitive to H2O2, and this sensitivity is exacerbated by increased O2 concentrations. Since oxidative stress has been correlated with DNA damage, the frequency of spontaneous mutation to rifampin resistance was studied. The frequency of mutagenesis of ansodB mutant strain is about 15-fold greater than that of the wild-type strain. In the mouse colonization model, only 1 out of 23 mice inoculated with an SOD-deficient mutant of a mouse-adapted strain became H. pylori positive, while 15 out of 17 mice inoculated with the wild-type strain were shown to harbor the organism. Therefore, SOD is a virulence factor which affects the ability of this organism to colonize the mouse stomach and is important for the growth and survival of H. pylori under conditions of oxidative stress.
Essays on interpersonal level knowledge sharing within the multinational corporation

This paper develops a model of knowledge sharing in interpersonal cross-border relationships within the MNC. Drawing upon social capital theory, it builds a model positing that such knowledge sharing is driven by interaction frequency, interpersonal trust and shared cognitive ground. The model is tested empirically on a cross-sectional sample of 518 interpersonal cross-border relationships, using a combination of the name generator technique and structural equation modeling. This study contributes to the research on MNC knowledge flows on several levels. First, it highlights the importance of interpersonal knowledge sharing to the mobilization of knowledge within the MNC. Secondly, by combining the name generation technique commonly used in social network analysis with structural equation modeling it develops an innovative method that enables analysis on the cross-sectional relationship level. Thirdly, interaction frequency, trust and shared cognitive ground were all found to have a positive impact on knowledge sharing in interpersonal cross-border relationships, but the impact was different for the sharing of information and the sharing of know-how.
Manual and Oral Apraxia in Acute Stroke, Frequency and Influence on Functional Outcome: The Copenhagen Stroke Study

Pedersen PM, J/orgensen HS, Kammersgaard LP, Nakayama H, Raaschou HO, Olsen TS: Manual and oral apraxia in acute stroke, frequency and influence on functional outcome: the Copenhagen Stroke Study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2001;80:685–692. Objectives: To determine the frequency of manual and oral apraxia in acute stroke and to examine the influence of these symptoms on functional outcome. Design: Seven hundred seventy six unselected, acute stroke patients who were admitted within seven days of stroke onset with unimpaired consciousness were included. If possible, the patients were assessed for manual and oral apraxia on acute admission. Neurologic stroke severity including aphasia was assessed with the Scandinavian Stroke Scale, and activities of daily living function was assessed with the Barthel Index. All patients completed their rehabilitation in the same large stroke unit. Results: Six hundred eighteen patients could cooperate with the apraxia assessments. Manual apraxia was found in 7% of subjects (10% in left and 4% in right hemispheric stroke; &khgr;2= 9.0;P = 0.003). Oral apraxia was found in 6% (9% in left and 4% in right hemispheric stroke; &khgr;2= 5.4;P = 0.02). Both manual and oral apraxia were related to increasing stroke severity, and manual, but not oral, apraxia was associated with increasing age. There was no gender difference in frequency of apraxia. Patients with either type of apraxia had temporal lobe involvement more often than patients without. When analyzed with multiple linear and logistic regression analyses, neither manual nor oral apraxia had any independent influence on functional outcome. Conclusion: Apraxia is significantly less frequent in unselected patients with acute stroke than has previously been assumed and has no independent negative influence on functional outcome.
The effects of hindlimb unweighting on the capacitance of rat small mesenteric veins.

Microgravity is associated with an impaired cardiac output response to orthostatic stress. Mesenteric veins are critical in modulating cardiac filling through venoconstriction. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of simulated microgravity on the capacitance of rat mesenteric small veins. We constructed pressure-diameter relationships from vessels of 21-day hindlimb-unweighted (HLU) rats and control rats by changing the internal pressure and measuring the external diameter. Pressure-diameter relationships were obtained both before and after stimulation with norepinephrine (NE). The pressure-diameter curves of HLU vessels were shifted to larger diameters than control vessels. NE (10(-4) M) constricted veins from control animals such that the pressure-diameter relationship was significantly shifted downward (i.e., to smaller diameters at equal pressure). NE had no effect on vessels from HLU animals. These results indicate that, after HLU, unstressed vascular volume may be increased and can no longer decrease in response to sympathetic stimulation. This may partially underlie the mechanism leading to the exaggerated fall in cardiac output and stroke volume seen in astronauts during an orthostatic stress after exposure to microgravity.
Recognition DNA sequences of interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) and IRF-2, regulators of cell growth and the interferon system

Interferon (IFN) regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) and IRF-2 were originally identified as transcription factors involved in the regulation of the IFN system. IRF-1 functions as a transcriptional activator, while IRF-2 represses IRF-1 function. More recently, evidence has been provided that IRF-1 and IRF-2 manifest antioncogenic and oncogenic properties, respectively, and that loss of one or both of the IRF-1 alleles may be critical for the development of human hematopoietic neoplasms. Both factors show a high degree of structural similarity in their N-terminal DNA-binding domains, and previous studies suggested that IRF-1 and IRF-2 bind to similar or identical cis elements within type I IFN (IFN-alpha and -beta) and IFN-inducible genes. However, the exact recognition sequences of these two factors have not yet been determined; hence, the spectrum of the IRF-responsive genes remains unclear. In this study, we determined the DNA sequences recognized by IRF-1 and IRF-2, using a polymerase chain reaction-assisted DNA-binding site selection method. We report that sequences selected by this method and the affinities for each sequence were virtually indistinguishable between IRF-1 and IRF-2. We confirm the presence of two contiguous IRF recognition sequences within the promoter region of the IFN-beta gene and of at least one such sequence in all of the IFN-inducible genes examined. Furthermore, we report the presence of potential IRF sequences in the upstream region of several genes involved in cell growth control.
Differential Effects of Quinoline Antimalarials on Endocytosis in Plasmodium falciparum

ABSTRACT The effects of quinoline antimalarials on endocytosis by Plasmodium falciparum was investigated by measuring parasite hemoglobin levels, peroxidase uptake, and transport vesicle content. Mefloquine, quinine, and halofantrine inhibited endocytosis, and chloroquine inhibited vesicle trafficking, while amodiaquine shared both effects. Protease inhibitors moderated hemoglobin perturbations, suggesting a common role for heme binding.
Do judicial reforms have an economic payoff? : theory and evidence for Latin America

This thesis provides theoretical arguments and empirical evidences to illustrate the potential economic benefits of an effective reform of the Latin American judiciaries. First, I suggest a concept of judicial efficiency and I illustrate with a simple model some possible trade-offs that might arise in the design of the judiciary, regarding the incentives of some actors involved in the process. The economic rationale is spelt out through several microeconomic mechanisms in which the judicial efficiency may play a very important role to enhance further economic development. These mechanisms are contextualized in the Latin American region, and are embedded in a long-run growth framework to identify the possible macro implications. In order to contribute to the empirical literature on institutions and economic growth, I run several panel data regressions to illustrate the potential impact of different quantitative judicial indicators on several economic and institutional variables commonly associated with the creation of wealth.
Conference on ‘ The future of animal products in the human diet : health and environmental concerns ’ Postgraduate Winner Berries and anthocyanins : promising functional food ingredients with postprandial glycaemia-lowering effects

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is predicted to reach unprecedented levels in the next few decades. In addition to excess body weight, there may be other overlapping dietary drivers of impaired glucose homeostasis that are associated with an obesogenic diet, such as regular exposure to postprandial spikes in blood glucose arising from diets dominated by highly refined starches and added sugars. Strategies to reduce postprandial hyperglycaemia by optimising the functionality of foods would strengthen efforts to reduce the risk of T2D. Berry bioactives, including anthocyanins, are recognised for their inhibitory effects on carbohydrate digestion and glucose absorption. Regular consumption of berries has been associated with a reduction in the risk of T2D. This review aims to examine the evidence from in vitro, animal and human studies, showing that berries and berry anthocyanins may act in the gut to modulate postprandial glycaemia. Specifically, berry extracts and anthocyanins inhibit the activities of pancreatic α-amylase and α-glucosidase in the gut lumen, and interact with intestinal sugar transporters, sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 and GLUT2, to reduce the rate of glucose uptake into the circulation. Growing evidence from randomised controlled trials suggests that berry extracts, purées and nectars acutely inhibit postprandial glycaemia and insulinaemia following oral carbohydrate loads. Evidence to date presents a sound basis for exploring the potential for using berries/berry extracts as an additional stratagem to weight loss, adherence to dietary guidelines and increasing physical exercise, for the prevention of T2D.
Tracheal gas insufflation as a lung-protective strategy: Physiologic, histologic, and biochemical markers

Objective: Conventional mechanical ventilation in acute lung failure potentiates lung injury, which can be assessed by physiologic, histologic, and biochemical markers. Thus, new ventilation strategies are directed at reducing lung injury. Tracheal gas insufflation has been shown to reduce endotracheal tube prosthetic deadspace and peak inspiratory pressure during conventional mechanical ventilation. Our objective was to use physiologic, histologic, and biochemical markers to test the hypothesis that tracheal gas insufflation in acute lung injury is lung protective. Design: Animal experiment. Setting: University setting. Subjects: Juvenile rabbits (n = 12; 1.95 ± 0.1 se kg). Interventions: Rabbits were anesthetized, instrumented, paralyzed, and ventilated with Fio2 = 1.0. Lung injury was induced with repeated saline lavage (10 mL/kg per lavage until Pao2 ≤150 mm Hg and compliance ≤0.50 mL/cm H2O/kg for 30 mins). Animals were randomized to conventional mechanical ventilation with and without 0.5 lpm of continuous tracheal gas insufflation (Vygon endotracheal tube) for 4 hrs to maintain Paco2 at 45–55 mm Hg by adjusting the peak inspiratory pressure; other conventional mechanical ventilation settings remained constant. Measurements and Main Results: Gas exchange and pulmonary mechanics were measured every 30 mins; plasma and pulmonary tissue were taken for cytokine and histologic evaluation after 4 hrs. Peak inspiratory pressure, tidal volume, and physiologic deadspace were significantly less (p < .05) in the tracheal gas insufflation animals when compared with conventional mechanical ventilation animals. Pao2, positive end-expiratory pressure, mean airway pressure, vital signs, Paco2, and respiratory resistance and compliance were not statistically different between the two groups. There was a difference (p < .05) in interleukin-8 tissue (pg/&mgr;g protein; dependent = 52.4 ± 7.6 vs. nondependent = 32.8 ± 4.2) and plasma levels (pg/mL; preinjury = 7.2 ± 2.3 vs. postinjury = 118 ± 58). Histology showed a trend toward protection of alveolar structures for tracheal gas insufflation. Conclusions: Tracheal gas insufflation resulted in lower ventilatory requirements (peak inspiratory pressure, tidal volume, and deadspace) and a more favorable histologic trend than conventional mechanical ventilation. Tracheal gas insufflation offers potential as a lung-protective strategy for acute lung injury in the developing rabbit lung and may be a useful clinical adjunct to neonatal respiratory management.
Lift Not the Painted Veil! To Whom Are Directors’ Duties Really Owed?

In this article, we identify a fundamental contradiction in the law of fiduciary duty of corporate directors across jurisdictions, namely the tension between the uniformity of directors’ duties and the heterogeneity of directors themselves. American scholars tend to think of the board as a group of individuals elected by shareholders, even though it is widely acknowledged (and criticized) that the board is often a largely self-perpetuating body whose inside members dominate the selection of their future colleagues and eventual successors. However, this characterization is far from universally true internationally, and it tends to be increasingly less true even in the United States. Directors are often formally or informally selected by specific shareholders (such as a venture capitalist or an important shareholder) or other stakeholders of the corporation (such as creditors or employees), or they are elected to represent specific types of shareholders (e.g. minority investors). The law thus sometimes facilitates the nomination of what has been called “constituency” directors. Once in office, legal rules tend nevertheless to treat directors as a homogeneous group that is expected to pursue a uniform goal. We explore this tension and suggest that it almost seems to rise to the level of hypocrisy: Why do some jurisdictions require employee representatives that are then seemingly not allowed to strongly advocate employee interests? Why can a director representing a specific shareholder not advance this shareholder’s interests on the board? Behavioral research indicates that directors are likely beholden to those who appointed them and will seek to pursue their interests in order to maintain their position in office. We argue that for many decision-making processes, it does not matter all that much what specific interest directors are expected to pursue by the law, given that across jurisdictions, enforcement of the corporate purpose is highly curtailed.
The effect of TGF-β1 and BMP-4 on bone marrow-derived stem cell morphology on a novel bioabsorbable nanocomposite material

Abstract Context: Congenital heart disease is a leading cause of death in the first year, with an incidence of 1.5 million worldwide. It can be treated with bypass surgery, but due to the limited availability of autologous grafts, there has been research into developing a completely tissue-engineered vascular graft. Our group has developed a small diameter, biodegradable nanocomposite graft which is non-thrombogenic and biostable. Objectives: This study looks at the effects of the growth factors, TGF-β1 and BMP-4 on bone marrow-derived stem cell (BMSC) morphology on a POSS PCL scaffold. Materials and methods: BMSCs were seeded onto a new nanocomposite of POSS (polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane) and PCL (poly[caprolactone-urea]urethane) and TGF-β1 and BMP-4 were used to induce differentiation of the cells to smooth muscle cells. The distribution of the cells was examined using confocal and electron microscopies and the phenotype of the cells was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Results: It was found that growth factor induction led to a decrease in cell growth on POSS PCL as compared to that of the control surface, and confocal microscopic analysis showed less cytoskeleton reorganization of these cells. After immunohistochemistry analysis, the BMSCs showed no differentiation to smooth muscle cells. Discussion: Growth factor induction on the static scaffold discs led to a change in morphology, with less spreading of the cells, a lower proliferation rate and no differentiation into SMCs. These findings can be attributed to the POSS PCL being manufactured by a coagulation technique, resulting in a structure with low stiffness.