Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Military Spending and Development

This paper considers the link between arms spending and economic growth for developing countries, in particular whether high spending on arms is likely to have a negative effect on economic growth and what benefits that might be gained by reducing it. The literature is complex and difficult to summarize, with studies differing theoretically, in the empirical methods they use, in the coverage of countries and time series, and in their quality and significance. Nevertheless, the paper argues that the empirical analyses suggests that there is little or no evidence for a positive effect on economic growth and that it is more likely to have a negative effect, or at best no significant impact at all. Thus, reducing arms and military spending need not be costly and can contribute to, or at the very least provide the opportunity for, improved economic performance in developing countries.
Intravenous Administration and Abuse of Bupropion: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature

Introduction: Bupropion is an effective and well-tolerated second-generation antidepressant generally assumed to be without abuse potential. In the past years, several case reports about the recreational use of bupropion, mainly via nasal insufflation, have been published. Last year, a first case of intravenous bupropion dependence was reported. Case presentation: We present another case of intravenous administration of and dependence on bupropion in a 29-year-old woman with a history of polysubstance dependence, who consumed an extremely high daily dose of about 2400 mg of bupropion together with a daily oral dose of 2400 to 3600 mg of pregabalin. Discussion: The possible impact of bupropion on subjects with a history of polysubstance dependence is discussed; physicians should be careful when prescribing bupropion in these cases.
An Assessment of the Business Environment for Small Tourism Ventures Development in the Gaming City of Macao

This study examines the business environment for small tourism ventures (STVs) development in Macao, a destination in China that is experiencing a booming tourism and gaming growth, while at the same time many of its STVs are striving for survival. Surveys of 208 STVs in Macao were conducted to explore entrepreneurs' perceptions of the business environment. The results indicated that although STVs in Macao faced various levels of management constraints similar to other tourism destinations, they were found to be even more severe. Liberalization of casino licenses had accelerated the human resource shortage as many employees were lured to casino work by higher income. Tourism growth, caused mainly by the implementation of China's Individual Visit Scheme (IVS), had also attracted many investors to open businesses, resulting in higher shop rental and operational costs for STVs. This study sheds light on the business environment for STV development in Macao and provides important policy implications for achieving sustainable small tourism enterprises. It also contributes to the literature by highlighting the need for distinctly treating STVs in different destinations because the business activities and problems they encounter can vary in different cultural and economic settings. 本文旨在研究澳门小型旅游企业发展的营商环境。 澳门是中国的旅游目的地，虽然澳门旅游业发展蓬勃，博采业持续增长，但当地不少小型旅游企业都正在挣扎求全。 本文以企业家为研究对象，在澳门进行问卷调查并访问了208家小型旅游企业，探讨他们对营商环境的看法。 调查结果显示虽然小型旅游企业在澳门和其他旅游目的地所面对的不同程度的管理约束差不多，但澳门的营商环境更加严峻。 自澳门开放赌权以来，很多雇员在高薪刺激下加入赌场工作，使人力资源短缺问题更加严重。 此外，澳门旅游业受惠于中国个人游计划得以快速发展的同时，亦吸引了不少投资者到澳门投资经营，导致小型旅游企业需要负担更高昂的店铺租金和营运成本。 本文通过对澳门小型旅游企业发展的营商环境的分析，提出了小型旅游企业持续发展的对策。 由于小型旅游企业的商业活动以及所遇到的问题会因不同的文化和经济环境而改变，本文同时强调小型旅游企业政策在不同的旅游目的地应有明显的区别，以期对小型旅游企业研究领域有所贡献。
High Cefepime Plasma Concentrations and Neurological Toxicity in Febrile Neutropenic Patients with Mild Impairment of Renal Function

ABSTRACT High-dose cefepime therapy is recommended for febrile neutropenia. Safety issues have been raised in a recent meta-analysis reporting an increased risk of mortality during cefepime therapy. Cefepime-related neurological toxicity has been associated with overdosing due to severe renal dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the association between cefepime plasma concentrations and neurological toxicity in febrile neutropenic patients. Cefepime trough concentrations (by high-performance liquid chromatography) were retrospectively analyzed for 30 adult febrile neutropenic patients receiving the recommended high-dose regimen (6 g/day for a glomerular filtration rate [GFR] of >50 ml/min). The dose adjustment to renal function was evaluated by the ratio of the cefepime daily dose per 100 ml/min of glomerular filtration. The association between cefepime plasma concentrations and neurological toxicity was assessed on the basis of consistent neurological symptoms and/or signs (by NCI criteria). The median cefepime concentration was 8.7 mg/liter (range, 2.1 to 38 mg/liter) at a median of 4 days (range, 2 to 15 days) after the start of therapy. Neurological toxicity (altered mental status, hallucinations, or myoclonia) was attributed to cefepime in 6/30 (20%) patients (median GFR, 45 ml/min; range, 41 to 65 ml/min) receiving a median dose of 13.2 g/day per 100 ml/min GFR (range, 9.2 to 14.3 g/day per 100 ml/min GFR). Cefepime discontinuation resulted in complete neurological recovery for five patients and improvement for one patient. A multivariate logistic regression model confirmed high cefepime concentrations as an independent predictor of neurological toxicity, with a 50% probability threshold at ≥22 mg/liter (P = 0.05). High cefepime plasma concentrations are associated with neurological toxicity in febrile neutropenic patients with mild renal dysfunction. Careful adherence to normalized dosing per 100 ml/min GFR is crucial. Monitoring of plasma concentrations may contribute to preventing neurological toxicity of high-dose therapy for this life-threatening condition.
Transduced B cells: B is for ‘beneficial’!

B cells have been used as tolerogenic APCs for nearly two decades. However, the ability to transduce B cells for use in gene therapy has been hampered by the low efficiency of transduction of resting B cells. This has been partially overcome by mitogenic activation of these cells, a factor that is not without risks as activated B cells may become pathogenic. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, this challenge is met by achieving high‐efficiency transduction of resting murine B cells with a lentiviral vector. Furthermore, the application of this protocol to generate MOG‐expressing B cells and successfully prevent EAE, as described in this issue, is an important step forward in B‐cell therapy.
Autologous blood clot embolisation in posttraumatic high-flow priapism

Non-ischemic, high-flow priapism is defined as the state of painless and permanent erection of the penis which generally develops by perineal trauma. Selective transarterial embolisation is one of the treatment options. We present an 18-year-old men who had complaints of painless and permanent erection after a blunt perineal trauma. Colour Doppler ultrasound revealed a pseudoaneurysm and fistula at the left cavernosal artery. Hence autologous blood clot injection was performed to embolise the pseudoaneurysm. Due to the recanalization on the postprocedural seventh day, second embolisation was performed. One month after the second procedure, colour Doppler ultrasound revealed a 50% shrink but mild refilling in the pseudoaneurysm, whereas complete thrombus formation was observed on follow-up imaging. His priapism had fully recovered and erectile functions were totally normal at the six months and one year follow up. Autologous blood clot embolisation seems as a safe and successful treatment.
Macrolide Drug Interactions: An Update

OBJECTIVE: To describe the current drug interaction profiles for the commonly used macrolides in the US and Europe, and to comment on the clinical impact of these interactions. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search (1975–1998) was performed to identify all pertinent studies, review articles, and case reports. When appropriate information was not available in the literature, data were obtained from the product manufacturers. STUDY SELECTION: All available data were reviewed to provide an unbiased account of possible drug interactions. DATA EXTRACTION: Data for some of the interactions were not available from the literature, but were available from abstracts or company-supplied materials. Although the data were not always explicit, the best attempt was made to deliver pertinent information that clinical practitioners would need to formulate practice opinions. When more in-depth information was supplied in the form of a review or study report, a thorough explanation of pertinent methodology was supplied. DATA SYNTHESIS: Several clinically significant drug interactions have been identified since the approval of erythromycin. These interactions usually were related to the inhibition of the cytochrome P450 enzyme systems, which are responsible for the metabolism of many drugs. The decreased metabolism by the macrolides has in some instances resulted in potentially severe adverse events. The development and marketing of newer macrolides are hoped to improve the drug interaction profile associated with this class. However, this has produced variable success. Some of the newer macrolides demonstrated an interaction profile similar to that of erythromycin; others have shown improved profiles. The most success in avoiding drug interactions related to the inhibition of cytochrome P450 has been through the development of the azalide subclass, of which azithromycin is the first and only to be marketed. Azithromycin has not been demonstrated to inhibit the cytochrome P450 system in studies using a human liver microsome model, and to date has produced none of the classic drug interactions characteristic of the macrolides. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the available data regarding macrolide drug interactions are from studies in healthy volunteers and case reports. These data suggest that clarithromycin appears to have an interaction profile similar to that of erythromycin. Given this similarity, it is important to consider the interaction profile of clarithromycin when using erythromycin. This is especially necessary as funds for further studies of a medication available in generic form (e.g., erythromycin) are limited. Azithromycin has produced few clinically significant interactions with any agent cleared through the cytochrome P450 enzyme system. Although the available data are promising, the final test should come from studies conducted in patients who are taking potentially interacting compounds on a chronic basis.
The complete sequence and structural analysis of human apolipoprotein B‐100: relationship between apoB‐100 and apoB‐48 forms.

We have isolated and sequenced overlapping cDNA clones covering the entire sequence of human apolipoprotein B‐100 (apoB‐100). DNA sequence analysis and determination of the mRNA transcription initiation site by S1 nuclease mapping showed that the apoB mRNA consists of 14,112 nucleotides including the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions which are 128 and 301 nucleotides respectively. The DNA‐derived protein sequence shows that apoB‐100 is 513,000 daltons and contains 4560 amino acids including a 24‐amino‐acid‐long signal peptide. The mol. wt of apoB‐100 implies that there is one apoB molecule per LDL particle. Computer analysis of the predicted secondary structure of the protein showed that some of the potential alpha helical and beta sheet structures are amphipathic, whereas others have non‐amphipathic neutral to apolar character. These latter regions may contribute to the formation of the lipid‐binding domains of apoB‐100. The protein contains 25 cysteines and 20 potential N‐glycosylation sites. The majority of cysteines are distributed in the amino terminal portion of the protein. Four of the potential glycosylation sites are in predicted beta turn structures and may represent true glycosylation positions. ApoB lacks the tandem repeats which are characteristic of other apolipoproteins. The mean hydrophobicity the mean value of H1 and helical hydrophobic moment the mean value of microH profiles of apoB showed the presence of several potential helical regions with strong polar character and high hydrophobic moment. The region with the highest hydrophobic moment, between amino acid residues 3352 and 3369, contains five closely spaced, positively charged residues, and has sequence homology to the LDL receptor binding site of apoE. This region is flanked by three neighbouring regions with positively charged amino acids and high hydrophobic moment that are located between residues 3174 and 3681. One or more of these closely spaced apoB sequences may be involved in the formation of the LDL receptor‐binding domain of apoB‐100. Blotting analysis of intestinal RNA and hybridization of the blots with carboxy apoB cDNA probes produced a single 15‐kb hybridization band whereas hybridization with amino terminal probes produced two hybridization bands of 15 and 8 kb. Our data indicate that both forms of apoB mRNA contain common sequences which extend from the amino terminal of apoB‐100 to the vicinity of nucleotide residue 6300. These two messages may have resulted from differential splicing of the same primary apoB mRNA transcript.
Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery vs laparoscopic ovariectomy: complications and inflammatory response.

AIM To compare natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) vs standard laparoscopic ovariectomy in mini pigs with respect to technical aspects, complications and parameters of systemic inflammatory response. METHODS This was a randomized, experimental, survival study. Ten female mini pigs underwent NOTES transgastric ovariectomy (NOTES group) and ten female mini pigs underwent laparoscopic ovariectomy (LAP group). A "percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy" approach with guidewire and sphincterotome was used for gastrotomy creation. The ovary was resected using standard biopsy forceps and a snare. The access site was closed using a "KING" closure with a single endoloop and several clips. In the laparoscopic group, a three-port laparoscopy and an ovariectomy were performed with the use of standard laparoscopic devices. C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood count and interleukin (IL)-6 plasma levels were used as indicators of systemic inflammatory response. All animals were euthanized 28 d after surgery. RESULTS All animals survived without complications. The mean procedure time was 41.3 min ± 17.6 min (NOTES group) and 25.7 min ± 5.25 min (LAP group, P < 0.02). Postmortem examinations demonstrated that 50% and 70% of animals were free of any complications in the NOTES and LAP groups, respectively. The remaining animals developed minor complications (adhesions) in a comparable frequency between the two groups. In the NOTES group, one animal developed a small intramural gastric abscess close to the gastrotomy site. A minor serous exudate that was present in 50% and 40% of the animals in the NOTES and laparoscopy groups, respectively, was not considered a complication. In both groups CRP levels increased significantly on the 2nd and 7th postoperative days (POD) and returned to normal after 28 d. On POD 2, an increase of CRP level was significantly higher in the NOTES group compared to the LAP group. Values of IL-6 did not differ from baseline values in either of the groups postoperatively. Interestingly, the platelet count decreased significantly on POD 2, but returned close to baseline values on POD 7 and PODs 28-30. CONCLUSION Both NOTES and laparoscopic ovariectomies had a similar frequency of minor complications. However, the NOTES technique produced an increased systemic inflammatory response on POD 2.
Human papillomavirus DNA load and p16INK4a expression predict for local control in patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy

As the detection rate of HPV‐DNA in anal carcinoma commonly exceeds 90%, a comparison between sole HPV‐positive and HPV‐negative cancers with respect to treatment response following chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and long‐term oncological outcome is challenging. Against this background, we aimed to assess HPV types and HPV DNA load in formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue (FFPE) of 95 patients treated with standard CRT for anal cancer to correlate viral load (≤/> median) with local failure, distant metastases, cancer‐specific (CSS) and overall survival (OS) rates. Various clinicopathologic parameters and the immunohistochemical marker p16INK4a were evaluated for any correlation with HPV16 DNA load and were included in uni‐ and multivariate analyses. The overall prevalence of HPV DNA was 95.8% with HPV16 monoinfection being the most commonly encountered HPV type (78.9%), followed by HPV16 and 31, 35, 39, 44, 58, 66 and 81 dual infection in 9 patients (9.5%). HPV16 DNA load was significantly associated with p16INK4a expression (p = 0.001). Patients with HPV16 DNA load ≤ median and low p16INK4a expression showed significantly worse local control (HPV16 DNA load: univariate p = 0.023, multivariate p = 0.042; p16INK4a: univariate p = 0.021), and OS (HPV16 DNA load: univariate p = 0.02, multivariate p = 0.03). Moreover, a combined HPV16 DNA load and p16INK4a variable revealed a significant correlation to decreased local failure, and increased CSS and OS (p = 0.019, p = 0.04 and p = 0.031). In conclusion, these data indicate that HPV16 DNA load and p16INK4a expression are significant prognostic factors for local tumor control and overall survival of patients with anal SCC following CRT.
[Clinical application of anterior perineal plane for ultra-low anterior resection of the rectum].

OBJECTIVE To summarize clinical experience in the treatment of low rectal cancer with anterior perineal plane for ultra-low anterior resection of the rectum(APPEAR). METHODS Clinical and follow-up data of 26 patients with low rectal cancer undergoing the APPEAR operation in Department of General Surgery at Peking Union Medical College from September 2009 to August 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS The 26 cases consisted of 19 male and 7 female patients with an average age of (63.4 ± 9.5) years. The average tumor distance from the anal verge was (4.6 ± 0.7) cm according to preoperative examinations. Fourteen patients received neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy before the operation. All the 26 patients had successful sphincter-preserving operations. The average operative time was (170 ± 21) min and the average intra-operative blood loss (140 ± 69) ml. Complications included one case of intraoperative injury to the rectal wall and 4 cases of postoperative perineal wound infection. Postoperative pathological examination showed well to moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas(n=10), moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas with partial mucinous adenocarcinomas (n=7), poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma(n=1), villous adenoma with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (n=1), and rectal villous adenoma(n=1). In 6 cases no residual tumor cells were detected in the surgical specimens. All the patients were followed-up for an average period of(11.4 ± 5.6) months. No impaired urinary function or tumor recurrence was observed during the follow-up. Eighteen patients had the transverse colon stoma closure six months after the operation. The average Wexner continence score was 5.5 after colostomy reversal surgery. The anorectal manometry tests showed that maximum squeeze pressure of the anal sphincter was(224.0 ± 59.3) mm Hg. The maximum resting pressure was (42.5 ± 11.8) mm Hg, and the maximum tolerable volume of the rectum was (120.0 ± 27.4) ml. Anorectal reflexes were present in all these patients. CONCLUSION The APPEAR technique can be applied in the sphincter-preserving operations for low rectal cancer patients with satisfactory anal function.
Insurance and Corporate Risk Management

This paper provides a model of a competitive financial market economy in which there are not only stock and bond markets but also insurance markets. In the model's most naive form, the analysis shows that the corporate value of the insured firm equals that of the uninsured firm and in this case the firm has no active role to assume in managing corporate risk. The model is then modified to incorporate costly bankruptcy and agency problems. Then the analysis shows that the corporation has an incentive to purchase insurance because it may eliminate or reduce the bankruptcy and/or agency costs.
Family-planning methods among the tribal population in south Gujarat: a case study of access and usage

The article explores knowledge and practices of family planning among the tribal population of south Gujarat, India. The authors examine the reasons for discontinuation and non-use of various modern contraceptive methods by tribals and draw contrasts with practices in the urban population. They consider the roles of women, family members, local leaders, and effective communication, along with NGOs and the private sector, and make recommendations for increasing access to and usage of various family-planning methods by the tribals.
Aquaporin‐4 knockdown ameliorates hypoxic‐ischemic cerebral edema in newborn piglets

Emerging evidence indicates that the water channel protein aquaporin 4 (AQP4) plays an essential role in water homeostasis and is implicated in the pathogenesis of brain edema. This study aimed to understand the physiological role of AQP4 in hypoxia–ischemia‐mediated cytotoxic brain edema. We specifically knocked down AQP4 expression by intracerebral injection of a plasmid containing AQP4 siRNA into a neonatal piglet model. The success of the hypoxia–ischemia‐induced piglet model was confirmed by conventional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion‐weighted imaging. AQP4 knockdown led to reduced brain edema accompanied by a higher apparent diffusion coefficient value, compared to the control group injected with a plasmid containing scrambled siRNA. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that AQP4 siRNA significantly reduced AQP4 mRNA and protein expression. Finally, neurological function analysis revealed that AQP4 knockdown significantly improved neurobehavioral manifestation of the piglets after exposure to hypoxia‐ischemia. Taken together, these results indicate that AQP4 plays an important role in mediating brain edema in hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy. Therefore, AQP4 could be a therapeutic target to ameliorate early‐stage brain edema. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(3):182–190, 2015
Wage and Public Expenditure Setting in a Monetary Union

European countries have progressively integrated from the point of view of trade and investment and have a common currency now. By contrast, labour market and fiscal institutions have largely retained their national status. The aim of this paper is threefold. First, the effects of trade union international cooperation to internalise external effects stemming from wage setting at a national level are examined. Second, the paper investigates the likelihood for governments of internalising macroeconomic spillovers deriving from national-oriented public expenditure. Third, the interactions between fiscal and monetary authorities are considered.
Why Don’t You Register Your Child? A Study of Attitudes and Factors Affecting Birth Registration in Kenya, and Policy Suggestions

Abstract Birth registration imposes major challenges in developing countries, with importance to rights, health and all levels of development. Despite targeted initiatives, often with focus on improved access and information, universal registration has been elusive. Using cross-sectional survey from Kenya, we provide new evidence for why parents may not register. We report high awareness, low barriers – however with over 50 per cent of children unregistered. We argue this is due to deliberate, informed choice by parents where they weigh perceived costs/benefits. We recommend new focus on this deliberation and policy piggybacking hospital delivery, vaccination and information and communications technology to re-balance parent decision.