Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for intracranial hemorrhage in the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patient.

The need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and repeated correction of persistent acidosis identifies extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients more likely to develop an intracranial hemorrhage. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for an intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in infants on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This study was a retrospective-matched, case-controlled study of infants with ICH on ECMO compared with infants without ICH on ECMO. Data collected included patient demographics, ventilator parameters, blood gases, coagulation parameters, the need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), neurologic findings, and outcome. The Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery at Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville, Ky. , was the setting. Twenty-three infants who developed an ICH (excluding subarachnoid hemorrhage) on ECMO were matched with a control group of 23 infants without an ICH on ECMO. The presence of acidosis (pH < 7.19 or HCO3 < 17; p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) and the need for CPR (heart rate < or = 80 or mean blood pressure < or = 30 mm Hg, p < 0.003) shortly before or during cannulation correlated with the development of an ICH in infants on ECMO. The infants with an ICH required more frequent platelet transfusions (p < 0.005), had difficulty maintaining activated clotting times (ACTs) within a normal range (p < 0.03), and had abnormal neurologic examinations shortly before or after the ICH was detected with head ultrasound. The ultrasound was obtained as soon as possible after a change in the neurologic status. The need for CPR and repeated correction of persistent acidosis before or during cannulation identifies ECMO patients more likely to develop an ICH. We found that elevated ACTs and low platelet counts requiring transfusion showed a statistical association with the development of an ICH. Daily head ultrasounds and frequent neurologic checks are thus valuable tools in assessing the ECMO patient who demonstrates difficulty in maintaining coagulation values in the normal range or who requires frequent platelet transfusions.
Stabilization of discrete-time quantized linear systems: An H∞/l1 approach

A generalized small-gain theorem, suitable for the analysis of practical stability, is proved in the framework of l<sub>1</sub> control. The result is combined with a practical stabilization technique based on a generalized small-gain theorem in H<sub>∞</sub>. The resulting mixed H<sub>∞</sub>/l<sub>1</sub> approach allows us to provide systematic tools for the control synthesis and the closed loop analysis in the practical stabilization of linear systems under assigned input quantization. A numerical example is reported.
Chenodeoxycholic acid treatment of gallstones. A follow-up report and analysis of factors influencing response to therapy.

We treated 70 patients with gallstones with chenodeoxycholic acid over 3 1/2 years and analyzed the factors influencing the outcome of therapy. This treatment was unsuccessful in 11 patients with radiopaque gallstones and in seven with nonfunctioning gallbladders, but 64 per cent with radiolucent gallstones treated for six months or more showed partial or complete gallstone dissolution, and of those whose bile became unsaturated with cholesterol, 100 per cent had evidence of dissolution. In patients with partial or complete gallstone dissolution, the mean post-treatment biliary cholesterol saturation index--0.78 +/- 0.04 (S.E.M.)--was significantly less (P less than 0.001), and the dose of chenodeoxycholic acid (14.4 +/- 1.0 mg per kilogram of body weight per day) significantly more (P less than 0.025) than in those whose gallstones did not change (1.15 +/- 0.04 and 10.6 +/- 1.2 respectively). In patients with radiolucent gallstones, the dose of chenodeoxycholic acid should be based on body weight; 14 to 15 mg per kilogram of body weight per day effectively lowers the saturation index and dissolves gallstones.
Retrospective study of Gen-Probe rapid diagnostic system for detection of legionellae in frozen clinical respiratory tract samples

The Gen-Probe Rapid Diagnostic System for legionellae, which uses 125I-labeled cDNA directed against the rRNAs of legionellae, was evaluated for its ability to detect members of the genus by using clinical specimens which had been frozen at -70 degrees C for 2 to 8 years. Culture and direct immunofluorescence (DFA) results obtained at the time of specimen collection were used to categorize samples. The specimens tested were 112 samples culture positive for legionellae and 230 samples negative on culture and DFA tests. They were tested in a blinded and randomized fashion. Results were expressed in terms of the ratio of counts per minute of the sample to the counts per minute of the provided negative control. A ratio of greater than or equal to 4.0 was picked for optimal specificity. Of the 112 previously positive specimens, 63 (57%) were positive by the probe assay, and of the 230 previously negative samples, 228 (99.1%) were negative. The 51 discrepant specimens were reexamined by culture and DFA testing if adequate amounts remained; this was possible for 34 specimens. On repeat culture, 22 of 33 previously culture-positive samples yielded legionellae and 11 were negative. Ten of the positive repeat cultures yielded two or fewer colonies per plate. One probe-positive but previously culture-negative sample was overgrown by contaminants on repeat culture. Reanalysis of data after exclusion of the 17 unavailable, 11 repeat culture-negative, and 1 unevaluable specimen gave a probe sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 100%. The Gen-Probe test is therefore specific and is of useful sensitivity.
In the Early Stages of Diabetes, Rat Retinal Mitochondria Undergo Mild Uncoupling due to UCP2 Activity

In order to maintain high transmembrane ionic gradients, retinal tissues require a large amount of energy probably provided by a high rate of both, glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. However, little information exists on retinal mitochondrial efficiency. We analyzed the retinal mitochondrial activity in ex vivo retinas and in isolated mitochondria from normal rat retina and from short-term streptozotocin-diabetic rats. In normal ex vivo retinas, increasing glucose concentrations from 5.6mM to 30mM caused a four-fold increase in glucose accumulation and CO2 production. Retina from diabetic rats accumulated similar amounts of glucose. However, CO2 production was not as high. Isolated mitochondria from normal rat retina exhibited a resting rate of oxygen consumption of 14.6 ± 1.1 natgO (min.mg prot)-1 and a respiratory control of 4.0. Mitochondria from 7, 20 and 45 days diabetic rats increased the resting rate of oxygen consumption and the activity of the electron transport complexes; under these conditions the mitochondrial transmembrane potential decreased. In spite of this, the ATP synthesis was not modified. GDP, an UCP2 inhibitor, increased mitochondrial membrane potential and superoxide production in controls and at 45 days of diabetes. The role of UCP2 is discussed. The results suggest that at the early stage of diabetes we studied, retinal mitochondria undergo adaptations leading to maintain energetic requirements and prevent oxidative stress.
Seedling development and biomass as affected by seed size and morphology in durum wheat

This work evaluated the effect of seed size and morphology on the development and biomass of durum wheat seedlings. Three different seed-grading sizes selected by sieving were used in glasshouse experiments, and a set of three developmental and 23 biomass-related indices were measured on eight genotypes, at two moisture levels. The influence of seed size on seedling development was studied at high and low temperatures (22/12 °C, and 15/5 °C day/night temperatures, respectively), in growth chambers. The area of the seed and the area of the embryo were the seed morphological traits most affected by seed size. Seed size was strongly associated with seedling development and seedling biomass until the complete extension of the first two leaves, at the fourth leaf stage. The rate of first-leaf growth and the area of the first leaf were the developmental and biomass traits, respectively, most sensitive to seed-grading size.
Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites of the Domestic fowl (Gallus-gallus domesticus) slaughtered in Giwa Market, Giwa Local Government, Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

The free range management system of raising domestic chickens ( Gallus-gallus domesticus ) especially in the rural areas exposes the birds to diseases when scavenging for food. This research was embarked upon to conduct a survey on the gastrointestinal helminthes that parasitize the intestinal tract of domestic chicken using the floatation method. The gastrointestinal tracts of 200 domestic fowls slaughtered in Giwa market, Giwa Local Government Area Kaduna State were examined for helminth parasites. A total of 163 birds were infected representing 81.5% of the study population. Six helminth parasites were encountered including Raillietina tetragona 48 (24.0%), Raillietina echinobothrida 22 (11.0%), Raillietina cesticillus 7 (3.5%), Hymenolepis carioca 79 (39.5%), Ascaridia galli 34 (17.0%) and Heterakis gallinarum 41(20.5%). Hymenolepis carioca was the most abundant Cestode parasite while Heterakis gallinarum was the most abundant Nematode parasite recovered from the domestic chickens. Seventy nine (39.5%) of the birds had single infection, 68 (34.0%) had double infections, 14 (7.0%) had triple infections and 2(1.0%) harboured four parasites. No single Trematode parasite was recorded. Site preferences by the parasites in the gastrointestinal tract of the birds were small intestine, large intestine and caeca. There was no statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the infection rate between sexes. Keywords : Prevalence, gastrointestinal parasites, domestic chickens, Gallus-gallus domesticus , Giwa Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
Salivary carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme VI

The carbonic anhydrases (CAs) participate in the maintenance of pH homeostasis in various tissues and biological fluids of the human body by catalysing the reversible reaction CO2+ H2O ⇌ HCO3−+ H+ ( Davenport & Fisher, 1938 ; Davenport, 1939 ; Maren, 1967 ). Carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme VI (CA VI) is the only secretory isoenzyme of the mammalian CA gene family. It is exclusively expressed in the serous acinar cells of the parotid and submandibular glands, from where it is secreted into the saliva. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in research focused on the physiological role of salivary CA VI in the oral cavity and upper alimentary canal.
Scar Effects of Unemployment: An Assessment of Institutional Complementarities

This article uses panel data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) and the European Community Household Panel (ECHP) for a comparative analysis of workers' post-unemployment earnings trajectories in the United States and 12 Western European countries. Across the study sample of industrialized countries, results of difference-in-difference propensity score matching show post-unemployment earnings losses to be largely permanent and particularly significant for high-wage and older workers as well as for women. The analyses also show that negative effects of unemployment on workers' subsequent earnings are mitigated through either generous unemployment benefit systems or strict labor market regulation. These effects stem partly from favorable behavioral responses that prevent downward occupational and industrial mobility and partly from changes in the overall structure of labor markets favoring the transferability of worker skills between jobs. These positive effects materialize despite the fact that labor market policies tend to successfully protect the core work force from experiencing a job loss in the first place.
The value of intravoxel incoherent motion model-based diffusion-weighted imaging for outcome prediction in resin-based radioembolization of breast cancer liver metastases

Purpose To evaluate prognostic values of clinical and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging-derived intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters in patients undergoing primary radioembolization for metastatic breast cancer liver metastases. Subjects and methods A total of 21 females (mean age 54 years, range 43–72 years) with liver-dominant metastatic breast cancer underwent standard liver magnetic resonance imaging (1.5 T, diffusion-weighted imaging with b-values of 0, 50, and 800 s/mm2) before and 4–6 weeks after radioembolization. The IVIM model-derived estimated diffusion coefficient D’ and the perfusion fraction f’ were evaluated by averaging the values of the two largest treated metastases in each patient. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses for overall survival (OS) were performed. Investigated parameters were changes in f’- and D’-values after therapy, age, sex, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status, grading of primary tumor, hepatic tumor burden, presence of extrahepatic disease, baseline bilirubin, previous bevacizumab therapy, early stasis during radioembolization, chemotherapy after radioembolization, repeated radioembolization and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) response at 6-week follow-up. Results Median OS after radioembolization was 6 (range 1.5–54.9) months. In patients with therapy-induced decreasing or stable f’-values, median OS was significantly longer than in those with increased f’-values (7.6 [range 2.6–54.9] vs 2.6 [range 1.5–17.4] months, P<0.0001). Longer median OS was also seen in patients with increased D’-values (6 [range 1.6–54.9] vs 2.8 [range 1.5–17.4] months, P=0.008). Patients with remission or stable disease (responders) according to RECIST survived longer than nonresponders (7.2 [range 2.6–54.9] vs 2.6 [range 1.5–17.4] months, P<0.0001). An ECOG status ≤1 resulted in longer median OS than >1 (7.6 [range 2.6–54.9] vs 1.7 [range 1.5–4.5] months, P<0.0001). Pretreatment IVIM parameters and the other clinical characteristics were not associated with OS. Classification by f’-value changes and ECOG status remained as independent predictors of OS on multivariate analysis, while RECIST response and D’-value changes did not predict survival. Conclusion Following radioembolization of breast cancer liver metastases, early changes in the IVIM model-derived perfusion fraction f’ and baseline ECOG score were predictive of patient outcome, and may thus help to guide treatment strategy.
A Cross-National Study of Suicide and Homicide

An investigation of aspects of suicidal and homicidal behavior in a sample of eighteen nations identified three basic factors: the suicide rate, the homicide rate, and the male/female suicide rate ratio. A number of social, economic, and climate variables were examined for their association with these factors. The suicide rate was associated with the number of psychiatric patients and the birth rate. The homicide rate was associated with per capita income, cigarette consumption, and climate. The malel/fe male suicide rate ratio was associated wit h the number of psychiatric patients, climate, and the proportion of elderly in the population. The implications of the results are discussed.
The Campus as a Frog Pond: A Theoretical and Empirical Reassessment

Using longitudinal data from a national survey of college freshmen, this paper is an effort to determine the dimensions of the comparative reference group that students employ when evaluating their own academic competence. On the basis of data which reveal that college selectivity has a modest but significant impact on self-evaluation change during the freshman year, it is reasoned that the comparative reference group that students employ is not specific to their own institution. Rather, with at least some sense of the selectivity of their own school relative to that of others, students apparently evaluate themselves relative to the full range of undergraduates across colleges. These findings are contrasted, both theoretically and empirically, with those of previous investigations.
The Globalization of Migration: Has the World Become More Migratory? 1

Although it is commonly believed that the volume, diversity, geographical scope, and overall complexity of international migration have increased as part of globalization processes, this idea has remained largely untested. This article analyzes shifts in global migration patterns between 1960 and 2000 using indices that simultaneously capture changes in the spread, distance, and intensity of migration. While the results challenge the idea that there has been a global increase in volume, diversity, and geographical scope of migration, main migratory shifts have been directional. Migration has globalized from a destination country perspective but hardly from an origin country perspective, with migrants from an increasingly diverse array of non-European-origin countries concentrating in a shrinking pool of prime destination countries. The global migration map has thus become more skewed. Rather than refuting the globalization of migration hypothesis, this seems to reflect the asymmetric nature of globalization processes in general.
Synthesis and functioning of the colicin E1 lysis protein: comparison with the colicin A lysis protein

The colicin E1 lysis protein, CelA, was identified as a 3-kDa protein in induced cells of Escherichia coli K-12 carrying pColE1 by pulse-chase labeling with either [35S]cysteine or [3H]lysine. This 3-kDa protein was acylated, as shown by [2-3H]glycerol labeling, and seemed to correspond to the mature CelA protein. The rate of modification and processing of CelA was different from that observed for Cal, the colicin A lysis protein. In contrast to Cal, no intermediate form was detected for CelA, no signal peptide accumulated, and no modified precursor form was observed after globomycin treatment. Thus, the rate of synthesis would not be specific to lysis proteins. Solubilization in sodium dodecyl sulfate of the mature forms of both CelA and Cal varied similarly at the time of colicin release, indicating a change in lysis protein structure. This particular property would play a role in the mechanism of colicin export. The accumulation of the signal peptide seems to be a factor determining the toxicity of the lysis proteins since CelA provoked less cell damage than Cal. Quasi-lysis and killing due to CelA were higher in degP mutants than in wild-type cells. They were minimal in pldA mutants.
High Prevalence of Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing Acinetobacter baumannii in a Teaching Hospital in Tabriz, Iran

Metallo-b-lactamase (MBL)-producing Acinetobacter baumannii has become a growing therapeutic concern worldwide. The aims of this study were to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of A. baumannii isolates and to determine the prevalence of MBL genes among carbapenem nonsusceptible isolates. During a period of 16 months (March 2008–June 2009), 100 isolates of A. baumannii were collected from different clinical specimens of inpatients admitted to the largest teaching hospital in the northwest of Iran. All isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Carbapenem non-susceptible isolates were further screened for production of MBL by Etest and were then subjected to PCR for detection of MBL genes of types blaIMP and blaVIM. Among 63 carbapenem (imipenem and meropenem) non-susceptible isolates of A. baumannii, 31 (49z) were found to be MBL producers. Of 31 MBL-producing isolates, 19 (61z) carried the blaIMP gene and 9 (29z) carried the blaVIM gene. All MBL-producing isolates were multidrug resistant. This is the first report of IMP and VIM types among MBL-producing A. baumannii in Iran.
Work-related stress and blood pressure: current theoretical models and considerations from a behavioral medicine perspective.

There is extensive evidence that the prevalence of human hypertension is related to psychosocial factors, possibly including chronic exposure to stress. A tripartite model, consistent with the literature on stress and health, may help to define this relationship better. Its 3 components are environmental stressors, individual factors affecting the perception of stress, and the individual's physiological susceptibility. To date, researchers have looked at individual parts of this model, but rarely at all 3. Some models of work stress (e.g., the job strain, effort-reward, and person-environment fit models) focus on work-related stressors alone or in conjunction with individual characteristics. Other models (e.g., the defense-defeat, John Henryism, and reactivity models) focus on individual differences in response, with little attention paid to the nature of the stressors. The authors suggest that it is timely to integrate these approaches and to look for physiological mechanisms.
Community views of fairness in environmental conflicts : evidence from Germany and Australia

There is a widespread assumption that the way communities view fairness in environmental conflicts is dominated by self-interests, especially in conflicts of interest (“to vote one’s pocketbook,” “not in my backyard”). This assumption is rarely questioned or empirically tested. Based on theories of psychology of social justice, two studies tested this hypothesis by contrasting motives of self-interest and justice in a German and an Australian dispute. Questionnaire data from both countries (NGermany = 309, NAustralia = 260) equally revealed that a) affected and non-affected people do not make different judgments of what is fair in the conflict and b) overall fairness judgments are not only based on self-interest, but to the same extent on justice considerations. The results have important impacts on theoretical model building as well as planning and decision-making in environmental conflicts.
Growth and Accumulation of Secondary Metabolites in Perilla as Affected by Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density and Electrical Conductivity of the Nutrient Solution

The global demand for medicinal plants is increasing. The quality of plants grown outdoors, however, is difficult to control. Myriad environmental factors influence plant growth and directly impact biosynthetic pathways, thus affecting the secondary metabolism of bioactive compounds. Plant factories use artificial lighting to increase the quality of medicinal plants and stabilize production. Photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and electrical conductivity (EC) of nutrient solutions are two important factors that substantially influence perilla (Perilla frutescens, Labiatae) plant growth and quality. To identify suitable levels of PPFD and EC for perilla plants grown in a plant factory, the growth, photosynthesis, and accumulation of secondary metabolites in red and green perilla plants were measured at PPFD values of 100, 200, and 300 μmol m-2 s-1 in nutrient solutions with EC values of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 dS m-1. The results showed significant interactive effects between PPFD and EC for both the fresh and dry weights of green perilla, but not for red perilla. The fresh and dry weights of shoots and leafy areas were affected more by EC than by PPFD in green perilla, whereas they were affected more by PPFD than by EC in red perilla. Leaf net photosynthetic rates were increased as PPFD increased in both perilla varieties, regardless of EC. The perillaldehyde concentration (mg g-1) in red perilla was unaffected by the treatments, but accumulation in plants (mg per plant) was significantly enhanced as the weight of dry leaves increased. Perillaldehyde concentrations in green perilla showed significant differences between combinations of the highest PPFD with the highest EC and the lowest PPFD with the lowest EC. Rosmarinic acid concentration (mg g-1) was increased in a combination of low EC and high PPFD conditions. Optimal cultivation conditions of red and green perilla in plant factory will be discussed in terms of plant growth and contents of medicinal ingredients.