Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pregnancy‐related acute aortic dissection in Marfan syndrome: A review of the literature

A well-established association exists between acute aortic dissection and pregnancy, particularly in women with Marfan syndrome. However, there is debate regarding appropriate management guidelines. In particular, there are differing opinions regarding when prophylactic aortic root repair should be recommended as well as the efficacy of beta blockers in this clinical scenario. The current study evaluated 10 years of published literature (2005-2015) in the PubMed/Medline database. Fifty articles, describing 72 cases of women who presented with aortic dissection in the antepartum or postpartum period were identified. Comparisons on demographic variables and clinical outcomes between cases of women with Marfan syndrome (n = 36) and without Marfan syndrome (n = 36) were conducted. There were no significant differences in demographics (age, gravidity, parity) between the Marfan and non-Marfan cases. Marfan patients presented with antepartum dissections significantly earlier in pregnancy than those without Marfan syndrome (P = .002). However, there were no significant difference between the 2 groups in maternal mortality, fetal mortality, or obstetric outcomes (mode of delivery and gestational age at delivery). Eight cases described events in Marfan women with an aortic root diameter ≤40 mm. Six events occurred in Marfan women who were managed with beta blockers. Current guidelines rely on aortic root diameter for stratification of Marfan women into risk categories, but we identified several cases that would be missed by these guidelines. Specifically, the existing literature suggest that women with Marfan syndrome should take precautions throughout pregnancy, rather than the third trimester.
Effects of endothelin on regional blood flows in squirrel monkeys.

Endothelin is a newly described potent vasoconstrictor produced by endothelial cells. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of i.v. injection of human endothelin on regional blood flows (RBFs) and hemodynamic parameters in nonhuman primates. For this purpose, in a first series of experiments, anesthetized squirrel monkeys were instrumented with Doppler flow-probes in order to measure RBF continuously in the renal, mesenteric and iliac vascular beds. Endothelin at 0.03 and 0.1 microgram/kg produced no effect. After 0.3 and 1 microgram/kg, renal and mesenteric blood flow decreased, but iliac blood flow increased transiently. With 3 micrograms/kg all the three vascular beds were constricted. In the kidney, blood flow was almost abolished and the effect of endothelin sustained for up to 2 hr and more. In a second series of experiments, radioactive microspheres were used to measure RBFs in most organs 3 to 4 min after endothelin (0.3, 1 and 3 microgram/kg), or after vehicle alone. Endothelin induced a dose-dependent increase in systemic vascular resistance and increase in mean arterial blood pressure. The vasoconstrictor effect was selective for some vascular beds. The splanchnic vascular bed (except stomach) was most affected, with a 96% decrease in renal and splenic blood flow after 3 micrograms/kg of endothelin. The coronary blood flow decreased by 46% after 3 micrograms/kg, with a greater effect in subepicardium than subendocardium. In contrast, the blood flow to the brain and stomach was not decreased by endothelin. We conclude that endothelin is a potent vasoconstrictor in squirrel monkeys selective for some vascular beds.
Relationship between obesity, adipocytokines, and blood pressure: Possible common genetic and environmental factors

Adipokines may link adipose tissue to the inflammatory, metabolic, and immune dysregulation. The variation of adipokine levels within individuals, intercorrelations, and relationships to well‐established measures of adiposity are incompletely defined. The main goal of the present study was quantitative evaluation of the genetic interrelationships between obesity and adipokines in normal human population. The study sample comprised 272 families of various sizes, including 530 men and 531 women aged 18–80 years, randomly recruited in rural population living in Russia. Various fatness and fat distribution measures (OB), blood pressure (BP), and plasma levels of several adipokines (AC), such as adiponectin, leptin, resistin, and IGFBP‐1, have been measured. The likelihood ratio tests clearly revealed that genetic effect for all studied phenotypes was highly significant (P < 0.001) and accounted for 45.9% ± 8.1%, 33.7% ± 7.9%, 35.7% ± 9.8% of variation for AC, OB, and BP, respectively. The pairwise bivariate analyses showed that strong phenotypic correlation between the obesity (OB) and adipocytokines (AC) was caused by both common genetic and environmental factors (rG = 0.597 ± 0.116, rE = 0.671 ± 0.051). The phenotypic correlation between BP and OB is explained by shared genetic factors only (rG = 0.532 ± 0.109), whereas the phenotypic correlation between BP and AC has only common environment basis (rE = −0.212 ± 0.081) and was mostly due to the correlation observed in females. Our results suggest that genetic factors play a significant role in regulation of variation of the examined traits. The variation of OB traits is almost fully due to genes influencing variation of AC, whereas the correlation between BP and AC is only marginally significant and caused only by shared environment. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serum cystatin C is a poor biomarker for diagnosing acute kidney injury in critically-ill children

Background: Accurate diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) is problematic especially in critically-ill patients in whom renal function is in an unsteady state. Aim: Our aim was to evaluate the role of serum (S.) cystatin C as an early biomarker of AKI in critically-ill children. Subjects and Methods: S. creatinine and S. cystatin C were measured in 32 critically-ill children who were at risk for developing AKI. AKI was defined by both: Risk,-injury,-failure,-loss, and-endstage renal disease (RIFLE) classification and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <80 ml/min/1.73 m2. GFR was estimated by both Schwartz formula and S. cystatin C-based equation. Results: S. cystatin C was not statistically higher in AKI patients compared with non-AKI by RIFLE classification (median 1.48 mg/l vs. 1.16 mg/l, P = 0.1) while S. creatinine was significantly higher (median 0.8 mg/dl vs. 0.4 mg/dl, P = 0.001). On estimating GFR by the two equations we found, a lag between rise of S. cystatin C and creatinine denoted by lower GFR by Schwartz formula in four patients, on other hand, six patients had elevated S. cystatin C with low GFR despite normal creatinine and GFR, denoting poor concordance between the two equations and the two markers. The ability of S. creatinine in predicting AKI was superior to S. cystatin with area under the curve (AUC) 0.95 with sensitivity and specificity (100% and 84.6%, respectively) using the RIFLE classification. The same findings were found when using Schwartz formula. Conclusion: S. cystatin C is a poor biomarker for diagnosing AKI in critically-ill children.
Mentorship in the health professions: a review

The importance of mentorship within health care training is well recognised. It offers a means to further enhance workforce performance and engagement, promote learning opportunities and encourage multidisciplinary collaboration. There are both career and life benefits associated with mentorship, and it is increasingly recognised as a bidirectional process that benefits both mentors and mentees. Recently, mentoring has been considered an essential step in professional and personal development, particularly in the field of health care.
The invention of peace and the reinvention of war

Not until the Enlightenment of the eighteenth century did war come to be regarded an unmitigated evil; only after the massive slaughter of two world wards did peace become the declaratory objective of 'civilized' states. This book, already a success in hardback and paperback is reissued with the author's reflections on the latest failure of peace: the war in Afghanistan.
Evaluation of clinical status, renal function, and hematopoietic variables after unilateral nephrectomy in canine kidney donors.

OBJECTIVE To determine clinical status and renal and hematopoietic function after kidney donation and identify risks associated with kidney donation in dogs. DESIGN Prospective study. ANIMALS 14 dogs that underwent unilateral nephrectomy for kidney donation. PROCEDURES Records were reviewed retrospectively to collect data regarding prenephrectomy clinicopathologic variables. Dogs were reexamined prospectively at various times after nephrectomy, and pre- and postnephrectomy CBC, serum biochemical analyses, urinalysis, and urine protein-to-urine creatinine ratio were compared. Six dogs had postnephrectomy renal volume determined ultrasonographically, and 4 of those dogs also underwent scintigraphic determination of glomerular filtration rate and renal biopsy. RESULTS All dogs were clinically normal at the time of reevaluation. There were no significant differences between prenephrectomy and postnephrectomy values for BUN concentration or urine specific gravity. Mean postnephrectomy serum creatinine concentration was significantly greater than prenephrectomy concentration. Mean serum phosphorus concentration was significantly decreased after nephrectomy, and mean Hct, corpuscular volume, and corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were significantly increased after nephrectomy. Postnephrectomy renal volume was greatest in dogs < 12 months old at the time of surgery. Mean postnephrectomy glomerular filtration rate was 2.82 +/- 1.12 mL/kg/ min (1.28 +/- 0.51 mL/lb/min). Renal biopsy specimens obtained during and after nephrectomy were histologically normal. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Renal and hematopoietic variables were within reference ranges in dogs examined up to 2.5 years after unilateral nephrectomy. Compensatory renal hypertrophy was greatest in dogs < 1 year of age at donation. Donor age, along with histocompatability, may be an important factor in selecting dogs for kidney donation.
The end of the consensus ? The economic crisis and the crisis of macroeconomics

The New Consensus that has dominated macroeconomics since the 1980s was based on a fundamentally neoclassical structure: efficient markets that on their own converged on a natural equilibrium with a very limited role for macroeconomic (mostly monetary) policy to smooth fluctuations. The crisis shattered this consensus and saw the return of monetary and fiscal activism, at least in academic debate. The profession is reconsidering the pillars of the Consensus, from the size of the multipliers to the implementation of reform, including the links between business cycles and trends. It is still too soon to know what macroeconomics will look like tomorrow, but hopefully it will be more eclectic and open.
Clinical utility of a WAIS-R short form.

Investigated the validity of the Vocabulary-Block Design subtest combination as an estimate of the WAIS-R Full Scale IQ in a sample of 30 psychiatric patients. The correlation between the short form IQ and the WAIS-R Full Scale IQ was highly significant, r(28) = . 87, p less than . 001. A pairwise t-test computed between the mean IQs for the standard and short form was nonsignificant, t(29) less than 1. One-half of the Ss showed changes in intelligence classification when the short form was used. The short form should not be used when precise IQ estimates are required. However, the short form appears useful as a screening device to discriminate between patients with normal and subnormal intelligence. With respect to the detection of normal vs. subnormal intelligence, the short form achieved a correct classification rate of 87%.
Linking the US Transplant Registry to Administrative Claims Data: Expanding the Potential of Transplant Research

Objective: In the United States, data on transplanted and waitlisted patients collected by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) have been widely used in transplantation research. Administrative claims data, collected by health plans for reimbursement purposes, are also commonly used in health-services research. This study linked OPTN and private payer claims data to assess the relationship between data elements common to both sources. Methods: All transplanted or waitlisted patients in the registry were considered for inclusion. A multistep match algorithm was employed to link OPTN and payer data from years 1995 to 2004. Variables common to both datasets that contained relevant information for similar time periods were compared. Results: A total of 21,419 solid organ transplant recipients and 8808 waitlist patients were included in the final linked database. Organ type and demographic variable distributions in the linked dataset were similar to the overall OPTN database. Using claims as the reference group, sensitivity and specificity values were on average 0.72 and 0.69, respectively, and were highest for the indicators of immunosuppression use at discharge and follow-up. Conclusion: This comparison of payer data with information reported by transplant centers to the OPTN provides important insight into the value of both data sources. Using administrative claims to augment the registry data with utilization and cost information will be useful for evaluation of both economic and clinical endpoints in solid organ transplantation.
Isolation of a Pseudomonas solanacearum-specific DNA probe by subtraction hybridization and construction of species-specific oligonucleotide primers for sensitive detection by the polymerase chain reaction

A subtraction hybridization technique was employed to make a library enriched for Pseudomonas solanacearum-specific sequences. One cloned fragment, PS2096, hybridized under stringent conditions to DNA of 82 P. solanacearum strains representing all subgroups of the species. Other plant-associated bacteria, including closely related species such as Pseudomonas capacia, Pseudomonas picketti, or Pseudomonas syzygii, did not hybridize to PS2096. A minimum number of between 4 x 10(5) and 4 x 10(6) P. solanacearum cells could routinely be detected with PS2096 labelled either with [32P]dCTP or with digoxigenin-11-dUTP. To improve the sensitivity of detection, PS2096 was sequenced to allow the construction of specific oligonucleotide primers to be used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. After 50 cycles of amplification, 5 to 116 cells, depending on the strain, could reproducibly be detected by visualization of a 148-bp PCR product on an agarose gel. A preliminary field trial in Burundi with the probe and PCR primers has confirmed that they are sensitive tools for specifically detecting low-level infections of P. solanacearum in potato tubers.
A Model of Customer Reward Programs with Finite Expiration Terms

A little-understood phenomenon of customer reward programs is the prevalent use of finite reward expiration terms. We develop a theoretical framework to investigate the economic rationale behind this phenomenon and the trade-off between short and long expiration terms. In our model, a monopolistic firm sets the expiration term, along with the price and reward size, and interacts with consumers over an infinite horizon. Consumers are heterogeneous in shopping probabilities and product valuations and forward-looking in making purchase decisions. We find that a customer reward program with a finite expiration term can increase firm profits when (i) the valuation difference within the consumer population is intermediate and (ii) the shopping probabilities and valuations are negatively correlated among consumers. Several model extensions confirm the robustness of these results. Finally, we conduct an empirical investigation on the reward program practice of the top 100 U.S. retailers, which provides directional support for several key theoretical predictions. This paper was accepted by Gad Allon, operations management.
Parents and procedures: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION Previous work has shown that parents prefer to be present when their children undergo common invasive procedures, although physicians are ambivalent about parental presence. PURPOSE To determine the effect of a parent-focused intervention on the pain and performance of the procedure, anxiety of parents and clinicians, and parental satisfaction with care. POPULATION Children younger than 3 years old undergoing venipuncture, intravenous cannulation, or uretheral catheterization. SETTING Pediatric emergency department of Boston City Hospital. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial with three groups; parents present and given instructions on how to help their children; parents present, but no instructions given; and parents not present. INTERVENTION The parents were instructed to touch, talk to, and maintain eye contact during the procedure. RESULTS A total of 431 parents was randomized to the intervention (N = 153), present (N = 147), and not present (N = 131) groups. The groups were equivalent with respect to measured sociodemographic variables and parents' previous experience in the pediatric emergency department. No differences emerged with respect to pain (3-point scale measured by parent and clinician, and analysis of cry); performance of the procedure (number of attempts, completion of procedure by first clinician, time); clinician anxiety; or parental satisfaction with care. Parents who were present were more likely to rate the pain of the children as extreme/severe (52%) in comparison to clinicians (15%, kappa .07, poor agreement) and were significantly less anxious than parents who were not present. CONCLUSION Overall, the intervention was not effective in reducing the pain of routine procedures. Parental presence did not negatively affect performance of the procedure or increase clinician anxiety. Parents who were present were less anxious than those who were not present. CLINICAL IMPLICATION In general, parents have indicated that they want to be present when their children undergo procedures. The results of this study challenge the traditional belief that parental presence negatively affects our ability to successfully complete procedures. We should encourage parents who want to be present to stay during procedures.
The Risk-Relevance of Street Earnings

Risk is an important earnings attribute in valuation models and the FASB’s conceptual framework identifies providing information about risk as a primary objective for earnings. Managers and analysts, however, state that they provide non-GAAP earnings to produce numbers that are more focused on core or cash-based earnings components. They do not discuss risk-relevance as a motivation. We ask whether, by focusing on one earnings attribute (core earnings), non-GAAP earnings sacrifice another important earnings attribute (risk-relevance). We find that non-GAAP earnings capture the more risk-relevant components of GAAP earnings, although non-GAAP exclusions are not risk-irrelevant. Further, not only do non-GAAP earnings better capture information about current risk, they also provide more information about future firm risk. Finally, when comparing exclusion types, we find that special item exclusions contain more risk-relevant information than other item exclusions. Overall, we conclude that in constructing non-GAAP earnings to better capture core earnings, non-GAAP earnings also provide investors with a more risk-focused earnings construct.
Effects of Combined Far-Infrared Radiation and Acupuncture at ST36 on Peripheral Blood Perfusion and Autonomic Activities

Using four-channel photoplethysmography (PPG) for acquiring peripheral arterial waveforms, this study investigated vascular and autonomic impacts of combined acupuncture-far infrared radiation (FIR) in improving peripheral circulation. Twenty healthy young adults aged 25.5 ± 4.6 were enrolled for 30-minute measurement. Each subject underwent four treatment strategies, including acupuncture at ST36 (Zusanli), pseudoacupuncture, FIR, and combined acupuncture-FIR at different time points. Response was assessed at 5-minute intervals. Area under arterial waveform at baseline was defined as AreaBaseline, whereas AreaStim referred to area at each 5-minute substage during and after treatment. AreaStim/AreaBaseline was compared at different stages and among different strategies. Autonomic activity at different stages was assessed using low-to-high frequency power ratio (LHR). The results demonstrated increased perfusion for each therapeutic strategy from stage 1 to stage 2 (all p < 0.02). Elevated perfusion was noted for all treatment strategies at stage 3 compared to stage 1 except pseudoacupuncture. Increased LHR was noted only in subjects undergoing pseudoacupuncture at stage 3 compared to stage 1 (p = 0.045). Reduced LHR at stage 2 compared to stage 1 was found only in combined treatment group (p = 0.041). In conclusion, the results support clinical benefits of combined acupuncture-FIR treatment in enhancing peripheral perfusion and parasympathetic activity.
Talent management practices in small- and medium-sized enterprises in the hospitality sector

This paper aims to examine talent management (TM) practices in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the hospitality industry. Specifically, the views of SME owner-managers in the hotel and restaurant sector are examined. There appears to be challenges unique to SMEs within this sector (e.g. resource constraints and poor reputation) that can potentially result in a loss of competitive advantage. Therefore, research aligned within this context is an issue of importance. ,This paper draws primarily upon semi-structured interviews with five entrepreneurial owner-managers of SMEs in the hotel and restaurant sector. An inductive thematic analysis identified main themes that emerged from the interview data. ,Findings revealed that there is a clear commitment towards training and development for employees; however, this initiative is primarily driven by employees identifying their own training needs. The ad hoc TM practices are largely influenced by day-to-day business pressures because of the nature of the hospitality industry. The absence of formalised TM practices, however, does not imply the lack of strategies in place for people management and development. ,This paper aims to develop a better understanding of practitioners’ perceptions of TM, strategic TM practices that they may or may not adopt and current TM challenges that they encounter. Key issues relating to defining, attracting, retaining and developing talent are discussed, followed by several practical recommendations. ,This paper examines a relatively under-researched yet significant sector of the hospitality industry and provides deeper insights into the dynamics of TM in SMEs.