Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
YAP Is Decreased in Preeclampsia and Regulates Invasion and Apoptosis of HTR-8/SVneo

Preeclampsia (PE) is a gestational disorder with hypertension and proteinuria leading to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Yes-associated protein (YAP), a transcription coactivator of Hippo pathway, was identified as an oncoprotein participated in tumorigenesis. However, the effect of YAP on trophoblast has not been investigated. In our study, YAP expression levels in first-trimester, full-term, and PE placentas were detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot assays, and immunohistochemistry. Yes-associated protein expression was also detected in BeWo and HTR-8/SVneo. Overexpression plasmid and YAP small interfering RNA were introduced into trophoblast cells. Furthermore, we utilized a Transwell invasion assay, flow cytometry, and Cell Counting Kit-8 analysis to examine the role of YAP in the invasion, apoptosis, and proliferation of HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells. The result showed that both YAP messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression levels were less in preeclamptic placentas. Yes-associated protein mRNA and protein expression levels were more highly expressed in BeWo. Yes-associated protein enhanced cell invasion, reduced the cellular apoptotic response, and had no effect on proliferation. In addition, the overexpression of YAP activated the expression of caudal-related homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2), whereas reduced expression of YAP inhibited the expression of CDX2. Our results demonstrate that decreased YAP levels may contribute to the development of PE by regulating trophoblast invasion and apoptosis involving regulation of CDX2. Collectively, we proposed decreased YAP may contribute to trophoblast dysfunction, which suggests it might represent a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for PE.
Does umbilical vein catheterization lead to portal venous thrombosis? Prospective US evaluation in 100 neonates.

PURPOSE To establish, by means of serial ultrasonography (US), the incidence and natural history of neonatal portal venous thrombosis associated with catheterization of the umbilical vein and to evaluate the potential risk factors predisposing patients to thrombus formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Neonates who had undergone umbilical vein catheterization were studied. US was performed at 2-7-day intervals, before and after the removal of the catheter, until clot resolution or hospital discharge. The presence of portal venous thrombosis and temporal evolution were noted, and various risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS US demonstrated clinically silent portal venous thrombosis in 43 (43%) of 100 neonates. Follow-up US revealed complete or partial resolution in 20 (56%) of 36 babies. A significant (P =.024) correlation was found between the initial size of the thrombi and spontaneous clot resolution. Statistically significant risk factors were catheterization for more than 6 days (P =.001) and transfusion (P =.019). CONCLUSION Portal venous thrombosis is frequently associated with the placement of an umbilical venous catheter, and spontaneous resolution is expected in many cases. The duration of catheter placement should be minimized, and US monitoring is recommended as a guide to catheter removal.
Effect of dexmedetomidine on the characteristics of bupivacaine in a caudal block in pediatrics

Background: Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a highly selective α2‐adrenoceptor agonist that has been used increasingly in children. However, the effect of caudal DEX has not been evaluated before in children. This prospective randomized double‐blinded study was designed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of caudal DEX with bupivacaine in providing pain relief over a 24‐h period.
Percutaneous coronary intervention patients’ and cardiologists’ experiences of the informed consent process in Northern England: a qualitative study

Objective Informed consent is central to ethical medical practice, but little is known about how the process takes place in clinical practice. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a common revascularisation procedure. Studies report that patients overestimate benefits, forget the risks and are unaware of alternative treatments. The aim of this study was to describe PCI patients’ and cardiologists’ experiences of the informed consent process in acute care settings. Design/setting/participants A qualitative study with a maximum variation sample of elective and acute PCI patients and cardiologists taking their consent, recruited from a district general hospital and tertiary centre. In-depth interviews were conducted, and consent discussions were audio recorded. Data collection, coding and theorising occurred simultaneously. Findings Forty-one (26 male) patients scheduled for elective (20) or urgent (21) PCI and 19 cardiologists (5 female) participated. Despite diversity in patients’ experiences of informed consent, elective and acute patients experienced a common four-stage process of consent. Most patients made the decision to have treatment at PCI referral and took a passive role in the discussions we recorded. They recognised cardiologists as experts, trusted the medical system to ‘fix’ their health problem and were unaware of their role in the informed consent process. Informed consent discussions functioned as a formal ‘event’,enabling cardiologists to check patients’ understanding and enabling patients to access treatment. Conclusions The configuration of services and patients’ perceptions of their role in informed consent underpin a mismatch between legal and ethical principles of informed consent and current practice. The variation in patients’ experiences of the current place of informed consent in service delivery represents a missed opportunity for cardiologists to work in decision-making partnerships with patients. In light of recent changes in the law, a new approach to informed consent is required.
Altruism and Egoism in Investment Decisions

We provide survey evidence that personal values have an impact on individual investment decisions, in particular the decision to invest socially responsible. Our findings show that there is a positive link between altruistic values and the relative importance of social responsibility. This effect is stronger when individuals believe that they can make a positive social or environmental impact with their investments, or when they feel morally obliged to invest responsibly. If altruistic individuals associate responsible investments with higher returns, it decreases their motivation to invest responsibly. Egoistic values are negatively associated with the decision to invest responsibly, unless individuals associate responsible investing with higher returns.
Performance Management: Confronting the Challenges for Local Government

Performance management, the use of performance information in strategic daily decision making, has not infiltrated local governments to the same degree as state or federal agencies. This article uses the capacity/performance paradigm as a framework to build a theoretical synthesis of the obstacles to local government use of performance management. It identifies and elucidates a series of challenges local governments face in successfully implementing performance-based management approaches. Among the obstacles identified are: insufficient administrative capacity, limited fiscal resources, insufficient economies of scale, absence of comparable entities for benchmarking, inadequate use of strategic planning, complex implementation environments (intergovernmental, intersectoral, cooperative, and collaborative), strings attached to state or federal grant awards, the illusion of control created by proximity to decision makers and citizens, task simplicity, and the cacophony of reform expectations (strategic planning, program evaluation, performance measurement and management, evidence-based practice). Because of these challenges, these small local governments are less likely to encounter demands for performance information, or to develop an a priori appreciation for its value to day-to-day administration. The essay concludes with a look at what can be done to inspire increased attention to performance in local government administration.
Pain management in home hospice patients: A retrospective descriptive study

The development and evaluation of evidence-based, safe, and effective home-based pain management models for caregivers implementation is receiving greater attention in the literature because of international initiatives intended to increase the number of people who receive end-of-life care in home-based settings. The purpose of this "retrospective descriptive design" study was to describe pharmacological pain management and outcomes for 40 cancer and non-cancer patients receiving hospice care at home. While the median pain score was higher at admission in the cancer group than in the hospice care at home group, the difference was not significant at or within 48 hour of admission. Overall, there was a significant decrease in pain from the first measurement to the second. Within the last seven days of life, the majority of participants were not able to provide a pain severity score when asked to evaluate the effectiveness of pain management, thus their caregiver provided a proxy evaluation. Pain management was effective in the home setting. More research is needed on the best methods to teach lay caregivers to assess pain and evaluate the effectiveness of pharmacological modalities to manage pain.
Low-level laser therapy for treatment of pain associated with orthodontic elastomeric separator placement: a placebo-controlled randomized double-blind clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of irradiation with a low-level laser therapy (LLLT), wavelength 830 nm, for treating pain inherent to tooth movement caused by orthodontic devices, simulated by positioning interdental elastomeric separators. METHODS Sixty orthodontic patients were randomly assigned to two groups: GA (ages 12-25 years; mean 17.1 years) was the control, and GB (ages 12-26 years; mean 17.9 years) the intervention group. All patients received elastomeric separators on the mesial and distal surfaces of one of the lower first molars, and immediately after insertion of the separators received irradiation as randomly indicated. The intervention group (GB) received irradiation with LLLT (aluminum gallium arsenide diode), by a single spot in the region of the radicular apex at a dose of 2 J/cm(2) and application along the radicular axis of the buccal surface with three spots of 1 J/cm(2) (wavelength 830 nm; infrared). Control group (GA) received irradiation with a placebo light in the same way. This was a double-blind study. All the patients received a questionnaire to be filled out at home describing their levels of pain 2, 6, and 24 h and 3 and 5 days after orthodontic separator placement, in situations of relaxed and occluded mouth. RESULTS The patients in the intervention group (LLLT) had lower mean pain scores in all the measures. The incidence of complete absence of pain (score=0) was significantly higher the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS Based on this study, authors concluded that single irradiation with LLLT of wavelength 830 nm efficiently controlled the pain originating from positioning interdental elastomeric separators, to reproduce the painful sensation experienced by patients when fixed orthodontic devices are used.
Mirror, Mirror 2017: International Comparison Reflects Flaws and Opportunities for Better U.S. Health Care

ISSUE: The United States health care system spends far more than other high-income countries, yet has previously documented gaps in the quality of care. GOAL: This report compares health care system performance in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. METHODS: Seventy-two indicators were selected in five domains: Care Process, Access, Administrative Efficiency, Equity, and Health Care Outcomes. Data sources included Commonwealth Fund international surveys of patients and physicians and selected measures from OECD, WHO, and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. We calculated performance scores for each domain, as well as an overall score for each country. KEY FINDINGS: The U.S. ranked last on performance overall, and ranked last or near last on the Access, Administrative Efficiency, Equity, and Health Care Outcomes domains. The top-ranked countries overall were the U.K., Australia, and the Netherlands. Based on a broad range of indicators, the U.S. health system is an outlier, spending far more but falling short of the performance achieved by other high-income countries. The results suggest the U.S. health care system should look at other countries’ approaches if it wants to achieve an affordable highperforming health care system that serves all Americans. JULY 2017 Mirror, Mirror 2017: International Comparison Reflects Flaws and Opportunities for Better U.S. Health Care Eric C. Schneider, Dana O. Sarnak, David Squires, Arnav Shah, and Michelle M. Doty
SHORT COMMUNICATION Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of essential oil from aerial parts of Teucrium flavum L. subsp. flavum growing spontaneously in Tunisia

Research Unit 13ES63, Applied Chemistry and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia; Laboratory of Botany and Plant Ecology, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerta, 7021 Jarzouna, Bizerta, Tunisia; Industrial Technical Institute “Michele Giua”, Via Montecassino, 09134 Cagliari, Italy; Department of Chemical and Geological Science, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0, 700 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
Pengaruh Indikator Makro Ekonomi: Infasi Dan Nilai Tukar Rupiah Terhadap Jumlah Zakat Terkumpul Di Lembaga Amil Zakat Dompet Dhuafa Periode 1997-2013

The The purpose of this study was to know the effect of rupiah exchange rate and inflation on the amount of zakah in amil zakah foundation dompet dhuafa period 1997-2013. The approach research that is used is quantitative with multiple linear regression analysis technique. The dependent variable used is the amount of zakah, while the independent variables, rupiah exchange rate and inflation. Determination of the number of samples using non probability sampling with saturated sample method, that all of the population used as sample. Data that being used was secondary data. T test result stated that rupiah exchange rate and inflation has an effect not significant on the amount of zakah. F test result state that simultaneously the rupiah exchange rate and inflation has an effect not significant on the amount of zakah in Amil Zakah Foundation Dompet Dhuafa period 1997-2013.
Agglomeration Economies and Productivity Growth in India

Agglomeration economies have been analyzed in the literature as drivers of economic growth, as these contribute to productivity enhancement. The primary objective of this paper is to ascertain the existence of agglomeration economies, and to examine the extent to which these have contributed to productivity growth in India. Two sources of agglomeration economies are distinguished – (i) at the industry level – localization economies of intra-industry linkage; and (ii) at the regional level – inter-industry urbanization economies. Growth accounting framework is used with agglomeration parameters included in the shift term of a general production function, coefficients of which are estimated through panel data regression. I employ state level data for 25 state economies in India for the period 1980-81 to 2006-07. There is evidence that urbanization economies tend to exist; however, there is considerable variation in the sources and magnitude of agglomeration economies across sectors. Results indicate that for service sector, the economies of urbanization exist on a lower level of urbanization, whereas for manufacturing, these economies are present at higher levels. Results support regional diversity more than localization, even if some differences can be seen across sectors.
Decision to commit crime: rational or nonrational

Rational choice theory has received a fair amount of attention from criminal justice scholars and societal policy makers looking for an alternative to traditional deterministic theories of criminal behavior and is a core feature of several major criminological theories. In an effort to provide a more comprehensive perspective on criminal decision-making, the current paper highlights the role of emotion in the choice process and reviews factors that increase the likelihood of antisocial outcomes. The result is a theory of decision-making in which the individual is believed to act on the hedonistic and moral emotions that guide moral decision-making and where irrelevant emotions are enhanced and relevant emotions dampened by cognitive and situational factors that, in the end, serve as the foundation for criminal choice.
Rectus abdominis muscle endometriosis Report of two cases and review of the literature.

Endometriosis involving the rectus abdominis muscle is very rare; until now, only 19 such cases have been reported in the medical literature since it was first described in 1984 by Amato and Levitt; almost all were associated with previous abdominal surgery such as cesarean section or other operations. We report two additional cases of this very rare condition presenting with an abdominal mass which was surgically excised with an accompanying margin of normal tissue. Both patients are well and without recurrence. Endometriosis pain has generally been described as cyclical and this condition usually develops in an old surgical scar. Endometriosis has no pathognomonic imaging findings on CT, MRI or sonography, as its appearance depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle, the proportion of stromal and glandular elements, the amount of bleeding and the degree of surrounding inflammatory and fibrotic response. Surgery is the treatment of choice including 5-10 mm of surrounding healthy tissue as surgical margin, to prevent recurrence. Our experience is in agreement with the data of the literature. We suggest that endometriosis must be included in the differential diagnosis of a symptomatic mass in the abdominal wall in women with and without a surgical history. Key words: Endometriosis, Rectus abdominis muscle, Surgery.
Adsorption of Sb(III) and Sb(V) on Freshly Prepared Ferric Hydroxide (FeOxHy).

This study prepared fresh ferric hydroxide (in-situ FeOxHy) by the enhanced hydrolysis of Fe3+ ions, and investigates its adsorptive behaviors toward Sb(III) and Sb(V) through laboratory and pilot-scale studies. A contact time of 120-min was enough to achieve adsorption equilibrium for Sb(III) and Sb(V) on the in-situ FeOxHy, and the Elovich model was best to describe the adsorption kinetics of Sb(III) and Sb(V). The Freundlich model was better than Langmuir model to describe the adsorption of Sb(III) and Sb(V) on the in-situ FeOxHy, and the maximum adsorption capacity of Sb(III) and Sb(V) was determined to be 12.77 and 10.21 mmol/g the in-situ FeOxHy as Fe, respectively. Adsorption of Sb(V) decreased whereas that of Sb(III) increased with elevated pH over pH 3-10, owing to the different electrical properties of Sb(III) and Sb(V). Adsorption of Sb(III) and Sb(V) was slightly affected by ionic strength, and thus indicated the formation of inner sphere complexes between Sb and the adsorbent. Sulfate and carbonate showed little effect on the adsorption of Sb(III) and Sb(V). Phosphate significantly inhibited the adsorption of Sb(V), whereas slightly effected that of Sb(III) due to its similar chemical structure to Sb(V). Pilot-scale continuous experiment indicated the feasibility of using in-situ FeOxHy to remove Sb(V), and equilibrium adsorption capacity at the equilibrium Sb(V) concentration of 10 μg/L was determined to be 0.11, 0.07, 0.07, 0.11, and 0.12 mg/g the in-situ FeOxHy as Fe at equilibrium pH of 7.5-7.7, 6.9-7.0, 6.3-6.6, 5.9-6.4, and 5.2-5.9, respectively.
Purification and characterization of a primer-independent glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans 6715-13 mutant 27

Affinity chromatography on Sephadex G-50 and subsequent ion-exchange chromatography on Trisacryl-M-DEAE were used to purify the glucosyltransferase (GTF) enzymes produced by mutant 27 of Streptococcus mutans 6715-13. Complete separation of three types of GTF, including a primer-independent GTF capable of synthesizing a slightly branched, water-soluble glucan (GTF-S), was obtained. The characteristics of this primer-independent GTF-S were compared with those of the normally occurring primer-dependent GTF-S. The Km for sucrose was easily obtained for each enzyme (10(-2) M), but the Km for dextran could only be determined for the primer-dependent GTF-S (5 X 10(-7) M for clinical dextran of molecular weight 60,000 to 90,000). The primer-independent GTF-S did not respond catalytically to the presence of either clinical dextran or the highly branched, water-soluble glucan produced by primer-dependent GTF-S, although it was capable of binding these polysaccharides at a noncatalytic site and of responding to the low-molecular-weight acceptor 1-O-methyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside. The water-soluble glucan product of primer-independent GTF-S was a superior priming glucan for primer-dependent GTF enzymes as compared with the glucan product of primer-dependent GTF-S. The presence of primer-independent GTF-S in reaction mixtures stimulated glucan synthesis by primer-dependent GTF-S and by GTF synthesizing water-insoluble glucan by at least 10-fold, whereas the presence of similar amounts of primer-dependent GTF-S had no effect on synthesis by GTF synthesizing water-insoluble glucan. Primer-independent GTF-S appears to be a potent source of priming glucan for the primer-dependent GTF enzymes. Its possession of a noncatalytic binding site for glucan, the first observed for the GTF of S. mutans, suggests that it may also serve as a glucan receptor on the S. mutans cell surface.
Assessing Self-Critical Perfectionism in Clinical Depression

Several facets of perfectionism have been strongly associated with depression and anxiety. Dunkley and Blankstein (2000) combined these maladaptive traits with self-criticism to create a general construct labeled self-critical perfectionism. In this study, we employed confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate a model for assessing self-critical perfectionism in a clinically depressed sample using scales from 3 instruments. Participants were 356 depressed adult outpatients who completed 2 multidimensional measures of perfectionism and a measure of self-criticism. A confirmatory factor model that separated a self-critical perfectionism construct from a more adaptive, achievement-striving component of perfectionism was supported. A composite scale assessing self-critical perfectionism demonstrated much larger correlations with distress measures compared to a composite scale assessing achievement striving and also showed evidence of discriminant validity. In this study, we provided further support for the valid assessment of self-critical perfectionism and extended evidence for its assessment to a clinically depressed sample.