Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Industrial structure and jobless growth in transition economies

Abstract When does employment growth mirror aggregate growth? Applying a two sector model, where productivity growth differs across sectors of production, this article is concerned with a feature characterising a number of transition economies: a divergence between production and employment growth. In our framework the industrial structure that allows employment growth to mirror output growth is endogenous, and related to a number of industry- and economy-wide characteristics. The article shows how the critical industrial structure necessary for avoiding ‘jobless growth’ is context-specific, questioning a ‘one size fits all’ policy approach when aiming to fulfil the Europe 2020 Strategy.
Contralateral Component Separation Technique for Abdominal Wall Closure in Patients Undergoing Vertical Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap Transposition for Pelvic Exenteration Reconstruction

AbstractPelvic floor reconstruction with pedicled vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap has been popularized in patients undergoing pelvic exenteration due to locally advanced rectal carcinoma. Abdominal wall fascial dehiscence and incisional hernia may occur as a result of large skin and fascia islands as well as muscle required to close these large defects. The purpose of this paper was to describe a novel technique, consisting of VRAM flap donor-site closure with component separation technique, performed on the contralateral side as the flap harvest, allowing for a lower tension closure between ipsilateral external oblique/internal oblique/transverse abdominis muscles complex and contralateral rectus abdominis muscle. In 10 patients undergoing this technique, no abdominal fascial dehiscence, incisional hernia, or parastomal hernia occurred during a mean follow-up of 15 months. Overall 3-year patient survival rate was 80% with abdominal hernia free-survival rate of 100%. The addition of this technique represents an advance in overall patient care to provide a more successful outcomes in this complex scenario.
Intralesional Vinblastine for Treating Aids-Associated Kaposi's Sarcoma of the Oropharynx and Larynx

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), the most frequent malignant neoplasm associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, often involves the oropharynx and larynx. This study evaluated the efficacy of intralesional vinblastine sulfate injection in oropharyngeal and laryngeal KS. Twenty-four human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients with a total of 26 KS lesions were treated with injections of 0.1 — or 0.2-mg/mL vinblastine sulfate solution. Subsequent injections were administered at 4- to 5-week intervals if necessary until the lesions resolved or stabilized. Complete regression was achieved in 16 lesions (62%), 20% to 50% reduction in 4 lesions (15%), and less than 20% reduction in 3 lesions (12%). Two lesions (8%) did not respond, and 1 (4%) grew despite the injections. Thirteen patients experienced no adverse effects. Eleven patients reported pain not relieved by acetaminophen; 5 of these 11 also had ulceration secondary to the injection. Both pain and ulceration were self-limiting. We conclude that vinblastine injection is a viable option for treatment of oropharyngeal and laryngeal KS lesions.
Detailed gene expression analysis but not microsatellite marker analysis of 9p21 reveals differential defects in the INK4a gene locus in the majority of head and neck cancers

The INK4a gene locus on chromosome 9p21 encodes two proteins, p16INK4a and p14ARF, which influence cell cycle control regulated by pRb and p53. The objective of this study was to use different methods for the analysis of the incidence of changes at the INK4a locus in head and neck cancer (HNSCC). Primary tumours were analysed for allelic imbalances (AI) with microsatellite markers for chromosome 9, by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and IHC with enhanced sensitivity by tyramide signal amplification (TSA‐IHC), and by RT‐PCR. No homozygous deletions at 9p21 were detected. AI at 9p21, which was found in approximately 60% of the tumours, completely failed to indicate the functional inactivation of the two INK4a gene products. Immunostaining of normal squamous epithelia revealed very low levels of p16INK4a, whereas p14ARF was readily detectable. In 160 tumours, IHC suggested a loss of p16INK4a expression in 90%. However, by TSA‐IHC, only 53.7% showed loss of p16INK4a expression, and this was consistent with the RT‐PCR analyses. In 100 tumours analysed for both proteins, selective loss of p16INK4a occurred in 37%; loss of p14ARF was found in only 15%, and selective loss in only 4%; 11% of the tumours had lost both proteins. We conclude that only IHC with high sensitivity and the combined expression analysis of mRNAs and proteins is suitable for studying the role of INK4a in HNSCC. The INK4a gene expression defects are frequent but not universal and primarily affect p16INK4a. Their clinical impact is still not clear. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Patients and nurses' perceptions of ward environmental factors and support systems in the care of suicidal patients.

AIMS The aims of this paper are to present and discuss the findings that emerged from a qualitative study exploring nurses and patients' views of the acute psychiatric ward (the context) and the type of care received (the intervening conditions). BACKGROUND The phenomenon of suicide and the nursing care of people who are suicidal have previously been investigated. However, literature demonstrates that there is a dearth of information exploring the importance of the ward context in the care of suicidal patients and the intervening conditions that are used by professionals in the care of suicidal patients. METHOD Qualitative research using the grounded theory approach. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Fifteen patients who had either suicidal ideas or had attempted suicide and 15 psychiatric nurses were interviewed and observed. Data were analysed using open, axial and selective coding. FINDINGS A substantive theory of suicide-nursing care was developed. For the purpose of this paper, the two categories that emerged in the 'context' element of the paradigm model are explored. They were: team working and the psychiatric ward environment. In addition, the four categories from the 'intervening conditions' are discussed. They were: nurses' attitudes and beliefs have an effect on caring, barriers to caring, patients' negative thoughts and feelings about the care provided and support systems. CONCLUSION The findings indicated that the context of the ward environment and the intervening conditions used by nurses in the nursing care of suicidal patients helped to define some of the complex dynamics that impacted on the development of a therapeutic relationship within the practice of suicide-nursing care. Relevance to clinical practice. Environmental factors as well as the nurses' knowledge and skills and the type of support patients receive impact on the care of suicidal patients. These findings could help to enhance and advance suicide-nursing care.
Male Vulnerability to Reading Disability Is Not Likely to Be a Myth

Whether boys are more vulnerable than girls to reading disabilities (RD) is controversial. We review studies that were designed to minimize ascertainment bias in the selection of individuals with RD. These include population-based studies that identified children with RD by objective, unbiased methods and studies that examined the gender ratios among the affected relatives of those diagnosed with RD. We conclude that even when ascertainment biases are minimized, there is still a significant preponderance of boys with RD, although the gender ratio of the affected relatives of those with RD manifests the weakest male bias. Furthermore, we demonstrate that potentially confounding factors such as attentional or neurological problems, race, IQ, and severity of RD cannot account for the observed gender bias. We end with a clarion call to future researchers to (a) consider analyzing gender differences by means of more than one definition of RD, (b) compare gender ratios when boys and girls are ranked against the performance of their own gender as opposed to an average across genders, and (c) report group differences in variability and effect sizes of obtained gender ratios.
Is neostigmine effective in severe pufferfish-associated tetrodotoxin poisoning?

Abstract Context. Pufferfish-associated tetrodotoxin poisoning occurs occasionally in coastal regions of Asian countries and sporadically elsewhere. While anecdotal reports have suggested neostigmine use, evidence for its clinical effectiveness remains unclear. Objective. We sought to determine whether neostigmine was likely to be effective in tetrodotoxin-poisoned patients with acute respiratory failure caused by pufferfish consumption. Methods. We searched in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and other databases to collect cases of acute pufferfish-associated tetrodotoxin poisoning ever published without limiting publishing years. We screened each identified title and abstracts that were published in English language, selected, and reviewed full-text publications that were published in English or Chinese and reported at least one adult case (aged ≥ 16 years) of acute respiratory failure attributable to pufferfish-associated tetrodotoxin poisoning. Results. Overall, we identified 435 titles and retrieved 71 full-text publications for further review. After excluding duplicates, review articles, articles reporting cases of minor severity only, incomplete clinical information or non-tetrodotoxin poisoning, and non-English, non-Chinese articles, we selected 37 citations (23 case series and 14 case reports) for data extraction and evidence synthesis. Clusters of acute pufferfish poisoning were mostly reported from coastal countries in the western Pacific or in the Indian Ocean, whereas sporadic cases have occurred in Mediterranean countries and Puerto Rico. Although 10 of the 14 case series reported neostigmine use in respiratory failure, age of these cases was not separately reported. Group-level outcome reporting irrespective of severity or the universal use of neostigmine in severe cases did not allow separate quantitative synthesis of evidence. In contrast, 32 cases from the other 9 case series and 14 case reports had individual information available for pooled analysis, yet only three of which were given neostigmine. Conclusion. Both qualitatively and quantitatively, the current literature was insufficient to provide an evidence base for or against the use of neostigmine in adults with tetrodotoxin-associated respiratory failure. This lack of quality evidence has mainly resulted from poor reporting in published case series. More research in collaborative data collection using standardized reporting and in animal experiments may be needed to tackle this problem. In addition, future case reports should adhere to the CARE guidelines to facilitate experience sharing, evidence synthesis, and consensus forming.
Increased Sensitivity to Depolarizing and Nondepolarizing Neuromuscular Blocking Agents in Young Rat Hemidiaphragms

Background Newborn neuromuscular junctions are more sensitive to d-tubocurarine than more mature preparations. It is unclear whether the same modifications occur with newer nondepolarizing agents and depolarizing agent succinylcholine. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative sensitivity of newborn neuromuscular junctions to succinylcholine and five nondepolarizing agents. Methods The phrenic nerve–hemidiaphragm preparation from 60 rats was used, 30 aged 9–12 days (newborn) and 30 aged 27–33 days (adult). Five rats from each group were exposed to one of six neuromuscular blocking agents (d-tubocurarine, cisatracurium, atracurium, vecuronium, rocuronium, and succinylcholine). Indirectly elicited twitch tension was measured during control conditions in the absence of blocking agent, followed by four concentrations of one of the six agents. Concentration–response curves were constructed and the EC50 (concentration required to produce 50% depression of twitch tension) was obtained. Potency ratios (EC50adult/EC50newborn) were derived for each agent. Results Newborn preparations were significantly (P < 0.001) more sensitive than their adult counterparts for all six agents tested. For nondepolarizing agents, the potency ratio was in the 6–12 range. The EC50adult/EC50newborn were as follows, in decreasing potency order:d-tubocurarine, 1.68/0.23 &mgr;m; cisatracurium, 2.73/0.47 &mgr;m; vecuronium, 5.47/0.59 &mgr;m; rocuronium, 9.7/0.78 &mgr;m; and atracurium, 12.3/1.9 &mgr;m. Succinylcholine was three times as potent in newborn rats, with an EC50adult/EC50newborn of 21.3/7.3 &mgr;m. The ratio for succinylcholine was significantly less than for all nondepolarizing drugs (P < 0.02). Conclusion The newborn neuromuscular junction of the rat shows an increased sensitivity to all neuromuscular blocking agents tested, including succinylcholine. However, the potency ratio was greater for nondepolarizing than depolarizing drugs. The optimal dose of these agents for certain situations such as cesarean section and anesthesia in neonates should be reassessed.
Outcomes of Planned Compared With Urgent Deliveries Using a Multidisciplinary Team Approach for Morbidly Adherent Placenta.

OBJECTIVE To compare outcomes between planned and urgent cesarean hysterectomy for morbidly adherent placenta managed by a multidisciplinary team. METHODS This is a retrospective case-control study of women with singleton pregnancies with antenatally suspected and pathologically confirmed morbidly adherent placenta who underwent cesarean hysterectomy between January 1, 2011, and February 30, 2017. Timing of delivery was classified as either planned (delivery at 34-35 weeks of gestation) or urgent (need for urgent delivery as a result of uterine contractions, bleeding, or both). The primary outcome variable was composite maternal morbidity. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate risk factors for urgent delivery. RESULTS One hundred thirty patients underwent hysterectomy. Sixty (46.2%) required urgent delivery. Composite maternal morbidity was identified in 34 (56.7%) of the urgent and 26 (37.1%) of the planned deliveries (P=.03). Fewer units of red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma were transfused in the planned delivery group (red blood cells, median interquartile range 3 [0-8] versus 1 [0-4], P=.02; fresh frozen plasma, median interquartile range 1 [0-2] versus 0 [0-0], P=.001). Rates of low Apgar score and respiratory distress syndrome were higher in the urgent compared with the planned delivery group (5-minute Apgar score less than 7, 34 [59.6%] versus 14 [23.3%], P<.01; respiratory distress syndrome, 34 [61.8%] versus 16 [27.1%], P<.01). A history of two or more prior cesarean deliveries was an independent predictor of urgent delivery (adjusted odds ratio 11.4, 95% CI 1.8-71.1). CONCLUSION Women with morbidly adherent placenta requiring urgent delivery have a worse outcome than women with planned delivery. Women with morbidly adherent placenta and two or more prior cesarean deliveries are at increased risk for urgent delivery. In such women, scheduling delivery before the standard 34- to 35-week timeframe may be reasonable.
More Than 20 Years of Registration of Type 1 Diabetes in Sardinian Children

We analyzed Sardinian registry data to assess time trends in incidence rates (IRs) of type 1 diabetes during the period 1989–2009 (2,371 case subjects 0–14 years of age). Poisson regression models were used to estimate the effects of sex, age, period of diagnosis, and birth cohorts. IR was 44.8 cases/100,000 person-years (95% CI 43.1–46.7). The annual increase was 2.12% (1.45–2.80; test for linear trend, P < 0.001). For boys, the increasing trend was evident up to 5 years of age and for girls up to 8 years of age. Compared with the 1989–1994 birth cohort, the relative risk increased from 0.78 (0.61–1.10) in 1974–1979 to 1.62 (1.18–2.23) in 2004–2009. The increase over period was less striking, with a tendency to regress in more recent years. The best-fitting model for boys included age and a linear time trend, and for girls age and nonlinear effects of calendar period and birth cohort. In conclusion, incidence increased over time, and the increase tended to level off in more recent years by calendar period but not by birth cohort, with some evidence of a stronger increase among girls than boys. Should the increase be attributable to the effects of some perinatal environmental factor, this would mean that such a factor has started affecting females before males.
Effects of Increasing Child Restraint Use in Reducing Occupant Injuries Among Children Aged 0–5 Years in Japan

Objectives: In Japan, child restraint use among preschool children started to increase before compulsory child restraint use for children aged 0–5 years was introduced by legislation in April 2000. This study determined the effects of increased child restraint use in reducing motor vehicle occupant injuries among children aged 0–5 years. Methods: We obtained monthly police data of child vehicle occupant injuries from 1990 to 2009. We calculated monthly ratios of morbidity rates per population of children aged 0–5 years to those of children aged 6–9 years. Time trends of the morbidity rate ratios were analyzed using a joinpoint regression model to determine whether there were trend changes in child occupant injuries and when they occurred if there were trend changes. Results: The morbidity rate ratios showed a slightly increasing trend of 0.03% per month (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.02% to 0.09%) until the change-point in December 1997 (95% CI, July 1996 to January 1999), which then changed to a decreasing trend of −0.14% per month (95% CI, −0.16 to −0.11), with an overall trend change of −0.17% (95% CI, −0.23 to −0.11). No change-point was identified in or around April 2000 when compulsory restraint use was introduced. Conclusions: The present study used comparative indicators relative to age groups that were not covered by the legislation and showed that a decreasing trend of occupant morbidity among children aged 0–5 years started before the introduction of compulsory restraint use. This change probably reflects the prelegislative voluntary increase in child restraint use.
Combining ambulatory and laboratory assessment of rollator use for balance and mobility in neurologic rehabilitation in-patients

Abstract Purpose: Despite the common use of rollators (four-wheeled walkers), understanding their effects on gait and balance is limited to laboratory testing rather than everyday use. This study evaluated the utility of an ambulatory assessment approach to examine balance and mobility in everyday conditions compared to a laboratory assessment. Methods: Standing and walking with a rollator was assessed in three neurological rehabilitation in-patients under two conditions: (1) in laboratory (i.e. forceplate, GaitRite), and (2) while performing a natural walking course within and outside of the institution. An instrumented rollator (iWalker) was used to measure variables related to the balance control (e.g. upper limb kinetics), destabilizing events (e.g. stumbling), and environmental context. Results: Two of three patients demonstrated greater reliance on the rollator for standing balance (2.3–5.9 times higher vertical loading, 72–206% increase in COP excursion) and 29–42% faster gait during the walking course compared to the laboratory. Importantly, destabilizing events (collisions, stumbling) were recorded during the walking course. Such events were not observed in the laboratory. Conclusion: This study illustrated a greater reliance on the rollator during challenges in everyday use compared to laboratory assessment and provided evidence of specific circumstances associated with destabilizing events that may precipitate falls in non-laboratory settings. Implications for Rehabilitation The value of combining laboratory and ambulatory assessment approaches to provide a more comprehensive profile of the risks and benefits of rollator use to prevent falling was studied. Patients demonstrated greater reliance on rollator assistive devices for standing balance and exhibited higher gait speeds during ambulatory assessment, compared to standard laboratory protocols. Repeated instances of events that may precipitate falls (e.g. collisions, stumbling, and unloading behaviors) were observed only during the ambulatory assessment. Individual challenges to balance can be used to identify specific training targets, assess suitability for assistive devices, and recommend rehabilitation goals.
The cytoplasmic domain of FtsK protein is required for resolution of chromosome dimers

Chromosome dimers, formed by homologous recombination between sister chromosomes, normally require cell division to be resolved into monomers by site‐specific recombination at the dif locus of Escherichia coli. We report here that it is not in fact cell division per se that is required for dimer resolution but the action of the cytoplasmic domain of FtsK, which is a bifunctional protein required both for cell division and for chromosome partition.
Viral Hepatitis and Injection Drug Use in Appalachian Kentucky: A Survey of Rural Health Department Clients

Objectives. We identified correlates of exposure to hepatitis B and C viruses among health department clients in Appalachian Kentucky, a rural region noted for high poverty and low education. Additionally, we investigated risk factors for transmission, and the frequency of use of preventive measures. Methods. Patients screened for hepatitis B or C at four county health departments in Appalachian Kentucky were administered a routine prescreening questionnaire and an additional survey designed to obtain detailed personal and behavioral risk factor data. These data were linked to produce a more comprehensive dataset for analysis, including test results, which were attached to the prescreening questionnaire. Results. In total, 92 health department clients participated in the study survey. Of these, test results were available for 80 of the clients. Very few subjects who enrolled in this study tested positive for hepatitis B. Twelve out of 80 participants (15%) tested positive for previous exposure to hepatitis C. No participants reported having human immunodeficiency virus. Conclusions. Transmission of hepatitis C in these rural Appalachian communities is predominantly due to injection drug use. Patients with hepatitis C exposure are similar in their demographic and risk profiles as those seen in urban areas and, despite small numbers, can have a serious impact on small, rural public health systems.
Effects of Social Network Sites on Social Capital and Awareness of Privacy: A Study of Chinese and U.S. College Students' Usage of Social Network Sites

SUN, TIANYI, M.S., December 2014, Journalism Effects of Social Network Sites on Social Capital and Awareness of Privacy: A Study of Chinese and U.S. College Students’ Usage of Social Network Sites Director of Thesis: Jatin Srivastava This thesis examined the effects of social network sites (SNS) on users’ social capital and privacy awareness and tested if differences existed in intensity of SNS usage and its relationship with students’ social capital and privacy awareness between Chinese and the U.S. college students. An online survey conducted among Chinese Renren Network users and the U.S. Facebook users showed that the usage of SNSs was positively related to users’ social capital (both bridging and partially bonding) and privacy awareness. Significant differences were found in the intensity of SNS usage and bridging social capital between the users of Facebook and Renren Network.
Variation at the cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene in relation to plasma high density lipoproteins cholesterol levels and carotid intima‐media thickness

Background Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays a major role in lipoprotein metabolism. We have screened the CETP gene for mutations and polymorphisms regulating high density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDL‐C) levels and the development of atherosclerosis, and found some polymorphisms (I405V and R451Q) to have minor effects.