Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complications of the Transsphenoidal Approach to Sellar Lesions

ABSTRACT: Transsphenoidal surgery is currently performed extensively for lesions of the sella turcica. The mortality and morbidity of this surgical approach are minimal, and the results satisfactory overall. Only a few studies have addressed the complications of this approach. The authors present a retrospective study of 200 transsphenoidal procedures in 196 patients over an eleven year period. There was one death due to meningitis. Major morbidity consisted of intraventricular hemorrhage in three patients, false aneurysm of the internal carotid artery in one patient and thalamic infarction in another patient. Minor morbidity details are presented. The pathogenesis of the most serious of these complications along with possible preventive measures are discussed.
Dissociable effects of disconnecting amygdala central nucleus from the ventral tegmental area or substantia nigra on learned orienting and incentive motivation

Recent evidence suggests that the amygdala central nucleus (CeA) and midbrain‐striatal dopamine systems are critically involved in the alteration of attentional and emotional processing of initially neutral stimuli by associative learning. In rats, the acquisition of learned orienting responses (ORs) to visual cues paired with food is impaired by lesions of the CeA, and by lesions that disconnect CeA from the dorsolateral striatum (DLS), a region traditionally implicated in elevated responsiveness to sensory stimuli. Similarly, the acquisition of emotional significance to cues paired with food also depends on the function of CeA and of the ventral striatal nucleus accumbens (ACB), a region often considered crucial to acquired reward and motivation. For example, the ability of a cue previously paired with food to increase the rate of food‐reinforced instrumental responding (Pavlovian‐instrumental transfer, PIT) is eliminated by lesions of the CeA or the accumbens core. In this experiment, we found that lesions that functionally disconnected CeA from the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) impaired the acquisition of conditioned orienting to auditory cues paired with food, but had no effect on their ability to enhance instrumental responding, relative to the effects of unilateral lesions of that region. By contrast, lesions that disconnected CeA from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) had no effect on the acquisition of conditioned orienting, but facilitated Pavlovian‐instrumental transfer relative to unilateral midbrain lesions, rescuing that function to sham–lesion control levels. Otherwise, unilateral lesions of either midbrain region impaired transfer. Implications of these results for circuit models of amygdalo–striatal interactions in associative learning are discussed.
Have antipsychotics a different speed of action in the acute treatment of mania? A single-blind comparative study

Available antipsychotics show different efficacy on manic symptoms of bipolar patients, but few studies have investigated the speed of action of the various compounds. For this reason, purpose of the present paper was to compare antipsychotic mono-therapies in terms of speed of action in a sample of manic bipolar patients. In total, 155 bipolar patients, treated with antipsychotic mono-therapy and followed-up in Inpatient Psychiatry Clinic of University of Milan, were included in this single-blind comparative study. Clinical response was defined as a reduction of Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) scores ⩾50%, while remission as a YMRS score <10. After 4 days patients who had been treated with asenapine, were more likely to have achieved a clinical response than those in treatment with haloperidol (p = 0.001). After 7 days, a more frequent clinical response was achieved by patients treated with asenapine than those who had been treated with haloperidol (p < 0.001) or olanzapine (p = 0.047). Asenapine appears to be faster in determining treatment response in manic patients compared with haloperidol and less markedly with olanzapine.
Strategic orientations and firm innovativeness: a necessary condition analysis

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to decipher the levels of three strategic orientations – learning orientation, entrepreneurial orientation (proactiveness and risk taking) and marketing orientation (responsiveness to customers, responsiveness to competitors, responsiveness to the macro-environment and business relationship quality) – that are necessary for firm innovativeness. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from a sample of 316 firms in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Multiple regression analysis (MRA) was employed to examine the net effects of seven factors (learning orientation, proactiveness, risk taking, responsiveness to customers, responsiveness to competitors, responsiveness to changes in the macro-environment and business relationship quality) on firm innovativeness. Necessary condition analysis (NCA) was then employed to discover the level of these factors as necessary conditions for firm innovativeness. Findings The results produced by MRA show that learning orientation, proactiveness, responsiveness to customers and responsiveness to competitors have positive effects on firm innovativeness. The results from the NCA reveal that six out of seven conditions exhibit varying necessary levels for firm innovativeness. Practical implications The findings are relevant to senior managers and suggest that the levels of strategic orientations necessary for firm innovativeness vary. Firms therefore should pay attention not only to the net effects (beta weights) but also to their necessary levels. Based on their resources and capabilities, firms should take into account the necessary level of each strategic orientation in order to achieve their innovativeness goal. Originality/value This study is among the first to decipher the levels of three strategic orientations (learning orientation, entrepreneurial orientation and marketing orientation) that are necessary for firm innovativeness.
Liver Function Breath Tests for Differentiation of Steatohepatitis From Simple Fatty Liver in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Goals: We investigated the utility of liver function breath tests [13C-Aminopyrine Breath Test (13C-ABT), 13C-Galactose Breath Test (13C-GBT)], for the diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) among nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. Background: Liver biopsy is currently the gold standard for the differentiation between simple fatty liver (NAFL) and NASH in NAFLD patients. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six patients with histologically proven NAFLD (NAFL:16, NASH:20) underwent 13C-ABT and 13C-GBT. The results were expressed as the percentage of administered 13C dose recovered per hour (%dose/h) and as cumulative percentage of administered 13C dose recovered over time (%cumulative dose). Histologic lesions were scored according to Brunt and Kleiner’s classifications. Results: 13C-ABT results correlated inversely with activity grade (r=−0.650, P=0.001), NAFLD activity score (r=−0.473, P=0.026), and fibrosis stage (r=−0.719, P=0.001). Compared with NAFL, NASH patients had significantly lower %dose/h and %cumulative dose at 60, 90, and 120 minutes (always P<0.04) by 13C-ABT. 13C-ABT %dose/h and %cumulative dose at 120 minutes could predict the presence of NASH (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.762 and 0.741, respectively). In contrast, there was no significant association between 13C-GBT results and any patient characteristic. Conclusions: In the NAFLD patients, decreased and delayed liver microsomal function, as assessed by 13C-ABT, is associated with more severe necroinflammation and fibrosis, whereas 13C-ABT results at 120 minutes may be helpful for the diagnosis of NASH.
Antiepileptic drugs in patients with malignant brain tumor: beyond seizures and pharmacokinetics

In neurological malignancies, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are frequently used to control the seizure activity that accompanies the disorder. There is a growing body of evidence on the importance of AED selection for reasons other than pharmacokinetics (PK) properties. Epigenetic modifications may occur in glioblastomas, such as changes in gene methylation and histone acetylation states. Secondary mechanisms of AED drug action which impact these epigenetic modifications could play a significant role in patient survival outcomes. Both valproic acid (VPA) and carbamazepine have histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitory activities, and levetiracetam and VPA reduce the activity of O6‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), a DNA‐repair molecule implicated in resistance to alkylating agents used for chemotherapy. The use of AEDs for purposes other than seizure prophylaxis and their selection based on non‐PK properties present a potential paradigm shift in the field of neuro‐oncology.
Human ankle plantar flexor muscle–tendon mechanics and energetics during maximum acceleration sprinting

Tendon elastic strain energy is the dominant contributor to muscle–tendon work during steady-state running. Does this behaviour also occur for sprint accelerations? We used experimental data and computational modelling to quantify muscle fascicle work and tendon elastic strain energy for the human ankle plantar flexors (specifically soleus and medial gastrocnemius) for multiple foot contacts of a maximal sprint as well as for running at a steady-state speed. Positive work done by the soleus and medial gastrocnemius muscle fascicles decreased incrementally throughout the maximal sprint and both muscles performed more work for the first foot contact of the maximal sprint (FC1) compared with steady-state running at 5 m s−1 (SS5). However, the differences in tendon strain energy for both muscles were negligible throughout the maximal sprint and when comparing FC1 to SS5. Consequently, the contribution of muscle fascicle work to stored tendon elastic strain energy was greater for FC1 compared with subsequent foot contacts of the maximal sprint and compared with SS5. We conclude that tendon elastic strain energy in the ankle plantar flexors is just as vital at the start of a maximal sprint as it is at the end, and as it is for running at a constant speed.
Comparative genomic hybridization and transcriptome analysis with a pan-genome microarray reveal distinctions between JP2 and non-JP2 genotypes of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.

It was postulated that the highly virulent JP2 genotype of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans may possess a constellation of distinct virulence determinants not found in non-JP2 genotypes. This study compared the genome content and the transcriptome of the serotype b JP2 genotype and the closely related serotype b non-JP2 genotype of A. actinomycetemcomitans. A custom-designed pan-genomic microarray of A. actinomycetemcomitans was constructed and validated against a panel of 11 sequenced reference strains. The microarray was subsequently used for comparative genomic hybridization of serotype b strains of JP2 (six strains) and non-JP2 (six strains) genotypes, and for transcriptome analysis of strains of JP2 (three strains) and non-JP2 (two strains). Two JP2-specific and two non-JP2-specific genomic islands were identified. In one instance, distinct genomic islands were found to be inserted into the same locus among strains of different genotypes. Transcriptome analysis identified five operons, including the leukotoxin operon, to have at least two genes with an expression ratio of 2 or greater between genotypes. Two of the differentially expressed operons were members of the membrane-bound nitrate reductase system (nap operon) and the Tol-Pal system of gram-negative bacterial species. This study is the first to demonstrate the differences in the full genome content and gene expression between A. actinomycetemcomitans strains of JP2 and non-JP2 genotypes. The information is essential for designing hypothesis-driven experiments to examine the pathogenic mechanisms of A. actinomycetemcomitans.
A model of the willingness to use telemedicine for routine and specialized care

We examined factors associated with the willingness to use telemedicine for routine and specialized care within a theoretical framework. The conceptual model proposed that willingness to use telemedicine is associated directly with attitudes to telemedicine, attitudes to the patient–physician relationship, and to satisfaction with current health-care. In addition, technology anxiety and past behaviour were both assumed to affect willingness to use telemedicine indirectly. Telephone interviews were conducted with a national sample of 1204 Jewish, non-institutionalized adults in Israel. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the hypothesized relationships. Participants were more willing to use telemedicine for routine than for specialized care. Overall, willingness to use telemedicine was affected by attitudes to telemedicine, attitudes to the patient–physician relationship and by level of technology anxiety. Educational interventions aimed at encouraging the use of telemedicine should target potential users' attitudes, as well as feelings of uneasiness and anxiety regarding technology.
The impact of multi-layer governance on bank risk disclosure in emerging markets: the case of Middle East and North Africa

ABSTRACT This study examines the impact of multi-layer governance mechanisms on the level of bank risk disclosure. Using a large dataset from 14 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries over a period of 8 years, our findings are three-fold. First, our results suggest that the presence of a Sharia supervisory board is positively associated with the level of risk disclosure. Second and at the bank-level, we find that ownership structures have a positive effect on the level of risk disclosure. At the country-level, our evidence suggests that control of corruption has a positive effect on the level of bank risk disclosure. Our study is, therefore, a major departure from much of the existing accounting literature that offers new crucial insights that show that firms’ disclosure choices are not mainly shaped by firm-level (internal) governance arrangements, but also country-level (external) governance and religious factors. Our findings have important implications for corporate boards, investors, regulatory authorities, standards-setters and governments relating to the development, implementation and enforcement of corporate and national governance standards.
Why Should Money Lose Value with Time: Boosting Economy in the Era of e-Money

We investigate new instrument of monetary policy which is able to stimulate economy in the age of electronic money. Demurrage (negative interest on money holdings) is a non inflationary monetary instrument that is able to boost the rate of economic transactions. We show with the search-theoretic model that the search effort of buyers is increasing in demurrage fees and higher search effort is associated with the lower price level and higher aggregate output. We find that aggregate welfare is higher when demurrage is imposed compared to quantitative easing policy. While demurrage is complicated to impose on banknotes it is easily set on electronic money which makes this unconventional policy measure more technologically feasible
Clotrimazole Binds to Heme and Enhances Heme-dependent Hemolysis

Two recent studies have demonstrated that clotrimazole, a potent antifungal agent, inhibits the growth of chloroquine-resistant strains of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, in vitro. We explored the mechanism of antimalarial activity of clotrimazole in relation to hemoglobin catabolism in the malaria parasite. Because free heme produced from hemoglobin catabolism is highly toxic to the malaria parasite, the parasite protects itself by polymerizing heme into insoluble nontoxic hemozoin or by decomposing heme coupled to reduced glutathione. We have shown that clotrimazole has a high binding affinity for heme in aqueous 40% dimethyl sulfoxide solution (association equilibrium constant: K a = 6.54 × 108 m −2). Even in water, clotrimazole formed a stable and soluble complex with heme and suppressed its aggregation. The results of optical absorption spectroscopy and electron spin resonance spectroscopy revealed that the heme-clotrimazole complex assumes a ferric low spin state (S = ½), having two nitrogenous ligands derived from the imidazole moieties of two clotrimazole molecules. Furthermore, we found that the formation of heme-clotrimazole complexes protects heme from degradation by reduced glutathione, and the complex damages the cell membrane more than free heme. The results described herein indicate that the antimalarial activity of clotrimazole might be due to a disturbance of hemoglobin catabolism in the malaria parasite.
Quality, labeling accuracy, and cost comparison of purified soy isoflavonoid products.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the labeling accuracy and product uniformity of available soy isoflavone products in the eastern Washington State region for 13 products and to perform a cost comparison based on the isoflavone content in milligrams for 11 products. DESIGN Thirteen (13) isoflavone products (7 tablet and 6 capsule formulations) were randomly obtained from health food, grocery, and pharmacy outlets in eastern Washington State. Four different samples of the same product were extracted using 75% ethanol. Each sample was analyzed for isoflavone content using a gradient high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Pure isoflavonoid standards were used to quantify the content of genistein, daidzein, and glycitein and their respective glycosides. The amount of total isoflavonoids per purchased product was then divided into its purchase price in order to make cost comparisons between the products based on a 50 mg/d dose. RESULTS The weight variation within each product was generally small (<4%). However, there was significant variability in the composition of the products. Only 4 of the 13 products contained at least 90% of the isoflavone content claimed on the label and 2 of products contained impurities in the HPLC chromatogram that exceeded 40%. There was no difference in the total isoflavonoid contents of the 2 identical products made by the same manufacturer, but the percentages of the main components had changed significantly over time. Based on a 50-mg isoflavone per day dose, the cost of a 30-day supply ranged from $3.20 to $65.88. CONCLUSION There is a lack of uniformity among the products tested and the majority (67%) of the products contained less than 90% of labeled amounts. There is significant variability in the compositions between the products and in the composition of the same product over time. Consumers cannot trust isoflavonoid product labels to represent the product's content accurately or that product pricing is a reflection of isoflavone content.
Modeling Multi-generation Innovation Adoption based on Conjoint effect of Awareness Process

The prior models in the field of multi-generation diffusion modeling basically concentrated on employing effects of substitution and switching behavior. But little or no importance has been given to the manner in which information about the product is diffused in the marketplace for eventual determination of intergenerational sales. Sales generally happen when users are informed about the characteristic features of the product. Thus, the effect of information flow on adoption of the product is important for evaluating eventual sales. With the aim of inculcating awareness and adoption process as two different factors impacting the overall sales; in this paper we have developed a systematic approach to model the sales for intergenerational diffusion process. The results are verified on sales data from Semiconductor Industry DRAM shipments.
Validation of the Pediatric Rome II Criteria for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders Using the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Objective: To validate the pediatric Rome II criteria for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) using the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms (QPGS). Methods: Subjects were 315 consecutive new patients, 4 to 18 years of age, seen in a tertiary care clinic and classified by pediatric gastroenterologists as having a functional problem. Patients and parents separately completed the QPGS before medical consultation. Diagnoses were derived using computer algorithms reflecting the Rome II criteria for pediatric FGIDs. Convergent validity was assessed by prevalence of diagnoses and internal validity using factor analysis to confirm symptom clusters of the criteria. Separate analyses were performed for 4 to 9 and 10 to 18 year olds, and for diagnoses based on parent and child reports. Results: In both age groups, the most prevalent diagnoses were irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (22.0%, 35.5%), functional constipation (19.0%, 15.2%), and functional dyspepsia (FD) (13.6%, 10.1%). Parent-child concordance on diagnoses was generally poor. Factor analyses supported the internal validity of FD and of IBS symptoms except for relief with defecation. Although functional abdominal pain syndrome and abdominal migraine occurred rarely, symptom clustering within each diagnosis supports their validity. Among patients with abdominal pain, duration was of at least 3 months in most, and pain was of long duration and severe in at least one third. Conclusion: More than half of patients classified as having a functional problem met at least one pediatric Rome II diagnosis for FGIDs. This study offers initial support for the validity of several of the criteria.
The Effect of Dynamic Constant External Resistance Training on the Isokinetic Torque-Velocity Curve

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of dynamic constant external resistance (DCER) training on isokinetic peak torque (PT) and constant joint angle (CJA) torque at velocities from zero to 5.03 rad.s-1. Twelve male volunteers (mean age +/- SD = 21.67 +/- 2.61 years) were trained using DCER exercises (leg extension and squat) for eight weeks. The subjects were tested pre-training and post-training for isokinetic leg extension PT as well as CJA torque (0.26 rad below the horizontal plane) at multiple velocities (zero, 0.84, 1.68, 2.51, 3.35, 4.19 and 5.03 rad.s-1) using a Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer. Film analyses indicated that the mean training velocities for leg extension and squat were 1.50 +/- 0.20 rad.s-1 and 1.41 +/- 0.26 rad.s-1, respectively. Univariate two-way repeated measures (within subjects design) ANOVAs [time (pre-training versus posttraining) x velocity] were used to analyze the changes in PT and CJA torque across the training period. There was no interaction but a significant (p < 0.05) main effect for time for the CJA torque measures. The increases in CJA torque ranged from 6.3 to 10.7%. For PT, there was a significant (p < 0.05) time x velocity interaction. Post-hoc comparisons showed that PT increased significantly at all velocities (p < 0.0083) as a result of the training (8.1 to 10.9%). The results of this investigation indicated that DCER training significantly increased isokinetic PT and CJA torque values at velocities up to 3.53 rad.s-1 above the training velocity.