Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selective Angioembolization in Blunt Solid Organ Injury in Children and Adolescents: Review of Recent Literature and Own Experiences

Abstract Nonoperative management (NOM) is considered the standard therapy for clinically stable children with blunt solid organ injuries (SOI) grade I to IV. The capability of angioembolization (AE) to decrease the NOM failure rate in adults with blunt SOI has been demonstrated. The inclusion of AE in the pediatric SOI management is rarely reported. The aim of this review is to evaluate the recent literature surrounding trauma-related AE in children focusing on criteria for patient selection for AE and on the success rates including the greater experience in adults and on our own little series with splenic and renal injuries at a Level 1 Trauma Center. The technique will be described in detail. Although already added to some institutional treatment protocols patient selection for AE is still without full consent. High-grade injury, active bleeding with contrast blush on computed tomography, threatening, or ongoing hemodynamic instability and pseudoaneurysm represent the most common criteria to admit AE. Patients' characteristics are often similar to those of NOM failure groups in trauma managements protocols without AE. The impact of this interventional approach is situated between the possibility for NOM in the obvious stable child and the need for open surgery in the obvious unstable patient with grade IV to grade V SOI. There is evidence that AE is capable to decrease the failure rate and complications in the NOM. Although available data are based on cohort studies rather than prospective randomized-controlled trials, we conclude, AE represents a safe and effective therapy and should be part of the interdisciplinary trauma management protocol for SOI in children and adolescents.
Gradual increase in thrombogenicity of juvenile platelets formed upon offset of prasugrel medication

In patients with acute coronary syndrome, dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor like prasugrel is prescribed for one year. Here, we investigated how the hemostatic function of platelets recovers after discontinuation of prasugrel treatment. Therefore, 16 patients who suffered from ST-elevation myocardial infarction were investigated. Patients were treated with aspirin (100 mg/day, long-term) and stopped taking prasugrel (10 mg/day) after one year. Blood was collected at the last day of prasugrel intake and at 1, 2, 5, 12 and 30 days later. Platelet function in response to ADP was normalized between five and 30 days after treatment cessation and in vitro addition of the reversible P2Y12 receptor antagonist ticagrelor fully suppressed the regained activation response. Discontinuation of prasugrel resulted in the formation of an emerging subpopulation of ADP-responsive platelets, exhibiting high expression of active integrin αIIbβ3. Two different mRNA probes, thiazole orange and the novel 5′Cy5-oligo-dT probe revealed that this subpopulation consisted of juvenile platelets, which progressively contributed to platelet aggregation and thrombus formation under flow. During offset, juvenile platelets were overall more reactive than older platelets. Interestingly, the responsiveness of both juvenile and older platelets increased in time, pointing towards a residual inhibitory effect of prasugrel on the megakaryocyte level. In conclusion, the gradual increase in thrombogenicity after cessation of prasugrel treatment is due to the increased activity of juvenile platelets.
The Interaction of Short-Term Reversal and Momentum Strategies

This article investigates the interaction between short-term reversal and momentum strategies. The authors find that the magnitude of price reversals of short-term winners and losers is significantly related to past medium-term performance. Both past medium-term winners and losers with the best short-term performance experience the strongest price continuation. Short-term reversal strategies perform best in the momentum-loser quintile, and momentum strategies perform best in the short-term-winner quintile. The authors’ results imply that investors could achieve higher momentum profits by also considering short-term performance and vice versa. The results also suggest that investors adhere to prior dominant beliefs in the face of new contradictory information. Short squeezes and fire sales (self-attribution bias) may explain the continued underperformance (outperformance) of momentum losers (winners) with good short-term performance.
Neurophysiological Findings of the Late-Onset, Dominant, Proximal Spinal Muscular Atrophies With Dysautonomia Because of the VAPB PRO56SER Mutation

The vesicle-associated membrane protein/synaptobrevin-associated membrane protein B (VAPB) Pro56Ser mutation has been identified in Brazilian families showing various motor neuron syndromes. However, the neurophysiological characteristics of these patients have not been detailed, and some questions still need to be solved, such as the possible presence of myotonia and the origin of the abdominal protrusion seen in most patients. The eventual finding of suggestive electrophysiological characteristics would be helpful not only for clinical diagnosis but also to selection of the appropriate DNA test. To clarify these questions we carried out sensory and motor conduction studies, including symphatetic skin response, and needle examination in six genetically proven affected members. The electromyographic findings were those of a slowly progressive motor neuron disorder. Topographically, the abdominal muscles were severely affected, but the facial and laryngeal muscles were preserved or very mildly involved. Sensory conduction studies and sympathetic skin responses were normal. No myotonic discharge was recorded. These findings are indistinguishable from those of other motor neuron disorders, although the predominant involvement of the proximal limbs and of the abdominal muscles may be of some help in the appropriate clinical setting.
Genetics of uterine leiomyomata

Leiomyomata represent the most common gynecologic tumors in women of reproductive age and are the primary indication for hysterectomy in the United States. Cytogenetic and genetic studies have in recent years advanced our understanding of the etiology of these tumors. Cytogenetic aberrations involving chromosomes 6, 7, 12, and 14 constitute the major chromosomal abnormalities seen in leiomyomata and have led to the discovery that disruptions or dysregulations of HMGIC and HMGIY contribute to the development of these tumors. Based on the finding of a variety of other consistent chromosomal aberrations detected in these tumors, other genes with fundamental roles in the pathobiology of uterine leiomyomata await identification. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 28:235–245, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of transforming growth factor-beta3, but not transforming growth factor-beta1, inhibits constrictive remodeling and reduces luminal loss after coronary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling is central to the development of restenosis after PTCA. Substantial evidence implicates transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), a regulator of ECM deposition by vascular cells, in its pathogenesis. TGF-beta3 reduces TGF-beta1-induced ECM deposition in cutaneous wounds. We therefore investigated the effects of intracoronary expression of TGF-beta3 and TGF-beta1 on luminal loss after angioplasty. METHODS AND RESULTS Porcine coronary arteries received an adenovirus expressing TGF-beta3, TGF-beta1, or lacZ (beta-galactosidase), or PBS only, at the site of angioplasty. Morphometric analysis 28 days after angioplasty confirmed reduced luminal loss in TGF-beta3 vessels (-0.65+/-0.10 mm2) compared with lacZ (-1.18+/-0.19 mm2) or PBS only (-1.19+/-0.17 mm2; P=0.003). Luminal loss was not reduced in TGF-beta1 vessels (-1.02+/-0.19 mm2; P=0.48). An increase in the external elastic lamina area in TGF-beta3-treated vessels (+0.73+/-0.32 mm2) contrasted with decreases in control vessels (mean, -0.53+/-0.17 mm2; P=0.001) and TGF-beta1 vessels (-0.87+/-0.34 mm2; P=0.003). Collagen content increased at the site of injury in TGF-beta3-treated vessels (26.1+/-14.2%) but decreased in the lacZ (-22.8+/-6.6%) and PBS-only (-23.4+/-7.0%; P=0.002) groups and was not significantly changed in TGF-beta1-treated vessels. CONCLUSIONS Expression of TGF-beta3 inhibits constrictive remodeling after PTCA and reduces luminal loss. This is accompanied by increased adventitial collagen, which may act as an external "scaffold" preventing vessel constriction. These findings confirm the potential of gene therapies that modify ECM remodeling for prophylaxis of restenosis.
Effect of Double Filtration Plasmapheresis on Various Plasma Components and Patient Safety: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study

Double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) was historically used for blood group incompatible renal transplantation. Very few studies are available worldwide regarding its efficiency in removing specific plasma components, and safety. We conducted a prospective observational cohort study over 1 year on patients undergoing DFPP for various renal indications. There were 15 patients with 39 sessions. The pre- and post-procedure plasma samples of serum IgG, IgA, IgM, fibrinogen, calcium, phosphate, potassium, and magnesium were analyzed. The effluent albumin concentration was also measured, and complications during the hospital stay were recorded. Cumulative removal of serum IgG, IgA, IgM, fibrinogen, and albumin at the end of four sessions were 72%, 89%, 96%, 88.5%, and 21.3%, respectively and effluent albumin concentration was 1.75 – 2.0 times (range: 6.3 g/dl – 7.2 g/dl; mean ± standard deviation (SD) – 7 g/dl ± 0.3 g/dl) the preprocedural serum albumin (mean ± SD – 3.5 g/dl ± 0.5 g/dl). Removal of other plasma components were not statistically significant. Hypotensive episodes were observed only 16.6%, with the usage of effluent concentration albumin as replacement fluid despite an average 2.4 (mean ± SD – 2.4 ± 0.4 l) liters of plasma volume processing each session. DFPP removes IgG, IgA, IgM, fibrinogen, and albumin. The cumulative removal IgG (72%) is suboptimal, whereas IgA (89%) and IgM (96%) are comparable to historical controls. We observed lesser episodes (12.5%) of hypotension with effluent albumin concentration as replacement fluid, and all bleeding complications were observed when serum fibrinogen level was <50 mg/dl.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Chronic Rhinosinusitus, Allergic Rhinitis, and Nasal Septal Deviation: Results of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey 2008-2012.

IMPORTANCE Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), allergic rhinitis (AR), and nasal septal deviation (NSD) are frequent rhinologic diseases that consume considerable health care resources. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and risk factors of CRS, AR, and NSD in Korea. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This study analyzed 5-year cross-sectional data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008-2012. A total of 35 511 participants, who underwent an interview regarding nasal symptoms and a nasal examination, were enrolled and subsequently divided into 3 groups: children (aged 7-12 years), adolescents (aged 13-19 years), and adults (aged ≥20 years). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Adult CRS was classified into CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). Diagnosis of AR was based on symptoms and serum levels of specific IgE for 3 allergens, including Dermatophagoides farinae. The precise prevalence of AR was reestimated by multiplying the reciprocal of D farinae frequency based on a conventional skin prick test. Nasal septal deviation was diagnosed via nasal endoscopy after nasal decongestion. This study estimated the association of the 3 diseases with demographic data, including sex, age, obesity, level of education, socioeconomic status, residence, smoking, and alcohol. RESULTS The prevalence of CRSwNP and CRSsNP in 28 912 adults was 2.6% and 5.8%, respectively. An association was found between CRSwNP and age (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% CI, 1.02-1.04; P < .001), lower level of education (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.02-1.92; P = .04), and obesity (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.16-1.84; P = .001). Symptom-based and allergy test result-based AR had a prevalence of 27.5% (n = 35 511) and 16.1% (n = 2298), respectively. The reestimated prevalence of AR was 18.5% for all ages. Urban residence increased the risk of AR (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.06-1.38; P = .005), but age was associated with a decreased risk (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-0.99; P < .001). The prevalence of NSD was 48.0% and increased with age. In addition, NSD was a risk factor for CRSsNP (adjusted OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.02-1.32; P = .03) but not for CRSwNP. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In KNHANES 2008-2012, older age was associated with increased risk for CRSwNP and NSD but associated with a decreased risk for AR. Obesity was another risk factor for CRSwNP.
Catholic Secondary School Principals' Perceptions of the Qualities of Effective Catholic Secondary School Teachers

ii SIGNATURE PAGE . iv DEDICATION . v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . vi LIST OF TABLES . xiv LIST OF FIGURES . xix CHAPTER I: THE RESEARCH PROBLEM . 1 Statement of the Problem . 1 Background and Need . 3 Purpose of the Study . 5 Conceptual Framework . 5 Research Questions . 13 Significance . 14 CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE . 17 Restatement of the Problem . 17 Overview . 18 Ecclesial Writings Concerning Catholic Schools and the Role of Teachers . 18 Ecclesial Writings Concerning the Qualities of the Ideal Catholic School Teacher . 22 Teacher as Community Builder . 23 Shimabukuro’s Research on the Teacher as Community Builder . 23 Church Documents on the Teacher as Community Builder . 24 Catholic School Experts’ Views on the Teacher as Community Builder . 27 Secular Experts’ Views on the Teacher as Community Builder . 28 Teacher as Committed to Lifelong Spiritual Growth . 29 Shimabukuro’s Research on the Teacher as Committed to Lifelong Spiritual Growth . 29 Church Documents on the Teacher as Committed to Lifelong Spiritual Growth . 30 Catholic School Experts’ Views on the Teacher as Committed to Lifelong Spiritual Growth . 32 Secular Experts’ Views on the Teacher as Committed to Lifelong Spiritual Growth . 34 Teacher as Committed to Lifelong Professional Development . 35 Shimabukuro’s Research on the Teacher as Committed to Lifelong Professional Development . 35
Stereotyping – Predispositions, activations and applications in cross-cultural service interactions

The aim of the article was to explore for stereotyping patterns in crosscultural service interactions. This research was set within the context of luxury hotel in Malaysia, where most of the service providers are non-Western. In-depth interviews and written diaries were used to develop deep narratives for the patterns of stereotyping adopted by the service providers. Predispositions, activations and applications of stereotypes were examined considering implicit theory and power distance. Associations between the service providers’ culture and position and their tendency to activate and apply stereotypes were found. The findings highlight the increasing complexity in cross-cultural service interactions within the South East Asian region. This study provides management with insights into service interactions in the contemporary context of Asia, where socio/economic and cultural boundaries are blurring. Practical and theoretical recommendations are made for both management and further academic research on this issue, which has potential to influence guest satisfaction and ultimately business viability.
Effects of Dietary Beef and Chicken With and Without High Amylose Maize Starch on Blood Malondialdehyde, Interleukins, IGF-I, Insulin, Leptin, MMP-2, and TIMP-2 Concentrations in Rats

Dietary red and processed meats may increase risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), whereas fiber may be protective. Recently, we demonstrated that dietary beef causes greater colonic DNA strand breakage than equivalent levels of chicken in rats and that resistant starch (RS) as 20% high amylose maize starch (HAMS) attenuated the damage. From that study, we now report measures of circulating factors that may influence CRC initiation or progression including malondialdehyde (MDA), leptin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), insulin, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), tissue inhibitor of MMP-2 (TIMP-2), interleukins (IL), and short chain fatty acids. MDA levels were increased by beef diets relative to the chicken diets. Leptin concentrations, which were lower for chicken than beef at the 35% level in the absence of HAMS, were lowered by HAMS. Higher dietary chicken (but not beef) increased IGF-I irrespective of HAMS feeding. Higher levels of chicken resulted in greater insulin concentrations than for beef in rats fed HAMS. Without dietary HAMS, TIMP-2 concentration increased in response to both meats but was highest for chicken. MMP-2 and TIMP-2 concentrations were higher for HAMS diets. IL-1β and IL-12 concentrations were lowered by HAMS feeding. Colonic DNA strand breakage was positively associated with circulating leptin and MDA concentrations as well as tissue MDA concentrations and negatively associated with plasma TIMP-2 concentration. MMP-2 and TIMP-2 positively correlated with hepatic portal butyrate levels but leptin concentrations correlated negatively. These results suggest diets high in meat or RS could influence cancer initiation or progression by changes in circulating levels of hormones and other factors.
EDTA enhances the antitumor efficacy of intratumoral cisplatin in s.c. grafted rat colon tumors

We have investigated whether EDTA, a calcium chelator, could improve the accumulation of platinum in tumors and enhance the antitumor efficacy by increasing drug diffusion through the extracellular tumor matrix. Intratumoral injection of 0.3 mg/kg cisplatin combined with 10 mg/ml EDTA in 2 ml saline serum led to tumor cure in four of eight rats and produced major tumor regression in the other animals. In contrast, intratumoral injection of cisplatin alone or EDTA alone had no antitumoral effect. EDTA increased platinum accumulation both in vivo and ex vivo in the PROb tumors. EDTA alone was cytotoxic at a concentration of 10 mg/ml, but neither increased platinum accumulation nor cisplatin toxicity on cultured PROb colonic cancer cells. We conclude that EDTA could be a useful and well-tolerated adjuvant for enhancing intratumoral cisplatin chemotherapy.
Functional and electron microscopic changes in the trabecular meshwork remaining after trabeculectomy in cynomolgus monkeys.

Electron microscopic morphometry of untouched trabecular meshwork was done in nine eyes of six young cynomolgus monkeys trabeculectomized 329 to 447 days earlier, in two unoperated control eyes and one eye where a piece of ciliary muscle was excised. Outflow facility before and after pilocarpine had been repeatedly measured in all eyes. Correlations were computed between perfusion results and morphometric measurements and between different morphometric measurements. All operated eyes but not control eyes showed deposits beneath the inner wall endothelium of Schlemm's canal, previously found only in very old human and monkey eyes and in chronic simple glaucoma. In the uveal and corneoscleral trabeculae of operated eyes there was marked thickening of the sheaths covering intratrabecular elastic fibers. Thicker elastic fiber sheaths were seen in eyes with lower facilities and lower pilocarpine effects, both early and late after operation. A direct causal connection is improbable, however. Subendothelial deposits seemed to be more plentiful in eyes which had shown a high facility shortly (three months) after trabeculectomy. The amount did not correlate with facility at the time of enucleation. This suggests that the subendothelial deposits are due to underperfusion of the unoperated meshwork caused by a temporary bypass for the aqueous. The nature of the deposits remains to be established.
Improving Contact-Lens Related Dryness Symptoms with Silicone Hydrogel Lenses

Purpose. To determine dryness symptoms attributable to hydrogel contact lens (HCL) wear by comparing symptoms from age-matched HCL wearers and non-wearers in a cross-sectional study, and to compare that difference to the change in proportion of subjects reporting frequent dryness among HCL wearers after refitting with lotrafilcon A or B silicone hydrogels (SHCLs). Methods. Prevalence of frequent dryness symptoms was compared between HCL and non-wearers from a cross-sectional, historical dataset of Dry Eye/Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaires using an age-matched subset of 259 HCL and 246 non-wearers. Prospective change in prevalence of frequent dryness from non-randomized studies (n = 1036), in which daily wear (DW) HCL wearers were refit with lotrafilcon A or B SHCLs, was then compared to the cross-sectional difference between HCL wearers and non-wearers. Results. In the Dry Eye/Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaires dataset, 47% fewer non-wearers reported frequent dryness than HCL wearers (p = 0.0001). In the lotrafilcon A DW refitting trials, frequent dryness was reported by 67 and 62% fewer subjects for during the day (DD) and end of the day (EOD) dryness (p = 0.0001, both) after refitting. In continuous wear lotrafilcon A trials, there were 63 and 41% reductions in the proportion reporting frequent DD and EOD dryness (p = 0.014 and p = 0.02). Refitting to DW lotrafilcon B yielded a 48 and 46% reduction in the number of subjects reporting frequent DD and EOD dryness (p < 0.0001, both). Conclusions. After refitting DW HCL wearers with either lotrafilcon A or B SHCLs, the proportion of symptomatic wearers was approximately half; an amount similar to the difference in proportion between HCL and non-wearers. This raises the possibility that refitting HCL wearers with SHCLs eliminates the component of dryness that is induced by HCL wear. Further research with more robust experimental design is recommended to test this hypothesis.
Essays on business cycles in open economies

This dissertation consists of three chapters about business cycles in open economies. The first chapter addresses the question of why housing investment is so volatile, especially in economies with developed mortgage markets. To this end, the chapter develops an augmented Real Business Cycle model with a housing collateral constraint. The collateral constraint creates a link between the housing market and borrowing capacity, a link that amplifies the response of housing demand to shocks and becomes stronger in economies with deeper mortgage markets. The second chapter examines an anomaly between international business cycle models and empirical evidence in cross-country employment correlation. It shows that the wealth effect on leisure plays a determining role in generating a negative employment comovement in the models, hence proposing a solution to the anomaly. The last chapter compares macroeconomic consequences of dollarized emerging countries under two alternative monetary policies: the inflation targeting rule and the fixed exchange rate regime. It shows that the floating exchange rate regime can be dominated by the fixed exchange rate regime in the role of cushioning shocks and in welfare terms.