Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Short‐ and long‐term results of the tension‐free vaginal tape procedure in the treatment of female urinary incontinence

Background. The aim was to describe the short‐ and long‐term results of treatment for urinary incontinence (UI) in women using the tension‐free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure at a single unit and to identify factors predictive of successful outcome. Material and methods. Consecutive female patients (n=707) treated for UI with the TVT procedure at Karlstad Hospital from November 1996 to June 2004 were included. After a standardized preoperative evaluation, the women were classified as having either stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or mixed urinary incontinence (MUI). The results of surgery were evaluated after 1, 2, and 5 years, by means of a postal questionnaire. An objective evaluation was performed after 5 years in a subsample of the first patients included (n=59). Factors influencing the cure rate were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Results. The subjective cure rate was 83% after 1 year and 73% after 5 years. The objective cure rate was 83% in the subgroup after 5 years. Surgical time was 30±9 min (mean±SD). The rate of bladder perforations was 1.7%. In patients with MUI the cure rate was lower than in patients with SUI (after 5 years 54.9% versus 81.0%). Type of incontinence was the only independent variable found to influence surgical outcome. Conclusions. The TVT procedure, performed in over 700 women at a single gynecological unit, was found to be a safe and efficient surgical procedure. Type of incontinence was the only independent variable found to predict for outcome of surgery.
High Schools and Students' Initial Colleges and Majors

We use statewide administrative data from Missouri to examine the explanatory power of high schools over student sorting to colleges and majors at 4-year public universities. We develop a “preparation and persistence index” (PPI) for each university-by-major cell in the Missouri system that captures dimensions of selectivity and rigor and allows for a detailed investigation of sorting. Our analysis shows that students’ high schools predict the quality of the initial university, as measured by PPI, conditional on their own academic preparation, and that students from lower-SES high schools systematically enroll at lower-PPI universities. However, high schools offer little explanatory power over major placements within universities.
Moving Beyond Socioemotional Wealth: Toward a Normative Theory of Decision Making in Family Business

Business-owning families are widely believed to make decisions in order to increase their authority over, influence on, and identity with their businesses. Yet, because the resulting socioemotional wealth is intended to be enjoyed by the family alone, this view reflects a largely self-interested approach to decision making. We, therefore, call on family business scholars to leverage the work of social economists (i.e., Amitai Etzioni) and moral philosophers (i.e., Adam Smith) in order to develop normative guidance for family owners seeking to pursue their own interests as well as those of the other stakeholders in society to which they are accountable.
Robust Initial Position Estimation of Permanent Magnet Machine With Low Saliency Ratio

In permanent magnet (PM) machine drives, the initial position is typically estimated based on the machine inductance variation and the flux saturation. The saliency-based method using the voltage signal injection has demonstrated the reliable position estimation for high salient PM machines at initial state. However considering the saliency-based drive on low salient machines, several implementation issues appear due to the low signal-to-noise ratio of position dependent signals. This paper addresses the implementation issues on saliency-based initial position estimation. It is shown that conventional saliency-based estimation methods might not be able to obtain the correct rotor position on low salient machines due to secondary saliency harmonics. A two-step estimation process is proposed to improve the initial position estimation accuracy on low salient PM machines. Two PM machines with different saliency ratios are tested for the experimental evaluation.
Gestational trophoblastic tumors in Norway, 1968-1997: patient characteristics, treatment, and prognosis.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to give an overview of the Norwegian population of gestational trophoblastic tumors (GTT), diagnosed during 1968-1997 and treated with chemotherapy at the Norwegian Radium Hospital (NRH), with regard to patient characteristics, treatment, and prognosis. METHODS The cases were grouped according to a modified version of the WHO scoring system. Staging was performed retrospectively according to the systems adopted by FIGO. Survival estimates were calculated by the method described by Kaplan and Meier. Cox regression models were used to find the best classification system with regard to prognosis (disease-free survival). RESULTS A total of 141 cases, 106 invasive moles (IM) and 35 choriocarcinomas (CC), were diagnosed in Norway and treated with chemotherapy at the NRH in the period 1968-1997. Altogether, 56% of the patients were assigned to the low-risk category, 20% to the medium-risk category, and 15% to the high-risk category. Most cases were classified into the clinical stages I (69%) and III (23%). The overall 5-year survival rate was 96%. A more favorable prognosis was seen in patients diagnosed in the 1980s and 1990s compared with those diagnosed in the 1970s (P = 0.04). Five patients had progressive disease and died from the disease. Nine patients relapsed. The prognosis (disease-free survival) was more favorable for IM compared with CC (P < 0.01). The FIGO classification system seemed to be a better predictor of disease-free survival than the WHO scoring system. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that the prognosis of patients with GTT improved in the 1980s and 1990s in Norway, and that the FIGO system might be the best predictor of disease-free survival.
Topical Cyclosporin A in the Management of Therapeutic Keratoplasty for Mycotic Keratitis

Purpose. To investigate the efficacy of topical cyclosporine A 0.5% as a substitute for corticosteroids in the management of therapeutic keratoplasties for mycotic keratitis. Methods. Prospective, nonrandomized interventional case series. Three patients with culture-proven mycotic keratitis underwent therapeutic keratoplasties. All were treated with topical cyclosporine A 0.5% postoperatively as a primary or an adjunctive therapy for prevention of allograft rejection. The patients were followed up from 15 to 42 months for maintenance of graft clarity and best-corrected visual acuity. Results. Two of three patients maintained clear grafts while using topical cyclosporine A 0.5% twice daily with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 and 20/50. One patient developed an opacified graft secondary to preexisting ocular surface disease. Conclusions. Topical cyclosporine A 0.5% may be a useful adjunct in the management of therapeutic keratoplasties for mycotic keratitis.
Estrogen and progesterone receptor assays on breast carcinoma from mastectomy specimens

To determine whether autolytic loss of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR) receptors might affect results of assays performed on primary carcinoma samples taken from fresh mastectomy specimens rather than from biopsy specimens, a group of 71 cases were examined, in which both types of samples were assayed. The comparisons showed a small significant reduction in the proportion of positive ER assay results in mastectomy‐primary specimens compared with biopsy specimens, although the frequency of high‐binding ER results in the mastectomy‐primary specimens was not reduced. The number of positive PgR assays on mastectomy‐primary specimens was not reduced in comparison with biopsy specimens. Correlation coefficients for ER values in the paired data were = 0.836 for biopsy versus mastectomy, and r = 0.795 for primary versus nodal metastasis. For PgR biopsy versus mastectomy r = 0.664, and for PgR primary versus node r = 0.352. The mean quantitative ER and PgR values were significantly higher in axillary lymph nodal metastases than in primary carcinomas, and the higher nodal receptor levels were explained in part by significantly higher tumor cellularity. It is concluded that while loss of ER sufficient to cause a false‐negative interpretation may possibly occur in a few cases during the course of mastectomy, as a general rule, significant losses do not occur. The performance of assays on axillary metastases in mastectomy specimens is advantageous because of their high cellularity. Cancer 52:2139‐2143, 1983.
Deprivation and mortality in Scotland, 1981 and 1991

Abstract Objective: To compare the mortality experience of Scottish postcode sectors characterised by socioeconomic census variables (Carstairs scores) in 1980-2 and 1990-2. Methods: Variables derived from the 1981 and 1991 censuses were combined according to the method devised by Carstairs and Morris*RF 6* to obtain Carstairs scores for 1010 postcode sectors in Scotland in 1981 and 1001 sectors in 1991. For most analyses, these scores were grouped into seven deprivation categories ranging from affluent (category 1) to deprived (category 7) localities. Main outcome measures: Death rates and standardised mortality ratios for localities according to deprivation category. Results: Postcode sectors in Scotland that were categorised as deprived in 1981 were relatively more deprived at the time of the 1991 census; the mortality experience of deprived localities relative to either Scotland or affluent neighbourhoods worsened over this period, with a 162% difference between the most affluent and most deprived categories in 1991-2. Although the age and sex standardised mortality for ages 0-64 in Scotland declined by 22% during the 1980s, the reduction in the deprived categories was only about half that of the affluent groups. Increases in the death rate for men (29%) and women (11%) aged 20-29 in the deprived groups were largely attributable to an increase in the rates of suicide. Death rates from ischaemic heart disease and carcinoma of the lung and bronchus at ages 40-69 were lower in all deprivation categories in 1990-2, but the reduction was greater in more affluent areas; the difference in rates for these conditions between affluent and deprived groups therefore increased over the decade. The observed worsening of the standardised mortality ratio for Glasgow relative to Scotland could be explained on the basis of these mortality differentials and the concentration of deprived postcode sectors in Glasgow. Conclusions: Differences in mortality experience linked to relative poverty increased in the 10 years between 1981 and 1991 censuses. Although mortality for Scotland as a whole is improving, the picture is one of an increasing distinction between the experience of the majority and that of a substantial minority of the population.
"Nonfunctioning" islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas.

Although most pancreatic islet cell tumors are associated with clinically evident hormone hypersecretion, a small group have no obvious signs or symptoms of excess endocrine activity and are termed "nonfunctioning. " The clinical course of eight patients with "nonfunctioning" islet cell carcinoma seen during an eight-year period was reviewed. The six men and two women ranged in age from 36 to 68 years (mean--52). The initial complaint in six was a palpable abdominal mass associated with pain, steatorrhea, or jaundice. Two patients presented with abdominal pain that was initially thought to be of biliary tract origin, and the tumor was discovered at operation. Two patients underwent radical distal pancreatectomy and have no gross evidence of residual or recurrent tumor one and two years later. Five had a biopsy and biliary diversion; three of these also had a gastrojejunostomy. Five were given postoperative 5-fluorouracil and streptozotocin chemotherapy. One developed renal dysfunction and was switched to dimethyltriazenoimidazole carboxamide (DTIC) chemotherapy. Three patients are alive four, six, and eight years, respectively, after diagnosis. Two expired two and a half and three years after diagnosis. One patient had only biopsy of peripancreatic nodes, and he expired in one year. "Nonfunctioning" islet cell carcinoma presents with symptoms related to the mass effects of the tumor. An aggressive therapeutic approach utilizing surgery and chemotherapy is advocated for these slow growing neoplasms.
Secular Stagnation, R&D, Public Investment and Monetary Policy: A Global-Model Perspective

We evaluate the global macroeconomic effects of fiscal and monetary policy measures to counterbalance secular stagnation by simulating a five-region New Keynesian model of the world economy, calibrated to the United States (US), the euro area (EA), Japan (JP), China (CH), and the rest of the world (RW). The model includes investment in research and development (RD in the short-term, it stimulates US economic activity but reduces foreign activity. Third, in the US an accommodative monetary stance, which provokes the crowding-in effect, amplifies the short-term macroeconomic effectiveness of public investment, without inducing additional negative spillovers. Fourth, EA, JP, and CH, by simultaneously increasing public investment and adopting an accommodative monetary policy, counterbalance US short-run negative spillovers and further enhance long-term world growth.
Radiation effects on circulating and endothelial cell interactions studied by quantitative real-time videomicroscopy.

Purpose : To quantify in vitro the functional consequences of irradiation on the interactions between leukocytes or platelets and endothelial cells (EC) in flowing whole blood using a parallelplate flow chamber and real-time videomicroscopy. Materials and methods : The parallel-plate flow chamber was calibrated to determine the dynamic parameters of the flow channel. Fluorescent-labelled whole blood was perfused at wall shear rates of 25, 75 and 500 s -1 over a monolayer of human microvascular EC-lung (HMVEC-L) with or without irradiation at 10Gy. The adhesion of leukocytes and platelets on EC was quantified by videomicroscopy and image analysis. Results : Calibration of the parallel-plate flow chamber showed that flow in the chamber was laminar and steady and had a parabolic velocity profile, thus simulating physiological flow conditions. Flow assay revealed that rolling, mean rolling velocity and firm adhesion of leukocytes was increased following irradiation of EC. Irradiation also favoured platelet adhesion to EC. Conclusions : The results of an in vitro flow assay with whole blood showed that under physiological flow conditions, irradiation affected the function of EC; pro-inflammatory and thrombogenic responses were enhanced, which may contribute to in vivo radiation-induced vascular occlusion and fibrosis.
Regulation of thymidine kinase activity in the cell cycle by a labile protein

Previous studies have shown that the onset of DNA synthesis in Balb/c 3T3 cells appears to be regulated by a labile protein. We have found that induction of thymidine kinase (TK) activity, after quiescent cells are stimulated by the addition of serum, is similarly regulated by a labile protein. Eight hours after serum stimulation, a 6‐h pulse of cycloheximide (CHM) caused an excess delay of 2h in TK induction. A similar delay also was found in the induction of thymidylate synthase (TS). In contrast, the bonzo(a)pyrene transformed 3T3 cell line, BP‐A31, which had previously been shown to have to excess delay for the onset of DNA synthesis also had no excess delay for the induction of TK activity after a pulse of CHM. The indudction of TK was inhibited by actinomycin D and dicholoribofuranosylbenzimidizole (DRB) suggesting a requirement for new RNA synthesis. It did not appear to depend on DNA synthesis as it was not blocked by aphidicolin. In conclusion, the induction of TK activity appears to be regulated by the same labile cellular signal as the onset of DNA synthesis, and to depend on an increase in the level of TK mRNA in late G1 or early S phase.
Red blood cells may contribute to hypercoagulability in uraemia via enhanced surface exposure of phosphatidylserine.

BACKGROUND The exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) on the outer leaflet of the erythrocyte membrane may have several pathophysiological consequences, including the development of a procoagulant phenotype, a finding that seems relevant to the thrombotic risk seen in many disorders. METHODS Because PS externalization increases in erythrocytes from patients suffering from chronic uraemia, which is frequently associated with a prothrombotic state, the possible relationship between erythrocyte PS exposure, erythrocyte procoagulant activity and plasma levels of several haemostatic markers was studied in a group of haemodialysed patients. RESULTS Uraemic erythrocytes displayed increased procoagulant activity, which proved to be correlated directly with erythrocyte PS exposure. Pre-incubation of uraemic erythrocytes with annexin V, a protein with high affinity and specificity for PS, strongly inhibited in vitro thrombin generation induced by erythrocytes as compared with untreated red cells. Thrombin generation and activation of fibrinolysis were found to occur in uraemic patients, as substantiated by increased plasma levels of markers for thrombin generation (prothrombin fragment F1.2 and thrombin-antithrombin complex) and fibrinolysis (D-dimer and plasmin-antiplasmin complex), respectively. Significant correlations between prothrombin fragment F1.2 and D-dimer suggested that hyperfibrinolysis was secondary to thrombin generation. Correlations were also found between erythrocyte PS levels and plasma levels of haemostatic markers, including prothrombin fragment F1.2 (P = 0.007), thrombin-antithrombin complex (P = 0.00009), plasmin-antiplasmin complex (P = 0.0009) and D-dimer (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that increased PS exposure may cause a pathological erythrocyte procoagulant phenotype, which may be a factor inducing a hypercoagulable state in uraemia.
The Role of Adolescent Health in Adult SES Outcomes

Abstract This paper explores the effects of adolescent health and adolescent mental health on long-term socioeconomic outcomes in the United States. Within-twin estimations are employed to overcome the bias generated by unobserved family background and genetic traits. The results indicate that poor adolescent health reduces long-term health, earnings, and household income. Accounting for life-cycle effects suggests that the effect of poor adolescent health on household income and earnings increases over the life cycle. Finally, we demonstrate that the effects on income are a consequence of the persistence of adolescent health on future health.
Moisture insensitive primer: A myth or truth

Objectives: To compare the mean shear bond strength (SBS) of moisture insensitive primer (MIP) used for orthodontic bonding in the presence and absence of saliva. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 human noncarious maxillary premolars with sound buccal surfaces, recently extracted were collected in two groups of each 30. Maxillary premolar brackets were bonded to the teeth using light cure (Transbond XT, 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA) and MIP (Transbond MIP 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA,) in the presence and absence of saliva. Operators’ saliva was used during the bonding under moist condition. After debonding, all the specimens were examined under a stereomicroscope (×40 magnification) for adhesive remnant using adhesive remnant index (ARI). The SBS tests were done using Instron universal testing machine at cross-head speed of 1 mm/min, force passing parallel to the buccal surface using custom rod and registered in Newtons later converted into Megapascals. Results: Light cure and MIP (Transbond MIP and Transbond XT, 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA) in the absence of saliva showed higher mean SBS than the presence of saliva. Group I (light cure and MIP) in the absence of saliva showed mean SBS of 9.65 ± 0.90 Mpa. Group II (light cure and MIP) with the presence of saliva showed mean SBS of 9.03 ± 1.14 Mpa. The difference between both the groups was statistically significant, as confirmed by paired t-test (P < 0.05). In-Group I, ARI scores showed that more than half of the adhesive was left over the tooth surface, and Group II showed that there was no or insignificant amount of adhesive left over the tooth surface. Chi-square test revealed significant difference in debonding characteristics among the test groups of ARI (P < 0.05). Failure occurred mainly in resin– bracket base and resin – adhesive interfaces (χ² = 10.04, df = 3, P = 0.031). Conclusion: Moisture insensitive primer is effective in the presence/absence of moisture and has shown SBS value of more than 7.8 Mpa as stated by Reynolds, hence material is suitable for clinical use.
Orthodontic tooth movement enhances bone healing of surgical bony defects in rats.

BACKGROUND The question of whether the repair of an alveolar bony defect can be enhanced by orthodontic tooth movement was addressed. METHODS Alveolar bone defects were created in 52 Wistar male rats anterior to both maxillary first molars. After 1 week of healing, orthodontic protraction was applied for 2 weeks on the right side, resulting in mesial tipping and displacement movement. Subsequently, a retention appliance was inserted for 1 week. The left side served as the untreated (control) group. Vital bone staining (procion brilliant red H-8) was administered before and after orthodontic traction. Histomorphometric analysis was performed on 62 hemimaxillae using UV confocal microscopy and an imaging program. The total area of the bony defect was divided into 4 equal quadrants, and the area of bony apposition in each quadrant was measured. RESULTS The total area of bony apposition was 6.5-fold larger in the treated (26.41 x 10(4) +/- 28.92 x 10(4) microm2) than in the control group (4.07 x 10(4) +/- 2.82 x 10(4) microm2), approaching statistical significance (P = 0.065). The treated occlusal quadrants demonstrated highly significant (P= 0.010), greater bone apposition compared to the control group (13.8-fold) and to the treated apical quadrants (P= 0.04, 5-fold). CONCLUSIONS This study confirms that orthodontic tooth movement is a stimulating factor of bone apposition. A conversion in the repair pattern of the bony defect from apicoocclusal in the control group (no tooth movement) to occlusoapical in the treated group (with tooth movement) further supports the linkage between tooth movement and enhanced bone deposition. Clinical implication suggests incorporation of orthodontic tooth movement in regenerative therapy.