Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ropivacaine 0.025% mixed with fentanyl 3.0 μg/ml and epinephrine 0.5 μg/ml is effective for epidural patient-controlled analgesia after cesarean section

Background and Aims: We aimed to determine the ropivacaine concentration that provided adequate analgesia with early ambulation and minimal urinary retention or other side-effects when used with fentanyl and epinephrine for patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) after elective cesarean section. Material and Methods: Forty-eight patients were randomized to four groups in a double-blinded fashion. All groups received an initial 10 ml/h of epidural study solution for 24 h. The solution contained: 0.2, 0.1, 0.05, or 0.025% ropivacaine for Groups I-IV, respectively, with fentanyl 3.0 μg/ml and epinephrine 0.5 μg/ml. Patients could administer additional PCEA doses of 4 ml of their study solution with a lock-out time of 10 min. Overall satisfaction, side-effects, motor block, neurologic function, and pain using Visual Analog Scale were assessed. Results: Patients in all groups showed no difference in sedation, pruritus, nausea, vomiting, and uterine cramps. Pain scores at rest were lower for Group IV than Groups I-III (P < 0.001). Twelve, five, one, and zero patients could not ambulate in Groups I-IV, respectively. Nine, nine, two, and zero (III <I and II, P = 0.02; IV P = 0.001) patients reported urinary retention in Groups I-IV, respectively. Overall satisfaction scores were high for all groups. Neonatal behavior score was similar and high in all groups. Conclusion: 0.025% ropivacaine PCEA combined with fentanyl and epinephrine provided effective pain relief after cesarean section with early ambulation and without sensory loss, urinary retention, or increase of side-effects.
Blue whale population structure along the eastern South Pacific Ocean: evidence of more than one population

Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) were among the most intensively exploited species of whales in the world. As a consequence of this intense exploitation, blue whale sightings off the coast of Chile were uncommon by the end of the 20th century. In 2004, a feeding and nursing ground was reported in southern Chile (SCh). With the aim to investigate the genetic identity and relationship of these Chilean blue whales to those in other Southern Hemisphere areas, 60 biopsy samples were collected from blue whales in SCh between 2003 and 2009. These samples were genotyped at seven microsatellite loci and the mitochondrial control region was sequenced, allowing us to identify 52 individuals. To investigate the genetic identity of this suspected remnant population, we compared these 52 individuals to blue whales from Antarctica (ANT, n = 96), Northern Chile (NCh, n = 19) and the eastern tropical Pacific (ETP, n = 31). No significant differentiation in haplotype frequencies (mtDNA) or among genotypes (nDNA) was found between SCh, NCh and ETP, while significant differences were found between those three areas and Antarctica for both the mitochondrial and microsatellite analyses. Our results suggest at least two breeding population units or subspecies exist, which is also supported by other lines of evidence such as morphometrics and acoustics. The lack of differences detected between SCh/NCh/ETP areas supports the hypothesis that eastern South Pacific blue whales are using the ETP area as a possible breeding area. Considering the small population sizes previously reported for the SCh area, additional conservation measures and monitoring of this population should be developed and prioritized.
Le soutien familial intergénérationnel dans l'Europe élargie : Le soutien aux personnes âgées en Europe

Quelle est la nature du soutien familial apporte aux plus âges dans une Europe qui vieillit? Sur la base d'une enquete internationale, trois dimensions du soutien familial sont etudiees: frequence des contacts, soutien potentiel et normes familiales. Les resultats sont presentes simultanement pour treize pays, Norvege, Finlande, Danemark, Royaume-Uni, Allemagne, Autriche, France, Espagne, Italie, Slovenie, Republique tcheque, Pologne et Hongrie. L'objectif est de confronter les echanges et les relations familiales selon cinq groupes de pays, reunis d'apres leur modele de protection sociale et selon deux configurations generationnelles: les pivots, en situation intermediaire entre leurs enfants adultes et leurs parents âges, et les aines, tetes de famille, en situation d'ascendants vis-a-vis du. reste de la famille ayant au moins un enfant adulte. Dans toute l'Europe, plus que le pays, c'est la position de l'individu dans sa famille qui pese sur ses relations avec ses parents et ses enfants. Les contacts demeurent tres frequents, meme dans les pays du Nord, ou au moins 40% des pivots rencontrent leurs parents âges au moins une fois par semaine et 60% des aines voient leurs enfants adultes de facon hebdomadaire. Le consensus est aussi tres fort sur le soutien potentiel des enfants adultes que plus des deux tiers des aines mobiliseraient en cas de maladie et plus de la moitie en cas d'etat depressif. Et finalement, c'est sur la question des normes familiales que la dimension nationale intervient le plus tandis que les deux generations ont des positions extremement proches l'une de l'autre.
Cardiotoxicity and Cardiac Monitoring During Adjuvant Trastuzumab in Daily Dutch Practice: A Study of the Southeast Netherlands Breast Cancer Consortium.

INTRODUCTION We assessed the incidence and timing of first cardiac events, impact on trastuzumab prescription, and role of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) monitoring in daily practice of trastuzumab-treated patients with human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2)-positive early breast cancer. METHODS We included all patients with stage I-III breast cancer diagnosed in the early years (2005-2007) after the introduction of adjuvant trastuzumab in five hospitals in Southeast Netherlands. We studied the incidence and timing of cardiotoxicity in patients treated with adjuvant trastuzumab, using similar cardiac endpoints as in the Herceptin Adjuvant (HERA) trial. RESULTS Of 2,684 included patients, 476 (17.7%) had a HER2-positive tumor. Of these, 269 (56.9%) were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, and of these, 230 (85.5%) also received trastuzumab. Cardiotoxicity was observed in 29 of 230 patients (12.6%). Twenty of the 230 patients (8.7%) had symptomatic cardiotoxicity, defined as a drop in LVEF of at least 10 percentage points and to below 50%, accompanied by symptoms of congestive heart failure. Trastuzumab was definitely discontinued because of supposed cardiotoxicity in 36 patients (15.6%), of whom only 15 (6.5%) had a significant LVEF drop. Of the 36 patients who prematurely discontinued trastuzumab (including the 29 in whom cardiotoxicity was observed), 84.8% stopped in the first 6 months. No cardiac deaths were seen. CONCLUSION In the first years after implementation of trastuzumab for treatment of early breast cancer, physicians frequently based their decision to discontinue treatment on patient symptoms apart from LVEF outcome. We suggest that focusing LVEF monitoring on the first 6 months might be more cost-effective without compromising patient safety. Nonetheless, further research is needed. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Knowledge of when cardiotoxicity occurs in daily practice will help shape the best follow-up method for cardiac monitoring in trastuzumab-treated patients with human epidermal growth receptor 2-positive early breast cancer. In the first years after implementation of trastuzumab for treatment of early breast cancer, physicians frequently based their decision to discontinue treatment on patient symptoms apart from left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) outcome. When cardiotoxicity was found in daily practice, it occurred mainly in the first 6 months after start of trastuzumab. This study suggests that focusing LVEF monitoring on the first 6 months might be more cost-effective without compromising patient safety. This insight stresses the relevance of performing real-world analyses.
A Historical Era of Food Deserts

Previous research on “food deserts” generally agrees that supermarkets tend to avoid economically disadvantaged and high percent African American urban areas. Yet this literature is largely ahistorical, missing out on the historical dynamics between neighborhood restructuring and supermarket placement patterns. This article examines one particularly important era of neighborhood restructuring: the “urban crisis” of the 1970s and 1980s. In examining supermarket location during the “urban crisis,” this article elaborates whether (1) the demographic attributes of zip codes consistently predict supermarket location over time or whether (2) the demographic correlates of supermarket location changed from 1970 to 1990. Data are collected from 1970 and 1980 city directories and unofficial data from the 1990 census zip business patterns. “Separate year” and “differenced data” models investigate the correlates of supermarket location in nine U.S. urban areas from 1970 to 1990. Results show that, controlling for population and percent African Americans, in 1970, supermarkets were more likely to locate in urban areas with higher poverty and lower income. This pattern of supermarket placement gradually changed direction from 1970 to 1990. Future research and policy should deal with the problem of food deserts in economically disadvantaged areas as a historical issue.
C-Reactive Protein Stimulates MMP-1 Expression in U937 Histiocytes Through Fc&ggr;RII and Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Pathway:: An Implication of CRP Involvement in Plaque Destabilization

Objective—It has been shown that plasma level of C-reactive protein (CRP) is an independent predictor for acute coronary syndromes and is associated with plaque weakening. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of CRP on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) that has been implicated in plaque vulnerability by human U937 histiocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages. Methods and Results—Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of MMP-1 in conditioned medium showed that treatment of U937 cells with 100 &mgr;g/mL of CRP for 24 hour led to a 3- to 5-fold increase in MMP-1 secretion. CRP also markedly stimulated MMP-1 release from human monocyte-derived macrophages. In contrast, CRP had no effect on tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) secretion. Northern blot showed that CRP upregulated MMP-1 mRNA expression. Collagenase activity assay showed that CRP increased collagen-degrading activity in cell-conditioned medium. Furthermore, results showed that the stimulation of MMP-1 secretion by CRP was inhibited by anti-CD32, but not by anti-CD64 antibody, and by mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059. Finally, Western blot showed that CRP stimulated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Conclusions—This study demonstrates that CRP stimulates MMP-1 expression by U937 cells through Fc&ggr;RII and extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway. These findings suggest that CRP may promote matrix degradation and thus contribute to plaque vulnerability.
A Comparative Taxonomy and Survey of Public Cloud Infrastructure Vendors

An increasing number of technology enterprises are adopting cloud-native architectures to offer their web-based products, by moving away from privately-owned data-centers and relying exclusively on cloud service providers. As a result, cloud vendors have lately increased, along with the estimated annual revenue they share. However, in the process of selecting a provider's cloud service over the competition, we observe a lack of universal common ground in terms of terminology, functionality of services and billing models. This is an important gap especially under the new reality of the industry where each cloud provider has moved towards his own service taxonomy, while the number of specialized services has grown exponentially. This work discusses cloud services offered by four dominant, in terms of their current market share, cloud vendors. We provide a taxonomy of their services and sub-services that designates major service families namely computing, storage, databases, analytics, data pipelines, machine learning, and networking. The aim of such clustering is to indicate similarities, common design approaches and functional differences of the offered services. The outcomes are essential both for individual researchers, and bigger enterprises in their attempt to identify the set of cloud services that will utterly meet their needs without compromises. While we acknowledge the fact that this is a dynamic industry, where new services arise constantly, and old ones experience important updates, this study paints a solid image of the current offerings and gives prominence to the directions that cloud service providers are following.
Olanzapine Versus Chlorpromazine in the Treatment of Schizophrenia: A Pooled Analysis of Four 6-Week, Randomized, Open-Label Studies in the Middle East and North Africa

This pooled analysis of four 6-week, randomized, open-label, parallel trials of patients with schizophrenia (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) compared the efficacy and tolerability of olanzapine (5-20 mg/d) with those of chlorpromazine (200-800 mg/d). Of the 123 patients randomly allocated to olanzapine (n = 83) or chlorpromazine (n = 40), 109 completed the study (olanzapine, n = 77; chlorpromazine, n = 32). Olanzapine-treated patients showed significantly greater baseline-to-end point mean improvements in the primary efficacy measure, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale total, compared with chlorpromazine-treated patients (least-squares means: olanzapine, -21.1; chlorpromazine, -10.4; P < 0.001). Response rate was significantly higher in the olanzapine group (66.3% vs. 32.4%; P = 0.001). Baseline-to-maximum changes in the UKU scores for akathisia were significantly different between the groups (P = 0.018). A decrease (improvement) in these scores was observed in 6/74 (8.1%) of olanzapine- and 1/36 (2.8%) chlorpromazine-treated patients. Weight gain was the only common (≥10%) adverse event that occurred more frequently, although not significantly differently, in the olanzapine group (27.7%) than the chlorpromazine group (12.5%), whereas postural hypotension was the only common adverse event whose occurrence was significantly different between the groups (olanzapine, 0.0%; chlorpromazine, 10.0%; P = 0.010). Both the incidence of ≥7% weight gain from baseline (olanzapine, 26.3%; chlorpromazine, 24.3%) and baseline-to-end point changes in weight (mean ± SD, kg: olanzapine, 3.41 ± 3.14; chlorpromazine, 2.81 ± 2.65) were not significantly different between the treatment groups. Baseline-to- end point changes in nonfasting glucose differed significantly between the groups (mean ± SD, mmol/L: olanzapine, 0.09 ± 1.11; chlorpromazine, 0.72 ± 2.04; P = 0.042). This analysis suggests that, compared with chlorpromazine, olanzapine may be more efficacious and have a more favorable tolerability profile in treating patients with schizophrenia.
How ePortfolios Support Development in Early Teacher Education

This chapter reports on a pilot study which examined how student teachers of a one-year Post Graduate Certificate in Education course in Northern Ireland developed reflective ePort - folios and then used them to embed ICT in their first (Induction) year as qualified teachers. Two central themes emerged. First, the process of constructing the ePortfolio developed confidence among the beginning teachers which supported them when faced with the challenges of starting teaching. Second, the ePortfolio was used to ease the transition from Initial Teacher Education to Induction, but where there is a lack of critical reflection, barriers to professional development can emerge. These issues are discussed within the context of technology policy, teacher training, and emerging technology in Northern Ireland.
Relationship of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease to colorectal adenomatous polyps

Background and Aims: Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance are associated with a higher risk of colon cancer. Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is regarded as a manifestation of metabolic syndrome in the liver. This investigation was initiated to determine whether NAFLD has a relationship to colorectal adenomatous polyps.
Improved iodine status in breastfeeding women following mandatory fortification

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH 579 © 2011 The Authors. ANZJPH © 2011 Public Health Association of Australia was the causative organism in seven causes, Aeromonas hydrophilia in six and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in one. Cyclone Yasi was the worst storm to hit Far North Queensland in recorded history. Recent weather patterns suggest an increasing frequency of storms affecting tropical areas. Based on the experiences gained from Cyclone Yasi, several proposals have been put forward to deal with future tropical cyclones. These include cyclone-proofing parts of the hospital to maintain care in key facilities. Establishing a secondary medical centre inland tailored to provide effective medical care in the event of a storm is a critical part of this planning.
Magnetically controlled flexible valve for flow manipulation in polymer microfluidic devices

The paper describes design and fabrication of simple, magnetically actuated flexible polymer valve for flow manipulation in the microfluidic network. The valve is made up of a polymer composite. The CoFe2O4 was embedded in PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) for making this polymer composite. The composites of different volume percentage loading of CoFe2O4 were used and for each concentration valves of different thicknesses were fabricated, as thin rectangular membranes. This membrane was magnetized in the thickness direction and showed typical permanent magnet behaviour. For actuation of the valve the membrane was deflected by externally applied magnetic force which can close either of the channels. The flow manipulation and proper operation of the valve depends on thickness and percentage loading of magnetic material in membrane as well as dimensions of channel, chamber and membrane with respect to the location of outlet channels. The microfluidic channel was completely close for any fluid flow rate.
Long-term Examination of Bank Crashes Using Panel Logistic Regression: Turkish Banks Failure Case

Crises in the financial sector over the last two decades have shown the importance of early warning systems, especially for bank failures. This study aims to develop an early warning system for Turkish commercial bank failures using panel data from 2002 to 2012. The data was analyzed using pooled logistic regression versus random panel logistic regression. The dependent variable was the bank failure, defined as the return-on assets ratio. Factor analysis was used to construct independent variables of financial ratios. The meaningful factors were found as: Interest income and expenditures, Equity, Other income and expenditures, Balance sheet, Deposit, Due, Asset quality. When the focus is sensitivity, the best prediction performance was obtained using random-effect logistic regression.
Degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid by a halotolerant strain of Penicillium chrysogenum: antibiotic production

The extensive use of pesticides in agriculture has prompted intensive research on chemical and biological methods in order to protect contamination of water and soil resources. In this paper the degradation of the pesticide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid by a Penicillium chrysogenum strain previously isolated from a salt mine was studied in batch cultures. Co-degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid with additives such as sugar and intermediates of pesticide metabolism was also investigated. Penicillium chrysogenum in solid medium was able to grow at concentrations up to 1000 mg/L of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) with sucrose. Meanwhile, supplementation of the solid medium with glucose and lactose led to fungal growth at concentrations up to 500 mg/L of herbicide. Batch cultures of 2,4-D at 100 mg/L were developed under aerobic conditions with the addition of glucose, lactose and sucrose, showing sucrose as the best additional carbon source. The 2,4-D removal was quantified by liquid chromatography. The fungus was able to use 2,4-D as the sole carbon and energy source under 0%, 2% and 5.9% NaCl. The greatest 2,4-D degradation efficiency was found using α -ketoglutarate and ascorbic acid as co-substrates under 2% NaCl at pH 7. Penicillin production was evaluated in submerged cultures by bioassay, and higher amounts of β -lactam antibiotic were produced when the herbicide was alone. Taking into account the ability of P. chrysogenum CLONA2 to degrade aromatic compounds, this strain could be an interesting tool for 2,4-D herbicide remediation in saline environments.
Prospective randomised comparative study of the effect of buprenorphine, methadone and heroin on the course of pregnancy, birthweight of newborns, early postpartum adaptation and course of the neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in women followed up in the outpatient department.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of substitution therapy in heroin addicted pregnant women on the course of pregnancy, perinatal outcomes and course of the neonatal abstinence syndrome. DESIGN OF THE STUDY A five-year randomised prospective comparative study METHODS The study was carried out in the period of 2002-2007. The group of patients included 147 i.v. heroin-addicted pregnant women. All of them were outpatients of our Perinatal Care Unit. Their daily dose of heroin was approximately lg. Later, 30 women were disqualified from the study for breaking the randomised criteria engagement. The substitution therapy in women who agreed to undergo it, started during the I. trimester of pregnancy. Finally, 47 heroin, 32 methadone and 38 buprenorphine addicted women were enrolled in the study. Birthweight of newborns was compared with the national birthweight tables. Severity and duration of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) were evaluated by Finnegan s score scale. RESULTS None of the women delivered before the end of 34th gestational week. We did not encounter any perinatal death or developmental defect. The lowest birthweight, the highest number of newborns with IUGR and the most numerous placental changes were found in the group of heroin-addicted women. The differences compared to the two groups receiving substitution therapy were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The severity and course of NAS were the most severe (p < 0.001) in newborns of women from the methadone group. CONCLUSION Comparison of the groups of outpatients is in many ways questionable because of the restricted possibility of the patients' control. The lifestyle of addicted women has the same impact as the drug use alone. This is probably the main reason for differences in some of the monitored parameters between individual groups. Based on our results we can state that substitution therapy provides pregnant women with the possibility of social stabilization and adequate prenatal care. substitution therapy decreases the street heroin consumption. Methadone notably protracts the newborn's abstinence syndrome. With regard to this fact, attention has been recently focused on substitution with buprenorphine that seems to be from this viewpoint a more considerate option.