Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Technical and prognostic outcomes of double-balloon pericardiotomy for large malignancy-related pericardial effusions.

OBJECTIVE To investigate both the use of immediate or elective double-balloon pericardiotomy (DBP) in patients with a large amount of malignancy-related pericardial effusion, and the prognosis of this subgroup. DESIGN Observational study after DBP intervention. SETTING Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS Fifty patients with malignancy, mainly lung and breast cancer, who were admitted to our critical care unit with a large amount of pericardial effusion. All received echocardiographic-guided pericardiocentesis. Group 1 consisted of 12 patients (24%) who received immediate DBP, and group 2 consisted of 38 patients (76%) who received delayed DBP 2.5 +/- 1.7 days later (mean +/- SD) after emergency pericardiocentesis with pigtail catheter drainage. MEASUREMENTS After the procedure, and at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, echocardiography and chest radiography were performed to check for pneumothorax, pericardial effusion reaccumulation, or the appearance of pleural effusion after pigtail catheter removal. MAIN RESULTS The procedure was successful and without recurrence in 44 patients (88%). Procedural complications were fever in 4 patients (33%) and 10 patients (26%) in group 1 and group 2, respectively (p = 0.72), and mild pneumothorax in 2 patients (17%) and 1 patient (3%) in group 1 and group 2, respectively (p = 0.14). Fifty percent of the patients died within 4 months, while 25% survived to 11 months. High serum calcium, a low albumin/globulin ratio, and positive results on pericardial effusion cytology were poor prognostic factors for long-term survival. CONCLUSION Both immediate and delayed DBP are a safe and effective method of relieving large pericardial effusions in patients with cancer. Successful DBP without recurrence of pericardial effusion was achieved in 88% of all patients. Survival was related to the extent of the disease.
The healthcare environment—The importance of aesthetic surroundings: Health professionals’ experiences from a surgical ward in Finland

There is a growing acceptance of the vital role patient centered design plays in shaping the environment. Art can be of use in every area of health care. It is within the power of each person to share and interpret experience by means of the arts, by viewing the work of others, and by using feelings and imagination. Health professionals [n = 24 of a total of n = 35], answered the Wheel Questionnaire test instrument. It measures structure, motivation/engagement, and degree of emotional investment in a situation. Participants were requested to describe, in their own words, their perception of the enrichment of the ward interiordesign and the double-sided photos with a short poetic text, and the photo-book placed at each patient room. The results demonstrate that participants are motivated, structured and emotionally engaged when describing the new enrichment. The domains and themes are: Social interaction domain; rising thoughts and conversations. Comfort domain; atmosphere. Aesthetic do main; enrichment of the working environment. It could be concluded that the surgical ward environmental enrichment stimulated conversations between health professionals and between health professionals and patients and should be regarded as an important aspect in hospital planning.
A Survey of the Consent Practices of Specialist Orthodontic Practitioners in the North-West of England

Objective To use a questionnaire to obtain information on the consent practices of specialist orthodontic practitioners in the North-West of England and highlight any areas for improvement. Design Postal questionnaire. Setting This survey was conducted among specialist practitioners in 2005–2006. Subject and methods A questionnaire was sent to 84 specialist practitioners on the specialist register in the North-West of England. This consisted of six sections with a mixture of yes/no responses and a section that determined for which subjects consent was obtained and how. Outcome Responses were received from 58 (69%) practitioners. Ten were discounted. Results Forty-five (94%) of the 48 practitioners who responded routinely obtained consent from patients, and 27 (60%) used a consent form. Of these 27, 16 (59%) forms were based on a recommended design from an organization such as the British Orthodontic Society. Twenty-three (85%) practitioners gave the form to the patient/parent to read themselves, and 24 (89%) got the consent form signed by the patient/parent. Eighteen (67%) forms were countersigned by the orthodontist or an assigned member of staff. Seventeen (63%) practitioners gave the patient a photocopy. Of the 45 respondents who did obtain consent from their patients, seven (16%) practitioners assigned the consent process to a member of staff. Twenty-eight (62%) respondents would allow a patient under 16 to consent to treatment, with the youngest age being 10 years. Conclusions Forty-five (94%) specialist practitioners who responded did routinely obtain consent from patients for treatment, but 18 (40%) did not use a consent form. The subjects discussed with the patient varied. Areas for improvement are highlighted.
An Economic Case for CSR: The Comparative Efficiency of For-Profit Firms in Meeting Consumer Demand for Social Goods

We develop a formal model of CSR, with both a for-profit and a non-profit organization providing social goods to needy recipients and competing for resources from consumers. We show that CSR results in financial benefit if it is either related to the firm’s core business, or non-overlapping with non-profit efforts, but only leads to social benefit if both conditions apply, with these relationships being moderated by the firm’s core business capabilities. Our paper thus makes a case for CSR based on the comparative efficiency of for-profits in providing social goods relative to non-profits, while also highlighting the potential divergence between the financial and social impact of CSR. In addition, it offers new insights into the heterogeneity of CSR, and the role of non-profits and hybrids.
Identification of relevant concepts of functioning in daily life in people with systemic lupus erythematosus: A patient Delphi exercise.

OBJECTIVE To identify the most important and relevant concepts of daily functioning from the perspective of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS We conducted a consensus-building, 3-round, electronic mail survey with SLE patients using the Delphi technique. The Delphi technique is a structured communication process with 4 key characteristics: anonymity, iteration with controlled feedback, statistical group response, and informed input. The concepts contained in the answers of the patients were extracted and linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). RESULTS Of the total 225 participants, 194 (86.2%) completed the questionnaires from all 3 Delphi rounds. In total, after the third Delphi round, 307 concepts were identified. Ninety concepts (55 in the domain body functions and structures, 16 in activities and participation, and 19 in environmental factors) were considered relevant by at least 50% of the participants in the third round and linked to the ICF. Twelve concepts were considered important by at least 75% of the participants. CONCLUSION The high number of concepts resulting from this large-scale patient Delphi approach underlines the great variety of SLE patients' problems in daily functioning. The results of this patient Delphi project supplement the findings of our focus-group study in establishing a comprehensive overview of the patient perspective in SLE.
Decreased Protein C Activation Is Associated With Abnormal Collagen Turnover in the Intraalveolar Space of Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease

Activation of the coagulation system in the alveo lar space plays an important role in the pathogenesis of inter stitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary fibrosis. The protein C (PC) pathway is the main modulator of coagulation activation. This study evaluated whether dysfunction of the PC pathway is associated with increased collagen synthesis in the intraalveolar space of patients with ILD. This study comprised 22 patients with ILD; of these, five had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), nine had sarcoidosis-associated ILD, and eight had col lagen vascular disease-associated ILD (CVD-ILD). Thrombin— antithrombin complex (TAT) was measured as a marker of coagulation activation. As markers of the PC pathway activity, the concentration of activated PC-PC inhibitor (APC-PCI) complex and the APC-PCI/PC ratio were measured and, as a marker of collagen synthesis, the concentration of aminotermi nal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) was measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of ILD patients. TAT was significantly increased in BALF from ILD patients as com pared to control subjects. The concentrations of PIIINP were significantly elevated in patients with ILD as compared to healthy subjects. In contrast, the concentration of APC-PCI and the values of APC-PCI/PC ratio were significantly de creased in BALF from patients with ILD. BALF concentration of PIIINP was significantly and inversely correlated with the concentration of APC-PCI and with the APC-PCI/PC ratio. These findings suggest that dysfunction of the protein C path way may have important physiopathologic implications in the development of pulmonary fibrosis in ILD.
Influence of traumatic dental injury on quality of life of Brazilian preschool children and their families.

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of traumatic dental injury (TDI) on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of Brazilian preschool children and their families. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out with 1632 children of both sexes aged 60-71 months in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Data on OHRQoL were collected using the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS), which was self-administered by parents/caregivers to record their perceptions regarding the oral health of their children. A questionnaire addressing demographic and socio-economic data was also sent to parents/caregivers. Oral examinations of the children were performed by a single, previously calibrated dentist (intraexaminer and interexaminer agreement: kappa ≥ 0.83) for the assessment of the prevalence and type of TDI using the diagnostic criteria proposed by Andreasen et al. [2007]. Bivariate and multiple Poisson regression analyses were performed, with the level of significance set at 5%. RESULTS The prevalence of negative impact from oral conditions on quality of life was 36.8% and 31.4% for children and families, respectively. TDI was not significantly associated with OHRQoL. Tooth avulsion remained in final multiple models of child OHRQoL [PR = 1.37, 95%CI = 1.02-1.85] and family OHRQoL [PR = 1.55, 95%CI = 1.12-2.14]. Tooth discolouration remained in the final multiple models of family OHRQoL [PR = 1.23, 95%CI = 1.05-1.44]. CONCLUSIONS The presence of TDI in Brazilian preschool children has no impact on quality of life of the children or their families. However, tooth avulsion is associated with a negative impact on OHRQoL in both groups, and tooth discolouration is associated with a negative impact on family OHRQoL.
The circadian clock gene BMAL1 is a novel therapeutic target for malignant pleural mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly aggressive neoplasm arising from the mesothelial cells lining the parietal pleura and it exhibits poor prognosis. Although there has been significant progress in MPM treatment, development of more efficient therapeutic approaches is needed. BMAL1 is a core component of the circadian clock machinery and its constitutive overexpression in MPM has been reported. Here, we demonstrate that BMAL1 may serve as a molecular target for MPM. The majority of MPM cell lines and a subset of MPM clinical specimens expressed higher levels of BMAL1 compared to a nontumorigenic mesothelial cell line (MeT‐5A) and normal parietal pleural specimens, respectively. A serum shock induced a rhythmical BMAL1 expression change in MeT‐5A but not in ACC‐MESO‐1, suggesting that the circadian rhythm pathway is deregulated in MPM cells. BMAL1 knockdown suppressed proliferation and anchorage‐dependent and independent clonal growth in two MPM cell lines (ACC‐MESO‐1 and H290) but not in MeT‐5A. Notably, BMAL1 depletion resulted in cell cycle disruption with a substantial increase in apoptotic and polyploidy cell population in association with downregulation of Wee1, cyclin B and p21WAF1/CIP1 and upregulation of cyclin E expression. BMAL1 knockdown induced mitotic catastrophe as denoted by disruption of cell cycle regulators and induction of drastic morphological changes including micronucleation and multiple nuclei in ACC‐MESO‐1 cells that expressed the highest level of BMAL1. Taken together, these findings indicate that BMAL1 has a critical role in MPM and could serve as an attractive therapeutic target for MPM.
Rates of stillbirth by gestational age and cause in Inuit and First Nations populations in Quebec

Background: Inuit and First Nations populations have higher rates of stillbirth than non-Aboriginal populations in Canada do, but little is known about the timing and cause of stillbirth in Aboriginal populations. We compared gestational age– and cause-specific stillbirth rates in Inuit and First Nations populations with the rates in the non-Aboriginal population in Quebec. Methods: Data included singleton stillbirths and live births at 24 or more gestational weeks among Quebec residents from 1981 to 2009. We calculated odds ratios (ORs), rate differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the retrospective cohort of Inuit and First Nations births relative to non-Aboriginal births using fetuses at risk (i.e., ongoing pregnancies) as denominators and adjusting for maternal characteristics. The main outcomes were stillbirth by gestational age (24–27, 28–36, ≥ 37 wk) and cause of death. Results: Rates of stillbirth per 1000 births were greater among Inuit (6.8) and First Nations (5.7) than among non-Aboriginal (3.6) residents. Relative to the non-Aboriginal population, the risk of stillbirth was greater at term (≥ 37 wk) than before term for both Inuit (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.9 to 4.8) and First Nations (OR 2.6, 95% CI 2.1 to 3.3) populations. Causes most strongly associated with stillbirth were poor fetal growth, placental disorders and congenital anomalies among the Inuit, and hypertension and diabetes among the First Nations residents. Interpretation: Stillbirth rates in Aboriginal populations were particularly high at term gestation. Poor fetal growth, placental disorders and congenital anomalies were important causes of stillbirth among the Inuit, and diabetic and hypertensive complications were important causes in the First Nations population. Prevention may require improvements in pregnancy and obstetric care.
PENGARUH PERPUTARAN MODAL KERJA, UKURAN PERUSAHAAN, OPERATING LEVERAGE, FINANCIAL LEVERAGE TERHADAP PROFITABILITAS

This research is meant to find out and analyze the influence of work capital turnover, firm size, operating leverage, and financial leverage to the profitability. The population is 23 retail companies which are listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange. The sample collection technique has been done by using purposive sampling so that the amount of samples are 11 companies. The data analysis technique has been done by using multiple linear regressions. Based on the t test it has been founds that partially work capital turnover variable has significant influence to the profitability, because its significance value is less than 0.05 which is 0.011. Firm size variable shows significant influence to the profitability, because its significance value is less than 0.05 which is 0.002. The operating leverage variable does not have any significant influence to the profitability, because its significance value is greater than 0.05 which is 0.070. Mean while, the financial leverage variable does not have any significant influence to the profitability, because the significant value is greater than 0.05 which is 0.191. It can be concluded from the result of coefficient determination that the variable which has dominant influence is firm size because it has the highest value is 22.66. Keywords: Work Capital Turnover, firm size, operating leverage, financial leverage, and profitability.
Investigation of the Relationship between M&A and Corporate Hedge

This study intends to conclude the theoretical explanation and obtain empirical support for the relationship between M&A and corporate hedge. It applies Logit and Tobit Model to test two null hypotheses about M&A, along with six other proxies that are seen as determinants of corporate hedging activity. The result proves that corporate hedge is affected by mergers and acquisitions. First, M&A will increase the likelihood of doing hedging. Then, M&A have positive impact on hedging activity, the increase in M&A would cause firm to do more hedge.
Neutral Endopeptidase (NEP) and Its Role in Pathological Pulmonary Change With Inhalation Exposure To JP-8 Jet Fuel

Through a simulated flightline exposure protocol, Fischer 344 rats (F344) were subjected to an aerosol/vapor mix of the military jet fuel, JP-8. Previous studies with this model of lung injury have revealed significant increases in pulmonary resistance, increased alveolar clearance of 99mTcDTPA, and a decrease in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) concentration of the neuropeptide substance P (SP). Exposures to JP-8 were nose-only and for one hour daily. Six groups of Fischer 344 rats were exposed for 7, 28, or 56 days at two JP-8 concentrations (low dose = 469-520 mg/m3/hr, high dose = 814-1263 mg/m3/hr). Exposed groups were matched with longitudinal controls. In response to JP-8 inhalation, exposure animals demonstrated a dose-dependent as well as duration-determined reduction in BALF SP concentration. Both JP-8 concentrations caused significant pathological changes in lower pulmonary structures. We designed this study to elucidate the cause of SP deficits following JP-8 inhalation through correlation with neutral endopeptidase (NEP) concentration taken from paired samples. NEP activity is significantly increased after 28 days of high-dose exposure (HD28) when compared with longitudinal controls and low-dose exposures (7D, 28D, and 56D). A significant inverse relationship between SP and NEP activity is demonstrated through Spearman rank-order correlation (rs = -0.42, n = 52, p < 0.05), suggesting inactivation of SP as the cause of its deficit. Pulmonary airway changes strongly implicate airway epithelium as a primary site of injury. Tachykinin degradation from the peptidase, NEP, plays a role in the process of airway cell injury. This research demonstrates the possible use of NEP and SP lung concentrations as biomarkers of chronic hydrocarbon exposure.
Purchase behaviour of microcredit in bottom of pyramid markets: the case of war-affected youth in Sri Lanka

i Acknowledgements . iii Statement of declaration . v Publications associated with this thesis . vi Table of contents . vii List of Tables . xiv List of Figures . xvi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.
Activation of an IL‐6:STAT3‐dependent transcriptome in pediatric‐onset inflammatory bowel disease

Background: While activation of the IL‐6‐dependent transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a direct effect on mucosal gene expression and inflammation has not been shown. We hypothesized that a proinflammatory IL‐6:STAT3‐dependent biological network would be up regulated in pediatric‐onset IBD patients, and would be associated with the severity of mucosal inflammation. Methods: Patients with pediatric‐onset IBD were enrolled at diagnosis and during therapy. Serum cytokine analysis was performed using Bioplex. STAT3 phosphorylation (pSTAT3) in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) was assessed by flow cytometry. Immunohistochemistry of colonic mucosa was used to localize pSTAT3 and STAT3 target genes. Microarray analysis was used to determine RNA expression profiles from colon biopsies. Results: Circulating IL‐6 was upregulated in active IBD patients at diagnosis and during therapy. STAT3 activation was increased in PB granulocytes, IL‐6‐stimulated CD3+/CD4+ lymphocytes, and affected colon biopsies of IBD patients. The frequency of pSTAT3+ PB granulocytes and colon epithelial and lamina propria cells was highly correlated with the degree of mucosal inflammation. Microarray and Ingenuity Systems bioinformatics analysis identified IL‐6:STAT3‐dependent biological networks upregulated in IBD patients which control leukocyte recruitment, HLA expression, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling. Conclusions: A proinflammatory IL6:STAT3 biologic network is upregulated in active pediatric IBD patients at diagnosis and during therapy. Specific targeting of this network may be effective in reducing mucosal inflammation.
Studies on hepatic blood flow and the rate of bromsulphalein clearance in dogs with portacaval transposition.

Portacaval transposition, first described by Child and his group,3 has been widely used in recent years for the study of hepatic and gastrointestinal physiology. Except for a slowed rate of ammonia detoxification in the preparation, liver function is thought to be normal.4,6,9,14 Inasmuch as portacaval transposition involves a radical change in the vascular supply to the liver, knowledge of hepatic blood flow after operation would appear to be important. In the present study, hepatic blood flows were studied with the Bromsulphalein (BSP) method in a group of dogs with portacaval transposition, under resting unanesthetized conditions and under certain conditions of stress. Quantitative corollary data were obtained on the capacity for BSP clearance. A modification of Child’s transposition was used in this study in order to eliminate flow variations resulting from the development of venous collaterals. All ileocaval tributaries from the inguinal ligament to the diaphragm were ligated in conjunction with transposition, and only the renal veins8 were spared.
Increased Risk of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in 29,000 Patients with Biopsy-verified Celiac Disease

Objective. To investigate a possible association between celiac disease (CD) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Case series have indicated a possible association, but population-based studies are lacking. Methods. We compared the risk of SLE in 29,048 individuals with biopsy-verified CD (villous atrophy, Marsh 3) from Sweden’s 28 pathology departments with that in 144,352 matched individuals from the general population identified through the Swedish Total Population Register. SLE was defined as having at least 2 records of SLE in the Swedish Patient Register. We used Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for SLE. Results. During followup, 54 individuals with CD had an incident SLE. This corresponded to an HR of 3.49 (95% CI 2.48−4.90), with an absolute risk of 17/100,000 person-years and an excess risk of 12/100,000. Beyond 5 years of followup, the HR for SLE was 2.54 (95% CI 1.57−4.10). While SLE was predominantly female, we found similar risk estimates in men and women. When we restricted our outcome to individuals who also had a dispensation for a medication used in SLE, the HR was 2.43 (95% CI 1.22−4.87). The HR for having 2 records of SLE diagnoses, out of which at least 1 had occurred in a department of rheumatology, nephrology/dialysis, internal medicine, or pediatrics, was 2.87 (95% CI 1.97−4.17). Conclusion. Individuals with CD were at a 3-fold increased risk of SLE compared to the general population. Although this excess risk remained more than 5 years after CD diagnosis, absolute risks were low.