Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Surgical treatment of aortico-left ventricular tunnel].

OBJECTIVE To review 9 aortico-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) patients in our hospital, describe the clinical features, diagnosis, treatments and follow-up. METHODS We identified 9 patients from July 2002 to August 2008. Clinical and surgical details were reviewed. 7 patients were in NYHA class I and 2 in class III, 8 of 9 patients were diagnosed by echocardiography before operation. RESULTS All patients underwent surgery under standard cardiopulmonary bypass. 2 with direct suture, 5 by patch closure of the aortic end and 1 by patch closure of both aortic end and left ventricular end of the AVLT. 1 underwent aortic valve replacement after incision of the ALVT. One patient died 2 month after operation because of endocarditis and acute heart failure. At follow-up (3 month to 6 years), 3 patients were in NYHA class I, 3 in Class II, 1 in class III and missed 1. No aortic regurgitation or trace in 2, little in 1, little to moderate in 2. The aortic mechanical valve is normal in 1 and paravalvular leakage in 1 patient. CONCLUSION Aortico-left ventricular tunnel is a rare cardiac malformation with a good post-operative outcome. Surgery is an effective treatment. Long-term follow-up for post-operation is essential.
The important role of nontypable Streptococcus pneumoniae international clones in acute conjunctivitis.

BACKGROUND In a recent epidemiological study in southern Israel, nontypable Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates were found to be highly associated with sporadic cases of acute conjunctivitis (AC). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relative importance in causing AC of the absence of capsule versus genotype properties. METHODS DNA typing by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed on 148 nontypable organisms isolated from 3 sites: nasopharynx of healthy children, middle-ear fluid, and conjunctiva. RESULTS Analysis of the PFGE patterns revealed the presence of 6 clusters; 2 clusters that included 44% of the isolates (65/148) were associated with AC, and the remaining 4 were frequently isolated from the nasopharynx. Multilocus sequence typing, performed on representative isolates of the 2 major clusters, confirmed that the organisms were pneumococci; one is a single-locus variant of sequence type (ST) 448, and the other is related to ST344. Both types appear to be members of pneumococcal lineages that have lost capsular loci. The nontypable isolates showed high rates of resistance to antimicrobial agents. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that the absence of the capsule--along with other, yet-unidentified genetic characteristics--provide S. pneumoniae with a selective virulence advantage in conjunctivitis.
The Development of Professional Identity of Women Who Attain the Superintendency

The purpose of this study was to describe through qualitative inquiry the professional identity that emerges as a woman attains the superintendency and to delineate those factors that facilitate and contribute to successfully attaining the superintendency. The research questions guiding the study were: (1) What patterns, themes, or trends emerge that characterize how female superintendents shape their professional identities? (2) What strategies do female superintendents use in establishing their professional identities? (3) What are the keys to successful entry into the role of superintendent? (4) Do female superintendents encounter “glass ceilings” on the way up to the position, and if, so, how are they overcome? The research design was a qualitative interview approach with descriptive methods of data collection. Seven participants were selected purposely through expert nomination on the bases of their availability, their willingness to participate, and their knowledge and experiences as women in educational leadership positions. Selections were also made according to size and geographic location of districts in which the superintendents worked, in order to study the possible differences and similarities in divergent settings. After data (interviews, informal conversations, interviewer’s observation and reflective notes) had been gathered, it was coded using domain analysis onto matrices and from these matrices, conclusions were drawn through noting patterns and themes and making comparison and contrasts. The outcomes of this study identified that female superintendents acquisition to the position were enhanced by varied job opportunities and strong support of mentors. Themes identified in the development of a woman’s professional identity through their shared stories and narratives were Makes a Difference for Kids, Powerful Personal Motivation and Drive, Thirst for Knowledge and Experience, and Knowing the Politics. Additionally, other themes explored based on the data analysis were pathways to the superintendency, mentors, supportive spouses, and perceived barriers. Findings did identify the following perceived barriers that limited advancement to the superintendency: difficulty in usurping male dominance in the position, stereotyping, and a woman’s self imposed barriers. The women superintendents suggested strategies and made recommendations to aspiring female administrators.
Risk factors for primary biliary cirrhosis in a cohort of patients from the United States

Although the etiology of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) remains unknown, environmental factors may act to trigger the disease in genetically susceptible hosts. To assess specific risk factors, we conducted a survey using standardized NHANES questions to 241 PBC patients in the United States, 261 of their siblings, and 141 friends without PBC. The overall response rate was 199 of 241 (83%) among PBC cases, 171 of 261 (67%) among siblings, and 141 of 225 (62.7%) among friend controls. The female‐to‐male ratio among cases in this sample was approximately 10:1; the mean age was 53 years, and 97% were Caucasian. Other autoimmune diseases reported most frequently by PBC cases included Sjogren's syndrome (17.4%) and Raynaud's syndrome (12.5%). Approximately 6% of cases reported at least one family member with PBC. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were elevated for cases compared with friends for other autoimmune diseases (OR = 4.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.38, 10.18), smoking (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.10, 3.78), tonsillectomy (OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.02, 3.39), and vaginal or urinary tract infection (UTI) in females only (OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.10, 4.07). Similarly elevated ORs were observed for these risk factors when cases were compared with their siblings. The higher rate of UTI among cases is particularly interesting in light of previous data, and raises the possibility of an infectious etiology for PBC and of molecular mimicry as an etiologic mechanism. The significance of smoking in the multivariate models supports the findings of previous studies and raises the issue of the influence of smoking on a Th1 response.
Comparison of mortality and morbidity rates among Iranian pilgrims in Hajj 2004 and 2005.

OBJECTIVE We compared the incidence of common diseases and accidents among Iranian pilgrims during Hajj 2004 and 2005, and determined the factors affecting the prevalence of each disease. METHODS We conducted this comparative study on 30037 Iranian pilgrims during Hajj 2004 and 75676 pilgrims during Hajj 2005, in Mecca and Medina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In this study, 23 types of common illnesses, 8 types of accidents, some important demographic variables, and some probable related factors were investigated. Two-sample tests of proportions in STATA Statistical Software version 8 was used for the data analysis. RESULTS The most common diseases during the 2 journeys were respiratory diseases and the incidence of these diseases in Hajj 2005 was twice more in the year 2004. The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases among pilgrims in Hajj 2005 was 142 per 10,000 and it was significantly lower than in Hajj 2004 (288 per 10,000). There was no significant difference among gastrointestinal, gynecological, psychological, and other important diseases, in the 2 journeys. Among the 8 types of accidents, the incidence of head and eye injuries during Ramy (one of the components of Hajj rites) in the year 2005, was significantly lower in 2004 (22 per 10,000 against 125 per 10,000). Furthermore, the mortality rate in the year 2005 with 24 deaths per 100000, was significantly lower than the deaths in 2004 (47 per 100000). CONCLUSION The findings of this study may guide the Hajj managers to estimate the needs of drugs, equipment, manpower, and educational needs for the pilgrims, also to identify and eliminate casual factors of diseases and accidents.
The Influence of Depression on Quality of Life in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that significantly impacts the health-related quality of life (HR-QOL). A decreased HR-QOL has been demonstrated in patients with active disease compared with patients in remission. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the role of depression and disease activity as independent factors in predicting patient’s HR-QOL. Methods: Hundred and five patients with either Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) were enrolled. Disease activity was evaluated using Crohn’s Disease Activity Index or Seo’s Activity Index. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using Beck’s Depression Inventory-II and Beck’s Depression Inventory for Primary Care (BDI-PC). HR-QOL was evaluated using the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire. Simple and multiple regressions were performed on quality of life score with demographic and clinical variables as predictors. Results: The prevalence of depression in our study population is 25%. In patients with both CD and UC, depression is the most significant predictor to a poor HR-QOL (in CD, P = 8.22 × 10−6; in UC, P = 2.02 × 10−6). HR-QOL is weakly affected by disease activity (in CD, P = 0.110; in UC, P = 0.00492). In CD, biological use displays positive effect on HR-QOL (P = 0.00780). In total, the proportion of variance explained by all predictors is 61% for CD and 53% for UC, whereas the depression alone explains 44% and 36%. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the importance of depression toward the quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The diagnosis of depression should be actively sought out and treated in outpatient inflammatory bowel disease practices.
Association between sotck returns and accounting returns in emerging markets

This dissertation on emerging markets is driven by one fundamental question, i.e., is there any association between accounting data and market values in high risk and volatile emerging markets. To this end, two models, residual incomevaluation (R.I.M) and abnormal earnings growth (A.E.G), have been explored in this work.In the first study, a model of type Residual Income Valuation is developed and its implications are empirically tested on sample consisting of American companies, developed countries apart from USA and emerging countries over the period2000-2007. The results show that in most of countries studied, the association between the book value and market value ofequity significantly depends on the stage of growth and the method of financing characterizing the company.The development of a valuation model of type Abnormal Earnings Growth Model ( by Ohlson & Juettner-Nauroth),including modeling of evolution of expected relationship between market value of a share, expected earnings per share in ayear, its rate of growth in short-term and a set of accounting variable composing a synthetic indicator of growth of company,is studied in the second research work of this dissertation. Our results show that (1) expected increase in earnings per shareare significantly associated with stock prices ( especially for developed countries), (2) but, as suggested by our model, the persistence of its effects is limited ( especially for emerging countries), (3) when the dynamics of growth are more complex,inclusion of a synthetic variable can make a significant correction term (4) and finally the implied cost of capital issignificantly higher for emerging countries than for developed countries
Student employment and academic performance: an empirical exploration of the primary orientation theory

ABSTRACT This study empirically assesses the thesis that student employment only hurts academic performance for students with a primary orientation towards work (versus school). To this end, we analyse unique data on tertiary education students’ intensity of and motivation for student employment by means of a state-of-the art moderation model. We find, indeed, only a negative association between hours of student work and the percentage of courses passed for work-oriented students. This finding may explain the contradictory results in the literature neglecting this factor.
[Role of G-protein-coupled adenosine receptors in downregulation of inflammation and protection from tissue damage].

Akute oder chronische Entz ndungen liegen zahlreichen Erkrankungen zugrunde. Ein besseres Verst"ndnis physiologischer antiinflammatorischer Mechanismen ist daher von besonderer Bedeutung. Agonisten verschiedener Gs-Protein-gekoppelter Rezeptoren wie z.B. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), b-Mimetika und Adenosin besitzen antiinflammatorische Eigenschaften (Gilman et al. Annu Rec Biochem 1987; 56: 615–649; Fredholm et al. Schmiedeberg‘s Arch Pharmacol 2000; 362: 364–374; Burnstock et al. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2001; 22: 182–188), die auf eine Erh8hung von cyclo-AMP in Lymphozyten und Makrophagen zur ckgef hrt werden (Cronstein et al. J Invest Med 1995; 43: 50–57; Huang et al. Blood 1997; 90: 1600–1610; van der Pouw Kraan et al. J Clin Invest 1998; 102: 1866–1873;Malfait et al. J Immunol 1999; 162: 6278–6283). Basierend auf diesen Ergebnissen untersuchten Ochta und Sitkovsky in der vorliegenden Studie die Bedeutung Gs-Protein-gekoppelter Rezeptoren f r die Limitierung von Entz ndungsreaktionen in vivo.
Distributed multi‐vehicle coordinated control via local information exchange

This paper describes a distributed coordination scheme with local information exchange for multiple vehicle systems. We introduce second‐order consensus protocols that take into account motions of the information states and their derivatives, extending first‐order protocols from the literature. We also derive necessary and sufficient conditions under which consensus can be reached in the context of unidirectional information exchange topologies. This work takes into account the general case where information flow may be unidirectional due to sensors with limited fields of view or vehicles with directed, power‐constrained communication links. Unlike the first‐order case, we show that having a (directed) spanning tree is a necessary rather than a sufficient condition for consensus seeking with second‐order dynamics. This work focuses on a formal analysis of information exchange topologies that permit second‐order consensus. Given its importance to the stability of the coordinated system, an analysis of the consensus term control gains is also presented, specifically the strength of the information states relative to their derivatives. As an illustrative example, consensus protocols are applied to coordinate the movements of multiple mobile robots. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regulation of local and metastatic host‐mediated anti‐tumour mechanisms by l‐selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1

Malignant melanoma is often accompanied by a host response of inﬂammatory cell infiltration that is highly regulated by multiple adhesion molecules. To assess the role of adhesion molecules, including l‐selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), in this process, subcutaneous primary growth and metastasis to the lung of B16 melanoma cells not expressing l‐selectin, ICAM‐1 or their ligands were examined in mice lacking l‐selectin, ICAM‐1 or both. Primary subcutaneous growth of B16 melanoma was augmented by loss of l‐selectin, ICAM‐1 or both, while pulmonary metastasis was enhanced by the loss of l‐selectin or combined loss of l‐selectin and ICAM‐1. In both situations, the combined loss of l‐selectin and ICAM‐1 exhibited the greatest effect. This enhancement was associated generally with a reduced accumulation of natural killer (NK) cells, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells and also with a diminished release of interferon (IFN)‐γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α but not interleukin (IL)‐6. Cytotoxicity against melanoma was not defective by the absence of ICAM‐1, l‐selectin or both, suggesting that the enhancement of tumour growth and metastasis caused by the loss of adhesion molecules results from an impaired migration of effector cells into the tissue rather than from a suppression of the cytotoxic response. The results indicate that l‐selectin and ICAM‐1 contribute co‐operatively to the anti‐tumour reaction by regulating lymphocyte infiltration to the tumour.
Serotonin Agonists and Antagonists in Experimental Hypertension

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; also called 5-HT) modifies cardiovascular activity by central as well as peripheral sites of action. When 5-HT is injected within the central nervous system, depending upon the dose and site of administration, either a pressoror a depressor effect is observed. Recent findings suggest that this depressor effect may be mediated by central “5-HT1-like” receptors, since certain compounds that exhibit a high affinity for the 5-HT1A binding site can reduce blood pressure by a central action in both hypertensive and normoten-sive animals. Peripherally, 5-HT elicits vasodilatation (both directly and indirectly via presynaptic sympathoinhibition and release of vasodilator substances from endothelium) or vasoconstriction (with associated amplification of noradrenaline response) of mainly “large” conductance arteries mediated by, respectively, “5-HT1like” and 5-HT2 receptors. Of the various antagonists at 5-HT receptors, it is only ketanserin that effectively lowers arterial blood pressure. However, since it is unlikely that the very low concentrations of 5-HT in plasma exert a significant influence on the maintenance of peripheral vascular resistance, the blockade of 5-HT2 receptors by ketanserin does not seem to explain the reduction of blood pressure in hypertension. Indeed, apart from the undoubtedly potent 5-HT2 receptor blockade, ketanserin also has α1-adrenoceptor antagonist, central vasomotor depressant, and “direct” vasodilator properties, which can explain its antihypertensive action.
Evaluation of the impact of chiropodist care in the secondary prevention of foot ulcerations in diabetic subjects.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the influence of regular chiropodist care on the recurrence rate of diabetic foot ulcers within 1 year. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Ninety-one diabetic outpatients with healed foot ulcers (age 65 +/- 11 years, 40 women and 51 men, diabetes type 1 (n = 6) or 2 (n = 85), BMI 28.5 +/- 4.4, diabetes duration 16 +/- 11 years, HbA(1c) 8.4 +/- 1.6%) were randomized to a group that received monthly remunerated routine chiropodist care (n = 47) or a control group (n = 44). RESULTS Within a median follow-up of 386 days, ulceration recurred in 18 patients in the chiropodist group and 25 patients in the control group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.60; 95% CI, 0.32, 1.08; P = 0.09). Analysis of ulceration per foot demonstrated a significant reduction (20 vs. 32 ulcerations; Cox relative risk [Cox RR] 0.52; 95% CI, 0.30, 0.93; P = 0.03) in favor of chiropodist care. Per protocol, analysis of patients who actually underwent chiropodist foot care on a regular basis also indicates the beneficial influence of chiropodist care with ulceration in 13 vs. 30 patients (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.30-1.01; P = 0.05) and in 15 vs. 37 feet (Cox RR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.24-0.90; P = 0.02) for the intervention and control groups, respectively. Minor amputation was required in two patients in the intervention group and one patient in the control group. Four patients in the control group and two patients in the intervention group died during the trial. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that secondary preventive measures by a chiropodist may reduce recurrence of foot ulcers in diabetic patients.
Iatrogenic Effects of Group Treatment on Adolescents with Conduct and Substance Use Problems

Abstract Group therapy is the most popular approach in the treatment of adolescent substance use problems. Recently, concerns have mounted about possible iatrogenic effects of group therapy based on studies on adolescents with conduct disorder. This paper reviews three possible contributors to response to group treatment among adolescents, and proposes a model of the relations among these variables, specifically in regard to how they independently and interactively contribute to outcomes among youth with conduct and substance use problems.
Serum levels of angiogenic cytokines in psoriatic arthritis and SAPHO syndrome.

INTRODUCTION Angiogenesis is involved in the pathogenesis of arthritis. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to assess the serum levels of selected angiogenic cytokines and their association with clinical presentation in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and SAPHO syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS We studied 98 patients: 80 with PsA and 18 with SAPHO syndrome. The following data were recorded: age, sex, disease duration, joint involvement, type of psoriasis, nail involvement, and treatment. The following indices used to assess the activity of PsA and SAPHO were measured: PASI, BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, BASG, and VAS pain. We determined erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C‑reactive protein (CRP), and platelet count. The serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic and acidic fibroblast growth factors (FGFb and FGFa) were determined using an enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS In patients with PsA, VEGF levels were positively correlated with CRP (P = 0.04), BASFI (P = 0.03), and disease duration (P = 0.007). No differences were found between patients with and without nail psoriasis in the VEGF or EGF levels (P = 0.32 and P = 0.85, respectively). There were no differences between patients with the peripheral and axial forms of arthritis in VEGF or EGF levels (P = 0.56 and P = 0.28, respectively). No significant correlations were observed between EGF and FGF levels and clinical presentation in patients with PsA. In patients with SAPHO, no significant correlations were found between angiogenic cytokine levels and clinical presentation. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest a role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of PsA. Further studies are required to better understand the role of angiogenic cytokines in PsA.