Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Results of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in spinal canal surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Spine surgery carries the risk of neurological complications. Neurophysiological intraoperative monitoring (NIOM) plays some role in preventing adverse events. NIOM is a young technique, and because of its costs and additional personnel it requires constant evaluation of indications. Nowadays, it is generally assumed that if available, NIOM should be used in every intracanal surgical procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and indications for NIOM in spine surgery in relation to procedure location. MATERIAL AND METHODS Effectiveness of NIOM in spinal canal surgery was evaluated by comparison of the number of neurological complications in patients treated surgically with and without NIOM. A total of 74 consecutive patients were surgically treated for spinal canal pathology at the Department of Neurosurgery, 10th Military Hospital in Bydgoszcz. Thirty-eight patients operated on with the use of NIOM were compared to a historic population of 36 patients treated before the introduction of NIOM. The number of patients with neurological complications was analyzed in three groups based on surgical location: extradural, intradural extramedullary, and intramedullary procedures. Differences between groups were tested with the Fisher exact test. RESULTS The number of neurological complications was significantly lower in the intramedullary procedure group with NIOM. There was no significant difference in the number of complications in patients undergoing intra- or extradural extramedullary procedures with versus without NIOM. CONCLUSIONS NIOM decreases the risk of neurological complications in spinal cord surgery, but not in extramedullary spinal canal procedures.
Missing Events in Event Studies: Identifying the Effects of Partially-Measured News Surprises

Macroeconomic news announcements are elaborate and multidimensional. We consider a framework in which jumps in asset prices around announcements reflect both the response to observed surprises in headline numbers and to latent factors, reflecting other news in the release. Non-headline news, for which there are no expectations surveys, is unobservable to the econometrician but nonetheless elicits a market response. We estimate the model by the Kalman filter, which efficiently combines OLS and heteroskedasticity-based event study estimators in one step. With the inclusion of a single latent surprise factor, essentially all yield curve variance in event windows are explained by news. (JEL C51, E43, E52, G12, G14)
A comparison of propofol and ketamine/midazolam for intravenous sedation of children

Objective To compare ketamine and propofol sedation in children undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Design Retrospective study. Setting A six-bed pediatric intensive care unit and a pediatric hematology oncology clinic. Patients From 1996 to 1998, 405 procedures were performed on patients between 1 month and 22 yrs of age. Interventions All patients but one were sedated intravenously with either propofol or ketamine; those who received ketamine also received midazolam and either atropine or glycopyrrolate. Vital signs were monitored continuously. Procedures included bone marrow biopsies, lumbar punctures, esophagoduodenoscopies, colonoscopies, and other miscellaneous procedures. A pediatric intensivist performed all sedations. Measurements and Main Results Two hundred sixty-one procedures were conducted with propofol and 144 with ketamine. The mean time (±sd) from administration of the first dose of medication until the patient was awake was 36.6 (15.0) mins for the propofol group and 69.2 (43.2) mins for the ketamine group. The mean time to awakening was significantly longer for the ketamine group, even after adjusting for the length of the procedure, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and setting of procedure (inpatient or outpatient;p = .0001). Only one unplanned endotracheal intubation in the propofol group and two in the ketamine group occurred. Patients were significantly more likely to have airway (p = .01) or hemodynamic (p = .002) effects with propofol than with ketamine, although these effects were essentially minor in nature. Conclusions Both propofol and ketamine provided safe and effective sedation for the short, painful procedures performed. Because the patients who received propofol awakened almost twice as quickly as the patients who received ketamine, the sedation service operated more efficiently when propofol was used. The major complication rates for propofol and ketamine were small, and the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant. We conclude that with proper monitoring, intravenous propofol can be used safely and effectively for short procedures in the pediatric setting.
THE EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY OF BROWN TROUT (SALMO TRUTTA L.) INFERRED FROM PHYLOGEOGRAPHIC, NESTED CLADE, AND MISMATCH ANALYSES OF MITOCHONDRIAL DNA VARIATION

Abstract Phylogeographic, nested clade, and mismatch analyses of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation were used to infer the temporal dynamics of distributional and demographic history of brown trout (Salmo trutta). Both new and previously published data were analyzed for 1794 trout from 174 populations. This combined analysis improved our knowledge of the complex evolutionary history of brown trout throughout its native Eurasian and North African range of distribution in many ways. It confirmed the existence of five major evolutionary lineages that evolved in geographic isolation during the Pleistocene and have remained largely allopatric since then. These should be recognized as the basic evolutionarily significant units within brown trout. Finer phylogeographic structuring was also resolved within major lineages. Contrasting temporal juxtaposition of different evolutionary factors and timing of major demographic expansions were observed among lineages. These unique evolutionary histories have been shaped both by the differential latitudinal impact of glaciations on habitat loss and potential for dispersal, as well as climatic impacts and landscape heterogeneity that translated in a longitudinal pattern of genetic diversity and population structuring at more southern latitudes. This study also provided evidence for the role of biological factors in addition to that of physical isolation in limiting introgressive hybridization among major trout lineages.
Comparing MALDI‐MS, RP‐LC‐MALDI‐MS and RP‐LC‐ESI‐MS glycomic profiles of permethylated N‐glycans derived from model glycoproteins and human blood serum

The glycomic profiling of purified glycoproteins and biological specimen is routinely achieved through different analytical methods, but mainly through MS and LC‐MS. The enhanced ionization efficiency and improved tandem MS interpretation of permethylated glycans have prompted the popularity of this approach. This study focuses on comparing the glycomic profiling of permethylated N‐glycans derived from model glycoproteins and human blood serum using MALDI‐MS as well as RP‐LC‐MALDI‐MS and RP‐LC‐ESI‐MS. In the case of model glycoproteins, the glycomic profiles acquired using the three methods were very comparable. However, this was not completely true in the case of glycans derived from blood serum. RP‐LC‐ESI‐MS analysis of reduced and permethylated N‐glycans derived from 250 nl of blood serum allowed the confident detection of 73 glycans (the structures of which were confirmed by mass accuracy and tandem MS), while 53 and 43 structures were identified in the case of RP‐LC‐MALDI‐MS and MALDI‐MS analyses of the same sample, respectively. RP‐LC‐ESI‐MS analysis facilitates automated and sensitive tandem MS acquisitions. The glycan structures that were detected only in the RP‐LC‐ESI‐MS analysis were glycans existing at low abundances. This is suggesting the higher detection sensitivity of RP‐LC‐ESI‐MS analysis, originating from both reduced competitive ionization and saturation of detectors, facilitated by the chromatographic separation. The latter also permitted the separation of several structural isomers; however, isomeric separations pertaining to linkages were not detected.
gamma-Glutamyltransferase as a predictor of chronic kidney disease in nonhypertensive and nondiabetic Korean men.

BACKGROUND Little research has been done to examine whether gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is prospectively associated with the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We performed a prospective study to examine the association between GGT and the risk for the development of CKD. METHODS The study cohort included a total of 10 337 healthy males with normal baseline kidney functions and no proteinuria. Participants were workers in a semiconductor manufacturing company and its 13 affiliates. CKD was defined as either the presence of proteinuria or a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of < 60 mL x min(-1) x (1.73(2))(-1). Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate the adjusted hazard ratios in separate models for CKD. RESULTS During a follow-up period of 25,774.4 person-years, 366 men developed CKD. After adjustments were made for age, baseline GFR, triglyceride, and HDL-C, the risk for CKD increased with an increasing quartile of serum GGT (p for trend <0.001). The top one fourth of serum GGT vs the bottom one fourth of relative risks for CKD was 1.90 (95% confidence interval, 1.37-2.63). These associations were also apparent in participants who consumed < or = 20 g/day of alcohol and those with normal weight, with values of alanine aminotransferase within reference intervals, or with C-reactive protein < 3.0 mg/L, and participants without metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS Our findings, which were obtained from a large work-site cohort and excluded individuals with diabetes and hypertension, indicated that serum GGT may be an early predictor for the development of CKD, independent of baseline confounding factors.
Outcome of Surgical and Endoluminal Intervention for Infrainguinal Bypass Anastomotic Strictures

The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) versus open surgical repair of anastomotic strictures affecting infrainguinal bypasses. Anastomotic strictures affecting 39 bypasses in 36 patients were identified among 593 consecutive infrainguinal arterial reconstructions performed between 1994 and 2004. The mean age of affected patients was 65 ±2 years (range: 61 to 101 years). The original bypasses, with vein grafts outnumbering prosthetic grafts 2 to 1, were performed for acute (5%) and chronic (54%) limb-threatening ischemia, disabling claudication (28%), or popliteal aneurysms (13%). Anastomotic strictures were first recognized an average of 16 ±3 months (range 2 to 92 months) postoperatively. Strictures affected the distal anastomosis in 62% of cases and the proximal anastomosis in 38%. Primary patency, assisted primary patency, secondary patency, and limb salvage were assessed following PTA or open surgical repair of the strictures. Anastomotic strictures were detected following acute (41%) and chronic (18%) limbthreatening ischemia, claudication (13%), or during routine graft surveillance (28%) in asymptomatic patients. Graft thrombosis, occurring in 51% of patients at the time of presentation, was not affected by the site of anastomotic stricture, although prosthetic grafts were affected more than vein grafts (92% vs 31%). Interventions included PTA (67%) and conventional open procedures (33%). The latter included vein patch angioplasty, short interposition grafts, and redo bypasses. The stricture site and bypass material used in the original revascularization did not affect reintervention patency rates. Sixteen (62%) of the endovascular procedures were performed on a graft presenting with thrombosis, while only 4 (31%) were initially treated with operative therapy. Treatment of thrombosed grafts resulted in an 18-month patency of 32% compared to an 80% patency in treating grafts that were not occluded at the time of presentation (p <0.05). No anastomotic stricture repaired operatively required reintervention, whereas 42% of those treated by PTA required a mean of 1.3 additional reinterventions (p <0.03). Anastomotic strictures affecting infrainguinal bypass grafts contribute to low patency rates. Outcomes can be significantly improved if these strictures are identified before graft thrombosis. Open surgical repair, compared to PTA, provides improved graft function as evident by fewer subsequent interventions required to maintain graft patency.
“Any press is good press?” Rebel political wings, media freedom, and terrorism in civil wars

ABSTRACT As part of a recent effort to bridge the studies of terrorism and civil war, new research has begun to emerge on the use of terrorism by rebel groups as a strategy of war. Building on these findings, we examine the role of affiliated political wings in shaping the use of terrorism by rebel groups during civil wars. We contend that the presence of an affiliated political wing during the civil war should increase the use of terrorism by rebel groups only in countries where there are relatively few restrictions on the freedom of the press. As political wings are often designed to engage with the civilian population through the dissemination of information, these apparatuses are in a key position to frame the use of terrorism as part of the rebel’s broader war effort. To test this proposition, we examine the use of terrorism by all rebel groups from 1970 to 2011. The results from the analysis provide strong support for our argument that political wings increase the use of terrorism by rebel groups only when the press is allowed to independently cover terrorist attacks.
Determinants of FDI in BRICS Countries: Panel Data Approach

Abstract We empirically investigates the factors that affect Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows in five BRICS countries for the period 1990–2015. We address the selection bias and unobserved heterogeneity by estimating a panel Heckman selection method and attempts to account for both selection and endogeneity within the new two-stage method. After addressing the above mentioned econometric issues, the infrastructure and GDP per capita variables under the new two-stage method remain positive and significantly similar to the coefficient of infrastructure and GDP per capita under the panel Heckman selection model. In addition, the inverse Mills ratio maintain its level of statistical significance, confirming the presence of both sample selection bias and endogeneity.
Patterns of Changes in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 V3 Sequence Populations Late in Infection

ABSTRACT We have used a V3-specific heteroduplex tracking assay (V3-HTA) with probes from two different human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtypes to examine the extent and pace of HIV-1 evolution late in infection. Twenty-four subjects with advanced HIV-1 infection (CD4+ T-cell count, <100/μl) and stable viral loads were studied using blood plasma samples collected over a study period of approximately 9 months, during which time most of the subjects were treated with reverse transcriptase inhibitors. The V3-HTA patterns from the first and last time points were evaluated initially to determine the amounts of change in V3 sequence populations, which were primarily changes in abundance in preexisting sequence populations. Three of the 24 subjects had major changes (greater than 50% total change in the relative abundance of the sequence populations), 11 subjects had intermediate changes (10 to 50% total change), and 10 subjects had minimal changes (less than 10% total change). The average total amount of change was between two- and threefold greater in subjects with X4-like variants, although there was no correlation between average viral load and the presence of X4-like variants. V3-HTA patterns in monthly samples from 11 of the subjects were also compared. In two subjects, the amount of change exceeded 40% in a 1-month period. Overall, the pace of change in V3 populations varied between subjects and was not constant within a subject over time. Sequence analysis of the V3 variants showed that R5-like variants (not containing any X4-associated substitutions) continued to be maintained in three subjects in the presence of X4-like variants, indicating that X4 variants do not always outgrow R5 variants. The coreceptor usage of the V3 sequences from two subjects was determined using a cell fusion assay. One subject had an X4 variant that was maintained at a low level for at least 9 months, during which time the predominant variants were R5X4 (dualtropic), while in the second subject the reverse situation was observed. One of the dualtropic variants had a novel sequence motif in V3, suggesting another evolutionary pathway to altered tropism. These studies begin to probe the complexities and pace of V3 evolution in vivo, revealing dynamic patterns of change among multiple V3 sequence variants in a subset of subjects.
Determinants of Intangible Investment and its Impacts on Firms' Productivity: Evidence from Chinese Private Manufacturing Firms

Using data from the 2012 China Enterprise Survey conducted by the World Bank, this study examines the determinants of intangible investment by private manufacturing firms and its impacts on firms' productivity in China, thus shedding light on the recent development of intangibles in one of the largest emerging economies in the world. Higher human capital, larger firm size and better institutional quality are found to increase the propensity and the amount of intangible investment, yet fiercer market competition generally decreases both the propensity and the amount invested in intangibles. We provide evidence that the disaggregated components of intangibles are positively correlated with firm productivity and there is complementarity between software and organization investment. Implications for policies to enhance investment in intangibles are identified from the empirical results.
Do oligoclonal bands add information to MRI in first attacks of multiple sclerosis?

Background: To evaluate whether oligoclonal bands (OB) add information to MRI in predicting both a second attack and development of disability in patients with clinically isolated syndromes (CIS). Methods: From 1995 to 2006, 572 patients with CIS were included in a prospective study. Patients underwent brain MRI and determination of OB within 3 months of first attack. The number and location of lesions and presence of OB were studied. We analyzed time to second attack and to Expanded Disability Status Scale 3.0 according to number of Barkhof criteria (BC) and the presence or absence of OB. Results: We studied 415 (73%) patients with CIS with both baseline MRI and determination of OB. Patients were followed for a mean of 50 months (SD 31). Compared to the reference group with 0 BC at baseline MRI, patients with one to two BC showed a hazard ratio (HR) for conversion to CDMS of 3.8 (2.0 to 7.2) and patients with three to four BC of 8.9 (4.8 to 16.4). Of the total cohort, OB were positive in 61% of the patients. However, broken down by MRI group, OB were positive in 31% of those with no BC; 69% of those with one to two BC; and 85% of those with three or four BC. The presence of OB increased the risk of a second relapse (HR 1.7; 1.1 to −2.7) independently of baseline MRI but did not modify the development of disability. Conclusions: Presence of oligoclonal bands doubles the risk for having a second attack, independently of MRI, but does not seem to influence the development of disability. GLOSSARY: BC = Barkhof criteria; CDMS = clinically definite multiple sclerosis; CIS = clinically isolated syndromes; EDSS = Expanded Disability Status Scale; HR = hazard ratio; MS = multiple sclerosis; OB = oligoclonal bands.
Sexual abuse, alcohol and other drug use, and suicidal behaviors in homeless adolescents.

Previous research has shown that homeless youth have high rates of suicidal ideation, sexual abuse, and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. However, little is known about how these rates differ by gender and ethnicity. Our objective was to describe patterns of sexual abuse, alcohol and other drug use, and indicators of suicidal behaviors in homeless adolescents and to determine gender and ethnic differences in these factors. We used secondary data analysis of data from surveys completed by 96 homeless youth whose average age was 17.9 years. Over 60% of the sample reported a history of sexual abuse; the majority were under the age of 12 years when they first tried alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine; 56.3% had injected drugs, and 46.9% had tried inhalants. During the past 12 months, 35.1% had seriously considered suicide and 12.3% had actually attempted suicide at least once. Significantly more Hispanics than Whites had considered suicide (chi 2 = 4.31, p = .038). A disproportionate number of Hispanics (95% of the sample) reported a history of sexual abuse. Participants with a history of sexual abuse were significantly more likely than those who did not have a history of sexual abuse to have used alcohol and/or marijuana (chi 2 = 9.93, p < .01) and to have considered suicide in the past 12 months (F = 14.93, p < .001). We found that sexual abuse history is greater in this sample than in the general population and is particularly prevalent among Hispanic/Latino subjects. As in other studies, sexual abuse was more common among females than among males. High prevalence of sexual abuse, alcohol and other drug use, and suicidal behaviors in this sample of homeless youth underscores the need to develop and test community-based interventions to improve their health status.
GABA‐ and peptide‐immunoreactivities co‐localize in the rat central extended amygdala

THE central amygdaloid nucleus and the lateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis are two similar telencephalic structures belonging to the central extended amygdala. These regions contain numerous peptidergic and GABAergic neurones which maintain the neurones projecting to the brain stem under tight intrinsic control. Using immunocytochemistry in colchicinetreated rats, we showed that, in the lateral subdivision of the central amygdaloid nucleus and in the dorsal part of the lateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, a population of GABAergic neurones is able to co-synthesize either corticotropin-releasing factor or methionineenkephalin, but never both peptides. These results suggest that, in the GABAergic intrinsic circuits of the central extended amygdala, co-liberated peptides can have a modulatory role on GABAergic actions.
THE DIFFERENCE IN THE CAPABILITY OF DELINEATION BETWEEN CONVEX AND RADIAL ARRAYED ECHOENDOSCOPE FOR PANCREAS AND BILIARY TRACT; CASE REPORTS FROM THE STANDPOINT OF BOTH CONVEX AND RADIAL ARRAYED ECHOENDOSCOPE

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is useful in obtaining not only high‐resolution images of organs and surrounding tissue but also the tissue itself for histopathological diagnosis using fine needle aspiration. Currently, there are two types of EUS available for use: radial and convex arrayed EUS. Each type of EUS has its own advantages and disadvantages. Because radial arrayed EUS can obtain 360 degree images, it is easy to see surrounding organs and vessels. In addition, a single longitudinal image of the pancreas, gallbladder and bile duct is easy to obtain. For this reason, radial arrayed EUS is highly effective in diagnostic examinations. In contrast, while scanning range of convex arrayed EUS limited to 180 degrees, it has the advantage of being able to obtain tissue samples. Additionally while using convex arrayed EUS, the upper part of the bile duct and neck of the pancreas are easily seen beyond the portal vein. It is important to understand the characteristics of each EUS in order to select the most suitable EUS technique for diagnostic assessment.