Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endovascular treatment of central venous obstruction as a complication of prolonged hemodialysis – Preliminary experience in a tertiary care center

Abstract Background: Central venous disease is a serious complication in patients undergoing hemodialysis, often presenting with symptoms of venous hypertension. Treatment is aimed to provide symptomatic relief and to maintain hemodialysis access site patency. Aim: To describe our initial experience in the endovascular treatment of central venous stenosis or obstruction in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Settings and Design: This was a retrospective study carried out in a tertiary care center. Study duration was 24 months. Follow-up was variable. Materials and Methods: Eleven patients of chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis presented with central vein stenosis or obstruction having ipsilateral vascular access, between July 2012 and July 2014. All the patients underwent endovascular treatment and were analyzed retrospectively. Results and Conclusion: A total of 11 patients (4 male and 7 female) underwent 18 interventions for 13 stenotic segments during a time period of 2 years. Eight stenotic segments were in brachiocephalic vein, three in subclavian vein, and two in axillary veins. The technical success rate for endovascular treatment was 81.8%. Two patients underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) alone and presented with restenosis later. Balloon angioplasty followed by stenting was done in seven patients, two of which required reintervention during follow-up. We found endovascular treatment safe and effective in treating central venous disease.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis and its Subtypes

Studies on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) observations in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) are few and far between. We evaluated the MRI characteristics of patients with NCL and its subtypes. Forty-three out of 68 patients with ultrastructurally confirmed NCL (M:F=46:22; age at evaluation: 6.3±5.2 years) underwent brain MRI evaluation (1998-2010). The demography, phenotype and subtypes of NCL (n=43) [infantile (I-NCL): 5; late infantile (LI-NCL): 26; Juvenile (J-NCL): 11; adult (A-NCL): 1] were recorded. MRI (brain) was carried out using standard sequences in all. Brain atrophy and signal alterations were assessed visually. Brain MRI was abnormal in all 43 patients - diffuse cerebral atrophy (100%), cerebellar atrophy (40%), cerebral leucoencephalopathy (65%) and thalamic T2W-hypointensity (33%). Diffuse cerebral atrophy was noted in: I-NCL (100%), LI-NCL (62%), J-NCL (36%) and A-NCL (100%) [p=0.05]. Cerebellar atrophy was present in: LI-NCL (42%) and J-NCL (55%). Leucoencephalopathy was observed in: I- NCL (100%), LI-NCL (65%), J-NCL (45%) and A-NCL (100%)). Thalamic T2W-hypointensity was most frequent in I-NCL (80%) followed by J-NCL (36%) and LI-NCL (23%). This is the largest study of its kind. The presence of cerebellar/cerebral atrophy, leucoencephalopathy and thalamic T2W-hypointensity in an appropriate clinical setting might provide clues to the diagnosis of NCL: leucoencephalopathy and thalamic hypointensity (T2W) were noted more frequently in I-NCL, periventricular and parieto-occipital hyperintensities in LI-NCL, and cerebellar atrophy in J-NCL.
Hedge Funds and Stock Price Formation

Using comprehensive quarterly data on hedge fund stock holdings, we study the role of hedge funds in the process of stock price formation. We find that hedge funds tend to hold undervalued stocks and that both hedge fund ownership and trading by hedge funds are positively related to the degree of stock mispricing. A portfolio of undervalued stocks with high hedge fund ownership generated a risk-adjusted return of 0.40% per month (4.8% annually), and the profit remained even after transaction costs. Hedge fund ownership and trades also precede the dissipation of stock mispricing. These patterns are either nonexistent or much weaker for other institutional investors. Our results suggest that hedge funds exploit and help correct mispricing but the process is not instantaneous. A practitioner's perspective on this article is provided in the In Practice piece "Hedge Funds' Influence on Stocks" by Phil Davis, online 9 July 2018. Disclosure: William N. Goetzmann is on the scientific advisory board of a small hedge fund, Zebra Asset Management. Editor’s Note Submitted 16 June 2017 Accepted 23 February 2018 by Stephen J. Brown
Parent Alcohol Problems and Peer Bullying and Victimization: Child Gender and Toddler Attachment Security as Moderators

This study examined the association between parents' alcoholism and peer bullying and victimization in middle childhood in 162 community-recruited families (80 girls and 82 boys) with and without alcohol problems. Toddler–mother attachment was assessed at 18 months of child age, and child reports of peer bullying and victimization were obtained in 4th grade. There was a direct association between fathers' alcohol symptoms and bullying of peers, as well as indirect association via toddler–mother attachment security. Multiple group models indicated that the direct association between parents' alcohol symptoms and bullying was significant for boys but not girls. The association between maternal alcohol symptoms and bullying was significant for secure but not insecure boys or secure/insecure girls. The association between fathers' alcohol symptoms and bullying was significant for insecure boys but not secure boys or secure/insecure girls.
Falls and working individuals: role of extrinsic and intrinsic factors

Falls are frequent occupational accidents involving workers and lead to important social and economic consequences both for the individual and for the employer. Different factors can modify balance control and lead to falling, especially environment-related and individual factors. The literature would appear to indicate that there have been few studies on the intrinsic factors involving the mechanisms of generating falls. This review determines the main factors involved in the mechanisms of falling, whether related to the environment, work or the individual. Knowledge of the extrinsic and intrinsic factors contributing to the fall could allow securer environment planning and occupational conditions for employers, and the use of balance rehabilitation methods for individuals to reduce the risk of falls.
Behavioral Conditioning of Antihistamine Effects in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis

Background: Allergic symptoms can be induced by behavioral conditioning. However, the conditionability of antiallergic effects has not yet been studied. Thus, we investigated whether the effects of a histamine 1 (H1) receptor antagonist are inducible in patients suffering from house-dust mite allergy using a behavioral conditioning procedure. Methods: During the association phase, 30 patients with allergic house-dust mite rhinitis received a novel-tasting drink once daily, followed by a standard dose of the H1 receptor antagonist, desloratadine, on 5 consecutive days. After 9 days of drug washout, the evocation trial commenced: 10 patients received water together with an identically looking placebo pill (water group), 11 patients were re-exposed to the novel-tasting drink and received a placebo pill [conditioned stimulus (CS); CS group] and 9 patients received water and desloratadine (drug group). Results: During the association phase, desloratadine treatment decreased the subjective total symptom scores, attenuated the effects of the skin prick test for histamine and reduced basophil activation ex vivo in all groups. During the evocation trial, the water group, in which subjects were not re-exposed to the gustatory stimulus, showed a reduction in subjective total symptom scores and skin prick test results, but no inhibition of basophil activation. In contrast, re-exposure to the novel-tasting drink decreased basophil activation, the skin prick test result and the subjective symptom score in the CS group to a degree that was similar to the effects of desloratadine in the drug group. Conclusions: These data show that behaviorally conditioned effects are not only able to relieve subjective rhinitis symptoms and allergic skin reactions, but also to induce changes in effector immune functions.
Fuzzy Template Based modeling for assessing earthquake induced liquefaction

Site seismic hazard assessment entails the integration of ground shaking, landslide and liquefaction potential. Liquefaction induced damage has highlighted the importance of considering liquefaction in earthquake risk assessment. Discernment of liquefaction vulnerability is a complex and nonlinear procedure that is influenced by model and parameter uncertainty. Inherent uncertainties encountered in the model can be handled with fuzzy based methods, which are capable of incorporating information obtained from expert knowledge and datasets. In this paper, the use of fuzzy template based (FTB) modeling is proposed for assessing earthquake-induced liquefaction. The efficiency of the proposed method is verified using actual liquefaction data reported in the literature. Overall, the correct liquefaction classifications obtained are 98% and 92% for training validation datasets, respectively.
Prognosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis in israel is independent of coexisting inflammatory bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare chronic progressive cholestatic disorder. We assessed its characteristics and natural history in Israel and compared its outcome with respect to coexisting inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS Data on characteristics, course and outcome were retrospectively retrieved on patients diagnosed with PSC from five large Israeli medical centers between 1988 and 2012. Patients with isolated PSC were compared with those with coexisting IBD to identify predictors of outcome. RESULTS Of 141 patients (56% males) with confirmed PSC, 98 (69.5%) had coexisting IBD. The average age at presentation was 38.8 ± 15.4 years and duration of follow-up was 7.93 ± 6.26 years. The crude estimated point prevalence was 4 cases per 105 persons. Demographics and clinical characteristics were similar among all patients except for symptoms at diagnosis (which were more prevalent among PSC–IBD patients) and utilization of multiple diagnostic modalities (which was more prevalent among isolated-PSC patients). More than one-third of the entire cohort had cirrhosis. A total of 15 patients (10.6%) died and 19 patients (13.5%) developed malignancy during follow-up. Nine patients (6.3%) underwent liver transplantation. Mean survival for the entire cohort was 26.3 ± 1.4 years and mean transplant-free survival was 23.5 ± 1.6 years. Cox proportional hazard regression for transplantation or death revealed two independent risk factors: cirrhosis and malignancy [hazard ratio 4.25 (p = 0.004) and 2.58 (p = 0.046), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS Survival rate of PSC patients in Israel is longer than reported rates worldwide and is independent of coexisting IBD.
Stiffness and relaxation components of the exponential and logistic time constants may be used to derive a load-independent index of isovolumic pressure decay.

In current practice, empirical parameters such as the monoexponential time constant tau or the logistic model time constant tauL are used to quantitate isovolumic relaxation. Previous work indicates that tau and tauL are load dependent. A load-independent index of isovolumic pressure decline (LIIIVPD) does not exist. In this study, we derive and validate a LIIIVPD. Recently, we have derived and validated a kinematic model of isovolumic pressure decay (IVPD), where IVPD is accurately predicted by the solution to an equation of motion parameterized by stiffness (Ek), relaxation (tauc), and pressure asymptote (Pinfinity) parameters. In this study, we use this kinematic model to predict, derive, and validate the load-independent index MLIIIVPD. We predict that the plot of lumped recoil effects [Ek. (P*max-Pinfinity)] versus resistance effects [tauc. (dP/dtmin)], defined by a set of load-varying IVPD contours, where P*max is maximum pressure and dP/dtmin is the minimum first derivative of pressure, yields a linear relation with a constant (i.e., load independent) slope MLIIIVPD. To validate the load independence, we analyzed an average of 107 IVPD contours in 25 subjects (2,669 beats total) undergoing diagnostic catheterization. For the group as a whole, we found the Ek. (P*max-Pinfinity) versus tauc. (dP/dtmin) relation to be highly linear, with the average slope MLIIIVPD=1.107+/-0.044 and the average r2=0.993+/-0.006. For all subjects, MLIIIVPD was found to be linearly correlated to the subject averaged tau (r2=0.65), tauL(r2=0.50), and dP/dtmin (r2=0.63), as well as to ejection fraction (r2=0.52). We conclude that MLIIIVPD is a LIIIVPD because it is load independent and correlates with conventional IVPD parameters. Further validation of MLIIIVPD in selected pathophysiological settings is warranted.
Is R2P still controversial? Continuity and change in the debate on ‘humanitarian intervention’

Abstract Is the responsibility to protect (R2P) still controversial? The question is important because if R2P was no longer controversial, this would suggest that the principle is on track to consolidation as an international norm. The article assesses the impact of 16 years of sustained R2P advocacy and its influence on arguments within the scholarly community, and discusses the impact this engagement has had on the outline and substance of the principle itself. A survey of the development of the academic debate since 2005 suggests that the ‘responsibility to protect’ has successfully replaced ‘humanitarian intervention’ in international discourse, but that the principle remains controversial, especially beyond the policy community, particularly in the world of academe, in the humanitarian aid sector and religious organizations and with states with a colonial past.
Zinc(II) perchlorate hexahydrate catalyzed opening of epoxide ring by amines: applications to synthesis of (RS)/(R)-propranolols and (RS)/(R)/(S)-naftopidils.

Commercially available zinc(II) perchlorate hexahydrate [Zn(ClO4)2.6H2O] was found to be a new and highly efficient catalyst for opening of epoxide rings by amines affording 2-amino alcohols in high yields under solvent-free conditions and with excellent chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivities. For unsymmetrical epoxides, the regioselectivity was influenced by the electronic and steric factors associated with the epoxides and the amines. A complementarity in the regioselectivity was observed during the reaction of styrene oxide with aromatic and aliphatic amines: aromatic amines provided amino alcohols from nucleophilic attack at the benzylic carbon as major products whereas aliphatic amines resulted in formation of the amino alcohols through reaction at the terminal carbon atom of the epoxide ring as the major/sole products. Reaction of aniline with various glycidic ethers gave the amino alcohols by regioselective nucleophilic attack at the terminal carbon atom of the epoxide ring as the only/major product. Zinc(II) perchlorate hexahydrate was found to be the best catalyst compared to other metal perchlorates. The counteranion modulated the catalytic property of the various Zn(II) compounds that followed the order Zn(ClO4)2. (6)H2O>>Zn(BF4)2 approximately Zn(OTf)2>>ZnI2>ZnBr2>ZnCl2>Zn(OAc)2>Zn(CO3)2 in parallelism with the acidic strength of the corresponding protic acids (except for TfOH). The applicability of the methodology was demonstrated by the synthesis of cardiovascular drugs propranolol and naftopidil as racemates and optically active enantiomers.
South African Trade Policy Matterstrade Performance and Trade Policy

South African trade policy has exerted a major influence on the composition and aggregate growth of trade. In the Apartheid period, trade protection seriously impeded both exports and imports, and the economy depended on favorable global commodity price trends to avoid running into an external constraint. South Africa developed a comparative advantage in capital-intensive primary and manufactured commodities partly because of its natural resource endowments but also because the pattern of protection was particularly detrimental to exports of non-commodity manufactured goods. High and opaque tariffs seriously impeded export growth. When global commodity markets were weak, in combination with declining gold exports, this seriously constrained aggregate growth and dulled the response of exports to the weaker rand in the late 1980s. On the other hand, surcharges were effective in reducing imports. By contrast, trade liberalization in the 1990s not only increased imports but, by reducing both input costs and the relative profitability of domestic sales, also boosted exports. The growth in non-commodity manufactured sectoral exports as a result of liberalization was actually faster than sectoral imports. This evidence suggests that additional trade liberalization could well be part of the strategy to enhance export diversification. It points to the importance of policies that afford South African firms with access to inputs at world prices as well as a competitive real exchange rate.
Trends in admissions to hospital involving an assault using a knife or other sharp instrument, England, 1997-2005.

OBJECTIVES To investigate recent trends in in-patient admissions in England for assaults that involve a stabbing. Design and data source Time-series analysis of the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre's Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database. Setting England, April 1997 to March 2005. Main outcome measure All completed hospital admissions with a mention of assault by sharp object (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, code X99) in the relevant diagnosis fields in HES. RESULTS In the eight years between 1st April 1997 and 31st March 2005 the number of people admitted to hospital reportedly following an assault involving a sharp object rose by 30%, from 3770 patients in 1997/8 to 4891 in 2004/5. One hundred and fifty-four of these people died (0.5%). Forty-two percent (14 220) of admissions were on a Saturday or Sunday. Males accounted for 90% (males 30 464 and females 3406) of admissions. Forty-nine percent (14 786) of the men, and 41% (1383) of the women, had injuries to the head, neck or thorax. CONCLUSIONS The number of recorded hospital admissions from stabbing assaults increased between 1997 and 2005. Approximately 13 people a day are currently admitted to hospital for treatment after being stabbed. Further research is required to identify effective interventions to reduce the number of stabbings.
Sirolimus and Tacrolimus Trough Concentrations and Dose Requirements after Kidney Transplantation in Relation to CYP3A5 and MDR1 Polymorphisms and Steroids

Background. CYP3A5 and MDR1 polymorphisms have been shown to influence tacrolimus blood concentrations and dose requirements. The aim is to determine whether these polymorphisms also affect sirolimus trough concentrations and dose requirements after kidney transplantation. Methods. Eighty-five renal transplant recipients receiving sirolimus were included. Twenty-four were treated with a combined sirolimus-tacrolimus regimen. Eighty-one patients received steroids. Sirolimus and tacrolimus were adjusted to a target therapeutic window. CYP3A5 (intron 3) and MDR1 (exons 12, 21, 26) genotypes were correlated to the adjusted trough concentrations and dose requirements for both sirolimus and tacrolimus. Results. There were no significant correlation between adjusted sirolimus trough concentrations or dose requirements and genetic polymorphisms. In a multiple regression model, adjusted-prednisone dose was involved with a positive or negative effect when considering sirolimus dose requirements or adjusted concentrations, respectively. In the subgroup of patients treated by tacrolimus and sirolimus, adjusted tacrolimus doses were higher in patients carrying at least one CYP3A5 *1 allele (median 0.083 vs. 0.035 mg/kg for CYP3A5*3/*3 patients, P<0.05). Adjusted-prednisolone dose and CYP3A5 polymorphism explained up to 61% of the variability in tacrolimus dose requirements. Conclusions. Unlike tacrolimus, sirolimus adjusted trough concentrations and dose requirements seem not affected by CYP3A5 and MDR1 polymorphisms. Adjusted-prednisone dose has a significant impact on tacrolimus and sirolimus dose requirements.
Putaminal serotonergic innervation

Objective: To explore serotonergic innervation in the basal ganglia in relation to levodopa-induced dyskinesia in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Methods: A total of 30 patients with PD without dementia or depression were divided into 3 matched groups (dyskinetic, nondyskinetic, and drug-naive) for this study. We acquired 2 PET scans and 3T MRI for each patient using [11C]-3-amino-4-(2-dimethylaminomethylphenylsulfanyl)-benzonitrile (11C-DASB) and N-(3-[18F]fluoropropyl)-2-carbomethoxy-3-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane (18F-FP-CIT). Then we analyzed binding potentials of the 2 radiotracers at basal ganglia structures and correlations with clinical variables. Results: We observed no difference in 18F-FP-CIT binding between dyskinetic and nondyskinetic patients, whereas there were differences in 11C-DASB binding for the caudate and putamen. Binding potential ratios (11C-DASB/18F-FP-CIT) at the putamen, which indicate serotoninergic fiber innervation relative to dopaminergic fiber availability, were highest in the dyskinetic group, followed by the nondyskinetic and drug-naive PD groups. 11C-DASB/18F-FP-CIT ratios at the putamen and pallidum correlated positively with Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) total scores and duration of PD, and pallidal binding ratio also correlated with the UPDRS motor scores. Ratios were not dependent on dopaminergic medication dosages for any of the regions studied. Conclusions: Relative serotonergic innervation of the putamen and pallidum increased with clinical PD progression and was highest in patients with established dyskinesia. The serotonin/dopamine transporter ratio might be a potential marker of disease progression and an indicator of risk for levodopa-induced dyskinesia in PD. A prospective evaluation is warranted in the future.
Seminal plasma stimulates cytokine production in endometrial epithelial cell cultures independently of the presence of leucocytes

We examined the effects of normal and leucocyte‐positive semen on cytokine expression in endometrial epithelial cell cultures. Cytokines in pooled seminal plasma (SP) samples of men with normal semen parameters without (n = 9) and with leucocytospermia (LCS) (n = 9) were determined. Cultures of epithelial endometrial cells of women (n = 7) in the secretory phase were incubated with 10% SP for 24 h. Cytokines in culture supernatants and mRNA concentrations in the cultured cells were determined. Mean concentrations of interleukin (IL)‐1β and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in culture media with SP of men with normal semen parameters and LCS compared with control. Accordingly, a significant increase (P < 0.05) in mRNA concentrations (amol ml−1) of IL‐1β and TGF‐β1 could be detected. The mean TGF‐β1 and IL‐1β concentrations in the culture supernatant with 10% SP from patients with normal semen parameters were 24‐fold (P < 0.05) and 2‐fold higher respectively when compared with control. The mean protein concentration of TGF‐β1 measured in the supernatant with SP of men with LCS was not significantly reduced as compared with the supernatant with normal SP. In conclusion, our experiments support the concept of an endometrial sensitation effect by semen.