Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aggression, Anxiety, and Social Development in Adolescent Children of War Veterans with PTSD Versus those of Non-Veterans

Background: Evaluation of psychological problems in children of war veterans with PTSD can be the first step in improving the war â€“ related trauma and interrupting the known phenomenon of transgeneration transmission of this trauma. Methods: Using three self â€“ administered questionnaires, this study was carried out to compare aggression, anxiety, and social development (as some of the most expected mental health problems in this group according to literature) in adolescent children of war veterans and those of non-veterans. The two groups were matched regarding sex, academic achievement, stage of education, and economic status of the family. Results: After controlling the level of parental education (as a confounding variable), a higher rate of aggression and anxiety was found in adolescent children of war veterans with PTSD but the two groups showed no significant difference in social development. Conclusion: The higher rate of anxiety and aggression among children of war veterans with PTSD along with many other factors such as low socioeconomic status in this group signifies the importance of mental health screening programs and appropriate interventions in this group. Keywords: Aggression, Social Development, Anxiety, War Veterans, PTSD, Adolescent.
Inactivation of the Tumor Suppressor Genes Causing the Hereditary Syndromes Predisposing to Head and Neck Cancer via Promoter Hypermethylation in Sporadic Head and Neck Cancers

Fanconi anemia (FA) and dyskeratosis congenita (DC) are rare inherited syndromes that cause head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). Prior studies of inherited forms of cancer have been extremely important in elucidating tumor suppressor genes inactivated in sporadic tumors. Here, we studied whether sporadic tumors have epigenetic silencing of the genes causing the inherited forms of HNSCC. Using bisulfite sequencing, we investigated the incidence of promoter hypermethylation of the 17 Fanconi- and DC-associated genes in sporadic HNSCC. Genes that only showed methylation in the tumor patients were chosen for quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP) in a set of 45 tumor and 16 normal patients. Three gene promoters showed differences in methylation: FancB (FAAP95, FA core complex), FancJ (BRIP1, DNA Helicase/ATPase), and DKC1 (dyskeratin). Bisulfite sequencing revealed that only FancB and DKC1 showed no methylation in normal patients, yet the presence of promoter hypermethylation in tumor patients. On qMSP, 1/16 (6.25%) of the normal mucosal samples from non-cancer patients and 14/45 (31.1%) of the tumor patients demonstrated hypermethylation of the FancB locus (p < 0.05). These results suggest that inactivation of FancB may play a role in the pathogenesis of sporadic HNSCC.
Entry in independent submarkets: an application to the Spanish retail banking market

This paper is aimed at the analysis of the banks’ decisions to open branches in submarkets and, in particular, to test if these decisions can be considered mainly determined by what is happening in each submarket, irrespective of what has happened in other submarkets, as Sutton’s independent submarkets model suggests. With data on the Spanish retail banking sector for the period 1994-98, I specify and estimate a discrete choice model to examine the entry probability of potential new entrants into submarkets. I find that the entry decisions of potential entrants are mainly determined by submarket characteristics, as opposed to entity-specific characteristics. This result is consistent with the assumptions of the theoretical model.
From jazz notes to bank notes: The determinants of spending by black music festival attendees

Diamonds and Dorings Music Festival is used as a strategy to increase attendee numbers and associated spending to boost the economy of Kimberley and Northern Cape Province. The festival attracts mostly the Black Diamond market, a term coined to describe South Africa’s black middle-class people. In the festival context, the Black Diamonds can be regarded as a niche and emerging market that is growing in the South African economy. Unfortunately, to date, limited research has focused on the needs and spending power of this market at music festivals. To fill this gap, this research identified the determinants of the festival attendees’ spending. A visitor survey was conducted at the festival in 2015 where 367 questionnaires were administered. A linear regression analysis identified the determinants of attendee spending that included a higher number of tickets purchased, all spending components, being a local resident, staying with family and friends, staying in a guest house or B&B and hearing about the festival on the radio. These determinants have a significant influence on respondents’ behaviour to spend more money when attending the festival. Marketers and organisers of Diamonds and Dorings should focus on these determinants to influence higher spending at the festival in future.
Appendectomy in the Surgical Treatment of Endometriosis

To address the question of when to perform an appendectomy in the surgical treatment of endometriosis, a series of 500 consecutive appendectomies was reviewed. In 104 patients with pelvic endometriosis who were undergoing appendectomy, the appendix was a relatively common (13%) extragenital site of endometriosis. Gross inspection of the appendix is not sufficient to exclude endometriosis, as 38% of appendices with histologic evidence of endometriosis had a normal appearance. Patient age and the severity of endometriosis do not appear to be risk factors for appendiceal involvement. No increased postoperative morbidity was demonstrated in 65 patients who had an appendectomy when compared with a similar group of 60 patients who did not have an appendectomy. The study supports 1) removal of the appendix in patients undergoing noninfertility surgery for endometriosis, as a high prevalence of occult endometriosis was observed in this group; and 2) excision of an abnormal appendix in patients with endometriosis during infertility surgery although appendectomy for occult involvement is not supported in this group.
Performance deficit of α7 nicotinic receptor knockout mice in a delayed matching‐to‐place task suggests a mild impairment of working/episodic‐like memory

Patients with schizophrenia exhibit deficits in a range of cognitive functions, particularly working and episodic memory, which are thought to be core features of the disorder. Memory dysfunction in schizophrenia is familial and thus a promising endophenotype for genetic studies. Both human and animal studies suggest a role for the neural nicotinic acid receptor family in cognition and specifically the α7‐receptor subunit in schizophrenia and its endophenotypes. Consequently, we tested mice lacking the α7 subunit of the neural nicotinic receptor (B6.129S7‐Chrna7tm1Bay/J) in the delayed matching‐to‐place (DMP) task of the Morris water maze, a measure of working/episodic memory akin to human episodic memory. We report that a minor impairment in α7 knockout mice was observed in the DMP task, with knockout mice taking longer to find the hidden platform than their wildtype controls. This suggests a role for the α7 subunit in working/episodic memory and a potential role for the α7 neural nicotinic receptor gene (CHRNA7) in schizophrenia and its endophenotypes.
No Difference in Medium-Term Outcome Between Zenith and Talent Stent-Grafts in Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

Background Many devices are available for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Our aim was to analyze morphological effects of the Zenith and Talent systems. Methods Patients included underwent EVAR from June 1999 to June 2005 using a Zenith or Talent stent-graft, with computed tomography follow-up. Aortic dimensions over time and clinical outcome were analyzed. Results Twenty-nine patients with Zenith stent-grafts and 33 with Talent devices were included. Mean preoperative age was similar (75.5 ± 6.0 years vs 74.2 ± 6.7 years; P = .29). Preoperative neck length was longer in the Zenith group (29.9 ± 15.2 mm vs 25.5 ± 10.8 mm; P = .10), and stent-graft oversizing was greater in the Talent patients (20.2% ± 7.9% vs 23.0% ± 11.3%). There was proximal aortic dilatation and aneurysm sac shrinkage in each group. Complication rates were comparable, with 83% of both groups free from 10-mm migration. Conclusion Although device designs differ, there is no difference in clinical outcome between Zenith and Talent stent-grafts. Migration rates were not influenced by suprarenal fixation.
Diagnostic Utility of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist for Identifying Full and Partial PTSD in Active-Duty Military

The aim of this study was to determine optimally efficient cutoff scores on the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL) for identifying full posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and partial PTSD (P-PTSD) in active-duty Marines and Sailors. Participants were 1,016 Marines and Sailors who were administered the PCL and Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) 3 months after returning from Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. PCL cutoffs were tested against three CAPS-based classifications: full PTSD, stringent P-PTSD, and lenient P-PTSD. A PCL score of 39 was found to be optimally efficient for identifying full PTSD. Scores of 38 and 33 were found to be optimally efficient for identifying stringent and lenient P-PTSD, respectively. Findings suggest that the PCL cutoff that is optimally efficient for detecting PTSD in active-duty Marines and Sailors is substantially lower than the score of 50 commonly used by researchers. In addition, findings provide scores useful for identifying P-PTSD in returning service members.
Studies of zinc metabolism in pregnant and lactating rats

1. The metabolism of 65Zn administered intramuscularly (Expt 1) or enterally (Expt 2) at the beginning of pregnancy in rats given a control or marginal-Zn diet was measured. In Expt 2 a comparison was also made between pregnant and non-pregnant rats. The loss of 65Zn (assumed to represent labile body Zn) was markedly reduced in animals fed on a marginal-Zn diet compared with controls, and this effect occurred very rapidly, i.e. within 48 h of introducing the marginal-Zn diet. Pregnancy itself had a much less important effect on 65Zn turnover than diet. Transfer of 65Zn to the litter was significantly greater in the animals fed on a marginal-Zn diet compared with controls but total Zn transfer was reduced. 2. The effect of length of time on a marginal-Zn diet on fetal growth and composition was examined. Compared with controls, fetal weight was significantly greater in litters from mothers fed on a marginal-Zn diet during the last 4, 7 or 14 d of pregnancy, but no different in litters from mothers fed on a marginal-Zn diet throughout pregnancy. There were no differences in the proportions of protein or fat in the fetuses from mothers fed on the control or marginal-Zn diets but the Zn concentration was lower in litters from mothers fed on a marginal-Zn diet during part or ail of the pregnancy when compared with controls. 3. The transfer of 65Zn from mothers to litters during birth and the first 3 d of lactation was measured. There were no differences in maternal or litter 65Zn just before or just after birth, but within 72 h maternal 65Zn had significantly decreased and litter 65Zn increased. Increases in litter size were associated with greater total litter 65Zn but reduced individual fetal 65Zn. 4. These experiments demonstrate the importance of an adequate daily supply of Zn during pregnancy. Although there is room for adaptation to a marginal-Zn intake (by reducing Zn excretion) the maintenance of Zn homeostasis is only possible in the absence of other forms of stress, such as pregnancy, to the body. The consequence of insufficient Zn at times of rapid fetal growth on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism warrants further investigation.
Effects of 830 and 670 nm laser on viability of random skin flap in rats.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effect of 830 and 670 nm diode laser on the viability of random skin flaps in rats. BACKGROUND DATA Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been reported to be successful in stimulating the formation of new blood vessels and reducing the inflammatory process after injury. However, the efficiency of such treatment remains uncertain, and there is also some controversy regarding the efficacy of different wavelengths currently on the market. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty Wistar rats were used and divided into three groups, with 10 rats in each. A random skin flap was raised on the dorsum of each animal. Group 1 was the control group, group 2 received 830 nm laser radiations, and group 3 was submitted to 670 nm laser radiation (power density=0.5 mW/cm(2)). The animals underwent laser therapy with 36 J/cm(2) energy density (total energy=2.52 J and 72 sec per session) immediately after surgery and on the 4 subsequent days. The application site of laser radiation was one point at 2.5 cm from the flap's cranial base. The percentage of skin flap necrosis area was calculated on the 7th postoperative day using the paper template method. A skin sample was collected immediately after to determine the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and the epidermal cell proliferation index (KiD67). RESULTS Statistically significant differences were found among the percentages of necrosis, with higher values observed in group 1 compared with groups 2 and 3. No statistically significant differences were found among these groups using the paper template method. Group 3 presented the highest mean number of blood vessels expressing VEGF and of cells in the proliferative phase when compared with groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS LLLT was effective in increasing random skin flap viability in rats. The 670 nm laser presented more satisfactory results than the 830 nm laser.
Production for consumption: Prosumer, citizen‐consumer, and ethical consumption in a postgrowth context

â€œDoâ€ itâ€ yourselfâ€ and â€œgrowâ€ itâ€ yourselfâ€ continue as popular trends throughout industrialized urban market societies; from community gardens to communityâ€ supported agriculture, people engage in various schemes of selfâ€ provisioning and alternative economies. Some go beyond growing fruits and vegetables for immediate consumption and opt for a rural lifestyle centered on voluntary selfâ€ provisioningâ€”people who choose a lifestyle that allows them to eat independently from the food industry. This article is based on ethnographic research on lifestyle subsistence farmers in central Europe and New Zealand. In this article, I investigate practices of selfâ€ provisioning and diverse economies, drawing on Alvin Toffler's concept of the â€œprosumerâ€ to investigate what production for consumption might mean in regard to discourses on ethical consumption, social distinction, and the â€œcitizenâ€ consumerâ€ within the context of a postgrowth society.
Progression of Clinical Signs in Severe Infant Botulism

The clinical evaluation of nine patients with severe infant botulism revealed an identifiable progression of signs due to blockade of the cholinergic synapse similar to that described for competitive blocking agents.7 This predictable se quence reflects different "margins of safety" for muscles involved in repetitive activities, diaphragmatic function and movement of the extremities. It is important for the clinician to realize that return of peripheral motor activity does not signify a completely recovered cholinergic synapse. Instead of having a four- to five-fold margin of safety, the infant remains close to the point of neuromuscular blockade. Added insults or stress to neuromuscular trans mission may precipitate respiratory failure. An understanding of the signs associated with progressive impairment of cholinergic synapses both during onset and during resolution of disease will allow safe care of the infant and will diminish the risk of iatrogenie complications. Evaluation of head control is the most sensitive physical fincling indicative of return of adequate neuromuscular function and signifies that oral feedings can be reinstituted.
Symptom burden and achievement of good death of elderly cancer patients.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the symptom burden and achievement of good death of elderly cancer patients with that of younger patients. METHODS Secondary analysis of three large databases was performed: (1) 7449 cancer outpatients receiving chemotherapy, (2) 1716 outpatients with metastatic cancer, and (3) 1751 terminally ill cancer patients who died in hospitals or at home. Outcome measures used included the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory, Brief Pain Inventory, and Good Death Inventory. RESULTS In cancer outpatients receiving chemotherapy, older patients reported significantly higher levels of dyspnea and fatigue (lung cancer), emotional distress (breast cancer), and unmet needs regarding information and help with decision making (stomach cancer); however, the intensity of nausea was significantly lower across the four primary tumor sites, and intensity of pain was significantly lower in lung cancer. In outpatients with metastatic cancer, older patients reported lower levels of "maintaining hope and pleasure," "a good relationship with the family," and "independence," while there was no significant difference in the pain intensity. In terminally ill cancer patients, proxy family members reported significantly lower levels of "independence," while they reported significantly lower levels of pain, physical discomfort, and psychological discomfort. CONCLUSIONS Older cancer patients need at least the same levels of palliative care; while they experienced generally lower levels of nausea and pain, some older patients experienced higher levels of dyspnea, fatigue, emotional distress, need for information, help with decision making, loss of hope and pleasure, and independence.
Determinants of Islamic Bank Non-Performing Financing By Financing Contract (Case Study: Bank BRIsyariah Private Company)

This study integrates the determinant factors of external and internal factors that affect the Bank BRISyariah Non-Performing Financing (NPF) in the period of Quarter I 2010 to Quarter IV 2017 by using multiple regression analysis. The external variables themselves consist of Inflation Rate, Benchmark Interest Rate/BI Rate, Economic Growth and USD/IDR Exchange Rate while internal factors consist of Return on Assets (ROA), Net Income Margin (NIM), Growth Financing, Financing to Deposit Ratio (FDR), Bank Rating (consisting of Good Corporate Governance, Risk Profile, Profitability and Capital) and NPF Management/NPF handling. Based on this methodology, the results with multiple regression analysis indicate that under existing contracts or financing contracts, the influencing factors are that 1) NPF in murabahah contract is influenced by bank rating - good corporate governance, exchange rate and benchmark interest rate; 2) NPF in ishtisna contract is influenced by bank rating - risk profile, bank rating - good corporate governance, NPF handling and inflation rate; 3) NPF in qardh contract is influenced by bank rating - rentability; 4) NPF in mudharabah/musyarakah contract is influenced by the rate of inflation; 5) NPF in ijarah contract is influenced by bank rating - risk profile, bank rating - good corporate governance, bank rating - rentability, financing growth and inflation rate. This research produces external and internal factors that need to get attention in order to handle non-performing financing based on financing contract better. Keywords: non-performing financing, sharia bank, external factors, internal factors, financing contract
Opioid Analgesia in Mechanically Ventilated Children: Results From the Multicenter Measuring Opioid Tolerance Induced by Fentanyl Study*

Objective: To examine the clinical factors associated with increased opioid dose among mechanically ventilated children in the pediatric intensive care unit. Design: Prospective, observational study with 100% accrual of eligible patients. Setting: Seven pediatric intensive care units from tertiary-care children’s hospitals in the Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network. Patients: Four hundred nineteen children treated with morphine or fentanyl infusions. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Data on opioid use, concomitant therapy, demographic and explanatory variables were collected. Significant variability occurred in clinical practices, with up to 100-fold differences in baseline opioid doses, average daily or total doses, or peak infusion rates. Opioid exposure for 7 or 14 days required doubling of the daily opioid dose in 16% patients (95% confidence interval 12%–19%) and 20% patients (95% confidence interval 16%–24%), respectively. Among patients receiving opioids for longer than 3 days (n = 225), this occurred in 28% (95% confidence interval 22%–33%) and 35% (95% confidence interval 29%–41%) by 7 or 14 days, respectively. Doubling of the opioid dose was more likely to occur following opioid infusions for 7 days or longer (odds ratio 7.9, 95% confidence interval 4.3–14.3; p < 0.001) or co-therapy with midazolam (odds ratio 5.6, 95% confidence interval 2.4–12.9; p < 0.001), and it was less likely to occur if morphine was used as the primary opioid (vs. fentanyl) (odds ratio 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.25–0.92; p = 0.03), for patients receiving higher initial doses (odds ratio 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.95–0.98; p < 0.001), or if patients had prior pediatric intensive care unit admissions (odds ratio 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.15–0.89; p = 0.03). Conclusions: Mechanically ventilated children require increasing opioid doses, often associated with prolonged opioid exposure or the need for additional sedation. Efforts to reduce prolonged opioid exposure and clinical practice variation may prevent the complications of opioid therapy.
Feasibility, acceptability and preferences for intraperitoneal chemotherapy with paclitaxel and cisplatin after optimal debulking surgery for ovarian and related cancers: an ANZGOG study

Objective Intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy in women with optimally debulked stage III ovarian cancer has been reported to prolong overall survival, but has not been widely adopted due to concerns about its toxicity, inconvenience and acceptability to patients. The purposes of this study were to determine the regimen's feasibility, adverse events, catheter-related complications, progression-free survival, health-related quality of life (HRQL), and patients' preferences for IP versus intravenous (IV) chemotherapy. Methods We conducted a single arm, multi-center study of IP chemotherapy with IV paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 (D1) over 3 hours, IP cisplatin 75 mg/m2 (D2), and IP paclitaxel 60 mg/m2 (D8) for 6 cycles in women with optimally debulked stage III ovarian or related cancers. Results Thirty-eight eligible patients were recruited from 12 sites between July 2007 and December 2009. Seventy-one percent (n=27) completed at least 4 cycles and 63% (n=24) completed all 6 cycles. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events included nausea (n=2), vomiting (n=2), abdominal pain (n=2), and diarrhea (n=1), but not febrile neutropenia, neurotoxicity, or nephropathy. There were no treatment-related deaths. Catheter-related complications were the most frequent cause of early discontinuation of treatment (16 patients, 21%). Apart from neurotoxicity HRQL which worsened over time, HRQL was stable or improved with time. Most patients (≥50%) judged moderate benefits (e.g., an extra 6 months survival time or a 5% improvement in survival rates) necessary to make IP chemotherapy worthwhile. Conclusion IP chemotherapy was feasible, tolerable, and most participants considered moderate survival benefits sufficient to warrant the adverse effects and inconvenience.