Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incidence and outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with public-access defibrillation. A descriptive epidemiological study in a large urban community.

BACKGROUND Detailed characteristics of those who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with public-access defibrillation (PAD) are unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS A prospective, population-based observational study involving consecutive OHCA patients with emergency responder resuscitation attempts was conducted from July 1, 2004 through December 31, 2008 in Osaka City. We extracted data for OHCA patients shocked by a public-access automated external defibrillator (AED) and evaluated the patients' and rescuers' characteristics. The main outcome measure was neurologically favorable 1-month survival. During the study period, 10,375 OHCA patients were registered and of 908 patients suffering ventricular fibrillation arrest, 53 (6%) received public-access AED shocks by lay-rescuers, with the proportion increasing from 0% in 2004 to 11% in 2008 (P for trend<0.001). Railway stations (34%) were the places where PAD shocks were most frequently delivered, followed by nursing homes (11%), medical facilities (9%), and fitness facilities (7%). In 57% of cases, the subject received public-access AED shocks delivered by non-medical persons, including employees of railway companies (13%), school teachers (6%), employees of fitness facilities (6%), and security guards (6%). The proportion of neurologically favorable 1-month survival tended to increase from 0% in 2005 to 58% in 2008 (P for trend=0.081). CONCLUSIONS Railway stations are the most common places where shocks by public-access AEDs were delivered in large urban communities of Japan, and among lay-rescuers railway station workers use AEDs more frequently.
Something in the Air: Pollution and the Demand for Health Insurance

We find that daily air pollution levels have a significant effect on the decision to purchase or cancel health insurance in a manner inconsistent with rational choice theory. A one standard deviation increase in daily air pollution leads to a 7.2% increase in the number of insurance contracts sold that day. Conditional on purchase, a one standard deviation decrease in air pollution during the cooling-off (i.e. cost-free cancellation) period relative to the order-date level increases the return probability by 4.0%. We explore a range of potential mechanism and find the most support for projection bias and salience.
Techniques for and outcome of liver transplantation in neonates and infants weighing up to 5 kilograms.

BACKGROUND Neonates and small infants represent less than 5% of paediatric candidates for liver replacement. Most cases present under urgent conditions and receive grafts from large donors. Surgical techniques must be adapted for adequate graft preparation, vascular reconstruction, and abdominal closure. METHODS Technical aspects and outcome of 15 liver transplantations in infants weighing less than 5 kg performed at our unit were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS Liver transplantation was performed under urgent or highly urgent condition in 13 cases. Reduced or split liver grafts were used in all cases (median donor to recipient weight ratio, 9), including a monosegmental graft in 2 cases. In 10 cases, vascular reconstruction was done using a vascular conduit (5, 4, and 1 for artery, portal, and hepatic veins, respectively) and a delayed closure of the abdomen was necessary in 7 children. Postoperative complications were as follows: thrombosis of hepatic artery (n = 1) or portal vein (n = 1), gastrointestinal haemorrhage (n = 2), intraperitoneal bleeding (n = 1), biliary stricture (n = 2), septicaemia (n = 1). Two infants died of brain damage with a functioning graft. One child underwent retransplant for chronic rejection. CONCLUSIONS Overall, survival rate is 60% (median follow-up, 34 months), which compares favourably with older patient groups when case mix is comparable.
[Effects of community-based case management program for clients with hypertension].

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to analyze effects of a community-based case management program for clients with hypertension living in the community. METHODS The research design was a one group pre and post-test design with 30 participants with hypertension who agreed to participate in the 8-12 week case management program provided by case managers from the National Health Insurance Corporation in 2002. Data were collected three times, before and after the case management services, and 6 months later. Outcomes included changes in blood pressure, knowledge of hypertension and daily life practices, including alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise, and medication adherence. RESULTS Repeated-measures ANOVA and post-hoc tests of means revealed significant differences before and after service for systolic blood pressure, daily life practices (monitoring body weight and BP, low salt and cholesterol and high vegetable diet, and stress-relief practices), and exercise. The goal for medication adherence was attained after service. Significant improvements from baseline to 6 months after service were observed in measures of salt and vegetables in diet. There were no significant differences on hypertension knowledge, alcohol consumption or smoking behavior between before service and after, and at 6 months. CONCLUSION The findings provide preliminary evidence that case management intervention can have positive outcomes on BP control, daily life practices, exercise, and medication adherence for clients with hypertension. However, additional interventions are needed to sustain long-term effects.
The Epidemiology and Treatment Patterns of Postoperative Adhesion Induced Intestinal Obstruction in Varsinais-Suomi Hospital District

Background and Aims: The epidemiology and treatment patterns of postoperative adhesion induced intestinal obstruction have been poorly investigated in Finland. This study evaluated the epidemiology and treatment patterns of postoperative adhesion induced intestinal obstruction in a well defined geographical area (Hospital District). Material and Methods: All inpatient episodes between 1.1. 1999 and 31.12. 1999 due to postoperative adhesion induced intestinal obstruction in Varsinais-Suomi Hospital District were evaluated retrospectively using individual patient records. Results: 123 hospitalizations due to postoperative adhesion-related intestinal obstruction were observed during the study period. The total number of preceding operations was 176 considering altogether 101 patients. The most prevalent single initial operations causing adhesion induced intestinal obstruction were colorectal, upper abdominal, and female reproductive system procedures. Of all treatment episodes 32 % were operative and mortality was 2 %. The median days of hospital stay (range) of all inpatient episodes, operative episodes, and conservative episodes were 6 (1–58), 11 (2–34) and 4 (1–58), respectively. Patient dependent factors associated with increased likelihood to operative treatment of obstruction were: female gender (40 % in females vs 23 in males, P = 0.042) and previous gynaecological surgery (70 % of the patients, P = 0.032). Intraoperative findings were obstruction in 70 %, strangulation in 20 %, necrosis in 8 %, and perforation in 2 % of operations. Bowel resection was needed in 38 % of operations. Preceding gynaecological surgery increased the likelihood of bowel strangulation as an intraoperative finding. Conclusion: The epidemiology, treatment patterns and results of postoperative adhesion induced intestinal obstruction are of the average international level in the Varsinais-Suomi Hospital District. The treatment patterns among the different hospitals in the Hospital District are similar. Female gender is associated with increased risk for operative treatment of adhesive obstruction. Previous gynaecological surgery increases the likelihood of operative treatment and complicated obstruction.
On the post-financial crisis performance of Islamic mutual funds: the case of Riyad funds

ABSTRACT Using Riyad Capital mutual funds as a proxy for Saudi Arabian mutual funds, this paper empirically compares the risk-adjusted performance and investment style of Islamic mutual funds with that of conventional funds in the wake of the recent global financial crisis of 2009–2014. Absolute and relative risk-adjusted measures with single factor (Jensen) and multifactor (Carhart) models are applied. Our findings suggest that Islamic funds outperformed conventional funds domestically, given similar risk exposure, and produced comparable results under lower market risk globally. The results show that Islamic funds are a relatively big cap from the strong statistical significance registered on the global side as evidenced by the difference portfolio outcomes. In addition, the difference portfolios provide statistical evidence that Islamic funds are more value-oriented compared to conventional funds on both fronts. Furthermore, Islamic funds tend to slightly favour a contrarian trading investment strategy as suggested by statistically significant local portfolio value and global difference portfolios results. The results of home bias test show stronger ties by local Islamic funds to local market relative to the global proxy suggesting that domestic investors and managers favour Islamic funds over conventional funds, thus confirming a local preference for Shari’ah-compliant investments.
“Our turn to eat:” Shifting gender norms and food security in the Wakiso district of Uganda

ABSTRACT Evidence suggests that household inequalities contribute to food insecurity and nutrient deficiencies in rural Ugandan women. In this mixed-methods study, 64 participants from two villages in the Wakiso District were interviewed and asked questions from FANTA’s Household Food Insecurity Access Scales (HFIAS) tool. Participants detailed foods consumed within the last 24 hr; these data were used to create Household Dietary Diversity (HDDS) scores. Discussion group qualitative data were evaluated through thematic analysis. There was no statistically significant evidence to suggest that the gender of the head of the household influenced these scores. The mean HFIAS score was 9.3 out of 27 and the mean HDDS was 6.4 out of 14. The qualitative data paints a picture of economically independent women who are overburdened by household responsibilities. Additionally, participants reported limited access to marketplaces to sell crops directly and therefore sold to agricultural middlemen. Technical investments in low-cost storage technologies are recommended to ensure more negotiation power with middlemen while also improving household food security.
Chronic effects of a high-fat diet enriched with virgin olive oil and a low-fat diet enriched with α-linolenic acid on postprandial endothelial function in healthy men

Traditional cardiovascular risk factors are associated with endothelial dysfunction. The vascular endothelium plays a key role in local vascular tone regulation and can be modulated by dietary fat. We propose to determine the chronic effect of three diets with different fat compositions on postprandial endothelial function and inflammatory biomarkers. Twenty healthy men followed three 4-week diets in a randomised cross-over design: a Western diet, rich in saturated fat (22 % SFA, 12 % MUFA and 0·4 % α-linolenic acid (ALA), all fractions are % of energy); a Mediterranean diet, rich in MUFA ( < 10 % SFA, 24 % MUFA and 0·4 % ALA); a low-fat diet enriched in ALA ( < 10 % SFA, 12 % MUFA and 2 % ALA). At the end of each dietary period all subjects underwent a postprandial study. Plasma concentrations of lipid parameters, soluble intercellular cell-adhesion molecule-1, soluble vascular cell-adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), nitrates and nitrites (NOx) and endothelial function studied by laser Doppler were examined at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h. The endothelium-dependent vasodilatory response was greater 4 h after the ingestion of the MUFA-rich diet than after the SFA or ALA low-fat diets (P = 0·031). The 4 h postprandial plasma sVCAM-1 levels were lower after the MUFA meals than after the ALA low-fat diet (P = 0·043). The bioavailability of NOx was higher following the MUFA diet than after the SFA and ALA low-fat diets (P = 0·027). We found no differences in the other parameters measured. Chronic ingestion of a Mediterranean diet avoids the postprandial deterioration of endothelial function associated with Westernised diets in healthy individuals.
Prognostic Implication of Immunohistochemical Runx2 Expression in Osteosarcoma

Aims and background Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone malignancy. Many genetic markers have proven prognostic value in osteosarcoma and studies are under way to determine their potential application as specific therapeutic targets. Runx2, Indian hedgehog (IHH), and Sox9 are proteins that play major roles in bone formation and tumorigenesis. We studied the protein expression of Runx2, IHH, and Sox9 in osteosarcoma and correlated their expression with clinicopathological variables. We also studied the prognostic value of the expression of these three genes in osteosarcoma. Methods and study design We produced 48 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue microarrays containing osteosarcoma tissue cores for immunohistochemical staining of Runx2, IHH and Sox9. We evaluated the expression of each gene by immunohistochemical staining and analyzed the relationship between expression and clinicopathological parameters. Results High expression of Runx2 was significantly related to metastasis (P = 0.015). High expression of Runx2 indicated a trend toward a poor survival rate (P = 0.056). High expression of IHH and Sox9 were not related to any clinicopathological parameters. Conclusions High expression of Runx2 was significantly related to tumor metastasis in osteosarcoma. Our results suggest that overexpression of Runx2 might be a useful prognostic marker in osteosarcoma cases.
Visual system of the fossorial mole‐lemmings, Ellobius talpinus and Ellobius lutescens

Ocular regression in subterranean species has been shown to be associated with a number of alterations in the retina and in retinal pathways. In order to examine the consequences of eye reduction, the visual system was studied in two species of the murine genus, Ellobius, a specialized fossorial rodent. The axial length of the eye is only 2.2 mm in E. lutescens and 2.9 mm in E. talpinus. The mean soma size of ganglion cells in Nissl‐stained flatmounts is approximately 10 μm in E. lutescens and 12 μm in E. talpinus. The soma size distribution in both species appears unimodal and falls within a range‐of 6–17 μm in diameter. The topographic distribution of ganglion cells shows a weak centroperipheral gradient, and an area centralis cannot be distinguished. The total number of neurons in the ganglion cell layer in Nissl‐stained flat mounts is 12,000 in E. lutescens and 28,500 in E. talpinus and, following injection of retrograde tracers in the superior colliculus, is, respectively, 3,600 and 20,000. Based on the axial length and maximum ganglion cell density, the calculated retinal magnification factor (20–26 μm/degree) and spatial resolution (0.4–0.9 cycles/degree) of these minute eyes are extremely reduced. Retinofugal projections, demonstrated by autoradiography and horseradish peroxidase histochemistry, are similar to those in other rodents. The superior colliculus is well developed and receives a predominantly contralateral projection. Ganglion cells projecting to the contralateral colliculus are distributed over the entire retina, while cells that project ipsilaterally are restricted to the ventrotemporal region. The dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus has clearly defined binocular and monocular segments, including a partial segregation of regions receiving ipsilateral or contralateral retinal innervation. In addition, a localized region of label is observed medial to the geniculate nucleus. The retina also sends a bilateral projection to the suprachiasmatic nucleus; the intergeniculate leaflet; the pretectum; and the medial, lateral, and dorsal terminal nuclei of the accessory optic system. Sparse retinal projections were also seen in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the anterior thalamus, and the inferior colliculus. A substantial retinal projection is observed in the basal telencephalon, including the cortical amygdaloid region, the diagonal band of Broca, the olfactory tubercle, and the piriform cortex. The results suggest that the morphological constraints of reduced eye size are reflected in the retina by a generally homogeneous organization but that central visual projections are not substantially modified as in some more specialized, strictly subterranean rodents. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Brain Atrophy in Normal Ageing and Alzheimer's Disease

Background We examined the differences in volume of the ventricular and extracerebral cerebrospinal fluid spaces in normal ageing and in probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) and we tried to investigate the effects of the severity of illness on the morphometric differentiation of AD and ageing, the principal components underlying brain atrophy in both conditions, and the correlations of these measurements with clinical findings. Method Forty patients with probable AD were matched with 40 non-demented elderly controls. Both groups underwent standardised clinical tests and unenhanced cranial computed tomography for post hoc volumetric analysis. Results The lateral and third ventricles and the anterior and lateral fissures were significantly larger in AD than in normal ageing. The volumes of the lateral ventricle and lateral fissure permitted a highly efficient differentiation between normal ageing and AD even at the mild stage of dementia, and this differentiation was improved further in the more severe stages of illness. We identified one principal component underlying brain atrophy in normal ageing and two components in AD: a ‘grey matter’ component accounting for sulcal and third ventricular enlargement, and a ‘white matter’ component for lateral ventricular enlargement. In AD, most of the volumetric measurements were significantly correlated with cognitive impairment, but in the group of non-demented elderly controls they were correlated with age. Conclusion Volumetric indices of brain atrophy permit a highly efficient differentiation between normal ageing and AD even in the mild stages of illness and this demonstrates that substantial structural brain changes have developed in the preclinical phase of illness. We suggest that there is an uncoupling between lateral ventricular enlargement and cortical brain atrophy in AD.
Warfarin use and prostate cancer risk in the Finnish Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer

Abstract Objective: Anticoagulants, especially vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) such as warfarin, have been hypothesized to have antitumor properties, and use of VKAs has been associated with a lower prostate cancer (PCa) risk. This study estimated PCa risk among users of warfarin and other anticoagulants. Materials and methods: All anticoagulant use among 78,615 men during 1995–2009 was analyzed. Cox regression, adjusted for age, screening trial arm and use of other medications, with medication use as a time-dependent variable, was used to estimate PCa risk overall, and by tumor grade and stage. Results: In total, 6537 men were diagnosed with PCa during 1995–2009 (1210 among warfarin users). Compared to non-users, warfarin use was associated with an increased risk of PCa [multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.22]. This was limited to short-term, low-dose use, and was not observed in long-term use. A similar overall risk increase was observed for Gleason grade 7–10 PCa. Low-dose, short-term use of warfarin was associated with an increased risk of metastatic PCa. However, the increase in risk vanished with continued use. Compared to other anticoagulants, low-dose use of warfarin was associated with a slightly elevated overall PCa risk (HR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.00–1.43). The increase in risk disappeared in long-term, high-dose use. Conclusions: This study, which included a larger number of PCa cases with warfarin exposure than previous studies, does not support previous notions of decreased risk of PCa among warfarin users. A similar risk of PCa was found among warfarin users and the general population, and no difference in risk was found between warfarin and other anticoagulants.
The effects of uncertainty in the technological transitions of the power sector : endogenous emissions scenarios up to 2050

By August 2016, 180 countries have signed the Paris Agreement and committed to holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2◦C above pre-industrial levels. Abiding by the agreement will require a substantial reduction of emissions over the next few decades and near zero emissions of CO2 and other long-lived greenhouse gases by the end of this century. In this context, the decarbonisation of the global power sector is of strategic importance, because low-carbon electricity has system-wide benefits that go beyond the electricity sector, enabling significant reductions of CO2 emissions in the industry, transport and buildings sectors. To make the necessary changes depends partly on improving the analysis and estimates of the economics of climate change, and for that there is an urgent need for a new generation of models that give a more accurate picture of the potential decarbonisation pathways. The technological transition towards a low carbon power sector depends on many uncertain factors, such as policy efficiency, renewable energy investment and availability of energy resources. The knowledge about how these uncertain factors interact, and the impacts on the technological evolution of the energy sector, are the key to creating successful policies for driving the economy towards a cleaner, low carbon society. In this context, the work presented here provides decarbonisation scenarios of the global power sector, under uncertain drivers of technological change, and in doing so, enables a better understanding of technology diffusion process in the power sector. The scenarios are created using the FTT:Power model, a representation of global power systems based on market competition, induced technological change and natural resource use and depletion. The scenarios analysed in this dissertation are focused on four drivers of technological change: energy policy, energy resource availability, learning and investment. The influence of uncertainty on each of these drivers is analysed in detail, through endogenous emission scenarios of the global power sector between 2016 and 2050. Emission pathways with uncertainty ranges, as well as policy recommendations, are presented as a result of the modelling exercise.
Insecurity and Economic Growth in Nigeria: A Diagnostic Review

This paper examines the effect of insecurity on economic growth in Nigeria. Apart from its direct effect on the populace, it also affects the economy. Using elements of descriptive qualitative analysis and data from secondary sources, the paper analyzed its effect on some economic parameters. The analysis showed that insecurity affects economic growth by drying-out investments, increases unemployment and dwindles government revenue, amongst others. Despite these effects, government capital expenditure on internal security did not grow astronomically to match the hydra-headed problem. This paper therefore recommended an increase in capital expenditure on internal security and concludes with a discussion of some policies to be designed and targeted at addressing the economic effects of insecurity.