Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Between justice and certainty : treaty making in modern-day British Columbia

The British Columbia Treaty Process was established in 1992 with the aim of resolving the outstanding land claims of First Nations in B.C. Since that time, two discourses have been prevalent within the treaty negotiations taking place between First Nations and the governments of Canada and British Columbia. The first, that of justice, revolves around the question of how to remedy the past injustices that were imposed on B.C.'s First Nations so as to improve their current circumstances. The second, that of certainty, asks whether this historical repair can occur without significantly disrupting the social order, and whether it can be done in a manner that provides a better future for all British Columbians. Each discourse, as it unfolds in the negotiation process, is characterized by competing visions of what justice and certainty should mean. This thesis examines the interplay between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal visions of justice and certainty and queries: is there a space between justice and certainty in which modern treaties can be made? On the basis of interviews, fieldwork, and a document analysis of treatyrelated materials, I argue that the B.C. Treaty Process, as it currently stands, fails to provide a reliable means for the parties to negotiate 'between justice and certainty'. In particular, the procedural model on which the B.C. Treaty Process is built lacks clear substantive guidelines, leaving it susceptible to the manipulations and 'symbolic violence' of the more powerful parties i.e. the provincial and federal governments. This has resulted in negotiations that are defined by the visions of justice and certainty forwarded by the non-Aboriginal governments, visions which prioritize the economic and political interests of business and government over a serious reckoning with the past. These 'affirmative reparations' render justice equivalent to achieving certainty in the form of clear and stable business and governance relations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples. In opposition to this affirmative perspective, I argue that the
Levofloxacin-Based Triple Therapy versus Bismuth-Based Quadruple Therapy for Persistent Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND:Levofloxacin-based triple therapy has been suggested as an alternative salvage therapy to bismuth-based quadruple therapy for persistent Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.METHODS:A search of PUBMED, EMBASE, EBM Review databases and abstracts from recent Digestive Disease Week, United European Gastroenterology Week, and European Helicobacter Study Group conferences was performed. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing levofloxacin-based triple salvage therapy (levofloxacin + amoxicillin + PPI) to bismuth-based quadruple salvage therapy (bismuth + tetracycline + metronidazole + PPI) were selected for meta-analysis. Additionally, all prospective trials evaluating this levofloxacin-based triple therapy as salvage therapy were pooled to analyze optimal levofloxacin treatment duration and dosing. All selected trials confirmed prior treatment failure and post-salvage treatment eradication.RESULTS:Four RCTs compared a 10-day regimen of levofloxacin-based triple therapy to 7-day bismuth-based quadruple therapy (n = 391 patients). Levofloxacin-based triple therapy was superior to quadruple therapy (RR = 1.41 [95% CI: 1.25–1.59]). Levofloxacin-based triple therapy was better tolerated than quadruple therapy with a lower incidence of side effects (RR = 0.51 [95% CI: 0.34–0.75]) and side effects prompting discontinuation of therapy (RR = 0.30 [95% CI: 0.10–0.89]). Eleven trials (n = 547 patients) evaluating levofloxacin-based triple therapy demonstrated higher eradication rates with 10-day versus 7-day regimen (87%[95% CI: 82%-92%]vs 68%[95% CI: 62%-74%]) yet eight trials (n = 477 patients) demonstrated no difference with 500 mg daily versus 250 mg b.i. d. dosing of levofloxacin (81%[95% CI: 78%-89%]vs 84%[95% CI: 66%-97%]). CONCLUSIONS:A 10-day course levofloxacin triple therapy is more effective and better tolerated than 7-day bismuth-based quadruple therapy in the treatment of persistent H. pylori infection.
Early versus late MRI in asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia

Objective The purposes of this feasibility study were to assess: (1) the potential utility of early brain MRI in asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia; (2) whether early MRI predicts later brain injury observed in these newborns after hypothermia has been completed; and (3) whether early MRI indicators of brain injury in these newborns represent reversible changes. Patients and methods All consecutive asphyxiated term newborns meeting the criteria for therapeutic hypothermia were enrolled prospectively. Each newborn underwent one or two early MRI scans while receiving hypothermia, on day of life (DOL) 1 and DOL 2–3 and also one or two late MRI scans on DOL 8–13 and at 1 month of age. Results 37 MRI scans were obtained in 12 asphyxiated neonates treated with induced hypothermia. Four newborns developed MRI evidence of brain injury, already visible on early MRI scans. The remaining eight newborns did not develop significant MRI evidence of brain injury on any of the MRI scans. In addition, two patients displayed unexpected findings on early MRIs, leading to early termination of hypothermia treatment. Conclusions MRI scans obtained on DOL 2–3 during hypothermia seem to predict later brain injuries in asphyxiated newborns. Brain injuries identified during this early time appear to represent irreversible changes. Early MRI scans might also be useful to demonstrate unexpected findings not related to hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy, which could potentially be exacerbated by induced hypothermia. Additional studies with larger numbers of patients will be useful to confirm these results.
Clinical Holistic Medicine: Metastatic Cancer

We believe that the consciousness-based/holistic medical toolbox has a serious additional offer to cancer patients and, as a consequence, designed a treatment for the patient with metastasized cancer. From a holistic perspective, cancer can be understood as a simple disturbance of the cells, arising from the tissue holding on to a trauma with strong emotional content. This is called “a blockage”, where the function of the cells is allocated from their original function in the tissue to a function of holding emotions. We hope to be able not only to improve the quality of life, but also to improve survival and in some cases even induce spontaneous remission of the metastasized cancer. This paper describes how work with a patient with metastasized cancer can be done in the holistic clinical practice in 14 days on an individual basis, helping the patient to recover her human character, purpose of life, coherence, and will to live, thus improving quality of life and possibly also survival time. The holistic therapeutic work includes (1) teaching existential theory, (2) working with life perspective and philosophy of life, (3) helping the patient to acknowledge the state of the disease and the feelings connected to it, and finally (4) getting the patient into the holistic state of healing: (a) feeling old repressed emotions, (b) understanding why she got sick from a holistic point of view, and finally (c) letting go of the negative beliefs and decisions that made her sick according to the holistic theory of nongenetic diseases. The theory of the human character, the quality of life theories, the holistic theory of cancer, the holistic process theory of healing, the theory of (Antonovsky) coherence, and the life mission theory are the most important theories for the patient to find hope and mobilize the will to fight the cancer and survive. The patient went through the following phases: (1) finding the purpose of life and hidden resources; (2) confronting denial; (3) taking responsibility for being very ill; (4) severe existential crises with no wish to live while still fighting; (5) integration of many repressed feelings and negative decisions thus rehabilitating character; (6) confronting lack of intimacy and trust in others and this way rehabilitating the ability to love; (7) rehabilitating the will to live, breaking through and falling in love with life; (8) assuming responsibility for the social relations; and sometimes (9) quality of life is improved radically with indications of spontaneous remission of the liver tumors.
Impact of Low‐Temperature Plasmas on Deinococcusradiodurans and Biomolecules

The effects of cold plasma on Deinococcus radiodurans, plasmid DNA, and model proteins were assessed using microbiological, spectrometric, and biochemical techniques. In low power O2 plasma (∼25 W, ∼45 mTorr, 90 min), D. radiodurans, a radiation‐resistant bacterium, showed a 99.999% reduction in bioburden. In higher power O2 plasma (100 W and 500 mTorr), the reduction rate increased about 10‐fold and observation by atomic force microscopy showed significant damage to the cell. Damage to cellular lipids, proteins, and chromosome was indicated by losses of infrared spectroscopic peaks at 2930, 1651, 1538, and 1245 cm‐1, respectively. In vitro experiments show that O2 plasmas induce DNA strand scissions and cross‐linking as well as reduction of enzyme activity. The observed degradation and removal of biomolecules was power‐dependent. Exposures to 200 W at 500 mTorr removed biomolecules to below detection limits in 60 s. Emission spectroscopy indicated that D. radiodurans cells were volatilized into CO2, CO, N2, and H2O, confirming that these plasmas were removing complex biological matter from surfaces. A CO2 plasma was not as effective as the O2 plasma, indicating the importance of plasma composition and the dominant role of chemical degradation. Together, these findings have implications for NASA planetary protection schemes and for the contamination of Mars.
Quality of life and health status in pediatric tonsil and adenoid disease.

OBJECTIVE To assess the baseline global health status and quality of life (QOL) in children with tonsil and adenoid disease. DESIGN Cross-sectional multicenter survey series. SETTINGS A tertiary academic pediatric specialty hospital and a tertiary academic hospital in 2 different cities. PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS Consecutive series of 55 parents of children who were seen for tonsil and adenoid disease. INTERVENTION AND METHOD: Cross-sectional survey of the health status of affected children to assess their QOL and its relationship to tonsil and adenoid disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Quality-of-life subscale scores of affected children on the Child Health Questionnaire version PF28 (CHQ-PF28); comparisons of population data from healthy normal children and children with asthma and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. RESULTS The overall health status and QOL of children with tonsil and adenoid disease is significantly worse than those of healthy normal children, as demonstrated by lower mean scores on several CHQ-PF28 subscales, including general health, physical functioning, behavior, bodily pain, and parental impact (emotional). In addition, the general health perception of children with tonsil and adenoid disease is similar to the perceptions of children with asthma and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, but several aspects of health status, as measured by CHQ-PF28 subscale scores, were significantly worse in children with tonsil and adenoid disease. CONCLUSION The health status impact of tonsil and adenoid disease appears to be quite significant, particularly in aspects related to the parental impact of the child's disease.
Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita associated with an elevated maternal serum human chorionic gonadotrophin level and transitory isolated fetal ascites

A 34–year–old woman with an abnormal maternal serum screening result and a Down syndrome risk of 1:60 calculated from a maternal serum alpha–fetoprotein (AFP) value of 1.4 multiples of the median (MoM) and a human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) level of 4.32 MoM at 18 weeks' gestation was found to have isolated fetal ascites at 23 weeks' gestation. Spontaneous resolution occurred 10 weeks after the initial presentation. After birth, the neonate had generalized cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (CMTC), large vascular plaques on the scalp with superficial ulceration and crusts, a small atrial septal defect, a patent ductus arteriosus, hepatomegaly, micrognathia, seizures, an abnormal electroencephalogram, congenital retinal detachment, glaucoma and widely spaced toes. Our patient illustrates that CMTC in utero may be associated with a markedly elevated maternal serum hCG level as well as transitory isolated fetal ascites. However, such associations can be coincidental and further collaborative studies and cases will be necessary before it can be determined that a disproportionately elevated hCG level and transitory isolated fetal ascites are predictive of CMTC in utero.
Up-to-date monitoring of childhood cancer long-term survival in Europe: leukaemias and lymphomas.

BACKGROUND In recent decades, following the introduction of effective chemotherapy, the prognosis of children with leukaemia and lymphoma has dramatically improved, but data reflecting further possible improvement achieved in the 1990s are scarce. METHODS Using the Automated Childhood Cancer Information (ACCIS) database, we carried out a period analysis of 10-year survival for the 1995-99 period. Analyses were carried out by diagnostic groups, age-group at diagnosis, sex and four European regions. RESULTS Ten-year survival estimates for the 1995-99 period were 73% for any type of leukaemia, 78% for acute lymphoid leukaemia and 52% for acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia. The corresponding 10-year survival rates for all types of lymphomas, Hodgkin lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma were 84, 91 and 79%, respectively. These figures are much higher than those obtained by traditional (cohort-based) methods of survival analysis. A large difference in prognosis is still observed between the East and other parts of Europe. CONCLUSION Major improvement in prognosis for children with leukaemia or lymphoma has been ongoing in Europe during the 1990s, but further monitoring and investments are required to remove the large regional differences between European regions.
Force control of isometric elbow flexion with visual feedback in cold with and without shivering.

BACKGROUND Exposure to cold impairs manual performance through effects on muscle tissue and control mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of increased muscle tone and shivering on ability to maintain required force during isometric flexion over a wide range of effort levels. METHODS Lightly clad male subjects (n = 6) were exposed to thermoneutral air (TN, 27 degrees C) for 30 min, or to cold air (CA, 10 degrees C) for 30 min followed by a cold drink (1 L, 8 degrees C) to cause vigorous shivering (SH). At the end of each condition, subjects performed isometric elbow flexion at 10, 20, 40, and 80% of individual maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) for 10 s each, using digital visual feedback to control the force. We analyzed mean force output (F), the coefficient of force variation (FCv), information transmission (F/SD), and the coefficient of force auto-correlation (Ra), and the averaged electromyogram (aEMG) from elbow flexors, elbow extensor, and pectoral girdle muscles. RESULTS Compared with TN, CA with increased muscle tone raised the aEMG by 5-30% but did not impair any of the force characteristics. In SH, F was not affected, while FCv and Ra were significantly increased at 10% MVC, while aEMG increased by 30-400% depending on the specific muscle and MVC level. CONCLUSION Neither thermoregulatory muscle tone nor shivering influenced the control of force output during isometric elbow flexion, except that at the lowest MVC (10%) the force output was more variable during shivering.
Depression and Reactivity to Stress in Older Women With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the role of depressive symptoms in reactivity to stress and pain in older women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Methods Participants were 188 older women with RA (N = 87) and OA (N = 101). They were initially assessed for depressive symptoms and interviewed weekly for 12 to 20 weeks regarding interpersonal stress, arthritis pain, and negative affect. Results Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) revealed that depressive symptoms were related to weekly elevations in arthritis pain, negative events, perceived stress, and negative affect for RA respondents and elevations in arthritis pain and negative affect for OA respondents. HLM analyses also indicated that depressive symptoms were related to increased reactivity to perceived stress and arthritis pain in people with RA, but not those with OA. Conclusions Depression may be related to elevations in pain for people with RA and OA and to elevations in stress and increased reactivity to stress and pain for those with RA.
Glycemic effects of vildagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes before, during and after the period of fasting in Ramadan

Objective To study the incidence of hypoglycemia, glycemic control and body weight changes in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with vildagliptin and metformin versus another group treated with sulphonylureas and metformin during and after the period of fasting in Ramadan. Patients and methods This is a randomized open-label clinical trial that recruited 69 patients previously treated with a combination therapy of metformin and sulphonylurea. Patients in the control group were maintained on their usual metformin and sulphonylurea regimen with dose adjustment for the fasting period. Patients in the study group were given vildagliptin 50 mg twice daily (at Suhur and at Iftar). One group remained on the previous background therapy unchanged and the other group was switched from sulphonylurea to vildagliptin in combination with metformin. Four visits were scheduled, one before the beginning of Ramadan (baseline), a second visit at mid Ramadan, a third at the end of Ramadan and a final visit 1 month after the end of Ramadan. At every visit, patients were assessed for hypoglycemic events and patient education was given on lifestyle needs and hypoglycemia monitoring and management. Results The calculated change in hemoglobin A1c from baseline to last visit was similar for both groups. The incidence of hypoglycemia during Ramadan was higher in the control group (26 episodes versus 19 episodes in the study group); this result was not statistically significant (p = 0.334). However, the number of patients who dropped out from the study because of discomfort due to treatment and fear of hypoglycemia was higher in the control group. Conclusion For patients who insist on observing the fast, physicians can allow it only with close follow up and monitoring for hypoglycemic events, and vildagliptin may be a better agent than sulphonylurea.
Ethanol metabolism in the brain

Acetaldehyde is suspected of being involved in the central mechanism of central nervous system depression and addiction to ethanol, but in contrast to ethanol, it can not penetrate easily from blood into the brain because of metabolic barriers. Therefore, the possibility of ethanol metabolism and acetaldehyde formation inside the brain has been one of the crucial questions in biomedical research of alcoholism. This article reviews the recent progress in this area and summarizes the evidence on the first stage of ethanol oxidation in the brain and the specific enzyme systems involved. The brain alcohol dehydrogenase and microsomal ethanol oxidizing systems, including cytochrome P450 II E1 and catalase are considered. Their physicochemical properties, the isoform composition, substrate specificity, the regional and subcellular distribution in CNS structures, their contribution to brain ethanol metabolism, induction under ethanol administration and the role in the neurochemical mechanisms of psychopharmacological and neurotoxic effects of ethanol are discussed. In addition, the nonoxidative pathway of ethanol metabolism with the formation of fatty acid ethyl esters and phosphatidylethanol in the brain is described.
Determination of land productivity under maize-cowpea intercropping system in agro-ecological zone of mount Uluguru in Morogoro, Tanzania.

The present study assessed the response of maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) under sole and intercropping systems. It also determined potential of intercropping system with respect to the proportion of land used for cultivation and the area of land saved. Results indicated that the above-ground total biological yield in sole maize (31.8 t ha -1 ) was insignificantly (p=0.055) larger than in maize (26.7 t ha -1 ) intercropped with cowpea. The yield in sole maize (6.53 t ha -1 ) was significantly (p=0.003) higher than in maize (6.47 t ha -1 ) intercropped with cowpea. The mean number of pods per plant in sole cowpea (7.7) was significantly (p=0.039) higher than in cowpea (6.8) intercropped with maize. In addition, the mean number of seeds per pod in cowpea intercropped with maize (15.0) was significantly (p=0.009) lower than in sole cowpea (15.43). Furthermore, cowpea seed yield in sole cowpea (6.7 t ha -1 ) was significantly (p=0.022) higher than in intercrop (6.25 t ha -1 ). Further to that, the land equivalent coefficient between maize and cowpea was 0.92 and the competitive ratio between the two crops when intercropped was 1.07. The land saved when the two crops were intercropped was 47.9%.
Survival differences between patients with Hodgkin lymphoma treated inside and outside clinical trials. A study based on the EORTC‐Netherlands Cancer Registry linked data with 20 years of follow‐up

The survival of patients diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has improved from 70% to 90% in clinical trials. However, population‐based data has shown lower survival. In this study, clinical trial data were linked with cancer registry to identify trial and non‐trial participants and differences in overall survival and associated factors were assessed. In 1986–2004, 27% of HL patients aged 15–70 years participated in clinical trials. Compared to non‐trial participants, trial participants were younger (median age, 31 vs. 34 years), had staging registered more accurately and had an 8% higher 20‐year survival rate (73% vs. 65%). After adjusting for baseline differences, no differences in survival (hazard ratio = 0·96, 95% confidence interval 0·82–1·12), or in subgroup analysis according to stage, remained. Over time, increased administration of chemotherapy in combination with radiotherapy, together with the decreased use of radiotherapy alone was observed among the trial population. This trend was later followed in non‐trial participants, coinciding with a similar ‘take‐up’ in survival. The observed superior survival among patients with HL treated in clinical trials can be largely explained by the differences in baseline characteristics, particularly younger age. High trial participation rate and centralized expertise facilitates the implementation of trial findings to real‐world practice.