Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cost analysis of two approaches to parenteral nutrition in critically ill children*

Objective: In pediatric intensive care, two approaches to parenteral nutrition are available: individualized admixtures or commercial standard solutions. Even though individualized admixtures can be tailored to sometimes highly intricate requirements, standard solutions are able to meet the demands of the majority of pediatric patients. To address the growing importance of costs in intensive care, we investigated whether relevant differences between individualized admixtures and standard solutions in terms of costs can be found. Design: Retrospective analysis. Setting: University-affiliated intensive care unit. Patients: Fifty consecutively admitted pediatric patients requiring parenteral nutrition. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Comparison of actual costs of individualized admixtures and theoretical costs of standard solutions. Mean actual costs of individualized admixtures of Euro 81.78 (± 16.33) per patient and day were significantly higher than the theoretical costs of standard solutions of Euro 61.21 (± 6.55). Cost differences increased with patients' body weights. Conclusions: Parenteral nutrition with standard solutions offers the potential of a relevant cost reduction compared with individualized admixtures in critically ill children.
Recreational value and optimal pricing of national parks: lessons from Maasai Mara in Kenya

ABSTRACT This paper estimates the recreational value and optimal pricing for recreation services in the Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya. To achieve this objective, data from 323 Park visitors were collected. Single-site individual travel cost method (ITCM) using count data models [zero truncated Poisson (ZTP), zero truncated negative binomial (ZTNB), negative binomial with endogenous stratification (NBSTRAT), and Poisson with endogenous stratification (PSTRAT)] was applied. Results show a consumer surplus of US$ 115 per visitor per day, which translates to a Park recreational value of is US$ 73.076 million per year. The optimal conservation fee that would maximize revenue for the Park was estimated at US$ 86.90 per day, a value which is less than the consumer surplus. To maximize revenue, the Park managers can therefore hike the price to capture some consumer surplus or invest in substitute facilities to increase expenditure at the site (onsite costs). It's also important to note that the value estimated in this study is for recreation only. There are other ecosystem services (provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting) which are produced in the Park. These should also be captured and paid for, so as to avail more funds for conservation and production of more ecosystem services.
Inhibitors of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase

Introduction: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a receptor tyrosine kinase normally expressed in the developing nervous tissue. Genetic alterations of ALK are associated with a number of cancers, including anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and a subset of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Standard therapies for these diseases include surgery plus unspecific cytotoxic agents, with a low therapeutic window and significant treatment-associated systemic toxicity. A few small-molecule inhibitors of ALK kinase activity have been described in the recent years, some of which are currently undergoing clinical evaluation. Areas covered: Literature was searched for all ALK inhibitors that have entered clinical investigation, including published research articles and meeting abstracts. Data on pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy of crizotinib, as well as preliminary clinical data for second-generation compounds, are reviewed. The issue of drug resistance is discussed. Expert opinion: Understanding the specific genetic aberration that causes cancer development and progression allows major advances in cancer therapy. Along the same way shown by imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia, compounds that selectively target ALK are bringing a revolution in the treatment of ALK-positive tumors. Crizotinib has just been approved, and new more potent ALK inhibitors will shortly follow. These molecules represent another excellent proof-of-principle for targeted therapy.
Deep sternal osteomyelitis: An algorithm for reconstruction based on wound width

Abstract Patients with sternum osteomyelitis are transferred to plastic surgery departments for wound coverage. Several options of flap coverage are known; however, various wound diameters need different flaps. In a retrospective study, 135 patients from 2006–2010 with deep sternal wound infections were evaluated. From 2006–2009 various flaps were used for wound coverage, as described in published reports. In 2010 a developed algorithm was used for defect coverage based on wound width using pectoralis muscle flaps or the latissimus dorsi muscle flap. Two groups of patients were analyzed, from 2006–2009 and 2010, and in a matched pair analysis patients with small wound width less than 6 cm, medium wounds widths between 6–12 cm, and large wound width larger than 12 cm. End-point was wound dehiscence larger than 1 cm. Statistical analysis was done by Mann Whitney U-test using the SPSS program. Forty-eight patients were included in the match from a total of 130 study patients. Statistical analysis did not show significant difference in patient population of the two groups. In the group with wound sizes less than 6 cm a significant difference was found when using the algorithm. In the other groups no statistically significant difference was seen; however lesser numbers in wound dehiscence were found. In addition, a significantly lesser length of stay was found in the ICU and length of the hospital stay for all groups treated according to the algorithm. A reduction of costs may be achieved when using the algorithm based on wound size.
Doctor communication quality and Friends' attitudes influence complementary medicine use in inflammatory bowel disease.

AIM To examine the frequency of regular complementary and alternative therapy (CAM) use in three Australian cohorts of contrasting care setting and geography, and identify independent attitudinal and psychological predictors of CAM use across all cohorts. METHODS A cross sectional questionnaire was administered to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in 3 separate cohorts which differed by geographical region and care setting. Demographics and frequency of regular CAM use were assessed, along with attitudes towards IBD medication and psychological parameters such as anxiety, depression, personality traits and quality of life (QOL), and compared across cohorts. Independent attitudinal and psychological predictors of CAM use were determined using binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS In 473 respondents (mean age 50.3 years, 60.2% female) regular CAM use was reported by 45.4%, and did not vary between cohorts. Only 54.1% of users disclosed CAM use to their doctor. Independent predictors of CAM use which confirm those reported previously were: covert conventional medication dose reduction (P < 0.001), seeking psychological treatment (P < 0.001), adverse effects of conventional medication (P = 0.043), and higher QOL (P < 0.001). Newly identified predictors were CAM use by family or friends (P < 0.001), dissatisfaction with patient-doctor communication (P < 0.001), and lower depression scores (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION In addition to previously identified predictors of CAM use, these data show that physician attention to communication and the patient-doctor relationship is important as these factors influence CAM use. Patient reluctance to discuss CAM with physicians may promote greater reliance on social contacts to influence CAM decisions.
Host-driven population dynamics in an herbivorous insect.

Understanding the nature and relative importance of endogenous (density-dependent) and exogenous (density-independent) effects on population dynamics remains a central problem in ecology. Evaluation of these forces has been constrained by the lack of long time series of population densities and largely limited to populations chosen for their unique dynamics (e.g., outbreak insects). Especially in herbivore populations, the relative contributions of bottom-up and top-down effects (resources and natural enemies, respectively) have been difficult to compare because population data have rarely been combined with resource measurements. The feeding scars of a wood-mining herbivorous insect (Phytobia betulae Kangas; Diptera: Agromyzidae) of birch trees (Betula pendula and Betula pubescens) provided long time series data (47 and 65 years) of absolute abundance (larvae/tree) in replicated trees within replicated stands. Measurements of tree annual rings provided matching time series of host age and physiological status. Analyses showed a powerful exogenous effect of stand age on temporal variation in insect abundance (58 and 32% of the variance in two populations, respectively). With the additional effects of variation among trees, 77 and 64% of the total variance in abundance was attributable to exogenous bottom-up effects of host plants. Potential endogenous effects were evident as immediate linear density dependence, but only accounted for approximately 10% of the total variance. Abundance of Phytobia is primarily a function of disturbance history, which produces a mosaic of different aged birch stands that harbor Phytobia populations of different sizes. Density-dependence tends to regulate local populations around levels determined by host suitability.
Oral-disease prevention in children with cancer: testing preventive protocol effectiveness.

UNLABELLED Mucositis, gingivitis, herpetic stomatitis and candidiasis are a potential source of systemic infection in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Their severity and incidence may be reduced with procedures based on the prevention and elimination of sources causing oral infection and irritation. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effectiveness of an Oral Disease Preventive Protocol in children with cancer, subjected to chemotherapy and prior to application of dentobacterial infection control. MATERIAL AND METHODS A controlled clinical test was run, with random assignations, on twelve 5-to-12-year-old patients diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) or Lymphoma, evaluated for twelve months, with a total of 154 evaluations. Five patients were boosted with oral physiotherapy, with non-alcoholic 0.05% fluoride mouthwashes, with topical application of myconazole oral gel; seven patients were given instructions on oral physiotherapy. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the groups under evaluation (p>0.05). Of the oral complications evaluated, gingivitis registered the highest percentage (60%), followed by mucositis (18%) and candida albicans infection (7%). Most affected were the submandibular and cervical ganglions (59% and 41%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Prior control of sources causing oral infection and irritation effectively prevents complications during non-surgical cancer therapy.
The Elasticity of Taxable Income: A Meta-Regression Analysis

The elasticity of taxable income is a key parameter in tax policy analysis. To examine the large variation found in the literature of taxable and broad income elasticities, I conduct a comprehensive meta-regression analysis using information from 61 studies containing 1,720 estimates. My findings reveal that estimated elasticities are not immutable parameters. They are correlated with contextual factors and the choice of the empirical specification influences the estimated elasticities. Finally, selective reporting bias is prevalent, and the direction of bias depends on whether deductions are included in the tax base.
Crosslinked chitosan microspheres for encapsulation of diclofenac sodium: effect of crosslinking agent

Microspheres of chitosan crosslinked with three different crosslinking agents viz, glutaraldehyde, sulphuric acid and heat treatment have been prepared to encapsulate diclofenac sodium (DS). Chitosan microspheres are produced in a w/o emulsion followed by crosslinking in the water phase by one of the crosslinking methods. Encapsulation of DS has been carried out by soaking the already swollen crosslinked microspheres in a saturated solution of DS. Microspheres are further characterized by FTIR, x-RD and SEM. The in-vitro release studies are performed in 7.4 pH buffer solution. Microspheres produced are spherical and have smooth surfaces, with sizes ranging between 40-230 #181;m, as evidenced by SEM. The crosslinking of chitosan takes place at the free amino group in all the cases, as evidenced by FTIR. This leads to the formation of imine groups or ionic bonds. Polymer crystallinity increases after crosslinking, as determined by x-RD. The method adopted for drug loading into the microspheres is satisfactory, and up to 28-30% w/w loading is observed for the sulphuric acid-crosslinked microspheres, whereas 23-29 and 15-23% of loadings are obtained for the glutaraldehyde (GA)- and heat-crosslinked microspheres, respectively. Among all the systems studied, the 32% GA crosslinked microspheres have shown the slowest release i.e. 41% at 420 min, and a fastest release of 81% at 500 min is shown by heat crosslinking for 3 h. Drug release from the matrices deviates slightly from the Fickian process.
Characterization of slow-cycling cells in the mouse cochlear lateral wall

Cochlear spiral ligament fibrocytes (SLFs) play essential roles in the physiology of hearing including ion recycling and the generation of endocochlear potential. In adult animals, SLFs can repopulate after damages, yet little is known about the characteristics of proliferating cells that support SLFs’ self-renewal. Here we report in detail about the characteristics of cycling cells in the spiral ligament (SL). Fifteen P6 mice and six noise-exposed P28 mice were injected with 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) for 7 days and we chased BrdU retaining cells for as long as 60 days. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the BrdU positive IB4 (an endotherial marker) negative cells expressed an early SLF marker Pou3f4 but negative for cleaved-Caspase 3. Marker studies revealed that type 3 SLFs displayed significantly higher percentage of BrdU+ cells compared to other subtypes. Notably, the cells retained BrdU until P72, demonstrating they were dividing slowly. In the noise-damaged mice, in contrast to the loss of the other types, the number of type 3 SLFs did not altered and the BrdU incorporating- phosphorylated Histone H3 positive type 3 cells were increased from day 1 to 14 after noise exposure. Furthermore, the cells repopulating type 1 area, where the cells diminished profoundly after damage, were positive for the type 3 SLF markers. Collectively, in the latral wall of the cochlea, type 3 SLFs have the stem cell capacity and may contribute to the endogenous regeneration of lateral wall spiral ligament. Manipulating type 3 cells may be employed for potential regenerative therapies.
A Single Immunization with CoVaccine HT-Adjuvanted H5N1 Influenza Virus Vaccine Induces Protective Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses in Ferrets

ABSTRACT Highly pathogenic avian influenza A viruses of the H5N1 subtype continue to circulate in poultry, and zoonotic transmissions are reported frequently. Since a pandemic caused by these highly pathogenic viruses is still feared, there is interest in the development of influenza A/H5N1 virus vaccines that can protect humans against infection, preferably after a single vaccination with a low dose of antigen. Here we describe the induction of humoral and cellular immune responses in ferrets after vaccination with a cell culture-derived whole inactivated influenza A virus vaccine in combination with the novel adjuvant CoVaccine HT. The addition of CoVaccine HT to the influenza A virus vaccine increased antibody responses to homologous and heterologous influenza A/H5N1 viruses and increased virus-specific cell-mediated immune responses. Ferrets vaccinated once with a whole-virus equivalent of 3.8 μg hemagglutinin (HA) and CoVaccine HT were protected against homologous challenge infection with influenza virus A/VN/1194/04. Furthermore, ferrets vaccinated once with the same vaccine/adjuvant combination were partially protected against infection with a heterologous virus derived from clade 2.1 of H5N1 influenza viruses. Thus, the use of the novel adjuvant CoVaccine HT with cell culture-derived inactivated influenza A/H5N1 virus antigen is a promising and dose-sparing vaccine approach warranting further clinical evaluation.
Sudden Cardiac Death Substrate Imaged by Magnetic Resonance Imaging: From Investigational Tool to Clinical Applications

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a devastating event afflicting 350 000 Americans annually despite the availability of life-saving preventive therapy, the implantable cardioverter defibrillator. SCD prevention strategies are hampered by over-reliance on global left ventricular ejection fraction <35% as the most important criterion to determine implantable cardioverter defibrillator candidacy. Annually in the United States alone, this results in ≈130 000 implantable cardioverter defibrillator placements at a cost of >$3 billion but only a 5% incidence per year of appropriate firings. This approach further fails to identify individuals who experience the majority, as many as 80%, of SCD events, which occur in the setting of more preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Better risk stratification is needed to improve care and should be guided by direct pathophysiologic markers of arrhythmic substrate, such as specific left ventricular structural abnormalities. There is an increasing body of literature to support the prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with late gadolinium enhancement in phenotyping the left ventricular to identify those at highest risk for SCD. Cardiac magnetic resonance has unparalleled tissue characterization ability and provides exquisite detail about myocardial structure and composition, abnormalities of which form the direct, pathophysiologic substrate for SCD. Here, we review the evolution and the current state of cardiac magnetic resonance for imaging the arrhythmic substrate, both as a research tool and for clinical applications.
The Effects of Employment on Recidivism Among Delinquent Juveniles

Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.etsu. edu/etd Part of the Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Criminology Commons, Criminology and Criminal Justice Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Inequality and Stratification Commons, Juvenile Law Commons, Labor and Employment Law Commons, Law and Economics Commons, Law and Society Commons, Other Economics Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Social Control, Law, Crime, and Deviance Commons, Social Policy Commons, Student Counseling and Personnel Services Commons, and the Work, Economy and Organizations Commons
Relationship of oxygen radical‐induced lipid peroxidative damage to disease onset and progression in a transgenic model of familial ALS

Transgenic mice that overexpress a mutated human CuZn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene (gly93→ala) found in some patients with familial ALS (FALS) have been shown to develop motor neuron disease, as evidenced by motor neuron loss in the lumbar and cervical spinal regions and a progressive loss of voluntary motor activity. The mutant Cu,Zn SOD exhibits essentially normal dismutase activity, but in addition, generates toxic oxygen radicals as a result of an enhancement of a normally minor peroxidase reaction. In view of the likelihood that the manifestation of motor neuron disease in the FALS transgenic mice involves an oxidative injury mechanism, the present study sought to examine the extent of lipid peroxidative damage in the spinal cords of the TgN(SOD1‐G93A)G1H mice over their life span compared to nontransgenic littermates or transgenic mice that overexpress the wild‐type human Cu,Zn SOD (TgN(SOD1)N29). Lipid peroxidation was investigated in terms of changes in vitamin E and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels measured by HPLC methods and by MDA‐protein adduct immunoreactivity. Four ages were investigated: 30 days (pre‐motor neuron pathology and clinical disease); 60 days (after initiation of pathology, but predisease); 100 days (approximately 50% loss of motor neurons and function); and 120 days (near complete hindlimb paralysis). Compared to nontransgenic mice, the TgN(SOD1‐G93A)G1H mice showed blunted accumulation of spinal cord vitamin E and higher levels of MDA (P < 0.05 at 30 and 60 days) over the 30–120 day time span. In the TgN(SOD1)N29 mice, levels of MDA at age 120 days were significantly lower than in either the TgN(SOD1‐G93A)G1H or nontransgenic mice. MDA‐protein adduct immunoreactivity was also significantly increased in the lumbar spinal cord at age 30, 100, and 120 days, and in the cervical cord at 100 and 120 days. The results clearly demonstrate an increase in spinal cord lipid peroxidation in the FALS transgenic model, which precedes the onset of ultrastructural or clinical motor neuron disease. However, the greatest intensity of actual motor neuronal lipid peroxidative injury is associated with the active phase of disease progression. These findings further support a role of oxygen radical‐mediated motor neuronal injury in the pathogenesis of FALS and the potential benefits of antioxidant therapy. J. Neurosci. Res. 53:66–77, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Understanding the inner workings of the research-teaching nexus in Taiwan higher education

Competition in higher education has forced universities to push for excellence. This phenomenon of pushing for excellence has caused institutions to focus more on research rather than teaching. With the evolving nature of higher education, what matter most is to strike a balance between research and teaching activities. To answer this question, the current study adapted the Changing Academic Profession (CAP) (Teichler, Arimoto, & Cummings, 2013) survey and collected data from the Career and professional situation, General work situation and activities, Teaching, Research, and Management situations of faculties in Taiwan higher education institutions. Data was collected from 457 faculties from 18 universities. Results show that Taiwan higher education institutions practices gender equality, while having a diverse concepts on international mobility. It is also noted that financial compensations are moderately comparable with other previous CAP surveyed countries. Sadly, results show that Taiwan higher education institution faculties have long working hours with moderate to high perceived stress. Lastly, discriminant analysis shows that individuals with high degree of disciplinary affiliations tend to have research collaborations and have the tendency to publish more than their peers. It is hoped that by better understanding how faculty preferences affects their work situation and performance, policy recommendations can be made in promoting a more balance research and teaching nexus in the academe.