Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pseudocysts in Chronic Pancreatitis: A Morphological Analysis of 57 Resection Specimens and 9 Autopsy Pancreata

The pathology of chronic pancreatitis is reviewed in order to study the histology and incidence of pseudocysts in relation to the degree of pancreatic fibrosis and calcification. The series consisted of 57 resection specimens (49 partial pancreatectomy specimens and 8 total pancreatectomy specimens) and 9 autopsy pancreata. The histology of cystic lesions observed in the specimens was found to be identical to that of pseudocysts in acute pancreatitis. In 19 of 57, there was concomitant occurrence of focal autodigestive (fat) necrosis and pseudocysts. Pseudocysts were more common in specimens with focal fibrosis and few calcifcations (13/25) than in those with diffuse advanced fibrosis and numerous calcifications (15/41). The findings indicate that sequelae of acute pancreatitis are frequently present in chronic pancreatitis, particularly in an early stage when fibrosis is still focal and calcification rare. This suggests that chronic pancreatitis may result from relapses of severe acute pancreatitis. A pathogenetic concept that relates acute pancreatitis with chronic pancreatitis is proposed.
Frequency and characteristics of post‐transfusion hepatitis in Greece with emphasis on hepatitis C: comparing second‐ and third‐generation assays

SUMMARY. In order to evaluate the role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in post‐transfusion hepatitis (PTH) in Greece we prospectively followed 143 transfusion recipients, receiving 790 units of blood and/or products from 789 donors, between October 1989 and December 1991. The mean number of units transfused per patient was 5–52. PTH was observed in 18 patients (12–59%). One patient (0–70%) developed hepatitis B, in four (2–80%) hepatitis could be attributed to CMV infection, 10 (6–99%) developed hepatitis C and three (2–10%) showed only raised alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. The risk of PTH per 1000 units transfused was 22–8. The patient who developed hepatitis B (PTH‐B) was transfused with four units, one of which was positive for anti‐HBc and anti‐HBe. Seven of the 10 patients (70%) who developed hepatitis C (PTH‐C) were transfused with at least one unit seropositive in the anti‐HCV screening with 2nd‐generation tests (ELISA‐2 and RIBA‐2), whereas 9/10 of PTH‐C cases (90%) were transfused with at least one unit positive in 3rd‐generation assays. Of the three patients who showed only ALT elevation, none was transfused with anti‐HCV seropositive blood, although one of them was transfused with at least one unit with elevated ALT levels. We conclude that: (1) the incidence of PTH in Greece remains high, (2)screening of all donations for anti‐HCV with an ELISA‐2 does not exclude transmission of HCV and (3) ELISA‐3 and RIBA‐3 seem to be more sensitive in blood donor screening and in detecting seroconversions than ELISA‐2 and RIBA‐2.
The Economic Impact of Migration

Overall, by 2050, each individual migrant will on average be contributing approximately 10 per cent more to Australia’s economy than existing residents. The economic impact of migration flows through into every aspect of the economy. It has a profound positive impact not just on population growth, but also on labour participation and employment, on wages and incomes, on our national skills base and on net productivity.
Prevalence and Characteristics of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli from Healthy Cattle in Japan

ABSTRACT The prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in Japan was examined by using stool samples from 87 calves, 88 heifers, and 183 cows on 78 farms. As determined by screening with stx-PCR, the prevalence was 46% in calves, 66% in heifers, and 69% in cows; as determined by nestedstx-PCR, the prevalence was 100% in all animal groups. Of the 962 isolates picked by colony stx hybridization, 92 isolates from 54 farms were characterized to determine their O serogroups, virulence factor genes, and antimicrobial resistance. Of these 92 isolates, 74 (80%) could be classified into O serogroups; 50% of these 74 isolates belonged to O serogroups O8, O26, O84, O113, and O116 and 1 isolate belonged to O serogroup O157. Locus of enterocyte effacement genes were detected in 24% of the isolates, and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) hlyA genes were detected in 72% of the isolates. Neither the bundle-forming pilus gene nor the enteropathogenic E. coli adherence factor plasmid was found. STEC strains with characteristics typical of isolates from human EHEC infections, which were regarded as potential EHEC strains, were present on 11.5% of the farms.
The effect of age on blood flow in the proximal femur in man.

blood flow in the proximal femur was measured in 45 healthy male and female adults by means of a Xe-133 washout method. On the basis of a two-compartment exponential model, blood flow was calculated assuming that the compartments were hematopoietic (red) marrow and nonhematopoietic tissues of bone. Between the ages of 20 and 55 the bone perfusion was 8.3 +/- 1.4 (1 s.d.) ml/100 g/min, decreasing thereafter in older patients. During the same period the red-marrow blood flow (RMBF) decreased linearly: RMBF (ml/100 g/min) = -0.14 x age + 24.5. The nonhematopoietic bone perfusion changed like the bone perfusion. The fractional masses of red marrow and nonhematopoietic tissues of bone in the greater trochanteric region of the femur were determined morphometrically from the bone biopsies of seven adult cadavers. They agreed with the values estimated by the Xe-133 washout method. The blood-flow values will be used as reference values for the Xe-133 bone circulation method.
Arthroscopic meniscectomy for discoid lateral meniscus in children and adolescents: 4.5 year follow-up*

We retrospectively reviewed the 4.5 year (range, 21–88 months) follow-up results of arthroscopic partial meniscectomies performed in 11 knees between 1994 and 2000 to treat a symptomatic discoid lateral meniscus. The average age at surgery was 11.5 years (range, 5–17 years). All except one of the discoid menisci were of a complete type, and all except three were torn menisci. At the latest follow-up examination, the result was excellent for nine knees, and good for two; no degenerative changes were evident on the roentgenograms. Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy should be the treatment of choice for the complete type symptomatic lateral discoid meniscus, even if it is intact. Preoperative lack of the knee extension requires a gentle rehabilitation program postoperatively.
Ultrasonographic Features and Severity Scoring of Periventricular Hemorrhagic Infarction in Relation to Risk Factors and Outcome

OBJECTIVE. Early diagnosis of periventricular hemorrhagic infarction in premature infants is based on bedside neonatal cranial ultrasonography. Currently, evaluation of its morphology and evolution by cranial ultrasound relies largely on data predating major advances in perinatal care and lacks a consistent classification system for determining severity of injury. The objective of this study was to examine the ultrasonographic morphology and evolution of periventricular hemorrhagic infarction in the modern NICU and to determine the value of a cranial ultrasonography-based severity score for predicting outcome. METHODS. We retrospectively evaluated all cranial ultrasounds and medical records of 58 premature infants with periventricular hemorrhagic infarction. We assigned each subject a severity score based on extent of echodensity, unilateral versus bilateral, and presence or absence of midline shift. A neurologic examination was performed after 12 months adjusted age. RESULTS. The parenchymal echodensity of periventricular hemorrhagic infarction most often involved parietal and frontal territories and evolved into single and/or multiple cysts. One quarter of cases were bilateral, and nearly 70% were extensive. Higher severity scores were significantly associated with pulmonary hemorrhage and low bicarbonate levels and with outcomes of fatality, early neonatal seizures, and motor disability. CONCLUSIONS. Despite advances in perinatal medicine, periventricular hemorrhagic infarction remains an important complication of prematurity. Periventricular hemorrhagic infarction can be graded using a scoring system based on sonographic characteristics. Higher severity scores predict worse outcome. Such severity scoring could improve the clinician's ability to counsel parents regarding management decisions and early intervention strategies.
State Bureaucracy in Indonesia and its Reforms: An Overview

ABSTRACT New Public Management (NPM) as a part of neoliberalism has increasingly become a global phenomenon and has transcended national boundaries, irrespective of whether they are English-speaking countries or non-English-speaking countries. This label of public management has not been interpreted and implemented in a single language, but has been adapted and implemented based on the contextual condition of given nations in terms of their socio-culture, history and formation, ideological inclination, and polity system. This article aimed at providing support to the above supposition, taking Indonesian public governance reforms as an example. The review of Indonesian reforms on public governance is expected to enrich the proliferation of international reforms on public governance in terms of how NPM has been travelling global and has been recontextualized in the existing values of Indonesian people.
Effect of Hesperidin on Nicotine Toxicity and Histopathological Studies

ABSTRACT The study was designed to evaluate the protective nature of the bioflavonoid hesperidin on nicotine-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats. Lung toxicity was induced by subcutaneous injection of nicotine at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg of body weight (5 days a week for 22 weeks). The nicotine-treated rats showed a significant increase in the marker enzymes, cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, and free fatty acids. There was a significant protection on hesperidin administration at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight in nicotine-treated rats. This finding is supported by histopathological studies of liver, lung, and kidney. The results of the present study suggest that hesperidin showed protective effects against nicotine-induced toxicity.
Changes in novel biomarkers of disease activity in juvenile and adult dermatomyositis are sensitive biomarkers of disease course.

OBJECTIVE Muscle enzyme levels are insensitive markers of disease activity in juvenile and adult dermatomyositis (DM), especially during the active treatment phase. To improve our ability to monitor DM disease activity longitudinally, especially in the presence of immunomodulating agents, we prospectively evaluated whether interferon (IFN)-dependent peripheral blood gene and chemokine signatures could serve as sensitive and responsive biomarkers for change in disease activity in adult and juvenile DM. METHODS Peripheral blood and clinical data were collected from 51 patients with juvenile or adult DM prospectively over 2 study visits. We performed disease activity measurements and calculated whole-blood type I IFN gene and chemokine scores. We also measured serum levels of other proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6). RESULTS Changes in juvenile and adult DM global disease activity correlated positively and significantly with changes in the type I IFN gene score before adjustment for medication use (r = 0.33, P = 0.023) and with changes in the IFN chemokine score before and after adjustment for medication use (r = 0.53, P < 0.001 and r = 0.50, P < 0.001, respectively). Changes in muscle and extramuscular visual analog scale (VAS) scores correlated positively with changes in IFN gene and chemokine scores (P = 0.002, P < 0.001, P = 0.095, P < 0.001). Serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) correlated positively with changes in global, muscle, and extramuscular VAS scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that changes in type I IFN gene and chemokine scores as well as in levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα may serve as sensitive and responsive longitudinal biomarkers of change in disease activity in juvenile and adult DM, even in the presence of immunomodulating agents.
Comparison of peritoneal fluid and peripheral blood pH, bicarbonate, glucose, and lactate concentration as a diagnostic tool for septic peritonitis in dogs and cats.

OBJECTIVE To establish a reliable diagnostic tool for septic peritonitis in dogs and cats using pH, bicarbonate, lactate, and glucose concentrations in peritoneal fluid and venous blood. STUDY DESIGN Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS Eighteen dogs and 12 cats with peritoneal effusion. METHODS pH, bicarbonate, electrolyte, lactate, and glucose concentrations were measured on 1- to 2-mL samples of venous blood and peritoneal fluid collected at admission. The concentration difference between blood and peritoneal fluid for pH, bicarbonate, glucose, and lactate concentrations were calculated by subtracting the peritoneal fluid concentration from the blood concentration. Peritoneal fluid was submitted for cytologic examination and bacterial culture. Peritonitis was classified as septic or nonseptic based on cytology and bacterial culture results. RESULTS In dogs, with septic effusion, peritoneal fluid glucose concentration was always lower than the blood glucose concentration. A blood-to-fluid glucose (BFG) difference > 20 mg/dL was 100% sensitive and 100% specific for the diagnosis of septic peritoneal effusion in dogs. In 7 dogs in which it was evaluated, a blood-to-fluid lactate (BFL) difference < -2.0 mmol/L was also 100% sensitive and specific for a diagnosis of septic peritoneal effusion. In cats, the BFG difference was 86% sensitive and 100% specific for a diagnosis of septic peritonitis. In dogs and cats, the BFG difference was more accurate for a diagnosis of septic peritonitis than peritoneal fluid glucose concentration alone. CONCLUSIONS A concentration difference > 20 mg/dL between blood and peritoneal fluid glucose concentration provides a rapid and reliable means to differentiate a septic peritoneal effusion from a nonseptic peritoneal effusion in dogs and cats. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The difference between blood and peritoneal fluid glucose concentrations should be used as a more reliable diagnostic indicator of septic peritoneal effusion than peritoneal fluid glucose concentration alone.
Emotional intelligence and job performance: The mediating role of work-family balance

ABSTRACT In this study, we examine the dynamics between emotional intelligence, work-family balance, and job performance. A review of the literature to date has shown distinct relationships between emotional intelligence to job performance and work-family balance to job performance. We utilize a sample of 233 respondents to empirically test our set of hypotheses that contend work-family balance mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and job performance. Our results support these hypotheses. Practical implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Paradoxical Cholinergic and Purinergic Vascular Reactivity of Rabbit Thoracic Aorta Cold‐stored in University of Wisconsin Solution

Endothelial dysfunction has been reported in donor blood vessels destined for organ transplantation following cold‐storage preservation with University of Wisconsin solution (UW). This was investigated in the present work. Segments of rabbit thoracic aorta were mounted on isometric fine‐wire myographs at 37°C and gassed with 95% O2/5% CO2. Concentration‐dependent vasodilatations to acetylcholine and adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate (ATP) were obtained in freshly‐harvested rabbit aortic rings, with and without the endothelium, and after 8 days of cold‐storage, at 4°C, in either UW, Krebs‐Bülbring buffer (KBB) or saline. The action of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) (100 μM) was evaluated upon the concentration‐response curves to determine whether nitric oxide (NO) exerted any modulatory actions.
Study of drug utilization pattern of antihyperglycemic agents in a South Indian tertiary care teaching hospital

Objective: To determine the drug utilization pattern of antihyperglycemic agents (AHA) in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study. All the relevant data were collected and drug utilization pattern of AHA was determined. Direct cost associated with the use of antihyperglycemic medicines was calculated and consumption of the antihyperglycemic medicines was measured as defined daily dose (DDD)/100 bed-days. The adverse drug reactions (ADRs) related to anti-diabetic medicines were monitored. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi square test (χ2), mean±standard deviation. Results: During the study period, 350 patients diagnosed as diabetes mellitus (DM) were admitted. Insulin was prescribed as monotherapy to 81% and to 52% patients during hospital stay and discharge, respectively. Increase in utilization of insulin was recorded in majority of the patients due to presence of co-morbid conditions or resistance to oral hypoglycemic drugs. Use of insulin at the time of discharge decreased significantly (P<0.05) by 29%. Among the oral AHA, combination of glimepiride with metformin was more prevalent during hospital stay and at the time of discharge monotherapy of metformin followed by glimepiride was more prevalent. During hospital stay, cost of AHA was found to be Rs. 95.27 ± 119.03. The total antihyperglycemic drug consumption in the medicine ward during study period was 13.42 DDD/100 bed-days. Fifty ADRs were reported and descriptions of ADRs were found to be only hypoglycemia. Conclusion: The study exhibited a significant increase in the utilization of two drug combination therapies and monotherapy of oral AHA and decrease in the utilization of insulin at the time of discharge.
Two-dimensional blood velocity estimation with ultrasound: speckle tracking versus crossed-beam vector doppler based on flow simulations in a carotid bifurcation model

Detailed imaging of complex blood flow may improve early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. In clinical practice, non-invasive flow imaging has been limited to one-dimensional Doppler techniques. Searching for multi-dimensional estimators, research has given attention to speckle tracking (ST) and vector Doppler (VD). However, these techniques have yet to be validated for complex flow patterns as may arise in diseased arteries. In this work, the properties of ST and crossed-beam VD are compared with a ground truth for clinically relevant flow using an ultrasonic simulation environment coupled with the output from computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The statistical properties (n = 80) of ST and VD were first evaluated for stationary flow in a tube for varying vessel positions and angles, and for varying noise levels. The parameter study demonstrated VD to be a more robust axial velocity estimator, and similar results were obtained overall for the lateral velocity component. As an example, the relative standard deviation was 15% and 8% for ST compared with 3% and 10% for VD, for the axial and lateral velocity component, respectively. Further, performance was evaluated for pulsatile flow conditions in a stenosed carotid bifurcation model. A linear regression analysis showed that both methods overall had a good agreement to the CFD reference, however VD suffered from more spurious artifacts and was severely hampered by aliasing in parts of the cardiac cycle. ST was less accurate in estimating the axial component, but prevailed in estimating velocities well beyond the Nyquist range. Based on our simulations, both methods may be used to image complex flow behavior in the carotid bifurcation, however, considering also the scanning limitations of VD, ST may provide a more consistent and practical approach. Future work will entail in vitro and in vivo validation of these results.
Circulatory and renal control by prostaglandins and renin in low cardiac output in dogs.

Changes of neurohumoral factors including vasodilatory prostaglandins (PGs) were investigated in an experimental model of moderate low-cardiac-output status induced by rapid right ventricular pacing (240 beats/min). After 7 days of pacing, we studied the response of renal, hormonal, and hemodynamic parameters to cyclooxygenase inhibition by indomethacin and the effects of the renin system by converting-enzyme blockade in addition to the inhibition of PG synthesis. Lowering cardiac output increased plasma levels of norepinephrine and atrial natriuretic peptide. Plasma renin concentration was suppressed, despite a fall in cardiac output and blood pressure and a stimulation of sympathetic nerve activity. Urinary excretion of PGE2 was increased (P less than 0.04); plasma levels of PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were unchanged as measured in blood from the renal vein, pulmonary artery, and aorta. During low cardiac output, we found a significant decrease of glomerular filtration rate, whereas renal blood flow and renal and peripheral vascular resistances were unchanged. Administration of indomethacin decreased plasma and urinary PGs significantly, markedly reduced renal blood flow, and increased renal vascular resistance without affecting peripheral vascular resistance. The additional blockade of the renin-angiotensin system by captopril showed mainly a vasodilator effect on peripheral arterial resistance vessels, resulting in an increase of cardiac output. Our results suggest that, in moderate low-cardiac-output status, renal blood flow is maintained by renal vasodilator PGs, which counterbalance vasoconstrictor mechanisms like the activated sympathetic nerve activity. We indirectly showed the importance of angiotensin II in preserving glomerular filtration rate, which declines when renin secretion is suppressed, as it may be the case in moderate heart failure. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Targeting pericytes with a PDGF-B aptamer in human ovarian carcinoma models

Purpose: On the basis of the known role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB/PDGF receptor (PDGFR) β in pericyte regulation, highly specific inhibitors of this target are needed. We tested the efficacy of a highly selective aptamer against PDGF-B with or without anti-VEGF therapy in ovarian cancer models. Experimental Design: The therapeutic efficacy of targeting endothelial cells (bevacizumab) and/or pericytes (PDGF-aptamer, AX102) was examined using HeyA8 and SKOV3ip1 orthotopic models of ovarian cancer metastasis. Following therapy, tumors were examined for microvessel density (MVD), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and vascular maturation (pericyte coverage). Results: Bevacizumab inhibited tumor growth by 45% and 48% in the HeyA8 and SKOV3ip1 models, respectively. AX102 had minimal effect on the HeyA8 model, but increased tumor growth in the SKOV3ip1 model. However, bevacizumab plus AX102 was more effective than bevacizumab alone, and resulted in 76 - 88% inhibition of tumor growth in both models. A longitudinal study in the HeyA8 model using bioluminescence imaging showed that combination of bevacizumab, AX102 and paclitaxel caused tumor reduction by 65% (based on bioluminescence imaging). In the HeyA8 model, MVD and PCNA counts were significantly reduced in the bevacizumab treatment groups, and pericyte coverage was significantly decreased in the AX102 treatment groups. In the SKOV3ip1 model, MVD and PCNA was significantly reduced in the bevacizumab treatment group, and even lower in the bevacizumab and AX102 combination treatment group. Conclusions: Dual targeting of endothelial cells and pericytes holds potential as an anti-vascular therapeutic approach in ovarian carcinoma.