Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neurourology and Urodynamics Long-Term Effects of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training With Vaginal Cone in Post-Menopausal Women With Urinary Incontinence : A Randomized Controlled Trial

Aims: The findings are limited about the long-term effects of treatment with vaginal cones in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of vaginal cones and pelvic floor muscle training in post-menopausal women with SUI. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 45 post-menopausal women with SUI. They were randomly allocated in three groups: vaginal cones (VC, n 1⁄4 15), pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT, n 1⁄4 15), and control group (CG, n 1⁄4 15). Women in VC and PFMT groups were treated for 6 weeks with twice weekly sessions. Women in VC group carried out the pelvic floor muscle strengthening with vaginal cones. The CG did not receive any treatment during the corresponding time. Women were evaluated before treatment, at the end, 3 and 12 months after treatment completion for primary outcome (urinary leakage) and secondary outcomes (pelvic floor muscle strength, quality of life, satisfaction with treatment, and continuity of training). Results: There was a significant decrease of urinary leakage in the VC and PFMT group comparing values at the end of treatment, 3 and 12 months to baseline values. There were no differences between VC and PFMT group in primary outcome in any evaluations. Conclusions: Treatments with and without vaginal cones can promote positive longterm effects on urinary leakage, pelvic floor muscle strength and quality of life in post-menopausal women with SUI in 6 weeks. Neurourol. Urodynam. 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reducing the incidence of TRALI in the UK: the results of screening for donor leucocyte antibodies and the development of national guidelines

Background and Objectives Transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is associated with the passive transfusion of leucocyte antibodies in blood products. Blood Transfusion Services have adopted a number of different strategies for reducing the incidence of TRALI, but, while these have been successful, TRALI has not been completely eliminated. Many Transfusion Services have introduced leucocyte antibody screening of donors to further reduce TRALI. This report describes the results of donor leucocyte antibody screening within NHS Blood and Transplant and the guidelines that have been developed for Transfusion Services within the United Kingdom (UK) to reduce the incidence of TRALI.
Studies on stock market efficiency

This dissertation consists of three empirical studies on capital market efficiency in a broader sense. Two of the three papers are dedicated to the examination of short-term stock-returns in the wake of large one-day price changes – positive or negative. If significant abnormal returns can be found after large price changes this may indicate improper information efficiency. One if not the only way for listed companies do disseminate information is via investor relations. The release of ad-hoc statements levels the informational playing field for all investors and should thereby help to prevent overreaction or return drift. The third paper deals on the one hand with the causality chain of investor relations and liquidity and on the other hand with the question if insider trading and investor relations are positively correlated.
Various Treatments for Vitiligo: Problems Associated and Solutions

Article history: The present review includes the study of vitiligo, its different types and treatments available into the market. Vitiligo is a skin disorder in which white patches occurs on the skin may be in the form of lesions or on the whole body. These white patches occur due to destruction of colour producing cells melanocytes. Different drugs like methoxsalen, trioxsalen and psoralen are available for the treatment of vitiligo in oral capsule form or topical cream or lotion form. Psoralen with light therapy is also given which is also known as PUVA therapy. Treatment of vitiligo always poses a problem as the patient compliance is less. Most of the times the treatment gets discontinued by the patients as the effect are very slow. This inefficiency leads to frustration in patients. This may be one of the reasons for discontinuation or 'give up' by the patients. Some patients also face the problem of additional symptoms or side effect like itching, burning, gastric disturbances etc. This review discusses on all above mentioned issues with problems associated with treatment and the related possible solutions.
Hepatobiliary Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract:Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) may present with several hepatic abnormalities. Some of these liver diseases are benign and only require observation, whereas others may cause liver failure and require liver transplantation. The aim of this review was to present and summarize the latest evidence on the most common liver diseases seen in patients with IBD. These manifestations can be divided in to 3 groups: those that are seen in association with IBD, those that are due to metabolic and physiologic changes induced by the IBD and those that are secondary to the drugs used in the treatment of IBD. Primary sclerosing cholangitis is one of the most common hepatobiliary manifestations of IBD that is more prevalent in patients with ulcerative colitis. There is no approved medical treatment for primary sclerosing cholangitis and about 50% of patients will require liver transplantation within 10 to 15 years from the time of diagnosis. Among the drugs that are commonly used in the treatment of IBD, thiopurines and methotrexate impose the higher risk of hepatotoxicity. In most cases, dose adjustment and avoidance of hepatotoxins will normalize the liver tests and discontinuation of the drug is required in a minority of cases. Reactivation of hepatitis B virus during immunosuppressive therapy is a major concern and adequate screening and vaccination is warranted. The approach to a patient with IBD who presents with abnormal liver chemistries can be challenging not only because 2 or more conditions can co-exist but also because management must be individualized.
Downlink Power Allocation in SCMA with Finite-Alphabet Constraints

The power allocation for multi-user sparse code multiple access (SCMA) downlink systems with finite- alphabet constraints is investigated. An explicit expression for the achievable rate for downlink SCMA systems with finite-alphabet inputs is derived, which is applicable to arbitrary number of users. Moreover, a novel power allocation scheme that can ensure users' fairness for multi-user SCMA downlink systems is proposed. In an effort to solve the formulated non-convex optimization problem, a low- complexity polynomial algorithm is proposed, which yields an optimal solution. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed power allocation algorithm is capable of enhancing the performance significantly compared to the equal power allocation scheme.
ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES AND ACUTE PHASE PROTEINS CORRELATE WITH MARKER OF LIPID PEROXIDE IN ADULT NIGERIAN SICKLE CELL DISEASE PATIENTS

Objective(s) Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder characterized by chronic haemolytic anaemia. Haemoglobin S containing red blood cells may be susceptible to oxidative stress due to imbalance between production of reactive oxygen species and the countering effect of the various antioxidants present in the body. Materials and Methods We evaluated some antioxidant enzymes which include glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. We also determined malondialdehyde, C- reactive protein and fibrinogen using commercial kits in 144 adult sickle cell disease patients (68 males and 76 females) in steady state and 80 apparently healthy age/sex matched controls; 40 sickle cell trait (20 males/20 females) and 40 normal haemoglobin (20 males/20 females). Results The result showed that serum glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase were lower in sickle cell disease patients compared with controls. Malondialdehyde, C-reactive protein and fibrinogen were significantly increased in sickle cell disease patients compared to the controls in both sexes. Malondialdehyde correlated negatively with superoxide dismutase (P< 0.01), glutathione peroxidase (P< 0.05), and catalase (P< 0.05) and positively (P< 0.05) with C - reactive protein and fibrinogen. Conclussion This study shows that malondialdehyde correlated negatively with antioxidant enzymes and positively with acute phase proteins in sickle cell anaemia patients in steady state.
Fast grid synchronization technique based on a multiple cascaded general integrator scheme for distributed generation inverters

This paper proposes a new structure for grid synchronization based on generalized integrators (GI) that lead to fast detection of positive and negative components of the grid voltage. The GI are used as a band pass filter (GI-BPF) mainly to provide in-phase and quadrature components of grid voltage. The proposed structure consists in the cascaded connection of multiple GI-BPF to achieve a faster time response than a single GI-BPF but with the same bandwidth characteristics. This structure is used with a frequency locked loop and a positive sequence detector to operate under unbalanced voltage sags. Simulations and experimental results of a photovoltaic power system injecting power to the grid in the stationary reference frame are shown to validate this proposal. Comparisons between this proposal and one that uses a single GI-BPF in the sequence detector are provided. The results show that the proposed cascaded GI-BPF achieves a considerably time response reduction in the sequence grid detection under a fault with the same quality-filter characteristics.
The role of antineuraminidase antibody in immunity to influenza virus infection.

Experimental studies in mice have provided evidence that antibody specific for viral neuraminidase markedly inhibits influenza virus replication in the lungs of animals challenged with virus containing homologous neuraminidase. In contrast to antihaemagglutinin antibody, antineuraminidase antibody does not increase resistance to the initiation of infection, but does reduce the capacity for subsequent transmission of infection.The 1968 Hong Kong virus was found to possess a haemagglutinin antigen markedly different from previous A2 strains but its neuraminidase is indistinguishable from the enzyme antigens of 1967-68 A2 viruses, and protection of mice immunized with 1957 and 1967 A2 viruse and challenged with Hong Kong virus was entirely attributable to antineuraminidase antibody.The desirability of systematically examining the protective effects of antineuraminidase antibody in man and of revising current methods for selection and standardization of influenza vaccines are discussed.
Cognition in stroke

Introduction– Despite the current interest in criteria for vascular dementia, global, as opposed to focal, cognitive change after cerebral infarction has rarely been studied. Material and methods– We documented the neuropsychological changes one to three weeks and three months post infarct in 25 unselected patients with acute, first cerebral infarcts. Results– Improvements were seen in processes thought to have a large subcortical component and in those mediated in the right hemisphere. Memory was relatively lightly affected. Conclusion– The minimal deficits seen in memory and the predominance of subcortical changes are at variance with the currently suggested criteria for vascular dementia. Further data of this kind are needed before firm criteria can be proposed for the global pattern of cognitive changes expected in vascular dementia.
Maternal serum of women with pre-eclampsia reduces trophoblast cell viability: evidence for an increased sensitivity to Fas-mediated apoptosis

Objective: Pre-eclampsia or 'toxemia of pregnancy' has been attributed to the presence of a circulating 'toxin' which disappears from peripheral blood after delivery of the placenta. However, the presence, nature and effects of this toxin have eluded characterization. Increased trophoblast apoptosis has been observed in the placenta of women with pre-eclampsia, and it is possible that this biological phenomenon is important for the genesis of the disease and mediated through a soluble factor(s) present in maternal blood. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that serum from women with pre-eclampsia changes trophoblast viability. Moreover, we sought to examine whether this effect could be mediated through changes in sensitivity to Fas/Fas ligand-mediated apoptosis. Study design: H8 trophoblast cells were cultured with serum obtained from normal pregnant women (n = 48) and patients with pre-eclampsia (n = 12). Cell viability was determined by the Cell Titer 96 assay. Fas sensitivity was determined by treating the cells with an agonist anti-Fas antibody or a blocking anti-Fas ligand antibody. Results: Serum from normal pregnant women did not affect trophoblast cell viability. In contrast, serum from pre-eclamptic women reduced trophoblast viability, and this was enhanced by treatment with an anti-Fas antibody. This effect was reversed by the treatment with a blocking anti-Fas ligand antibody. Conclusion: Serum from women with pre-eclampsia induces the cytotoxicity of a first-trimester trophoblast cell line (H8). This effect appears to be related to changes in trophoblast sensitivity to Fas-mediated apoptosis. These findings suggest that a factor present in the maternal blood of patients with pre-eclampsia may have a role in the genesis of the syndrome.
Magneto-optical imaging studies of flux propagation in ultra-pure and carbon-doped MgB/sub 2/ thin films

The mixed state in c-axis oriented ultra-pure MgB/sub 2/ thin films and carbon-doped MgB/sub 2/ thin films produced by hybrid physical-chemical vapor deposition was studied using magneto-optical imaging (MOI) technique. In the ultra-pure MgB/sub 2/ films, a regular magnetic flux penetration pattern was observed, as expected from the Bean critical state model. This is in striking contrast to earlier MOI observations of MgB/sub 2/ films made by pulse laser deposition, where dentritic flux jumps were usually abundant at temperature below 10 K. In our carbon-doped MgB/sub 2/ thin films, similar dentritic flux jumps were also observed at low temperature and low applied magnetic field. It is evident that the dendritic flux jumps or stability of the film is strongly influenced by the material parameters of the films, rather than inherent in all MgB/sub 2/ thin films.
When do Pay Spreads Influence Firm Performance?

This paper examines the effect of hierarchical pay structures on firm value in firms where CEOs are not the highest paid members of the top management teams. We find that the difference in pay between CEO and VPs benefits firm value only when CEO is the highest paid member of the top management team. When the CEO does not receive the highest pay, pay spreads and CEO centrality both have a negative impact on firm performance. The paper also finds that financial distress, family ownership, firm size and R&D intensity increase the likelihood of CEO not being the highest paid manager, whereas CEO entrenchment and CEO power along with dividend payout decrease this likelihood.
Creating "Buzz": Opportunities and Limitations of Social Media for Arts Institutions and their Viral Marketing

According to empirical studies, two thirds of the people worldwide who surf the Internet use Web 2.0 applications (i.e. social media such as YouTube, Facebook or Twitter). The rate of growth is especially impressive in Germany, where the reluctance to publish personal information has traditionally been greater than in other countries. Accordingly, more and more German cultural suppliers seek to explore the possibilities of Web 2.0 and social media for their marketing objectives. In times of a general information overflow, declining credibility of traditional communication tools and a continued shortage of resources in the cultural sector, the fact that these web-based applications can facilitate viral marketing and stimulate word-of-mouth is of special interest to arts institutions. However, until now, arts marketing has seen hardly any research on this topic. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to analyse the opportunities and limitations of Web 2.0 and social media for the viral marketing of arts institutions, especially with regard to their impact on quality and/or behavioural uncertainty on the part of visitors. The task setting will be carried out under consideration of the economics of information approach and explorative data. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NDM-8 Metallo-β-Lactamase in a Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Strain Isolated in Nepal

ABSTRACT A novel metallo-β-lactamase, NDM-8, was identified in a multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolate, IOMTU11 (NCGM37), obtained from the respiratory tract of a patient in Nepal. The amino acid sequence of NDM-8 has substitutions at positions 130 (Asp to Gly) and 154 (Met to Leu) compared with NDM-1. NDM-8 showed enzymatic activities against β-lactams similar to those of NDM-1.
Infantile peri-osteitis.

A 14-week-old girl was brought in with a history of painful swelling of both legs since the age of one month. The onset was insidious and was not associated with trauma or fall. There was no history of fever or associated constitutional symptoms. The birth history was normal and the infant was apparently asymptomatic until the age of one month. Examination revealed a healthy and alert infant. Both legs were bowed anteriorly and a uniform bony thickening of both tibiae was palpable throughout their lengths (figure 1). Both legs were extremely tender and the infant would withdraw both lower limbs and cry incessantly if any attempt was made to touch them. There was no increase in local temperature nor redness of the overlying skin. Knees and ankle joints were normal and demonstrated a full range of motion. Regional lymph nodes were not enlarged and other bones and joints were normal on examination. X-Rays of both legs revealed peri-osteitis of both tibiae with extensive subperiosteal new bone formation involving the entire diaphysis (figure 2).
IPO Valuation, Investor Protection and Deregulation: Evidence from Bursa Malaysia

The paper examines (1) the valuation impact of IPO profit guarantee as an investor protection tool, and (2) the structural changes in IPO pricing before and after deregulation in 1996. Based on a sample of 251 IPOs during 1994-2000, the evidence points to the paradoxical role of the IPO profit guarantees. Prior to the Asian financial crisis in the third quarter of 1997, investors are willing to pay more for the IPO shares the more the controlling shareholders guaranteed the forecasted profits. However, in the aftermath of the crisis, IPO profit guarantees no longer affect IPO valuation. Comparing IPO pricing before and after liberalisation, the evidence also lends support to Habib and Ljungqvist (2001) entrepreneurial wealth losses minimisation hypothesis. When IPO entrepreneurs are given the freedom to set the IPO price without interference from the regulator, they factor in their IPO participation ratio in the pricing decision.
Unilateral Singleton Pregnancy with Rural Vaginal Delivery in a Woman with Uterus Didelphys

Background: Uterus didelphys is a Mullerian duct anomaly which is clinically significant because only 45% of UD patients achieve term delivery and have associated increased risk of spontaneous abortion, foetal growth retardation, mal presentation, and a significant caesarean section delivery rate. Case: A 26-year-old Gravida 2 Para 1 Abortion 1 woman with uterus didelphys and associated complete, non-communicating, longitudinal vaginal septum carries a pregnancy to term in her right uterus in rural Canada. She delivers her baby at 41 weeks gestational age via vacuum assisted spontaneous vaginal delivery. Conclusion: This case report supports more recent literature that uterus didelphys should not be considered as an absolute indication for caesarean delivery. A trial of labour is conceivable with obstetrician gynaecologist involvement in more rural centers with a care plan in place.
Going With the Flow: Quality‐of‐Life Outcomes of Cancer Survivors With Urinary Diversion

PURPOSE The purpose of this descriptive study was to describe health-related quality of life (HRQOL) concerns among cancer patients with continent urinary diversion (UD) and incontinent UD. SUBJECTS and SETTINGS Study participants were accrued from members of the California United Ostomy Association and 2 cancer centers in Southern California. INSTRUMENT The City of Hope HRQOL-Ostomy Questionnaire (COHHRQOL-O) is a modified HRQOL measurement tool based on the original work done over a number of years by Grant and colleagues. METHODS The COHHRQOL-O was mailed to 2,890 individuals. Of the 1,600 returns, there were 307 responses from patients with UD, indicating that they had a UD and a diagnosis that clearly indicated cancer. RESULTS The majority of respondents were diagnosed with bladder cancer, and the average time since surgery was 9.5 years. While most patients reported being sexually active prior to UD, less than 27% resumed sexual activity after surgery. More than 75% of patients also reported difficulty in adjusting to their UD, with the majority reporting difficulty with urine leakage. Those who were incontinent reported a range of bothersome issues, such as skin problems around the UD, difficulties in managing UD care, fear of recurrence, financial worries, family distress, and uncertainty about the future. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study add to our understanding of how patients adjust to a UD and what problems and issues can occur, even years after the initial surgery. Mastering UD care is best done under the guidance of a WOC nurse, and access to WOC nurse is essential when problems occur.
Opacification of two hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses 3 months after implantation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To report clinical, pathologic, histochemical, ultrastructural, and spectrographic analyses of explanted hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) obtained from two patients who had early visual disturbances caused by postoperative opacification of the lens optic. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two hydrophilic IOLs were explanted from patients with decreased visual acuity. The patients became symptomatic 3 months after uneventful phacoemulsification and lens implantation. IOL optic opacification was associated with a fine granularity within the substance of the lens optic. The IOLs were examined by gross and light microscopy. Full-thickness cut sections of the optics were stained with 1% alizarin red (a special stain for calcium). Some sections were submitted for scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. RESULTS Microscopic analyses revealed the presence of multiple fine, granular deposits of variable sizes within the optics of the lenses distributed in a line parallel to the anterior and posterior curvatures of the optic, with a clear zone just beneath the optics' surface. Extension of the opacification into the haptics of the IOLs could also be observed. The deposits stained positive with alizarin red. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy of the internal substance of the IOLs also demonstrated the presence of calcium within the deposits. CONCLUSIONS This is the first clinicopathologic report of optic and haptic opacification occurring with this hydrophilic acrylic IOL model only 3 months postoperatively. Further studies on other similar cases with this lens should be done to determine the incidence and possible mechanisms of this phenomenon.