Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endosonogragphic features of lesions suggesting gastricectopic pancreas: experience of a single tertiary center.

BACKGROUND/AIM We aimed to present the endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) features of gastric lesions suggesting gastric ectopic pancreas during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy that were diagnosed in our gastroenterology unit, which is a tertiary center for endoscopic procedures in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS The data of patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal EUS in our center between April 2012 and July 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS All of the lesions suggesting gastric ectopic pancreas were localized in the gastric antrum. Thirty-six of 44 lesions (81.1%) showed central dimpling. Lesion borders were shown to be definite in 10 (22.7%) lesions, whereas the borders of 34 lesions (77.3%) were indefinite. Thirty-nine lesions (88.6%) had heterogeneous and 5 lesions (11.4%) had homogeneous echo patterns; whereas 29 lesions (65.9%) were hypoechoic, 9 lesions (20.5%) were hyperechoic and 6 lesions (13.6%) had mixed echogenicity. Forty-two lesions (95.5%) were shown to affect only a single sonographic layer of the gastric wall. CONCLUSION EUS features of lesions that strongly suggest gastric ectopic pancreas endoscopically, without any histopathological evidence and without either endoscopic or surgical resection, are as follows: indefinite border appearance, minimal heterogeneous hypoisoechoic echo pattern, existence of anechoic duct-like structures inside the lesion, common localization in the submucosal layer, and existence of umbilication.
Histological Assessment of Preimplantation Biopsies May Improve Selection of Kidneys from Old Donors After Cardiac Death

Kidneys from old donors after cardiac death (DCD) may increase the donor pool but the prognosis of these kidneys is unsatisfactory. To improve these results, we retrospectively evaluated the diagnostic utility of published selection algorithms for old donor kidneys. We studied all DCD kidney transplantations between January 1, 1994 and July 1, 2005 at our institution (n = 199). Selection algorithms were evaluated in the subset of kidney transplantations from donors aged 60 years or older (n = 52). For histological assessment of kidney biopsies, glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis and vascular narrowing were blindly scored. Functional kidney weight was calculated as renal mass multiplied by the fraction of nonsclerosed glomeruli. Graft function and survival of kidneys from DCD aged 60 years or older were inferior to those from younger DCD. Histological scores were associated with kidney function and graft survival of old DCD kidney transplantations. Functional kidney weight was associated with kidney function but not graft survival, while donor glomerular filtration rate (GFR), donor age and machine perfusion characteristics were associated with neither of the clinical outcomes of interest. We conclude that histological assessment of preimplantation biopsies may improve the selection of kidneys from old DCD and may therefore contribute to expansion of the donor pool.
Restricted Random Testing: Adaptive Random Testing by Exclusion

Restricted Random Testing (RRT) is a new method of testing software that improves upon traditional Random Testing (RT) techniques. Research has indicated that failure patterns (portions of an input domain which, when executed, cause the program to fail or reveal an error) can influence the effectiveness of testing strategies. For certain types of failure patterns, it has been found that a widespread and even distribution of test cases in the input domain can be significantly more effective at detecting failure compared with ordinary RT. Testing methods based on RT, but which aim to achieve even and widespread distributions, have been called Adaptive Random Testing (ART) strategies. One implementation of ART is RRT. RRT uses exclusion zones around executed, but non-failure-causing, test cases to restrict the regions of the input domain from which subsequent test cases may be drawn. In this paper, we introduce the motivation behind RRT, explain the algorithm and detail some empirical analyses carried out to examine the effectiveness of the method. Two versions of RRT are presented: Ordinary RRT (ORRT) and Normalized RRT (NRRT). The two versions share the same fundamental algorithm, but differ in their treatment of non-homogeneous input domains. Investigations into the use of alternative exclusion shapes are outlined, and a simple technique for reducing the computational overheads of RRT, prompted by the alternative exclusion shape investigations, is also explained. The performance of RRT is compared with RT and another ART method based on maximized minimum test case separation (DART), showing excellent improvement over RT and a very favorable comparison with DART.
Shifting the Historical Lens: Early Economic Empowerment Among African Americans

The use of economic clout by poor and middle class African Americans to secure social work professionals and foster social change is the subject of a historical case study. By collecting pennies, nickels and dimes from “friends,” African Americans paid the salaries and expenses of the first “colored” workers in public welfare agencies in segregated and predominately rural North Carolina. One African American social worker was identified in the state in 1925. Four years later, twenty six African American social workers were employed in county welfare offices. This study concludes with urging a “raised consciousness” about people of color who act in their own self-interest in small, but significant ways. Social work educators are urged to teach students about people of color as “philanthropists and economic producers. ”
Does it pay to remediate? An analysis of the internal and external benefits of remediation

We examine the internal and external benefits associated with the remediation, or correction, of material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting. We document that firms that remediate material weaknesses exhibit higher performance and reporting quality than firms that never reported any weaknesses. These results suggest that the remediation of material weaknesses, an indication of an improved internal control system, is associated with internal benefits. Moreover, we find that remediating firms experience significantly lower audit fees and betas (i.e. external costs) than non-material weakness firms. However, these lower external costs are contingent on a firm's level of performance and information quality. These results suggest that remediation offers firms a chance to re-examine and correct their internal controls and this leads to better performance and information quality. Furthermore, external stakeholders are not necessarily swayed by remediation alone but need to observe tangible evidence of the corrected internal control system before reassessing a firm's risk downward.
Activated History - The Case of the Turkish Sieges of Vienna

We study whether long-gone but activated history can shape social attitudes and behavior even after centuries. We exploit the case of the sieges of Vienna in 1529 and 1683, when Turkish troops pillaged individual municipalities across East Austria. In 2005, Austrian right-wing populists started to campaign against Turks and Muslims and explicitly referred to the Turkish sieges. We show that right-wing voting increased in once pillaged municipalities compared to non-pillaged municipalities after the campaigns were launched, but not before. The effects are substantial: Around one out of ten votes for the far-right in a once pillaged municipality is caused by salient history. We conclude that campaigns can act as tipping points and catalyze history in a nonlinear fashion.
Optimisation of Capital Structure and Firm Value

This study aims to examine the influence of capital structure towards firm value. The sample of this research consists of 101 manufacture companies listed in the Indonesian Stock Exchange during the period 2012 - 2015. The results of this study indicate that the higher the capital stucture with Debt to Equity Ratio (DER) and Long term Debt to Asset Ratio (LDAR) are indicators of a higher firm value, while lower Long term Debt to Equity Ratio is an indicator of a lower firm value. The study has found a positive correlation between Debt to Equity Ratio (DER) and Long term Debt to Asset Ratio (LDAR) to firm value, and a negative correlation of Long term Debt to Equity Ratio (LDER) to firm value. However, the capital structure with Debt to Asset Ratio (DAR) did not seem to have an influence on the firm value.
Hickman Catheter Infections in Patients With Malignancies

The infectious complications associated with implantation of 1,088 Hickman catheters (HCs) in 992 patients reported in 18 published series are presented (including data on 129 previously unreported HCs from our own institution). HCs allow reliable long-term venous access (mean, 92.4 days) with low complication and infection rates (0.30 and 0.14 cases per 100 catheter days, respectively). Exit site infections were the most common form of infection encountered (45.5%), followed by septicemia alone (30.8%), tunnel infections (20.3%), and septic thrombophlebitis (3.5%). Staphylococcus epidermidis (54.1%) and S. aureus (20.0%) were the most common pathogens responsible for catheter infections. HC infections were associated with a low mortality rate (maximum rate of 0.5%). Risk factor analysis of 129 HCs demonstrated that catheter thrombosis was the major risk factor associated with development of catheter infection. Presence of fever, distant infection, neutropenia or antibiotic administration on the day of catheter insertion was not significantly associated with HC infection in this series (although there was a trend suggesting an increased risk of infection of HCs inserted during febrile episodes). Based on observations at our institution and from a review of the literature, tentative recommendations for management of the various types of HC infections are outlined.
TTF‐1 and Napsin A double stain

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for thyroid transcription factor‐1 (TTF‐1) is used to confirm the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. Napsin A also has shown positivity in lung adenocarcinoma. A combined double stain for TTF‐1 and napsin A has been proposed to achieve higher sensitivity and specificity. In this study, the authors evaluated the utility of this double stain in the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma in cell blocks of fine‐needle aspirates (FNA).
Cost of medicines & their affordability in private pharmacies in Delhi (India)

Background & objectives: Medicines can account for up to 90 per cent of health care spending by poor people. High costs of medicines contribute to decreased access to healthcare. This study was conducted to assess the cost of medicines and their affordability in the private pharmacies in Delhi, India. Methods: A survey was conducted to assess the costs of prescribed medicines and treatment of community acquired pneumonia (CAP), with medicines purchased from 27 private pharmacies, in Delhi. Affordability of medicines was assessed by comparing the costs of treatment (medicines) to the monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) on food, minimum monthly and daily wages for different classes of workers. Results: A large variability in the costs of prescriptions was observed (129.37+ 217.99) The cost of treatment of CAP varied from 34.50- 244.75 with azithromycin and 72.20- 277.30 with levofloxacin. The percentage of MPCE on food spent for a prescription was 17.64 per cent for urban and 23.4 per cent for rural population. The percentage of MPCE on food spent for treatment of CAP ranged from 10.11 to 13.42 per cent with azithromycin and 13.28 to 17.61 per cent with levofloxacin. The number of days a worker on minimum daily wages would have to work to enable him to purchase his prescription medicines ranged from 1-17 days, depending on the problem. The cost of treatment of CAP required 1-3 days of work by a daily wage earner, depending on the brand of medicine prescribed. Interpretation & conclusions: The findings of our study show that the costs of medicines are highly variable and not affordable for the economically poor in India. Modifications in National Pharmaceutical Policy need to be done urgently.
War and democracy: the legacy of conflict in East Africa

Abstract The historical literature on statebuilding in Europe has often portrayed a positive relationship between war, state making and long-term democratisation. Similarly, a number of large-n quantitative studies have concluded that war promotes democracy – even in cases of civil war. Against this, a growing area studies literature has argued that violent conflict in developing countries is unlikely to drive either statebuilding or democratisation. However, this literature has rarely sought to systematically set out the mechanisms through which war undermines democracy. Contrasting three ‘high conflict’ cases (Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda) with two ‘low conflict’ cases (Kenya and Tanzania) in East Africa, we trace the way in which domestic conflict has undermined three key elements of the democratisation process: the quality of political institutions, the degree of elite cohesion, and the nature of civil-military relations. Taken together, we suggest that the combined effect of these three mechanisms helps to explain why Kenya and Tanzania have made significantly greater progress towards democratic consolidation than their counterparts and call for more in-depth research on the long-term legacy of conflict on democratisation in the African context.
Relationship Between Deaths from Stroke and Ischemic Heart Disease - Environmental Implications

We analyzed the ratio of deaths from stroke and ischemic heart disease in Lithuania over a 72-month period (1990-1995) in relation to fluctuations in five physical environmental parameters. Results indicated a highly significant adverse correlation of the stroke/ischemic heart disease death ratio with both solar activity (r = -0.64, p = 0.0001), stronger for women than for men, and the planetary geomagnetic activity index (r = -0.33, p = 0.005). Proton flux > 60 MeV correlated significantly with the death ratio only for the 65-74-year age group (r = -0.36, p = 0.03) (36-month study). The last finding may be a result of different environmental influences on the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease and cerebral vascular accidents at different ages. We conclude that the monthly ratio of deaths from stroke/ischemic heart disease is related to environmental physical activity.
A Moving Cast Shadow Diminishes the Pulfrich Phenomenon

It is demonstrated that the presence of a moving cast shadow diminishes the Pulfrich phenomenon. This complements previous work by Kersten, Knill, Mamassian, and Bülthoff [1996 Nature (London) 379 31] indicating that visible cast shadows can override monocularly based cues to the perceived trajectory of a moving object. The present finding with the Pulfrich phenomenon indicates the effectiveness of shadows for overriding binocularly based cues to the perceived trajectory of a moving object.
Risk factors for the efficacy of oral appliance for treating obstructive sleep apnea: A preliminary study

Abstract Objective: To identify potential risk factors of response to oral appliance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: Fifteen OSA patients were enrolled. Clinical characteristics, cephalometric measurements, and the results of home sleep testing were retrospectively obtained at baseline, and a sleep test was done again at the end of treatment. Results: Twelve subjects were responders and three were non-responders. The diastolic blood pressure, minimum pulse rate, SNA (Angle between sella-nasion and nasion-A point), ANB (Anteroposterior maxilla/mandible discrepancy), and facial convexity of non-responders was higher than those of responders. Unlike AHI, non-responders showed a lower lowest oxygen saturation (%) than responders. Discussion: Elevated diastolic pressure and minimal pulse rate, higher skeletal convexity and lowered lowest oxygen saturation might be risk factors to oral appliance efficacy in the OSA patients. More research in a large sample is needed to verify the results of the current study.
Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcal Sepsis in Neonates: Association Between Antibiotic Resistance, Biofilm Formation and the Host Inflammatory Response

Background: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are the most prevalent pathogens causing late onset sepsis in neonates. They are often multiresistant to antibiotics, and the ability to form biofilm is considered their main virulence determinant. Methods: During a 12-year period, we identified 150 neonates having 164 suspected septic episodes with growth of CoNS in blood culture. We examined the relationship between antibiotic resistance, phenotypic biofilm production and genetic determinants for biofilm formation in different CoNS species and their correlation with neonatal inflammatory response. Results: Eighty-five episodes were classified as true sepsis, and 79 episodes of CoNS growth in blood culture were considered contaminations. Sixty-one percent of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates produced biofilm compared with 26% of CoNS non-epidermidis (P < 0.001). We observed no difference in phenotypic biofilm production or genetic determinants for biofilm formation between invasive isolates and contaminants. C-reactive protein levels as a marker of inflammatory response were higher in CoNS sepsis caused by methicillin and aminoglycoside resistant versus susceptible isolates (P = 0.031). In contrast, there was a significant association between a lower C-reactive protein response and biofilm-positive isolates (P = 0.018). Antibiotic resistance was significantly correlated with biofilm production in S. epidermidis, but not in other CoNS species. Conclusions: CoNS sepsis with biofilm-forming strains was associated with a decreased host inflammatory response, potentially limiting the immune system to counteract the infection. The impact of antibiotic resistance and virulence determinants on clinical outcome of neonatal CoNS sepsis warrants additional clinical studies.
Simplification to atazanavir/ritonavir monotherapy for HIV-1 treated individuals on virological suppression: 48-week efficacy and safety results

Objectives:The objective of this study was to assess the 48-week virological efficacy of atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r) monotherapy vs. ATV/r along with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase (NRTIs) in HIV-1 treated individuals with HIV-RNA less than 50 copies/ml. Methods:A multicentre, randomized, open-label, noninferiority trial. HIV-1 treated individuals on ATV/r 300/100 mg along with two NRTIs were randomized to receive ATV/r monotherapy or to maintain their antiretroviral regimen. The primary endpoint was the confirmed viral rebound (CVR: two consecutive HIV-RNA >50 copies/ml) or treatment discontinuation for any reason. Individuals who experienced CVR on ATV/r monotherapy reintroduced NRTIs and discontinued the study if HIV-RNA was more than 50 copies/ml after 12 weeks since reintensification. Results:One hundred and three patients enrolled. By week 48, 11 patients in ATV/r arm and two in ATV/r along with two NRTIs experienced CVR; four (8%) patients in ATV/r and eight (15%) in ATV/r along with two NRTIs discontinued. At the 48-week primary efficacy analysis (re-intensification = failure), treatment success was 73% in ATV/r arm and 85% in ATV/r along with two NRTIs [difference −12.1%, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) −27.8 to 2.1]. According to the analysis considering re-intensification is equal to success, treatment success was 92% in ATV/r arm and 85% in the ATV/r along with two NRTIs arm (difference 7.5%, 95% CI −4.7 to 19.8). At CVR, no mutation was observed in ATV/r arm and reintensification with NRTIs was effective in all individuals. Overall, Grade 3–4 (P = 0.003) and grade 3–4 drug-related (P = 0.027) adverse events were less frequent in ATV/r arm. A significant increase in total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol was observed as well as a significant improvement in high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, fasting glucose, liver fibrosis and alkaline phosphatase was observed in ATV/r monotherapy in comparison with ATV/r along with two NRTIs. Conclusion:ATV/r monotherapy treatment simplification showed lower virological efficacy in comparison with maintaining triple therapy; NRTIs reintroduction was effective in all the individuals.
Increase in serum concentrations of inhibin in early onset pre‐eclampsia with intrauterine growth restriction

Aim: Recently, it has been hypothesized that reduced placental blood flow in early pregnancy causes changes in endothelial function, leading to pre‐eclampsia. To clarify this clinically, we assessed serum concentrations of inhibin and uric acid in pre‐eclamptic women compared with those of normotensive pregnant women.
A multicenter study of supportive‐expressive group therapy for women with BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations

Women with a BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation experience significant challenges. These include decision‐making regarding surgical options and notification to offspring and family, along with a sense of isolation, which may lead to psychological and emotional distress. The current study developed, standardized, and conducted preliminary testing of a supportive‐expressive group therapy intervention designed to address these challenges.
Characterisation of penicillin and tetracycline resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine milk samples in Minas Gerais, Brazil

This Regional Research Communication describes the characterisation of ampicillin, penicillin and tetracycline resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine subclinical mastitis in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Ninety S. aureus isolates from bovine mastitis exhibiting phenotypic resistance to ampicillin, penicillin and/or tetracycline were selected for this study. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each antibiotic was determined using the E-Test® and the production of beta-lactamase was determined by cefinase disks. The resistance genes blaZ, tet(K), tet(L), tet(M), and tet(O) were investigated by PCR in all of the isolates. The MIC results classified 77, 83 and 71% of the isolates as resistant to ampicillin, penicillin and tetracycline, respectively. The MIC50 and MIC90 were, respectively, 1 and 2 µg/ml for ampicillin, 0·5 and 1 µg/ml for penicillin and 32 and 64 µg/ml for tetracycline. Eighty-six per cent of beta-lactamase producing isolates were detected. Of the 90 isolates investigated, 97% amplified blaZ, 84% amplified tet(K), 9% amplified tet(L), 2% amplified tet(M) and 1% amplified tet(O). Seventy-nine isolates (88%) showed blaZ together with at least one tet gene. S. aureus isolates showed high MIC50 and MIC90 values for the three antimicrobials. The blaZ and tet(K) genes were widespread in the herds studied, and most of the isolates harboured blaZ and tet(K) concomitantly.
The Reduced Expression of 6 Ckine in the plt Mouse Results from the Deletion of One of Two 6 Ckine Genes

6Ckine is an unusual chemokine capable of attracting naive T lymphocytes in vitro. It has been recently reported that lack of 6Ckine expression in lymphoid organs is a prominent characteristic of mice homozygous for the paucity of lymph node T cell ( plt ) mutation. These mice show reduced numbers of T cells in lymph nodes, Peyer’s patches, and the white pulp of the spleen. The genetic reason for the lack of 6Ckine expression in the plt mouse, however, has remained unknown. Here we demonstrate that mouse 6Ckine is encoded by two genes, one of which is expressed in lymphoid organs and is deleted in plt mice. A second 6Ckine gene is intact and expressed in the plt mouse.