Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pattern of magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance venography changes in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

BACKGROUND Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a common but highly under-recognised condition, which is missed not only by general practitioners but also by neurologists. Computerised tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain alone is not sufficient to diagnose this condition. Objective of this study was to explore the pattern of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) changes in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). METHODS This was a descriptive study in which 52 cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with special emphasis on their MRI and MRV findings were included. The study was conducted in Neurology Unit, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, from January 2010 to July 2011. All patients suffering from cerebral venous sinus thrombosis were included in the study. Multi-planar/multi-sequential, Tesla 1.5 MRI/MRV time of flight images were done in all cases where there was suspicion of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. RESULTS Out of 52 patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis 41 (78.84%) were female and 11 (21.15%) were male. Mean age was 37 +/- 5 years. Definite risk factors were found in 38 (73.076%) patients with pregnancy, use of oral contraceptives or puerperium being the most frequently found risk factor in 20 (73.076%) patients. Most common complaint was headache found in 41 (78.84%) patients, followed by focal neurological deficits, and altered mental status and seizures. Papilloedema was seen in 20 (38.46%) patients. The cerebral venous sinuses most frequently involved were transverse and sigmoid sinuses in 17 patients (32.69%) while superior sagittal sinus alone in 10 (19.23%) patients. Overall CT brain was normal in 30% and MRI brain in 23.07% patients; however, MRV of these patients revealed CVST. CONCLUSION Imaging plays a primary role in the diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis because the clinical picture of CVST is non-specific and highly variable. Thrombosis of cerebral venous system is readily picked-up on MRV even if it is missed by CT scan or MRI.
Urine as a non-invasive alternative to blood for germline and somatic mutation detection in hepatocellular carcinoma

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from blood has become a promising analyte for cancer genetic liquid biopsy. Urinary cfDNA has been shown to contain mutations associated with non-genitourologic cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we evaluate urine as a noninvasive alternative to blood-based liquid biopsy in both germline and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) genotyping in HCC. Using quantitative PCR (qPCR), whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and targeted NGS, DNA isolated from blood or urine of patients with HCC was analyzed for overall genome coverage, HCC hotspot coverage, and germline or somatic mutation concordance. Targeted NGS of plasma and urine cfDNA was also performed for detection of somatic variants. We found urine cfDNA, similar to plasma cfDNA, showed a major mononucleosomal species of 150-180 bp in both healthy individuals and patients with HCC. By WGS, overall genome coverage breadth was similar between urine and plasma cfDNA, with higher fraction of covered cancer-associated mutation hotspots in urine cfDNA. qPCR analyses of HCC-associated mutations (TP53, CTNNB1, and TERT) in 101 patients with HCC revealed 78% overall concordance between plasma and urine. Targeted NGS of HCC-associated gene regions in additional 15 HCC patients showed a 97% overall position-level concordance between plasma and urine cfDNA. Collectively, urine DNA can potentially be used as a completely noninvasive liquid biopsy for HCC.
Quantitative Quality Control (QC) procedures for the Australian National reference stations: Sensor data

The National Reference Station (NRS) network, part of Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), is designed to provide the baseline multi decadal time series required to understand how large-scale, long-term change and variability in the global ocean are affecting Australia's coastal ocean ecosystems. High temporal resolution observations of core variables are taken across the network using a standard instrument, the Wetlabs Water Quality Monitors (WQMs). These data are freely available to the scientific community and the general public and thus need to be controlled by means of a system that will ensure their consistency and fitness-for-use. This document provides insights into the Quality Control (QC) guidelines proposed for these data, towards a system that incorporates uncertainty into the standard qualitative flag system, making it quantitative.
Corporate governance and cash holdings: the way forward

Purpose This study aims to provide a review of corporate governance and cash holdings because strong corporate governance is necessary for the efficient utilization of firm’s liquid resources such as cash, to minimize the agency cost of high cash holdings and to improve the value of cash. Design/methodology/approach The authors provide a literature review of corporate governance and cash holdings through a conceptual and theoretical argument rather than empirical research. Findings The authors review an empirical and theoretical work surrounding key corporate governance variables and identify avenues for future research. The authors find that corporate governance mechanisms and cash holdings have received much attention during the past two decades. However, the significant role of corporate governance (both country-level and the firm-level) in controlling the entrenched behaviour of the managers is discussed separately in the literature. The combined effect of both country-level and the firm-level governance is lacking in the cash holdings literature. Additionally, this study has found that much attention is paid to the developed markets, while only a few focused on the developing markets regarding cash holding literature, although the agency problems are high in developing markets. Originality/value The study contributes to the growing literature on corporate governance and cash holdings and provides a further understanding of the role of governance in minimizing the agency cost to increase value by assuring that firms’ assets are used efficiently and productively in the best interests of investors and other stakeholders. In addition, it provides a new idea to the policymaker and future researchers where they need to do more work.
Surgical management of recurrent aneurysms after coiling treatment

Abstract Objective: Aneurysms that recur after coiling treatment are difficult to manage. The microsurgical technique in these cases differs significantly from that in regular aneurysm clipping. We present our experience in surgical management of aneurysms that recurred more than 1 month after coiling in a series of 19 patients. Materials and methods: Between January 2004 and December 2014, 1437 patients were treated surgically for intracranial aneurysms in our institution. We performed a retrospective review of the clinical records, operation videos, and cerebral angiograms. We focused on patients in whom the initial aneurysm was treated by coiling, but the results were incomplete or the aneurysm recurred. Results: Nineteen patients underwent surgical clipping for recurrent aneurysm more than 1 month after initial coiling treatment. The sex ratio (male:female) was 0.9, and the average age was 51.3 years (range 35–72 years). One aneurysm was classified as giant (≥ 25 mm), two as large (10–25 mm), and 18 as small (≤ 10 mm). A good outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale 4 or 5) was observed in 16 of 19 patients (84.2%). Conclusion: Microsurgical clipping can be safe and effective in the management of previously coiled residual and recurrent aneurysms.
Effects of erythropoietin administration in training athletes and possible indirect detection in doping control.

PURPOSE This study investigated the effects of repeated subcutaneous injection of rHuEpo (50 IU x kg(-1)) in athletes and proposes a method based on the measurement in blood samples of the sTfR/serum protein ratio to determine if the observed values of this marker are related to rHuEpo abuse. METHODS Serum erythropoietin concentrations, and hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated, during treatment and for 25 d posttreatment in nine training athletes. Moreover, the effect of rHuEpo administrations on the maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and ventilatory threshold (VT) of these athletes was also studied. Threshold values for sTfr and the sTfr/serum protein ratio were determined from 233 subjects (185 athletes, 15 athletes training at moderately high altitude, and 33 subjects living at >3000 m). RESULTS Significant changes in reticulocytes, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, hematocrit (Hct), sTfr, and sTfr/serum proteins were observed during and after rHuEpo treatment. The maximal heart rate of 177 beats x min(-1) at the beginning of the study was significantly higher than the value of 168 beats x min(-1) after 26 d of rHuEpo administration. Compared with the values measured at baseline, the VT measured after rHuEpo administration occurred at a statistically significant high level of oxygen uptake. CONCLUSIONS When oxygen uptake measured at the VT was expressed as a percentage of V02 max, the values obtained were also significantly higher. The increased values of Tfr and sTfr/serum proteins, respectively, above 10 microg x mL(-1) and 153, indicated the probable intake of rHuEpo.
Parental Cognitions and Satisfaction: Relationship to Aggressive Parental Behavior in Child Physical Abuse

There are limited data on cognitions and satisfaction with the child in parents who have physically abused their children. Therefore, we examined convergence among these constructs, and their relationships to parental aggression among participants in a treatment study for child physical abuse. Data were examined at two time points 12 weeks apart. The cognitions (unrealistic expectations of the child, perception of lack of control, and hostile attribution bias)and satisfaction with the child showed little convergence. Only parental satisfaction correlated significantly with aggressive parental behavior directed at the child, even after controlling for social desirability. Where there were significant correlations between externalizing child behavior and aggressive parental behavior and between parental depression and aggressive parental behavior, some limited support was found for an indirect path through parental satisfaction. If replicated, these findings suggest it may be useful to focus on parental satisfaction in research on child physical abuse.
Response of Pemphigus betae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Beneficial Epigeal Arthropod Communities to Sugarbeet Plant Density and Seed-Applied Insecticide in Western Nebraska

Abstract This study investigated the impact of a neonicotinoid seed-applied insecticide (Poncho Beta) and two plant densities (86,487 and 61,776 plants per hectare) on the sugarbeet root aphid (Pemphigus betae Doane), beneficial epigeal arthropods, and selected crop yield parameters in sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L. var. vulgaris). Ground beetles and centipedes were the most commonly collected taxa during 2012 and 2013, respectively. Centipede, spider, and rove beetle activity densities were not affected by the seed-applied insecticide, whereas plant density had a marginal effect on centipede activity density during 2012. Ground beetle species richness, diversity, and evenness were also not impacted by the seed treatments. However, during 2013, ground beetle activity density was significantly higher in plots planted with untreated sugarbeet seeds due to the abundance of Bembidion quadrimaculatum oppositum Say. Sugarbeet root aphid populations were significantly higher in the untreated plots during both years. In 2012, sugarbeet tonnage and sugar yield were higher under the low plant density treatment, while higher sugar content was recorded from the seed-applied insecticide plots (2013). Seed-applied neonicotinoids and plant density had little impact on beneficial epigeal arthropod activity density. Seed treatment did result in decreased root aphid populations; however, these reductions were not sufficient to be considered as an adequate control. This limited aphid control likely contributed to inconsistent effects on yield parameters.
Cognitive Function Is Not Associated With Recurrent Foot Ulcers in Patients With Diabetes and Neuropathy

OBJECTIVE To study whether there is an association between cognitive impairment and the relapse rate of foot ulcers in diabetic patients and those with previous foot ulcers. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This single-center prospective study assessed the association of cognitive function and risk for ulcer relapse in 59 patients with diabetes (mean age 65.1 years, diabetes duration 16.5 years, and A1C 7.4%), peripheral neuropathy, and a history of foot ulceration. Premorbid and current cognitive functions were measured (multiple-choice vocabulary test [Lehrl], number-symbol test, mosaic test [HAWIE-R], and trail-making tests A and B [Reitan]). Prevalence of depression was evaluated retrospectively (diagnoses in patient files or use of antidepressive medication). Patients were re-examined after 1 year. RESULTS Three patients (5%) died during follow-up (one of sepsis and two of heart problems). The remaining 56 patients (48%) developed 27 new foot ulcerations (78% superficial ulcerations [Wagner stage 1]). Characteristics of patients with and without ulcer relapse were not different. In a binary logistic regression analysis, cognitive function is not predictive of foot reulceration. CONCLUSIONS Cognitive function is not an important determinant of foot reulceration.
Perisciatic infusion of ropivacaine and analgesia after hallux valgus repair

Background: Moderate to severe pain after hallux valgus repair can be successfully treated with a continuous popliteal sciatic nerve block in ambulatory patients. Different anesthesiologists use various infusion rates for this purpose. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of two infusion rates of ropivacaine 2 mg/ml: 5 and 8 ml/h.
Sequence Analysis of Four Shigella boydii O-Antigen Loci: Implication for Escherichia coli andShigella Relationships

ABSTRACT Shigella strains are in reality clones ofEscherichia coli and are believed to have emerged relatively recently (G. M. Pupo, R. Lan, and P. R. Reeves, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97:10567–10572, 2000). There are 33 O-antigen forms in these Shigella clones, of which 12 are identical to O antigens of other E. coli strains. We sequenced O-antigen gene clusters from Shigella boydiiserotypes 4, 5, 6, and 9 and also studied the O53- and O79-antigen gene clusters of E. coli, encoding O antigens identical to those of S. boydii serotype 4 and S. boydii serotype 5, respectively. In both cases the S. boydii and E. coli O-antigen gene clusters have the same genes and organization. The clusters of both S. boydii 6 and S. boydii 9 O antigens have atypical features, with a functional insertion sequence and a wzx gene located in the orientation opposite to that of all other genes in S. boydii serotype 9 and an rmlC gene located away from other rml genes in S. boydii serotype 6. Sequences of O-antigen gene clusters from another threeShigella clones have been published, and two of them also have abnormal structures, with either the entire cluster or one gene being located on a plasmid in Shigella sonnei orShigella dysenteriae, respectively. It appears that a high proportion of clusters coding for O antigens specific toShigella clones have atypical features, perhaps indicating recent formation of these gene clusters.
Periodontology/Oral Medicine: Periodontal infections and cardiovascular disease—how strong is the association?

In the past decade there has been renewed interest in the old hypothesis that infections increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and stroke. There is now a convincing body of evidence that atherosclerosis has a major inflammatory component and is much more than the simple vascular accumulation of lipids. Infectious agents that have been linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) include Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, cytomegalovirus, and herpesviruses. The concept has emerged that each of these agents is an independent risk factor for CHD and that common chronic infections are important. In addition, periodontal infections have also been implicated as one of several factors contributing to the development of CHD. Evidence supporting a causative role of chronic infections in CHD is largely circumstantial. However, the evidence is sufficiently strong to warrant further examination of the possible link between chronic infections and CHD. In this review the lines of evidence for a causative role of C. pneumoniae in the development of CHD are summarized and contrasted with the lines of evidence suggesting a periodontal infection--CHD association. If common or widespread chronic infections are truly important risk factors for CHD, it is unlikely that a single infection will be shown to be causative. It is likely that the entire microbial burden of the patient from several simultaneous chronic infections is more important (e.g., H. pylori-caused gastric ulcers + C. pneumoniae-caused bronchitis + periodontitis). Increased cooperation between cardiologists and periodontists will be required to determine if, and what, combinations of common chronic infections are important in the pathogenesis of CHD and stroke.
Trans‐sacral (Kraske) approach for gastrointestinal stromal tumour of the lower rectum: old procedure for a new disease

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) of the lower rectum are rare cancers from mesenchymatous origin, which are characterized by; 1) the absence of metastases in loco‐regional lymph nodes; and 2) a tendency to grow opposite to the intestinal lumen. Thus, the two preferred surgical approaches for rectal adenocarcinomas (i.e. abdominal and transanal) are inappropriate for GISTs, due to: 1) the uselessness of total mesorectal excision; and 2) to the difficulty to locate the tumour with a transanal approach. We report here a case of a large GIST of the lower rectum which was successfully treated with a posterior trans‐sacral approach. Lower rectum GISTs are good indications for the Kraske procedure, and this relatively new disease entity may contribute to the reintroduction of an old procedure into the armamentarium of 21st century colorectal surgeons.
Assessment of decellularization of heart bioimplants using a Raman spectroscopy method

Abstract. We report the results of experimental studies on cardiac implants using a Raman spectroscopy method (RS). Raman spectra characteristics of leaves and walls of cardiac implants were obtained; the implants were manufactured by protocols of detergent-enzymatic technique (DET) and biological, detergent-free (BIO) decellularization, using detergents (group DET) or a detergent-free, nonproteolytic, actin-disassembling regimen (BIO). There were input optical coefficients that allowed us to carry out evaluation of the protocols of DET and BIO decellularization on the basis of the concentrations of glycosaminoglycans, proteins, amides, and DNA. It was shown that during DET and BIO decellularization, composition aberrations of proteins and lipids do not occur and the integrity of the collagenous structures is preserved. It was found that during the DET decellularization, preservation of glycosaminoglycans is better than during BIO decellularization.
Sex ratios in California following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

BACKGROUND Natural and man-made disasters as well as declining economies appear to coincide with reduced odds of male live births among humans (i.e. lower secondary sex ratio). This association has been attributed to excess death of males in gestation and to reduced conception of males. We attempt to empirically discriminate between these two attributions by testing the hypotheses that the attacks of September 11, 2001 were followed in California first by higher fetal death sex ratios and later by lower sex ratios among very low weight births and total live births. METHODS We apply interrupted time-series methods to the fetal death, very low birth weight, and secondary sex ratios. The methods control for trends, seasonal cycles, and other forms of autocorrelation that could induce spurious associations. RESULTS Findings support the excess death explanation in that the fetal death sex ratio reached its highest level in the 6 year test period in October and November of 2001, while the very low weight birth sex ratio dropped to its lowest level in 14 years in December of 2001. The secondary sex ratio exhibited its second lowest value in 14 years in December of 2001. No support was found for the reduced conception explanation in that the sex ratio did not differ from expected values 9, 10 or 11 months after the attacks. CONCLUSIONS We infer support for the excess death explanation at the expense of the reduced conception explanation. We also describe the implications of our findings for public health planning.
The Antecedents of Employee Turnover Intentions in the Police Force in the United Arab Emirates: A Conceptual Framework

Alhashmi, M. , Jabeen, F. , Al-Nasser, A. , & Papastathopoulos, A. (2017). THE ANTECEDENTS OF EMPLOYEE TURNOVER INTENTIONS IN THE POLICE FORCE IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK.
Predicting Medium-Term TFP Growth in the United States: Econometrics vs ‘Techno-Optimism’

We analyse TFP growth in the US business sector using a basic unobserved component model where trend growth follows a random walk and the noise is a first order autoregression. This is fitted using a Kalman-filter methodology. We find that trend TFP growth has declined steadily from 1.5 to 1.0 per cent per year over the past 50 years. Nevertheless, recent trends are not a good guide to actual medium-term TFP growth. This exhibits substantial variations and is quite unpredictable. Techno-optimists should not give best to productivity pessimists simply because recent TFP growth has been weak.
High-resolution autoreactive epitope mapping and structural modeling of the 65 kDa form of human glutamic acid decarboxylase.

The smaller isoform of the GABA-synthesizing enzyme, glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65), is unusually susceptible to becoming a target of autoimmunity affecting its major sites of expression, GABA-ergic neurons and pancreatic beta-cells. In contrast, a highly homologous isoform, GAD67, is not an autoantigen. We used homolog-scanning mutagenesis to identify GAD65-specific amino acid residues which form autoreactive B-cell epitopes in this molecule. Detailed mapping of 13 conformational epitopes, recognized by human monoclonal antibodies derived from patients, together with two and three-dimensional structure prediction led to a model of the GAD65 dimer. GAD65 has structural similarities to ornithine decarboxylase in the pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-binding middle domain (residues 201-460) and to dialkylglycine decarboxylase in the C-terminal domain (residues 461-585). Six distinct conformational and one linear epitopes cluster on the hydrophilic face of three amphipathic alpha-helices in exons 14-16 in the C-terminal domain. Two of those epitopes also require amino acids in exon 4 in the N-terminal domain. Two distinct epitopes reside entirely in the N-terminal domain. In the middle domain, four distinct conformational epitopes cluster on a charged patch formed by amino acids from three alpha-helices away from the active site, and a fifth epitope resides at the back of the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate binding site and involves amino acid residues in exons 6 and 11-12. The epitopes localize to multiple hydrophilic patches, several of which also harbor DR*0401-restricted T-cell epitopes, and cover most of the surface of the protein. The results reveal a remarkable spectrum of human autoreactivity to GAD65, targeting almost the entire surface, and suggest that native folded GAD65 is the immunogen for autoreactive B-cells.