Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variations in Injury Patterns, Treatment, and Outcome for Spinal Fracture and Paralysis in Adult Versus Geriatric Patients

Study Design. Retrospective cohort analysis of hospital discharge and mortality data for spinal fracture and spinal cord injury patients in a single state from 1990 to 1995. Objectives. Population-based review of preinjury patient factors, injury and treatment patterns, and in-hospital versus 60-day mortality in adult and geriatric spinal injury patients. Summary of Background Data. While population-based analyses of hospitalized injured patients indicate that geriatric patients are at higher risk for adverse outcome, less is known about the specific subset of patients with spinal fracture and spinal cord injury. A specific knowledge gap exists regarding factors that influence survival after hospital discharge of spine-injured patients. Methods. Patients with cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spinal fracture were identified by ICD-9-CM discharge diagnosis codes. Age, gender, preexisting conditions, and injury severity were determined, and patients were divided into adult (ages 16–64 years; n = 6,029) and geriatric (ages ≥65 years; n = 3,973) groups. In-hospital and 60-day mortality rates and odds ratios of 60-day mortality were calculated relative to patient and injury characteristics, level of treating hospital, and surgical treatment. Results. Increased 60-day mortality was associated with preexisting medical conditions, increased injury severity, and paralysis but reduced with surgical treatment. Geriatric patients had fewer cervical injures, lower force injuries, less severe overall injuries, decreased paralysis, increased preexisting conditions, decreased treatment at level 1 and 2 treatment centers, and decreased odds of surgical treatment. Geriatric patients also had increased 60-day versus in-hospital mortality and increased mortality associated with cervical spine injury. Discussion. Differences exist in preinjury patient factors, injury and treatment patterns, and mortality between adult and geriatric patients following spinal injuries. The increased 60-day versus in-hospital mortality for the geriatric population suggests that 60-day mortality may be a better measure of outcome for these patients. While the possibility of selection bias exists, both geriatricand adult patients had reduced 60-day mortality associated with surgical intervention.
Proteomic analysis of gingival crevicular fluid for discovery of novel periodontal disease markers

The protein composition of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) may reflect the pathophysiology of periodontal diseases. A standard GCF proteomic pattern of healthy individuals would serve as a reference to identify biomarkers of periodontal diseases by proteome analyses. However, protein profiles of GCF obtained from apparently healthy individuals have not been well explored. As a step toward detection of proteomic biomarkers for periodontal diseases, we applied both gel‐based and gel‐free methods to analyze GCF obtained from healthy subjects as compared with supragingival saliva. To ensure optimized protein extraction from GCF, a novel protocol was developed. The proteins in GCF were extracted with high yield by urea buffer combined with ultrafiltration and the intensity of spots with supragingival saliva and GCF was compared using agarose two‐dimensional electrophoresis. Eight protein spots were found to be significantly more intense in GCF. They included superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), apolipoprotein A‐I (ApoA‐I), and dermcidin (DCD). Moreover, GCF proteins from healthy subjects were broken down into small peptide fragments and then analyzed directly by LC‐MS/MS analysis. A total of 327 proteins including ApoA‐I, SOD1, and DCD were identified in GCF. These results may serve as reference for future proteomic studies searching for GCF biomarkers of periodontal diseases.
Increase of malignant potential of BHK-21 cells by SV40 DNA without persistent new antigen.

quantitative SA'40, _2)9 used throughout. Two pools of purified virus, designated A and B, were produced from 1 and 3 liters of crude lysates of BSC-1 cultures, respectively. The purification procedure was the same as that used previously.10 These pools consisted of the "full" bands obtained after centrifugation in a RbCl preparative density gradient. The final yields of virus obtained were 5 X 1010 and 1.8 X 1012 tissue culture infectious doses50 (TCID50) from pools A and B, respectively. DNA extraction: Two methods were used for DNA extraction. DNA was extracted from SV40 pool A with phenol in the presence of phosphate buffer (0.2 M, pH 8.0), versene (10-3 M), and sodium trichloracetate (0.2 M, pH 8.0). After extraction, the DNA was dialyzed for 2 days against NaCl 0.55 M in Tris buffer (0.05 M, pH 8.0). The details of this method have been de-scribed. '1 DNA was extracted from pool B by papain and sodium dodecyl sulfate treatment as described in detail elsewhere;'2 the
The incidence and impact of thrombocytopenia in myelodysplastic syndromes

Thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction contribute to hemorrhagic complications in the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Reliable data regarding the frequency and consequences of thrombocytopenia in MDS are lacking. An extensive literature review indicated that the prevalence of thrombocytopenia (platelets <100 × 109/L) in MDS ranged from 40% to 65%; the median frequency of thrombocytopenia prior to any MDS therapy was 65% (range, 23–93%). A retrospective review of patients who were referred to the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) identified 1605 of 2410 patients (67%) with thrombocytopenia at referral. Of these, 1756 patients were classified using the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS), and 896 patients (51%) had intermediate‐2 or high‐risk disease. Treatment‐related thrombocytopenia was observed in studies that involved azacitidine, tipifarnib, decitabine, lenalidomide, sirolimus, and combination chemotherapy with idarubicin, cytarabine, and topotecan. The reported incidence of hemorrhagic complications in the literature ranged from 3% to 53%, and the frequency of hemorrhagic deaths ranged from 14% to 24%. At MDACC, 460 patients had a coded cause of death: hemorrhage as a contributory cause of death, 20%; hemorrhage as the only cause of death, 10%. Thrombocytopenia was common in MDS, and there was an increased prevalence in higher risk IPSS categories. Many approved and investigational MDS therapies caused or exacerbated preexisting thrombocytopenia. The incidence of severe bleeding in MDS was greater than reported in current guidelines. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Effects of Malathion on the Insect Succession and the Development of Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in the Field and Implications for Estimating Postmortem Interval

A field study on the effects of malathion on insect succession and the development of carrion flies on corpses, and its quantitative determination from the larvae on decomposing rabbit carrion was conducted. The rabbits were treated with malathion at concentrations of lethal, half-lethal and fourth-lethal doses. Malathion altered decomposition rates and species diversity: Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) was the most abundant adult species in all the experiments; third instar larvae of Chrysomya rufifacies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were not found on the toxic carcasses but were collected from the control; the appearance of beetles on the treated carcass was later by 1 to 3 days than on the control carcass. Development rate of the dominated species C. megacephala larvae and pupae was observed. Stepwise increases in the period of larval development, the maximum length of larvae, and weight of pupae were observed with increasing malathion concentrations. However, there was no significant difference in the duration of the pupal stage. The differences in development rate were sufficient to alter postmortem interval estimates based on larval development by 12 to 36 hours. The time of finding fresh pupae from the fourth-lethal carcass was 12 hours later than the control. Accumulations of the pesticide in larvae were observed, but no correlations were found between larvae concentrations and the initial quantity administered to rabbits.In conclusion, it is necessary to consider the effects of malathion present in decomposing bodies when estimating the postmortem interval based on entomological evidence. The results of this study have more practical implications for forensic investigations because it is under natural conditions.
Quality of life in patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia on imatinib versus interferon alfa plus low-dose cytarabine: results from the IRIS Study.

PURPOSE Quality of life (QOL) outcomes in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) were evaluated in an international phase III study. PATIENTS AND METHODS Newly diagnosed patients with chronic phase CML were randomly assigned to imatinib or interferon alfa plus subcutaneous low-dose cytarabine (IFN+LDAC). Cross-over to the other treatment was permitted because of intolerance or lack of efficacy. Patients completed cancer-specific QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Biologic Response Modifiers) and utility (Euro QoL-5D) questionnaires at baseline and during treatment (n = 1,049). The primary QOL end point was the Trial Outcome Index (TOI; a measure of physical function and well-being). Secondary end points included social and family well-being (SFWB), emotional well-being (EWB), and the utility score. Primary analyses were intention to treat with secondary analyses accounting for cross-over. RESULTS Patients receiving IFN+LDAC experienced a large decline in the TOI, whereas those receiving imatinib maintained their baseline level. Treatment differences at each visit were significant (P <.001) and clinically relevant in favor of imatinib. Mean SFWB, EWB, and utility scores were also significantly better for those patients taking imatinib. Patients who crossed over to imatinib experienced a large increase in TOI; significant (P <.001) differences were observed between patients who did and did not cross over in favor of imatinib. CONCLUSION Imatinib offers clear QOL advantages compared with IFN+LDAC as first-line treatment of chronic phase CML. In addition, patients who cross over to imatinib from IFN+LDAC experience a significant improvement in QOL compared with patients who continue to take IFN+LDAC.
Metoclopramide treatment in DBA patients: no complete response in a French prospective study.

In a paper by Abkowitz et al,1 metoclopramide was identified as a potential new therapeutic approach for Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA). In order to further assess the drug efficacy, we performed a prospective study in patients included in the French DBA registry. Patients older than 2 years of age and dependent on regular transfusions were randomized at inclusion to be treated either at day 1 (arm B) or 6 weeks later (arm A); the comparison of responders in these 2 groups was planned to provide a more accurate determination of the delay of response. All patients were dependent on regular transfusion. All patients received metoclopramide for at least 16 weeks: 10 mg 3/d in adults and 0.2 mg/kg 3/d in children (weight 50 kg). Packed red blood cell transfusions were prescribed for hemoglobin (Hb) values lower than 80 g/L. The definition of response relied on Hb levels, reticulocyte counts, and the intervals between transfusions that were recorded for the year before inclusion. Ten adults and 23 children have been included (Table 1). The treatment had to be stopped in 2 patients because of side effects: depression (8th week of treatment) and anaphylaxis (14th week of treatment). Other side effects were mild: most patients complained of asthenia and drowsiness, which both decreased after the first week of treatment; amenorrhea (2 patients) and bulimia (3 patients) were also observed. No increase in transfusion need occurred. None of the patients experienced a complete response. Two patients exhibited a partial response with an increase in the mean transfusion interval: from 3 to 8 weeks (patient 4) and from 4 to 5 weeks (patient 28). In these 2 patients, total duration of treatment with metoclopramide was 12 and 27 months, respectively. Last, it has to be emphasized that the 2 French responder adult patients previously included in the pilot study are still on treatment and transfusion independent more than 5 years after the initiation of metoclopramide. To date, only one other responder patient has been reported.2 Obviously, only very rare transfusion-dependent DBA patients will respond to metoclopramide and, until now, we have no clue how to identify such patients. It is of note, however, that patients 1, 2, and 3 from the Abkowitz et al1 study were not strictly resistant to steroids. Actually, patient 1, who is followed by one of us, does need the association of metoclopramide with low-dose prednisone (10 mg) to maintain the response. Lastly, our 2 partial responders are known to have previously experienced a response to steroids (Table 1). If the sensitivity to metoclopramide is actually associated with the sensitivity to steroids, the low response rate observed among
Optimal Paternalistic Savings Policies

We study optimal savings policies when there is a dual concern about undersaving for retirement and income inequality. Agents differ in present bias and earnings ability, both unobservable to a planner with paternalistic and redistributive motives. We characterize the solution to this two-dimensional screening problem and provide a decentralization using realistic policy instruments: mandatory savings at low incomes but a choice between subsidized savings vehicles at high incomes—resembling Social Security, 401(k), and IRA accounts in the US. Offering more savings choice at higher incomes facilitates redistribution. To solve large-scale versions of this problem numerically, we propose a general, computationally stable, and efficient active-set algorithm. Relative to the current US retirement system, we find significant welfare gains from increasing mandatory savings and limiting savings choice at low incomes.
Changes in energy during treatment of depression: an analysis of fluoxetine in double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.

More than two thirds of patients with depression present with symptoms of fatigue, low energy, and listlessness. Because daytime sedation may be a concern in such patients, a "nonsedating" antidepressant should be considered. The authors examined the effects of fluoxetine on depression-related disturbances in energy. Data from seven double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials in 2,075 patients with major depression were retrospectively analyzed. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) Retardation factor score (total of items 1, 7, 8, and 14) was used as the primary measure of energy improvement, whereas the HAM-D-17 total score was used to assess changes in overall depression. Elderly patients (aged 60 years and older) were included in the overall group and were also analyzed separately. In addition, a subgroup analysis was performed using the HAM-D Retardation factor score to categorize patients as having low (score < 8) or high (score > or = 8) levels of retardation at baseline. Beginning at week 3, fluoxetine-treated patients experienced statistically significant reductions in their HAM-D Retardation factor score compared with placebo-treated patients. The reductions for the elderly subgroup were less than those for the overall population, but they were still statistically significant beginning at week 4. Patients in both the low and high baseline retardation groups improved significantly. HAM-D-17 total scores for fluoxetine-treated patients in all groups (total, elderly, high retardation, and low retardation) improved significantly compared with placebo-treated patients. These findings demonstrate that fluoxetine-treated patients experience an improvement in energy symptoms as their overall depression improves.
Search for the presence of six Mycoplasma species in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of subjects seropositive and seronegative for human immunodeficiency virus

The prevalence of Mycoplasma fermentans, Mycoplasma pirum, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Mycoplasma hominis, and Mycoplasma penetrans was investigated by using specific PCR assays with peripheral blood mononuclear cells from subjects infected or not infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Only M. fermentans was detected in 5.8% of 154 HIV-seropositive and 11.1% of 90 HIV-seronegative subjects.
New immune connections in osteoclast formation

Osteoimmunology is an interdisciplinary research field that investigates the interplay of the skeletal and immune systems at the molecular level. The interaction between immune cells and osteoclasts has been a major topic in this field. As osteoclasts are derived from the monocyte/macrophage lineage, the macrophage–osteoclast interaction has long been studied. The T cell–osteoclast interaction has also attracted much attention in the study of bone destruction in arthritis. In addition, recent reports have revealed new players linking osteoclasts and other immune cells, including B cells and dendritic cells. Thus, a large number of molecules are in fact shared by osteoclasts and immune cells. These findings will lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of diseases affecting both systems and will provide a molecular basis for novel therapeutic strategies.
Helicobacter Pylori Seropositivity and Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the most common diagnoses in hospitalized patients. The stimulus that initiates the acute inflammatory process in AMI has not been identified. Conventional risk factors account only for approximately half of the patients with clinically apparent atherosclerosis which can leads to AMI. Recently a potential link between infectious agents and atherosclerosis has been suggested Objective: To find a possible association between Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) infection and AMI. Method: We studied the prevalence of antiH. pylori antibodies in 94 patients who were admitted with the diagnosis of AMI and a similar number of healthy individuals who were age and sex matched. This was done using ELISA technique. Results: Overall prevalence of anti-H. pyroli antibodies in patients with AMI was 82.9% whereas the prevalence in the control group was 78.7% . This difference yielded an odd ratio of 1.317. Chi square test shows that this difference was insignificant statistically (p-value 0.458) Conclusion: We feel that our results do not support the hypothesis which stated that chronic infection with H. pylori is a major risk factor for AMI.
Anatomy of the pancreas; a study with special reference to the duct system.

The anatomy of the pancreatic duct system has been the subject of numerous studies since the first published account by Wirsung (Fig. 1). This original and inaccurate report was later modified by Santorini to approximate more closely the arrangement found in human beings. Although studies of the pancreatic ducts continued, descriptions varied, largely because of the difficulty of demonstrating the exact relations of the ducts. When Opie popularized the common channel theory of pancreatitis, he lent an impetus to the efforts of anatomists and surgeons to demonstrate more clearly the finer anatomy of the duct arrangement at the ampulla of Vater and in the pancreatic head. It was not the object of this study to repeat the excellent observations made by Opie and his successors concerning the detailed anatomy of the ampulla of Vater; it was rather our effort to demonstrate the exact course of the pancreatic ducts through the
LEARNING : IMPLICATIONS FOR THE GLOBALIZED COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Implicit in the open-door mission of the community college is the mandate that every learning experience should offer full equity and inclusion for all learners, including those of diverse cultural backgrounds. This mission is paramount, given the cultural diversity represented among learners served by the globalized community college. This paper presents a cross-section of research, practice, and discourse focused on expanding our knowledge and understanding of the diverse learning needs of community college learners. The relevance of the literature to the planning, design, and implementation of distance-learning is discussed. In the end, the authors offer distance-learning instructional strategies that may accommodate the unique needs of Hispanic/Latino learners. Implications for community college educators are discussed.
Income Impacts of Credit on Accessed Households in Rural Vietnam: Do Various Credit Sources Perform Differently?

This study uses the Propensity Score Matching to examine the income impact of different credit sources on accessed households in the Northern Mountains of Vietnam. Results show that overall rural credit serves an important role in improving household income with respect to total income, per capita income and non- farm income. However, different credit affects recipients heterogeneously. Whereas a significant increase in household income can be achieved through accessing commercial and informal loans, there is no significant increase of all income components associated recipients of preferential credit. These results imply that a successful credit scheme needs to consider variations in transaction costs, disbursement scheme, loan characteristics and typical socio-economic conditions of credit recipients.
Identification of an upstream promoter in the human gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor gene.

Analysis of the human gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (hGnRHR) gene 5' flanking region revealed the presence of multiple TATA, CCAAT, and transcription start sites. In addition, at least three different transcripts (5.0, 2.5, and 1.5 kb) were detected by Northern blot analysis. Taken together, these data indicated the existence of multiple promoter elements in the hGnRHR gene, and these promoters are responsible for the multiplicity of regulation of human reproductive functions. In this report, by progressive 5' and 3' deletion (-2197 to -1351, relative to the ATG) and NotI linker scanning mutagenesis coupled to transient transfection into the mouse gonadotrope-derived alphaT3-1 cell, a distal promoter element was identified at -1705/-1674. The promoter was located immediately 5' to a previously identified CAP site at -1673 in human pituitary and it drove a 17.6- +/- 1.0-fold increase in reporter gene activity. Within the promoter, a pyrimidine-rich initiator element (Inr) (-1682) and a CCAAT box (-1702) were found and mutation of these elements abrogated both protein bindings and promoter activities. By 1- and 2-D SouthWestern blot assays, multiple nuclear factors (40 to 54 kDa) were found to interact specifically with this promoter element. These nuclear factors were also present in other cells, including COS-7, JEG-3, and SKOV-3 cells, and these findings were consistent with functional studies which showed that the promoter is also active in these cells.