Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparing the Patterns and Trends of Homicide Mortality in Mexico and Colombia from 2000 to 2015 (Differences and Similarities)

Background: Violence is a public health problem worldwide that affects many countries. Colombia has long had an armed conflict, and Mexico, in recent years, has presented a critical situation associated with drug trafficking. Objective: Analyze and compare patterns and trends of mortality between Colombia and Mexico, 2000-2015. Methods: Comparative longitudinal study that used data provided by the national entities of both countries. Analyze the causes related to violent mortality. A comparative analysis was made by country, year, age groups, causes and sex. Multivariate analysis was done, with the country as a dependent variable adjusted by sex, age groups and causes. Findings: There were 576,994 homicides: 55.6% in Colombia: The main causes of death were firearms (Colombia 82% and Mexico 62%); strangulation was major in Mexico (7.5%) compared to Colombia (1.5%). In 2000, the risk of violent mortality was six times higher in Colombia; in 2015, it was reduced to 1.5 times. In Mexico, between 2006 and 2011 there was an increase of up to 150% in mortality due to this cause. The most affected were men, in productive age, by firearms and by sharp weapons. Conclusions and policy implications: The increase in violent mortality in Mexico has been related to the fight against different forms of drug trafficking and groups outside the law; in this country, homicides suggest more suffering. In Colombia, it seems that measures such as the restriction on the carrying of weapons, state security policies since 2002 generated declines in violent mortality. Both countries need to professionalize their police forces even more, they must work to diminish the circles of impunity, corruption, weaknesses of the justice system, lack of authority, and strengthen the presence of the state in the regions.
Highly active antiretroviral therapy and coronary heart disease: the need for perspective

In this article we present a brief overview of cardiovascular epidemiology with an emphasis on coronary heart disease (CHD) and review the metabolic complications associated with the lipodystrophy syndrome. We then analyse data from cardiovascular cohort studies to estimate the relative and absolute CHD risks that are likely to be associated with the lipodystrophy syndrome. Using data from prospective studies of HIV-1 infection we put these risks into perspective by comparing the benefits in terms of AIDS-related complications prevented with the risk of coronary events. We conclude by discussing the limitations of this approach and outlining the need for further research. (excerpt)
Performance of Weather Forecast Models in the Rescue of Dr. Ronald Shemenski from the South Pole in April 2001

Abstract In late April 2001, an unprecedented late-season flight to Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station was made in the evacuation of Dr. Ronald Shemenski, a medical doctor seriously ill with pancreatitis. This case study analyzes the performance of four of the numerical weather prediction models that aided meteorologists in forecasting weather throughout the operation: 1) the Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS) Polar MM5 (fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model), 2) the National Centers for Environmental Prediction Aviation Model (AVN), 3) the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) global forecast model, and 4) the NCAR Global MM5. To identify specific strengths and weaknesses, key variables for each model are statistically analyzed for all forecasts initialized between 21 and 25 April for several points over West Antarctica at the surface and at 500- and 700-hPa levels. The ECMWF model performs with the highest ov.
Etiology of solitary extrapulmonary positron emission tomography and computed tomography findings in patients with lung cancer.

PURPOSE The aim of this prospective study was to assess the incidence and the nature of solitary extrapulmonary [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) accumulations in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) staged with integrated positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) and to evaluate the impact on management. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 350 patients with NSCLC underwent whole-body PET/CT imaging. All solitary extrapulmonary FDG accumulations were evaluated by histopathology, further imaging, or clinical follow-up. RESULTS PET/CT imaging revealed extrapulmonary lesions in 110 patients. In 72 patients (21%), solitary lesions were present. A diagnosis was obtained in 69 of these patients, including 37 (54%) with solitary metastases and 32 (46%) with lesions unrelated to the lung primary. Histopathologic examinations of these 32 lesions revealed a second clinically unsuspected malignancy or a recurrence of a previous diagnosed carcinoma in six patients (19%) and a benign tumor or inflammatory lesion in 26 patients (81%). The six malignancies consisted of carcinoma of the breast in two patients, and carcinoma of the orbit, esophagus, prostate, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in one patient each. Benign tumors and inflammatory lesions included eight colon adenomas, four Warthin's tumors, one granuloma of the lower jaw, one adenoma of the thyroid gland, one compensatory muscle activity due to vocal chord palsy, two occurrences of arthritis, three occurrences of reflux esophagitis, two occurrences of pancreatitis, two occurrences of diverticulitis, one hemorrhoidal inflammation, and one rib fracture. CONCLUSION Solitary extrapulmonary FDG accumulations in patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer should be analyzed critically for correct staging and optimal therapy, given that up to half of the lesions may represent unrelated malignancies or benign disease.
The effect of coaching on the transfer and sustainability of learning : coaching for leaders, a collaborative action research study

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Safety using small grafts: Western perspective

1. Initial results with smaller grafts were associated with higher rates of graft loss, however, the application of newer technical innovations and careful patient selection has led to a renewed interest in using smaller grafts. 2. Reducing donor risk with smaller donor hepatectomy procedures without compromising the recipient outcome is the primary driver for the renewed interest in the use of smaller grafts (particularly left lobes).
Oxygen concentration in milk of healthy and mastitic cows and implications of low oxygen tension for the killing of Staphylococcus aureus by bovine neutrophils

Summary The partial pressure of O2 in milk from normal cows and from cows with mastitis was measured and the concentrations of O2 calculated. Oxygen levels of milk from normal cows were similar to those in venous plasma, but inflammation of the mammary gland led to a dramatic drop in O2 concentration to < 10% of control values. Intracellular survival of Staphylococcus aureus strain M60 in bovine neutrophils was greater under anaerobic than aerobic conditions. The implications of low O2 concentrations in milk from infected mammary glands for the bactericidal activity of bovine neutrophils is discussed.
Evidence of progressive deterioration of renal function in rats exposed to a maternal low-protein diet in utero

Intrauterine growth retardation associated with maternal undernutrition is proposed to play a significant role in the aetiology of hypertension and CHD. Animal experiments suggest that the kidney, which is extremely vulnerable to the adverse effects of growth-retarding factors, may play an important role in the prenatal programming of hypertension. Maintenance of renal haemodynamic functions following structural impairment in fetal life is proposed to require adaptations which raise systemic blood pressure and promote a more rapid progression to renal failure. Rats were fed on diets containing 180 g casein/kg (control) or 90 g casein/kg (low protein) during pregnancy. The offspring were studied in terms of blood pressure, creatinine clearance, blood urea N, plasma and urinary albumin, renal morphometry and metabolic activity at 4, 12 and 20 weeks of age. Blood pressure was elevated at all ages in the low-protein-exposed offspring, relative to control rats. Rats (4 weeks old) exposed to the low-protein diet had smaller kidneys which were shorter and wider than those of control animals. Creatinine clearance was significantly reduced in 4-week-old rats exposed to the low-protein diet. Renal morphometry and creatinine clearance at older ages were not influenced by prenatal diet. Blood urea N, urinary output and urinary albumin excretion were, however, significantly greater in low-protein-exposed rats than in control rats at 20 weeks of age. These findings are suggestive of a progressive deterioration of renal function in hypertensive rats exposed to mild maternal protein restriction during fetal life. This is consistent with the hypothesis that adaptations to maintain renal haemodynamic functions following impairment of fetal nephrogenesis result in an accelerated progression towards glomerulosclerosis and increased intrarenal pressures mediated by rising vascular resistance.
Dietary black raspberries modulate DNA methylation in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis.

UNLABELLED Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the colon. During inflammation, NF-κB is increased in colonic epithelial cells and in immune cells, leading to increases in proinflammatory cytokines. These events then increase DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), which silence a subset of tumor suppressor genes by promoter methylation. Negative regulators of the Wnt pathway are frequently methylated in UC, leading to dysregulation of the pathway and, potentially, to colorectal cancer. We determined if black raspberries (BRBs) influence promoter methylation of suppressors in the Wnt pathway in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced UC. C57BL/6J mice received 1% DSS and were fed either control or 5% BRB diets. Mice were euthanized on days 7, 14 and 28, and their colons, spleen and bone marrow were collected. Berries reduced ulceration at day 28. This was accompanied by decreased staining of macrophages and neutrophils and decreased NF-κB p65 nuclear localization in the colon at all time points. At day 7, BRBs demethylated the promoter of dkk3, leading to its increased messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in colon, spleen and bone marrow. β-Catenin nuclear localization, c-Myc staining as well as protein expression of DNMT3B, histone deacetylases 1 and 2 (HDAC1 and HDAC2) and methyl-binding domain 2 (MBD2) were all decreased in colon; mRNA expression of these four proteins was decreased in bone marrow cells by BRBs. These results suggest that BRBs suppress colonic ulceration by correcting promoter hypermethylation of suppressor genes in the colon, as well as in the spleen and bone marrow that systematically regulate inflammation. SUMMARY Our results suggest that dietary BRBs suppress colonic ulceration by correcting promoter hypermethylation of suppressor genes in the colon, as well as in the spleen and bone marrow that systematically regulate inflammation in DSS-induced UC.
Using CTLL‐2 and CTLL‐2 bcl2 cells to avoid interference by apoptosis in the in vitro micronucleus test

In vitro assays for chromosome aberrations (i.e., in vitro micronucleus and in vitro metaphase analysis tests) frequently produce false‐positive or exaggerated‐positive results. Our previous work suggested that apoptosis interferes with these tests, producing misleading results. These previous studies were conducted by performing the in vitro micronucleus test in CTLL‐2 cells and a CTLL‐2 cell derivative stably transfected with the apoptosis inhibitor gene bcl2. In the present study, these previous observations were extended by examining micronucleus induction with a larger number of compounds in both CTLL‐2 and CTLL‐2 bcl2 cells and measuring apoptosis with annexin V‐FITC. Both cell lines were treated with different classes of compounds that were anticipated to be exclusively apoptosis inducers, or compounds known to be clastogens or aneugens, some of which were anticipated to be both genotoxic and apoptotic. We were able to confirm that compounds that are only apoptogenic induced micronuclei in CTLL‐2 but not CTLL‐2 bcl2 cells, indicating that the positive responses are due to apoptosis in CTLL‐2 cells. Some genotoxins (clastogens and aneugens) did not produce apoptosis by the annexin V assay and gave similar responses in CTLL‐2 and CTLL‐2 bcl2 cells. Finally, higher responses were induced in CTLL‐2 cells compared to CTLL‐2 bcl2 cells that were treated with aneugens or clastogens that were also apoptosis inducers, suggesting that the greater response in CTLL‐2 cells is a consequence of both genotoxicity and apoptosis. Finally, it was demonstrated that just eliminating CTLL‐2 cells having three or more micronuclei from scoring was not adequate for correctly evaluating agents that only produce apoptosis. The results indicate that coupling the in vitro micronucleus test in both CTLL‐2 and CTLL‐2 bcl2 cells with the measurement of apoptosis is able to distinguish the genotoxic effects of a test compound from its apoptotic potential and is able to avoid interference from apoptosis in the in vitro micronucleus test. These observations may provide the basis for a useful genotoxicity assay. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 41:14–27, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Institutional logics and hybrid organizing in public-private partnerships

Cross-sectoral collaboration has been touted as a solution to a range of problems in various sectors. In the construction context, public-private partnerships have recently given promises of increased productivity and innovative solutions through business models combining logics and governance structures from both the public and private sectors. Little is, however, known about how partnerships are established to combine different logics in response to competing institutional demands. Drawing on a study of a municipality's efforts to create cost efficient services, we analyse the formation of two partnerships as emerging hybrid organizations in the intersection between four institutional logics. We show how different logics are mobilized in the process of shaping the partnerships in response to the institutional pluralism and complexity they face. On this background, we discuss how the contours of two different forms of hybrid organization emerged, even though the partnerships initially operated and responded similarly to the institutional demands. We conclude that partnerships can be seen as 'trading zones' that follow different trajectories in coping with institutional demands, and hence the development of hybrid organizational forms.
Feasibility of Right Ventricular Longitudinal Systolic Function Evaluation with Transthoracic Echocardiographic Indices Derived from Tricuspid Annular Motion: A Preliminary Study in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Introduction: Assessment of right ventricular (RV) function in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains challenging. Transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) indices based on longitudinal systolic RV function are now considered as a reliable evaluation of RV function. We investigated feasibility of two methods in ARDS patients. Methods: Prospective observational study. TTE was performed after 12–36 hours of mechanical ventilation. Feasibility of tricuspid annular motion (St), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was compared to usual two‐dimensional (2D) study: fractional area change (RVFAC) and ratio of right to left ventricular end‐diastolic area (RVEDA/LVEDA). Results: Fifty patients were investigated, with TTE possible in all but two patients. Feasibility was 62% for RVFAC, 72% for RVEDA/LVEDA, and 96% for TAPSE and St. RV dilatation (RVEDA/LVEDA ≥0.60) was found in 16 patients, including 4 patients with acute cor pulmonale. A longitudinal RV dysfunction (TAPSE < 12 mm or St < 11.5 cm/sec) was suspected in 30% of patients. Relation between both longitudinal indices was modest (r2= 0.36, P < 0.001). TAPSE (but not St) was found poorly related to RVFAC (r2= 0.27, P = 0.03). Both indices were related to LV function (St: r2= 0.27, TAPSE: r2= 0.17, both P < 0.05). Conclusion: Despite a superior feasibility than 2D study, our results suggest that both indices may not bring identical information to echo study. TAPSE may be more adapted to ICU use than St. Both should be further investigated in terms of analysis of RV function and ventricular interdependence. Their relations with LV function may limit their use as sole markers of RV function in this population. (Echocardiography 2012;29:513‐521)
No association of CCR5D32 gene mutation with multiple sclerosis in Croatian and Slovenian patients

Several studies investigating the role of the CCR5D32 mutation in multiple sclerosis (MS) have reported varied, often contradictory results. Therefore in the present study we have analysed whether the CCR5D32 mutation is associated with the risk of/or disease process in Croatian and Slovene MS patients. Three hundred and twenty-five MS patients and 356 healthy controls were genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction method. Our results showed no significant differences in the distribution of CCR5D32 mutations between MS and control subjects, indicating that this mutation does not influence susceptibility to MS. Furthermore, we did not observe that CCR5D32 carrier-status could modulate age of disease onset or progression of the disease. It is therefore our conclusion that the present study indicates that the CCR5D32 mutation is neither protective of, nor a risk factor, for MS development.
Orbital Exenteration: A Dilemma in Mucormycosis Presented with Orbital Apex Syndrome

Background Mucormycosis is an uncommon, rapidly progressive, commonly fatal, opportunistic, fungal paranasal sinus infection. The most critical decision in the management of rhino-orbital mucormycosis is whether the orbit should be exenterated. The literature fails to provide a broad base of information of how physicians determine the need for exenteration in daily practice. The decision for exenteration often depends on the judgment of the treating otolaryngologist. The authors report their experience and outline that orbital exenteration may not be mandatory in all cases of rhino-orbital mucormycosis. Methods The medical records from Celal Bayar University Medical Faculty Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery were retrospectively searched from 1995 to 2007 for three cases with rhino-orbital mucormycosis, treated without orbital exenteration. Results All patients with rhino-orbital mucormycosis who were treated without exenteration survived. Conclusion The favorable outcome was attributable to rapid correction of the underlying medical condition; wide local excision and debridement of all involved and devitalized sinonasal and periorbital tissue, while establishing adequate sinus and orbital drainage; daily endoscopic assessment with multiple sinus debridement when necessary; daily irrigation of the involved areas; and high-dose i.v. amphotericin B.
Determining the Number of Factors in a Multivariate Error Correctionvolatility Factor Model

In order to describe the co-movements in both conditional mean and conditional variance of high dimensional non-stationary time series by dimension reduction, we introduce the conditional heteroscedasticity with factor structure to the error correction model (ECM). The new model is called the error correction--volatility factor model (EC--VF). Some specification and estimation approaches are developed. In particular, the determination of the number of factors is discussed. Our setting is general in the sense that we impose neither i.i. d. assumption on idiosyncratic components in the factor structure nor independence between factors and idiosyncratic errors. We illustrate the proposed approach with a Monte Carlo simulation and a real data example. Copyright The Author(s). Journal compilation Royal Economic Society 2008
Alternative food sources for the ladybird Brumoides foudrasii ( Mulsant ) ( Coleoptera : Coccinellidae )

The predator Brumoides foudrasii (Mulsant) (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) has been naturally found in plants infested by mealybugs. In this study, the striped mealybug Ferrisia dasylirii (Cockerell) (Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae) and Anagasta kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) eggs were evaluated as diets for the development and reproduction of B. foudrasii. Brumoides foudrasii immatures developed faster when fed with A. kuehniella eggs than when fed with F. dasylirii. However, the survival and longevity of B. foudrasii adults were not affected by the diets. Oviposition was more frequent when B. foudrasii females were fed with F. dasylirii (95%) than those fed with A. kuehniella eggs (65%). Brumoides foudrasii females fed with F. dasylirii were 2.5 times more fecund than those fed with A. kuehniella eggs. Although both diets may be considered proper for B. foudrasii, A. kuehniella eggs were more suitable for immature development, while F. darsyrili provided more nutritious resources for adult biological parameters as oviposition period, egg viability and fecundity. These results suggests that this predator can play an important role in regulating populations of the stripped mealybug F. dasylirii in the field.
Socio-Cultural Determinants of Attempted Suicide Among West Indians in Birmingham: Ethnic Origin and Immigrant Status

Summary The author studied the significance of ethnic origin and immigrant status in attempted suicide. Epidemiological data (1969–72) indicated that self-poisoning among West Indian immigrants in Birmingham was less prevalent than among natives there but more prevalent than in the West Indies. The association of recent pregnancy with attempted suicide among young immigrant patients was noteworthy. Attempted suicide among immigrants was often relatively benign; few abused alcohol or drugs or made repeated attempts. The markedly lower male rate of attempted suicide, and its rarity in older persons, confirms previous findings.