Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Osteoinduction by Ca-P biomaterials implanted into the muscles of mice

The osteoinduction of porous biphasic calcium phosphate ceramics (BCP) has been widely reported and documented, but little research has been performed on rodent animals, e.g., mice. In this study, we report osteoinduction in a mouse model. Thirty mice were divided into two groups. BCP materials (Sample A) and control ceramics (Sample B) were implanted into the leg muscle, respectively. Five mice in each group were killed at 15, 30, and 45 d after surgery. Sample A and Sample B were harvested and used for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, and Alizarin Red S staining to check bone formation in the biomaterials. Histological analysis showed that no bone tissue was formed 15 d after implantation (0/5) in either of the two groups. Newly-formed bone tissues were observed in Sample A at 30 d (5/5) and 45 d (5/5) after implantation; the average amounts of newly-formed bone tissues were approximately 5.2% and 8.6%, respectively. However, we did not see any bone tissue in Sample B until 45 d after implantation. Bone-related molecular makers such as bone morphogenesis protein-2 (BMP-2), collagen type I, and osteopontin were detected by IHC staining in Sample A 30 d after implantation. In addition, the newly-formed bone was also confirmed by Alizarin Red S staining. Because this is the report of osteoinduction in the rodent animal on which all the biotechnologies were available, our results may contribute to further mechanism research.
A Linguistic Investigation of Mediators Between Religious Commitment and Health Behaviors in Older Adolescents

Social scientists are beginning to take an interest in the role that religiosity plays in the development of health behaviors throughout adolescence. Although there is mounting evidence of a relationship between these constructs, how and why such relationships exist is not well understood. In this exploratory study of 28 racially diverse university students, we examined whether the relationship between religious commitment and health behaviors could be detected through written language. The results indicated that religious commitment and various indices of healthy lifestyle practices were strongly correlated, that healthy lifestyle practices were related to use of causal words (representing cognitive attempts at understanding causes and effects) and first person plural words (representing social connectedness). The results were consistent with a model in which participants' use of causal words partially or fully mediated the relations between religious commitment and healthy lifestyle practices. Implications of findings and directions for future research are discussed.
The PBGC Premium and the Pension Plan's Risk-Taking: Should the PBGC Take the PPF As an Example?

This paper focuses on the way the PBGC premiums should be defined. In the current debate, a better risk adjustment is sought, and the PPF is given as an example. The paper analyzes the effect the PBGC premium form has on the sponsoring firm's risk-taking in its pension plan. We show that risk-taking increases (decreases) when the actual bankruptcy probability of the firm is higher (lower) than the proportion of underfunding taken into account in the premium. Numerical results suggest that if the PBGC increased the current underfunding proportion, risk-taking would be reduced, albeit slightly. The paper's conclusion is that adopting risk-adjusted premiums of the PPF-type is an advisable measure for the PBGC. The effect of the insurance contract on risk-taking would be then eliminated. However, whatever the premium form, the problem of firms in financial trouble will remain unsolved, and other measures than risk-adjusted premiums are needed to prevent their risk-seeking behavior.
Beneficial Effects of an Integrated Psychostimulation Program in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND The existing pharmacological treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) can only slow the progression of symptoms or delay admission to long-term care facilities. The beneficial effects of non-drug treatments are poorly studied. OBJECTIVE To describe the effects of an Integrated Psychostimulation Program (IPP) in patients with mild-moderate AD treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors; and to identify factors related to greater benefit of the IPP. METHODS 206 patients (mean age = 75.9 years; MMSE = 19.6) were evaluated before starting the IPP and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months later. Measures included: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Cognitive Subscale of Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog), Rapid Disability Rating Scale (RDRS-2), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q). RESULTS Patients remained cognitively stable (MMSE/ADAS-Cog) for more than 6 months and significantly worsened at 9-month and 12-month follow-ups, without clinically significant functional changes (RDRS-2) or psychiatric symptoms(NPI-Q). The mean annual change on MMSE and ADAS-Cog were 2.06 and 3.56 points, respectively, lower than the annual decline demonstrated previously in similar patients (2.4 and 4.5, respectively). 42.7% of patients maintained or improved global cognitive scores between baseline and 12-month follow-up. The patients who maintained cognitive functions were older than those who did not (77.5 versus 74.7 years). CONCLUSIONS The IPP may be an effective treatment to maintain cognition, functionality, and psychiatric symptoms in AD patients pharmacologically treated, and older age seems to increase beneficial effects of IPP.
Cutaneous reactions to drugs. An analysis of spontaneous reports in four Italian regions.

AIMS Cutaneous manifestations are frequently reported in association with drug use. The aim of this study was to analyse the skin reactions reported to the spontaneous surveillance systems of four Italian regions (Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Sicily and the Veneto), and correlate the reports with estimated drug consumption during the same period, paying particular attention to the reactions to antimicrobial agents and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). METHODS All of the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported spontaneously between January 1996 and December 1997 to the surveillance systems of four Italian regions (a total population of about 20 million people) were analysed by a panel of experts including dermatologists. On the basis of the Critical Term List of the World Health Organization (WHO), the reactions were classified as either serious or nonserious events. Drug consumption was expressed as a daily defined dose (DDD)/1000 inhabitants/day. RESULTS A total of 2224 adverse skin reaction reports (44.7% of all of the reported ADRs) were identified, making a reporting rate of about 5.5 per 100 000 inhabitants/year. The female/male ratio was 1.58, and the reporting rate progressively increased with age. The drug categories with the highest number of cutaneous reactions were antimicrobials, followed by NSAIDs, analgesics and radiology contrast media. There was a total of 372 (16.9%) serious reaction reports, the most frequent being angioedema (171 cases), erythema multiforme (68 cases) and photosensitivity (37 cases). Co-trimoxazole, followed by the cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, were associated with the highest consumption-related reporting rate among the antimicrobials, and aspirin and dipyrone among the NSAIDs and analgesics. CONCLUSIONS Spontaneous reports from four Italian regions revealed that the skin was the organ most frequently affected by ADRs. The paper shows the validity of a regional decentralized system in Italy.
New Polyethylene Glycol Laxative for Treatment of Constipation in Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

Background. This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of a new polyethylene glycol (PEG) laxative (MiraLax, Braintree Laboratories Inc, Braintree, Mass) in 23 patients reporting a history of constipation. Methods. After a 7-day placebo control period, patients were randomized into a double crossover trial of placebo versus 17 g of PEG daily for 4 days. Patient maintained a stool diary. Results. Daily ingestion of a 17 g dose of PEG increased mean daily bowel movement frequency to once per day by the last 7 days of the 14-day treatment period. This was a statistically significant improvement over placebo, which provided about 1 bowel movement every 2 days during the last week of therapy. Patient diary ratings of related subjective symptoms were improved with PEG treatment over placebo. Both investigator and patients rated PEG therapy superior to placebo. No clinically significant changes in blood chemistry, complete blood count (CBC), or urinalysis were observed. Conclusions. Daily therapy with 17 g of PEG laxative for 14 days resulted in a significant improvement in bowel movement frequency in constipated patients relative to placebo by the second week of treatment.
Experimental evaluation of relative calibration in a MISO-TDD system

We study the transmit time reversal beamforming in a 8x1 MISO communication system at 2.68GHz. We consider the downlink time reversal transmission where a BS communicates with one user. A prototype composed by 8 antennas and designed by Orange labs acts as the BS while the user has a single antenna. The reciprocity property is destroyed by the non-symmetric characteristics of the RF electronic circuitry. We use relative calibration which is based exclusively on signal processing techniques to solve this issue. Utilizing a controlled test setup based on OpenAirInterface, the ExpressMIMO2 SDR boards, as well as a servo controlled rail, we show the feasibility of a relative calibration method through beamforming SNR measurements. We also evaluate the performance of an antenna selection scheme at the transmit side as a low-cost low-complexity alternative to capture many of the advantages of multi-antenna systems. The measurements show that the relative calibration method is performing almost optimal and that the complexity can be significantly reduced by using antenna selection.
Swab Cultures for Diagnosing Wound Infections: A Literature Review and Clinical Guideline

&NA; Infection is a major causative factor in delayed and nonhealing wounds. Indiscriminate and routine wound cultures are not recommended, but a culture is indicated to identify the causative organisms and to guide antibiotic therapy when clinical suspicion of an infection exists. Although tissue biopsy is considered the gold standard to diagnose infection, it is rarely used in clinical settings. Swab culture is the most frequently employed method of confirming wound infection in the United States, but a standardized procedure is lacking. Properly performed swab cultures provide useful data to augment diagnostic and therapeutic decision making. The specific aim of the review is to propose a research-based guideline to perform swab cultures as a basis to improve clinical practice and encourage research to establish the reliability and validity of the swab technique.
Abstract W P2: Timeline of Blood Pressure Changes After Intra-arterial Therapy For Acute Ischemic Stroke Based on Recanalization Status

Introduction: Arterial recanalization with intravenous thrombolysis early for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has been reported to be associated with spontaneous blood pressure (BP) reduction compared to those without recanalization. We investigated the course of BP after intra-arterial therapy (IAT) for AIS. Methods: Retrospective study from 1/08-12/12 of AIS patients who underwent IAT for ICA/M1 occlusions with TICI 0 flow was conducted. Cases under general anesthesia were excluded. BP recorded before, and at hourly intervals for 36 hours post procedure was collected. The average hourly BP, and the difference in hourly BP from pre-procedure baseline was calculated and compared by recanalization status. Successful recanalization was defined as TICI2b-3. Results: Sixty-two patients consisting of 37 (59.7%) with TICI2b-3 (Group R) and 25 with TICI 0-2a (Group NR) recanlization were included. Baseline characteristics were similar except for greater frequency of IV tPA administration in group R (51.3% vs. 20.8%, p 0.017). Average systolic BP (SBP) pre-procedure was similar in both both groups (R 158 vs NR 154 mm Hg, p 0.521). SBP decreased significantly at the end of procedure in both groups (Fig a,b), but without inter-group difference (Fig c). With time however, there was significantly lower average SBP, and greater SBP drop from baseline in the R group compared to NR group, but this persisted only till hour 12. (Fig 1c,d) Similar trend was observed with the mean arterial BP. Conclusions: BP after IAT differed significantly based on recanalization status and the difference was early. Endogenous drive to increase BP to maintain cerebral perfusion may account for the findings. This may have implications for BP management post IAT.
Fentanyl-induced electrocorticographic seizures in patients with complex partial epilepsy.

Although electrical seizure activity in response to opioids such as fentanyl has been well described in animals, scalp electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings have failed to demonstrate epileptiform activity following narcotic administration in humans. The purpose of this study was to determine whether fentanyl is capable of evoking electrical seizure activity in patients with complex partial (temporal lobe) seizures. Nine patients were studied in whom recording electrode arrays had been placed in the bitemporal epidural space several days earlier to determine which temporal lobe gave rise to their seizures. The symptomatic temporal lobe was localized by correlating clinical and electrical seizure activity obtained during continuous simultaneous videotape and epidural EEG monitoring. In each patient, clinical seizures and electrical seizure activity were consistently demonstrated to arise unilaterally from one temporal lobe (four on the right, five on the left). During fentanyl induction of anesthesia in preparation for secondary craniotomy for anterior temporal lobectomy, eight of the nine patients exhibited electrical seizure activity at fentanyl doses ranging from 17.7 to 35.71 micrograms.kg-1 (mean 25.75 micrograms.kg-1). More importantly, four of these eight seizures occurred initially in the "healthy" temporal lobe contralateral to the surgically resected lobe from which the clinical seizures had been shown to arise. These findings indicate that, in patients with complex partial seizures, moderate doses of fentanyl can evoke electrical seizure activity. The results of this study could have important implications for neurosurgical centers where electrocorticography is used during surgery for the purpose of determining the extent of the resection.
The ‘gravity’ of quality: research quality and the attractiveness of universities in Italy

ABSTRACT This paper investigates whether or not research quality is significantly associated with a university’s ability to attract students from other provinces in Italy. First-university enrolments of students over the period 2003–11 are regressed on universities’ research-quality indicators computed from various bibliometric databases using fixed-effects gravity models. The estimates suggest that research performance is a significant predictor of student enrolment, with estimated elasticities between 0.013 and 0.059, depending on the indicator used.
Uric acid profile in patients with chronic nonspecific musculoskeletal pain.

BACKGROUND The present study was undertaken to determine the uric acid profile in patients with unexplained chronic musculoskeletal complaints, and to establish any possible causal role for altered uric acid profile in such patients. METHOD A comparative study of 36 patients and 36 controls of both sexes and ages between 25-60 years was carried out at Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore from November 2001-May 2002. Patient included were those who had at least 4-24 weeks duration of complaints. Uric acid profile for serum uric acid, uric acid excretion, uric acid clearance and total uric acid production was done. Additional tests included renal functions test, liver function test, cardiac enzymes, haematology and serology to exclude other underlying causes of complaints. RESULTS Mean serum uric acid levels were higher in patients as compared to controls (p = 0.05), with 9 (25%) patients showing hyperuricemia. Uric acid clearance (female patients 5.86 +/- 0.42 ml/min, female controls 8.06 +/- 0.24 ml/min) and daily uric acid excretion (female patients 412.38 +/- 28.52 mg/24 hours, female controls 487.79 +/- 18.64 mg/24 hours) in female patients was significantly lower than control females (P = 0.034 and P < 0.001 respectively). Twenty patients (55.55%, 3 males and 17 females) were classified as under excretors of uric acid, while there were no under excretors in the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION We conclude that abnormalities of uric acid profile, particularly under excretor status may be an underlying biochemical abnormality in a significant number of patients. Female patients appear more predisposed to abnormal uric acid profile such as hyperuricemia and under excretor status.
Essays on Productivity, Technological Change, and Economic Fluctuations

This paper addresses the lack of consensus in the empirical literature regarding the effects of technological diffusion news shocks. We attribute the conflicting evidence to the wide diversity in terms of variable settings, productivity series used and identification schemes applied. We analyze the different identification schemes that have been employed in this literature. More specifically, we impose shortand medium-run restrictions to identify a news shock. The focus is on the medium-run identification maximizing at and over different horizons. We show that the identified news shock depends critically on the applied identification scheme and on the maximization horizon. We also investigate the importance of the information content of the model and of the productivity measure used. We find that models which either contain a large set of macroeconomic variables or include variables that are strongly forward looking deliver more robust results. Moreover, we show that the productivity series used may influence results, but there is convergence of findings for newer total factor productivity series vintages. Our conclusion is that news shocks have expansionary properties.
The work-related fatal injury study: numbers, rates and trends of work-related fatal injuries in New Zealand 1985-1994.

AIMS To determine the number and rates of work-related fatal injuries by employment status, occupation, industry, age and gender in New Zealand 1985-1994. METHODS Potential cases of work-related injury deaths of persons aged 15-84 years were identified from the national electronic mortality data files. Main exclusions were deaths due to suicide and deaths due to motor vehicle crashes. The circumstances of the deaths of each fatal incident meeting inclusion criteria were then reviewed directly from coronial files to determine work-relatedness. RESULTS The rate of work-related fatal injury in New Zealand was 5.03/100000 workers per year for the study period. There was a significant decline in crude rate over the study period. However, this was in substantial part accounted for by changes in occupation and industry mix. Older workers, male workers, self-employed workers, and particular occupational groups, all had substantially elevated rates. Agricultural and helicopter pilots, forestry workers and fishery workers had the highest rates. Farmers, forestry workers, and fishery workers also had high numbers of deaths, together accounting for nearly 40% of all deaths. CONCLUSIONS This study has demonstrated that work-related fatal injury remains a pressing problem for New Zealand. Several areas in urgent need of prevention efforts were highlighted.
Comparison of the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study equations: risk factors for and complications of CKD and mortality in the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP).

BACKGROUND The National Kidney Foundation has recommended that the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation replace the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation. Before implementing this change in the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP), we compared characteristics of reclassified individuals and mortality risk predictions using the new equation. METHODS Of 123,704 eligible KEEP participants, 116,321 with data available for this analysis were included. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated using the MDRD Study (eGFR(MDRD)) and CKD-EPI (eGFR(CKD-EPI)) equations with creatinine level calibrated to standardized methods. Participants were characterized by eGFR category: >120, 90-119, 60-89, 45-59, 30-44, and <30 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Clinical characteristics ascertained included age, race, sex, diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and anemia. Mortality was determined over a median of 3.7 years of follow-up. RESULTS The prevalence of eGFR(CKD-EPI) <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) was 14.3% compared with 16.8% using eGFR(MDRD). Using eGFR(CKD-EPI), 20,355 participants (17.5%) were reclassified to higher eGFR categories, and 3,107 (2.7%), to lower categories. Participants reclassified upward were younger and less likely to have chronic conditions, with a lower risk of mortality. A total of 3,601 deaths (3.1%) were reported. Compared with participants classified to eGFR of 45-59 mL/min/1.73 m(2) using both equations, those with eGFR(CKD-EPI) of 60-89 mL/min/1.73 m(2) had a lower mortality incidence rate (6.4 [95% CI, 5.1-7.7] vs 18.5 [95% CI, 17.1-19.9]). Results were similar for all eGFR categories. Net reclassification improvement was 0.159 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The CKD-EPI equation reclassifies people at lower risk of CKD and death into higher eGFR categories, suggesting more accurate categorization. The CKD-EPI equation will be used to report eGFR in KEEP.
Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Somatostatin Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients Affected by Chronic Migraine and Fibromyalgia

The aim of the present study was to verify cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and somatostatin, both measured by sensitive immunoassay, in: 16 chronic migraine (CM) patients, 15 patients with an antecedent history of migraine without aura diagnosed as having probable chronic migraine (PCM) and probable analgesic-abuse headache (PAAH), 20 patients affected by primary fibromyalgia syndrome (PFMS), and 20 control subjects. Significantly lower levels of GDNF and somatostatin were found in the CSF of both CM and PCM + PAAH patients compared with controls (GDNF = P < 0.001, P < 0.002; somatostatin = P < 0.002, P < 0.0003), without significant difference between the two groups. PFMS patients, with and without analgesic abuse, also had significantly lower levels of both somatostatin and GDNF (P < 0.0002, P < 0.001), which did not differ from those of CM and PCM + PAAH patients. A significant positive correlation emerged between CSF values of GDNF and those of somatostatin in CM (r = 0.70, P < 0.02), PCM + PAAH (r = 0.78, P < 0.004), and PFMS patients (r = 0.68, P < 0.008). Based on experimental findings, it can be postulated that reduced CSF levels of GDNF and somatostatin in both CM and PCM + PAAH patients can contribute to sustained central sensitization underlying chronic head pain. The abuse of simple or combination analgesics does not seem to influence the biochemical changes investigated, which appear to be more strictly related to the chronic pain state, as demonstrated also for fibromyalgia.