Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Malignant colonic obstruction due to extrinsic tumor: palliative treatment with a self-expanding nitinol stent.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of self-expanding nitinol stents for palliative treatment of malignant colorectal obstruction caused by unresectable extrinsic tumor, colorectal metastasis, or peritoneal seeding. SUBJECTS AND METHODS One covered stent and 10 uncovered stents were deployed in eight patients with colorectal obstruction due to extrinsic tumor under fluoroscopic guidance. The sites of obstruction were located in the rectum (n = 5), in the rectosigmoid colon (n = 2), and from the transverse colon to the descending colon (n = 1). Clinical usefulness and complications were analyzed. RESULTS Stents were placed successfully in all patients. Minor modifications of the delivery system were required in the tortuous rectosigmoid and lower rectum strictures. Symptoms of obstruction were initially resolved in all but one patient. In that patient, the presence of other points of obstruction was suspected. Bowel obstruction recurred in two patients: one obstruction was due to migration of a covered stent 4 days after the procedure, and the other obstruction was due to peritoneal seeding 33 days after the procedure. Both required colostomy or ileostomy. All patients died 12-111 days after stent placement (mean, 56 days). In five patients (63%), colonic obstruction was palliated by placing a stent until the patients' death between 39 and 111 days after stent placement (mean, 62 days). Six complications occurred in four patients and included stent migration (n = 1), anal bleeding (n = 2), anal pain that required analgesia (n = 1), and fever (n = 2). CONCLUSION; This self-expandable nitinol stent adequately palliated 63% of patients with colonic obstruction due to extrinsic tumor in this small series. Patient selection is very important to the success of this treatment.
A Novel Homozygous SLC26A3 Nonsense Mutation in a Tyrolean Girl With Congenital Chloride Diarrhea

Congenital chloride diarrhea (CLD) often manifests itself in utero when ultrasonography shows vastly distended fluid-filled fetal bowel loops and polyhydramnios (1). Postnatally, voluminous watery acidic stools with high chloride content cause hypochloremia, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, and dehydration. Additional characteristic clinical sequelae are abdominal distension, hyperbilirubinemia, and failure to thrive (2). The diagnosis can be verified by analyzing fecal electrolytes, which always show Cl concentrations above 90 mmol/L provided that body electrolyte balance has been corrected to normal. Pathophysiologically, a defect of ileal and colonic apical Cl /HCO3 exchange, normally providing absorption of Cl and secretion of HCO3 , has been found to be responsible for the disease (3). The protein involved in Cl /HCO3 exchange has been reported to be defective in CLD because of mutations in the SLC26A3 gene, also named the CLDor downregulated in adenoma (DRA-) gene (4). Since this first description, approximately 30 mutations have been identified in patients with CLD from various countries all over the world (5). Here we describe a novel mutation associated with CLD in a female patient, who is the first person of Tyrolean heritage reported to be afflicted by this type of hereditary diarrhea.
Effects of Er:YAG laser compared to ultrasonic scaler in periodontal treatment: a 2-year follow-up split-mouth clinical study.

BACKGROUND The aim of this clinical study was to compare the results of non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease with an erbium-doped:yttrium, aluminum, and garnet (Er:YAG) laser to root debridement with an ultrasonic scaler. METHODS Twenty-five patients furnished two quadrants containing four teeth with probing depths (PD) >4 mm; the quadrants were divided equally between the right and left sides. On one side, teeth were treated by Er:YAG laser using 160 mJ/pulse at 10 Hz (test group); on the contralateral side, teeth were treated by ultrasonic scaler (control group). Clinical baseline data, including plaque index, gingival index, probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL), were recorded before treatment and at 3 months and 1 and 2 years. RESULTS There were statistically significant differences in PD between the test and control groups for pockets of 1 to 4 mm (P <0.05), 5 to 6 mm (P <0.01), and > or =7 mm (P <0.001). However, there were no significant differences between the test and control groups for CAL gain in pockets of 1 to 4 mm; statistically significant differences were found between the test and control groups in pockets of 5 to 6 mm (P <0.01) and > or =7 mm (P <0.001). CONCLUSION Er:YAG laser periodontal treatment resulted in statistically significant improvements in PD and CAL gain compared to ultrasonic scaler treatment at 2-year follow-up, especially in moderate and deep pockets.
The child welfare response to domestic violence : exploring the concurrence between the literature, best practice guidelines and worker perception in the Ministry for Children and Family Development

ii Increasingly; child welfare authorities have become involved with families where domestic violence is an issue. This has been the result of improved understanding of the impact of witnessing domestic violence on children. However, child welfare has been criticized for the oppressive nature of the interventions with families where domestic violence has occurred. Critics have argued that an absence of understanding about domestic violence by social workers in child welfare has resulted in oppressive practice towards women and children. This study explored the perceptions of social workers in British Columbia's Ministry for Children and Family Development South Fraser Region about the barriers to best practice in cases of domestic violence. An extensive literature review revealed eight barriers to best practice that contradict current best practice guidelines for cases of domestic violence. The findings of this study revealed that social workers identified that similar barriers to best practice exist in the South Fraser Region, thereby confirming the concerns in the literature. The use of factor analysis revealed that social workers are attempting to work with non-offending parents in amore supportive manner, but there continue to be systemic problems associated with child welfare services that impede workers ability to practice in a non-oppressive manner. Recommendations for improvement of service provision are outlined and discussed.
Split bolus technique in polytrauma: a prospective study on scan protocols for trauma analysis

Background For the evaluation of severely injured trauma patients a variety of total body computed tomography (CT) scanning protocols exist. Frequently multiple pass protocols are used. A split bolus contrast protocol can reduce the number of passes through the body, and thereby radiation exposure, in this relatively young and vitally threatened population. Purpose To evaluate three protocols for single pass total body scanning in 64-slice multidetector CT (MDCT) on optimal image quality. Material and Methods Three total body CT protocols were prospectively evaluated in three series of 10 consecutive trauma patients. In Group A unenhanced brain and cervical spine CT was followed by chest–abdomen–pelvis CT in portovenous phase after repositioning of the arms. Group B underwent brain CT followed without arm repositioning by a one-volume contrast CT from skull base to the pubic symphysis. Group C was identical to Group A, but the torso was scanned with a split bolus technique. Three radiologists independently evaluated protocol quality scores (5-point Likert scale), parenchymal and vascular enhancement and artifacts. Results Overall image quality was good (4.10) in Group A, more than satisfactory (3.38) in Group B, and nearly excellent (4.75) in Group C (P < 0.001). Interfering artifacts were mostly reported in Group B in the liver and spleen. Conclusion In single pass total body CT scanning a split bolus technique reached the highest overall image quality compared to conventional total body CT and one-volume contrast CT.
Modelling the Demand and Supply of Loans in Bulgaria

Econometric modelling of demand and supply of bank loans in Bulgaria, introduced in this scientific paper, can help not only decision makers in the public and private sector, but can also support researchers and analysts in revealing the determinants of lending, being a major factor for the economy dynamics. The bank loans’ demand and supply determinants are parameterized using the Johansen (1988) and the two-step Engle and Granger (1987) approaches to cointegration and error correction dynamic modelling. The main results reveal that the demand for loans in the long run depends mainly on the economic activity, capital inflows, deposits and loans to deposits ratio of the non-financial sector. In the short term these determinants are complemented by imports of goods and services. The supply of loans, however, in all time frames is influenced primarily by changes in banks’ liquidity, net interest income, capital adequacy and the producer prices dynamics, but in the long term consumer prices, market concentration and foreign ownership are supplementing the supply of loans’ drivers.
Multivariable predictive control of voltage source converter HVDC transmission systems

This paper contains a model predictive control (MPC) approach for high voltage direct current (HVDC) lines, where in particular the voltage source converter (VSC) HVDC configuration is investigated. The target is to develop a control method which, given the requested power and alternating/direct voltage references, yields an appropriate set of voltage references to be fed to the modulation scheme of the VSC. Since the chosen control approach directly encompasses the multivariable nature of the problem, no phase locked loop (PLL) is required for dq frame alignment, increasing performance and facilitating tuning in the case of weak grids. The considered system is described, the derived control procedure is illustrated and numerical simulations are presented showing the performance of the proposed approach.
A Review of Quantitative Tools Used to Assess the Epidemiology of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome in U.S. Swine Farms Using Dr. Morrison’s Swine Health Monitoring Program Data

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) causes far-reaching financial losses to infected countries and regions, including the U.S. The Dr. Morrison’s Swine Health Monitoring Program (MSHMP) is a voluntary initiative in which producers and veterinarians share sow farm PRRS status weekly to contribute to the understanding, in quantitative terms, of PRRS epidemiological dynamics and, ultimately, to support its control in the U.S. Here, we offer a review of a variety of analytic tools that were applied to MSHMP data to assess disease dynamics in quantitative terms to support the decision-making process for veterinarians and producers. Use of those methods has helped the U.S. swine industry to quantify the cyclical patterns of PRRS, to describe the impact that emerging pathogens has had on that pattern, to identify the nature and extent at which environmental factors (e.g., precipitation or land cover) influence PRRS risk, to identify PRRS virus emerging strains, and to assess the influence that voluntary reporting has on disease control. Results from the numerous studies reviewed here provide important insights into PRRS epidemiology that help to create the foundations for a near real-time prediction of disease risk, and, ultimately, will contribute to support the prevention and control of, arguably, one of the most devastating diseases affecting the North American swine industry. The review also demonstrates how different approaches to analyze and visualize the data may help to add value to the routine collection of surveillance data and support infectious animal disease control.
The Cell Biology of Synaptic Plasticity

Synaptic plasticity is the experience-dependent change in connectivity between neurons that is believed to underlie learning and memory. Here, we discuss the cellular and molecular processes that are altered when a neuron responds to external stimuli, and how these alterations lead to an increase or decrease in synaptic connectivity. Modification of synaptic components and changes in gene expression are necessary for many forms of plasticity. We focus on excitatory neurons in the mammalian hippocampus, one of the best-studied model systems of learning-related plasticity.
Partial Expression of Endogenous Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus in Mammary Tumors Induced in BALB/c Mice by Chemical, Hormonal, and Physical Agents

The possible interaction of environmental factors with the endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) genome in the development of mammary tumors in the low-tumor-incidence BALB/c mouse strain was examined. Tumors were induced in virgin female animals by treatment with chemical carcinogen 7,12- dimethylbenz[α]anthracene or urethan, with or without prolonged hormonal stimulation, or by X-irradiation. Concomitant hormonal stimulation resulted in increased tumor incidences compared with those induced by chemical carcinogen treatment alone. The frequency of tumor induction by irradiation alone or in combination with urethan or prolactin stimulation was very low. MMTV expression in the mammary tumors was assayed by nucleic acid hybridization and by immunohistochemical staining. Depending upon the treatment group, 0 to 89% of the tumors contained detectable levels of MMTV RNA (≥0.0005% of the total cellular RNA). Tumors which contained detectable viral transcripts exhibited only low levels of MMTV RNA, which did not appear to represent the accumulation of RNA sequences homologous to the entire MMTV genome; synthesis of MMTV structural proteins was detected in only one tumor. Viral RNA-positive tumors were generally associated with a longer latent period. MMTV RNA expression occurred in tumors classified histologically as adenoacanthomas, as well as in mammary adenocarcinomas, although the cell types in the adenoacanthomas expressing viral RNA were not identified. It does not appear that expression of the endogenous MMTV genome is required for maintenance of all mammary tumors in BALB/c mice, although partial genome expression undetectable by the methods employed cannot be ruled out. Linear regression analyses were performed. The mean time to tumor appearance and the percentage of tumors which were MMTV RNA positive were found to vary linearly as a function of the total dose of 7,12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene administered. The percentage of tumors which were MMTV RNA positive was also shown to be linearly related to the mean time to tumor appearance. These relationships provide a basis for predictions in the BALB/c system related to these parameters.
Dose‐dependent anticonvulsant effects of linoleic and α‐linolenic polyunsaturated fatty acids on pentylenetetrazol induced seizures in rats

Purpose: Linoleic and α‐linolenic polyunsaturated fatty acids, derived from plant oils, have been reported to reduce neuronal excitability ex vivo and in cell culture. The evidence derived from animal seizure models, however, has been contradictory. The goal of the present study was to assess the dose‐dependent anticonvulsant effects of a fatty acid mixture containing linoleic and α‐linolenic acids in a 4 to 1 ratio (the “SR‐3” compound).
HEREDITARY MYOPATHY IN THE SYRIAN HAMSTER: STUDIES ON PATHOGENESIS *

In 1962l.2 the present authors described a primary hereditary myopathy occurring in an inbred line of Syrian hamsters. Work carried out since then in our laboratory has dealt with the detailed description of this disease, its genetics, histopathol~gy~ and histochemistry, its enzymology$ and attempts have been made to clearify its pathogenesis. From these studies there has emerged a substantial body of information on this new hamster myopathy which is to be summarized in the present paper. Based on these facts, an attempt will be made to analyze hamster myopathy and to evaluate its position among the many experimental myopathies and its relationship to progressive muscular dystrophy of man. Clinical Course of Spontaneous Disease
Political Parties and Higher Education Spending: Who Favours Redistribution?

A nation's endowment with human capital is an important source of economic prosperity, yet education systems as well as the amount of public spending differ both between and within industrialised countries. Traditional approaches in comparative political economy explain education spending from a perspective in which leftist parties favour human capital formation. In contrast, recent approaches claim that – with regard to public financing of higher education in stratified education systems – the basic assumptions of partisan theory rather lead to the opposite hypothesis. In such systems, a pattern of reverse redistribution emerges, under which electoral incentives let right-wing parties favour increases in higher education budgets. This article tests both claims within the decentralised German education system. Its encompassing empirical strategy provides clear support for the latter hypothesis in the 16 German states between 1992 and 2003. The results imply that the partisan composition of government and preferences for redistribution continue to matter.
Analogous Corticocortical Inhibition and Facilitation in Ipsilateral and Contralateral Human Motor Cortex Representations of the Tongue

Summary How the human brain controls activation of the ipsilateral part of midline muscles is unknown. We studied corticospinal and corticocortical network excitability of both ipsilateral and contralateral motor representations of the tongue to determine whether they are under analogous or disparate inhibitory and facilitatory corticocortical control. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to unilateral focal transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the tongue primary motor cortex were recorded simultaneously from the ipsilateral and contralateral lingual muscles. Single-pulse TMS was used to assess motor threshold (MT) and MEP recruitment. Paired-pulse TMS was used to study intracortical inhibition (ICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF) at various interstimulus intervals (ISIs) between the conditioning stimulus (CS) and the test stimulus (TS), and at different CS and TS intensities, respectively. Focal TMS invariably produced MEPs in both ipsilateral and contralateral lingual muscles. MT was lower and MEP recruitment was steeper when recorded from the contralateral muscle group. ICI and ICF were identical in the ipsilateral and contralateral representations, with inhibition occurring at short ISIs (2 and 3 ms) and facilitation occurring at longer ISIs (10 and 15 ms). Moreover, changing one stimulus parameter regularly produced analogous changes in MEP size bilaterally, revealing strong linear correlations between ipsilateral and contralateral ICI and ICF (P < 0.0001). These findings indicate that the ipsilateral and contralateral representations of the tongue are under analogous inhibitory and facilitatory control, possibly by a common intracortical network.
Neuroprotective Effects of Physical Activity: Evidence from Human and Animal Studies

In the present article, we provide a review of current knowledge regarding the role played by physical activity (PA) in preventing age-related cognitive decline and reducing risk of dementia. The cognitive benefits of PA are highlighted by epidemiological, neuroimaging and behavioral studies. Epidemiological studies identified PA as an influential lifestyle factor in predicting rates of cognitive decline. Individuals physically active from midlife show a reduced later risk of cognitive impairment. Neuroimaging studies documented attenuation of age-related brain atrophy, and also increase of gray matter and white matter of brain areas, including frontal and temporal lobes. These structural changes are often associated with improved cognitive performance. Importantly, the brain regions that benefit from PA are also those regions that are often reported to be severely affected in dementia. Animal model studies provided significant information about biomechanisms that support exercise-enhanced neuroplasticity, such as angiogenesis and upregulation of growth factors. Among the growth factors, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor seems to play a significant role. Another putative factor that might contribute to beneficial effects of exercise is the neuropeptide orexin-A. The beneficial effects of PA may represent an important resource to hinder the cognitive decline associated with aging.
The Contribution of Education to Economic Growth: Evidence from Pakistan

This paper concentrates on the contribution of education to economic growth of Pakistan during 1971-2008.The study uses Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Johansen Cointegration test as analytical techniques for this purpose. The results from OLS show that secondary education contributes significantly to the Real GDP Per Capita in Pakistan. The elementary education also positively affects economic growth but the result is statistically insignificant. The cointegration test results confirmed the existence of long run relationship in education and Real GDP Per Capita. It is therefore, suggested to keep education on top priority in public policies, make serious efforts for Universalization of Primary Education and discourage the drop-out rate at all levels of education to achieve sustained economic growth.
The University as a Generator of Entrepreneurial Education

The higher education system in Romania has to face within these recent years challenges such as: the significant decrease in the number of candidates, insufficient government funds, an increasing disengagement culture among the students, the changing learning styles of students and the changing priorities in their career. All these realities compel the decision making factors of the higher education to rethink the system in order to ensure its survival. Rethinking the system might involve the need to reengineer it and not only to improve it in small steps. The solution proposed for this purpose is an entrepreneurial university. We aim to provide information on how this reengineering process might be done by investigating the current inclination towards entrepreneurship of our students and the changes that could be taken in order to improve it