Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Hospitalizations for COPD Exacerbation: Opportunities for Improving Care

ABSTRACT Background: Little is known about the actual treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), either in the inpatient or outpatient settings. We hypothesized that there are substantial opportunities for improvement in adherence with current guidelines and recommendations. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of all patients hospitalized with acute exacerbation of COPD between January 2005 and December 2006 at 5 New York City hospitals. Results: There were 1285 unique patients with 1653 hospitalizations. Of these 1653, 83% were for patients with a prior history of COPD and 368 (22%) represented repeat admissions during our study period. The majority were treated during their hospitalization with a combination of systemic steroids (85%), bronchodilators (94%) and antibiotics (80%). There were 59 deaths (3.6%). Smoking cessation counseling was offered to 48% of active smokers. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccines were administered to half of eligible patients. On discharge, only 46.0% were prescribed maintenance bronchodilators and 24% were not prescribed any inhaled therapy. Even in the 226 unique patients (17.6%) readmitted at least once during course of the study, on discharge only 44.7% were prescribed maintenance bronchodilators and 23% were not prescribed any regular inhaled therapy. Conclusions: Patients hospitalized with acute exacerbation of COPD generally receive adequate hospital care, but there may be opportunities to improve care pharmacologically and with smoking cessation counseling and vaccination during and after hospitalization.
A Spatial Cliff-Ord-Type Model with Heteroskedastic Innovations: Small and Large Sample Results

In this paper we specify a linear Cliff and Ord-type spatial model. The model allows for spatial lags in the dependent variable, the exogenous variables, and disturbances. The innovations in the disturbance process are assumed to be heteroskedastic with an unknown form. We formulate a multi-step GMM/IV type estimation procedure for the parameters of the model. We then establish the limiting distribution of our suggested estimators, and give consistent estimators for their asymptotic variance covariance matrices, utilizing results given in Kelejian and Prucha (2007b). Monte Carlo results are given which suggest that the derived large sample distribution provides a good approximation to the actual small sample distribution of our estimators.
Comparison of Antibacterial Effect of Fluoride and Chlorhexidine on Two Cariogenic Bacteria: An in Vitro Study

Statement of problem: Dental plaque is the main source for dental caries and there is no proper vaccine that can affect dental plaques. Objectives: Daily use of an efficient anti-plaque product can be very beneficial in plaque control and, thus, prevention of caries. This study aims to evaluate the antibacterial effects of four products of Chlorhexidine and Fluoride on two types of cariogenic bacteria. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, the antibacterial effect of Chlorhexidine and Fluoride (gel and solution) against Streptococci Sanguis and Sobrinus was evaluated. Chlorhexidine gluconate 1% gel (Corosodyl, France), Chlorhexidine gluconate 2% solution (Consepsis, Ultradent, US), Sodium fluoride 0.2% solution (Oral-B, US) and Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride 1.23% gel ( Denti-Care, Canada) were used. The disc diffusion method was used for testing bacterial sensitivity. The data were analyzed using paired t-test and Chi-square test. Results: In comparison with the negative control, each of the four gels and solutions showed antibacterial effects but the effects were not statistically significant for fluoride solution (P=0.217). For S. Sobrinus, the mean diameter of inhibition zone around the discs coated with fluoride gel (F g), fluoride solution (F s), Chlorhexidine gel (CHX g) and Chlorhexidine solution (CHX s) were 19, 9, 21.5 and 27.5mm, respectively. For S. Sanguis, the mean diameter of inhibition zone around the discs coated with F g, F s, CHX g and CHX s were 17, 11, 17 and 25mm, respectively. CHX s had the most effect on both bacteria and F s had the least. CHX g and F g were less effective than CHX s, respectively. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that 2% CHX s and 1.23% F g can be effective on inhibition of the growth of some of cariogenic bacteria. Therefore, these agents can be used in the prevention of Early Childhood Caries.
Altruisme familial et implications macro'economiques

L'altruisme est l'une des explications donnees par les economistes pour rendre compte des transferts intergenerationnels au sein de la famille. Les parents s'interessent au bien-etre de leurs enfants et font jouer les solidarites intergenerationnelles en leur faveur. Dans les modeles macroeconomiques a generations imbriquees, l'instance ou se developpe l'altruisme est la dynastie. Cette these recentre l'etude des solidarites intergenerationnelles sur la famille. Par opposition aux echanges anonymes des marches, les transferts prives au sein des familles sont caracterises par le non-anonymat provenant de la frequence des contacts et du petit nombre de participants a ces contacts. L'economie a generations imbriquees est fait d'une suite de familles qui se succedent au cours du temps. Cette conception des transferts intergenerationnels conduit a adopter une formulation de l'altruisme differente de l'altruisme dynastique de Barro. Au lieu de l'utilite du descendant, c'est le revenu qu'il percoit durant la periode de coexistence avec son ascendant qui entre dans la fonction d'utilite de ce dernier. Par opposition au modele dynastique de Barro, cette conception de la famille et la specification de l'altruisme qui en est induite forment les bases du modele familial. Il peut y avoir une multiplicite d'equilibres stationnaires avec altruisme operant, y compris en sur-accumulation (chapitre I). Les retraites sont neutres (chapitre II) mais la dette publique ne l'est pas dans la mesure ou, contrairement aux retraites, elle modifie le revenu familial pris en consideration par le chef de famille altruiste (chapitre III). Si on introduit les depenses d'education consenties par les chefs de famille en faveur de leurs descendants, sous certaines conditions, il existe un niveau optimal des retraites qui maximise le taux de croissance de long terme de l'economie.
A population-based study of the refractive outcome in 10-year-old preterm and full-term children.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the refractive outcome in 10-year-old prematurely born children and in full-term control children. METHODS Retinoscopy during cycloplegia was performed in 213 prematurely born children from a previous population-based study on the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity and in 217 children born at term. The spherical equivalent, astigmatism, anisometropia, and significant refractive errors (defined as hypermetropia >3 diopters [D], myopia < or =-1 D, astigmatism > or =1 D in 1 or both eyes, and/or anisometropia > or =1 D) were analyzed. RESULTS Significant refractive errors were found in 29.6% of the prematurely born and in 7.8% of the full-term children. Prematurely born children had higher prevalences of hypermetropia of more than 3 D, myopia of -1 D or less, astigmatism of 1 D or more, and anisometropia of 1 D or more than those born at term. In the preterm group, the cryotreated children had the greatest risk of refractive errors (16 [64%] of 25 children), with higher prevalences of myopia (<0, < or =-1, or <-3 D), astigmatism (> or =1 D), and anisometropia (> or =1 D). CONCLUSIONS Significant refractive errors were 4 times more common in 10-year-old prematurely born children than in full-term controls. Cryotreated children had the highest risk, but prematurity per se was also associated with refractive errors. Ophthalmological follow-up of prematurely born children should, therefore, also include children without retinopathy of prematurity in the neonatal period.
The use of readily available equipment in a simple method for intraoperative monitoring of recurrent laryngeal nerve function during thyroid surgery: initial experience with more than 300 cases.

HYPOTHESIS An inexpensive and widely applicable technique to monitor recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) function during thyroid surgery can be safely implemented. DESIGN Consecutive sample. SETTING Single-surgeon academic practice. PATIENTS Three hundred sixty-three consecutive patients undergoing surgery for thyroid disease in the 18 months from November 1, 1999, to May 31, 2001. INTERVENTIONS Anesthetic management using laryngeal mask airway and spontaneous ventilation, combined with electrical RLN stimulation and fiberoptic video laryngoscopy to confirm vocal cord response. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Vocal cord response to RLN stimulation, intraoperative anatomic findings, postoperative voice quality, and anesthetic complications. RESULTS We used the laryngeal mask airway-based technique in 327 cases. Visualization of vocal cords was maintained throughout the surgery in 310 cases (95%). In 10 cases (3%), the branch of the RLN carrying vocal cord function could not be identified until electrical testing was performed. A single inadvertent RLN palsy was seen in 1 of the 17 cases in which vocal cord visualization was lost during the procedure (0.03% overall). Upper airway obstruction occurred in 16 (5%) of 327 attempted procedures, requiring tracheal intubation in 3 (1%). No further complications regarding airway management were seen. Pneumothorax was observed in 5 cases (2%), each of which resolved without chest tube placement. CONCLUSIONS This technique can be applied to thyroid surgery as a safe means of managing the airway. It is associated with an ability to test RLN function at will in more than 95% of cases using readily available equipment.
Inflación: la visión estructural

La inflacion ha ocupado, casi desde mediados del siglo pasado, un lugar cada vez mas importante en la teoria y discursos economicos. Desde luego se le ha visto por parte de la escuela de pensamiento dominante como el peor de los males y generada por excesiva ingerencia de los gobiernos en la economia y la inconsistencia temporal de las politicas emprendidas por este. Aunque explicaciones alternativas tienen cada vez menos acogida, este articulo pretende revisar el tratamiento dado a la inflacion desde una mirada estructural al sistema economico. Se considera un marco alternativo para descifrar los determinantes del alza consistente de los precios como un fenomeno que no es monetario estrictamente basandose para esto en la clasica division sectorial de la economia que caracteriza la escuela escandinava.
Epidemiology of breast cancer in Japan.

BACKGROUND A recent increase in the numbers of deaths and incident cases of breast cancer among Japanese women stimulated the authors to summarize the trends in female breast cancer mortality and incidence rates in Japan. METHODS The number of deaths from female breast cancer was obtained from the national vital statistics. Estimated incidence rates, based on several cancer registries, were also used for the analyses. The trends in the age-adjusted and age-specific rates were examined. Age and birth cohort effects on the incidence and mortality rates were examined, using multiplicative models. RESULTS The age-adjusted mortality rate has been increasing since the 1960s (4.1 per 100,000 population in 1950 and 6.6 in 1991, adjusted by the World Population). The age-adjusted incidence rate has also been rising since 1975. Age-specific rates have been increasing particularly in the age range 40-79 years. The multiplicative models disclosed an increasing cohort effect for the mortality and incidence rates among women born after 1900. Decreasing mortality and incidence rates after menopause were ascribed by the models to strong cohort effects. CONCLUSIONS The recently increasing trend was believed to be consistent with changed risk factors among Japanese women. The age effect on female breast cancer incidence rate in Japan was concluded to be similar to that in Western populations.
Reweighted thresholding and orthogonal projections for simultaneous source separation

Summary The key to success for simultaneous source separation is the ability to formulate an appropriate sparse inversion problem so that nontrivial solutions to a highly under-determined system can be found. An important issue with the sparse inversion is the potential of energy leakage between the component shots that need to be deblended. In this paper we identify leakage as a basis misidentification problem and provide a reweighted thresholding method to reduce the leakage. Further, our study of the iterative thresholding and subtraction class of methods for source separation, indicate that existing model update procedures are suboptimal. We propose an updating step based on orthogonalization that has strong theoretical guarantees for improved convergence and is potentially more robust to leakage issues.
A Dual Involvement of the Amino-terminal Domain of Ezrin in F- and G-actin Binding*

Human recombinant ezrin, or truncated forms, were coated in microtiter plate and their capacity to bind actin determined. F-actin bound ezrin with a K d of 504 ± 230 nm and a molecular stoichiometry of 10.6 actin per ezrin. Ezrin bound both α- and β/γ-actin essentially as F-form. F-actin binding was totally prevented or drastically reduced when residues 534–586 or 13–30 were deleted, respectively. An actin binding activity was detected in amino-terminal constructs (ezrin 1–310 and 1–333) provided the glutathione S-transferase moiety of the fusion protein was removed. Series of carboxyl-terminal truncations confirmed the presence of this actin-binding site which bound both F- and G-actin. The F- and G-actin-binding sites were differently sensitive to various chemical effectors and distinct specific ezrin antibodies. The internal actin-binding site was mapped between residues 281 and 333. The association of ezrin amino-terminal fragment to full-length ezrin blocked F-actin binding to ezrin. It is proposed that, in full-length ezrin, the F-actin-binding site required the juxtaposition of the distal-most amino- and carboxyl-terminal residues of the ezrin molecule.
G-CSF : une nouvelle adipokine ? Rôle potentiel dans le tissu adipeux au cours de l’obésité humaine

Le tissu adipeux blanc humain joue un role central dans la physiopathologie de l’obesite. Il subit des alterations de son metabolisme et de sa fonction endocrine. A l’exception de l’adiponectine, les secretions des adipokines sont augmentees et, notamment, celles a caracteres inflammatoires et angiogeniques. Parmi ces nombreux mediateurs inflammatoires figure le facteur de croissance granulocytaire (G-CSF) dont le role dans le tissu adipeux blanc hypertrophique reste encore a preciser. Des travaux de notre equipe ont montre, par une approche transcriptomique, que G-CSF etait le gene le plus surexprime par les pre-adipocytes inflammatoires. Apres l’avoir caracterise au sein du tissu adipeux blanc humain (PCR en temps reel, dosages ELISA), je proposerai un role potentiel de G-CSF comme mediateur de la mobilisation des progeniteurs des cellules endotheliales (PCEs) eux-memes impliques dans la neoangiogenese. G-CSF et son recepteur sont principalement exprimes par les macrophages isoles du tissu adipeux de patients obeses. Au niveau tissulaire, G-CSF est plus secrete par le tissu adipeux visceral que par le tissu sous cutane chez les patientes obeses. De plus, les macrophages inflammatoires secretent du G-CSF. Des resultats preliminaires montrent que, meme si G-CSF ne semble pas avoir d’effet direct sur la proliferation des PCEs, le milieu de secretion du tissu adipeux visceral de patients obeses montre un effet proliferatif et attractant sur ces PCEs. G-CSF peut donc etre considere comme une nouvelle adipokine et pourrait participer, par la mobilisation des PCEs, a la reparation vasculaire du tissu adipeux blanc humain au cours de l’obesite.
Reflection and penetration depth of millimeter waves in murine skin

Millimeter (mm) wave reflectivity was used to determine murine skin permittivity. Reflection was measured in anesthetized Swiss Webster and SKH1‐hairless mice in the 37–74 GHz frequency range. Two skin models were tested. Model 1 was a single homogeneous skin layer. Model 2 included four skin layers: (1) the stratum corneum, (2) the viable epidermis plus dermis, (3) fat layer, and (4) muscle which had infinite thickness. We accepted that the permittivity of skin in the mm wave frequency range results from the permittivity of cutaneous free water which is described by the Debye equation. Using Fresnel equations for reflection we determined the skin parameters best fitting to the reflection data and derived the permittivity of skin layers. The permittivity data were further used to calculate the power density and specific absorption rate profiles, and the penetration depth of mm waves in the skin. In both murine models, mm waves penetrate deep enough into tissue to reach muscle. In human skin, mm waves are mostly absorbed within the skin. Therefore, when extrapolating the effects of mm waves found in animals to humans, it is important to take into account the possible involvement of muscle in animal effects. Bioelectromagnetics 29:340–344, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PREVALÊNCIA DE OBESIDADE NA TERCEIRA IDADE

A obesidade pode ser definida como uma sindrome multifuncional, consistindo de alteracoes funcionais, de composicao bioquimica do metabolismo, da estrutura corporal, caracterizado por aumento do peso corporal e acumulo subcutâneo de gordura. A obesidade e uma doenca de alta prevalencia com importantes implicacoes sociais, psicologicas e medicas. O envelhecimento populacional esta ocorrendo em todo mundo, porem de maneira mais rapida e, principalmente, em paises em desenvolvimento como o Brasil. Nesta pesquisa, foi realizada uma revisao bibliografica com base em estudos que abordam terceira idade e prevalencia de obesidade. A pesquisa foi feita em base de dados, revistas e livros, utilizando termos como: terceira idade, obesidade, obesidade na terceira idade e prevalencia de obesidade na terceira idade. Pode-se observar, no comparativo entre os estudos que, a prevalencia de obesidade na populacao manteve resultados semelhantes em diversos estudos realizados nos ultimos 35 anos, levando em consideracao que os estudos foram realizados entre os anos de 1974 a 2009. As mulheres apresentaram indices de obesidade maiores em relacao aos homens, proximo ao dobro. A faixa de idade mais critica relacionada a obesidade de idosos foi a dos 60-69 anos, a qual merece estudos mais avancados sobre a causa deste aumento de peso.
Early control of PTH and FGF23 in normophosphatemic CKD patients: a new target in CKD-MBD therapy?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the phosphaturic hormone FGF23, a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family member, increase early in chronic kidney disease (CKD) before the occurrence of hyperphosphatemia. This short-term 6-wk dose titration study evaluated the effect of two phosphate binders on PTH and FGF23 levels in patients with CKD stages 3 to 4. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS Patients were randomized to receive over a 6-wk period either calcium acetate (n = 19) or sevelamer hydrochloride (n = 21). RESULTS At baseline, patients presented with elevated fractional excretion of phosphate, serum PTH, and FGF23. During treatment with both phosphate binders there was a progressive decline in serum PTH and urinary phosphate, but no change in serum calcium or serum phosphate. Significant changes were observed for FGF23 only in sevelamer-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the positive effects of early prescription of phosphate binders on PTH control. Prospective and long-term studies are necessary to confirm the effects of sevelamer on serum FGF23 and the benefits of this decrease on outcomes.
Inclusión educativa e involucramiento escolar. Perspectivas y prácticas en cuatro escuelas estatales de la ciudad de Buenos Aires.

En el centro de la reflexion actual sobre los problemas que afronta la escuela media en Argentina, aparece de manera reiterada la preocupacion por el alcance y los efectos de la masificacion relativamente reciente de dicho nivel de ensenanza; destacando entre estos ultimos, los altos niveles de repitencia y abandono escolar que afectan especialmente a los grupos sociales tradicionalmente excluidos de la escuela secundaria. En un contexto de obligatoriedad legal de este nivel de ensenanza, se plantean enormes desafios para lograr que todos los jovenes puedan acceder a sus estudios secundarios y que a la vez tengan oportunidades equiparables de aprendizaje (Jacinto 2009, Krichesky et al. 2005, Romero et al. 2009, Tenti Fanfani 2009, 2003, Jacinto y Terigi 2007).
Deadly Season: Analysis of the 2011 Tornado Outbreaks. Kevin M. Simmons and Daniel Sutter.

The extraordinary death toll from tornadoes in the United State in 2011 led to wide speculation about the causes. There were questions about possible failures of warning, preparedness, or response and about new or previously unrecognized social vulnerabilities to tornadoes. Simmons and Sutter address those questions in this timely analysis of the 2011 tornado season. This book is a quick read, free of jargon, and their major points are well-illustrated with graphs and tables. Simmons and Sutter are professors of economics who came on the tornado hazard scene about ten years ago. They have applied models and statistical methods from economics to a variety of problems of tornado risk, warning, and casualties (reviewed in their earlier book; Simmons and Sutter 2011).
The role of pain treatment in managing the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

ore than 90% of people with dementia experience at least one behavioural and psychological symptom of dementia (BPSD) over the course of the condition (Steinberg et al, 2008). BPSD include aggression and non-aggressive agitation, which occur in approxi-mately 20% of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) who are in contact with clinical services or living in the community, and 40–60% of people with dementia who are in care facilities (Margallo-Lana et al, 2001). Common manifestations of agi-tation include restlessness/pacing, verbal insults, shouting, and physical aggression, and most often occur during personal care. Delusions and halluci-nations are also present in 25% of people with dementia in clinical settings (Steinberg et al, 2008), and depression occurs in 20% of people with AD (Ballard et al, 2009a). The depression symptoms are similar to those seen in people without demen-tia, but are also often associated with an apparent deterioration in function and cognition. In most of these individuals BPSD have a clin-ically significant impact. They are often distress-ing for the patients who experience them, lead to stress and depression in carers, are associated with a reduced quality of life, and are often the trigger for institutional care (Ballard et al, 2009a; 2009b).