Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visit-to-visit blood pressure variability in the European Lacidipine Study on Atherosclerosis: methodological aspects and effects of antihypertensive treatment

Background: Recent studies have reported that in patients under antihypertensive treatment visit-to-visit (or long-term) variability of clinic BP within a given patient has an independent prognostic significance. Partly based on between-patient dispersion of BP values during treatment (interindividual variability) it has also been reported that long-term clinic BP variability is greater for &bgr;-blocker than for calcium antagonist and other types of treatment. Goals: To measure visit-to-visit intraindividual variations of both clinic and 24-h mean BP in the hypertensive patients of the European Lacidipine Study on Atherosclerosis (ELSA) trial treated for 4 years with either atenolol or lacidipine, and to check whether interindividual clinic and 24-h BP variabilities during treatment can really be considered a surrogate of intraindividual variabilities in exploring differences between &bgr;-blocker and calcium antagonist treatments. Methods: Long-term intraindividual BP variability was defined as the coefficient of variation of the average systolic or diastolic values of clinic and 24-h BP measured at each visit throughout the treatment period. Patients in whom at least seven clinic (6-month intervals) or at least three (yearly intervals) 24-h values were available from the end of the drug titration phase to the end of the study were considered. Results: Visit-to-visit 24-h SBP/DBP variabilities were 20–25% smaller than, and loosely correlated with clinic BP variability (r2 < 0.022). There was also a very limited relationship (r2 < 0.026) between visit-to-visit and within 24-h ambulatory BP variabilities, the latter being two to three times greater than the former. Visit-to-visit intraindividual clinic SBP variability was only slightly lower on calcium antagonist than on &bgr;-blocker treatment but little or no between-treatment difference was found for visit-to-visit clinic DBP and ambulatory SBP/DBP particularly in patients under monotherapy throughout the study. Interindividual BP variability was markedly greater than the intra-individiual one of which it did not precisely reflect the treatment-induced changes. Conclusion: In mild-to-moderate hypertensive patients, visit-to-visit BP variability does not differ substantially between &bgr;-blocker and calcium antagonist treatment. Major discrepancies exist between visit-to-visit BP variability as quantified by 24-h vs. clinic BP, making investigation of which of these indices is clinically more relevant important. Interindividual BP variability during treatment shows marked quantitative differences with intraindividual BP variability questioning whether its use can accurately reflect individual BP variations from one visit to another.
Central Bank Co-Operation and International Liquidity in the Financial Crisis of 2008-2009

The financial crisis that began in August 2007 has blurred the sharp distinction between monetary and financial stability. It has also led to a revival of practical central bank co-operation. This paper explains how things have changed. The main innovation in central bank cooperation during this crisis was the emergency provision of international liquidity through bilateral central bank swap facilities, which have evolved to form interconnected swap networks. We discuss the reasons for establishing swap facilities, relate the probability of a country receiving a swap line in a currency to a measure of currency-specific liquidity shortages based on the BIS international banking statistics, and find a significant relationship in the case of the US dollar, the euro, the yen and the Swiss franc. We also discuss the role and effectiveness of swap lines in relieving currency-specific liquidity shortages, the risks that central banks run in extending swap lines and the limitations to their utility in relieving liquidity pressures. We conclude that the credit crisis is likely to have a lasting effect on the international liquidity policies of governments and central banks.
SMALL POLARON HOPPING CONDUCTION IN SAMPLES OF CERAMIC LA1.4SR1.6MN2O7.06

The ceramic sample of La1 · 4Sr1 · 6Mn2O7 · 06 exhibits the metal-insulator transition and a negative magnetoresistance in the vicinity of the Curie temperature (T b 100 K). The dc magnetic susceptibility between 100 K and 280 K is nearly constant and decreases gradually with increasing temperature above 280 K. The measurements of dc resistivity and the thermoelectric power indicate that small polaron hopping conduction takes place at T > 280 K. The spin ordering due to the two-dimensional d x 2 i y 2 state occurring at T > 280 K is directly related to the hopping conduction above 280 K, although the spin ordering due to the one-dimensional d 3z 2 i r 2 state takes place at T > TC. The two-dimensional d x 2 i y 2 state extending within the MnO2 sheets starts to narrow and leads to the carrier localisation at 280 K. The effective number of holes in this sample estimated from the thermoelectric power is considerably smaller than the nominal value. This indicates that the small polaron hopping conduction takes place predominantly within the in-plane MnO2 sheets. A discussion is given of the experimental results of the ceramic sample of La2/3Ca1/3MnO2·98.
Strong Brands and Corporate Brands

The study finds that no coherent theory defines brand management tasks. Instead, paradigmatic cases of successful brands have come to define branding processes – the logic of the “strong brand” has shaped management branding practices. “Difference” and “consistency” are identified as the primary means of bringing about strong brands, yet these can be difficult to apply, particularly to corporate brands.
Introducing LAPPS (Liverpool Anticipatory Procedural Pain Score)

Removal of chest drains is a painful procedure and distresses patients, parents and nurses. To identify problems and improve management we developed a concerted approach to both assessment and treatment using audit. An initial prospective audit of post-op cardiac children undergoing chest drain +/− pacing wire removal was undertaken. A clinical tool was developed, to assess children before procedures and provide a treatment plan aimed at reducing pain and distress. The tool incorporated the intensity of the procedure, the child’s usual response to procedures and previous experience. The treatment protocol included drug and non-drug therapies. The initial audit of 91 children confirmed that pain and distress were problems. It highlighted inconsistencies in management as a common feature. Following introduction of the LAPPS tool and treatment protocol, a second audit of 72 children was undertaken. Although only 46 per cent of pathways were satisfactorily completed, the percentage of patients described as ‘inconsolable, screaming and withdrawn’ reduced from 29 per cent to 9 per cent. Introduction of the LAPPS assessment tool and treatment protocol reduced pain and distress during removal of chest drains. Research is needed to test the psychometrics of the tool and the effectiveness of the treatment protocol prior to wider use.
Phytoremediation of Arsenic and Lead in Contaminated Soil Using Chinese Brake Ferns (Pteris vittata) and Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea)

Field and greenhouse experiments were performed to assess the performance of phytoremediation of arsenic and lead from contaminated soil at an EPA Superfund site (Barber Orchard). Chinese Brake ferns (Pteris vittata) were used to extract arsenic. On average, fern shoot arsenic concentrations were as high as 20 times the soil arsenic concentrations under field conditions. It was estimated that 8 years would be required to reduce the acid-extractable portion of soil arsenic to safe levels (40 mg/kg). The effect of soil pH on arsenic extraction was also investigated. Results indicate that increasing soil pH may improve arsenic removal. Indian mustard plants (Brassica juncea) were used under greenhouse conditions to phytoextract soil lead. EDTA was applied to soil and was found to improve lead extraction. When the EDTA concentration was 10 mmol EDTA/kg soil in soil containing 338 mg Pb/kg soil, mustard plants extracted approximately 32 mg of lead. In conclusion, phytoremediation would be a suitable alternative to conventional remediation techniques, especially for soils that do not require immediate remediation.
U.S. Aid to Pakistan: Planning and Accountability

Since the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, the United States and many other donor countries have fundamentally altered the logic of development assistance. In the period after the Second World War aid was primarily geared towards post-war reconstruction. Development assistance next conceptually shifted towards eliminating and reducing poverty which was expected to prevent conflict. After 9/11, development assistance has become subjected to the imperatives of the war on terror. 1
Impact of Clinical Genetics Attendance at a Gynecologic Oncology Tumor Board on Referrals for Genetic Counseling and BRCA Mutation Testing

Objectives The objectives of this work were to determine the proportion of eligible patients with ovarian cancer discussed at a gynecologic oncology tumor board who were referred for counseling and BRCA mutation testing; to compare referral rates before genetics attendance at the tumor board to referral rates after genetics attendance; and to ascertain the proportions of women with germline BRCA mutations. Materials and Methods Eligible cases were identified from the minutes of the weekly Western Australian gynecologic oncology tumor board from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2015. Patients with ovarian cancer who met eligibility criteria for genetics referral were identified and checked against the records of the genetic services database to ascertain whether a referral was received. Outcomes including attendance for counseling and results of mutation testing were analyzed. Results Two hundred sixty-one patients were eligible for referral during the 24-month study period. One hundred six patients (40.6%) were referred for counseling and germline mutation testing. Of the eligible patients, 26.7% were referred in the 12 months before genetics attendance at the tumor board compared to 51.7% of the eligible patients in the 12 months after genetics attendance (P ≤ 0.0001). Ninety-seven patients were offered BRCA mutation testing, and 73 underwent testing with 65 results reported to date. Twenty-two patients (33.8 %) tested positive for a germline BRCA mutation. Conclusions Patients with ovarian cancer had a high rate of BRCA mutations. Attendance of a genetics service at a tumor board was associated with an improved rate of referral of patients for genetic counseling and BRCA mutation testing.
Inherited Neuropathies: From Gene to Disease

Inherited disorders of peripheral nerves represent a common group of neurologic diseases. Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth neuropathy type 1 (CMT1) is a genetically heterogeneous group of chronic demyelinating polyneuropathies with loci mapping to chromosome 17 (CMT1A), chromosome 1 (CMT1B) and to another unknown autosome (CMT1C). CMT1A is most often associated with a tandem 1.5‐megabase (Mb) duplication in chromosome 17p11.2‐12, or in rare patients may result from a point mutation in the peripheral myelin protein‐22 (PMP22) gene. CMT1B is associated with point mutations in the myelin protein zero (P0 or MPZ) gene. The molecular defect in CMT1C is unknown. X‐linked Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth neuropathy (CMTX), which has clinical features similar to CMT1, is associated with mutations in the connexin32 gene. Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth neuropathy type 2 (CMT2) is an axonal neuropathy, also of undetermined cause. One form of CMT2 maps to chromosome 1p36 (CMT2A), another to chromosome 3p (CMT2B) and another to 7p (CMT2D). Dejerine‐Sottas disease (DSD), also called hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type III (HMSNIII), is a severe, infantile‐onset demyelinating poly neuropathy syndrome that may be associated with point mutations in either the PMP22 gene or the P0 gene and shares considerable clinical and pathological features with CMT1. Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is an autosomal dominant disorder that results in a recurrent, episodic demyelinating neuropathy. HNPP is associated with a 1.5‐Mb deletion in chromosome 17p11.2‐12 and results from reduced expression of the PMP22 gene. CMT1A and HNPP are reciprocal duplication/deletion syndromes originating from unequal crossover during germ cell meiosis. Other rare forms of demyelinating peripheral neuropathies map to chromosome 8q, 10q and 11q. Hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy (familial brachial plexus neuropathy) is an autosomal dominant disorder causing painful, recurrent brachial plexopathies and maps to chromosome 17q25.
Low-dose hydrocortisone during severe sepsis: Effects on microalbuminuria

Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low-dose hydrocortisone on glomerular permeability measured by the microalbuminuria to creatinine ratio (MACR) and on other markers of sepsis in severe septic patients. Design:Randomized prospective study. Setting:University intensive care unit. Patients:The study involved 40 patients with severe sepsis randomized into the hydrocortisone group (n = 20) and the standard therapy group (n = 20). Interventions:The hydrocortisone group received standard therapy plus a continuous infusion of hydrocortisone for 6 days, whereas the standard therapy group received only standard therapy. Measurements and Main Results:MACR, serum C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin concentrations were recorded every day from the day before the steroid therapy (T0) until the 6 days after (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6). Concentrations in the hydrocortisone group and the standard therapy group were compared using Mann-Whitney test at each time. We also compared with Wilcoxon signed rank test the values determined in each group at T0 with those at each subsequent time. Median MACR decreased from T0 to T6 in both patient groups; however, values were significantly lower in the hydrocortisone group from T3 through to T6. Median serum C-reactive protein also decreased from T0 in both patient groups, with significantly lower values in the hydrocortisone group from T3 through to T6. There were no significant differences in procalcitonin between groups compared with baseline values or at any individual time point. Conclusions:Low-dose hydrocortisone seems to reduce MACR and serum C-reactive protein but not procalcitonin in patients with severe sepsis. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms.
Anesthetic Implications of Epilepsy, Status Epilepticus, and Epilepsy Surgery

Epilepsy is a clinical paroxysmal disorder of recurring seizures, excluding alcohol or drug withdrawal seizures or such recurring exogenous events as repeated insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Epilepsy has a profound impact on each individual diagnosed with this disease. Seizures have been and are thought to arise as a result of abnormalities in (a) neural circuits, (b) excitation/inhibition balance, (c) potassium, and (d) genetic abnormalities. Therapy for epilepsy is either medical, entailing the use of a variety of antiepileptic drugs, or surgical. An urgent approach to seizure control is indicated when status epilepticus occurs. When all standard therapy fails, general anesthesia can be used to control status epilepticus. Surgery is an option in the treatment of epilepsy and requires extensive preoperative evaluation. The primary concerns for the neuroanesthesiologist anesthetizing the patient with epilepsy are the capacity of anesthetics to modulate or potentiate seizure activity and the interaction of anesthetic drugs with antiepileptic drugs. Proconvulsant and anticonvulsant properties have been reported for nearly every anesthetic. If seizure spikes are to be evoked during seizure surgery, then light anesthesia with a proconvulsant anesthetic is used. Conscious analgesia can be used for awake seizure surgery. However, if electrocorticography is not planned, then a general anticonvulsant anesthetic maintenance regimen is used. The latter technique also may be useful in patients whose anesthetic management is complicated by an incidental history of epilepsy.
Study of the Response of a Biofilm Bacterial Community to UV Radiation

ABSTRACT We have developed a bioluminescent whole-cell biosensor that can be incorporated into biofilm ecosystems. RM4440 is a Pseudomonas aeruginosa FRD1 derivative that carries a plasmid-basedrecA-luxCDABE fusion. We immobilized RM4440 in an alginate matrix to simulate a biofilm, and we studied its response to UV radiation damage. The biofilm showed a protective property by physical shielding against UV C, UV B, and UV A. Absorption of UV light by the alginate matrix translated into a higher survival rate than observed with planktonic cells at similar input fluences. UV A was shown to be effectively blocked by the biofilm matrix and to have no detectable effects on cells contained in the biofilm. However, in the presence of photosensitizers (i.e., psoralen), UV A was effective in inducing light production and cell death. RM4440 has proved to be a useful tool to study microbial communities in a noninvasive manner.
Using the Acetabulum to Estimate Age at Death of Adult Males *

ABSTRACT: The acetabular region is often present and adequately preserved in adult human skeletal remains. Close morphological examination of the 242 left male os coxae from the identified collection of Coimbra (Portugal) has enabled the recognition of seven variables that can be used to estimate age at death. This paper describes these variables and argues their appropriateness by analyzing the correlation between these criteria and the age, the intra‐ and interobserver consistence, and the accuracy in age prediction using Bayesian inference to estimate age of identified specimens. Results show significant close correlation between the acetabular criteria and age, nonsignificant differences in intra‐ and interobserver test, and 89% accuracy in Bayes prediction. Obtained estimated age of the specimens had similar accuracy in all ages. These results indicate that these seven variables, based on the acetabular area, are potentially useful to estimate age at death for adult specimens.
Mean curvature as a major determinant of ß-sheet propensity

Motivation: Despite the importance of β-sheets as building blocks in proteins and also toxic elements in the pathological disorders, ranging from Alzheimer's disease to mad cow diease, the principles underlying their stability are not well understood. Non-random β-sheet propensities of amino acids have been revealed both by their distinct statistical preferences within known protein structures and by the relative thermodynamic scales through the experimental host-guest systems. However, recent fitting analysis has proved that a native β-sheet conforms to a minimal surface with zero mean curvature, like the physical model of soap films. Results: We here suggest that the stability of a residue in the all β-sheet proteins can be measured with its mean curvature parameter, using discrete differential geometry. The sharply decreasing mean curvature with increasing number of β-strands identifies a significant cooperative effect whereby the interstrand interaction increases in strength with the number of β-strands. Furthermore, strong correlations of mean curvatures with previous β-sheet propensities of amino acids show that their intrinsic differences in adopting the ideal β-sheet structure are affected by the water-accessible area of side-chains, and result in the distinct statistical and thermodynamic β-sheet propensities. Therefore, we conclude that mean curvature should be considered as the significant stability index of a β-sheet structure. Contact: ehkoh@yonsei.ac. kr
Brief Psychotherapy With Children and Adolescents: Recent Treatment Outcome Studies

a rich array of brief clinical interventions designed to be of help to children and adolescents. A small number of these interventions have been rigorously evaluated, but those whose outcomes have been studied have demonstrated very promising results. In fact, the last decade has witnessed a significant increase in published reports of brief psychotherapy with children and adolescents, including a number of both controlled and uncontrolled treatment outcome studies. The principal difference between these two types of outcome studies depends on whether data from some comparison group or groups have been collected and contrasted with the results of the index treatment under investigation. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 2:261–273 (2002)]
Palestinian community perceptions of do‐not‐resuscitation order for terminally Ill patients: A qualitative study

AIM AND OBJECTIVES To illustrate the Palestinian community's views, opinions and stances about the concept of do-not-resuscitate for terminally ill patients. BACKGROUND Do-not-resuscitate orders are practised in many countries worldwide, but there is no consensus on their practice in the Middle East. Do-not-resuscitate orders may be applied for terminally ill paediatric patients. Some studies have been conducted describing people's experiences with these do-not-resuscitate orders. However, few studies have considered community perspectives on do-not-resuscitate orders for terminally ill patients in Palestine. DESIGN A descriptive-qualitative design was adopted. METHODS A purposive sample of 24 participants was interviewed, with consideration of demographical characteristics such as age, gender, education and place of residency. The participants were recruited over a period of 6 months. Individual semistructured interviews were utilised. These interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. FINDINGS Significantly, the majority of the participants did not know the meaning of do-not-resuscitate and thought that removal of life-sustaining devices and do-not-resuscitate were the same concept. Most of the interviewees adopted stances against do-not-resuscitate orders. Several factors were suggested to influence the decision of accepting or rejecting the do-not-resuscitate order. The majority of the participants mentioned religion as a major factor in forming their viewpoints. The participants expressed different views regarding issuing a law regarding do-not-resuscitate orders. CONCLUSION Our findings provide a unique understanding that there is a general misunderstanding among our participants regarding the do-not-resuscitate order. Further research with policymakers and stakeholders is still required.