Quantiles, corners, and the extensive margin of trade

We develop a simple method for the estimation of quantile regressions for corner solutions data (i.e., fully observed non-negative data that have a mixed distribution with a mass-point at zero), focusing particular attention on the case where the domain of the variate of interest is bounded both from below and from above. We use the proposed method to study the determinants of the extensive margin of trade and find that most regressors have very different impacts on different parts of the distribution

Five-Year Outcome in Stroke Patients Submitted to Thrombolysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little is known on long-term follow-up after thrombolysis in ischemic stroke patients because the majority of studies evaluated outcome at 3 to 12 months. We aimed to assess 5-year outcome after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). METHODS: Cohort study based on the prospective registry of all consecutive ischemic stroke patients submitted to IVT in our Stroke Unit. Five-year outcome, including living settings, functional outcome, stroke recurrence, and mortality, was ascertained by telephonic interviews and additional review of clinical records. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of outcome and mortality. Excellent outcome was defined as modified Rankin scale 0 to 1. RESULTS: Five-year outcome was available for 155/164 patients submitted to IVT. At 5 years, 32.9% of patients had an excellent outcome (95% confidence interval (CI) =25.5-43.3) and mortality was 43.9% (95%CI=36.1-51.7). Increasing age (odds ratio =0.93, 95% CI =0.90-0.97) and increasing National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) 24 h after thrombolysis (odds ratio =0.81, 95% CI =0.74-0.90) were independently associated with a lower likelihood of an excellent 5-year outcome. Age (hazards ratio =1.07, 95% CI =1.03-1.11) and excellent functional outcome 3 months after thrombolysis (hazards ratio =0.28, 95%CI=0.12-0.66) were independently associated with mortality during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: One third of ischemic stroke patients have excellent 5-year outcome after IVT. Younger age, lower NIHSS 24 h after IVT, and excellent 3-month functional outcome are independent predictors of excellent 5-year outcome

Potencial hidrogeniônico de antimicrobianos, segundo os fatores ambientais temperatura e luminosidade

The objective of this experimental study was to measure the pH of antibiotics administered by intravenous infusion - ceftriaxone sodium, vancomycin hydrochloride, metrodinazole, penicillin G potassium and amikacin sulfate - after reconstitution with sterile water and dilution with NaCl 0.9% or dextrose 5% in water, according to temperature and luminosity of the environment. The results showed that variation in the drugs' pH was less than 1.0 value and that some antibiotics remained acidic after dilution and maintained this chemical profile in all situations studied, suggesting that the studied environmental factors did not change the solutions' acid base characteristic. Some pH values measured characterize risk for the development of chemical phlebitis and infiltration, and it is important for clinical practice to emphasize the profile of intravenous solutions of antibiotics, considering method of dilution, and time to infusion.El objetivo de este estudio experimental fue medir el pH de los antibióticos de administración intravenosa ceftriaxona sódica, clorhidrato de vancomicina, metronidazol, penicilina G potásica y sulfato de amikacina, después de reconstitución con agua destilada y dilución con NaCl a 0,9%, o suero glucosado a 5%, considerando la influencia de la temperatura y luminosidad ambientales, así como el tiempo de exposición, en el comportamiento químico de esos fármacos. Los resultados demostraron variaciones que no ultrapasaron 1,0 (valor de pH) y que algunos antimicrobianos, eminentemente ácidos después de la dilución, mantuvieron ese comportamiento en todas las situaciones estudiadas, no sugiriendo la influencia de factores ambientales en el comportamiento químico de las soluciones. Considerando que algunos valores de pH encontrados pueden contribuir para el desarrollo de flebitis química e infiltración, es importante enfatizar que para la práctica clínica en salud, existe la necesidad de conocer las características de las soluciones de infusión intravenosa, considerando el tipo de dilución y el tiempo de infusión.O objetivo deste estudo experimental foi medir o pH dos antibióticos de administração intravenosa ceftriaxona sódica, cloridrato de vancomicina, metronidazol, penicilina G potássica e sulfato de amicacina, após reconstituição com água destilada e diluição com NaCl 0,9%, ou soro glicosado 5%, considerando a influência da temperatura e luminosidade ambientais, assim como do tempo de exposição, no comportamento químico desses fármacos. Os resultados demonstraram variações que não ultrapassaram 1,0 valor de pH e que alguns antimicrobianos, eminentemente ácidos após a diluição, mantiveram esse comportamento em todas as situações estudadas, não sugerindo a influência de fatores ambientais no comportamento químico das soluções. Como alguns valores de pH encontrados podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento de flebite química e infiltração, é importante enfatizar para a prática clínica em saúde, a necessidade de conhecer as características das soluções de infusão intravenosa, considerando tipo de diluição e tempo de infusão.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de EnfermagemUNIFESP, Depto. de EnfermagemCNPq: 476295/2004-1CNPq: 502382/2007-4SciEL

Retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy with a small incision for renal cell carcinoma: Comparison with the conventional method

<p>Abstract</p> <p>purpose</p> <p>When retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma was introduced into our institution, we performed a combined small skin incision method. In this method, a small incision was made to approach the retroperitoneal space prior to setting trockers and thereafter a LAPDISC was placed in the incision to start the retroperitoneoscopic procedure. In this study, we compared the outcomes between the combined small skin incision method ("A method" hereinafter) and the conventional method ("B method" hereinafter).</p> <p>material and methods</p> <p>Among the cases of T1N0M0 suspicious renal cell carcinoma treated at Yokohama City University between May 2003 and June 2009, the A method was performed in 51 cases and the B method was performed in 33 cases. The factors in the outcomes compared between the A and B methods were the duration of procedure, volume of bleeding, volume of transfusion, weight of the specimen, incidence of peritoneal injury, rate of conversion to open surgery, and perioperative complications.</p> <p>results</p> <p>The duration of the procedure was 214.4 ± 46.9 minutes in the A method group and 208.1 ± 36.4 minutes in the B method group (p = 0.518). The volume of bleeding and the weight of the specimen were 105.5 ± 283.2 ml and 335.1 ± 137.4 g in the A method group and 44.8 ± 116 ml (p = 0.247) and 309.2 ± 126 g (p = 0.385) in the B method group. There was no significant difference in all factors analyzed.</p> <p>conclusion</p> <p>The A method would be highly possible to produce stable results, even during the introduction period when the staff and the institution are still unfamiliar with the retroperitoneoscopic surgery.</p