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Are certain forms of government associated with superior economic outcomes? This paper attempts to answer that question by examining how government systems influence macroeconomic performance. We find that presidential regimes consistently are associated with less favorable outcomes than parliamentary regimes: slower output growth, higher and more volatile inflation and greater income inequality. Moreover, the magnitude of the effect is sizable. For example, annual output growth is between 0.6 and 1.2 percentage points lower and inflation is estimated to be at least four percentage points higher under presidential regimes relative to those under parliamentary ones. The difference in distributional outcomes is even starker; income inequality is 12 to 24% worse under presidential systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We evaluated the effects of zoledronic acid (ZA) therapy on electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters for the first time in the literature. Measurements were performed on ECGs obtained before and after ZA infusion on the same day as well as 1 month after the infusion. ZA infusion did not have any short- or long-term effect on any parameter that might be associated with the tendency for atrial fibrillation or ventricular arrhythmias. Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the early and late effects of ZA therapy on ECG parameters which might be associated with the tendency for atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Methods: Consecutive patients with osteoporosis who were admitted to our clinic between December 2013 and December 2014 and who were scheduled to receive ZA infusion constituted our study population. Twelve-lead surface ECGs were obtained from all patients before and after ZA infusion on the same day as well as 1 month after the infusion. All ECG parameters were measured and compared with each other for each patient. Results: Data of 100 patients were used in the analysis (9 male; 70.5 ± 11.6 years of age). There were no significant differences between repeated measurements regarding pmax, pmin, and p dispersion values. QT max and QT min values were significantly increased after infusion; however, there were no significant changes in QT dispersion, Tp-e interval, and Tp-e dispersion values. Conclusions: ZA infusion did not affect P wave dispersion both at the immediate post-infusion period and 1 month after infusion. QT values were significantly increased early after ZA infusion; however, there were no significant differences in parameters reflecting disparity of ventricular recovery times and transmural dispersion of ventricular repolarization. Based on these observations, it may be suggested that ZA infusion did not have any short- or long-term effect on any parameter that might be associated with the tendency for atrial fibrillation or ventricular arrhythmias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sacral stress fracture and sacroiliitis are two conditions that present with pain. Sacral stress fractures are a rare cause of lumbar and hip pain. Sacral insufficiency fractures are a type of sacral stress fractures. Sacroiliitis represents inflammation of the sacroiliac joints. Coexistence of sacroiliitis and sacral insufficiency fracture (SIF) has not been reported before. Case 1: A 39-year-old woman reporting inflammatory back pain. Imaging revealed bilateral chronic sacroiliitis and bilateral SIF. Case 2: A 31-year-old woman presenting with left hip and inguinal pain. Imaging revealed left sacroiliitis and ipsilateral SIF. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation together with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) treatment were given. Sulfasalazine was added to the treatment of the second patient who developed peripheral arthritis during follow-ups. Early diagnosis is best made with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) since roentgenograms may be negative initially. Furthermore, MRI findings of both entities share common features leading to a diagnostic dilemma. Interpretation of radiological findings assisted by detailed history and clinical findings is crucial for diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Caudal epidural block (CEB) is a reliable and effective technique commonly used in pain practice. Having accurate knowledge of sacral anatomy and its anatomical variations is very important for avoiding complications, especially as may occur during dural puncture. This study was undertaken to delineate the anatomical features of the sacrococcygeal region relevant to dural sac (DS) puncture. Methods: We reviewed magnetic resonance (MRI) images of 1,000 adult patients to determine of the level of termination of the DS, the distance between the upper margin of the sacrococcygeal membrane and the DS, and the presence of incidental dural cystic lesions. Each sacral vertebra was divided into three equal portions (upper, middle, and lower thirds), was defined as a separate region. Results: The level (26.7 % of all patients) of termination of the DS was most commonly the upper one-third of S2. The DS terminated below the 3rd sacral vertebra in 0.1 % of all patients. No posterior sacral meningocele was seen, but 13 (1.3 % of all patients) had a sacral Tarlov cyst. In three of 13 patients (23 %), the Tarlov cysts terminated below 3rd sacral vertebra level (0.3 % of all patients). Conclusion: Knowledge of the level of termination of the DS, the distance between the upper margin of the sacrococcygeal membrane and the DS, and the presence of Tarlov cysts on MRI images of before CEB is very important and might decrease the risk of dural puncture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyogenic granuloma is a common benign skin tumor. However, pyogenic granulomas with immunodeficient patients, especially transplant patients, are infrequent. We present a case report of a renal transplant patient with giant pyogenic granuloma. To the best of our knowledge, there are a few reports of pyogenic granuloma in renal transplant patients. This case report explores clinical and treatment elements for pyogenic granulomas as well as a review of the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption kinetics of H2O in a clinoptilolite rich zeolitic tuff was experimentally investigated at 18°C. In the identification of the diffusion mechanism the isothermal adsorption model equation was used. It was found out that the intraparticle mass transfer becomes more dominant over the heat transfer with increase in particle size and the adsorptive dose pressure. Although initially intraparticle mass transfer was the controlling resistance later external heat transfer also contributes to the transfer mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the characteristics of the patients who are clinically diagnosed with pes anserine tendinitis bursitis syndrome (PATBS), and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of clinical diagnose based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)., Methods: Included in this cross-sectional clinical study were 156 patients who were evaluated based on the clinical presence or absence of PATBS. All patients underwent Q-angle measurement, knee osteoarthritis (OA) grading according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification, and medial joint space measurement, and their cartilage thickness, and any periarticular and intraarticular knee pathologies were recorded from an assessment of knee MRIs., Results: Of the total, 64 cases (41%) were diagnosed clinically with PATBS and 92 (59%) were not. There was no difference in the Q angles of the two groups ( p  > 0.05), while the medial joint spaces were significantly lower in the PATBS patients ( p  < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in an MRI assessment of meniscus and ligament lesions, chondromalacia patella, cyst, bursitis, effusion and synovial pathologies ( p  > 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of the PATBS clinical diagnoses relative to the MRI findings were determined as 41.2% and 59.5%, respectively., Conclusion: The medial joint space was found to be significantly lower in patients with PATBS, while there was no difference in any other knee pathologies between the two groups. The sensitivity and specificity of a PATBS clinical diagnosis were found to be low, and so it was concluded that clinical PATBS diagnoses may be inaccurate, particularly in the presence of such invasive therapies as injection, and that diagnoses based on imaging methods would be more accurate., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare no conflict of interest., (© Indian Orthopaedics Association 2021.)