Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long‐term incidence, risk factors, and management of biliary complications after adult living donor liver transplantation

A considerable proportion of adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) recipients experience biliary complication (BC), but there are few reports regarding BC based on long‐term studies of a large LDLT population. The present study examined BC incidence, risk factors and management using single‐center data from 259 adult patients (225 right liver and 34 left liver grafts) between 2000 and 2002. The mean follow‐up period was 46 ± 14 months. Biliary reconstruction included single duct‐to‐duct anastomosis (DD, n = 141), double DD (n = 19), single hepaticojejunostomy (HJ, n = 67), double HJ (n = 28), and combined DD and HJ (n = 4). There were 12 episodes of anastomotic bile leak and 42 episodes of anastomotic stenosis in 50 recipients. Most leaks occurred within the first month, whereas stenosis occurred over 3 yr. Most stenoses were successfully treated using radiological intervention. Cumulative 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐yr BC rates were 12.9%, 18.2%, and 20.2%, respectively. BC occurred much more frequently in right liver grafts compared to left liver grafts (P = 0.024). Stenosis‐free survival curves for right liver graft recipients were similar for all reconstruction groups. When right liver graft recipients with single biliary reconstructions were grouped according to graft duct size and type of biliary reconstruction, DD involving a small‐sized duct (less than 4 mm in diameter) was found to be a BC risk factor (P = 0.015), whereas HJ involving such duct sizes was not found to be associated with a higher risk (P = 0.471). In conclusion, close surveillance for BC appears necessary for at least the first 3 yr after LDLT. We found that most BC could be successfully controlled using radiological intervention. In terms of anastomotic stenosis risk, HJ appears a better choice than DD for right liver grafts involving ducts less than 4 mm in diameter. Liver Transpl 12:831–838, 2006. © 2006 AASLD.
Preparation and performance evaluations of electrospun poly(ε‐caprolactone), poly(lactic acid), and their hybrid (50/50) nanofibrous mats containing thymol as an herbal drug for effective wound healing

The use of herbal drugs as biocompatible and nontoxic drugs without special side effects in wound dressings are highly favored compared to that of chemical and synthetic drugs. In this study, the properties and performance of electrospun poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and their 50/50 hybrid nanofibrous mats containing the herbal drug thymol (1.2% v/v) as wound dressings were investigated. The optimized solution concentrations of PCL (12% w/v) and PLA (3% w/v) in chloroform/dimethylformamide (7:3) for electrospinning were determined with viscometry and scanning electron microscopy studies to obtain smooth and beadless nanofibers. The results of the drug-release behavior along with swelling tests showed that the electrospun 50/50 PCL/PLA hybrid nanofibers had the highest level of drug release (∼ 72%) compared with the PCL and PLA nanofibrous samples. The release kinetics of thymol from PCL, PLA, and 50/50 PCL/PLA hybrid nanofibrous mats were studied by the Peppas equation and the zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, and Hixon–Crowell models. Antibacterial evaluations showed that the electrospun 50/50 PCL/PLA hybrid nanofibrous samples containing thymol had satisfactory effects on Staphylococcus aureus compared with Escherichia coli bacteria during the treatment periods. In vivo rat wound-healing and histological performance observations of thymol-loaded 50/50 PCL/PLA nanofibrous mats, the commercial wound dressing Comfeel Plus, and gauze bandages (control) after 14-day post-treatment periods were evaluated. The results reveal that the electrospun 50/50 PCL/PLA hybrid nanofibers containing thymol had a remarkable wound-closure percentage of about 92.5% after a period of 14 days. Finally, the crystallinity and thermal behavior of the electrospun 50/50 PCL/PLA hybrid nanofibrous mats with and without thymol were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Receptor binding and mitogenic effects of insulin and insulinlike growth factors I and II for human myeloid leukemic cells

Insulin and insulinlike growth factors I and II (IGF‐I and IGF‐II) influence mesodermal cell proliferation and differentiation. As multiple growth factors are involved in hemopoietic cell proliferation and differentiation, we assessed the receptor binding and mitogenic effects of these peptides on a panel of mesodermally derived human myeloid leukemic cell lines. The promyelocytic cell line HL60 had the highest level of specific binding for these 125I‐labeled ligands, with lower binding to the less differentiated myeloblast cell line KG1 and undifferentiated blast variants of these cell lines (HL60blast, KG1a). Insulin binding affinity and receptor numbers were reduced significantly by chemically induced granulocytic differentiation of HL60 cells and was unchanged following induced monocytic differentiation. No substantial alteration in IGF‐I or ‐II binding occurred with induced HL60 cell differentiation. Insulin and IGF‐I demonstrated cross competition for receptor binding and down‐regulated their homologous receptors without detectable cross modulation of the heterologous receptors on HL60 cells. IGF‐I and insulin increased HL60 cell proliferation, as assessed by 3H‐thymidine uptake, IGF‐I> insulin. IGF‐I binding and mitogenic effects were blocked by the monoclonal anti‐IGF‐I receptor antibody IR3, indicating that IGF‐I‐induced proliferative effects were mediated via its homologous receptor. In contrast, insulin binding and mitogenesis displayed blocking by both anti‐IGI‐I and anti‐insulin receptor antibodies, indicating mediation of its activity through both receptors. These data demonstrate specific binding and mitogenic interactions between insulin, IGFs, and hemopoietic cells which are associated with their state of differentiation.
Sec16 Determines the Size and Functioning of the Golgi in the Protist Parasite, Trypanosoma brucei

The Sec16 homologue in Trypanosoma brucei has been identified and characterized. TbSec16 colocalizes with COPII components at the single endoplasmic reticulum exit site (ERES), which is next to the single Golgi stack in the insect (procyclic) form of this organism. Depletion of TbSec16 reduces the size of the ERES and the Golgi, and slows growth and transport of a secretory marker to the cell surface; conversely, overexpression of TbSec16 increases the size of the ERES and Golgi but has no effect on growth or secretion. Together these data suggest that TbSec16 regulates the size of the ERES and Golgi and this size is set for optimal growth of the organism.
Glenohumeral rotation and scapular position adaptations after a single high school female sports season.

CONTEXT Anterior instability and impingement are common in overhead athletes and have been associated with decreases in internal rotation (IR) and increases in external rotation (ER) motion. However, the chronology and the effect of different female sports on these conditions have yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE To measure glenohumeral IR and ER rotation, total range of motion, and scapular position in female overhead athletes over a single competitive season. DESIGN Multiple group pretest-posttest study. SETTING High school. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Thirty-six female overhead athletes (age = 15.29 +/- 1.18 years, height = 164.16 +/- 7.14 cm, mass = 58.24 +/- 9.54 kg) with no history of shoulder or elbow surgery participating in high school swimming, volleyball, or tennis. INTERVENTION(S) Participants were measured for all dependent variables at preseason and postseason. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Participants were measured for glenohumeral IR and ER with the scapula stabilized. Total glenohumeral range of motion was calculated as the sum of IR and ER. Scapular upward rotation was measured at 0 degrees , 60 degrees , 90 degrees , and 120 degrees of glenohumeral abduction in the scapular plane, and scapular protraction was measured at 0 degrees , 45 degrees (hands on hips), and 90 degrees of glenohumeral abduction. RESULTS Internal rotation decreased from preseason to postseason (P = .012). Swimmers had less IR than both volleyball and tennis players (P = .001). External rotation also decreased in the swimmers (P = .001). Overall, preseason to postseason total motion decreased for athletes participating in swimming (P = .001) and tennis (P = .019). For all participants, preseason to postseason scapular protraction at 45 degrees glenohumeral abduction decreased (P = .007). CONCLUSIONS Female overhead athletes demonstrated decreases in IR after only one competitive season. Clinically, our results indicate that overhead athletes should be monitored for motion changes throughout their competitive seasons.
Dependence of the Sn^0/2+ charge state on the Fermi level in semi-insulating CdTe

We explored the growth and characteristics of CdTe doped with Sn to heighten our understanding of the role of deep levels on electrical compensation and trapping. We demonstrated, for the first time, the strong dependence of the Sn_Cd charge state on the Fermi-level variation (2–3 kT ) in high-resistivity CdTe. The concentration of deep traps for electrons was determined by the number of doubly positively charged Sn^2+ atoms. Thermoelectric-effect spectroscopy and photovoltage measurements revealed the conversion of the Sn_Cd defect from the electron Sn_Cd^2+ trap to the hole Sn_Cd^0 trap. The results agree well with the existence of a negative U-center in the Sn_Cd^0/2+ defect. We also showed that the neutral Sn defect is responsible for the near midgap C-band → bound hole radiative transitions band with a maximum at 0.76 eV.
Exploring indicators for pain rehabilitation: a Delphi study using a multidisciplinary expert panel.

OBJECTIVE Lack of referral guidelines can cause delayed or even non-existent rehabilitation for chronic pain patients. Indicators signalling the need for interventions could counteract this delay for pain rehabilitation and thereby prevent deteriorating patient health. This study aimed to explore the indicators of need for pain rehabilitation using a multidisciplinary expert panel working with pain rehabilitation. METHODS A three-round Delphi study was conducted with a multidisciplinary expert panel (n = 23), each representing one pain rehabilitation unit in Sweden. The expert panel produced indicators, which were then ranked using a four-point Likert scale. RESULTS Twenty multi-faceted indicators for pain rehabilitation were identified. A major part concerned patient problems with activity level, catastrophizing, coping, existential problems, fear avoidance, high pain rating, medication, mental health, motivation, no pain relief, pain spread/increase, psychosocial problems combined with activity problems, psychosocial problems, recovery, and reduced physical function. Furthermore, indicators concerned demographic factors, sick leave, situation in primary health care and work. Finally, tacit knowledge was pointed out as an indicator. The results support previous research but also bring out less quantifiable indicators, such as relying on tacit knowledge while assessing a patient's need for rehabilitation. CONCLUSION The indicators for pain rehabilitation were comprehensive, pointing out that needs assessment is complex. Despite reaching consensus on 19 out of 20 indicators, further research is needed to deepen knowledge in this area and to secure a fair assessment of a patient's need for pain rehabilitation.
Correlation-Based Traffic Analysis Attacks on Anonymity Networks

In this paper, we address attacks that exploit the timing behavior of TCP and other protocols and applications in low-latency anonymity networks. Mixes have been used in many anonymous communication systems and are supposed to provide countermeasures to defeat traffic analysis attacks. In this paper, we focus on a particular class of traffic analysis attacks, flow-correlation attacks, by which an adversary attempts to analyze the network traffic and correlate the traffic of a flow over an input link with that over an output link. Two classes of correlation methods are considered, namely time-domain methods and frequency-domain methods. Based on our threat model and known strategies in existing mix networks, we perform extensive experiments to analyze the performance of mixes. We find that all but a few batching strategies fail against flow-correlation attacks, allowing the adversary to either identify ingress and egress points of a flow or to reconstruct the path used by the flow. Counterintuitively, some batching strategies are actually detrimental against attacks. The empirical results provided in this paper give an indication to designers of Mix networks about appropriate configurations and mechanisms to be used to counter flow-correlation attacks.
Use of Sodium Fluorescein Solution for Detection of Cerebrospinal Fluid Fistulas: An Analysis of 420 Administrations and Reported Complications in Europe and the United States

Background: Localization of dural fistulas in the region of the anterior or lateral skull base may be difficult. For many years, a sodium fluorescein solution of 0.5 to 5% (2.5–50 mg) has been administered intrathecally by way of the lumbar space. However, fluorescein is not commercially available for this stated purpose in either Germany or the United States.
Effects of different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide on the color stability of various esthetic restorative materials in vitro

Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the color changes of four different restorative materials after exposing these materials to two different bleaching agents. Materials and Methods: In this study, bleaching agents were applied to a low-fusing porcelain (VITA VM9), heat-pressed glass ceramics (IPS Empress Esthetic), and two types of composites (Clearfil Majesty Esthetic and Clearfil Photo Posterior). Twenty disc-shaped specimens were fabricated (with a diameter of 10 mm and a thickness of 2 mm) from each material (n0 = 10). The initial color changes were measured using a spectrophotometer. The first set of specimens were bleached with 10% hydrogen peroxide (HP) for 1 h daily for 10 days. Another set of specimens were bleached with 40% HP bleaching gel for two consecutive applications for 20 min each. The data were analyzed statistically by using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Tamhane′s T2 tests ( P < 0.05). Results: The mean color change value (ΔE) for Clearfil Majesty Esthetic was significantly higher than the value for VITA VM9 groups, treated with the 10% HP. In addition, the values for Clearfil Photo Posterior were significantly higher than the values for Clearfil Majesty Esthetic, IPS Empress Esthetic, and VITA VM9 groups treated with the 40% HP (P < 0.05). The comparative evaluation of bleaching agents on the color change of materials revealed that the differences between the bleaching agents were significant for the Clearfil Photo Posterior groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The effects of bleaching agents should be known and applied consciously when restorative materials (especially polymer-containing restorative materials) are present.
Antioxidant Capacity of Macaronesian Traditional Medicinal Plants

The use of many traditional medicinal plants is often hampered by the absence of a proper biochemical characterization, essential to identify the bioactive compounds present. The leaves from five species endemic to the Macaronesian islands with recognized ethnobotanical applications were analysed: Apollonias barbujana (Cav.) Bornm. , Ocotea foetens (Ainton) Baill, Prunus azorica (Mouill.) Rivas-Mart. , Lousã, Fern. Prieto, E. Días, J.C. Costa & C. Aguiar, Rumex maderensis Lowe and Plantago arborescens Poir. subsp. maderensis (Dcne.) A. Hans. et Kunk. Since oxidative stress is a common feature of most diseases traditionally treated by these plants, it is important to assess their antioxidant capacity and determine the molecules responsible for this capacity. In this study, the antioxidant capacity of these plants against two of the most important reactive species in human body (hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals) was determined. To trace the antioxidant origin total phenol and flavonoid contents as well as the polyphenolic profile and the amount of trace elements were determined. There was a wide variation among the species analysed in what concerns their total leaf phenol and flavonoid contents. From the High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) electrochemically detected peaks it was possible to attribute to flavonoids the antioxidant capacity detected in A. barbujana, O. foetens, R. maderensis and P. azorica extracts. These potential reactive flavonoids were identified for A. barbujana, R. maderensis and P. azorica. For R. maderensis a high content (7 mg g-1 dry weight) of L-ascorbic acid, an already described antioxidant phytomolecule, was found. A high content in selenomethionine (414.35 μg g-1 dry weight) was obtained for P. arborescens subsp. maderensis extract. This selenocompound is already described as a hydroxyl radical scavenger is reported in this work as also possessing peroxyl radical scavenging capacity. This work is a good illustration of different phytomolecules (flavonoids, organic acids and selenocompounds), presents in leaves of the five traditional medicinal plants endemic to Macaronesia, all exhibiting antioxidant properties.
Comparing State Spaces in Automatic Security Protocol Verification

Many tools exist for automatic security protocol verification, and most of them have their own particular language for specifying protocols and properties. Several protocol specification models and security properties have been already formally related to each other. However, there is an important difference between verification tools, which has not been investigated in depth before: the explored state space. Some tools explore all possible behaviors, whereas others explore strict subsets, often by using so-called scenarios. Ignoring such differences can lead to wrong interpretations of the output of a tool. We relate the explored state spaces to each other and find previously unreported differences between the various approaches. We apply our study of state space relations in a performance comparison of several well-known automatic tools for security protocol verification. We model a set of protocols and their properties as homogeneously as possible for each tool. We analyze the performance of the tools over comparable state spaces. This work enables us to effectively compare these automatic tools, i.e. using the same protocol description and exploring the same state space. We also propose some explanations for our experimental results, leading to a better understanding of the tools.
Effectiveness of computerised cognitive behaviour therapy for anxiety disorders in secondary care

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of computerised cognitive behaviour therapy (CCBT) with a wait list control (WLC) for the treatment of patients with an anxiety disorder (social phobia, panic disorder, generalised anxiety disorder) referred to a specialist, publically funded, outpatient anxiety service. Method: Patients with social phobia (n = 37), panic disorder (n = 32) or generalised anxiety disorder (n = 14) were randomised to treatment with either CCBT (n = 40) or WLC (n = 43). Self-report rating scale assessments were conducted at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks. Results: Compared with WLC, the CCBT group improved significantly on approximately half of the self-report primary (the Work and Social Adjustment Scale) and approximately half of the secondary measures at both 12 and 24 weeks (the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, the Penn State Worry Questionnaire, the Generalised Anxiety inventory and the Fear Questionnaire). Effect sizes in this study were moderate. Conclusion: This is one of the few studies to investigate CCBT for anxiety disorders in patients in a secondary care service. The results show that CCBT in this secondary care setting has the potential to be beneficial and confirms and extends the findings from previous studies of self-referral or primary care settings.
Improved initialization of the accelerated and robust QR-like polynomial root-finding.

We approximate polynomial roots numerically as the eigenvalues of a unitary diagonal plus rank-one matrix. We rely on our earlier adaptation of the algorithm, which exploits the semiseparable matrix structure to approximate the eigenvalues in a fast and robust way, but we substantially improve the performance of the resulting algorithm at the initial stage, as confirmed by our numerical tests.
Hydrogen peroxide overproduction in megamitochondria of troglitazone‐treated human hepatocytes

Troglitazone has been withdrawn from therapeutic options for diabetes mellitus because of its severe hepatocyte toxicity of unknown pathogenesis. The aim of the present study was to assess both morphologic and functional alterations in the mitochondria of troglitazone‐treated hepatocytes. A polarized human hepatocyte cell line, OUMS‐29, was used in this study. The mitochondrial volume and the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) were examined using flow cytometry with nonylacridine orange (NAO) and rhodamine‐123, respectively. An ultrastructural examination of the troglitazone‐treated OUMS‐29 cells was performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was assessed using flow cytometry with dihydroethidium and 2′,7′‐dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. A significant increase in the mitochondrial volume of the troglitazone‐treated cells was found by the NAO analysis, in comparison with pioglitazone‐treated and ciglitazone‐treated cells. The increase in volume was due to a marked enlargement in the mitochondria. The markedly enlarged mitochondria with intramitochondrial electron‐dense deposits were confirmed on TEM, which showed myelin‐like structures, indicating degraded membrane constituents. The troglitazone‐treated cells showed a significant decline in the ΔΨm per unit mitochondrial volume but resulted in no clear cell death. ROS analysis revealed a significant production of hydrogen peroxide in the troglitazone‐treated hepatocytes. This production was attenuated using an antioxidant, N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine. In conclusion, troglitazone caused overproduction of hydrogen peroxide, which deteriorated both mitochondrial membrane structures and mitochondrial function, leading to a possible priming for the severe hepatocyte toxicity.
Save More Tomorrow™: Using Behavioral Economics to Increase Employee Saving

As firms switch from defined‐benefit plans to defined‐contribution plans, employees bear more responsibility for making decisions about how much to save. The employees who fail to join the plan or who participate at a very low level appear to be saving at less than the predicted life cycle savings rates. Behavioral explanations for this behavior stress bounded rationality and self‐control and suggest that at least some of the low‐saving households are making a mistake and would welcome aid in making decisions about their saving. In this paper, we propose such a prescriptive savings program, called Save More Tomorrow™ (hereafter, the SMarT program). The essence of the program is straightforward: people commit in advance to allocating a portion of their future salary increases toward retirement savings. We report evidence on the first three implementations of the SMarT program. Our key findings, from the first implementation, which has been in place for four annual raises, are as follows: (1) a high proportion (78 percent) of those offered the plan joined, (2) the vast majority of those enrolled in the SMarT plan (80 percent) remained in it through the fourth pay raise, and (3) the average saving rates for SMarT program participants increased from 3.5 percent to 13.6 percent over the course of 40 months. The results suggest that behavioral economics can be used to design effective prescriptive programs for important economic decisions.