Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Post–liver transplantation diabetes mellitus: An association with hepatitis C

A retrospective study was performed on all liver transplant recipients from British Columbia from 1989 to March 2000 to determine the prevalence and predictive factors of diabetes mellitus (DM) post‐liver transplantation. DM was defined as hyperglycemia requiring treatment with insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents. Patient characteristics, cause of liver disease at transplantation, and immunosuppression regimen were considered. Both univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Posttransplantation DM (PTDM) occurred in 43 of 177 transplant recipients (24%). Of these, 13 transplant recipients had DM pretransplantation, whereas 30 patients developed de novo PTDM. The majority of patients were treated with insulin (80%). In univariate analysis, transplantation for hepatitis C virus (HCV) liver disease was associated with a greater incidence of PTDM (odds ratio [OR], 3.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46 to 6.23) and de novo PTDM (OR, 5.20; 95% CI, 2.25 to 11.99). Patients administered tacrolimus had a greater incidence of PTDM (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.01 to 4.13), and there was a trend toward increased PTDM in older patients (mean age, 49 years). Recipient sex, steroid dosage, and acute rejection were not predictive of PTDM. The incidence of graft loss and death rates were similar between the two groups. On logistic regression, HCV was the only independent predictor of PTDM (OR, 4.12; 95% CI, 1.91 to 8.90) and de novo PTDM (OR, 6.02; 95% CI, 2.55 to 14.20). In conclusion, DM post‐liver transplantation is a common occurrence and is associated with HCV.
Relationship of actin polymerization and depolymerization to light scattering in human neutrophils: dependence on receptor occupancy and intracellular Ca++

When exposed to the N-formylated chemoattractant peptides, neutrophils undergo a transient ruffling followed by a polarization that involves a redistribution of F-actin (Fechheimer, M., and S. H. Zigmond, 1983, Cell Motil., 3:349-361). The cells also undergo a biphasic right angle light scatter response whose first phase is maximal 10-15 s after exposure to the stimulus, and whose second phase is longer in duration and maximal only after 1 min or more (Yuli, I., and R. Snyderman, 1984, J. Clin. Invest. 73:1408-1417). We now report that the first phase is accompanied by a transient polymerization of actin (monitored by cytometric analysis of phallacidin staining according to the method of Howard, T. H., and W. H. Meyer, 1984, J. Cell Biol., 98:1265-1271) and the second phase is accompanied by a more sustained polymerization of actin. Based on correlated measurements of ligand binding (Sklar, L. A., D. A. Finney, Z. G. Oades, A. J. Jesaitis, R. G. Painter, and C. G. Cochrane, 1984, J. Biol. Chem., 259:5661-5669) and intracellular Ca++ elevation (under conditions where we use the fluorescent Ca++ chelator Quin 2 to modulate intracellular Ca++ levels), we conclude that this first phase requires less than 100 receptors/cell (out of 50,000) and does not require the release of intracellular stores of Ca++. In contrast, the sustained polymerization requires both the occupancy of thousands of receptors (an estimated 10% of the receptors per minute) and may be somewhat sensitive to the availability of intracellular Ca++. When ligand binding is interrupted, F-actin rapidly depolymerizes with a half-time of no greater than approximately 15 s, and the transient light scatter response decays toward its initial value in parallel. Partial disaggregation of the cells follows the recovery of these responses. Based on these observations, we suggest that transient actin polymerization and transient cell ruffling give rise to transient aggregation as long as degranulation is limited.
Bounded Cognition and Representativeness in Forecasting

Most operations models assume that individuals have perfect beliefs about random variables or stochastic processes. In reality, however, individuals make judgment errors and are subject to predictable biases. We leverage two fundamental psychological principles bounded cognition and representativeness to model individuals' forecasting errors and biases in a way that is portable to operations models. The model has only one behavioral parameter and embeds perfect rationality as a special case. We use the model to mathematically characterize point forecast and error forecast behavior, re ecting an individual's beliefs about the mean and variance of a random variable, respectively. We then derive several distinct behavioral phenomena generated by the model and discuss how these behaviors relate to existing eld and experimental evidence. Finally, we apply the model to two important operations management contexts inventory management and queuing to demonstrate the model's portability to operations settings.
Losartan Elevates the Serum High-Molecular Weight—Adiponectin Isoform and Concurrently Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Patients with Impaired Glucose Metabolism

Adiponectin is an adipocyte hormone that ameliorates insulin resistance and prevents diabetes. Patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are at a high risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Since treatment with angiotensin II receptor blockers retards the development of diabetes, the effects of losartan on serum adiponectin levels were examined with regard to insulin sensitivity in pre-diabetic patients. Sixty-five patients with IFG/IGT (42 males, 23 females, 63±13 years old) were randomized to receive 25–100 mg of losartan (n=33) or a calcium channel blocker (CCB, n=32) for 3 months. Before and after the treatment, changes in blood pressure, insulin sensitivity (HOMAR) and serum concentrations of high molecular weight (HMW)-adiponectin and free fatty acid (FFA) were assessed. At baseline, the HMW-adiponectin concentration negatively correlated with the patient's body mass index, HOMA-R and triglyceride levels, and positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL)- cholesterol levels. However, the HMW-adiponectin concentration showed no correlation with blood pressure. HMW-adiponectin concentrations were similar between the losartan group and the CCB group. Both the losartan and CCB treatments similarly and significantly reduced the mean blood pressure (107±7 mmHg to 95±7 mmHg, p<0.0001, and 104±6 mmHg to 93±9 mmHg, p<0.0001, respectively). Losartan treatment resulted in a significant increase in HMW-adiponectin concentrations (45.9%) and a significant decrease in HOMA-R (23.9%) and FFA concentrations (26.5%); the percent changes were greater than those induced by CCB treatment (p<0.001, p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). We conclude that losartan increases the serum HMW-adiponectin concentration and concurrently improves insulin sensitivity in subjects with IFG/IGT. These results suggest that losartan may prevent diabetes by increasing serum adiponectin levels.
The Turbulent Shock Origin of Proto-Stellar Cores

The fragmentation of molecular clouds (MC) into proto-stellar cores is a central aspect of the process of star formation. Because of the turbulent nature of supersonic motions in MCs, it has been suggested that dense structures such as filaments and clumps are formed by shocks in a turbulent flow. In this work we present strong evidence in favor of the turbulent origin of the fragmentation of MCs. The most generic result of turbulent fragmentation is that dense postshock gas traces a gas component with a smaller velocity dispersion than lower density gas, since shocks correspond to regions of converging flows, where the kinetic energy of the turbulent motion is dissipated. Using synthetic maps of spectra of molecular transitions, computed from the results of numerical simulations of supersonic turbulence, we show that the dependence of velocity dispersion on gas density generates an observable relation between the rms velocity centroid and the integrated intensity (column density), σ(V0)-I, which is indeed found in the observational data. The comparison between the theoretical model (maps of synthetic 13CO spectra) with 13CO maps from the Perseus, Rosette, and Taurus MC complexes shows excellent agreement in the σ(V0)-I relation. The σ(V0)-I relation of different observational maps with the same total rms velocity are remarkably similar, which is a strong indication of their origin from a very general property of the fluid equations, such as the turbulent fragmentation process.
Comparison of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and randomly amplified DNA polymorphism analysis for typing extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae

The incidence and transmission patterns of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital were investigated over a 3-year period. K. pneumoniae isolates were characterized by antibiotic susceptibility, capsular serotyping, plasmid profiles, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of genome macrorestriction patterns with XbaI, and the results were compared with those obtained by typing with the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) patterns. The discriminatory power of RAPD typing was evaluated for three primers. The incidence of isolation of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae was 2.5 cases per 1,000 admissions to the ICU versus 0.35 cases per 1,000 admissions to other units (relative risk, 7.03; 95% confidence interval, 3.89 to 12.69). Infection developed in 53% of evaluable patients. Thirty-six percent of the cases were possibly acquired in other institutions. Isolates from ICU patients were subdivided into six capsular serotypes and into four clonal groups based on antibiotype, plasmid content, and PFGE and RAPD patterns. Two clones were associated with clusters of cross-infection, involving 5 and 12 patients, respectively. Following implementation of contact isolation precautions, the incidence of nosocomial acquisition of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae decreased from 0.55 to 0.26 cases per 1,000 admissions (P = 0.03). PFGE and RAPD analysis showed concordant results and comparable discrimination for differentiation between groups of epidemiologically related strains of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae. More subclonal variants were determined among epidemic clones by PFGE analysis than by RAPD analysis. Both methods are useful for typing K. pneumoniae strains in epidemiological investigations, although RAPD analysis is more efficient.
Stand Composition, Tree Proximity and Size Have Minimal Effects on Leaf Function of Coexisting Aspen and Subalpine Fir

Forest structural heterogeneity due to species composition, spatial relationships and tree size are widely studied patterns in forest systems, but their impacts on tree function are not as well documented. The objective of this study was to examine how stand composition, tree proximity relationships and tree size influence the leaf functional traits of aspen, an early successional species, and subalpine fir, a climax species. We measured foliar nutrients, nonstructural carbohydrates (aspen only), defense chemistry and xylem water potential of aspen and subalpine fir trees in three size classes growing in close proximity or independently from other trees under three stand conditions: aspen dominant, aspen-conifer mixed, and conifer dominant stands. Close proximity of subalpine fir to aspen reduced aspen’s storage of starch in foliar tissue by 17% suggesting that competition between these species may have small effects on carbon metabolism in aspen leaves. Simple sugar (glucose + sucrose) concentrations in aspen leaves were slightly higher in larger aspen trees than smaller trees. However, no differences were found in stem water potential, foliar concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, or secondary defense chemicals of aspen or subalpine fir across the gradients of stand composition, tree proximity or tree size. These results suggest that mechanisms of coexistence allow both aspen and subalpine fir to maintain leaf function across a wide range of stand structural characteristics. For aspen, resource sharing through its clonal root system and high resource storage capacity may partially contribute to its functional stability in mixed aspen-conifer stands.
Predictive Validity and Formative Measurement in Structural Equation Modeling: Embracing Practical Relevance

Composite-based methods like partial least squares (PLS) path modeling have an advantage over factor-based methods (like CB-SEM) because they yield determinate predictions, while factor-based methods’ prediction is constrained in this regard by factor indeterminacy. To maximize practical relevance, research findings should extend beyond the study’s own data. We explain how PLS practices, deriving, at least in part, from attempts to mimic factor-based methods, have hamstrung the potential of PLS. In particular, PLS research has focused on parameter recovery and overlooked predictive validity. We demonstrate some implications of considering predictive abilities as a complement to parameter recovery of PLS by reconsidering the institutionalized practice of mapping formative measurement to Mode B estimation of outer relations. Extensive simulations confirm that Mode A estimation performs better when sample size is moderate and indicators are collinear while Mode B estimation performs better when sample size is very large or true predictability (R²) is high.
Signs of Facial Aging in Men in a Diverse, Multinational Study: Timing and Preventive Behaviors

BACKGROUND Men are a growing patient population in aesthetic medicine and are increasingly seeking minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. OBJECTIVE To examine differences in the timing of facial aging and in the prevalence of preventive facial aging behaviors in men by race/ethnicity. METHODS Men aged 18 to 75 years in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia rated their features using photonumeric rating scales for 10 facial aging characteristics. Impact of race/ethnicity (Caucasian, black, Asian, Hispanic) on severity of each feature was assessed. Subjects also reported the frequency of dermatologic facial product use. RESULTS The study included 819 men. Glabellar lines, crow's feet lines, and nasolabial folds showed the greatest change with age. Caucasian men reported more severe signs of aging and earlier onset, by 10 to 20 years, compared with Asian, Hispanic, and, particularly, black men. In all racial/ethnic groups, most men did not regularly engage in basic, antiaging preventive behaviors, such as use of sunscreen. CONCLUSION Findings from this study conducted in a globally diverse sample may guide clinical discussions with men about the prevention and treatment of signs of facial aging, to help men of all races/ethnicities achieve their desired aesthetic outcomes.
Differences in swimming ability and its response to starvation among male and female Gambusia affinis

ABSTRACT To explore the differences in the swimming ability and environmental adaptive abilities between male and female Gambusia affinis, we assessed the differences in burst swimming speeds (Uburst), critical swimming speeds (Ucrit) and their related fin areas, and consumption of energy substances after starvation at 0 (control group), 15, 30, 45, and 60 days, respectively. The results showed that the pectoral and caudal fin areas did not differ significantly between male and female G. affinis. However, the dry mass, condition factors, and absolute contents of glycogen, lipids, and proteins were significantly elevated in females in the control group (P<0.05), whereas Uburst and Ucrit were significantly low (P<0.05). After starvation of 60 days, the rate of consumption of lipids was significantly low in the females (P<0.05). Although Uburst and Ucrit decreased linearly with increased duration of starvation, the coefficient of linear equation between Ucrit and starvation time was significantly lower in females than males (P<0.05). These findings indicated that low body mass and condition factors reduce the relative bear load and moving resistance that causes high swimming performance in male G. affinis. High contents of energy substances and low rate of consumption of lipids result in stable Ucrit in females during hunger. Summary: The study explored the causes of variation in swimming performance with respect to morphological and physiological characteristics, which provides further information about environmental adaptive ability in Gambusia affinis.
Bone Mineral Metabolism and Subsequent Hospitalization With Poor Quality of Life in Dialysis Patients

Background: Significant impairment in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among dialysis patients could be partly explained by some co-morbid disorders, such as chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD). Also disturbance in calcium and phosphorus metabolism would increase mortality and morbidity. Therefore, further efforts to treat these abnormalities may improve the survival. Objectives: We designed a large multicenter population-based study in Iran to describe and assess the relation between HRQOL, hospitalization, and bone metabolism markers. Patients and Methods: We enrolled a total of 5820 dialysis patients from 132 dialysis centers in different parts of the country whom were volunteers to cooperate between October 2010 and August 2011. The Iranian adapted version of the Kidney disease quality of life-short form (KDQOL-SFTM) version 1.3 questionnaire was used to assess the health related quality of life. The clinical and demographic characteristics were gathered from patients’ data files. Results: The mean (SD) age of patients was 54.88 (16.36) years, and the range was 2 to 99 years. Of all patients, 43.1% were female. The scores of kidney disease component summary (KDCS), physical component summary, mental component summary, and total quality of life were significantly higher in the lower quartile of corrected serum calcium and higher quartile of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels (P < 0.05). In a regression analysis of multilevel data, while corrected serum calcium level was associated with total KDCS and short form health survey (SF-36) scores after adjusting for other variables, hospitalization was directly correlated with serum phosphorus level and had reverse correlation with dialysis duration and quality of life. Conclusions: In the current study, quality of life was correlated with serum calcium level, calcium-phosphate product, and serum PTH level, while hospitalization was correlated only with serum phosphorus level. However, quality of life was inversely correlated with hospitalization.
Haemocyte heterogeneity in the cockroach Periplaneta americana analysed using monoclonal antibodies

A panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against whole haemocytes from Periplaneta americana has revealed two broad categories of immunogens. Three mAbs showed reactivity with membrane-bound antigens on the three major morphological classes of haemocyte as well as the basement membrane of tissues in contact with the haemocoel. Moreover, this reactivity showed heterogeneity within morphotypes: this heterogeneity was quantified using flow cytometry. In contrast, two other mAbs did not show reactivity with tissues other than haemocytes: both mAbs appeared to label unique intracellular components of the haemocytes. We have demonstrated that mAbs can be used to define haemocyte subpopulations in P. americana that are not recognisable on morphological criteria alone. We believe this heterogeneity underlies the mechanisms responsible for the identification and neutralisation of non-self in the ‘immune’ response of P. americana.
Mimotopes for Alloreactive and Conventional T Cells in a Peptide–MHC Display Library

The use of peptide libraries for the identification and characterization of T cell antigen peptide epitopes and mimotopes has been hampered by the need to form complexes between the peptides and an appropriate MHC molecule in order to construct a complete T cell ligand. We have developed a baculovirus-based peptide library method in which the sequence encoding the peptide is embedded within the genes for the MHC molecule in the viral DNA, such that insect cells infected with virus encoding a library of different peptides each displays a unique peptide–MHC complex on its surface. We have fished in such a library with two different fluorescent soluble T cell receptors (TCRs), one highly peptide specific and the other broadly allo-MHC specific and hypothesized to be much less focused on the peptide portion of the ligand. A single peptide sequence was selected by the former αβTCR that, not unexpectedly, was highly related to the immunizing peptide. As hypothesized, the other αβTCR selected a large family of peptides, related only by a similarity to the immunizing peptide at the p5 position. These findings have implications for the relative importance of peptide and MHC in TCR ligand recognition. This display method has broad applications in T cell epitope identification and manipulation and should be useful in general in studying interactions between complex proteins.
Selective portal vein embolization and ligation trigger different regenerative responses in the rat liver

Two strategies are clinically available to induce selective hypertrophy of the liver: portal vein embolization (PVE) and portal vein ligation (PVL). The aim of this study was to compare the impact of PVE and PVL on liver regeneration. Rats were subjected to 70% PVL, 70% PVE, 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) (positive control), or sham operation (negative control). PVL and PVE of liver segments were validated by portography and histology, demonstrating obstruction of the involved portal branches. Liver weight and markers of regeneration were assessed at 24, 48, and 72 hours, and 7 days after surgery (n = 5). Sinusoidal perfusion was examined by intravital microscopy. The weight of the regenerating liver segments increased continuously in all groups, with the highest weight gain after PH, which also disclosed the strongest proliferative activity. In Ki‐67 and PCNA stainings, hepatocyte proliferation after PVL was more pronounced than after PVE (P = 0.01). Volumetric blood flow and functional sinusoidal density were lower after PVE than after PVL (P = 0.006, P = 0.02, respectively). The accumulation of Kupffer cells 24 hours after the intervention was highest after PH. Transcript levels of cytokines (interleukin‐1β, tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6) peaked at 24 hours and were highest after PH. The embolized part of the liver after PVE showed prominent foreign body reaction in the portal triad with accumulation of macrophages. Conclusion: PVL is superior to PVE in inducing a regenerative response of the remnant liver. The impairment of liver regeneration after PVE may be a consequence of macrophage trapping in the occluded segment due to a foreign body reaction. Lower blood flow and lower accumulation of macrophages, particularly Kupffer cells, in the regenerating part of the liver likewise causes impaired liver regeneration after PVE. (HEPATOLOGY 2008.)