Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age-matching in renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND So far, the combined influence of donor age and recipient age on renal allograft survival has not been investigated sufficiently. In this retrospective single-centre study we analysed whether the influence of donor age and recipient age on renal allograft survival are dependent on each other. METHODS Data from 1269 cadaveric renal allograft transplantations were evaluated. Paediatric donors (<15 years) and paediatric recipients (<15 years) were excluded. Donors and recipients were divided by age: young donors (yd, </=55 years, n=1093), old donors (od, >55 years, n=176), young recipients (yr, </=55 years, n=1058), and old recipients (or, >55 years, n=211). Functional and actual long-term graft survival (8 years) within the four resulting groups was determined: yd/yr (n=926), yd/or (n=167), od/yr (n=132), and od/or (n=44). RESULTS Univariate analysis showed that long-term graft survival of both, kidneys from young donors (functional, 66.1 vs 52.2%, P=0.004; actual, 53.3 vs 46.2%, P=0.065) and kidneys from old donors (functional, 68.7 vs 22.5%, P=0.07; actual, 57.1 vs 20.8%, P=0.15) was better in old recipients as compared to young recipients. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that actual graft survival of kidneys from old donors was significantly reduced in young recipients (od/yr) as compared to all other groups (P=0.001; RR, 1. 97; 95% CI, 1.32-2.94). In this group of patients, graft loss was mainly due to acute (33.7%) and chronic (24.0%) rejection. CONCLUSION Transplantation of kidneys from 'old' donors into 'young' recipients should be avoided, and these kidneys should be given to age-matched recipients.
Flight from the land? Migration flows of the rural population of the Netherlands, 1850-1940

In this article, we aim to analyze the residential options of the rural population of the Netherlands in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century from the perspective of push factors operating at different levels: the household, the municipality and the region. We contrast the decision to stay with moving in several ways: within the municipality or its immediate surroundings, within the region, to a different region, to a city or abroad. The backgrounds of these differences in migration paths are found in 1) individual characteristics like age and previous migrations, in 2) household background like the socio-economic status of the head, the composition of the membership, its religious affiliation, and in 3) local and regional contextual variables, such as population density, type of agriculture, inheritance practices and non-agricultural employment. We make use of the Historical Sample of the Netherlands, a large database with detailed information on more than 34000 families living in the Dutch countryside between 1850 and 1940 and propose a competing risks survival analysis model to understand the balance between individual and contextual factors in migration decisions of the rural population.
Hemodynamic Changes in Patients with Arteriovenous Malformations Assessed Using High-Resolution 3D Radial Phase-Contrast MR Angiography

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Arteriovenous malformations have a high lifetime risk of hemorrhage; however, treatment carries a significant risk of morbidity and mortality, including permanent neurologic sequelae. WSS and other hemodynamic parameters are altered in patients with symptomatic AVMs, and analysis of hemodynamics may have value in stratifying patients into different risk groups. In this study, we examined hemodynamic data from patients with stable symptoms and those who presented with acute symptoms to identify trends which may help in risk stratification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phase-contrast MRA using a radial readout (PC-VIPR) is a fast, high-resolution technique that can acquire whole-brain velocity-encoded angiograms with scan times of approximately 5 minutes. Ten patients with AVMs were scanned using PC-VIPR; velocity, area, flow, and WSS in vessels feeding the AVMs and normal contralateral vessels were calculated using velocity data from the phase-contrast acquisition. RESULTS: Patients with an asymptomatic presentation or mild symptoms (n = 4) had no significant difference in WSS in feeding vessels compared with normal contralateral vessels, whereas patients presenting with hemorrhage, severe headaches/seizures, or focal neurologic deficits (n = 6) had significantly higher WSS in feeding vessels compared with contralateral vessels. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we demonstrate that estimates of WSS and other hemodynamic parameters can be obtained noninvasively in patients with AVMs in clinically useful imaging times. Variation in WSS between feeders and normal vessels appears to relate to the clinical presentation of the patient. Further analysis of hemodynamic changes may improve characterization and staging of AVM patients, when combined with existing risk factors.
Chronic hypokalaemia in young women--it is not always abuse of diuretics.

On admission, the patient was asymptomatic but, Chronic hypokalaemia often remains a diagnostic chalupon careful interrogation, acknowledged mild, interlenge, especially in young women without accompanymittent paresthesia, as well as constipation. She also ing symptoms or hypertension. A stepwise diagnostic mentioned several episodes of minor arthralgia, treated approach is clearly the best strategy [1]. After the occasionally with a low dose of non-steroidal antiexclusion of the most obvious causes, including extrainflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as well as dry eyes. renal losses and renin or corticosteroid hormone abnorShe adhered to the fractionated diet initiated in 1991, malities, a concealed diuretic abuse associated or not and had a high water intake (>2 l ) during the day. with surreptitious vomiting and laxative abuse is often There was no nocturia and no sensation of increased suspected, especially in young women concerned with thirst. Medications included -thyroxine 100 mg/day their body image [2]. A conclusive diagnosis may be and an oral contraceptive. Despite her concern about difficult as such patients often vigorously deny diuretic being overweight, the patient denied any diuretic or ingestion [3], which may even be interrupted at the laxative intake. On clinical examination, body weight time of observation so that chemical analysis of the was 62 kg for a height of 161 cm; the heart rate was urine is not useful. We observed a puzzling case of 72 b.p.m. and blood pressure 115/70 mmHg, without hypokalaemia in a young woman which illustrates the postural change. There were no signs of dehydration. reasoning underlying the diagnostic work-up of such The rest of the examination was normal except for a cases. positive Schirmer’s filter paper test identified by the ophthalmologist. Laboratory tests (Table 1) confirmed a severe hypokCase alaemia and a high urinary potassium excretion. There was a slight metabolic alkalosis (total 2 A 45-year-old woman was referred to our Hospital in 30.3±0.9 mmmol/l ). Serum calcium and phosphorus February 1994 for evaluation of severe, chronic hypoklevels were within the normal range, whereas the alaemia. Hypokalaemia (2.8 mmol/l ) was first discomagnesium level was low. Renal function and urinvered in this patient in 1990, during a routine workalysis (density 1008, RBC 1–2/HPF, WBC 0–2/HPF, up, and confirmed (always <3.0 mmol/l ) at least twice yearly afterwards despite oral potassium supplements. Table 1. Plasma and 24 h urine electrolyte concentrations Blood pressure was consistently normal. Past medical
Tobacco use and the cardiovascular disease epidemic in developing countries: prevention opportunity

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the world, far outstripping deaths due to malaria, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and tuberculosis. Approximately 80% of the 35 million deaths annually are attributable to chronic diseases and a similar proportion of the approximately 16.7 million deaths due to CVD occur in low and middle income countries. Tobacco use is one of the major avoidable causes of cardiovascular disease. Context and objectives: Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and is associated with an increased risk of various diseases including cardiovascular disease. The aim of this paper is to review the literature on the role of smoking on cardiovascular disease and effects of anti-smoking legislation on admission due to acute myocardial infarction. Research method/Methodology: PubMed and manual search strategies using the search words ‘tobacco and cardiovascular disease’ were used to identify articles published on the contribution of smoking to cardiovascular events and the effects of legislation. 798 articles were found of which 28 were found useful and 39 were found to be highly relevant for the review. Results: Smoking has been significantly related to acute myocardial infarction (p<0·0001) with an odds ratio of 2·87 (2·36–3·48) for current vs. never, PAR 35·7% for current and former vs. never). Smoking bans have been associated with decreases in instances of acute myocardial infarction ranging from a 40% decrease found in Helena, Montana, USA to an 8% reduction seen in the State of New York. Conclusion: Cardiovascular diseases are a major public health challenge. Smoking plays a major role in cardiovascular pathophysiology. Therefore efforts are required to address the problem especially at preventive level. Public smoking bans are related to fewer admissions for both cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Legislative efforts to reduce exposure to smoking are needed especially in the developing countries, where prevalence of smoking is rising. Corresponding author: Matheka C. Wambua, Tel: +254726933731, E-mail address: mcw102005@yahoo.co.uk
Homogenous grouping and mixed ability: a comparative approach on two rural secondary schools in Muzarabani district, Zimbabwe

The principal aim of this paper was to investigate the impact of streaming according to ability vis avis mixed ability. The choice of this topic was premised on the recognition and realization that streaming according to ability has continued to be practiced despite the system‟s unfavorable dehumanizing effect on both teachers and pupils, especially on the aspect that streaming of pupils usually results in the streaming of teachers and resources and that lowly placed pupils will be destined to failure. The research has also been prompted by the realization that schools which practice streaming ,give shortage of learning material as an excuse for streaming pupils according to ability ,yet ,surprisingly, there are other schools which also have acute shortages in teaching and leaning materials but successfully practice mixed ability. The physical area of this study was Muzarabani District in Mashonaland central from which two schools out of seven schools in the district were selected for study, of these one school practices mixed ability while the other practice streaming according to ability. Data was gathered through partipant observation, documentary study, interviews and questionnaires. These methods were used to complement each other. The data derived from the instruments revealed that instructional benefits that are associated with streaming according to ability are outweighed by the negative effects of streaming. In light of these findings, the study therefore recommends that mixed ability be practiced in place of screaming according to ability.
Differential aging of the medial temporal lobe

Objective: To test the hypothesis that entorhinal cortex (EC) volume decreases at a slower rate than the hippocampal (HC) volume in healthy adults, and to examine whether the rate of shrinkage increases with age. Methods: Volumes of the HC and EC were measured twice on MRI scans of 54 healthy adults (aged 26 to 82 years), with an average interval of 5 years. Results: Markedly different age trends were noted in the examined regions. The EC showed no age-related differences on both occasions and only minimal age-related change (0.33%/y). By contrast, the HC exhibited significant age-related differences at baseline and at follow-up evaluation and decreased at a faster pace of 0.86%/y. Older participants (aged ≥50 years) showed increased annual shrinkage of the HC (1.18%) and EC shrinkage (0.53%/y). The rate of HC volume loss significantly exceeded that of the EC. No EC shrinkage and modest HC volume reduction were observed in people aged <50 years. Conclusions: Age-related shrinkage occurs in the medial temporal lobes of healthy adults, with significant hippocampal decline and minimal entorhinal changes. In both regions, the rate of decline accelerates with age, although the role of pathologic factors in age-related increase of volume loss merits further investigation.
Combination treatment for chronic hepatitis C: what is the role of ribavirin?

Abstract— Ribavirin in combination with interferon‐α2b is the new standard for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treatment. Although usually considered as an antiviral compound, this guanosine analogue shows some additional effects on the immune system that could largely contribute to its clinical efficacy in CHC. Numerous in vitro experiments demonstrate that ribavirin has a selective down‐regulatory effect on TH2 cytokine release with, in some cases, a concomitant TH1 cytokine up‐regulation. In vivo, combination treatment of CHC patients was shown to induce a predominant TH1 response in isolated PBMCs, but also a reduction of peripheral TH2 response. Considering that: 1) a strong CD(4) + helper T‐cell response is associated with viral clearance in acutely infected patients; 2) a weak T‐cell response to the viral antigens is common in chronic infected patients; 3) responding patients to combination treatment (but not non‐responding patients) altered their cytokine profile under treatment, either to express IFN‐γ or to reduce pro‐inflammatory mediators; it is highly presumed that ribavirine participates to restore an efficient T‐cell response and to reduce the non‐specific inflammatory cytolytic activity during CHC combination treatment.
I know it when I see it: the nature of trust, trustworthiness signals, and strategic trust construction

Purpose Trust has long been viewed as a potential governance mechanism. However, recent research discloses substantive incongruities in trust conceptualization and operationalization – especially in the supply chain buyer/supplier context. The purpose of this paper is to develop an empirically grounded conceptualization of trust and to explore the trust-construction process. Design/methodology/approach The authors used the communications rationality approach to elaborate a three-stage qualitative study of supply chain trust. The authors first monologically examine trust by interviewing managers from over 50 companies (as described). The list of trust behaviors are then dialogically refined through 11 focus studies comprised of over 250 managers into different trust dimensions (as agreed upon). Finally, the authors used two in-depth, dyadic case studies to examine the dynamic trust construction process (as witnessed). Findings The authors find divergence in the way academics define trust and the way companies operationalize trust. Missing in action is the notion of benevolence. In the supply chain setting, managers describe trust as consisting of credibility and relationship commitment. Companies use an iterative approach to signal trustworthiness. However, ambiguity increases the costs and decreases the effectiveness of proactive trust construction as a form of supply chain governance. Originality/value The authors specify and evaluate novel constructs used to signal trustworthiness and document why and how companies struggle to use the signaling process efficiently and effectively. For some, this is an issue of managerial commitment. For others, this represents a lack of understanding of trustworthiness signals and the trust-construction process. Ultimately, the authors develop a more robust conceptualization of inter-organizational trust and present a roadmap for proactive trust construction.
Lipopolysaccharide modulation of normal enterocyte turnover by toll-like receptors is mediated by endogenously produced tumour necrosis factor α

Background: Circulating levels of endotoxin (or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)) and anti-endotoxin antibodies are increased in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, supporting the hypothesis of a role for endogenous bacterial products in the pathogenesis of these disorders. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse the direct effects of LPS on intestinal epithelial cell turnover. Methods and Results: LPS significantly inhibited growth of the human non-transformed immature crypt cell line (HIEC), whereas IEC-6 cell proliferation was stimulated by LPS. As LPS is a physiological inducer of tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) in various cell systems and this cytokine exerted similar anti-proliferative (HIEC) or growth stimulatory (IEC-6 cells) effects, the study thus tested the hypothesis that endogenously produced TNFα in response to LPS mediates this growth modulatory effect in an autoparacrine/paracrine way. Therefore, during LPS stimulation, the biological activity of TNFα was blocked using neutralising anti-TNFα antibodies, as well as inhibitory, antagonistic antibodies directed against the p55 TNF receptor, signalling the antimitotic TNFα effect in HIEC. Both experimental approaches completely abolished the growth modulatory effects of LPS in HIEC/IEC-6 cells. Production and secretion of TNFα by HIEC/IEC-6 cells in response to LPS was confirmed on mRNA and protein level by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. LPS signalling was independent of CD14 in HIEC, as these cells lack this receptor. However, HIEC expressed TLR4 and MD2 resulting in a fully functional signalling complex as demonstrated by RT-PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence analyses. Conclusion: These results support the hypothesis that LPS induced changes of intestinal epithelial cell turnover may directly contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory epithelial cell lesions by endogenous TNFα production by enterocytes.
Bisphosphonates for controlling pain from metastatic bone disease.

The rationale for and efficacy of bisphosphonates for pain due to cancer that has metastasized to bone are reviewed. Typical strategies for controlling metastatic bone pain have consisted of opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, surgery to stabilize bone, cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and radiopharmaceuticals. Cancer metastasis to bone can produce pain through the release of prostaglandins, bradykinin, substance P, and histamine; growth of tumor into surrounding tissue; stretching of the periosteum; and pathological fractures. It has been suggested that bisphosphonates can benefit these patients by decreasing the amount of pain or decreasing analgesic requirements. Bisphosphonates bind to hydroxyapatite crystals, making it more difficult for osteoclasts to recognize exposed unmineralized bone surfaces, and are directly toxic to osteoclasts. Etidronate disodium, pamidronate disodium, clodronate disodium, and alendronate sodium are bisphosphonates that have been studied in patients with painful bone metastases. Although each of these has shown at least some benefit, the most promising agent appears to be pamidronate, especially the i.v. formulation given monthly. Although oral formulations of this agent have been studied, poor bioavailability and adverse effects limit their usefulness. Adverse effects of bisphosphonates include GI reactions, impairment of renal function, anemia, and electrolyte abnormalities. Bisphosphonates are of some benefit in relieving metastatic bone pain, but the exact role, agent, route, and duration are issues that need further study.
XPD and XRCC1 gene polymorphism in patients with normal and abnormal cervical cytology by pap smear.

AIM The purpose of the present study was to identify the role of abnormalities in DNA repair pathways by measuring the XPD and XRCC1 gene polymorphisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-five patients with abnormal cervical cytology (study group) and 10 women with normal cytology (control group) were included in the study. The polymorphisms of XRCC1 Arg194Trp, XRCC1 Arg399Gln and XPD Lys751Gln genes were investigated from the blood samples. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference in allele frequencies of XPD gene among the groups (p = 0.097), while XRCC1R399Q gene polymorphism was strikingly more frequent in the study group than that of control cases (p = 0.029). The prevalence of XRCC1R194W gene polymorphism on the other hand, was similar between the groups (p = 0.579). CONCLUSIONS Patients with abnormal and normal cervical cytology have similar XPD gene polymorphism. However, the frequency of gene polymorphism in XRCC1 Arg 399 Gln codon was significantly higher in abnormal cervical cytology group.
A Pharmacological Evaluation of Aqueous Extract of Alhagi Maurorum

The aqueous extract of Alhagi maurorum was evaluated in mice at doses of 125, 250 and 500μg/animal, for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The anti-inflammatory activity was examined for both test extract and (Diclofenac sodium 1 μg/animal) as a reference drug. The extract and reference drug significantly reduce the thickness of paw edema induced by formalin at dose -dependent manner in both phase Iand II. To evaluate the analgesic effect of alhaji water extract and diclofenac sodium(1μg/animal), licking frequency was estimated, in the phase 1 (0-5 min.) and in phase II (15-20 min) after formalin administration. Both anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were compared to that of induced by distilled water (DW). Antioxidant effect was evaluated by estimating the level of MDA and also by Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) compared to acetylsalicylic acid antioxidant activity. The test extract seems to significantly reduce malondialdehyde level and potent antioxidant activity. However all doses of test extract have no antibacterial activity using Cup-plate diffusion method. In conclusion the aqueous extract of Alhagi maurorum may be useful in the protection against inflammatory diseases, especially if free radicals are a part of its pathophysiology. However, aqueous extract of Alhaji exert no antibacterial effects. More detailed phytochemical studies are necessary to identify the active principles and exact mechanisms of action.
The use of cost management techniques as a strategic weapon in SME`s

In this paper, it will review the Strategic Management Accounting concepts focusing on the selected strategic cost calculation in the small and medium sized companies. It will describe different views of costs and classify of basic characteristic of Strategic Cost Calculation. There will be also comparison of strengths & weakness of the strategic cost management methods. The purpose of this paper will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the Strategic Cost Management Techniques and also how these strategic techniques could help manage SME's. The attention is focus on the Activity Based Costing, the Life Cycle Costing and the Target Costing. No doubt that these three tools can bring a success in management of the competitive strategy, but currently this topic needs more next qualitative researches. Some author ́s ideas for next survey are mentioned in this paper.