Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differences in Chronic Intragraft Inflammation Between Positive Crossmatch and ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplantation

Background ABO-incompatible kidney transplantations (ABOiKTxs) seem to have better long-term outcomes than positive crossmatch kidney transplantations (+XMKTxs). Methods This study aimed to assess the differences in chronic injury on histologic findings on 1- and 5-year surveillance biopsies and the clinical outcomes in living-donor kidney transplantations performed between May 1999 and November 2006 including 102 +XMKTxs, 73 ABOiKTxs, and 652 conventional KTxs. Results Although 5-year patient survival was similar between groups, graft loss between 1 and 5 years was similar in ABOiKTx (2.6% per year) and conventional KTx (1.7% per yr), and both were lower than that of +XMKTx (5.8% per year). At 5 years, renal function was similar in ABOiKTx and conventional KTx, and both were higher than that of +XMKTx, which had higher rates of inflammation and chronic glomerulopathy on both 1- and 5-year biopsies. Despite having evidence of less chronic injury, ABOiKTx showed a higher rate of intragraft complement activation (C4d deposition) at 5 years compared with +XMKTx (77.8% vs. 18.9%, P<0.001). Conclusion These data suggest that +XMKTxs have high rates of chronic inflammation at 1 and 5 years after transplantation, which may explain the higher rates of graft loss and lower renal function compared with other factors such as anti–donor antibody or intragraft complement deposition.
Did trade crisis affect different exporters differently? Case of Mexico

How did small exporters fare relative to large exporters during the 2008-09 crisis? Examining the performance of Mexican exporters reveals that crisis did not make smaller exporters more likely to exit, growless, or expand their product line less. Workhorse models of trade, in response to an aggregate demand or credit shock, would predict the opposite. The same models, however, are consistent with the data before and after the crisis: within industry, (i) firm exit rate is decreasing in size; (ii) conditional on survival, export growth is largely decreasing in size, (iii) net product addition is increasing in size.
Intestinal ischemia and reperfusion impairs vasomotor functions of pulmonary vascular bed.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) on the pulmonary vascular endothelium and smooth muscle. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Respiratory failure is an important cause of death and complications after intestinal I/R. Although the mechanism of respiratory failure in this setting is complex and poorly understood, recent studies of lung injury suggest that endothelial dysfunction may play a significant role. METHODS A rat model of acute lung injury was studied after 60 minutes of superior mesenteric arterial occlusion followed by either 120 or 240 minutes of reperfusion. The pulmonary vasomotor function was examined in isolated lungs perfused at a constant flow rate. RESULTS Sixty minutes of intestinal ischemia followed by 120 or 240 minutes of reperfusion led to a significant reduction in the ability of the pulmonary vasculature to respond to angiotensin II, acetylcholine, and calcium ionophore but not to nitroglycerin. The vasoconstriction response to N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, which is a measure of basal nitric oxide release, was diminished in the 240-minute reperfusion group. Intestinal I/R was also associated with pulmonary leukosequestration and increased pulmonary microvascular leakage. CONCLUSIONS Basal and agonist-stimulated release of nitric oxide from the pulmonary vascular endothelium and the ability of pulmonary smooth muscle to contract in response to angiotensin II were impaired by intestinal I/R. Such functional impairment in both pulmonary vascular endothelium and smooth muscle may contribute to the alveolocapillary dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension found in acute lung injury after intestinal I/R.
Diphtheria toxin does not enter resistant cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis

Diphtheria toxin (DT) and pseudomonas toxin are two distinct microbial toxins which inhibit protein synthesis in an identical manner, i.e., by the inactivation of cytoplasmic elongation factor 2. Although murine cells bind both toxins, they are 10,000-fold less sensitive to DT than to pseudomonas toxin. This suggests that the level of resistance resides at some event after binding. We have previously shown that pseudomonas toxin enters mouse LM fibroblasts by receptor-mediated endocytosis, a process in which ligand is internalized via specialized clathrin-coated pits and moves to the Golgi region and then to the lysosomes. Here, we visually follow the entry and trafficking of DT by resistant mouse fibroblasts. A biotinyl-toxin-avidin-gold system was used to visualize DT on the ultrastructural level. DT entered resistant cells through non-clathrin-coated regions of the plasma membrane and within 2.5 to 5 min was seen in lysosomes. Only rarely was DT seen in coated pits or in the Golgi region. Furthermore, the temperature dependence of internalization of 125I-labeled horseradish peroxidase and 125I-labeled DT by LM cells was similar. On the basis of these observations, we postulate that DT does not enter DT-resistant LM cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis and that receptor-mediated endocytosis is required for efficient expression of toxicity.
Cross-Protective Immunity against Heterologous Streptococcus pneumoniae

Chimalapati et al. recently reported that infection with conditionally virulent Streptococcus pneumoniae Δ pab strains (containing a deletion of the gene encoding para -aminobenzoic acid synthetase) induced an effective antibody response to conserved protein antigens of S. pneumoniae ([1][1]).
University Student Voices on Healing and Recovery Following Tragedy

Objective: Guided by conservation of resources theory, this study provides empirical data on students’ psychosocial adjustment following a mass murder tragedy, what changed or did not change from their pretragedy adjustment levels, and their view on what helped most in the immediate aftermath. Method: Students (n = 593) who participated in a study of college adjustment the year prior to a mass murder that affected the university community were recontacted following the tragedy, providing prospective, longitudinal data (n = 141 pretragedy Time 1 and posttragedy; n = 73 pretragedy Times 1 and 2 and posttragedy). Results: For both anxiety and depression, repeated-measures analysis of variance showed a significant Time × Resource Loss interaction. Students with any resource loss had a steeper incline in symptoms than did students reporting no resource loss. From pre- to posttragedy, there was an increase in psychological sense of school membership but no change in general self-efficacy and social support. Students with clinical levels of posttragedy distress reported more childhood trauma and depression symptoms at college entry. Student-initiated and -led memorial activities were rated as most helpful. Implications: Perceived resource loss is important in understanding the impact of the trauma on mental health and could be a part of intake for supportive services. Given that it was the students with greater prior trauma exposure and depression symptoms who were more likely to have clinical distress posttragedy, targeted outreach to current and former university counseling center clients to “check in” may be helpful to reach those who may be in most need.
Myelofibrosis evolving during imatinib treatment of a chronic myeloproliferative disease with coexisting BCR-ABL translocation and JAK2V617F mutation.

Among the more than 100 published cases of Philadelphia chromosome–positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (Ph+ CML) investigated for the 1849G > T mutation of the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2V617F),[1][1]no mutated cases have been found so far. [2][2],[3][3] Selected patients with Ph+ CML with marked
Comparison of postoperative respiratory function after laparoscopy or open laparotomy for cholecystectomy.

Cholecystectomy performed via laparotomy is associated with reduction of lung volumes including functional residual capacity that may lead to postoperative hypoxia and atelectasis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with faster recovery compared to open laparotomy and cholecystectomy. To determine whether laparoscopic cholecystectomy was associated with less pulmonary dysfunction, 20 patients (ASA Physical Status I) undergoing elective cholecystectomy were randomly assigned to surgical teams performing either laparoscopy or open laparotomy for cholecystectomy. Patients in whom one or the other surgical technique had to be performed for medical or psychologic indications were excluded from the study. A standardized anesthetic technique and postoperative analgesic regimen were used. Forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s; functional residual capacity determined by a closed-circuit, constant volume helium dilution technique; and arterial O2 and CO2 tensions were measured preoperatively and at 6, 24, and 72 h postcholecystectomy. Forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s were significantly greater (P less than 0.05) in the laparoscopy compared to the laparotomy group at 6, 24, and 72 h postoperatively. Forced vital capacity relative to preoperative values was significantly (P less than 0.05) greater in patients with laparoscopy (24 h, 70 +/- 14%; 72 h, 91 +/- 6%) compared to open laparotomy (24 h, 57 +/- 23%; 72 h, 77 +/- 14%). Similarly, forced expiratory volumes in 1 s relative to preoperative values were significantly (P less than 0.05) greater in patients with laparoscopy (24 h, 85 +/- 13%; 72 h, 92 +/- 9%) compared to open laparotomy (24 h, 54 +/- 22%; 72 h, 77 +/- 11%). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
On primitive factorizations for n-D polynomial matrices

In the study of the analysis, synthesis and realization of multivariate networks, n-dimensional (n-D) systems stability theory and feedback control, and n-D signal processing, it is often necessary to consider the feasibility of a factorization for a given n-D polynomial matrix A(z) in the form A/sub 1/(z) A/sub 2/(z), where A/sub 1/(z) and AA/sub 2/(z) are n-D polynomial matrices. The author reports on one such factorizations, i.e., the primitive factorization. A criterion for the existence of primitive factorizations for a class of n-D polynomial matrices is presented. The criterion can be used to construct a primitive factorization, when it exists, for an n-D polynomial matrix in this class. <<ETX>>
In Vivo Regulation of Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretion in Rat Neocortex by Cholinergic Activity

The proteolytic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) has been shown to be modulated through specific muscarinic receptor activation in vitro in both transfected cell lines and native brain slices, whereas a demonstration of receptor‐mediated control of APP processing under in vivo conditions is still lacking. To simulate alterations in muscarinic receptor stimulation in vivo, we have (i) specifically reduced the cortical cholinergic innervation in rats using partial immunolesions with 192lgG–saporin, and (ii) restored cholinergic function in lesioned rats by transplantation of nerve growth factor producing fibroblasts. While total APP levels in cortical homogenates were unaffected by cholinergic deafferentation, we observed a significant reduction in the abundance of secreted APP and a concomitant increase in membrane‐bound APP. These changes were reversed in immunolesioned rats with nerve growth factor‐producing fibroblasts. There was a strong positive correlation between the ratio of secreted APP to membrane‐bound APP and the activity of choline acetyltransferase and M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor density (measured by [3H]pirenzepine binding) in experimental groups. Additionally, we observed a transient decrease in the ratio of cortical APP transcripts containing the Kunitz protease inhibitor domain (APP 770 and APP 751) versus APP 695 in rats with cholinergic hypoactivity. The data presented suggest that cortical APP processing is under basal forebrain cholinergic control, presumably mediated through M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors on cholinoceptive cortical target cells.
Meta-analysis of the impact of 9 medication classes on falls in elderly persons.

BACKGROUND There is increasing recognition that the use of certain medications contributes to falls in seniors. Our objective was to update a previously completed meta-analysis looking at the association of medication use and falling to include relevant drug classes and new studies that have been completed since a previous meta-analysis. METHODS Studies were identified through a systematic search of English-language articles published from 1996 to 2007. We identified studies that were completed on patients older than 60 years, looking at the association between medication use and falling. Bayesian methods allowed us to combine the results of a previous meta-analysis with new information to estimate updated Bayesian odds ratios (ORs) and 95% credible intervals (95% CrIs) RESULTS Of 11 118 identified articles, 22 met our inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses were completed on 9 unique drug classes, including 79 081 participants, with the following Bayesian unadjusted OR estimates: antihypertensive agents, OR, 1.24 (95% CrI, 1.01-1.50); diuretics, OR, 1.07 (95% CrI, 1.01-1.14); beta-blockers, OR, 1.01 (95% CrI, 0.86-1.17); sedatives and hypnotics, OR, 1.47 (95% CrI, 1.35-1.62); neuroleptics and antipsychotics, OR, 1.59 (95% CrI, 1.37-1.83); antidepressants, OR, 1.68 (95% CrI, 1.47-1.91); benzodiazepines, OR, 1.57 (95% CrI, 1.43-1.72); narcotics, OR, 0.96 (95% CrI, 0.78-1.18); and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, OR, 1.21 (95% CrI, 1.01-1.44). The updated Bayesian adjusted OR estimates for diuretics, neuroleptics and antipsychotics, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines were 0.99 (95% CrI, 0.78-1.25), 1.39 (95% CrI, 0.94-2.00), 1.36 (95% CrI, 1.13-1.76), and 1.41 (95% CrI, 1.20-1.71), respectively. Stratification of studies had little effect on Bayesian OR estimates, with only small differences in the stratified ORs observed across population (for beta-blockers and neuroleptics and antipsychotics) and study type (for sedatives and hypnotics, benzodiazepines, and narcotics). An increased likelihood of falling was estimated for the use of sedatives and hypnotics, neuroleptics and antipsychotics, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in studies considered to have "good" medication and falls ascertainment. CONCLUSION The use of sedatives and hypnotics, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines demonstrated a significant association with falls in elderly individuals.
Non-Uniform Constellations for ATSC 3.0

This paper introduces the concept of a non-uniform constellation (NUC) in contrast to conventional uniform quadrature-amplitude modulation (QAM) constellations. Such constellations provide additional shaping gain, which allows reception at lower signal-to-noise ratios. ATSC3.0 will be the first major broadcasting standard, which completely uses NUCs due to their outstanding properties. We will consider different kinds of NUCs and describe their performance: 2-D NUCs provide more shaping gain at the cost of higher demapping complexity, while 1-D NUCs allow low-complexity demapping at slightly lower shaping gains. These NUCs are well suited for very large constellations sizes, such as 1k and 4k QAM.
CD34 expression in primary cutaneous malignant melanoma: apropos of a case and review of the aberrant melanoma phenotype

Background: The histological diagnosis of malignant melanoma can be challenging. Immunohistochemical techniques may define a critical role in certain cases, specifically in establishing a primary diagnosis of melanoma. CD34 is a hemopoietic stem cell antigen expressed in bone marrow and endothelial cells, and may also be expressed in vascular and spindle cell tumors; it is generally negative in malignant melanoma.
Protective effects of vitamins C and E on the number of micronuclei in lymphocytes in smokers and their role in ascorbate free radical formation in plasma

Cigarette smoke is widely believed to increase free radical concentrations causing subsequent oxidative processes that lead to DNA damage and hence, to several diseases including lung cancer and atherosclerosis. Vitamin C is a reducing agent that can terminate free-radical-driven oxidation by being converted to a resonance-stabilized free radical. To investigate whether short-term supplementation with the antioxidants vitamin C and E decreases free-radical-driven oxidation and thus decreases DNA damage in smokers, we determined the frequency of micronuclei in lymphocytes in 24 subjects and monitored the electron paramagnetic resonance signal of ascorbate free radical formation in plasma. Further parameters comprised sister-chromatid exchanges and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. Twelve smokers and twelve non-smokers took 1000 mg ascorbic acid daily for 7 days and then 1000 mg ascorbic acid and 335.5 mg RRR-α-tocopherol daily for the next 7 days. Baseline concentrations of both vitamins C and E were lower and baseline numbers of micronuclei were higher (p < 0.0001) in smokers than in non-smokers. After 7 days of vitamins C and E, DNA damage as monitored by the number of micronulei was decreased in both, smokers and non-smokers, but it was more decreased in smokers as indicated by fewer micronuclei in peripheral lymphocytes (p < 0.05). Concomitantly, the plasma concentrations of vitamin C (p < 0.001) as well as the ascorbate free radical (p < 0.05) were increased. The corresponding values in non-smokers, however, did not change. Our findings show that increased ascorbate free radical formation in plasma after short-term supplementation with vitamins C and E can decrease the number of micronuclei in blood lymphocytes and thus DNA damage in smokers.
Validation of the Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire for use in Brazil Validação do instrumento Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire para uso no Brasil

Objective: To translate the Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire, developed in English in the United Kingdom, into Brazilian Portuguese, to adapt and validate it to the Brazilian reality through analysis of demographic characteristics, instrument reliability, inter-item correlation, and exploration for sensitivity to change. Methods: A methodological study performed according to instrument validation criteria recommended in the international literature, as follows: initial translation, synthesis of translation, committee of expert judges, back translation, and pretest of the final version. Results: The Portuguese version had moderate to high internal consistency in all domains. The highest rates of inter-item correlation were in the domains of pain and urinary symptoms. Conclusion: The results showed that the USSQ-Brazil version is a valid and reliable instrument to measure the impact of various symptoms related to the ureteral stent in Brazilian patients. Resumo Objetivo: Traduzir para a lingua portuguesa do Brasil o instrumento intitulado Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire, desenvolvido no idioma ingles no Reino Unido, adapta-lo e valida-lo a realidade brasileira atraves da analise das caracteristicas demograficas, confiabilidade de instrumento, correlacao inter-itens e exploracao quanto a sensibilidade a mudanca. Metodos: Trata-se de um estudo metodologico realizado segundo criterios de validacao de instrumentos preconizado pela literatura internacional, sendo: traducao inicial, sintese da traducao, comite de juizes especialistas, retraducao (backtranslation) e pre-teste da versao final. Resultados: A versao em portugues possui moderada a alta consistencia interna em todos os dominios. A analise de correlacao inter-itens revelou que os maiores coeficientes sao observados entre os dominios dor e sintomas urinarios. Conclusao: Nossos resultados mostram que a versao do USSQ-Brasil e um instrumento valido e confiavel para medir a repercussao dos varios sintomas relacionados ao stent ureteral em pacientes brasileiros.
Mycobacterium chimaera infections associated with heater-cooler units (HCU): closing another loophole in patient safety

In 2011, invasive cardiovascular and disseminated infections by a slowly-growing non-tuberculous mycobacterium, Mycobacterium chimaera, were detected in patients who had undergone cardiothoracic surgery in Switzerland. M. chimaera was subsequently detected in the water tanks of heater-cooler units (HCUs) used to regulate the temperature of patients’ blood in the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit, and in air samples from the operating room when the HCUs were running [1]. This report led investigators in other countries to look for similar cases among cardiothoracic surgery patients exposed to such devices. From 2014 onwards up to April 2015, cases of invasive cardiovascular infection by M. chimaera potentially linked to HCUs were consecutively detected in the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom (UK) [2] and hereafter in the United States (US) [3]. An epidemiological link with use of a specific model of HCUs, the 3T device (LivaNova, UK; formerly Sorin, Germany), was confirmed by the detection of M. chimaera in these devices across affected cardiothoracic surgery centres [4]. Observational and experimental studies showed that exhaust air from contaminated HCUs can transmit aerosols with M. chimaera to the operating field under ultraclean laminar air flow ventilation [5,6].
Newborn Vitamin A Supplementation Reduced Infant Mortality in Rural Bangladesh

OBJECTIVES. We assessed the effect of supplementing newborns with 50000 IU of vitamin A on all-cause infant mortality through 24 weeks of age. PATIENTS AND METHODS. This was a community-based, double-masked, cluster-randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 19 unions in rural northwest Bangladesh. The study was nested into and balanced across treatment arms of an ongoing placebo-controlled, weekly maternal vitamin A or β-carotene supplementation trial. Study-defined sectors (N = 596) were evenly randomized for newborns of participating mothers to receive a single, oral supplement of vitamin A (50000 IU) or placebo as droplets of oil squeezed from a gelatinous capsule. Mothers provided informed consent for newborn participation at ∼28 weeks' gestation. After birth, typically at home (where >90% of births occurred), infants were supplemented and their vital status was followed through 24 weeks of age. The main outcome measure was mortality through 24 weeks of age. RESULTS. We obtained maternal consent to dose 17116 live-born infants (99.8% of all eligible) among whom 15937 (93.1%) were visited to be supplemented <30 days after birth and for whom vital status at 24 weeks of age was known. Dosed infants (n = 15902 [99.8%]) received their study supplement at a median age of 7 hours. Relative to control subjects, the risk of death in vitamin A–supplemented infants was 0.85, reflecting a 15% reduction in all-cause mortality. Protective relative risks were indistinguishable by infant gender, gestational age, birth weight, age at dosing, maternal age, parity, or across the 3 treatment arms of the maternal supplementation trial. CONCLUSIONS. Newborn vitamin A dosing improved infant survival through the first 6 months of life in Bangladesh. These results corroborate previous findings from studies in Indonesia and India and provide additional evidence that vitamin A supplementation shortly after birth can reduce infant mortality in South Asia.