Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liver Transplantation Using Uncontrolled Donors After Circulatory Death: A 10-year Single-center Experience.

BACKGROUND One method for increasing the donor pool for orthotopic liver transplantations (OLTs) is to use uncontrolled donation after circulation death (uDCDs). METHODS From January 2006 to December 2016, we performed 75 OLTs using uDCD livers. The control group comprised a sample of 265 OLTs using livers of donations after brain death (DBDs). A comparative study was performed. RESULTS Of 256 potential uDCD donors cannulated, 75 (29.3%) livers were accepted for OLT. The amount of hemoderivatives transfused was significantly higher in the uDCD group. The rate of primary nonfunction was also significantly higher (P = 0.031) in uDCD recipients (8%) than DBD recipients (1.5%). The overall rate of biliary complications was significantly higher (P = 0.001) in uDCD recipients (23 cases, 30.6%) than DBD recipients (28 cases, 10.6%). In the uDCD group, 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival rates were 82.7%, 73%, and 71.5%, respectively; in the DBD group, they were 89%, 83.7%, and 78.8%, respectively (P = 0.180). In the uDCD group, 1-, 3-, and 5-year graft survival rates were 73.3%, 65.1%, and 63.6%, respectively; in the DBD group, they were 87.1%, 81.9%, and 76.5%, respectively (P = 0.013). Multivariate analysis showed that independent risk factors for patient and graft survival were intraoperative transfusion of >6 units of packed red blood cell concentrates and recipients who were older than 60 years. CONCLUSIONS Although graft survival is significantly lower using uDCD livers, 5-year patient survival in recipients of DBD and uDCD livers is similar. After careful selection, the livers of uDCD can be selectively used for OLT.
Mice lacking Faim2 show increased cell death in the MPTP mouse model of Parkinson disease

The death receptor Fas/CD95 mediates apoptotic cell death in response to external stimuli. In neurons, Fas‐induced apoptosis is prevented by Fas‐apoptotic inhibitory molecule 2 (Faim2). Mice lacking Faim2 showed increased neurodegeneration in animal models of stroke and bacterial meningitis. We therefore tested the relevance of Faim2 in a classical animal model of Parkinson disease and determined the toxicity of 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in Faim2‐deficient mice. Without MPTP treatment, there was no difference in the dopaminergic system between Faim2‐deficient mice and control mice. MPTP was applied i.p. in doses of 30 mg per kg on five consecutive days. Fourteen days after the last MPTP injection, the number of dopaminergic neurons in the lateral substantia nigra, assayed by stereological counting, was reduced by 39% in control mice and 53% in Faim2‐deficient mice. The density of dopaminergic fibers in the dorsal striatum was reduced by 36% in control mice and 69% in Faim2‐deficient mice, in the ventral striatum 44% in control mice and 76% in Faim2‐deficient mice. Fiber density recovered at 90 days after MPTP with similar density in both groups. Striatal catecholamine levels were reduced by 81–84% in both groups and recovered at 90 days. Faim2 expression was documented in mouse midbrain using quantitative reverse transcription‐PCR (qRT‐PCR) and found decreased after MPTP administration. Taken together, our findings demonstrate increased degeneration of dopaminergic neurons with Faim2 deficiency, indicating that Fas‐induced apoptosis contributes to cell death in the MPTP mouse model. Along with the decreased expression of Faim2 after MPTP, this finding indicates that boosting Faim2 function might represent a therapeutic strategy for Parkinson disease.
Preliminary Studies on Fowl Cholera in Layers

Pasteurella multocida the etiological agent of fowl cholera was isolated from 16 layer flocks in and around Faisalabad. The flocks ranged in age from 18-24 weeks. Increased mortality and considerable drop in egg production were the main clinical signs in all affected flocks. Bacterial isolation and identification was conducted on the basis of cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. All the isolates were highly sensitive to enrofloxacin.
Early Bronze Age pebble installations from Tell es-Safi/Gath, Israel: evidence for their function and utilization

Pebble stone installations are commonly found at various Early Bronze Age sites in the southern Levant. However, their function is often assumed or unknown. Thirteen circular pebble installations were found scattered throughout a residential neighbourhood dating to the Early Bronze Age III at Tell es-Safi/Gath. Five such installations were recently studied by implementing an integrated micro-archaeological approach by which all micro- and macro-artefacts were analysed using various analytical techniques. Based on the analysis of ash-micro remains identified in the sediments, associated plant remains, flint and pottery, we suggest that these installations were used for food-processing, cooking and/or other domestic low-heat tasks. The installations first appear at Tell es-Safi/Gath during the Early Bronze Age III, and seem to disappear during later periods. The functional roles of these installations are discussed in comparison to finds from other Early Bronze Age sites, and of other food preparation traditions known from other periods and cultures.
Root surface biomodification with Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of gingival recession with subepithelial connective tissue grafts.

BACKGROUND/AIM Root surface biomodification has been used to treat gingival recession and periodontitis. The principle for this procedure is that removing the smear layer from the root surfaces exposes collagen fibers, which leads to improved healing. Clinical studies generally have failed to find any improvement in clinical parameters when using such procedures, however. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the outcome of gingival recession therapy using the subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) with or without Nd:YAG laser application for root surface biomodification. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-four teeth in 17 patients with Miller Class 1 and 2 recession were treated with SCTG with (test group) or without (control group) the application of Nd:YAG laser (1 W, 10 Hz, 100 mj, 60 s, 1064 nm). Clinical attachment level (CAL), recession depth (RD), recession width (RW), and probing depth (PD) were measured at baseline and six months postsurgery. RESULTS Both treatments yielded significant improvements in terms of RD and RW decrease and CAL gain compared to baseline values. For test and control groups, the average root coverage was 33% and 77%, respectively (p < 0.05), and the complete root coverage was 18% and 65%, respectively (p < 0.05). The control group showed a greater reduction in RD and RW compared with the test group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The use of Nd:YAG laser as a root surface biomodifier negatively affected the outcome of root coverage with the SCTG.
Morphogenesis of catecholaminergic interneurons in the frog spinal cord

During embryonic and larval development of the frog Xenopus laevis, a bilateral population of cerebrospinal fluid‐contacting neurons matures in the ventral spinal cord. These cells are catecholaminergic and form a dispersed or nonrandom pattern of spacing within each of their spinal cord columns. In order to test the mechanisms underlying pattern formation of these neurons, it is first necessary to understand their normal morphogenesis. Morphogenetic changes were examined by using immunocytochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase as a cell marker. Immunoreactivity in spinal cord cells was detected as early as 1.4 days (stage 28) of embryonic development. Subsequently, these cells underwent changes in shape, and rapid, regressive changes in cell size. The population emerges gradually during development, but the major characteristic of nonrandom spacing, their dispersion from other catecholaminergic cells, is apparent at early stages of differentiation. Increases in cell density occur over an extended period of time and can be divided into an initial phase of large, rapid changes and a subsequent plateau phase of gradual changes. The two longitudinal columns of catecholaminergic cells that are characteristic of older animals become apparent just before hatching, when density increases until cells on both sides of the midline are present in the same region. Although the dispersed pattern exists within each column, cross‐correlation analysis shows that there is a random relationship between cells in opposite columns. During larval development, the catecholaminergic cell domain expands in both a rostral and caudal direction. The morphogenetic changes of the catecholminergic cell population begin to show how the cells become partitioned within the floor plate region of the spinal cord. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Synthesis and Interpretation of the Hamilton Mortuary Pattern in East Tennessee

The goals of this investigation are to investigate status and rank and to suggest a possible model of the social organization of the builders of Late Woodland burial mounds on the basis of intrasite burial patterning, to determine the pattern of relationships among a sample of East Tennessee burial mounds, and to provide a general characterization of the Hamilton burial complex. Despite previous investigations of this burial complex, earlier works have failed.to provide satisfactory treat­ ment of these problems. Data on individual burials from site 40RE124 were analyzed using tests of significance, a crosstabulatinn. of variable correlations, and a factor analysis to isolate conscious choice in the use of burial techniques. The results of these analyses suggest that: 1. Consistent decisions were made as to the age, individuality, form of disposal, and orientation 0f burials placed in the mound. 2. Due to the high percentage of adult burials, status was achieved thraugh life in a basically egalitarian society. 3. There was differential involvement of individuals in the manu­ facture and distribution of certain artifacts, such as conch columellae beads. 4. Burials were oriented towards the sun's path and towards the river at different times in mound construction. Data gathered for 56 characteristics on a sample of 14· mounds were examined using fre�uency, correlation, hierarchical profile-grouping (HGROUP), and principal coerdinates of distance (PRINCO) analyses to
Effect of Depolarizing Agents on the Incorporation of Amino Acids into Soluble Cytoplasmic and Membrane‐Bound Proteins of Synaptosome Fractions

Abstract: The incorporation of [U‐14C] protein hydrolysate and [U‐14C]leucine into the trichloroacetic acid (TCA)‐insoluble membrane and the soluble synaptoplasm proteins of synaptosomes was studied. Following treatment with the depolarizing agents veratrine, Tityus toxin, or potassium, the specific radioactivity of both precursor pool and proteins was measured to examine the link between protein labeling and the fall in the free amino acid pool due to depolarization‐induced release of glutamate and aspartate. By reducing the size of the fall in precursor pool due to depolarization by using a nontransmitter amino acid such as leucine (as compared with the usual use of protein hydrolysate), it was shown that the amount by which the pool is reduced is proportional to the change in the protein labeling observed. These results confirm that membrane depolarization causes a large increase in the labeling of membrane‐bound proteins as compared with the soluble synaptosomal proteins.
Phosphatidylserine Stimulation of Drs2p·Cdc50p Lipid Translocase Dephosphorylation Is Controlled by Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate*

Background: Transport of phosphatidylserine (PS) analogs by the Drs2p flippase is regulated by PtdIns(4)P. Results: PS stimulates dephosphorylation of the Drs2p·Cdc50p complex only in the presence of PtdIns(4)P. Conclusion: The step at which PtdIns(4)P regulates lipid transport is identified. Significance: Our coordinated overexpression system provides mechanistic insight into PS transport and will be useful for further Drs2p characterization and crystallization. Here, Drs2p, a yeast lipid translocase that belongs to the family of P4-type ATPases, was overexpressed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae together with Cdc50p, its glycosylated partner, as a result of the design of a novel co-expression vector. The resulting high yield allowed us, using crude membranes or detergent-solubilized membranes, to measure the formation from [γ-32P]ATP of a 32P-labeled transient phosphoenzyme at the catalytic site of Drs2p. Formation of this phosphoenzyme could be detected only if Cdc50p was co-expressed with Drs2p but was not dependent on full glycosylation of Cdc50p. It was inhibited by orthovanadate and fluoride compounds. In crude membranes, the phosphoenzyme formed at steady state at 4 °C displayed ADP-insensitive but temperature-sensitive decay. Solubilizing concentrations of dodecyl maltoside left this decay rate almost unaltered, whereas several other detergents accelerated it. Unexpectedly, the dephosphorylation rate for the solubilized Drs2p·Cdc50p complex was inhibited by the addition of phosphatidylserine. Phosphatidylserine exerted its anticipated accelerating effect on the dephosphorylation of Drs2p·Cdc50p complex only in the additional presence of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate. These results explain why phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate tightly controls Drs2p-catalyzed lipid transport and establish the functional relevance of the Drs2p·Cdc50p complex overexpressed here.
Exhaustive stretch‐shortening cycle exercise: no contralateral effects on muscle activity in maximal motor performances

Minor cross‐over effects of unilateral muscle fatigue have been reported after isometric exercises. The present study re‐examined this possibility after an exhaustive stretch‐shortening cycle (SSC)‐type exercise. Twenty‐five subjects performed on a sledge apparatus a unilateral exhaustive rebound exercise involving mostly the triceps surae muscle group. Ipsilateral vs contralateral fatigue effects were compared in uni‐ and bilateral tests that included a maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MVC) and a series of 10 maximal drop jumps (DJ). These tests were carried out just before and after (POST) the exhaustive SSC exercise, and were repeated 2 days later (D2), at the expected time of major inflammation and pain. The exercised (fatigued) leg analysis revealed significant declines in MVC and DJ performances at POST and D2, the latter ones being associated with significant decreases in voluntary muscle activity. In contrast, no significant change was found for the non‐fatigued leg. These results do not support the existence of cross‐over effects after exhaustive SSC exercise, at least when tested in maximal static and dynamic unilateral motor tasks.
Hoof size, shape, and balance as possible risk factors for catastrophic musculoskeletal injury of Thoroughbred racehorses.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate hoof size, shape, and balance as risk factors for catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries (CMI), including suspensory apparatus failure (SAF) and cannon bone condylar fracture (CDY) in Thoroughbred racehorses. ANIMALS 95 Thoroughbred racehorses that died between 1994 and 1996. PROCEDURE 38 quantitative measures of hoof size, shape, and balance were obtained from orthogonal digital images of the hoof and were compared between case horses with forelimb CMI (70), SAF (43), and CDY (10) injuries and control horses whose death was unrelated to the musculoskeletal system (non-CMI, 25). Comparison of group means between cases and controls was done using ANOVA, and multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios. RESULTS Odds of CMI were 0.62 times lower for a 5mm increase in ground surface width difference and 0.49 times lower for a 100-mm2 increase in sole area difference. Odds of SAF were 6.75 times greater with a 10 degrees increase in toe-heel angle difference and 0.58 times lower with a 100-mm2 increase in sole area difference. Odds of CDY were 0.26 times lower with a 3 degrees increase in toe angle, 0.15 times lower with a 5-mm increase in lateral ground surface width, and 0.35 times lower with a 100-mm2 increase in sole area difference. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Decreasing the difference between toe and heel angles should decrease risk of SAF for Thoroughbred racehorses and should be considered in addition to increasing toe angle alone to help prevent catastrophic injury. Trimming the hoof to perfect mediolateral symmetry may not be a sound approach to avoiding injury.
Factors Influencing Adherence to ART

Background: Adherence to therapy is central to the success of antiretroviral treatment (ART). With the availability of free ART under the national program in India, cost of ART is no longer the primary determinant of adherence. This study evaluated the adherence and factors influencing it among patients receiving free ART in a public health ART center in India. Methods: The adherence and its influences among 250 HIV-positive patients on first line ART for at least 3 months from the ART Center of Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India were analyzed. The adherence was assessed by patients' self report using the adult AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) questionnaire and counter checked with pharmacy records. The association of various parameters affecting adherence levels was analyzed by using SPSS package and Epiinfo software. Results: Of the 250 patients, 242 (96.8%) had optimum adherence (>95%) and 8 (3.2%) were “non-adherent. ” CD4 counts (P = 0.05), high level of belief among patients, patients' knowledge about importance of adherence (P = 0.04), and sound mental health were positively influencing adherence. The main barriers to adherence were poor mental health and negative psychological states in the patients (0.001). The presence of adverse reactions to ART also resulted in poorer adherence. Conclusions: The modifiable factors most strongly associated with good adherence rates were higher current CD4 counts, patients' beliefs in ART, and positive mental health. These factors can be targeted by simple, practical interventions to improve and maintain high adherence levels.
Purinergic Control of T Cell Activation by ATP Released Through Pannexin-1 Hemichannels

Pannexin hemichannel–mediated release of ATP provides an autocrine, costimulatory signal for T cell activation. ATP Signals T Cells to Activate Sustained influx of extracellular Ca2+ is a critical event in the activation of T cells. One consequence of increased cytosolic Ca2+ concentration is the uptake of Ca2+ by mitochondria, which leads to the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Activation of purinergic receptors upon T cells is known to affect the outcome of stimulation of the T cell receptor (TCR), but how extracellular ATP might affect T cell function in the context of inflammation is unclear. Schenk et al. now show that on TCR triggering, ATP is released from T cells through pannexin hemichannels and functions in an autocrine fashion as a costimulator of T cell activation. Blocking ATP signaling mediated by purinergic P2X receptors on T cells in the context of TCR stimulation led to decreased T cell activation and increased expression of anergy-associated genes. Moreover, administration of a P2X receptor antagonist to mouse models of type 1 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease substantially inhibited the development of effector T cells and lessened tissue damage compared with that in untreated mice. Together, these data suggest that therapeutic intervention against ATP synthesis and release may be of benefit in the treatment of T cell–mediated inflammatory diseases. T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation results in the influx of Ca2+, which is buffered by mitochondria and promotes adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. We found that ATP released from activated T cells through pannexin-1 hemichannels activated purinergic P2X receptors (P2XRs) to sustain mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. P2XR antagonists, such as oxidized ATP (oATP), blunted MAPK activation in stimulated T cells, but did not affect the nuclear translocation of the transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells, thus promoting T cell anergy. In vivo administration of oATP blocked the onset of diabetes mediated by anti-islet TCR transgenic T cells and impaired the development of colitogenic T cells in inflammatory bowel disease. Thus, pharmacological inhibition of ATP release and signaling could be beneficial in treating T cell–mediated inflammatory diseases.
Evaluation of a simple loop-mediated isothermal amplification test kit for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE A new loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test kit, including a simple DNA extraction device for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, was developed for commercial use and evaluated for its usefulness in diagnosing tuberculosis (TB). DESIGN The LAMP test was performed using untreated and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NALC) NaOH-treated sputum specimen. The efficiency of the kit was compared with other conventional laboratory examinations, including other nucleic acid amplification (NAA) tests. RESULTS The sensitivity of LAMP using raw sputum (direct LAMP) in smear- and culture-positive specimens was 98.2% (95%CI 94.9-99.4), while the sensitivity in smear-negative, culture-positive specimens was 55.6% (95%CI 43.4-68.0). The diagnostic sensitivity of direct LAMP for the diagnosis of individuals with TB was 88.2% (95%CI 81.4-92.7). The sensitivity values of direct LAMP were slightly, but not statistically significantly lower than those of Cobas Amplicor MTB and TRC Rapid MTB, while the sensitivity of the LAMP test using NALC-NaOH treated sputum was significantly lower than other NAA tests (P < 0.05) for smear-negative, culture-positive specimens. The new commercial version of the LAMP kit was easy to handle and yielded results within 1 h of receiving sputum specimens. CONCLUSIONS This test is considered a promising diagnostic tool for TB, even for peripheral laboratories with limited equipment, such as those in developing countries.
Mission impossible? Institutional barriers to the diffusion of the "third academic mission" at German universities

The intensification of university-industry relations and the role universities play in a knowledge society are widely discussed. Some even argue that economic development through technology transfer has become a ‘"third academic mission"’ on a par with universities' traditional missions of teaching and research. Institutional barriers to the diffusion of that mission, however, are largely ignored. With the aid of some conceptual and theoretical tools from research in organisational analysis the paper focuses on these barriers. Empirical evidence is drawn from a study on technology transfer offices at German universities.