Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Results of pediatric living donor compared to deceased donor liver transplantation in the PELD/MELD era: Experience from two centers on two different continents

The LDLT option in the pediatric population allows recipients to be transplanted early. A total of 202 consecutive pediatric liver transplants from two different institutions—108 (LDLT) and 94 (DDLT)—were retrospectively compared. Overall, one‐ and three‐yr patient and graft survival were similar between DDLT and LDLT. ACR was greater in recipients of DDLT at one and three yr (50.8% and 61.0%) compared to LDLT (30.8% and 32.2%) (p = 0.002). When the data were stratified according to PELD/MELD score, LDLT with a low score had better one‐ and three‐yr graft survival (96.2% and 96.2%) compared to DDLT (88.2% and 85.2%) (p = 0.02), with comparable patient survival (p = 0.75). Patient and graft survival were similar between DDLT and LDLT in the high PELD/MELD group. Lower incidence of ACR in both low and high PELD/MELD groups was (29.6% and 34.3%) for LDLT compared to DDLT (50.3% and 53.3%, p = 0.002 and p = 0.028, respectively). Regardless of PELD/MELD score, status, age group, and recipient weight, LDLT provides excellent patient and graft survival with a lower incidence of rejection compared to DDLT.
Formal Physical Therapy After Total Hip Arthroplasty Is Not Required: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The value of formal physical therapy after total hip arthroplasty is unknown. With substantial changes that have occurred in surgical and anesthesia techniques, self-directed therapy may be efficacious in restoring function to patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. Methods: We conducted a single-center, randomized trial of 120 patients undergoing primary, unilateral total hip arthroplasty who were eligible for direct home discharge. The experimental group followed a self-directed home exercise program for 10 weeks. The control group received the standard protocol for physical therapy that included in-home visits with a physical therapist for the first 2 weeks followed by formal outpatient physical therapy for 8 weeks. Functional outcomes were measured using validated instruments including the Harris hip score (HHS), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) preoperatively, at 1 month postoperatively, and at 6 to 12 months postoperatively. Results: Of 120 randomized patients, 108 were included in the final analysis. Ten patients (19%) were randomized to unsupervised home exercise and 20 patients (37%) were randomized to formal outpatient therapy crossed over between groups. There was no significant difference in any of the measured functional outcomes between patients receiving formal therapy (n = 54) and those participating in unsupervised home exercise (n = 54) at any time point (HHS, p = 0.82; WOMAC, p = 0.80; and SF-36 physical health, p = 0.90). Conclusions: This randomized trial suggests that unsupervised home exercise is both safe and efficacious for a majority of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, and formal physical therapy may not be required. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
MEK inhibitor GSK1120212-mediated radiosensitization of pancreatic cancer cells involves inhibition of DNA double-strand break repair pathways

Purpose: Over 90% of pancreatic adenocarcinoma PC express oncogenic mutant KRAS that constitutively activates the Raf-MEK-MAPK pathway conferring resistance to both radiation and chemotherapy. MEK inhibitors have shown promising anti-tumor responses in recent preclinical and clinical studies, and are currently being tested in combination with radiation in clinical trials. Here, we have evaluated the radiosensitizing potential of a novel MEK1/2 inhibitor GSK1120212 (GSK212,or trametinib) and evaluated whether MEK1/2 inhibition alters DNA repair mechanisms in multiple PC cell lines. Methods: Radiosensitization and DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair were evaluated by clonogenic assays, comet assay, nuclear foci formation (γH2AX, DNA-PK, 53BP1, BRCA1, and RAD51), and by functional GFP-reporter assays for homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ). Expression and activation of DNA repair proteins were measured by immunoblotting. Results: GSK212 blocked ERK1/2 activity and radiosensitized multiple KRAS mutant PC cell lines. Prolonged pre-treatment with GSK212 for 24-48 hours was required to observe significant radiosensitization. GSK212 treatment resulted in delayed resolution of DNA damage by comet assays and persistent γH2AX nuclear foci. GSK212 treatment also resulted in altered BRCA1, RAD51, DNA-PK, and 53BP1 nuclear foci appearance and resolution after radiation. Using functional reporters, GSK212 caused repression of both HR and NHEJ repair activity. Moreover, GSK212 suppressed the expression and activation of a number of DSB repair pathway intermediates including BRCA1, DNA-PK, RAD51, RRM2, and Chk-1. Conclusion: GSK212 confers radiosensitization to KRAS-driven PC cells by suppressing major DNA-DSB repair pathways. These data provide support for the combination of MEK1/2 inhibition and radiation in the treatment of PC.
Grazers and Browsers : How Digestive Morphology Affects Diet Selection

Grasses (monocots), forbs and browse (dicots) differ in structure and chemistry. Grasses have a thicker cell wall containing potentially digestible structural carbohydrates, fewer secondary plant chemicals, and have a relatively low and homogenous growth relative to browses. Mammalian herbivores can be classified along a continuum according to which plant type they prefer. Diet choices correspond with morphological specialization within the gastro-intestinal tract, including the mouth and teeth, which may confer increased efficiency for extracting nutrients from grasses and browses. These differences are confounded with body size, and thus the full extent of the effects of morphology on digesting and harvesting foods is unclear. However, understanding the feeding niche of herbivores may help understand competitive interactions among herbivores and proper range management.
Plasma levels of natriuretic peptides in relation to doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and cardiac function in children with cancer.

BACKGROUND Anthracyclines are effective anticancer drugs for childhood cancer with dose-limiting cardiotoxicity. Children who have received anthracyclines thus need periodical cardiac evaluation. The plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) have been shown to increase in proportion to severity of cardiac dysfunction. We examined whether plasma levels of ANP and BNP, in addition to echocardiographic evaluation, can be used as specific markers for doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxic effects in children. PROCEDURE Consecutively, 34 patients (18 boys and 16 girls) who had previously received doxorubicin-containing chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. Plasma ANP and BNP were assayed simultaneously at the time of first cardiac function evaluation by echocardiography. RESULTS Of the 34 patients, 8 (23.5%) had left ventricular dysfunction as assessed by echocardiography. Both ANP and BNP plasma levels in these patients were significantly elevated in comparison with healthy controls (P < 0.01) or patients with normal cardiac function (P < 0.05). It should be also noted that ANP and BNP levels were correlated significantly with cardiac systolic function, but not with diastolic function. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that plasma ANP and BNP levels could be markers for doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in children. Measurement of natriuretic peptide levels during treatment may allow earlier-identification of individuals at risk for severe cardiac damage.
Effect of static scatterers in laser speckle contrast imaging: an experimental study on correlation and contrast

Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) is a non-invasive microvascular blood flow assessment technique with good temporal and spatial resolution. Most LSCI systems, including commercial devices, can perform only qualitative blood flow evaluation, which is a major limitation of this technique. There are several factors that prevent the utilization of LSCI as a quantitative technique. Among these factors, we can highlight the effect of static scatterers. The goal of this work was to study the influence of differences in static and dynamic scatterer concentration on laser speckle correlation and contrast. In order to achieve this, a laser speckle prototype was developed and tested using an optical phantom with various concentrations of static and dynamic scatterers. It was found that the laser speckle correlation could be used to estimate the relative concentration of static/dynamic scatterers within a sample. Moreover, the speckle correlation proved to be independent of the dynamic scatterer velocity, which is a fundamental characteristic to be used in contrast correction.
Valvular and coronary heart disease in systemic inflammatory diseases

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AKS), and scleroderma are immune mediated inflammatory diseases that manifest predominantly with symptoms and signs of musculoskeletal and mucocutaneous inflammation. However, they frequently cause cardiovascular disease, which is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, and the clinical detection of cardiovascular disease is significantly lower than that of cardiac imaging or post-mortem series. Therefore, an increased awareness and understanding of these diseases may lead to an increase in recognition, treatment, and prevention of the associated cardiovascular involvement. This article will review valvular and coronary heart diseases as the most clinically relevant conditions associated with systemic inflammatory diseases. ### Valvular heart disease Valvular heart disease (VHD) is the most frequent type of heart disease associated with SLE; is associated with significant morbidity; and is a leading cause of death in SLE patients.1 2 #### Pathology In post-mortem series the frequency of VHD ranges from 13–100%. Libman–Sacks vegetations are cauliflower-like or flat, red, spreading masses of >2 mm in diameter, more commonly located on leaflets closure lines.1 Active vegetations have central fibrinoid degeneration with fibroblastic proliferation and fibrosis, surrounded by mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cellular infiltration, small haemorrhages and peripherally by thrombus. Healed vegetations have central fibrosis, minimal or no inflammation, and none or endothelialised thrombus. Active, healed and mixed vegetations can occur in a valve. Most vegetations have associated leaflet thickening. #### Pathophysiology Subendothelial deposition of immunoglobulins and complement lead to an increased expression of α3β1 integrin on endothelial cells, increased amounts of collagen IV, laminin and fibronectin, proliferation of blood vessels, inflammation, thrombosis and finally fibrosis. Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) may cause valve injury by activation of endothelial cells and upregulation of expression of adhesion molecules, secretion of cytokines, and decreased production of prostacyclins; increased uptake of oxidised low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by macrophages leading …
Validation of a German version of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ-G).

OBJECTIVE To translate the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) into German and to evaluate its reliability and validity for the use of German speaking patients with fibromyalgia (FM). METHODS We administered the FIQ to 55 patients with FM (15 patients filled out the questionnaire 10 days later) together with German versions of the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36), and a tender point count (TPC). All patients were asked about the severity of pain today (10 cm visual analog scale) and the duration of symptoms. Tenderness thresholds were assessed by dolorimetry at all tender points with a Fisher dolorimeter and laboratory tests were obtained. Test-retest reliability was assessed using Spearman correlations. Internal consistency was evaluated with Cronbach's alpha of reliability. Construct validity of the FIQ was evaluated by correlating the HAQ and subscales of the SF-36 as well as the TPC and the tenderness thresholds. RESULTS Mean age of participants was 54.3 years and mean duration of symptoms 9.5 years. Test-retest reliability was between 0.62 and 1 for the physical functioning as well as for the total FIQ and other components. Internal consistency was 0.92 for the overall FIQ. Significant correlations were obtained between the FIQ items, the HAQ, and the SF-36. CONCLUSION The German FIQ is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring functional disability and health status in German patients with FM.
BER of PSAM 16-QAM with channel estimation error and MRC diversity

M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM) achieves high spectral efficiency in additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and fading channels. In practical wireless systems, the signal fading can severely degrade the receiver performance if the accurate channel amplitude and phase information is not available to the receiver. The bit error rate (BER) performance of maximal ratio combining (MRC) M-QAM with pilot symbol assisted modulation (PSAM) channel estimation in static and Rayleigh fading channels is derived. The effects of noise and estimator decorrelation on the received BER are examined. The high sensitivity of diversity systems to channel estimation error is investigated and quantified.
Joule Heating Effect on the Electromigration Lifetimes and Failure Mechanisms of Sn-3.5Ag Solder Bump

In this work, the effect of Joule heating on the electromigration lifetimes and damage evolution mechanism of Sn-3.5Ag flip chip solder bump was investigated at highly accelerated electromigration test conditions by using both ex-situ electromigration test in an oven and in-situ electromigration test in a scanning electron microscope, respectively. Highly accelerated electromigration test temperatures and current densities performed in this experiment were 140 ~ 175 degC, and 6 ~ 9times104A/cm2, respectively. Mean time to failure of solder bump decreased as the temperature and current density increased as expected. The activation energy and current density exponent were found to be 1.63eV and 4.6, respectively, which are very high due to severe Joule heating effect. In order to understand the fundamental failure mechanism and to investigate the current flow direction effect on the failure mechanism of Sn-3.5Ag solder bump, in-situ electromigration test was performed, which shows that interfacial crack initiated and propagated along Cu6Sn5/solder interface irrespective of current flow directions. Kirkendall voids formed at the Cu3Sn/Cu interface but, not related to the electromigration induced interfacial crack propagation. Current direction effect on the failure mechanism of Pb-free solder bump is also discussed.
The Effects of Air Pollution on Educational Outcomes: Evidence from Chile

In addition to the morbidity and mortality concerns of outdoor air pollution, studies have shown that air pollution also generates problems for children`s cognitive performance and human capital formation. High concentrations of pollutants can affect children`s learning process by exacerbating respiratory illnesses, fatigue, absenteeism and attention problems. The purpose of this work is to analyze the possible contemporary effects of PM10 and other different air pollutants on standardized test scores in Chile. It examines results for 3,880 schools in the Metropolitan, Valparaiso and O'Higgins regions for children in fourth, eight and tenth grades between 1997 and 2012. Data for particulate matter (PM10 and PM2. 5), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and ozone (O3) were interpolated at school level using a kriging methodology. The results suggest that higher annual P M10 and O3 levels are clearly associated with a reduction in test scores. Nonetheless, as of 2012 many municipalities in these Chilean regions are still exceeding the annual P M10 international standard quality norm (50 micrograms per cubic meter) by 15 micrograms per cubic meter on average. Efforts to reduce pollution below this norm in the most polluted municipalities would account for improvements in reading and math test scores of 3.5 percent and 3.1 percent of a standard deviation, respectively.
Exposure to Entry Inhibitors Alters HIV Infectiousness and Sensitivity to Broadly Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies

Background:The development of envelope-specific neutralizing antibodies that can interfere with viral entry into target cells is important for the development of an HIV-1 vaccine. Another means of blocking viral entry is through the use of entry inhibitors such as the CCR5 inhibitor maraviroc (MVC), which can also repel cell-free virus particles from the cell surface. For this reason, we hypothesized that exposure to entry inhibitors might alter viral infectiousness and sensitivity to antibody-mediated neutralization. Methods:The CCR5-tropic HIV-1 variants BaL, AD8, and CC 1/85 were used to infect PM-1 cells in the presence of 2 entry inhibitors, enfuvirtide and MVC. After 4 hours, culture fluids were ultrafiltered and the infectiousness and susceptibility to broadly neutralizing antibodies (2F5, 4E10, 2G12, b12, VRC01, PG9) of viruses exposed to these entry inhibitors were assessed using TZM-bl cells. Results:Viruses exposed to the entry inhibitor MVC exhibited lower infectiousness than controls. Enfuvirtide exposure increased AD8 sensitivity to 2F5, 4E10, VRC01, and b12 and increased BaL sensitivity to 4E10 while lowering BaL sensitivity to b12 and VRC01. MVC-exposed BaL became less susceptible to the gp120-specific antibodies b12, 2G12, and VRC01. Conclusions:Exposure to entry inhibitors altered HIV-1 infectiousness and sensitivity to gp120-specific neutralizing antibodies. This alteration of entry inhibitor-exposed virus has implications for the development of future entry inhibitors and for vaccine development.
Higher-order relaxation schemes for hyperbolic systems of conservation laws

We present a higher order generalization for relaxation methods in the framework presented by Jin and Xin in [10]. The schemes employ general higher order integration for spatial discretization and higher order implicit-explicit (IMEX) schemes or Total Variation diminishing (TVD) Runge–Kutta schemes for time integration of relaxing or relaxed schemes, respectively, for time integration. Numerical experiments are performed on various test problems, in particular, the Burger's and Euler equations of inviscid gas dynamics in both one and two space dimensions. In addition, uniform convergence with respect to the relaxation parameter is demonstrated.
Genetic association study of BDNF in depression: Finding from two cohort studies and a meta‐analysis

Depression is common and a major cause of morbidity and mortality and is also known to have serious effects on quality of life. Both clinical and pharmacologic studies have implicated the role of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a susceptibility locus for the development of mental illness, including depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Population‐based genetic studies have examined the association between BDNF and a variety of depression outcomes, but the results have not clearly established the role of BDNF in the development of this complex disorder. The aim of this study was to test for associations between two genetic variants in BDNF, Val66Met (rs6265) and −270 C > T, and depression measured in two independent samples. In this analysis we included 3,548 participants from British Women's Heart and Health Study (BWHHS) and 6,836 mothers from Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) who had complete data on genotype and depression outcomes. We did not detect any strong evidence of associations between any of the two polymorphisms and indicators of depression in either BWHHS or ALSPAC samples. Further, we carried out a systematic review and meta‐analysis of all association studies of these two BDNF polymorphisms and depression. The meta‐analysis of Val66Met in depression obtained an overall summary OR of 1.06 (95% CI: 0.89–1.26, P = 0.537) comparing MM with VV genotypes and an OR of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.89–1.05, P = 0.403) comparing MV with VV genotypes. Our findings suggest that BDNF genotype does not exert a major influence on the development of depression. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mobile Banking Adoption: Application of Diffusion of Innovation Theory

Many banks in Saudi Arabia are starting to offer banking services through mobile phones. However, not many studies investigate the factors that may help the bankers to design mobile services, which are suitable for and adoptable by bank customers. This study fills this gap and examines a number of factors affecting the mobile banking adoption. Using Diffusion of Innovation as a baseline theory, data are obtained from 330 actual mobile banking users. It is found that relative advantage, compatibility, and observability have positive impact on adoption. Contrary to the findings in extant literature, trialability and complexity have no significant effect on adoption. Perceived risk has a negative impact on adoption. The findings of this study will have practical implications for banking industry in Saudi Arabia.
Femoral Radiographic Landmarks for Lateral Collateral Ligament Reconstruction and Repair

Background Little work has been made regarding the use of radiographic landmarks in fibular collateral ligament reconstruction. Radiographic tools can be of use to the surgeon in posterolateral reconstruction as secondary checks in the setting of tissue and bony attrition. Hypothesis Using standardized radiographic imaging, a zone for femoral tunnel placement in lateral collateral ligament (LCL) reconstruction can be identified. Study Design Descriptive laboratory study. Methods Eight fresh-frozen unmatched knees, free of any osseous or articular pathological changes, were selected for dissection (mean age, 61.3 years). Skin and surrounding soft tissues were left intact. Subsequent dissection was carried out to identify the true origin of the LCL. A radiographic marker was applied. True lateral radiographs of the distal femur (posterior condyles overlapping) were taken. Digital radiographic images were obtained and analyzed. Results The Blumensaat line was found to be closely associated with the LCL origin on lateral radiographic imaging. On average, the LCL ligament was found to be 58% (±4.7%) across the width of the condyle and 2.3 mm (±2.3 mm) distal to the Blumensaat line. In all specimens, the anatomical LCL origin was found to have less than 5 mm variance from the mean. Conclusion The LCL origin is located within a specific region that is noted to have a small amount of variance. This is of benefit to the clinician in the traumatic and reconstructive setting where the true origin may not be easily identifiable through dissection. Clinical Relevance Intraoperative fluoroscopic imaging can be used as an adjunctive tool for femoral tunnel placement during posterolateral corner and LCL reconstruction.