Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DQ molecules are the principal stimulators of de novo donor‐specific antibodies in nonsensitized pediatric recipients receiving a first kidney transplant

Data on the different HLA‐antibody (Ab) categories in pediatric kidney recipients developing de novo donor‐specific Abs (DSA) after transplantation are scarce. We retrospectively evaluated 82 consecutive nonsensitized pediatric recipients of a first kidney graft for de novo HLA Ab occurrence and antigen specificity. At a median follow‐up of 6 years, 29% of patients developed de novo DSA, while 45% had de novo non‐DSA. DSA appeared at 25‐month median time post‐transplant and were mostly directed toward HLA‐DQ antigens. Considering each HLA antigen, the estimated rate of DQ DSA (7.55 per 100 person‐years) was much higher than the rates observed for non‐DQ DSA. The HLA‐DQ Ab recognized determinants of the DQβ chain in 70% of cases, α chain in 25% of cases, and both chains in one patient. Non‐DSA peaked earlier than DSA, and were largely directed against HLA class I specificities that belonged to HLA‐A‐ and HLA‐B‐related cross‐reacting epitope groups (CREG) in 56% of cases. Our results indicate a need for evaluating HLA‐DQ compatibilities in kidney allocation, in order to minimize post‐transplant development of de novo DSA, known to be responsible for antibody‐mediated rejection and graft loss.
Running head: MEASURING GRATITUDE IN YOUTH

Before the developmental trajectory, outcomes, and related interventions of gratitude can be accurately and confidently studied among the youth, researchers must ensure that they have psychometrically sound measures of gratitude that are suitable for this population. Thus, considering that no known scales were specifically designed to measure gratitude in youth, this study aimed to answer an important question: Are the existing gratitude scales used with adults valid for use with youth? The current study is an empirical investigation, based on a large youth sample (N = 1,405) with ages ranging from 10 to 19 years old, of the psychometric properties of scores of the Gratitude Questionnaire-6 (GQ-6), the Gratitude Adjective Checklist (GAC), and the Gratitude Resentment and Appreciation Test (GRAT)-short form. Single-group and multiple-group confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the factor structures of these gratitude scales resemble those found with adults, and were invariant across age groups. Scores of all three gratitude scales revealed acceptable internal consistency estimates (i.e., > .70) across age groups. Results showed that while scores of all three gratitude scales were positively correlated with each other for 14-19 years old, GRAT-short form scores tended to display relatively low correlations with scores of the other two measures for younger children (10-13 years old). Further, the nomological network analysis showed that scores of all three gratitude scales were positively correlated with positive affect and life satisfaction scores across the age groups. The relationships with negative affect and depression scores, however, seemed dependent on the child’s age. Pending results from subsequent research recommendations for researchers interested in studying gratitude in youth are offered.
Autophagy in a Mouse Model of Distal Myopathy with Rimmed Vacuoles or Hereditary Inclusion Body Myopathy

Distal myopathy with rimmed vacuoles (DMRV) or hereditary inclusion body myopathy (hIBM) is an autosomal recessive disorder clinically characterized by weakness that initially involves the distal muscles, although other muscles can be affected as well. Pathological hallmarks include the presence of rimmed vacuoles (RVs) and intracellular Congo red-positive depositions in vacuolated or non-vacuolated fibers. Mutations in the UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase/N-acetylmannosamine kinase (GNE) gene, which encodes the rate-limiting enzyme in sialic acid biosynthesis, are causative of DMRV/hIBM. Recently, we have generated a mouse model (Gne-/-hGNEV572L-Tg ) for this disease, and have shown that these mice exhibit hyposialylation and intracellular amyloid deposition before the characteristic RVs are detected, indicating that autophagy is a downstream phenomenon to hyposialylation and amyloid deposition in DMRV/hIBM. Addendum to: A Gne Knockout Mouse Expressing Human V572L Mutation Develops Features Similar to Distal Myopathy with Rimmed Vacuoles or Hereditary Inclusion Body Myopathy M.C. Malicdan, S. Noguchi, I. Nonaka, Y.K. Hayashi and I. Nishino Hum Mol Genet 2007; 16:115-28
Anti-diabetic property of ethanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

AIM To investigate the anti-diabetic effect of a crude ethanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS & RESULTS Oral administration of the extract at different doses (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 g/body weight) significantly reduced the fasting serum glucose level in STZ-diabetic rats compared to the vehicle (distilled water), but not in normal rats. This effect was dose-dependent. A similar result was seen with metformin (0.5 g/body weight). In the glucose tolerance test, an oral administration of the extract at the same doses suppressed the elevated glucose level in normal and diabetic rats, as did metformin. The effects were also dose-respondent. In the long-term experiment, the extract (0.4 g/body weight), metformin (0.5 g/body weight), and vehicle were given twice daily to diabetic rats for 14 d. On d 15, fasting serum glucose levels were found to be significantly lower in the extract- and metformin-treated groups (P < 0.001) than in the vehicle-treated group. The mean food and water intakes over 14 days were significantly lower in the extract-treated group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively) and also in the metformin-treated group (both P < 0.001) when compared to the vehicle-treated group. No significant change in insulin level was observed among the 3 groups of diabetic rats. The extract, like metformin, maintained the leptin levels after 14-d treatment, whereas this level was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the vehicle-treated group. The activity of hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) was significantly reduced by the extract as well as by metformin (both P < 0.05). No significant difference in hepatic glycogen stores was noted among the 3 groups. The extract caused 49.8% reduction of fasting serum triglyceride levels, compared to 27.7% with metformin. However, neither the extract nor metformin significantly affected serum cholesterol level. CONCLUSION The ethanolic extract of A paniculata possesses antidiabetic property. Its antidiabetic effect may be attributed at least in part to increased glucose metabolism. Its hypotriglyceridemic effect is also beneficial in the diabetic state.
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF POLYRIBOSOMES WITHIN BACILLUS CEREUS

Pfister, R. M. (Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.), and D. G. Lundgren. Electron microscopy of polyribosomes within Bacillus cereus. J. Bacteriol. 88:1119–1129. 1964. —Clusters of ribosomes (polyribosomes) were identified in thin sections of Bacillus cereus. Cells were treated by freezing and thawing to induce partial lysis to permit a closer examination of structural detail. The polyribosomes were (at times) attached to the cytoplasmic membrane, and ribosome clusters contained about 10 to 55 individual ribosomes. Individual ribosomes ranged from 70 to 100 A, whereas polyribosomes were about 150 to 850 A wide. A membrane served as the fabric holding the ribosomes, which were about 50 to 100 A apart.
Improving runoff risk estimates: Formulating runoff as a bivariate process using the SCS curve number method

The Soil Conservation Service curve number (SCS‐CN) method is widely used to predict storm runoff for hydraulic design purposes, such as sizing culverts and detention basins. As traditionally used, the probability of calculated runoff is equated to the probability of the causative rainfall event, an assumption that fails to account for the influence of variations in soil moisture on runoff generation. We propose a modification to the SCS‐CN method that explicitly incorporates rainfall return periods and the frequency of different soil moisture states to quantify storm runoff risks. Soil moisture status is assumed to be correlated to stream base flow. Fundamentally, this approach treats runoff as the outcome of a bivariate process instead of dictating a 1:1 relationship between causative rainfall and resulting runoff volumes. Using data from the Fall Creek watershed in western New York and the headwaters of the French Broad River in the mountains of North Carolina, we show that our modified SCS‐CN method improves frequency discharge predictions in medium‐sized watersheds in the eastern United States in comparison to the traditional application of the method.
Surface and Deep Ocean Interactions During the Cold Climate Event 8200 Years Ago

Evidence from a North Atlantic deep-sea sediment core reveals that the largest climatic perturbation in our present interglacial, the 8200-year event, is marked by two distinct cooling events in the subpolar North Atlantic at 8490 and 8290 years ago. An associated reduction in deep flow speed provides evidence of a significant change to a major downwelling limb of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation. The existence of a distinct surface freshening signal during these events strongly suggests that the sequenced surface and deep ocean changes were forced by pulsed meltwater outbursts from a multistep final drainage of the proglacial lakes associated with the decaying Laurentide Ice Sheet margin.
Efficacy and safety of lamotrigine as add-on treatment to lithium in bipolar depression: a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE Lamotrigine is one of the pharmacologic options for the treatment of bipolar depression but has only been studied as monotherapy. This study compared the acute effects of lamotrigine and placebo as add-on therapy to ongoing treatment with lithium in patients with bipolar depression. METHOD Outpatients (N = 124) aged 18 years and older with a DSM-IV bipolar I or II disorder and a major depressive episode (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS] score > or = 18 and Clinical Global Impressions-Bipolar Version [CGI-BP] severity of depression score > or = 4) while receiving lithium treatment (0.6-1.2 mmol/L) were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of double-blind treatment with lamotrigine (titrated to 200 mg/d) or placebo. The primary outcome measure was mean change from baseline in total score on the MADRS at week 8. Secondary outcome measures were response (defined as a reduction of > or = 50% on the MADRS and/or change of depression score on the CGI-BP of "much improved" or "very much improved" compared to baseline) and switch to mania or hypomania (defined as a CGI-BP severity of mania score of at least mildly ill at any visit). Patients were included in the study between August 2002 (Spain started in October 2003) and May 2005. RESULTS Endpoint mean change from baseline MADRS total score was -15.38 (SE = 1.32) points for lamotrigine and -11.03 (SE = 1.36) points for placebo (t = -2.29, df = 104, p = .024). Significantly more patients responded to lamotrigine than to placebo on the MADRS (51.6% vs. 31.7%, p = .030), but not on the CGI-BP change of depression (64.1% vs. 49.2%, p = .105). Switch to mania or hypomania occurred in 5 patients (7.8%) receiving lamotrigine and 2 patients (3.3%) receiving placebo (p = .441). CONCLUSION Lamotrigine was found effective and safe as add-on treatment to lithium in the acute treatment of bipolar depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00224510.
Effects of exercise training on aerobic and functional capacity of end‐stage renal disease patients

The aim was to assess the effects of exercise training on aerobic and functional capacity of patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). Patients completed an incremental exercise test on a cycle ergometer to determine VO2 peak and VO2 at ventilatory threshold (VT; V‐slope). On a separate day they performed two constant load exercise tests on a cycle ergometer at 90% of VT and at a workload of 33 W, to determine VO2 kinetics. Functional capacity was assessed using measurements of sit‐to‐stands (STS‐5, STS‐60) and a walk test. Dialysis patients were randomly allocated to an exercise (ET: n=18, age=57·3 years) or control (C: n=15, age=50·5 years) group. The ET group participated in an exercise training programme involving cycling for 3 months. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant time by group interactions (P < 0·05) following training for VO2 peak (ET: 17 ± 6·1 versus 19·9 ± 6·3, C: 19·5 ± 4·7 versus 18·8 ± 4·9 ml kg min–1) and VO2–VT (ET: 10·7 ± 3·5 versus 11·8 ± 3·3, C:12·9 ± 3·2 versus 11·9 ± 3·5 ml kg min–1). VO2 kinetics remained unchanged in both groups at 90% ‐VT, but a trend (P=0·059) towards faster kinetics at the 33 W was observed (ET: 49·6 ± 19·5 versus 37·8 ± 12·7, C: 42·8 ± 13 versus 49·4 ± 20·2 s). Significant time by group interactions (P < 0·05) were also observed for STS‐5 (ET: 14·7 ± 6·2 versus 11·0 ± 3·3, C: 12·8 ± 4·4 versus 12·7 ± 4·8 s) and STS‐60 measurements (ET: 21·2 ± 7·2 versus 26·9 ± 6·2, C: 23·7 ± 6·8 versus 24·1 ± 7·2). Three months of exercise rehabilitation significantly improves peak exercise capacity of patients with ESRD. Measurements of VO2 kinetics and functional capacity suggest that longer time might be needed to induce peripheral adaptations.
The wave equation on the extreme Reissner–Nordström black hole

We study the scalar wave equation on the open exterior region of an extreme Reissner–Nordström black hole and prove that, given compactly supported data on a Cauchy surface orthogonal to the timelike Killing vector field, the solution, together with its (t, s, θ, ϕ) derivatives of arbitrary order, s a tortoise radial coordinate, is bounded by a constant that depends only on the initial data. Our technique does not allow studying transverse derivatives at the horizon, which is outside the coordinate patch that we use. However, using previous results that show that second and higher transverse derivatives at the horizon of a generic solution grow unbounded along horizon generators, we show that any such divergence, if present, would be milder for solutions with compact initial data.
Thymus size at birth is associated with infant mortality: a community study from Guinea‐Bissau

A few studies have suggested that thymus atrophy is associated with severe malnutrition and increased morbidity; however, no study of thymus size has been undertaken in countries with high mortality. This study examined the relation between thymus size at birth and subsequent mortality in an urban West African community. The size of the thymus was assessed by sonography as a volume estimate, the thymus index. A total of 278 children born at the local health centre in Bandim in Bissau, Guinea‐Bissau, was enrolled in the study. Children were followed to the age of 2 y. Thymus size at birth was associated with most strongly weight, as well as with length and arm circumference. Controlling for weight and other risk factors, boys had larger thymus indices than girls [means ratio (MR) = 1.07, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.01–1.14)]. Thymus size was also associated with prematurity, ethnic group, season and investigator, but not with birth order, mother's age, socioeconomic factors or the use of health services. Infant mortality was 117/1000. In a multivariate analysis, excluding premature infants and adjusting for age, gender, ethnic group, season of birth and investigator, higher birthweight (MR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.16–0.74) and larger thymus size (MR = 0.17,95% CI 0.06–0.48) were independently associated with lower infant mortality. When both indices were estimated in the same model, the thymus index was associated with infant mortality (MR = 0.27, 95% CI 0.07–1.00), whereas birthweight had a non‐significant effect (MR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.24–1.47). After 1 y of age neither birthweight nor thymus size at birth was associated with mortality.
Topographic representation in human intraparietal sulcus of reaching and saccade

REGIONAL cerebral blood flow was measured by positron emission tomography in seven subjects during reaching with saccade, reaching without saccade, saccade and control tasks. The reaching with saccade task activated two spatially distinct areas in the contralateral intraparietal sulcus (IPS) compared with the control condition. The area located in the anterior part of the IPS was also activated during the reaching without saccade but not during the saccade task. The other area, located in the posterior part of the IPS was, in contrast, active during the saccade but not the reaching without saccade task. The results indicate that the human IPS is functionally heterogeneous, and that functional roles of its anterior and posterior parts include control of reaching movements and eye movements, respectively.
Causal Impact of Employee Work Perceptions on the Bottom Line of Organizations

Perceptions of work conditions have proven to be important to the well-being of workers. However, customer loyalty, employee retention, revenue, sales, and profit are essential to the success of any business. It is known that these outcomes are correlated with employee attitudes and perceptions of work conditions, but the research into direction of causality has been inconclusive. Using a massive longitudinal database that included 2,178 business units in 10 large organizations, we found evidence supporting the causal impact of employee perceptions on these bottom-line measures; reverse causality of bottom-line measures on employee perceptions existed but was weaker. Managerial actions and practices can impact employee work conditions and employee perceptions of these conditions, thereby improving key outcomes at the organizational level. Perceptions of specific work conditions that engage employees in their work provide practical guidance in how best to manage people to obtain desired results.
A potential role for excitotoxins in the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury

It has been proposed that endogenously released excitatory amino acids may contribute to injury of the central nervous system in a variety of disorders including certain neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy, and cerebral ischemia. In the present studies we evaluated the hypothesis that excitatory amino acids, acting at the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor, contribute to secondary tissue damage following traumatic spinal cord injury. Administration of NMDA, adjacent to the trauma site, significantly worsened the outcome after thoracic cord injury in rats, whereas its stereoisomer, N‐methyl‐L‐aspartate (NMLA), was without effect. Systemic treatment with MK‐801—a selective, centrally active, NMDA antagonist—significantly improved neurological outcome after trauma. These findings extend the excitotoxin concept to central nervous system trauma and indicate that NMDA antagonists may be beneficial in the treatment of traumatic spinal cord injury.
Technique for Implantation of Chronic Indwelling Aortic Access Catheters

Introduction For chronic, repeated cardiovascular studies in trained, conscious dogs, we describe a technique for implantation of an arterial vascular access catheter in the aorta. In comparison to previous techniques, our technique enables arterial catheter implantation without interrupting the systemic circulation or compromising peripheral arterial flow, requires only a single penetration of the aortic wall, and results in a catheter facing downstream in the aorta. The catheter is usable for both arterial blood sampling and intra-arterial injection of pharmacologic agents. Methods After thoracotomy, two purse-string sutures were set in the aortic wall at the catheter entry-site. A Debakey–Satinsky vena cava clamp was used to partially clamp and isolate a 3-cm portion of aorta surrounding the pursestring sutures. The catheter was prepared by inserting a 0.35 mm guide wire, curve tip end first, into a 7 French silicone Access Technologies catheter. This caused a slight bend at the tip of the catheter, which later facilitated entry into the aorta and prevented damage to the intima of the aortic wall. Catheters were tunneled from the thorax to the nape of the neck, attached to a subcutaneous vascular access port (VAP), and buried in the fascia. Catheters were locked with 2 mL heparinized saline (20 IU/mL). With this technique, we implanted 16 aortic vascular access catheters in 16 dogs. Results Of the 16 animals, 8 are being maintained for long-term study, 7 were sacrificed for histopathological examination, and 1 died due to improper catheter implantation without the aid of the curved-tip guide-wire technique. VAPs have remained bidirectionally patent in all long-term animals (n = 8) ongoing for 7.5 ± 1.4 months (mean ± SEM), with an ongoing maximum of 14 months. In these long-term animals, VAPs were used 5.88 ± 1.34 times. Postmortem examinations were performed on short-term animals (n = 8) sacrificed at 2.85 ± 1.29 months. The catheters have remained bidirectionally patent in all but the one animal that died. In the short-term animals, the 7 patent VAPs were used 12.71 ± 1.64 times. Histopathological examination of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) slides from the catheter entry site revealed only minimal chronic inflammation. No evidence of tissue overgrowth around any of the intravascular segments of these silicone catheters was noted in any animal. Conclusions Thus, this dependable subcutaneous arterial access system provides a means for examining acute and long-term effects of environmental and pathophysiological influences in conscious dogs. These catheters have remained bidirectionally patent ongoing for more than 1 year and allowed infusion of agents and withdrawal of central arterial blood samples.
Psychometric Properties of the Depressive Symptom Assessment for Older Adults in Individuals with Moderate or Severe Dementia

Many older adults with moderate or severe dementia also have depression, but identifying depressive symptoms in these individuals can be challenging. The Depressive Symptom Assessment for Older Adults (DSA), a newly developed instrument designed to evaluate older adults for depression, regardless of their cognitive status, facilitates longitudinal evaluation. This investigation examined the psychometric properties of the DSA in older adults (n = 68) with moderate or severe dementia. Internal consistency for the overall instrument and three of the six subscales, inter-rater reliability, and concurrent validity were established. Preliminary factor analysis yielded two strong factors; however, the other four factors were conceptually unclear. Although the DSA performed well statistically, the instrument may have over-identified depressive symptoms related to disagreeable behavior and lethargy and may have under-identified other depressive symptoms.