Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Double onlay preputial flap for proximal hypospadias repair.

PURPOSE We describe a new technique for primary repair of proximal hypospadias. The double onlay preputial flap combines the principles of onlay urethroplasty and the double face preputial flap, namely preservation of the urethral plate and use of a total preputial flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS Common problems of classic onlay urethroplasty, including rotation and asymmetry of the penile shaft when the preputial flap is brought laterally around the shaft and the viability of the Byars flaps after dissecting the pedicle for the onlay flap, are avoided with this technique by passing the penis through a buttonhole incision in the pedicle of the total preputial flap. Onlay urethroplasty is performed using a secondary flap outlined from the total preputial flap. The remainder of the total preputial flap tissue is used to cover the ventral skin defect. RESULTS Since June 1994, 18 patients 6 months to 9 years old (median age 10 months) underwent primary hypospadias repair with the double onlay preputial flap technique, representing 15% of all repairs performed. Complications included a urethrocutaneous fistula, persistent chordee, a recessed meatus and a urethral diverticulum in 1 patient each. In all cases complications were corrected surgically with minor procedures. No patient had urethral stricture. Functional and cosmetic results were satisfactory in all patients. CONCLUSIONS This technique yields good functional and cosmetic results for proximal hypospadias repair.
Outcome of autologous stem cell transplantation for AL amyloidosis in the UK

High‐dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT) is widely used as a treatment for systemic AL amyloidosis, but its efficacy has not been proved and it has substantial toxicity in this setting. We report here the outcome of 92 patients evaluated at the UK National Amyloidosis Centre who underwent SCT for AL amyloidosis between 1994 and 2004 in various British centres. Median age was 53 years and median of two organs were affected by amyloidosis. All‐cause day 100 mortality [treatment‐related mortality (TRM)] was 23% for the entire cohort, although this was substantially greater for patients treated from 1994 to 1998 (15/47, 32%) than subsequently (6/45, 13%). Independent factors significantly associated with TRM on multivariate analysis were: number of affected organs, performance status, serum albumin and age. Response of the underlying clonal disease, defined by ≥50% reduction in the aberrant serum‐free light chain concentration, occurred in 83% of evaluable patients. Overall median survival was 5·3 years, and was 8·5 years among patients who survived beyond day 100. Despite recent refinements in patient selection, TRM remains substantial during SCT for systemic AL amyloidosis, and its place in the therapeutic armamentarium for this disease needs to be defined in randomised controlled clinical studies.
Functional and structural conservation in the mechanosensitive channel MscL implicates elements crucial for mechanosensation

mscL encodes a channel in Escherichia coli that is opened by membrane stretch force, probably serving as an osmotic gauge. Sequences more or less similar to mscL are found in other bacteria, but the degree of conserved function has been unclear. We subcloned and expressed these putative homologues in E. coli and examined their products under patch clamp. Here, we show that each indeed encodes a conserved mechanosensitive channel activity, consistent with the interpretation that this is an important and primary function of the protein in a wide range of bacteria. Although similar, channels of different bacteria differ in kinetics and their degree of mechanosensitivity. Comparison of the primary sequence of these proteins reveals two highly conserved regions, corresponding to domains previously shown to be important for the function of the wild‐type E. coli channel, and a C‐terminal region that is not conserved in all species. This structural conservation is providing insight into regions of this molecule that are vital to its role as a mechanosensitive channel and may have broader implications for the understanding of other mechanosensitive systems.
Analysis and processing of heart rate variability by time-frequency representation: Quantification of the pedaling frequency modulation

It has been shown that a pedaling frequency component can be extracted from the heart rate variability (HRV) signal using a time-varying filter. It is shown that this filter can be implemented directly in the time-frequency plane with different approaches. The need of resampling the data is also discussed with regard to the artifacts produced when the shanon condition is not fulfilled. In order to interpret the similar amplitude profiles of the pedaling component for untrained and trained subjects, an attempt for the model parameters setting is proposed. Consistent results on a large data set illustrate the feasibility of such processing.
The impact of open innovation on SMEs’ innovation outcomes

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of open innovation (OI) cooperation strategies on innovation outcomes of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), considering the mediating effect of firm age. The data come from six Spanish regions in the period 2009–2011. The authors analyse the impacts of two different types of innovation cooperation (with market and institutional agents) on four types of innovation outcomes: product, process, organisational and marketing.Design/methodology/approachThe analytical method is based on logit regressions in order to assess the impact of OI variables on SMEs’ innovation outcomes. The regressions include a number of control variables related to the characteristics of the business, the entrepreneur and the environment.FindingsThe empirical results show that OI plays a significant role in explaining the innovation outcome of SMEs. Firm age is found to moderate this relationship. R&D cooperation with market agents exhibits the highest relationship to innovation, while the impact of institutional cooperation is comparatively lower.Originality/valueThere are few studies on OI addressing OI practices in SMEs. This research contributes to shedding light on the role of OI in innovation processes in SMEs. It also shows how this relationship changes depending on the partner, the type of innovation and the age of the firm.
Laboratory studies of insecticide efficacy and resistance in Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) populations from British Columbia, Canada.

BACKGROUND Spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), control can be improved with better knowledge of insecticide efficacy, timing of sprays and rotations with registered products during the crop year. An efficacy bioassay was applied to study the dose response of adult laboratory-reared SWD collected from a cherry orchard in British Columbia (BC), Canada, to 11 insecticides. RESULTS Age- and sex-specific toxicities with the most effective insecticide, malathion, determined that older male SWD were significantly more susceptible than females. The selection for polygenic resistance to malathion using repeated exposure to sublethal concentrations with both the original and an additional blueberry-collected population of laboratory-reared SWD determined no significant difference in susceptibility after 30 generations. CONCLUSION Possible reasons reported in D. melanogaster studies where resistance did not occur after insecticide selection included avoidance and associated microbial complexes. The low level of malathion resistance observed in the selected SWD populations and a field-collected population is useful information in the development of insecticide resistance management programmes. © 2016 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada Pest Management Science © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
Food Restriction and Refeeding Have No Effect on Cellular and Humoral Immunity in Mongolian Gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Small mammals in the temperate area often face fluctuations in food availability. Changes in food availability may have a great influence on an animals’ immunity, which is important to their survival. We tested the hypothesis that cellular and humoral immunity would be suppressed by food restriction and restored to control levels by refeeding in Mongolian gerbils Meriones unguiculatus. Forty adult male gerbils were randomly divided into food-restricted (80% of baseline food intake) and food ad lib. groups. Similarly, another 40 adult male gerbils were also randomly assigned to two groups: a group for which food was restricted for 36 d and then provided ad lib. and a group that was continuously fed ad lib. Half of the gerbils in each group were injected with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and keyhole limpet hemocyanin solution to assess cellular and humoral immunity, respectively; the others were injected with sterile saline as control groups. Food-restricted gerbils had significantly lower body mass, body fat mass, dry thymus mass, wet and dry spleen mass, and serum leptin levels than those of the controls, whereas refeeding restored these parameters to the controls. Both food restriction and refeeding had no significant effect on PHA response indicative of cellular immunity, immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M concentrations, and white blood cells. We also found that food restriction decreased corticosterone levels in food-restricted gerbils, while refeeding increased corticosterone levels in refed gerbils compared with the controls. Our results suggest that cellular and humoral immunity were not affected by food restriction and refeeding in gerbils.
Characterization of exopolymeric substances (EPS) produced by Aeromonas hydrophila under reducing conditions

The aim of this work was to investigate the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) by Aeromonas hydrophila grown under anaerobic conditions. EPS composition was studied for planktonic cells, cells attached to carbon fibre supports using a soluble ferric iron source and cells grown with a solid ferric iron mineral (gossan). Conventional spectrophotometric methods, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were used to determine the main components in the biofilm extracted from the cultures. The key EPS components were proteins, indicating their importance for electron transfer reactions. Carbohydrates were observed mostly on the mineral and contained terminal mannosyl and/or terminal glucose, fucose and N-acetylgalactosamine residues.
Acceptable in the EU? Why some immigration restrictionists support European Union mobility

Why do some Europeans support immigration from within the European Union, while rejecting immigration from elsewhere? Acceptance of intra-European Union mobility—even by those who wish to restrict immigration more generally—is important for popular support for the European Union itself. This paper identifies and attempts to explain the preferences of “EU-only inclusionists”: EU nationals who support relatively high levels of immigration, but only from within the European Union. We analyze an underexplored experimental module in the European Social Survey to explore European Union inclusionism in relation to other preference profiles. We find that identification with the European Union helps explain specific support for European Union mobility, while subnational (racial and religious) identities are associated with a preference for European migrants over non-Europeans, but not with specific support for intra-European Union movement.
Could lean practices and process innovation enhance supply chain sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises?

Small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) adopt lean practices (LP) to reduce waste across their organisational value chain, which helps achieve sustainability. Process innovation (PI) has also been applied through cleaner production, environmental management system, ecodesign, and so on to address both customers' needs and legislations by policymakers. Although prior studies reveal the effect of sustainable practices, LP, and PI on sustainable performance separately, less is known on the integrated effect of them on sustainability performance. Moreover, studies on mediating effect of LP and PI on sustainability performance are scant. This is significant as LP and PI are considered to be the enablers for achieving sustainability performance. This research addresses this knowledge gap. The research first theorises a model integrating these four major constructs (sustainability practices, LP, PI, and sustainability performance) through hypotheses development. Subsequently, using structural equation modelling, it is tested whether each of sustainability practices, LP, and PI effect sustainability performances. Additionally, mediating effect of LP and PI between sustainability practices and performances is derived. The study uses data from 119 SMEs within manufacturing industries in the Midlands, United Kingdom. Further, a few case studies have been undertaken to validate the findings from quantitative analysis. The overall results show that although sustainability practices, LP, and PI help achieve sustainability performance of SMEs supply chain through efficiency and responsiveness respectively, the mediating effect LP is more compared with PI. Moreover, SMEs adopt LP when they are economy focused and implement PI when they are pressurised by customers and/or policymakers.
Screening for Intracranial Aneurysm in 355 Patients With Autosomal-Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Background and Purpose— The association of autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) with intracranial aneurysm (ICAN) is well known but little is known about the characteristics of ICAN in ADPKD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of ICAN in ADPKD. Methods— We screened 355 patients with ADPKD (mean age, 46.5±13.2 years; range, 7 to 87 years) with 3-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography. Size, location, and morphology of aneurysms were assessed. The prevalence and characteristics of ICAN in patients with ADPKD were evaluated. Patients with ICAN found by MR angiography and moderate renal function subsequently were recommended to undergo digital subtraction angiography for comparison. Results— The prevalence of ICAN in ADPKD was 12.4% (95% CI, 8.95% to 15.82%) with an equal gender distribution. The prevalence increased as age increased, reaching a peak value of 23.3% (95% CI, 16.85 to 29.75%) in the 60- to 69-year age group. The prevalence of ICAN in patients with ADPKD with a positive family history of hemorrhagic stroke or ICAN was higher than patients with ADPKD lacking such family history (relative risk, 1.968; 95% CI, 1.57 to 2.67). The mean diameter of ICAN was 3.85±3.25 mm. The most frequent site of ICAN was the internal carotid artery. The result of digital subtraction angiography of 15 patients with 18 ICANs and moderate renal function corresponded to the detection of MR angiography. Conclusion— The characteristics of ICAN in patients with ADPKD were different from some previous reports. Systematic screening of ICAN with 3-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography is recommended for patients with ADPKD, particularly for adult patients (≧30 years) or patients with a positive family history of hemorrhagic stroke or ICAN.
The chemotherapy on plasma-cell myeloma and the incidence of acute leukemia.

Previously untreated patients with myeloma were randomized to initial treatment with melphalan and prednisone (and to cyclophosphamide or carmustine if relapse or progression occurred)(Group A, 125 patients), melphalan, cyclophosphamide, carmustine and prednisone in alternating (Group B, 123 patients) or concurrent (Group C, 116 patients) schedules. The groups were similar with respect to known prognostic factors. Response rates and survival were also similar. We were unable to identify a subgroup of patients who responded or survived better on melphalan-cyclophosphamide-carmustine and prednisone than on melphalan and prednisone. We conclude that the combination of the four drugs is not better than melphalen and prednisone for inducing responses or prolonging the survival of patients with myeloma. Myelomas producing only gamma chains have a poorer prognosis (P greater than 0.001) than IgG, IgA, or kappa myeloma. Acute leukemia has developed in 14 patients. The actuarial risk of developing acute leukemia, has increased rapidly to 17.4 per cent at 50 months.
Leading Change in a Complex World : Transdisciplinary Perspectives

Dr. R. Edward Freeman is Professor at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. He is best known for his award-winning book, Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach. He is the author and editor of more than 20 volumes in the areas of stakeholder management, business strategy and business ethics and has written more than than 100 articles in a wide variety of publications. He is co-editor-in-chief of Journal of Business Ethics and a lifelong student of philosophy, martial arts and the blues.
Mutual Gains? Health‐Related HRM, Collective Well‐Being and Organizational Performance

Research on the effects of HR management on employees&#8217; psychological well&#8208;being has yielded inconclusive results. Moreover, prior works remain unclear on whether human resource practices specifically aimed at enhancing employee well&#8208;being also benefit organizational performance. Building on signaling theory and conservation of resources theory, our study investigates the relationship between health&#8208;related human resource management (HHRM), employees&#8217; collective well&#8208;being (in terms of collective emotional exhaustion and collective engagement) and organizational performance. Results from a multi&#8208;source field study of top management team members, HR representatives, and 15,952 employees in 88 organizations reveal a positive indirect relationship between HHRM and employees&#8217; collective well&#8208;being, which is mediated by employees&#8217; positive stress mindset. In addition, we find this positive indirect association to depend on the level of transformational leadership climate in organizations. Finally, our findings also show a positive indirect relationship between HHRM and company performance, mediated by employees&#8217; positive stress mindset and collective engagement.
ANTIANGIOGENIC ISOFORMS OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR PREDOMINATE IN SUBRETINAL FLUID OF PATIENTS WITH RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT AND PROLIFERATIVE VITREORETINOPATHY

Background: In proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), a nonangiogenic eye disease that is characterized by the formation of mainly avascular membranes, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels are found to be upregulated. Recently, it was discovered that VEGF is alternatively spliced to form the angiogenic (VEGFxxx) and antiangiogenic (VEGFxxxb) family of isoforms. Previous studies on expression of VEGF in PVR samples have not distinguished between the two families of isoforms. Methods: We measured total VEGF and VEGFxxxb levels in subretinal fluid of patients with PVR (n = 10) and in patients with uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (n = 27) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: We found total VEGF levels to be 2- to 3-fold elevated in the PVR group as compared with the rhegmatogenous retinal detachment group (P = 0.047). Antiangiogenic VEGFxxxb isoforms predominated (>60% of total VEGF) in the majority of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and PVR samples investigated, although a wide variability of isoform ratios was observed within both groups. Conclusion: The absence of an increased ratio of VEGFxxx to VEGFxxxb in patients with PVR as compared with patients with uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment may explain a lack of blood vessels in PVR membranes. Elevated VEGF levels indicate that this cytokine may play a role in the pathogenesis of PVR that is not related to angiogenesis.
Chemoradiotherapy in the Treatment of Regional Pancreatic Carcinoma: A Phase II Study

In locally advanced pancreatic cancer, the utilization of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is increasing, although in view of the reported long-term results of several contemporary trials, further improvements are certainly needed. Encouraging results using the combination of cisplatin, cytarabine, caffeine, and continuous infusion (CI) 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (PACE) for the treatment of advanced pancreatic carcinoma prompted a phase II study using PACE followed by external beam radiotherapy with CI of 5-FU (PACE-RT) for localized disease. Forty-one patients were treated with PACE-RT as adjuvant therapy after surgical resection (21 patients), or as primary therapy for locally advanced, unresectable disease (20 patients), with reevaluation for resection after completion of treatment. PACE consisted of cisplatin 100 mg/m2 IV on day 1, cytarabine 2 g/m2 IV every 12 hours × 2 doses, and caffeine 400 mg/m2 subcutaneously after each cytarabine dose; and days 3 to 21, 5-FU 250 mg/m2/d given by CI. Cycles were repeated every 28 days. After 2 cycles of PACE, radiation therapy was given concurrently with 5-FU at 200 mg/m2/d. In the adjuvant setting, the tumor bed and the draining lymph node basin received 50.4 Gy and 45 Gy, respectively. In the neoadjuvant setting, the primary and regional lymph nodes were to receive 39.6 Gy followed by a neutron boost of 8 NGy to the gross tumor volume. Photon therapy was delivered at 1.8 Gy per fraction and neutron therapy at 0.8 NGy per fraction, 5 days a week. All patients were evaluable for toxicity and survival. The most common toxicity was myelosuppression, with grade III to IV neutropenia occurring in 59% of the patients. The median survival times in the locally advanced and adjuvant patients were 13.4 and 18.1 months, with 1-year survival rates of 52% and 65%, respectively. Nine of 20 patients receiving PACE-RT for unresectable carcinoma had sufficient tumor regression to meet clinical criteria for exploration; three were resected with curative intent. The survival of these three patients undergoing resection after neo-adjuvant therapy was 22.4, 24.3 and 40 months. The treatment program was active, but only moderately well tolerated. Modification of this regimen with newer, less toxic drugs may provide better results and reduced toxicity.
Attachment Models in Incarcerated Sex Offenders: A Preliminary Italian Study Using the Adult Attachment Interview

A group of sex offenders (clinical group: n = 19) was compared to a nonclinical sample matched by age, years of education, and gender (control group A: n = 19) to verify a higher incidence of insecure attachment models among sex offenders. In addition, we tested whether sex offenders were characterized by specific childhood experiences, compared to control adults (control group B: n = 19) with the same secure/insecure attachment classification. Results showed significant differences between offenders and control adults on both the AAI continuous score and the distribution of the two‐way attachment classifications. Furthermore, sex offenders reported more intense experiences of rejection by the father figure and abuse in the family context during early childhood compared to not offenders subjects with the same attachment classification.