Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PANCREAS PRESERVATION WITH UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AND CELSIOR SOLUTIONS: A SINGLE-CENTER, PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED PILOT STUDY

Background. Celsior is an extracellular-type, low-viscosity, preservation solution already used for heart, lung, liver, and kidney transplantation. We report the results of a single-center, prospective, randomized pilot study specifically designed to compare the safety profile of Celsior solution with University of Wisconsin (UW) solution in clinical pancreas transplantation. Methods. A total of 105 consecutive procurements were randomized to graft preservation with UW (n=53) solution or Celsior (n=52) solution. The groups were comparable with regard to all donor and recipient characteristics. Results. Five grafts were discarded and 100 grafts (50 UW vs. 50 Celsior) were transplanted. Mean cold and warm ischemia times were 11.0±2.1 hr and 37.2±6.0 min for UW compared with 10.8±1.8 hr and 38.1±5.9 min for Celsior (P =not significant). Delayed endocrine pancreas function was recorded in one graft preserved with UW solution. Eleven recipients (UW 12% vs. Celsior 10%, P =not significant) required a relaparotomy. The mean serum levels of glucose, amylase, and lipase remained comparable between the study arms at equivalent intervals after transplantation. One recipient died with functioning grafts in each study arm; two further grafts were lost to arterial thrombosis (Celsior) and chronic rejection (UW), respectively. Actuarial 1-year patient and graft survival rates overlapped in the two study arms (98% and 96%, respectively). Conclusions. Within the range of cold ischemia time reported in this study, UW and Celsior solutions have similar safety profiles for pancreas preservation.
COMPOSITE TRAITS, SELECTION RESPONSE, AND EVOLUTION

It is very difficult to relate macroevolutionary patterns to the microevolutionary processes described by quantitative‐genetic models. Quantitative‐genetic parameters are statistical abstractions. Their long‐term significance and evolution might be understood if they can be related to development, physiology, and other biological properties. Most continuous traits are composites of other traits that may contribute differentially to selection response and long‐term divergence. The operation of selection on continuous traits can be indirect, with intermediate optima caused by correlated fitness components. Few realistic models are available, and heritable maternal effects can further complicate selection response. Examples involving allometry of brain and body size in mammals suggest that prenatal and postnatal growth have contributed differently to body‐size evolution, with different correlated changes in brain size. Several different models could explain these patterns, and interpretation is further complicated by statistical difficulties in comparative biology. Quantitative‐genetic models may become more informative and predictive if variation in their parameters can be explained by developmental and other biological processes that have been shaped by the previous history of the population.
Gilbert's syndrome: High frequency of the (TA)7 TAA allele in India and its interaction with a novel CAT insertion in promoter of the gene for bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1 gene.

AIM To identify the variants in UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1 (UGT1A1) gene in Gilbert's syndrome (GS) and to estimate the association between homozygosity for TA insertion and GS in India, as well as the frequency of TA insertion and its impact among normal controls in India. METHODS Ninety-five GS cases and 95 normal controls were selected. Liver function and other tests were done. The promoter and all 5 exons of UGT1A1 gene were resequenced. Functional assessment of a novel trinucleotide insertion was done by in silico analysis and by estimating UGT1A1 promoter activity carried out by luciferase reporter assay of appropriate constructs in Hep G2 cell line. RESULTS Among the GS patients, 80% were homozygous for the TA insertion, which was several-fold higher than reports from other ethnic groups. The mean UCB level was elevated among individuals with only one copy of this insertion, which was not significantly different from those with two copies. Many new DNA variants in UGT1A1 gene were discovered, including a trinucleotide (CAT) insertion in the promoter found in a subset (10%) of GS patients, but not among normal controls. In-silico analysis showed marked changes in the DNA-folding of the promoter and functional analysis showed a 20-fold reduction in transcription efficiency of UGT1A1 gene resulting from this insertion, thereby significantly elevating the UCB level. CONCLUSION The genetic epidemiology of GS is variable across ethnic groups and the epistatic interactions among UGT1A1 promoter variants modulate bilirubin glucuronidation.
Energy Efficient and Intermittently Variable Ammonia Synthesis over Mesoporous Carbon-Supported Cs-Ru Nanocatalysts

The Cs-promoted Ru nanocatalysts supported on mesoporous carbon materials (denoted as Cs-Ru/MPC) and microporous activated carbon materials (denoted as Cs-Ru/AC) were prepared for the sustainable synthesis of ammonia under mild reaction conditions (<500 °C, 1 MPa). Both Ru and Cs species were homogeneously impregnated into the mesostructures of three commercial available mesoporous carbon materials annealed at 1500, 1800 and 2100 °C (termed MPC-15, MPC-18 and MPC-21, respectively), resulting in a series of Cs-Ru/MPC catalysts with Ru loadings of 2.5–10 wt % and a fixed Cs loading of 33 wt %, corresponding to Cs/Ru molar ratios of 2.5–10. However, the Ru and Cs species are larger than the pore mouths of microporous activated carbon (shortly termed AC) and, as a consequence, were mostly aggregated on the outer surface of the Cs-Ru/AC catalysts. The Cs-Ru/MPC catalysts are superior to the Cs-Ru/AC catalyst in catalysing mild ammonia synthesis, especially for the 2.5Cs-10Ru/MPC-18 catalyst with a Ru loading of 10 wt % and a Cs/Ru ratio of 2.5, which exhibited the highest activity across a wide SV range. It also showed an excellent response and stability during cycling tests over a severe temperature jump in a short time, presumably due to the open mesoporous carbon framework and suitable surface concentrations of CsOH and metallic Ru species at the catalytically active sites. This 2.5Cs-10Ru/MPC-18 catalyst with high activity, fast responsibility and good stability has potential application in intermittently variable ammonia synthesis using CO2-free hydrogen derived from electrolysis of water using renewable energy with fast variability.
Preparedness of Finnish Emergency Medical Services for Chemical Emergencies

Abstract Introduction The preparedness level of Finnish Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for treating chemical emergencies is unknown. The aim of this study was to survey the preparedness level of EMS systems for managing and handling mass-casualty chemical incidents in the prehospital phase in Finland. Hypothesis The study hypothesis was that university hospital districts would have better clinical capability to treat patients than would central hospital districts in terms of the number of patients treated in the field within one hour after dispatching as well as patients transported to hospital within one hour or two hours after dispatching. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted as a Webropol (Wuppertal, Germany) survey. All hospital districts (n=20) in continental Finland were asked about their EMS preparedness level in terms of capability of treating and transporting chemically affected patients in the field. Their capability for decontamination of affected patients in the field was also inquired. Results University hospital district-based EMS systems had at least 20% better absolute clinical capacity than central hospital-based EMS systems for treating chemically affected patients concerning all treatments inquired about, except the capacity for non-invasive ventilation (NIV)/continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in the field. Overall, there was a good level of preparedness for treating chemical accident patients with supplemental oxygen, bronchodilators, and inhaled corticosteroids. Preparedness for providing antidote therapy in cases of cyanide gas exposure was, in general, low. The variation among the hospital districts was remarkable. Only nine of 15 central hospital district EMS had a mobile decontamination unit available, whereas four of five university hospital districts had one. Conclusion Emergency Medical Services capacity in Finland for treating chemically affected patients in the field needs to be improved, especially in terms of antidote therapy. Mobile decontamination units should be available in all hospital districts. JamaTJ, KuismaMJ. Preparedness of Finnish Emergency Medical Services for chemical emergencies. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(4):392–396.
Prevalence of comorbid alcohol disorder and consumption in medically ill and depressed patients.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the extent to which alcohol disorder co-occurs in patients with major medical and psychiatric conditions. DESIGN Observational study. SETTING Offices of general medical providers and mental health specialists in three US cities. PATIENTS Adult patients (N = 2296) with hypertension, diabetes, heart disease (congestive heart failure or myocardial infarction), and/or current depressive disorder or subthreshold depressive symptoms. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Current and lifetime alcohol disorder, alcohol consumption, current problem drinking, perceived need for help for alcohol or other drug problems, and unmet need. METHODS Comparisons of the prevalence of alcohol comorbidity in medically ill nondepressed patients of general medical providers and in depressed patients of both provider types. RESULTS Patients with chronic medical problems or depression had similar levels of lifetime alcohol disorder (14% to 19%) and current alcohol problems (18% to 29%), but depressed patients were more likely to report needing help for problems with alcohol or drugs. Current alcohol disorder was more prevalent among depressed patients in mental health specialty practices than in general medical practices. Many patients who perceived a need for care for alcohol and other drug problems reported that this need was unmet (37% to 84%). CONCLUSIONS Clinicians who treat patients with major medical and psychiatric conditions need to be prepared to identify and treat comorbid alcohol disorder.
Return Volatility and Equity Pricing: A Frontier Market Perspective

Using both monthly and weekly return series between 1999:01 and 2013:12, we investigate the dynamics of stock returns and volatility in a Kenya’s fledgling equity market – the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Both the GARCH-in-mean and E-GARCH models yield positive and significant conditional variance parameters. We also find that shocks to equity returns of conditional volatility are highly persistent. Our results also indicate that conditional variance is driven more by the past conditional variance than it is driven by new disturbances. Finally, we find evidence of volatility clustering in the stock markets around major world and domestic economic episodes. Results are consistent with the inference that investors require larger risk premia on equities if they anticipate greater price volatility in future.
Reduced Incidence of New‐Onset Diabetes Mellitus after Renal Transplantation with 3‐Hydroxy‐3‐Methylglutaryl‐Coenzyme A Reductase Inhibitors (Statins)

Statins have anti‐inflammatory effects, modify endothelial function and improve peripheral insulin resistance. We hypothesized that statins influence the development of new‐onset diabetes mellitus in renal transplant recipients. The records of all previously non‐diabetic adults who received an allograft in Toronto between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2001 were reviewed with follow‐up through December 31, 2002. All patients receiving cyclosporine or tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone were included. New‐onset diabetes was diagnosed by the Canadian Diabetic Association criteria: fasting plasma glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L or 2‐h postprandial glucose ≥11.1 mmol/L on more than two occasions. Statin use prior to diabetes development was recorded along with other variables. Cox proportional hazards models analyzing statin use as a time‐dependent covariate were performed. Three hundred fourteen recipients met study criteria, of whom 129 received statins. New‐onset diabetes incidence was 16% (n = 49). Statins (p = 0.0004, HR 0.238[0.109–0.524]) and ACE inhibitors/ARB (p = 0.01, HR 0.309[0.127–0.750]) were associated with decreased risk. Prednisone dose (p = 0.0001, HR 1.007[1.003–1.010] per 1 mg/d at 3 months), weight at transplant (p = 0.02, HR 1.022[1.003–1.042] per 1 kg), black ethnicity (p = 0.02, HR 1.230[1.023–1.480]) and age ≥45 years (p = 0.01, HR 2.226[1.162–4.261]) were associated with increased diabetes. Statin use is associated with reduced new‐onset diabetes development after renal transplantation.
Limits to temporary protection: non-camp Syrian refugees in İzmir, Turkey

Abstract This article investigates the situation of non-camp Syrian refugees living in İzmir with a focus on socio-economic prospects and challenges concerning their survival and integration on the one hand and social acceptance by the host Turkish society on the other. The data were generated by semi-structured interviews conducted between February and April 2014 with non-camp Syrian refugees and Turkish citizens living in İzmir. The empirical research intends to contribute to the literature through insights on the socio-economic conditions of non-camp Syrians, their level of integration to Turkish society, difficulties and challenges encountered and the perception of Turkish citizens about the rising Syrian population in Turkey. It argues that Turkey’s open-border and ‘temporary protection’ policies are approaching their limits with the increasing number of new arrivals and the concomitant difficulties faced in integrating into Turkish society. The paper suggests that there is an urgent need to create a ‘rights-based approach’ with a long-term integration policy and presents policy recommendations which aim to extend and secure the rights of Syrians through socio-economic adjustments without jeopardizing their social acceptance from and peaceful co-existence with Turkish citizens.
Influence of ageing on carotid baroreflex peak response latency in humans

The stability of a physiological control system, such as the arterial baroreflex, depends critically upon both the magnitude (i.e. gain or sensitivity) and timing (i.e. latency) of the effector response. Although studies have examined resting arterial baroreflex sensitivity in older subjects, little attention has been given to the influence of ageing on the latency of peak baroreflex responses. First, we compared the temporal pattern of heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure (BP) responses to selective carotid baroreceptor (CBR) unloading and loading in 14 young (22 ± 1 years) and older (61 ± 1 years) subjects, using 5 s pulses of neck pressure (NP, +35 Torr) and neck suction (NS, −80 Torr). Second, CBR latency was assessed following pharmacological blockade of cardiac parasympathetic nerve activity in eight young subjects, to better understand how known age‐related reductions in parasympathetic nerve activity influence CBR response latency. In response to NP, the time to the peak increase in HR and mean BP were similar in young and older groups. In contrast, in response to NS the time to peak decrease in HR (2.1 ± 0.2 vs. 3.8 ± 0.2 s) and mean BP (6.7 ± 0.4 vs. 8.3 ± 0.2 s) were delayed in older individuals (young vs. older, P < 0.05). The time to peak HR and mean BP were delayed in young subjects following cardiac parasympathetic blockade (glycopyrrolate). Collectively, these data suggest that ageing is associated with delayed peak cardiovascular responses to acute carotid baroreceptor loading that may be, in part, due to age‐related reductions in cardiac parasympathetic tone.
Recent Trends in Executive Compensation: Are They Pareto Improving?

In recent years firms have been shifting their executive compensation packages from plain stock and option grants to grants with accounting-based performance vesting provisions and awards that benchmark firm performance against those of a designated peer group. One potential explanation for this trend is that firms want to improve the signal-noise ratio of performance measures. This paper directly tests this hypothesis. It estimates the statistical relationship between various performance measures and computes the optimal combination of awards. It finds that the observed trend is consistent with compensation optimization. It also finds that firms with higher potential gains from switching to alternative performance characteristics have increased their usage more than other firms.
Electrocardiographic findings in women with a recent history of pre‐eclampsia

Abstract Objective. To assess the prevalence of electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities after a pregnancy complicated by pre‐eclampsia and/or syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (PE) and to compare the ECG characteristics, at least six months after pregnancy, between primiparous early‐onset PE women with and without recurrent PE. Design. Longitudinal observational study. Setting. Tertiary referral centre in The Netherlands from 1996 to 2008. Sample. Six hundred and fifty‐eight formerly pre‐eclamptic women. For our second objective, we used a subgroup of 79 primiparae with a history of early‐onset PE. Methods. Data were obtained during a postpartum screening program for women with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Main outcome measures. Electrocardiographic abnormalities in PE women and characteristics of the ECG in women with recurrent PE after a first pregnancy complicated by early‐onset PE. Results. The ECG of 13 (2.0%), two (0.3%) and two (0.3%) former patients suggested ischemia, left ventricular hypertrophy and left atrial enlargement, respectively. Primiparae with recurrent PE in their second pregnancy differed from their counterparts with an uneventful second pregnancy by a leftward deviation of both the P‐ and the R‐axes of 11° (p= 0.022) and 12° (p= 0.021), respectively, with a prolonged QT interval (p= 0.025). Conclusions. The prevalence of ECG abnormalities in women with a recent history of PE was low and did not differ appreciably from that in a large population of healthy women of comparable age. The ECGs in primiparae with a history of early‐onset PE who developed recurrent PE in their second pregnancy differed slightly from women with an uneventful second pregnancy, probably related to potential confounders.
Glycoconjugates isolated from Trypanosoma cruzi but not from Leishmania species membranes trigger nitric oxide synthesis as well as microbicidal activity in IFN-gamma-primed macrophages.

In the present study, we investigated the role of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored mucin-like glycoproteins (GPI-mucins) from Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes in triggering the synthesis of nitric oxide as well as the microbicidal activity in murine macrophages. Our results show that GPI-mucins isolated from trypomastigote membranes are potent inducers of nitric oxide synthesis by IFN-gamma-primed macrophages, even at concentrations as low as 10 ng/ml. Our data also indicate the important role of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors from GPI-mucins as the second signal responsible for induction of nitric oxide synthesis by macrophages. To further investigate the role of these parasite molecules in inducing parasiticidal function, we cultured macrophages in the presence or absence of trypomastigote GPI-mucins and/or IFN-gamma and then infected these cells with either Leishmania spp. or T. cruzi. IFN-gamma was sufficient to induce microbial activity in macrophages infected with T. cruzi trypomastigotes. In contrast, killing of different species of Leishmania was further enhanced when macrophages exposed to IFN-gamma were also costimulated with trypomastigote-derived GPI-mucins. Our results also indicate that different glycolipids obtained from Leishmania major or Leishmania donovani (i.e., lipophosphoglycans or glycoinositolphospholipids) were unable to potentiate nitric oxide synthesis and/or microbicidal activity displayed by IFN-gamma-primed macrophages.
Bone Marrow–Derived Stem Cells and Strategies for Treatment of Nervous System Disorders

Bone marrow stem cells are the best known stem cell type and have been employed for more than 50 years, especially in pathologies of the hematopoietic and immune systems. However, their therapeutic potential is much broader, and they can also be employed to palliate neural diseases. Apart from their plastic properties, these cells lack the legal or ethical constraints of other stem cell populations, that is, embryonic stem cells. Current research addressing the integration of bone marrow–derived cells into the neural circuits of the central nervous system, their features, and applications is a hotspot in neurobiology. Nevertheless, as in other leading research lines the efficacy and possibilities of their application depend on technical procedures, which are still far from being standardized. Accordingly, for efficient research this large range of variants should be taken into account as they could lead to unexpected results. Rather than focusing on clinical aspects, this review offers a compendium of the methodologies aimed at providing a guide for researchers who are working in the field of bone marrow transplantation in the central nervous system. It seeks to be useful for both introductory and trouble-shooting purposes, and in particular for dealing with the large array of bone marrow transplantation protocols available.
Organophosphorus poisoning: victim specific analysis of mortality and morbidity

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of acute organophosphorous (OP) poisoning cases including death, duration of hospitalization and time lapse before arrival at hospital. All OP poisoning cases admitted to the Emergency Department of MKCG Medical College Hospital and other fatal cases received at the mortuary between September 1999 and August 2001 were prospectively studied. Males outnumbered females and most OP poisoning occurred in the 21-30 year age group. In 68 (97.1%) cases the motive was suicide and more than 80% were from rural areas. Nearly one-third of cases occurred during the summer and in the later part of the day. Married females and unmarried males were most frequently affected. Most of the married females were housewives and the males were students or farmers. Fifty-four per cent of cases were admitted for treatment within three hours with a mean time lapse of 6.2 hours. The mean hospital stay for all OP poisoning cases was 5.1 days. Twenty-nine out of 66 admitted OP poisoning cases were fatal. There is a high incidence of OP poisoning with mortality in the region. OP compounds are readily available at low cost in the market. A time of stress and frustration can lead to their use as a common poison with which to commit suicide.