Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair in Obese Patients: Improved Outcome After Endovascular Treatment Compared With Open Surgery

Purpose: To investigate outcomes in obese patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) treated with elective open or endovascular repair (EVAR). Study Design: We compared the outcomes of obese patients with AAA treated with elective open repair and EVAR. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m 2. Results: A total of 56 patients with a BMI ≥30 kg/m2 were identified for analysis (mean age 70 ± 8 years; mean BMI 34 ± 4 kg/m2, and 95% [n = 53] were male). Open surgery was performed in 55% (n = 31). The in-hospital complication rate (including nonsurvivors) was significantly increased after open repair compared with EVAR (26% vs 4%, P = .033). Mortality did not differ significantly during 3 years of follow-up (P = .816). Length of stay, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and need for ventilation were significantly increased after open surgery compared with EVAR. Conclusions: We observed improved short-term outcomes among obese AAA patients after EVAR compared to open repair. Endovascular repair may be preferable in obese patients with AAA.
Gene therapy for metachromatic leukodystrophy

Leukodystrophies (LDs) are rare, often devastating genetic disorders with neurologic symptoms. There are currently no disease‐specific therapeutic approaches for these diseases. In this review we use metachromatic leukodystrophy as an example to outline in the brief the therapeutic approaches to MLD that have been tested in animal models and in clinical trials, such as enzyme‐replacement therapy, bone marrow/umbilical cord blood transplants, ex vivo transplantation of genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells, and gene therapy. These studies suggest that to be successful the ideal therapy for MLD must provide persistent and high level expression of the deficient gene, arylsulfatase A in the CNS. Gene therapy using adeno‐associated viruses is therefore the ideal choice for clinical development as it provides the best balance of potential for efficacy with reduced safety risk. Here we have summarized the published preclinical data from our group and from others that support the use of a gene therapy with AAVrh.10 serotype for clinical development as a treatment for MLD, and as an example of the potential of gene therapy for LDs especially for Krabbe disease, which is the focus of this special issue. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transvection-Based Gene Regulation in Drosophila Is a Complex and Plastic Trait

Transvection, a chromosome pairing-dependent form of trans-based gene regulation, is potentially widespread in the Drosophila melanogaster genome and varies across cell types and within tissues in D. melanogaster, characteristics of a complex trait. Here, we demonstrate that the trans-interactions at the Malic enzyme (Men) locus are, in fact, transvection as classically defined and are plastic with respect to both genetic background and environment. Using chromosomal inversions, we show that trans-interactions at the Men locus are eliminated by changes in chromosomal architecture that presumably disrupt somatic pairing. We further show that the magnitude of transvection at the Men locus is modified by both genetic background and environment (temperature), demonstrating that transvection is a plastic phenotype. Our results suggest that transvection effects in D. melanogaster are shaped by a dynamic interplay between environment and genetic background. Interestingly, we find that cis-based regulation of the Men gene is more robust to genetic background and environment than trans-based. Finally, we begin to uncover the nonlocal factors that may contribute to variation in transvection overall, implicating Abd-B in the regulation of Men in cis and in trans in an allele-specific and tissue-specific manner, driven by differences in expression of the two genes across genetic backgrounds and environmental conditions.
Development and Validation of the Safety Locus of Control Scale

The Safety Locus of Control Scale was designed to predict employees' accidents and injuries. Internal scorers think they should assume personal responsibility for their safety, and they believe they can take preventive steps to avoid accidents. External scorers assume little personal responsibility for prevention of accidents. Instead, they place more blame on factors outside their control, such as luck or chance. This study showed that the safety scale was effective in differentiating between groups with varying accident histories, which supports the criterion-related validity of the scale.
Access to diagnostic tests during GP out-of-hours care: A cross-sectional study of all GP out-of-hours services in the Netherlands

Abstract Background: In general practice, excluding serious conditions is one of the cornerstones of the consultation. Diagnostic tests are widely used to assist the decision-making process in these cases. Little is known about general practitioners’ (GPs) access to diagnostic tests at GP out-of-hours services. Objectives: To determine GPs’ access to diagnostic tests—imaging, function tests, laboratory tests, and point-of-care tests (POCT)—during GP out-of-hours care and to assess whether access to diagnostic facilities differs between services located adjacent to or separate from an accident and emergency (A&E) department. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of all 117 GP out-of-hours services in the Netherlands in 2014. Results: One-hundred-seventeen GP out-of-hours services participated in the survey; response rate 100%. Access to diagnostic tests during GP out-of-hours care varied across services, although generally there was limited access. Electrocardiography was available in 26% (30/117) of all services, conventional radiography in 19% (22/117), laboratory tests between 37% (43/117) and 65% (76/117). All services had glucose POCT and urine dipstick tests available while none utilized troponin POCT. We observed no relevant differences in access to diagnostic tests between services adjacent to or separate from an A&E department. Conclusion: GPs in the Netherlands had limited and varying access to diagnostic tests during GP out-of-hours care in 2014. Out-of-hours services adjacent to A&E departments do not offer wider access to diagnostic tests. Further research on the accessibility of diagnostic tests in other European countries with similar and different GP out-of-hours care systems could shed further light on the effects of accessibility to diagnostic tests. Key Messages Our study shows that in 2014, GPs in the Netherlands had limited and varying access to diagnostic tests (imaging, function tests, laboratory tests and point-of-care tests) during GP out-of-hours care. Diagnostic tests are not more widely available to GPs working at GP out-of-hours services adjacent to hospitals with an accident and emergency department.
Intraneural Median Nerve Anatomy and Implications for Treating Mixed Median Nerve Injury in the Hand

Background: Nerve transfers have resulted in increased interest in the microanatomy of peripheral nerves. Herein, we expand our understanding of the internal anatomy of the digital nerve to the ulnar index and long fingers, the radial long and ring fingers, and the nerves to the second and third web spaces. Methods: The median nerve was dissected from the digital nerves to the antecubital fossa in 14 fresh upper extremities. The distance of proximal internal neurolysis of the fascicles to the second and third web space and proper digital nerves was measured relative to the radial styloid. Plexi encountered during proximal lysis were noted. Results: Digital nerves to the ulnar index and radial long fingers were lysed 2.4 ± 0.5 cm (mean ± SD), and digital nerves to the ulnar long and the radial ring fingers were lysed 3.0 ± 0.6 cm distal to the radial styloid. Fascicles to the third web space were lysed to the takeoff of the anterior interosseous nerve, 21.1 ± 1.4 cm. Plexus groupings were encountered at 4.5 ± 1.6 cm, 8.3 ± 1.2, cm and 16.1 ± 1.9 cm proximal to radial styloid. The fascicles to the second web space were lysed to 5.0 ± 1.2 cm proximal to radial styloid where a plexus grouping was encountered. Another plexus group was found at 3.3 ± 1.3 cm. Conclusions: We demonstrate that extended internal neurolysis of second web space, along with the digital nerves, is technically and clinically feasible. This technique can be used to treat mixed median nerve injury in the hand and wrist.
Star scientists and institutional transformation: patterns of invention and innovation in the formation of the biotechnology industry.

The most productive ("star") bioscientists had intellectual human capital of extraordinary scientific and pecuniary value for some 10-15 years after Cohen and Boyer's 1973 founding discovery for biotechnology [Cohen, S. , Chang, A. , Boyer, H. & Helling, R. (1973) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 70, 3240-3244]. This extraordinary value was due to the union of still scarce knowledge of the new research techniques and genius and vision to apply them in novel, valuable ways. As in other sciences, star bioscientists were very protective of their techniques, ideas, and discoveries in the early years of the revolution, tending to collaborate more within their own institution, which slowed diffusion to other scientists. Close, bench-level working ties between stars and firm scientists were needed to accomplish commercialization of the breakthroughs. Where and when star scientists were actively producing publications is a key predictor of where and when commercial firms began to use biotechnology. The extent of collaboration by a firm's scientists with stars is a powerful predictor of its success: for an average firm, 5 articles coauthored by an academic star and the firm's scientists result in about 5 more products in development, 3.5 more products on the market, and 860 more employees. Articles by stars collaborating with or employed by firms have significantly higher rates of citation than other articles by the same or other stars. The U.S. scientific and economic infrastructure has been particularly effective in fostering and commercializing the bioscientific revolution. These results let us see the process by which scientific breakthroughs become economic growth and consider implications for policy.
Outcome and Influencing Factors of External Levator Palpebrae Superioris Aponeurosis Advancement for Blepharoptosis

Purpose To evaluate, in patients with acquired good-function blepharoptosis, levator advancement success and surgical failure risk factors. Methods This retrospective, case-cohort study was university based. An estimated 828 patients underwent levator advancement for acquired good-function blepharoptosis between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 1999. Seventy-two patients underwent reoperation during the first postoperative year. Of 125 randomly selected patients not undergoing reoperation, 106 met the desired outcome criteria: postoperative margin reflex distance (MRD) ≥2.0 mm and ≤4.5 mm in operated eyes and ≤1.0 mm asymmetry between eyelids. Mean MRD, levator function, and Hering dependence (ipsilateral eyelid elevation exacerbating contralateral blepharoptosis) prevalence were determined for reoperated and desired-outcome groups and compared by using 2-sample t test and the Fisher exact test, respectively. Multivariate analysis was also performed. Results Reoperative rates were 8.7% overall, 5.2% of unilateral, and 13% of bilateral cases. Fourteen percent of patients had results outside the desired range but declined reoperation. Univariate analysis revealed significant differences in preoperative characteristics between desired and undercorrected groups: MRD, 1.0 versus 0.32 mm (p =0.001); levator function, 15.4 versus 14.7 mm (p =0.013); and Hering dependence, 50% versus 79% (p =0.005). With multivariate analysis, bilateral blepharoptosis was statistically significant (p =0.014), whereas levator function and Herring dependence were not. No differences were seen between desired and overcorrected groups. Conclusions After levator advancement for acquired good-function blepharoptosis, 77% of patients had ideal results and 8.7% underwent reoperation. Patients with bilateral or severe blepharoptosis have increased risk of undercorrection.
Paliperidone palmitate 3-month treatment results in symptomatic remission in patients with schizophrenia: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, and noninferiority study

The current analysis assessed symptomatic and functional remission achieved following paliperidone palmitate 3-month (PP3M) versus 1-month (PP1M) treatment in patients (age: 18–70 years) with schizophrenia, previously stabilized on PP1M. Following a less than or equal to 3-week screening, and a 17-week, flexible-dosed, open-label phase [PP1M: day 1 (150 mg eq. deltoid), day 8 (100 mg eq. deltoid), weeks 5, 9, and 13 (50, 75, 100, or 150 mg eq., deltoid/gluteal)], clinically-stable patients were randomized (1 : 1) to PP3M (fixed-dose, 175, 263, 350, or 525 mg eq. deltoid/gluteal) or PP1M (fixed-dose, 50, 75, 100, or 150 mg eq. deltoid/gluteal) in 48-week double-blind (DB) phase. Symptomatic remission was assessed using Andreasen’s criteria. Functional remission was assessed using Personal and Social Performance scale (PSP). More than 50% patients in both groups achieved symptomatic remission (PP3M: 50.3%; PP1M: 50.8%) during last 6 months of DB phase. Similar percentage of patients of both groups achieved functional remission (defined as PSP score>70, PP3M: 42.5%; PP1M: 43.9%) and combined remission (symptomatic and functional remission, PP3M: 25.1%; PP1M: 26.6%) during last 6 months of DB phase. Most patients who achieved remission at DB baseline maintained their remission status throughout the DB phase. PP3M and PP1M achieved comparable symptomatic and functional remissions during the DB phase.
Academic Characteristics of Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Applicants from 2007 to 2014.

BACKGROUND Based on a relatively stable match rate, several authors have concluded that the competition for orthopaedic residency positions has not changed over the past 3 decades. However, the objective measures of applicant competitiveness have not been quantified in detail. METHODS National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) data from 2007 to 2014 for U.S. orthopaedic surgery applicants were compared with data for applicants to all specialties. Trends in the United Stated Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step-1 and Step-2 scores, publications and research experiences, Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) status, and the presence of an advanced degree are reported. RESULTS From 2007 to 2014, the match rate for orthopaedic surgery applicants remained stable near 80% (p = 0.14). For orthopaedic applicants who matched, the mean USMLE Step-1 scores increased from 234 points in 2007 to 245 points in 2014 (p = 0.005), and the mean scores increased from 220 points in 2007 to 229 points in 2014 for all applicants (p = 0.019). The mean USMLE Step-2 scores of orthopaedic applicants who matched increased from 235 points in 2007 to 251 points in 2014 (p = 0.005), and the mean scores of all applicants increased from 225 points in 2007 to 242 points in 2014 (p = 0.002). The mean number of research publications, presentations, and abstracts reported by orthopaedic applicants who matched more than doubled from 3.0 in 2007 to 6.7 in 2014 (p = 0.02) and increased less dramatically for all applicants from 2.2 in 2007 to 4.2 in 2014 (p = 0.004). The percentage of orthopaedic applicants elected to AOA or with advanced degrees did not significantly change (p > 0.2). Although orthopaedic applicants with AOA status experienced a very high match rate (97.1% in 2014), those with advanced degrees experienced match rates similar to or slightly lower than the applicant pool (73.7% in 2014). CONCLUSIONS The USMLE Step-1 and 2 scores of U.S. orthopaedic surgery residency applicants have increased significantly from 2007 to 2014. Additionally, the number of publications and presentations reported by orthopaedic applicants has more than doubled. These factors signal an increasing level of academic accomplishment in orthopaedic surgery applicants despite a consistent match rate.
An Optically Clocked Transistor Array for High-Speed Asynchronous Label Swapping: 40 Gb/s and Beyond

We describe the development of an optically clocked transistor array (OCTA) interface device for label swapping high-speed asynchronous burst optical packets. The OCTA integrates the three critical functions of serial-to-parallel (SP) conversion, parallel-to-serial (PS) conversion, and clock-pulse generation into a simple optoelectronic integrated circuit (OEIC) to create a single-chip interface between the input/output baseband optical labels and a CMOS label processor. The result is a high-performance label swapping solution which is compact and low power. In this paper, a detailed investigation of the design and optimization of the circuit is first performed, followed by testing of device stability under subsystem operating conditions. Finally, demonstrations of single-channel switching speeds allowing greater than 100-Gb/s operation, 40-Gb/s SP and PS conversion with an eight-channel OCTA, and error-free label swapping of 10-Gb/s asynchronous optical packets with a prototype label swapper module are described.
An Entrainment-Based Model of Temporal Organizational Fit, Misfit, and Performance

Entrainment refers to the synchronization of the tempo and/or phase of two or more activities within a system. This article utilizes entrainment theory to develop a conceptual model and related propositions describing and explaining the relationship between temporal fit, misfit, and performance at the organizational level of analysis. Essential to the development of our model is the concept of organization-environment (O-E) temporal fit, which is a state of synchronization or alignment of organization and environment activity cycles. O-E temporal fit is positioned as an important contingency element because temporal misfit implies inefficiencies, substandard performance, and the potential death of the organization over time. Overall, this article offers a theoretical perspective that fills a gap in the extant organizational research literature regarding the elusive and understudied perspective of time and posits its relationship to organizational performance.
Transfer of Colitis by G&agr;i2‐deficient T Lymphocytes: Impact of Subpopulations and Tissue Origin

&NA; To elucidate the potential cell population(s) involved in the induction of colitis in inhibitory G protein G&agr;i2−/− mice, G&agr;i2‐deficient or competent bone marrow or splenic and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) T cells were transferred into immunodeficient mice. The mice were followed up to 23 weeks after transfer, recording changes in body weight. Colitis was graded on hematoxylin and eosin‐stained colonic tissue, and production of serum interleukin‐18 and colon‐derived interferon‐&ggr; was measured using ELISA. After adoptive transfer of G&agr;i2−/− bone marrow, severe colitis developed in irradiated wild type recipients, whereas irradiated G&agr;i2−/− mice increased their life span more than 3 times after transfer of wild type bone marrow, accompanied by significant amelioration of colitis. Neither purified G&agr;i2−/− CD4+, nor CD8+ splenic or MLN‐derived T cells could induce colitis in recombination‐activating gene V(RAG) 2−/− recipient mice, whereas transfer of splenic G&agr;i2−/− CD3+ T cells induced severe colitis. In contrast, transfer of G&agr;i2−/− CD3+ T cells from the MLN caused only minor histopathological changes in the intestinal mucosa. Finally, serum levels of interleukin‐18 and interferon‐&ggr; production from colonic tissue cultures correlated well with disease severity. Our results show that bone marrow transplantation can prolong the life of G&agr;i2−/− mice and ameliorate intestinal inflammation. Splenic CD4+ or CD8+ T cells on their own were poor inducers of colitis, whereas the combination of both was highly involved in the induction of intestinal inflammation. Furthermore, we show that the tissue origin of CD3+ T cells is critical for their potency to induce colitis.
Effect of macrophage stimulation on collagen biosynthesis in the healing wound.

Immunomodulators that enhance macrophage function have been shown to be beneficial in a number of wound-healing models in humans and in experimental animals. The exact mechanism of this improved healing is unclear. To assess the role of collagen biosynthesis, the immunomodulator glucan phosphate was utilized in two murine models of wound healing, i.e., colon anastomosis and full-thickness skin incision. Tensile strength was evaluated using computer-assisted constant velocity tensiometry. Collagen biosynthesis was determined by assaying hydroxyproline content of wound hydrolysates by N-(9-fluorenyl)methoxycarbonyl/o-phthalaldehyde high-performance liquid chromatography. Experimental animals were treated with (1-3)-beta-D-glucan phosphate (250 mg/kg) intravenously 24 hours prior to colon anastomosis or skin incision. A second dose of glucan phosphate was given immediately postoperatively. Control animals received dextrose and water (5% w/v) intravenously. Tensile strength and hydroxyproline content were measured on postoperative Day 3. In the skin wound model, glucan phosphate treatment increased (P < 0.05) tensile strength by 42 per cent (342.5 +/- 12.2 vs 241.8 +/- 4.8 g), and hydroxyproline content was increased by 23.5 per cent (242.0 +/- 14.4 vs 196.8 +/- 10.5 pmol/microg; P < 0.05). In the glucan phosphate group, colon tensile strength was significantly (P < 0.05) increased by 34 per cent (34.2 +/- 2.3 g vs 45.8 +/- 2.1 g), and hydroxyproline content was increased by 7 per cent (47.45 +/- 3.31 vs 44.34 +/- 3.74 pmol/microg). These data indicate that macrophage modulation with glucan phosphate will increase tensile strength in experimental colon and skin wounds. In addition, we observed a positive correlation between glucan phosphate treatment, wound tensile strength, and collagen biosynthesis.