Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Introduction of mycophenolate mofetil and cyclosporin reduction in children with chronic transplant nephropathy

Abstract: Chronic transplant nephropathy (CTN) is the most important cause of kidney graft dysfunction. Studies in adult populations have reported a beneficial effect of non‐nephrotoxic mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on graft function in this setting. However, few studies were reported in children in this setting. We therefore reviewed the charts/medical records of renal transplanted patients < 18 yr of age at a single center who had switched from azathioprine to MMF as a result of progressive loss in graft function, for which vascular, infectious, and urological causes were excluded. Serum creatinine (SCr) and calculated creatinine clearance were compared prior to and after MMF introduction. Thirteen patients (nine male/four female), followed‐up for 59.3 ± 35.4 months after transplantation, were analyzed. Age at MMF introduction was 14.2 ± 3.6 yr. In 11 patients a previous biopsy had shown features of CTN and four patients also presented signs of chronic cyclosporin A (CsA) nephrotoxicity. MMF was started at a dose of 1211 ± 351 mg/day, and the CsA dose was decreased from 6.69 ± 3.15 mg/kg/day 6 months before MMF to 4.8 ± 2.3 mg/kg/day at the time of MMF introduction. CsA was withdrawn in four patients. The median (25–75%) SCr value increased from 1.60 mg/dL (range 1.3 to 1.87 mg/dL) 6 months before MMF to 2.2 mg/dL (range 1.87–2.32 mg/dL) when MMF was introduced. Six months after introduction of MMF, the SCr level had decreased to 1.5 mg/dL (range 1.2–1.8 mg/dL) and remained stable until the last follow‐up (17.5 ± 9.2 months after MMF was started). A similar pattern occured with calculated SCr clearance. There were no acute rejections after changes in immunosuppression. The safety of MMF was also analyzed and in only one patient was the drug stopped as a result of intractable diarrhea. These findings suggest that MMF is sufficiently powerful to allow a decrease/withdrawal of CsA without the burden of acute rejection in a pediatric population with CTN.
Crohn's Disease But Not Chronic Ulcerative Colitis Induces the Expression of PAI-1 in Enteric Neurons

OBJECTIVES:Chronic inflammation of the intestinal wall is the common characteristic of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis; disorders, which in some cases can be difficult to distinguish. The inflammation also affects the local neuronal plexuses of the enteric nervous system. It is known that plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and urokinase receptor (uPAR) are upregulated in neurons after experimental peripheral nerve injury and have been linked to nerve regeneration.METHODS:The expression of PAI-1 and uPAR in neuronal cells in lesions of the gastrointestinal tract was analyzed by immunohistochemical techniques.RESULTS:PAI-1 was found in a subset of neurons primarily located in the submucosal plexus of the small and large intestine in 24 of 28 cases (86%) with Crohn's disease, but in none of 17 cases with chronic ulcerative colitis and other severe inflammatory conditions in the intestinal wall. The PAI-1 was seen in the perikarya of the neurons and a few proximal axons, whereas nerves were negative. uPAR was seen in nerves in all types of lesion varying from 21% to 88% of the cases, most frequent in colon adenocarcinomas. No uPAR-positive nerves were detected in normal colon.CONCLUSIONS:PAI-1-positive neurons in inflammatory bowel disease are linked to chronic inflammation in Crohn's disease, implying PAI-1 as a potential parameter for the differential diagnosis between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The findings also suggest that PAI-1 in neurons is related to pain and that both PAI-1 and uPAR are involved in neuronal repair in the inflamed tissue.
Effects of Sex and Sex Roles on Same-Sex Touch

Touch is an important aspect of nonverbal behavior. Important aspects of the relationship of gender and sex roles with same-sex touch were highlighted. 259 subjects participated in the procedure, yielding a significant difference between men and women on same-sex touch. Further, androgyny was significantly correlated with ratings on the Same-sex Touching Scale. Specific conclusions regarding these findings were discussed.
A method of accelerated eradication of bovine brucellosis in the Czech Republic.

A method of accelerated eradication of bovine brucellosis was developed and applied in the Czech Republic, where livestock was reared primarily in large-scale units. Before this method was adopted, annual economic losses were about US dollars 20 million and thousands of people were estimated to suffer from brucellosis (e.g. 32.4% of tested veterinarians were positive). Initial mass serological testing confirmed 654 outbreaks with 99,787 intrafocal bovines distributed in half of the regions of the Republic. Disease incidence was 213 with a prevalence of 676 per 100,000 bovines. Systematic investigations detected all affected herds, including 91 new outbreaks. A depopulation policy was applied on farms and ranches with brucellosis-infected cattle, with the aim of totally eradicating the disease by a fixed deadline. Breeding on diseased ranches was temporarily discontinued and affected herds were replaced by healthy cattle from brucellosis-free regions. Since then, the incidence of the disease in cattle and humans has been maintained at level zero. Eradication without recurrence was achieved within five years, without reducing the cattle population, the rate of cattle production, or the income of farmers. Ten years after the eradication of the disease, the cumulative benefit/eradication cost ratio reached 7:1. Post-eradication surveillance has confirmed a brucellosis-free status. The eradication of bovine brucellosis has resulted in an increase in cattle production and trade. By 2000, eradication had averted losses of approximately US dollars 700 million and saved more than two thousand people from becoming affected with this zoonosis.
Prevention of pressure ulcer: interaction of body characteristics and different mattresses

We analysed the effect of different body features on contact area, interface pressure and pressure distribution of three different mattresses. Thirty‐eight volunteers (age ranged from 17 to 73 years, 23 females) were asked to lie on three different mattresses in a random order: I, standard hospital foam mattresses; II, higher specification foam mattresses (Viscorelax Sure®); III, constant low pressure devices (CareMedx®, AirSystems). Measurements were performed in supine position and in a 90° left‐ and right‐sided position, respectively, using a full‐body mat (pressure mapping device Xsensor X2‐Modell). Outcome variables were contact area (CA) in cm2, mean interface pressure (IP) in mmHg and pressure distribution (PD) estimated as rate of low pressures between 5 and 33 mmHg on each mattress in percent. Mean CA was lowest in the standard hospital foam mattresses and increased in the higher specification foam mattresses and was highest in the constant low pressure device (supine position: 491 ± 86 cm2, 615 ± 95 cm2, 685 ± 116 cm2). Mean IP was highest in the standard hospital foam mattresses and lower but similar in the higher specification foam mattresses and the constant low pressure devices (supine position: 22·3 ± 1·5 mmHg, 17·6 ± 1·7 mmHg, 17·6 ± 2·2 mmHg). Models were estimated for CA, IP and PD including the independent variables height, weight and waist‐to‐hip‐ratio (WHR). They show that body morphology seems to play a minor role for CA, IP and PD, but very thin and tall patients and very small and obese people might benefit from different mattresses. Our data show that CA increases with increasing specification of mattresses. Higher specification foam mattresses and constant low pressure devices show similar IP, but constant low pressure devices show a wider pressure distribution. Body morphology should be considered to optimise prevention for single patients.
Systematic review of post‐treatment psychosocial and behaviour change interventions for men with cancer

Objectives: The psychosocial impacts of a cancer diagnosis include reduced quality of life, poorer inter‐personal relationships, hopelessness and mental illness. Worse outcomes, including mortality rates have been found for single men with cancer compared with women and partnered men. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the effectiveness of post‐treatment psychosocial and behaviour change interventions for adult men with cancer, in order to inform the development of an intervention. A focus on single men was intended.
How do students access and assess academic information?: A quick scan into information literacy at Maastricht University

and measuring IL competences among students, one can also become more aware of and skilled at teaching and conveying such skills to students: the results indeed present interesting findings and imply further paths to be taken in the investigation of IL competences at UM and their continued improvement. Future research by means of quantitative surveys or qualitative interviews might shed light on even more fruitful and successful paths for IL (education) at UM and UB.
Modulating effect of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut extract on glucose metabolizing enzymes in aflatoxin B1-induced experimental hepatocellular carcinoma.

The herbal remedy extended by Semecarpus anacardium nut extract against Aflatoxin B1 mediated hepatocellular carcinoma was established by studies on carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes. Since some definite correlation exists between tumour progression and the activities of glycolytic and gluconeogenic enzymes, assessment of alterations in their activity can be used as successful markers of diagnosis and prognosis. The present work compares the activities of glycolytic and gluconeogenic enzymes in hepatocellular carcinoma bearing rats with drug-treated animals. An overall increase in glycolytic enzymes namely hexokinase, phosphoglucoisomerase, and aldolase with a subsequent reduction in gluconeogenic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-biphosphatase was observed in plasma and liver homogenates of hepatocellular carcinoma bearing rats. The administration of Semecarpus anacardium nut extract caused a significant decrease in the activity of glycolytic enzymes and an increase in gluconeogenic enzymes' activities to near normal values in drug-treated animals.
Comparative Diagnostic Utility of Different MR Modalities in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease

This study compares the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR)-based hippocampal volumetry, single voxel 1H MR spectroscopy (1H MRS) and MR diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) measurements in discriminating patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and normally aging elderly. Sixty-one normally aging elderly, 24 MCI and 22 AD patients underwent MR-based hippocampal volumetry, 1H MRS and DWI. 1H MRS voxels were placed over both of the posterior cingulate gyri, and N-acetyl aspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr), myoinositol (MI)/Cr and NAA/MI ratios were obtained. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were derived from DWI, and hippocampal borders were traced to measure hippocampal ADC. At 80% specificity, the most sensitive single measurement to discriminate MCI (79%) and AD (86%) from controls was hippocampal volumes. The most sensitive single measurement to discriminate AD from MCI was posterior cingulate gyrus NAA/Cr (67%). At high specificity (>85–90%), combinations of MR measures had superior diagnostic sensitivity compared with any single MR measurement for the AD vs. control and control vs. MCI comparisons. The MR measures that best discriminate more from less affected individuals along the cognitive continuum from normal to AD vary with disease severity. Selection of imaging measures used for clinical assessment or monitoring efficiency of therapeutic intervention should be tailored to the clinical stage of the disease.
Experimental cecitis in gnotobiotic quails monoassociated with Clostridium butyricum strains isolated from patients with neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis and from healthy newborns

Using axenic quails fed a diet containing lactose, we have investigated the potentially pathogenic roles of six Clostridium butyricum strains of human origin. Three strains (CB155-3, CB1002, and CB203-1) isolated from neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis patients and two of three strains (CB19-1 and CB25-2) isolated from healthy newborns led to cecal or crop lesions or both similar to those observed in human neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis: thickening of the cecal wall with gas cysts, hemorrhagic ulcerations, and necrotic areas. The lactose-negative strain (CB46-1) did not develop any lesions. The neuraminidase-producing strain (CB155-3) caused lesions in all monoassociated quails, whereas the other strains caused lesions in 28 to 85% of animals. Removal of dietary lactose suppressed all pathological incidence. These results show that lactose fermentation is a prerequisite in these pathological changes and stress the roles played by both the strain and the host in the expression of C. butyricum enteropathogenicity.
Pathophysiological Mechanisms in Sclerosing Skin Diseases

Sclerosing skin diseases represent a large number of distinct disease entities, which include systemic sclerosis, localized scleroderma, and scleredema adultorum. These pathologies have a common clinical appearance and share histological features. However, the specific interplay between cytokines and growth factors, which activate different mesenchymal cell populations and production of different extracellular matrix components, determines the biomechanical properties of the skin and the clinical features of each disease. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these events is prerequisite for developing novel targeted therapeutic approaches.
Rapid incidental phosphorus transfers from grassland.

In Britain, frequent rainfall means that there is a high potential for rapid, direct (incidental) losses of phosphorus (P) to occur after fertilizer or manure application. However, despite the known contribution of P to the eutrophication of water bodies in Britain, such incidental transfers have received little experimental attention. To rectify this, we used lysimeter plots (each 3 x 10 m) to investigate incidental transfers in a composite of overland and lateral subsurface flow (0-27 cm) following the application of different P sources. The treatments used were triple super phosphate (TSP), dairy slurry (Slurry), an equal mix of TSP plus slurry (TSP + Slurry), and no P (Zero P). The treatments were applied to wet soil at a rate of 29 kg ha(-1). In the following 169 h, 48.8 mm rainfall (intensity < or =3 mm h(-1)) resulted in total phosphorus (TP) exports between 1.8 and 2.3 kg ha(-1). A single 4-h period (with overland flow) accounted for 33 to 46% of overall loads from the P-amended treatments. Concentrations in discharge from TSP + Slurry and TSP peaked at 11000 microg TP L(-1) (67-68% as reactive P < 0.45 microm (RP<0.45). Slurry peaked at 7000 microg TP L(-1), 66% as particulate TP (>0.45 microm) and 20% as RP<0.45. Even in subsurface flow, concentrations exceeded 3000 microg TP L(-1) for all P-amended treatments. Incidental TP concentrations in plot discharge were up to 110-fold higher than those considered eutrophic in inland waters. We suggest that targeting short-term management decisions for P applications is the most immediately viable method to mitigate P loss and benefit the environment.
Identification of a p28 Gene in Ehrlichia ewingii: Evaluation of Gene for Use as a Target for a Species-Specific PCR Diagnostic Assay

ABSTRACT PCR was used to amplify a 537-bp region of an Ehrlichia ewingii gene encoding a homologue of the 28-kDa major antigenic protein (P28) of Ehrlichia chaffeensis. The E. ewingii p28 gene homologue was amplified from DNA extracted from whole blood obtained from four humans and one canine with confirmed cases of infection. Sequencing of the PCR products (505 bp) revealed a partial gene with homology to outer membrane protein genes from Ehrlichia and Cowdria spp. :p30 of Ehrlichia canis (≤71.3%),p28 of E. chaffeensis (≤68.3%), andmap1 of Cowdria ruminantium (67.3%). The peptide sequence of the E. ewingii partial gene product was deduced (168 amino acids) and the antigenicity profile was analyzed, revealing a hydrophilic protein with ≤69.1% identity to P28 of E. chaffeensis, ≤67.3% identity to P30 of E. canis, and ≤63.1% identity to MAP1 of C. ruminantium. Primers were selected from the E. ewingii p28 sequence and used to develop a species-specific PCR diagnostic assay. The p28 PCR assay amplified the expected 215-bp product from DNA that was extracted from EDTA-treated blood from each of the confirmed E. ewingii infections that were available. The assay did not produce PCR products with DNA extracted from E. chaffeensis-, E. canis-, or E. phagocytophila-infected samples, confirming the specificity of the p28 assay forE. ewingii. The sensitivity of the E. ewingii-specific PCR assay was evaluated and determined to detect as few as 38 copies of the p28 gene.
Sociodemographic profile, clinical factors, and mode of attempt in suicide attempters in consultation liaison psychiatry in a tertiary care center

Background: The objective was to study the sociodemographic data, psychiatric disorder, precipitating events, and mode of attempt in suicide attempted patients referred to consultation liaison psychiatric services. Settings and Design: A prospective study of 6-month duration was done in a tertiary care center in India. Materials and Methods: During the 6-month period all referrals were screened for the presence of suicide attempters in consultation liaison services. Those who fulfilled the criteria for suicide attempters were evaluated by using semistructured pro forma containing sociodemographic data, precipitating events, mode of attempt, and psychiatric diagnosis by using ICD-10. Results: The male-to-female ratio was similar. Adult age, urban background, employed, matriculation educated were more represented in this study. More than 80% of all attempters had psychiatric disorder. Majority had a precipitating event prior to suicide attempt. The most common method of attempt was by use of corrosive. Conclusions: Majority of suicide attempter patients had mental illness. Early identification and treatment of these disorders would have prevented morbidity and mortality associated with this. There is a need of proper education of relatives about keeping corrosive and other poisonous material away from patients as it was being commonest mode of attempt.
Handbook of Economic Forecasting, Vol 2A

The highly prized ability to make financial plans with some certainty about the future comes from the core fields of economics. In recent years the availability of more data, analytical tools of greater precision, and ex post studies of business decisions have increased demand for information about economic forecasting. Volumes 2A and 2B, which follows Nobel laureate Clive Granger's Volume 1 (2006), concentrate on two major subjects. Volume 2A covers innovations in methodologies, specifically macroforecasting and forecasting financial variables. Volume 2B investigates commercial applications, with sections on forecasters' objectives and methodologies. Experts provide surveys of a large range of literature scattered across applied and theoretical statistics journals as well as econometrics and empirical economics journals. The Handbook of Economic Forecasting Volumes 2A and 2B provide a unique compilation of chapters giving a coherent overview of forecasting theory and applications in one place and with up-to-date accounts of all major conceptual issues. Focuses on innovation in economic forecasting via industry applications Presents coherent summaries of subjects in economic forecasting that stretch from methodologies to applications Makes details about economic forecasting accessible to scholars in fields outside economics
Are There Unexplained Financial Rewards for the Snakes in Suits? A Labour Market Analysis of the Dark Triad of Personality

The Big Five personality test is used to generate psychopathy, narcissism and Machiavellianism scores using a large UK individual level micro dataset. These scores show that high levels of narcissism and Machiavellianism can be associated with a higher incidence of employment in managerial occupations, while high levels of psychopathy are related to higher employment in the other services sector. The article finds a wage premium to Machiavellianism that is largest at the 90th percentile, over and above all productivity‐related explanations. The average hourly wage increase for a one‐point move up the Machiavellianism scale is around 2.1 per cent.
PENGARUH RETURN ON INVESTMENT (ROI), EARNING PER SHARE (EPS), DAN PRICE EARNING RATIO (PER) TERHADAP HARGA SAHAM PERUSAHAAN PERTAMBANGAN YANG TERDAFTAR DI BEI TAHUN 2011-2013

The financial report is an important component for investors to know how the progress of the company. The purpose of this research is to know influences of the ratio Return On Investment (ROI), Earning Per Share (EPS), and Price Earning Ratio (PER) to stock price in mining company on Indonesia Stock Exchange. For the period of this study is 2011 until 2013 so that the data used by investors more updates. This study used a population of companies that listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange by taking a 14 companies for sample from the population that has been determined. This data collection method using documentary method with multiple linear regression equation. The results of this study is the variable ROI, and PER not significant effect on the stock price, but the variable EPS has a significant effect on stock price. In conclusion EPS only significant on stock price. Keywords: ROI, EPS, PER, stock price keyword
Mechanisms of B cell tolerance

Exposure of 2, 4‐dinitrophenyl (DNP)‐hemocyanin‐primed spleen cells to DNP‐conjugated pneumococcal polysaccharide (DNP‐S3) in vivo or in vitro renders such cells unresponsive to DNP‐hemocyanin challenge following adoptive transfer. The unresponsiveness is hapten‐specific, independent of the presence of T cells and adherent cells, and not due to either toxic effect of S3 or carry‐over of tolerogenic amounts of cell‐bound DNP‐S3, and thus presumably represents a model of B cell tolerance. The degree of suppression induced depends upon the dose of the tolerogen and most strikingly on the duration of exposure of cells to the tolerogen. Thus 2 to 6 h exposure to DNP‐S3 has an insignificant effect on anti‐DNP responses, while 24 and 48 h exposures in vitro and in vivo are highly suppressive. Such a dynamic process of tolerance induction suggests a “multiple hit” phenomenon, implying the generation of suppressive signals by repeated cycles of tolerogen‐receptor interactions. The process can be interrupted by removal of extracellular DNP‐S3, although this does not reverse the unresponsiveness that has already been induced.