Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Health-related quality of life 1 year after allogeneic or autologous stem-cell transplantation: a prospective study.

PURPOSE To evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adults treated with high-dose chemotherapy followed by allogeneic (SCT) and autologous (ASCT) stem-cell transplantation 1 year after transplantation, using data from concurrent lymphoma patients receiving combination chemotherapy (CT) as a reference. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-one leukemia patients (SCT group), 51 lymphoma patients (ASCT group), and 85 CT patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 questionnaire at baseline and after 1 year. RESULTS The SCT group (median age, 36 years) had better functioning scores and less symptomatology at baseline compared with the ASCT (median age, 41 years) and CT (median age, 37 years) groups. Statistically significant differences of 10 or more points on the 0 to 100 scales were found for 10 of 15 scales and items (P< or =.01) between the SCT and ASCT groups. Global quality of life (79 v 58, P<.0001), role function (83 v 65, P = .001), sleep disturbances (6 v 28, P<.0001), and fatigue (25 v 44, P = .0001) deviated most. The differences were 10 or more points for seven of 15 scales and items comparing the SCT and CT groups, with sleep disturbances (6 v 35, P<.0001) and pain (11 v 29, P<.01) deviating most. Differences across groups were smaller after 1 year; cognitive function was the only scale with a statistically significant difference (ASCT 80 v CT 89; P = .002). Patterns of change in HRQOL scores were different between groups during follow-up. A great improvement was found in the ASCT group (P<.01 for emotional and role function, fatigue, appetite, and constipation), whereas no significant changes were observed for the SCT group. CONCLUSION Prospective studies with extended follow-up periods are necessary to separate a slow recovery process from more permanently reduced HRQOL after transplantation and to examine the late side effects from previous treatment.
Pathogenesis of Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in Murine Lupus

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) in lupus patients confers >50% mortality, and the cause is unknown. We undertook this study to examine the pathogenesis of DAH in C57BL/6 mice with pristane‐induced lupus, a model of human lupus‐associated DAH.
Relationship between preoperative endotoxin immune status, gut perfusion, and outcome from cardiac valve replacement surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE Endotoxin is a powerful trigger of systemic inflammation. Since cardiac surgery exposes patients to endotoxemia, this study was set up to define the relationship between preoperative endogenous endotoxin immune status, gut perfusion, and outcome following cardiac valve replacement surgery. DESIGN Observational study. SETTING University hospital. PATIENTS Fifty-nine consecutive patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Blood was assayed for IgG and IgM endotoxin core antibody (EndoCAb) levels preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at 4 h and 24 h postoperatively. Intraoperative gut mucosal perfusion was assessed using gastric tonometry. Complications were assessed for groups above and below the median EndoCAb value of a healthy population (100 median units micro/mL). Of the 59 patients, 12 developed at least one of a set of predefined complications. Of these 12, all had preoperative levels of IgM EndoCAb below 100 MU/mL (p<0.025). Eleven had IgG EndoCAb levels below 100 MU/mL (0.05<p<0.1). There was no relationship between the fall in gastric intramucosal pH and exposure to endotoxin as implied by the fall in unbound IgM EndoCAb levels, although the specificity of tonometry for predicting complications could be improved by considering the patient's preoperative EndoCAb status. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative EndoCAb levels were related to poor outcome following cardiac surgery and may be used to improve the specificity of GI tonometry in predicting postoperative complications.
Combined approach to demonstrate acetylcholinesterase activity changes in the rat brain following tabun intoxication and its treatment

Reactivation effects of K203 and currently available oximes (obidoxime, HI-6) in combination with atropine on acetylcholinesterase activities in the brain parts of rats poisoned with tabun were studied. The activity was determined by quantitative histochemical and biochemical methods correlating between them very well. The tabun-induced changes in acetylcholinsterase activity as well as in reactivation potency of reactivators used were different in various parts of the brain. Pontomedullar area seems to be important for observed changes following tabun intoxication and its treatment. From the oximes studied, the reactivation effect of K203 was comparable with obidoxime; HI-6 was ineffective. Combination of bio- and histochemical methods allow fine differentiation among the action of different oximes following tabun poisoning.
Acceptance of online banking information systems: an empirical case in a developing economy

This paper proposes an extended model of technology acceptance to understand potential users’ acceptance of online banking information systems (OBIS). The proposed model integrates key constructs from information systems and e-commerce acceptance research streams into the theoretical frame of the technology acceptance model. The model was tested on a sample of 353 Internet banking users in Pakistan. Using structural equation modelling with Analysis of Moment Structures software, data analysis showed considerable support for the extended hypothesised model. The results suggested that, in order of importance: perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU) and trust explained 45.7% of the variance in intended acceptance behaviour. Trust and technological self-efficacy (TSE) predicted 28.1% of the variance in PU. While in PEOU 21.8% of the variance was predicted by TSE, accessibility and terminology clarity. This study produced valuable insights into the factors that influence acceptance of OBIS by intended users and offers new ideas in understanding the acceptance of technology, especially in developing countries.
Interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6) is associated with oral‐facial cleft in individuals that originate in South America

Alexandre R. Vieira,* Margaret E. Cooper, Mary L. Marazita, Iêda M. Orioli, and Eduardo E. Castilla Department of Oral Biology and Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ECLAMC at Department of Genetics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil ECLAMC at Department of Genetics, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil ECLAMC at CEMIC, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Elevated size and body condition and altered feeding ecology of the grouper Cephalopholis argus in non-native habitats

In 1956, the shallow-water grouper Cephalopholis argus was introduced from Moorea (French Polynesia), where grouper diversity (14 species) is high, to the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI), where only 2 rare native deep-water groupers occur. In this non-native environment, the species has flourished and has become the dominant apex predator on many reefs. In the present study, a comparison of non-native populations of C. argus in the MHI with native populations in Moorea showed that mean total length (32.0 vs. 26.9 cm), mass (722 vs. 326 g), growth, and body condition were each significantly elevated in the MHI. In addition, while an ontogenetic shift towards larger prey occurred in both locations, it was faster and more consistent in Moorea than in the MHI. As a result, while small C. argus of comparable size in the 2 locations consumed similar-sized prey, large C. argus in Moorea consumed significantly longer and deeper-bodied prey than their counterparts in the MHI. This pattern was unrelated to the size distributions of available prey and may thus reflect stronger intra- and interspecific competition for small prey in Moorea. Although ecological release in a broader sense (i.e. a combination of predator release, parasite release, and competitive release) may play a role, the most direct explanation for the observed differences between C. argus in native habitats in Moorea (with many competing grouper species) and non-native habitats in the MHI (few competitors) would be competitive release (here used in the sense of benefits resulting from the reduction of interspecific competition).
Role of blood coagulation factor XIII in vascular diseases.

FXIII, also called fibrin-stabilising factor [1] , is a transglutaminase composed of two A subunits and two B subunits circulating in plasma as a tetramer (A2B2) (Figure 1). FXIII plays an important role in clot stabilisation by cross-linking fibrin chains [2] after activation by thrombin (Figure 1). In addition, a number of other proteins are substrates for activated FXIII, such as α2-antiplasmin, von Willebrand factor, factor V, thrombospondin, vitronection and thrombin-activable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) [3–7]. All A-subunit molecules in plasma are in complex with the B-subunit (carrier protein) at a concentration of approximately 21 μg/ml, whereas the B-subunit is present in both free and complexed form [8]. FXIII was discovered over 70 years ago by Barkan et al., who observed the insolubility of fibrin clots in the presence of calcium [9]. Until recently little was known about the role of FXIII in vascular diseases, since most studies have been carried out in patients with congenital FXIII deficiency, which results in a serious bleeding diathesis and defective wound healing [10]. These patients show a complete absence of the A-subunit in plasma due to different mutations in the A-subunit gene [11]. 31 Minireview S W I S S M E D W K LY 2 0 0 1 ; 1 3 1 : 3 1 – 3 4 · w w w. s m w. c h
Caring behaviors by nurses: women's perceptions during childbirth.

OBJECTIVE To identify nursing behaviors perceived as caring by women during childbirth. DESIGN Descriptive research design using a structured questionnaire. SETTING Interviews were conducted after vaginal birth and before hospital discharge. PARTICIPANTS A convenience sample of 31 childbearing women. RESULTS Women's perceptions of caring behaviors used by nurses were measured via the Caring Behavior Assessment, an instrument that lists 63 nursing behaviors in seven subscales and is congruent with Watson's (1988) caring factors. Mothers who had uncomplicated vaginal births were asked to rate behaviors of their nurses. Behaviors in the human needs assistance subscale, which included items such as "help me with my care until I'm able to do it for myself," "give my treatments and medication on time," and "check my condition closely," were perceived as the most caring. CONCLUSION Identification of nursing behaviors that are perceived as caring will help nurses working in managed care environments where time spent with patients is decreased.
Determination of hepatocellular carcinoma grade by needle biopsy is unreliable for liver transplant candidate selection

The objective of this article is to evaluate the utility of preoperative needle biopsy (PNB) grading of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as a biomarker for liver transplantation (LT) candidate selection. Given the prognostic significance of HCC tumor grade, PNB grading has been proposed as a biomarker for LT candidate selection. Clinicopathologic characteristics of HCC LT recipients (1989‐2014) with a PNB were analyzed, and the concordance of PNB grade to explant grade and vascular invasion was assessed to determine whether incorporation of PNB grade to accepted transplant criteria improved candidate selection. Of 965 patients undergoing LT for HCC, 234 (24%) underwent PNB at a median of 280 days prior to transplant. Grade by PNB had poor concordance to final explant pathology (κ = 0.22; P = 0.003), and low sensitivity (29%) and positive predictive value (35%) in identifying poorly differentiated tumors. Vascular invasion was predicted by explant pathologic grade (rs = 0.24; P < 0.001) but not PNB grade (rs= −0.05; P = 0.50). Increasing explant pathology grade (P = 0.02), but not PNB grade (P = 0.65), discriminated post‐LT HCC recurrence risk. The incorporation of PNB grade to the established radiologic Milan criteria (MC) did not result in improved prognostication of post‐LT recurrence (net reclassification index [NRI] = 0%), whereas grade by explant pathology resulted in significantly improved reclassification of risk (NRI = 19%). Preoperative determination of HCC grade by PNB has low concordance with explant pathologic grade and low sensitivity and positive predictive value in identifying poorly differentiated tumors. PNB grade did not accurately discriminate post‐LT HCC recurrence and had no utility in improving prognostication compared with the MC alone. Incorporation of PNB to guide transplant candidate selection appears unjustified. Liver Transplantation 23 1123–1132 2017 AASLD.
Evolution of Myocardial Infarction and its Biomarkers: A Historical Perspective

One hundred fifty (150) years ago, Rudolph Virchow (1821–1902) described the cellular basis of venothrombosis in pulmonary embolism. [1] Several scientific historians have synthesized these concepts as thrombogenesis. These concepts are known today as Virchow’s Triad:[2] stasis, endothelial injury or vessel wall injury and hypercoagulabilty. Virchow did not propose the triad but consensus was reached proposing that thrombosis is the result of alterations in blood flow, vascular endothelial injury or alterations in the constitution of blood. [3] These theories were very similar to the description provided by Virchow of the pathophysiology of pulmonary embolism. We can assess and appreciate the applicability of these perceptions to current medicine, especially in cardiology. It took a long time for cardiologists to understand the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction, requiring publication of a definition of infarction that was revised three times (1971, 2000, 2012) to help physicians identify the illness rapidly since early treatment is crucial in its prognosis. This article will focus on a brief historical sketch of the disease, including the important biomarkers CK-MB and troponin.
Health status, health insurance, and health care utilization patterns of immigrant Black men.

OBJECTIVES This study sought to describe the health status, health insurance, and health care utilization patterns of the growing population of immigrant Black men. METHODS We used data from the 1997-2000 National Health Interview Survey to examine and then compare health variables of foreign-born Black men with those of US-born Black and White men. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine health outcomes. RESULTS Foreign-born Black men were in better overall health than their US-born Black counterparts and were much less likely than either US-born Black or White men to report adverse health behaviors. Despite these health advantages, foreign-born Black men were more likely than either US-born Black or White men to be uninsured. CONCLUSIONS In the long term, immigrant Black men who are in poor health may be adversely affected by lack of health care coverage.
Prevention of Sexual Abuse Through Educational Programs Directed Toward Children

A Catholic Medical Association (CMA) Task Force issued a report in October 2006 on the sexual abuse of children and its prevention1 in response to initiatives by Catholic dioceses across the country, which were reeling from abuse scandals and have been seeking to improve their sexual abuse–prevention efforts. This report argued strongly against what it called “child-empowerment programs” aimed at preventing sexual abuse. It argued that these programs were “ineffective at preventing sexual abuse” and “inconsistent with the science of emotional, cognitive, neurobiological and moral development of the child. ” This report reiterated a number of arguments that have been raised over 2 decades against classroom-based prevention education by various critics.2–5 However, the research evidence and the available meta-analytic reviews do not give much support to these criticisms,6,7 and the reappearance of these arguments in a high-profile public policy context merit discussion and rebuttal. The programs of concern to the CMA and others are programs that instruct children about sexual abuse and sexual victimization and try to impart a variety of messages to children (and their parents) about how to identify abuse, how to react when approached, and what to do in the aftermath of abuse. These programs are typically delivered in school settings or other youth service environments. They typically have components directed toward parents, teachers, and youth service staff, as well. Well-known examples of such programs are “Talking About Touching” from the Seattle-based Committee for Children and the Child Assault Prevention program used statewide in New Jersey. Although the CMA report refers to these as “empowerment” programs, they have a variety of philosophies. I will refer to them as “school-based prevention-education programs” or “prevention programs,” for short, because this is how they are referred to in the literature more frequently than as … Address correspondence to David Finkelhor, PhD, Crimes Against Children Research Center, Family Research Laboratory, Department of Sociology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824. E-mail: david.finkelhor{at}unh.edu
Isolation and characterization of the Streptococcus mutans gtfC gene, coding for synthesis of both soluble and insoluble glucans

The intact gtfC gene from Streptococcus mutans GS-5 was isolated in Escherichia coli in plasmid vector pUC18. The glucosyltransferase activity expressed by the gene synthesized both low-molecular-weight water-soluble glucan and insoluble glucan in a primer-independent manner. Purification of the enzyme by procedures that minimize proteolytic digestion yielded a purified preparation with a molecular weight of 140,000. Insertional inactivation of the gtfC gene with a streptococcal erythromycin resistance gene fragment followed by transformation of strain GS-5 suggested that the gtfC gene product was required for sucrose-dependent colonization in vitro. In addition, evidence for the presence of a third gtf gene coding for soluble glucan synthesis was obtained following the construction of mutants containing deletions of both the gtfB and gtfC genes.
EDMS Use in Local E-Government: Extent of Use and Overall Performance Mediated by Routinization and Infusion

This study analyzes the effects of several post-adoption behaviors (extent of use, routinization and infusion) on overall performance in using an Electronic Document Management System (EDMS). Furthermore, we test whether the routinization and infusion variables mediate the influence of the extent of use on overall performance. This research collects data from a survey answered by 2,175 employees (EDMS users) of Portuguese municipalities. The Partial Least Squares technique is applied to test the model. The results showed that routinization is directly predicted by the extent of use, whereas infusion is directly affected by the extent of use and also by routinization. Consequently, such post-adoptive behaviors are interrelated not only in a sequential process, but also in parallel. In addition, overall performance is directly influenced by routinization and infusion. Finally, an indirect effects analysis shows that routinization and infusion mediate the relationship between extent of use and overall performance.
Experimental study design and grant writing in eight steps and 28 questions

While writing a grant proposal may take a few days, the planning of the study takes much longer and requires thoughtful consideration. The use of a systematic and itemised approach can help in planning crucial details of a study. An eight‐step, 28‐question, iterative approach is proposed to help with the careful planning of experiments in order to maximise the researchers' chances of acceptance when submitting the study for funding and its results for publication. The steps include defining a relevant research question; selecting instrumentation, study design and statistics; determining sample size and sampling procedure; ensuring data quality throughout data collection and analysis; setting personnel and budget requirements, and writing a convincing grant proposal. Reviewers pay particular attention to the importance of the research topic and question, the presence of a clear problem statement and up to date review of the literature, the use of an optimal design and instrumentation, a sufficient and unbiased sample, and appropriate and well applied statistics. They also appreciate a clear and easy to follow proposal. The research question is the keystone of the entire enterprise, followed by the selection of an optimal study design and the control of possible confounding variables. No study is perfect. The researchers must constantly weigh advantages and disadvantages and select the most scientifically sound and feasible alternatives. While the steps and questions presented are best applied to experimental studies, the principles are also applicable to a wide range of questions and observational, evaluative and qualitative designs.
Improved assistive profile tracking of soft exosuits for walking and jogging with off-board actuation

In this paper, we present a design and control approach of a modular off-board actuation system with mono-articular hip exosuit, enabling the instantaneous assistive profile modification of magnitude, shape, and timing. The off-board system consists an actuation unit with two degrees of freedom that can transmit forces to our soft exosuit via Bowden cables. To perform accurate force tracking and cable slack management, we implemented a switching admittance-position control approach that utilizes the advantages of both admittance and position control. In particular, feedforward models (FFMs) are added to the admittance control to compensate variability of individual kinematics, nonlinear hip exosuit stiffness and actuator transmission loss to enable a more accurate force tracking. This system allows us to track force profiles accurately and robustly under normal walking or jogging speed. The performance of force tracking was evaluated on three subjects walking on a treadmill at 1.25 m/s with various magnitude, shape, and timings of assistive profiles and jogging on a treadmill at 2.3 m/s with varied magnitude of a representative assistance profile. Results showed that assistance could be delivered reliably across different profiles. In case of walking experiments, the errors of the magnitude, RMS-E, and timing were within 2.0 N, 8.4 N, and 1.8% when varying the magnitude, shape, and timing respectively. In case of jogging experiments, the RMS-E was within 3.0 N. This system will be used for future research examining how to individualize assistive profiles for different wearers during walking and jogging.
Role of ADH 1 B rs 1229984 and ALDH 2 rs 671 gene polymorphisms in the development of Alzheimer ’ s disease

In the present study, we investigated the association between ADH1B rs1229984 and ALDH2 rs671 polymorphisms and the development of Alzheimer’s disease in a Chinese population. Genotyping of the ADH1B rs1229984 and ALDH2 rs671 polymorphisms was carried out by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Logistic regression analyses revealed that the AA genotype of ADH1B rs1229984 was associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (OR = 2.54, 95%CI = 1.19-5.41). In addition, ADH1B rs1229984 was also associated with elevated risk of Alzheimer’s disease in both dominant (OR = 1.78, 95%CI = 1.092.93) and recessive (OR = 2.33, 95%CI = 1.18-4.57) models. For ALDH2 rs671, the AA genotype was correlated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease as compared to the GG genotype (OR = 4.57, 95%CI = 1.60-14.01). The ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism was associated with Alzheimer’s in both dominant (OR = 1.79, 95%CI = 1.08-2.97) and recessive (OR = 4.17, 95%CI = 1.49-12.67) models. In conclusion,