Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of Quantitative Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction to Assess Gene Transcripts Associated With Antibody-Mediated Rejection of Kidney Transplants

Introduction Microarray studies have shown elevated transcript levels of endothelial and natural killer (NK) cell–associated genes during antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) of the renal allograft. This study aimed to assess the use of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction as an alternative to microarray analysis on a subset of these elevated genes. Methods Thirty-nine renal transplant biopsies from patients with de novo donor-specific antibodies and eighteen 1-year surveillance biopsies with no histological evidence of rejection were analyzed for expression of 11 genes previously identified as elevated in AMR. Results Expression levels of natural killer markers were correlated to microcirculation inflammation and graft outcomes to a greater extent than endothelial markers. Creating a predictive model reduced the number of gene transcripts to be assessed to 2, SH2D1b and MYBL1, resulting in 66.7% sensitivity and 89.7% specificity for graft loss. Discussion This work demonstrates that elevated gene expression levels, proposed to be associated with AMR, can be detected by established quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction technology, making transition to the clinical setting feasible. Transcript analysis provides additional diagnostic information to the classification schema for AMR diagnosis but it remains to be determined whether significant numbers of centres will validate transcript analysis in their laboratories and put such analysis into clinical use.
The insulin gene contains multiple transcriptional elements that respond to glucose

The beta cells in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans increase insulin gene transcription in response to increased glucose concentration. We have mapped sequences within the rat insulin I gene 5'-flanking DNA (rInsI promoter) that direct this transcriptional response to glucose. When linked to chloramphenicol acetyltransferase and expressed in cultured beta cells, no single mutation of the rInsI promoter removes its ability to respond to glucose, although several mutations cause marked reductions in basal chloramphenicol acetyltransferase expression. A 50-bp sequence isolated from the rInsI promoter, the Far-FLAT minienhancer, can confer glucose responsiveness to nonresponsive promoters. Fine mapping of this minienhancer further localizes a glucose response to the sequence GGCCATCTGGCC, or the Far element. Nuclear extracts from islets grown in various glucose concentrations demonstrate a glucose-stimulated increase in a protein complex that binds the Far element and contains the transcription factors Pan-1 and Pan-2. Overexpression of intact or partially deleted Pan-1 ablates the Far-directed transcriptional response to glucose. We conclude that the full glucose response of the insulin promoter involves the interaction of multiple sequence elements. Part of this response, however, results from activation of a complex binding at the Far element.
Inflammation in patients with lupus anticoagulant and implications for thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE The underlying mechanism of the prothrombotic state associated with the lupus anticoagulant (LAC) has not been fully elucidated. Evidence suggests involvement of inflammation in arterial and venous thrombosis, and it may be hypothesized that subclinical inflammation aggravates the tendency to thrombosis in patients with LAC. METHODS Levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen, and factor VIII (VIII) were measured in 38 patients with LAC and a history of thrombosis, 27 with LAC and no history of thrombosis, and 33 healthy controls. RESULTS Hs-CRP, fibrinogen, and factor VIII levels were significantly higher in patients with LAC with thrombosis (hs-CRP median = 0.3 mg/dl, interquartile range, IQR, 0.11-0.62, p < 0.001 vs controls; fibrinogen mean = 395 +/- 90 SD mg/dl, p < 0.001; factor VIII mean = 181 +/- 50%, p = 0.005) as well as in those without thrombosis (median = 0.21, IQR 0.10-0.12, p < 0.001; mean = 378 +/- 91, p = 0.003; mean = 179 +/- 39, p = 0.015) compared to controls (median = 0.07, IQR 0.03-0.12; mean = 308 +/- 48; mean = 137 +/- 39). After adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking status, and blood group (only for factor VIII) the differences between LAC groups and controls remained significant, except for the comparison of fibrinogen between patients without thrombosis and controls. The association between LAC and markers of inflammation was confirmed using linear regression analysis. Markers of systemic inflammation did not differentiate between LAC patients with and without thrombosis (p = 0.829 for hs-CRP, p = 0.649 for fibrinogen, p = 0.996 for factor VIII). CONCLUSION Our results show that LAC is associated with an inflammatory state. However, there was no evidence for an association between inflammatory markers and thromboembolism in patients with LAC.
Communication about genetic testing in families of male BRCA1/2 carriers and non‐carriers: patterns, priorities and problems

This qualitative interview study explored the way in which information about predictive BRCA1/2 testing and its implications for children is disseminated within the families of at‐risk men who undergo genetic testing. Twenty‐nine in‐depth interviews were carried out with family members [male patients (n = 17), their partners (n = 8) and adult children (n = 4)]. These explored the following themes: experiences of cancer and genetic testing, decision‐making about testing and the communication of test results and genetic information within the immediate family. The interviews revealed that both male patients and their partners perceive themselves, rather than health professionals, as responsible for disclosing information about genetic testing and genetic risks to their children. Parents described three different communication strategies for the disclosure of genetic information to their children: complete openness, limited disclosure and total secrecy. The adoption of a particular communication strategy was justified in terms of children's rights to information vs their parental duties to protect their children from anxiety‐provoking information. Some of the problems arising from the adoption of different disclosure patterns are identified and the implications for clinical practice are discussed.
Restorative Effects of Virtual Nature Settings

Previous research regarding the potential benefits of exposing individuals to surrogate nature (photographs and videos) has found that such immersion results in restorative effects such as increased positive affect, decreased negative affect, and decreased stress. In the current experiment, we examined whether immersion in a virtual computer-generated nature setting could produce restorative effects. Twenty-two participants were equally divided between two conditions, while controlling for gender. In each condition, participants performed a stress-induction task, and were then immersed in virtual reality (VR) for 10 minutes. The control condition featured a slide show in VR, and the nature experimental condition featured an active exploration of a virtual forest. Participants in the nature condition were found to exhibit increased positive affect and decreased stress after immersion in VR when compared to those in the control condition. The results suggest that immersion in virtual nature settings has similar beneficial effects as exposure to surrogate nature. These results also suggest that VR can be used as a tool to study and understand restorative effects.
TGF-β1 Induces Podocyte Injury Through Smad3-ERK-NF-κB Pathway and Fyn-dependent TRPC6 phosphorylation

TGF-Β1 plays an important role on podocyte injury and glomerular diseases, while the underlying molecular mechanisms are still elusive. Here, the potential role of the ion channel TRPC6 and the proximal signaling was explored in TGF-Β1-treated mouse podocyte. Our results showed that TGF-Β1 significantly increased podocyte apoptosis and induced obvious disorganization of actin filaments in a time-dependent pattern. In TGF-Β1-treated podocyte, TRPC6 protein, especially the phosphorylated TRPC6, and the cytosolic free Ca2+ level upregulated, which was evidently inhibited by the specific knockdown of TRPC6. TRPC6 knockdown also alleviated TGF-Β1-induced podocyte apoptosis. Moreover, the Src kinase Fyn increased obviously in TGF-Β1-treated podocyte, displaying increment of the active form pY418 and reduction of the inactive form pY530. Immunoprecipitation assay revealed that Fyn interacts with TRPC6 in podocyte. Notably, Fyn knockdown blocked TRPC6 phosphorylation and intracellular Ca2+ increment following TGF-Β1 stimulation, but not affect the expression of TRPC6 protein. In addition, Western blot showed that TGF-Β1 induced significant activation of p-Smad3, p-ERK and RelA/p65. Importantly, obvious translocation of ERK and RelA/p65 to nuclei was observed in TGF-Β1-treated podocyte, which was reduced by ERK inhibitor U0126. Both U0126 and NF-ĸB inhibitor PDTC obviously inhibited the increment of TRPC6 protein and the flux of cytosolic free Ca2+ induced by TGF-Β1. Together, we provide evidences that TGF-Β1 induces podocyte damage by upregulating TRPC6 protein most possibly through Smad3-ERK-NF-ĸB pathway, in which Fyn-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of TRPC6 might exert a crucial role on the activation of its channel function.
Global Value Chains and Inward Foreign Direct Investment in the 2000s

In this paper, we make use of recent data published by the World Input‐Output Database to: (i) provide evidence on trade in value added of the major Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) member countries and major emerging economies (designated by OE country group), namely by measuring the degree of participation in global value chains (GVCs) at the country and sectoral levels; and (ii) estimate whether the GVC participation of OE countries has positively influenced foreign direct investment (FDI) inward stocks in the 2000s. The pooled regression model estimated shows that the country′s degree of GVC participation has contributed positively for bilateral FDI inward stocks, after controlling for other possible FDI determinants.
Liquidity Provision on Demand in the Argentine Banking System

ABSTRACT In recent decades, liquidity provision on demand has experienced more growth than almost any other banking function. Banks have comparative advantages over other intermediaries for providing liquidity on demand because of their ability to raise funds through deposits. An overdraft facility is a product that provides liquidity on demand to firms and can affect investment levels. Using panel data for 70 Argentine banks between 1995 and 2015, we built an econometric model to analyze some determinants of the volume of bank-supplied overdrafts, focusing on the role of deposits. This article is focused on understanding how banks have financed their credit lines to firms and its evolution in the Argentinian banking system in the examined period. We found evidence of a strong relation between demand deposits and overdrafts supply. However, the features of this relationship are heterogeneous between different types of banks and were affected by the 2001 Crisis. This heterogeneity among banks could represent an inefficient liquidity provision.
Much Ado About Grit: A Meta-Analytic Synthesis of the Grit Literature

Grit has been presented as a higher order personality trait that is highly predictive of both success and performance and distinct from other traits such as conscientiousness. This paper provides a meta-analytic review of the grit literature with a particular focus on the structure of grit and the relation between grit and performance, retention, conscientiousness, cognitive ability, and demographic variables. Our results based on 584 effect sizes from 88 independent samples representing 66,807 individuals indicate that the higher order structure of grit is not confirmed, that grit is only moderately correlated with performance and retention, and that grit is very strongly correlated with conscientiousness. We also find that the perseverance of effort facet has significantly stronger criterion validities than the consistency of interest facet and that perseverance of effort explains variance in academic performance even after controlling for conscientiousness. In aggregate our results suggest that interventions designed to enhance grit may only have weak effects on performance and success, that the construct validity of grit is in question, and that the primary utility of the grit construct may lie in the perseverance facet.
Physician factors associated with outpatient palliative care referral

Outpatient palliative care can provide significant benefits to seriously ill patients, but several barriers to appropriate referrals remain. No study has examined the physician factors associated with referral to outpatient palliative care. To determine physician factors, with a focus on physician beliefs, associated with referral to palliative care. Cross-sectional study of 170 primary care physicians at Kaiser Permanente (KP), a large non-profit Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO), using a self-administered questionnaire. Of the 145 respondents, 100 (70%) reported referring any patients to the palliative care program in the prior year, with a median of 3 referrals (interquartile range 2, 6). Factors associated with referral included working at KP between 10 and 20 years as compared to <10 years [Odds ratio [OR] 6.29 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38, 28.6)] and having personal experience with palliative care [OR 2.13 (95% CI 0.95, 4.976)]. None of the beliefs scales was associated with referral. Physician characteristics other than their beliefs about palliative care played a significant role in determining referral. Palliative care programs should aim to increase their visibility in the outpatient setting to increase referrals by primary care physicians. Tools that help physicians identify seriously ill patients who could benefit from palliative care may also serve to increase appropriate referrals.
Effect of Exchange Rate Returns on Equity Prices: Evidence from South Africa and Nigeria

This paper examines the exchange rate returns of the Rand (relative to the US dollar) and the Naira (relative to the US dollar) for the presence of volatility. It also examines the effect of the exchange rate returns on the performance of their respective stock market. While it was found that the returns of the South African Rand was volatile, the Nigerian naira was not. Estimating the effect of exchange rate returns and crude oil price on the stock market indices of both countries showed that exchange rate return have a positive effect on the performance of the Nigerian stock exchange thus, confirming the stock flow hypothesis for Nigeria and refuting same for South Africa. Although the VAR granger causality identifies short run fluctuation of the naira as a significant factor affecting the performance of the Nigerian stock exchange in the short run, the Johannesburg stock exchange was found to be mostly affected by short run changes in the Rand and the UK FTSE 100. The paper concludes that policies aimed at stabilizing exchange rate and encouraing more non-oil stocks to be quoted in the Nigerian stock exchange will important. For the Johanesburg stock exchange, raising the listing requirement for firms quoted in the UK FTSE 100 and also seeking listing or already listed in the JSE will be a plausible idea. For both countries, however, curtailing swings in their exchange rate returns would help attract new investments and sustain existing ones hence, helping to spur growth.
Predator-Specific Enrichment of Actinobacteria from a Cosmopolitan Freshwater Clade in Mixed Continuous Culture

ABSTRACT We investigated whether individual populations of freshwater bacteria in mixed experimental communities may exhibit specific responses to the presence of different bacterivorous protists. In two successive experiments, a two-stage continuous cultivation system was inoculated with nonaxenic batch cultures of the cryptophyteCryptomonas sp. Algal exudates provided the sole source of organic carbon for growth of the accompanying microflora. The dynamics of several 16S rRNA-defined bacterial populations were followed in the experimental communities. Although the composition and stability of the two microbial communities differed, numerous members of the first assemblage could again be detected during the second experiment. The introduction of a size-selectively feeding mixotrophic nanoflagellate (Ochromonas sp.) always resulted in an immediate bloom of a single phylotype population of members of the classActinobacteria (Ac1). These bacteria were phylogenetically affiliated with an uncultured lineage of gram-positive bacteria that have been found in freshwater habitats only. The Ac1 cells were close to the average size of freshwater bacterioplankton and significantly smaller than any of the other experimental community members. In contrast, no increase of the Ac1 population was observed in vessels exposed to the bacterivorous ciliate Cyclidium glaucoma. However, when the Ochromonas sp. was added after the establishment of C. glaucoma, the proportion of population Ac1 within the microbial community rapidly increased. Populations of a beta proteobacterial phylotype related to an Aquabacteriumsp. decreased relative to the total bacterial communities following the addition of either predator, albeit to different extents. The community structure of pelagic microbial assemblages can therefore be influenced by the taxonomic composition of the predator community.
Percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy for acute acalculous cholecystitis

The effectiveness and long‐term results of percutaneous cholecystostomy for acute acalculous cholecystitis are evaluated. Fifteen patients with acute acalculous cholecystitis were treated prospectively by this procedure, using a pigtail catheter successfully placed under ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic guidance. Prompt relief of the signs and symptoms of cholecystitis was achieved in 14 patients. One required emergency cholecystectomy for uncontrolled bleeding after drainage. Another patient underwent prophylactic cholecystectomy before further chemotherapy for leukaemia. The remaining 13 patients required no further surgery. Morbidity and mortality rates were 13 per cent and nil respectively. Long‐term follow‐up showed no recurrence of cholecystitis after removal of the catheter. Percutaneous cholecystostomy is a safe, effective and usually definitive procedure for the treatment of acute acalculous cholecystitis.
Years of severe and isolated amnesia can precede the development of dementia in early-onset Alzheimer’s disease

A young patient with a severe and isolated memory disorder, meeting the criteria for MCI, was followed for a period of 8 years. His overall functional level remained stable with a CDR-score at 0.5 until the last year when it dropped to 1.0. Neuropsychological testing showed severe memory deficits but otherwise normal cognitive functions. Only minimal progression was measured; however, the last testing showed impaired abstraction and executive functioning as well as discrete problems generating names of objects and people. Neuroimaging, with MRI and SPECT, was consistent with a progressive degenerative disorder, and cerebrospinal fluid levels of beta-amyloid 1-42, tau protein, and phosphorylated tau protein were characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We argue that this is a case of prodromal AD, which illustrates an extreme version of the normal course with respect to slow progression of the disease and severity of amnesia early in the course. We wish to thank the 1991 Pharmacy Foundation, The Health Insurance Foundation, The “IMK Almene Fond”, and The Danish Alzheimer Research Foundation for supporting the clinical research in the research unit. We are grateful to SPECT technician Gerda Thomsen for providing SPECT images for this report.
Attitudes Towards Autism Among Israeli Arab Teachers' College Students

The rise in the prevalence of autistic spectrum disorder has increased world-wide (Flood, Bul‐ grin and Morgan, 2012). This phenomena calls for the expansion and development of teachers preparation courses to work with this population as well as providing specific courses to pro‐ fessionals in the medical and health professions such as speech therapists, occupational thera‐ pists, art therapists etc. that focus on the needs of children and adults with autism. It also calls for the development of community services to children and families, such as early diagnosis, counseling parents, education of school aged children and as they graduate from school, cre‐ ating community living arrangements for adults along with opportunities for employment, social and leisure time activities. The development and use of appropriate services must be based on awareness of the autistic spectrum disorder as a subgroup of persons with develop‐ mental disabilities that is distinguished from other disabilities such as intellectual disabilities or mental illness. It is also based on openness and positive attitudes towards these persons as equal members of society who have the right to live in the community in a respectful manner.
Cement leakage in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with cortical defect using high-viscosity bone cement during unilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty surgery

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate cement leakage (CL) in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) with cortical defect using high-viscosity bone cement during unilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) surgery. This study included a series of 77 patients (23 males, 54 females) with single level osteoporotic vertebral body fracture (OVCF) who underwent unilateral PKP in our hospital. Preoperative x-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, and 3-dimensional reconstructions were studied. During the PKP procedure, needle was carefully put to avoid too near to the cortical defect according to CT image. High-viscosity bone cement was used via unilateral PKP. Radiographic outcomes were evaluated by assessment of vertebral body wall breakage, fracture type, and vertebral body change. The exact rate of CL was analyzed. A total of 77 patients with single-level OVCF were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 74.8 ± 8.0 years. Among these cases, 7 (9.1%) involved the thoracic spine (T3–T10), 60 (77.9%) involved the thoracolumbar spine (T10–L2), and 10 (13.0%) involved the lumbar spine (L3–L5). There were 27 vertebral bodies found posterior wall breakage, 51 vertebral bodies found endplate breakage, and 49 vertebral bodies found anterior-lateral wall breakage. CT scan was more efficient in detecting vertebral body wall breakage and CL than x-ray (P < .001). No neurological symptoms were found after surgery. Both cases with CL (CL group) and cases without cement leakage (NCL group) experienced vertebral height restoration (HR) with similar cement volume CV. There were no significant difference between the two groups about the parameter HR and CV. Severe vertebral body fracture and biconcave fracture had more CL than other groups. OVCF cases with cortical defect had more CL rate than those without cortical defect; however, no significant difference was found in the correlation between vertebral wall breakage and CL. Cortical defect remains a potential risk of CL during PKP surgery. Careful preoperative evaluation and using high-viscosity bone cement during the unilateral PKP procedure could prevent serious leakage and clinical symptoms.