Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of the Expanded Criteria Donor Allocation System on Candidates for and Recipients of Expanded Criteria Donor Kidneys

Background. A national policy to allocate kidneys from expanded criteria donors (ECD) took effect October 31, 2002. Methods. To assess its impact, we analyzed data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients for ECD kidney candidates and recipients between November 1999 and October 2005. Results. The likelihood of being listed for ECD transplant, of receiving any transplant, and of receiving an ECD transplant were assessed using logistic regression models. As of October 31, 2005, 42.6% of candidates were listed with an ECD designation (range by donation service area [DSA], 1.9% to 94.9%). ECD-listed candidates were likely to be older, diabetic, and sensitized. By October 31, 2005, candidates listed for ECD as of November 1, 2002 were 41% more likely to receive any kidney transplant than those not ECD-listed. Among ECD-listed recipients, 30.1% received an ECD transplant and 69.9% a non-ECD transplant. Recipients more likely to receive an ECD transplant were significantly older and in DSAs where a high percentage of ECD transplants were performed and/or a low percentage of candidates were ECD-listed. Conclusions. A large, regionally variable fraction of candidates are opting to receive ECD offers. Listing with an ECD designation increases the likelihood of transplantation in selected populations. Selective listing of ECD candidates is associated with a higher likelihood of receiving an ECD transplant.
Impact of education levels on economic growth in Malaysia: A gender base analysis

Education has been recognised as a powerful tool in boosting growth and development, and is expected to propel nation towards becoming a developed and high-income country in the near future. This paper aims to examine the impact of different levels of education, namely primary, secondary and tertiary, on economic growth in Malaysia. As a step further, the education variables are analysed by gender to examine whether the impact of education differs according to gender. The study employed the Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) modelling in analysing the long-term and short-term effects of education levels on economic growth, covering a period of 36 years from 1980-2015. Cointegration between all education variables and economic growth are found in this study. Overall, in the short run, tertiary education is most important to growth, while both primary followed by tertiary education were seen as growth-inducing factors in the long-run. Analysis by gender shows that in the long run, it is the male’s education that has a higher contribution to growth compared to the female. Meanwhile, in the short run, it is the female that has a higher contribution to growth than the male. Thus, both male and female should have equal opportunity on acquiring education. The government needs to ensure the equitable access and parity are achieved between both genders at schools. Since the education of the male has a positive and significant contribution in the long-run, special attention needs to be given to the enrolment rates of the males. Keywords : Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL), economic growth, education levels, gender impact, long run, Malaysia
Serum response of Escherichia coli strains causing dyspepsia and urinary tract infection: relation to alpha-hemolysin production and O type

A total of 109 alpha-hemolytic and 104 nonhemolytic Escherichia coli isolates from children with dyspepsia and urinary tract infections were investigated for resistance to the bactericidal activity of human serum. A significantly higher proportion of serum resistance was found in alpha-hemolytic E. coli isolates than in nonhemolytic isolates (P < 0.01). An association between the titer of alpha-hemolysin produced and serum resistance was found.
Anatomy of the patent ductus venosus in the dog

The biplanar umbilical vein portovenograms of 49 newborn puppies and the biplanar mesenteric vein portovenograms, obtained during surgery, of 42 adult dogs with left divisional intrahepatic portosystemic shunts consistent with a patent dudus venosus (PDv) were reviewed. On the basis of the combined surgical, postmortem and imaging data, the left divisional intrahepatic portosystemic shunts were consistent, each having a straight vessel which drained into a venous ampulla before draining into the caudal vena cava at the level of the diaphragm. The left phrenic vein and the left hepatic vein both entered the ampulla independently of the shunting vessel. The morphology of the ductus venosus in the pups was similar and consistent with the morphology of the left divisional intrahepatic PDV shunt of the adult dogs. It is concluded that this form of left divisional shunt is correctly named a PDV and is the result of the persistence of the fetal ductus venosus. From the surgical records it is concluded that all the shunts described as a PDV were attenuated by the dired manipulation of the ductus venosus before its entry into the ampulla.
Sustainable coasts? Perceptions of change and livelihood vulnerability in Nordland, Norway

ABSTRACT Northern coastal regions are facing multiple challenges from accelerating global environmental and socioeconomic changes, such as ecosystem degradation, climate change, intensified resource extraction, land use change and declining populations. Based on interviews with 13 farmers, fishers and aquaculture employees from coastal Nordland, northern Norway, this study demonstrates how the local stakeholders’ perceptions of change and experiences of vulnerability are closely linked to their livelihood values and worldviews. What the informants consider a sustainable and meaningful way of coastal living does not coincide with national goals for sustainable, natural resource dependent development of the region. The article demonstrates the importance of attending to local values if policymakers and managers are to ensure successful local mobilisation, reduce vulnerability to ongoing and future processes of change, and ensure legitimacy and consistency in development goals of coastal zone management. Insights from this study are useful for local and regional decision makers with responsibility for natural resource policies and development efforts.
Anti-oxidative and anti-genotoxic effects of carnosine on human lymphocyte culture

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of carnosine, a biological antioxidant, on the oxidative stress and genotoxicity by a single dose of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4; 5 mM) in the human lymphocyte culture. We studied the anti-genotoxic effects of carnosine by using sister chromatid exchange (SCE) test system. Also, the anti-oxidative effects of carnosine were evaluated by using superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) assay. The SCE frequency was increased when treated with CCl4. Carnosine at 10 and 20 mM reduced SCE frequency in the human lymphocyte (p < 0.001). In addition, CCl4 treatment significantly depleted the level of GSH, reduced the activity of SOD and GPx and elevated the level of MDA (p < 0.001). Carnosine treatment led to significant attenuation of CCl4-induced oxidative stress by normalization of the activities of SOD and GPx and the level of GSH and MDA (p < 0.05 or 0.001). These results suggest that carnosine could provide anti-oxidative and anti-genotoxic protection for the oxidative and genotoxic agents that cause many diseases including cancer and neurodegenerative disease.
Structural Holes versus Network Closure as Social Capital

This chapter is about two network structures that have been argued to create social capital. The closure argument is that social capital is created by a network of strongly interconnected elements. The structural hole argument is that social capital is created by a network in which people can broker connections between otherwise disconnected segments. I draw from a comprehensive review elsewhere (Burt, 2000) to support two points in this chapter: there is replicated empirical evidence on the social capital of structural holes, and the contradiction between network closure and structural holes can be resolved in a more general network model of social capital. Brokerage across structural holes is the source of value added, but closure can be critical to realizing the value buried in structural holes.
On Congruence and Incongruence of Measures of Fit in Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract Guidelines to evaluate the fit of structural equation models can only offer meaningful insights to the extent that they apply equally to a wide range of situations. However, a number of previous studies found that statistical power to reject a misspecified model increases and descriptive fit-indices deteriorate when loadings are high, thereby inappropriately panelizing high reliability indicators. Based on both theoretical considerations and empirical simulation studies, we show that previous results only hold for a particular definition and a particular type of model error. At a constant degree of misspecification (as measured through the minimum of the fit-function), statistical power to reject a wrong model and noncentrality based fit-indices (such as the root-mean squared error of approximation; RMSEA) are independent of loading magnitude. If the degree of model error is controlled through the average residuals, higher loadings are associated with increased statistical power and a higher RMSEA when the measurement model is misspecified, but with decreased power and a lower RMSEA when the structural model is misspecified. In effect, inconsistencies among noncentrality and residual based fit-indices can provide information about possible sources of misfit that would be obscured when considering either measure in isolation.
A survey of the burden of allergic rhinitis in Spain.

OBJECTIVE Patient and physician perceptions of the effectiveness of treatment, symptoms, and the impact of allergic rhinitis (AR) were assessed in an international prospective, cross-sectional survey. We present the results from Spain. METHODS Out of 88 patients recruited by primary care physicians and specialists, 77 (87.5%) had AR confirmed by symptoms and skin prick testing, measurement of specific immunoglobulin E, or nasal allergen challenge. Physicians and patients recorded the presence, severity, and impact of symptoms at the time of consultation, as well as symptoms that were frequently, but not currently, present. The Mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (miniRQLQ) was used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL). RESULTS Most patients had moderate or severe disease (67.0%), which was assessed in terms of severity and persistence of symptoms, and comorbid conditions such as asthma and anxiety. Nasal and ocular symptoms were reported by 83% of patients, either currently or frequently, and 36.4% of patients reported that these symptoms were moderate or severe. More than half of the patients (59.1%) were using 2 or more medicines to manage theirAR, and 73.7% of patients taking a nonsedating antihistamine plus an intranasal corticosteroid had moderate or severe disease. Most patients (83.1%) reported some impact from the symptoms of AR on daily activities. The mean (SD) miniRQLQ score was 2.4 (1.4) in patients with mild disease, 2.6 (1.2) in patients with moderate disease, and 3.3 (2.3) in patients with severe disease. CONCLUSIONS AR is a significant health problem in Spain because of its high symptom burden and impact on HRQOL.
Self-collection of genital human papillomavirus specimens in heterosexual men

Background: We assessed the accuracy of self-collected human papillomavirus (HPV) specimens in men compared with clinician-collected specimens from men in British Columbia and determined the prevalence of HPV subtypes at different male genital sites. Methods: Heterosexual men were recruited at the Provincial Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Clinic in Vancouver, Canada. Participants were randomly assigned to conduct self-collection or clinician-collected specimens first. Clinicians obtained specimens using emery paper followed by saline-moistened Dacron swab from three genitourinary sites: glans penis/foreskin, penile shaft (ventral and dorsal surfaces) and scrotum. Participants received written instructions and took specimens from one of the three sites using the same technique as clinicians. HPV testing was performed with the Roche Amplicor HPV test and samples found to be reactive were tested with the Roche Linear Array HPV typing assay to establish the HPV genotype(s) in the sample. Results: Overall prevalence of any HPV genotype from any site was 69.8% in clinician-collected specimens and 55.3% in self-collected specimens. Order of collection (clinician vs self-collected) did not impact on the prevalence of HPV in the specimens. The κ scores for agreement between clinician-collected and self-collected specimens ranged from fair to excellent. Overall, there was better agreement between self-collected and clinician-collected specimens for HPV-18 (range: κ = 0.88 to 0.92) than for HPV-16 (range: κ = 036 to 0.62). Conclusion: HPV is a prevalent genital tract infection in men. Site-specific agreement for specific HPV genotypes between clinician-collected and self-collected specimens varied broadly and neither clinicians nor patients routinely obtained samples with consistently higher or lower prevalence at specific genital sites, indicating there are continued opportunities to improve techniques for clinician-collected and self-collected male specimens for HPV.
Effect of Sterilization by Dry Heat or Autoclaving on Bacterial Penetration through Berea Sandstone

A study was undertaken to determine why bacteria could penetrate lengths of consolidated sandstone (Berea) faster when the sandstone was sterilized by autoclaving than when dry heat (150°C, 3 h) was used. Changes in permeability, porosity, and pore entrance size of the rock as a result of autoclaving were not sufficient to explain the differences in penetration times observed, but electron dispersion spectroscopy and electron microscopy of the rock revealed changes in mineral composition and clay morphology. Autoclaved cores contained more chloride than dry-heated cores, and the clays of autoclaved cores were aggregated and irregularly shaped. Therefore, the decreases in bacterial penetration rates caused by autoclave sterilization were probably the result of a change in surface charge of the pores of the rock and of a reduction in surface area of clays available for adhesion. The results implied that dry-heat sterilization was preferable to autoclaving when examining biotic and abiotic interactions in a native-state rock model.
In vitro analysis of the origin, migratory behavior, and maturation of cortical pyramidal cells

During development neurons migrate from their site of origin to their final destinations under a variety of mechanisms. Although evidence has been accumulating that the cells from cortical ventricular zone (VZ) migrate radially and produce pyramidal cells, evidence that directly links the origin and the terminal phenotype of radially migrating cells has been limited. Further, the relation between the migratory behavior of these cells and their mature morphology remains obscure. To address these issues, we developed an in vitro preparation that enables visualization of cells derived from the cortical VZ. VZ cells of a rat cortex at embryonic days 18 to 19 were labeled by injecting green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐encoding plasmid into the lateral ventricle, followed by electroporation. The cortex was then sliced and cultured organotypically. After 1 day, GFP+ cells exhibited neural progenitor and radial glial cell natures. Over the next few days, many GFP+ cells migrated toward the pial surface, extending leading processes toward the pial surface and leaving a thin trailing process that almost reached the VZ. The leading processes of these neurons were positive for microtubule‐associated protein 2, and some transformed into dendritic arbor–like structures by day 5 or 6, and their trailing processes exhibited morphologic features indicative of prospective axons. Time‐lapse analysis confirmed extension of the trailing processes. Expression of molecular markers and morphologic analysis demonstrated that the vast majority of the migrated GFP+ cells differentiated into excitatory neurons with pyramidal cell–like morphology. These results strongly suggested that cells derived from the cortical VZ generate neurons that migrate radially. These neurons appeared to extend prospective dendrites in front and leave prospective axons behind, subsequently differentiating into pyramidal cells. J. Comp. Neurol. 454:1–14, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Correlation of the phosphorylation states of pp60c-src with tyrosine kinase activity: the intramolecular pY530-SH2 complex retains significant activity if Y419 is phosphorylated.

Rapid digestion of pp60c-src tyrosine kinase (src TK) in combination with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry enabled the determination of the time course for autophosphorylation of three tyrosine sites (Y338, Y419, and Y530) and a correlation with src TK activity. A form of src TK was purified from baculovirus-infected cells which contains only Y338 partially phosphorylated. Incubation with MgATP increases the phosphorylation of all three sites. The autophosphorylation and dephosphorylation of Y419 are directly correlated with the level of src TK activity. The role of Y338 phosphorylation is unknown. Conditions resulting in complete autophosphorylation of Y530 were identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Surface plasmon resonance detection and size exclusion chromatography provide direct evidence for an intramolecular pY530-SH2 complex, supporting previous models [Matsuda, M. , Mayer, B.J., Fukui, Y. , & Hanafusa, H. (1990) Science 248, 1537-1539]. Contrary to these models, when the enzyme is fully phosphorylated on Y530, phosphorylated on Y419, and present only as the intramolecular pY530-SH2 complex, 20% of the kinase activity is retained. In addition, the k(m)'s for substrates are unaffected. Disruption of the pY530-SH2 interaction and activation of kinase activity by a high-affinity SH2 ligand yield a Kactivation which is 200-fold larger than the Kd for ligand binding to the uncomplexed src SH2 domain. These data suggest a Keq of 200 (unitless) for the intramolecular association of pY530 with the SH2 domain. We propose that the pY530-SH2 interaction modulates signal transduction by down-regulating src TK activity 5-fold, and perhaps more importantly by inhibiting protein-protein interactions with the SH2 domain. These results have significant implications relative to the development of SH2 ligands as therapeutics to control aberrant signal transduction. These ligands will be 200-fold less effective at inhibiting protein-protein interactions versus down-regulated src TK than versus activated src TK. This should minimize activation of src TK activity in normal cells and lead to an increased therapeutic index.
Nonstationary jammer suppression based on parametric sparse reconstruction

We propose a nonstationary jammer signal suppression technique based on parametric sparse reconstruction, where sparsely sampled data are considered. By assuming nonstationary jammers that are characterized by polynomial phase signatures, a data-dependent parametric dictionary matrix is designed. In order to obtain an accurate instantaneous frequency estimation at a low computational complexity, we exploit an iterative multi-round sparse reconstruction scheme in which the dictionary matrix is updated with a finer grid size, thus leading to dictionary entries that are closer to the true jammer signatures. Simulation results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed technique.
Pretreatment albumin-to-globulin ratio as a predictive marker for tyrosine kinase inhibitor in non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND A low albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) has been known as a prognostic factor for cancer-related mortality. However, no study has elucidated its usefulness as a predictive factor in the era of targeted therapy, and so, we evaluated this in the present study. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 2012 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Among these patients, 645 patients who had EGFR mutation and suitable pretreatment laboratory values were included. AGR was calculated 2 months before treatment and 4 months after treatment in each patient. The optimal cutoff value of AGR, and progression free survival (PFS) were also determined. RESULTS The optimal cutoff value of AGR was 1.17, which yielded a highest HR of 1.89 (P< 0.001) for poor PFS. The median PFS was 9.5 months (95% confidential interval [CI] 7.0-10.4) in patients with pretreatment AGR < 1.17 and 13.5 months (95% CI 11.9-14.7) in those with pretreatment AGR ≥ 1.17. Pretreatment AGR showed an independent predictive value (adjusted HR 1.80, P < 0.001) when age, performance status, and pre-TKI systemic treatment was adjusted for. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that patients with NSCLC with EGFR mutations who have AGR values lower than 1.17 at the beginning of EGFR TKI treatment should be considered to have a high risk of early EGFR TKI failure.
Beryllium Aerosol Characteristics in the Magnesium and Aluminum Transformation Industry in Quebec: A Comparison of Four Different Sampling Methodologies

To examine the influence of the sampling method on beryllium (Be) exposure assessment, a study was conducted in foundries and smelters to contrast the performance of five different dust sampling devices. Six sampling surveys were conducted in four different settings, and both personal and fixed station samples were collected using the following sampling heads: IOM samplers (inhalable dust), 35-mm plastic cassettes (total dust), aluminum SKC cyclones (respirable dust), 8-stage Sierra cascade impactors, and 12-stage MOUDI impactors. In total, beryllium concentrations were determined for 66/68 inhalable dust samples, 62/62 total dust samples, 56/57 respirable dust samples, 54/64 8-stage Sierra samples, and 19/25 12-stage MOUDI samples. In the magnesium foundry and aluminum smelters, the concentrations obtained during specific tasks could exceed the actual permissible exposure limit of the province of Québec (0.15 μg/m 3 ) or of the ACGIH threshold limit value (TLV) (0.05 μg/m 3 ). The median of median dust concentration ratios computed from the sampling heads at the fixed station decreased as follows: IOM (1.00) > Sierra (0.76) > 37-mm cassette (0.61) > MOUDI (0.48) > respirable (0.12). The same trends were observed with the ratios of the median of median Be concentrations at the fixed station but with a larger scattering within sampling heads as follows: IOM (1.00) > Sierra (0.69) > 37-mm cassette (0.64) > MOUDI (0.54) > respirable (0.19). The median of median ratios of dust (IOM (1.00) > Sierra (0.56) > 37-mm cassette (0.35) > respirable (0.06)) and Be (IOM (1.00) > Sierra (0.66) > 37-mm cassette (0.48) > respirable (0.11)) in dust were lower, and there was less scattering for the 37-mm cassette and SKC cyclone used during breathing zone sampling than for the same sampling heads at the fixed station. Inhalable aerosol measurements should remain the tool for estimating the risk of exposure to beryllium in these settings until a clear dose response is established for these sampling heads.