Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Graft Injury in Relation to Graft Size in Right Lobe Live Donor Liver Transplantation: A Study of Hepatic Sinusoidal Injury in Correlation With Portal Hemodynamics and Intragraft Gene Expression

ObjectiveTo investigate the degree and mechanism of hepatic sinusoidal injury in different graft sizes in right lobe live donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Summary Background DataLiver grafts from living donors are likely to be small-for-size for adult recipients. Graft injury after reperfusion is common, but the mechanism and degree of injury remain unclear. The hepatic sinusoidal injury in different graft sizes and its relationship with portal hemodynamics and intragraft gene response at the early phase after reperfusion have not been studied in right lobe LDLT. MethodsFrom May 2000 to November 2001, 40 adults receiving right lobe LDLT had portal pressure measured continuously before and after reperfusion. Liver biopsies were taken before and after reperfusion for detection of vasoregulatory genes (endothelin-1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase) and heat shock genes (heat shock protein 70 and heme oxygenase-1), and electron microscope examination. Blood samples from the portal vein and suprahepatic inferior vena cava were taken for the measurement of plasma nitric oxide level. ResultsThe recipients were grouped according to the ratio of graft weight to estimated standard liver weight: group 1 (n = 10), less than 40%; group 2 (n = 21), 40% to 60%; and group 3 (n = 9), more than 60%. The portal pressures recorded after reperfusion in group 1 were significantly higher within 30 minutes of reperfusion than those in groups 2 and 3. After reperfusion, the intragraft endothelin-1 mRNA level in group 1 increased by 161% of the basal level but decreased by 31.5% and 62% of the basal level in groups 2 and 3, respectively. The intragraft mRNA level of heme oxygenase-1 in groups 1 and 2 decreased by 75.5% and 25.3% of the basal level respectively but increased by 41% of basal level in group 3. The intragraft protein level of heat shock protein 70 decreased by 50 ng/mL after reperfusion in group 1 but increased by 12.4 ng/mL and 0.6 ng/mL in groups 2 and 3, respectively. The portal vein plasma nitric oxide level decreased more significantly after reperfusion in group 1 than in group 2. Electron microscope examination of liver biopsies in group 1 showed tremendous mitochondrial swelling as well as irregular large gaps between the sinusoidal lining cells. There were two hospital deaths in group 1 and none in the other two groups. ConclusionsPatients implanted with grafts less than 40% of standard liver weight suffered from transient portal hypertension early after reperfusion. The phenomenon was accompanied by intragraft upregulation of endothelin-1 and ultrastructural evidence of sinusoidal damage. The transient portal hypertension after reperfusion, subsequent endothelin-1 overexpression, and plasma nitric oxide level reduction, together with downregulation of heme oxygenase-1 and heat shock protein 70, may account for the small-for-size graft injury.
Outcomes of spousal versus related donor kidney transplants: A comparative study

This study was designed to compare the outcomes of spousal donor (SD) with related donor (RD) kidney transplants performed at our center between January 2010 and October 2012. A total of 323 adult, ABO-compatible kidney transplants (SD 150 [46.4%], RD 173 [53.6%]) were included. Data on outcomes at 6 months post-transplant was collected retrospectively (2010-2011) and prospectively (January-October 2012). Majority of the donors (SD 88%, RD 72.2%) were females. In the SD group, donors were younger (SD 35.6 ± 8.2 years, RD 45.2 ± 11.5 years; P < 0.0001), whereas recipients were older (SD 42.2 ± 8.3 years, RD 30.0 ± 9.5 years; P < 0.0001). A significantly higher proportion of patients in the SD group were given induction therapy (43% vs 12%; P < 0.001). Biopsy proven acute rejections were more common in the RD group (16% vs 28.3%; P = 0.01). Majority (80.8%) of the acute rejections occurred in the first 2 weeks post-transplant in both groups. Isolated acute cellular rejections (ACRs) and isolated antibody mediated rejections constituted 50% and 25% of rejection episodes in both groups, whereas the remainder had histological evidence of both. The proportion of steroid responsive ACRs was similar in both groups (SD 83.3%, RD 65.4%; P = 0.2). The number of patients with abnormal graft function at the end of the study was higher in the RD group (2.3% vs. 12.3%; P = 0.001). Patient survival and infection rates were similar in the two groups. We conclude that short-term outcomes of SD transplants are not inferior to RD transplants. Lesser use of induction therapy in the RD group may explain the poorer outcomes as compared to the SD group.
First principles study of adsorbed and substitutionally doped Fe atoms in zigzag graphene nanoribbons

We present a systematic investigation to compare the adsorption and substitutional doping of Fe atoms in ZGNR. The present calculations revealed that adsorption and substitutional doping are two different phenomenon which differ in stability. We predict that Fe adsorption in ZGNR is energetically more favourable than substitutional doping. Edge is found to be energetically preferred site for adsorption as well as for substitutional doping. The calculated binding energy (BE) indicates a stronger binding for substitutional doping rather than the adsorption. The optimized C-Fe bond length for substitutional doping is smaller as compared to that for Fe adsorption which support the BE analysis.
Gender, Risk Tolerance, and False Consensus in Asset Allocation Recommendations

We study the impact of gender on asset allocation recommendations. Graduate business students and professional wealth managers are randomly assigned a male or female client. Participants recommend an allocation and choose an allocation for themselves. Male students choose a riskier allocation than female students, consistent with existing evidence of a gender difference in risk tolerance, and recommend a riskier allocation. In contrast, male and female wealth managers choose and recommend the same allocation, indicating that male and female finance professionals feature similar risk preferences. In both samples, a subject's allocation choice is the strongest predictor of the recommendation provided.
Improving Nitrogen Removal in Two Modified Decentralized Wastewater Systems

Efficient nutrient removal in decentralized wastewater treatment systems is a challenging task. To improve the removal of organic matter and nitrogen from wastewater, two types of bioreactors using membrane‐aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) and microbial fuel cell (MFC) techniques were evaluated. During more than 250 days of continuous‐flow reactor operation, both reactors showed consistently high chemical oxygen demand removal (>86%). At an influent ammonium‐nitrogen (NH4+‐N) concentration of 30 mg N/L, the average effluent NH4+‐N concentrations were 6.2 and 0.5 mg N/L for the MABR and MFC reactor, respectively, while the effluent nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3−‐N) concentrations were 5.4 mg/L in the MABR and 19.2 mg/L in the MFC‐based reactor. The overall total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiencies were 64% and 36% for the MABR and MFC reactor, respectively. At the measured dissolved oxygen concentrations of 5.2 and 0.23 mg/L in the aerobic/anoxic zone of the MFC and MABR, respectively, a specific oxygen uptake rate of 0.1 g O2/g VSS·d, resulting from ammonia oxidation, was detected in the settled sludge of the MFC, while no nitrifying activity of the sludge from the MABR was detected. Molecular microbial analysis demonstrated a link between the bacterial community structure and nitrifying activity. The relatively high abundance of Nitrosomonas europaea was associated with its detectable nitrification activity in the settled sludge of the MFC. The results suggest that MABR and MFC techniques have the potential to improve organic and nitrogen removal in decentralized wastewater systems.
A Qualitative Approach to Refugee Law and International Migrant Legislation: The Life Stories of Venezuelan Emigrants

This research studies the Venezuelan emigrants’ case in order to contest refugee law and international migrant legislation. Fragments-of-life-stories & semi-structured interviews were used as bottom-up approach, and document research including NGO reports was conducted from a top-down perspective, aiming to provide a cohesive, comprehensive and coherent image of what it means to be a Venezuelan emigrant in the last eighteen years. Using a top-down approach for document research desk-study; made possible to overview Venezuela ́s country situation within the institutional framework of NGOs; while by utilizing fragment-of-life-stories and semi-structured interviews, thematic axes were interpreted from the subjective experiences of the interviewees. These two approaches resulted in complementary results to understand the case. As part of the work ethic, the study was centered into the voice of two ignored populations, such as it is with the local NGOs in a country were 90% of the public media is government controlled; and emigrants testimonies, who are seldom considered when it comes to the drafting and approval of international migrant legislation. The results obtained question several practices and approaches traditionally assumed in refugee law and international migrant legislation, moreover considering the specific context conditions and the subjective experiences reflected upon.
Acute respiratory effects of particles: mass or number?

OBJECTIVES To determine whether associations might be found, in patients with chronic airflow obstruction, between symptoms, peak flow rate (PEF), and particle mass and numbers, and to assess which measure was most closely associated with changes in health. Epidemiological studies have shown associations between particulate air pollution and cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and it has been proposed that these may be mediated by particles of nm size (ultrafine). METHODS Relations were investigated between symptom scores, PEF, and bronchodilator use in 44 patients aged ⩾50 years with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and daily measurements of both mass of ambient particles of aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm (PM10) and numbers of ultrafine particles (<100 nm), allowing for meteorological variables. Symptom scores, bronchodilator use, and PEF were recorded daily for 3 months. Counts of ultrafine particles were made by the TSI model 3934 scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) and PM10 measurements by the tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM). RESULTS Ultrafine particle counts indoors and outdoors were significantly correlated, those indoors being about half of those outdoors. No associations were found between actual PEF and PM10 or ultrafine particles. However, there was a 19% increase in the rate of 10% decrements in daytime PEF with increases in PM10 from 10 to 20 μg/m3 which was of borderline significance (p=0.05). A change in PM10 from 10 to 20 μg/m3 was significantly associated with a 14% increase in the rate of high scores of shortness of breath (p=0.003). A similar change in PM10 as a moving average of the same day and 2 previous days was associated with a 31% increase in the rate of high scores for cough (p=0.02). Cough symptoms were also associated with lower temperatures (p=0.02). Higher use of medicines was also associated with higher PM10, but the increases were very small in clinical terms. CONCLUSIONS Evidence was not found to support the hypothesis that the component of particulate pollution responsible for effects on respiratory symptoms or function resides in the fraction below 100 nm diameter. The consistent associations between symptoms and PM10 suggest that a contribution of the coarser fraction should not be dismissed. Further studies will be needed before the conclusions of this specific project may be generalised.
Resilience in patients with amputation because of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type I

Abstract Purpose: Although controversial, an amputation for longstanding and therapy-resistant Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I (CRPS-I) may improve quality of life and pain intensity. Resilience, the way people deal with adversity in a positive way may be related to these positive outcomes. This study focused on the relationship between resilience and post-amputation outcomes, i.e. quality of life, pain and recurrence of CRPS-I and psychological distress. Method: Twenty-six patients with an amputation related to CRPS-I filled in the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), World Health Organisation -- Quality of life Assessment (WHOQOL-Bref) and the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90-R). An interview was conducted and a physical examination performed. Results were compared with reference groups from literature and a control group from the outpatient rehabilitation clinic at our medical center. Results: Resilience correlated significantly with all domains of the WHOQOL-Bref (ρ ranged from 0.41 to 0.72) and negatively with all domains of the SCL-90-R (ρ ranged from −0.39 to −0.68). Patients with an amputation because of CRPS-I have higher scores on resilience and quality of life than the control group. Resilience was lower in patients who reported CRPS-I symptoms compared to those who did not. Conclusions: The results confirmed our hypothesis that patients with an amputation because of CRPS-I who have a higher resilience also have a higher quality of life and experience lower psychological distress. The prognostic value of resilience in this patient group requires further research. Implications for Rehabilitation Until characteristics of patients with positive quality of life outcome have been further unraveled, amputation for CRPS-I should only be performed in expertise centers. Resilience, the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, should be further explored in Rehabilitation Medicine research in general. Measurement of resilience should be a standard procedure when patients with CRPS-I request an amputation. Improving resilience of patients in in- and outpatient rehabilitation clinics might be an additional treatment in rehabilitation care.
Comparison of a Novel Surface Laser Scanning Anthropometric Technique to Traditional Methods for Facial Parameter Measurements

This study was designed to determine if three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning techniques could be used to collect accurate anthropometric measurements, compared with traditional methods. The use of an alternative 3D method would allow for quick collection of data that could be used to change the parameters used for facepiece design, improving fit and protection for a wider variety of faces. In our study, 10 facial dimensions were collected using both the traditional calipers and tape method and a Konica-Minolta Vivid9i laser scanner. Scans were combined using RapidForm XOR software to create a single complete facial geometry of the subject as a triangulated surface with an associated texture image from which to obtain measurements. A paired t-test was performed on subject means in each measurement by method. Nine subjects were used in this study: five males (one African-American and four Caucasian females) and four females displaying a range of facial dimensions. Five measurements showed significant differences (p < 0.05), with most accounted for by subject movements or amended by scanning technique modifications. Laser scanning measurements showed high precision and accuracy when compared with traditional methods. Significant differences found can be very small changes in measurements and are unlikely to present a practical difference. The laser scanning technique demonstrated reliable and quick anthropometric data collection for use in future projects in redesigning respirators.
Use of time by physiotherapists and occupational therapists in a stroke rehabilitation unit: A comparison between four European rehabilitation centres

Purpose. The aim of this study was to compare the time allocated to therapeutic activities (TA) and non-therapeutic activities (NTA) of physiotherapists (PT) and occupational therapists (OT) in stroke rehabilitation units in four European countries. Method. Therapists documented their activities in 15-min periods for two weeks. They recorded: activity, number of patients, number of stroke patients, involvement of other people, location and frequency of each activity. Kruskal-Wallis tests and negative binomial regression models were used to compare activities between professional groups and between units. Results. The average proportion of TA per day ranged between 32.9% and 66.1% and was higher for PT than for OT in each unit. For OT, significant differences emerged between the units in the proportion of time allocated to TA compared to NTA with British OTs spending significantly less time in TA. In the Belgian unit, three times less time was spent on patient-related co-ordination activities (e.g., administration, ward rounds) compared to the British and Swiss units. Conclusions. Time allocation differed between PT and OT and between units, affecting the time available for TA. Further investigation is necessary to study the effect of work organization in stroke rehabilitation units on the efficiency of rehabilitation regimes.
High prevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus antibodies among blood donors in central Italy, February to March 2014.

Prevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies is highly variable in developed countries, which seems partly due to differences in assay sensitivity. Using validated sensitive assays, we tested 313 blood donors attending a hospital transfusion unit in central Italy in January and February 2014 for anti-HEV IgG and IgM and HEV RNA. Data on HEV exposure were collected from all donors. Overall anti-HEV IgG prevalence was 49% (153/313). Eating raw dried pig-liver sausage was the only independent predictor of HEV infection (adjusted prevalence rate ratio = 2.14; 95% confidence interval: 1.23-3.74). Three donors were positive for either anti-HEV IgM (n = 2; 0.6%) or HEV RNA (n = 2; 0.6%); they were completely asymptomatic, without alanine aminotransferase (ALT) abnormalities. Of the two HEV RNA-positive donors (both harbouring genotype 3), one was anti-HEV IgG- and IgM-positive, the other was anti-HEV IgG- and IgM-negative. The third donor was positive for anti-HEV IgG and IgM but HEV RNA-negative. HEV infection is therefore hyperendemic among blood donors (80% men 18-64 years-old) from central Italy and associated with local dietary habits. Nearly 1% of donors have acute or recent infection, implying potential transmission to blood recipients. Neither ALT nor anti-HEV IgM testing seems useful to prevent transfusion-transmitted HEV infection.
Family matters: involuntary parental unemployment during childhood and subjective well-being later in life

We are the first to examine how parental unemployment experienced during early-, mid- and late-childhood affects adult life satisfaction. Using German household panel data, we find that parental unemployment induced by plant closures and experienced during early (0-5 years) and late (11-15 years) childhood leads to lower life satisfaction at ages 18-31. Nevertheless, parental unemployment can also have a positive effect depending on the age and gender of the child. Our results are robust even after controlling for local unemployment, individual and family characteristics, parental job loss expectations, financial resources, and parents’ working time when growing up. These findings imply that the adverse effects associated with parental unemployment experienced at a young age tend to last well into young adulthood and are more nuanced than previously thought.
Expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) in human prostate cancer

Recent studies have demonstrated that peroxisome proliferator activator‐receptors (PPAR)‐γ is expressed in some cancer cells such as breast, lung, and gastric cancer, and its ligand induces growth arrest of these cancer cells through apoptosis. However, the expression and localization of PPARs in prostate have not been examined. In this study, PPARs expression was investigated in human prostate cancer (PC), prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and normal prostate (NP) tissues.
Water structure theory and some implications for drug design

The development of theories of water structure has been hindered in the past by the difficulty of experimental measurement. Both measurement and computer modelling studies have now reached the stage where theoretical treatments of water structure are converging to a broadly acceptable model. In current understanding, water is a mixture of randomly hydrogen‐bonded molecules and larger structures comprised of tetrahedral oxygen centres which, when hydrogen‐bonded to each other, lead to five‐membered and other rings which can aggregate to form three‐dimensional structures. Evidence is taken from studies of the ices, from clathrates and other solid solutions, as well as from liquid solutions, that certain motifs occur very frequently and have relatively high stability, such as the (H2O)20 cavity‐forming structure known from studies on clathrates. The implications of recent models of water structure for an understanding of biological events, including the interactions of drugs with receptors, are profound. It is becoming clear that modelling of aqueous solutions of any molecule must consider the explicit interactions with water molecules, which should not be regarded as a continuum: water itself is not a continuum. Solute molecules which possess hydrogen‐bonding groups will provoke the formation of further hydrogen‐bonding chains of water molecules: if these can form rings, such rings will tend to persist longer than chains, giving the solute a secondary identity of associated water which may play a role in molecular recognition. Solutes that do not have hydrogen‐bonding capability, or regions of solutes which are non‐polar, may also produce partial cage‐like water structures that are characteristic of the solute.
The Effect of Interlocking Directors Network on Firm Value and Performance: Evidence from Korean-Listed Firms

Abstract This study examines the impact of network of interlocking directors’ network on firm value and performance using panel dataset drawn from 7307 firm-year observations during the period 2000–2014. We conduct social network analysis to analyze the interlocking directors’ network and focus on how interlocking directors’ network and existence of interlocking directors affect firm value and performance. We find that interlocking director network has significant and negative effects on firm values measured as Tobin’s Q and performance measured as return of assets and total factor productivity. This result suggests that the interlocking directors maintain and use vested right to pursue their own interests. It is seen that this can be a chance to impose a symbolic meaning for what kind of effect the interlocking directors make on performance in the Korean-listed firms.