Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Small for size syndrome difficult dilemma: Lessons from 10 years single centre experience in living donor liver transplantation

AIM To analyze the incidence, risk factors, prevention, treatment and outcome of small for size syndrome (SFSS) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). METHODS Through-out more than 10 years: During the period from April 2003 to the end of 2013, 174 adult-to-adults LDLT (A-ALDLT) had been performed at National Liver Institute, Menoufiya University, Shibin Elkoom, Egypt. We collected the data of those patients to do this cohort study that is a single-institution retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database analyzing the incidence, risk factors, prevention, treatment and outcome of SFSS in a period started from the end of 2013 to the end of 2015. The median period of follow-up reached 40.50 m, range (0-144 m). RESULTS SFSS was diagnosed in 20 (11.5%) of our recipients. While extra-small graft [small for size graft (SFSG)], portal hypertension, steatosis and left lobe graft were significant predictors of SFSS in univariate analysis (P = 0.00, 0.04, 0.03, and 0.00 respectively); graft size was the only independent predictor of SFSS on multivariate analysis (P = 0.03). On the other hand, there was lower incidence of SFSS in patients with SFSG who underwent splenectomy [4/10 (40%) SFSS vs 3/7 (42.9%) no SFSS] but without statistical significance, However, there was none significant lower incidence of the syndrome in patients with right lobe (RL) graft when drainage of the right anterior and/or posterior liver sectors by middle hepatic vein, V5, V8, and/or right inferior vein was done [4/10 (28.6%) SFSS vs 52/152 (34.2%) no SFSS]. The 6-mo, 1-, 3-, 5-, 7- and 10-year survival in patients with SFSS were 30%, 30%, 25%, 25%, 25% and 25% respectively, while, the 6-mo, 1-, 3-, 5-, 7- and 10-year survival in patients without SFSS were 70.1%, 65.6%, 61.7%, 61%, 59.7%, and 59.7% respectively, with statistical significant difference (P = 0.00). CONCLUSION SFSG is the independent and main factor for occurrence of SFSS after A-ALDLT leading to poor outcome. However, the management of this catastrophe depends upon its prevention (i.e., selecting graft with proper size, splenectomy to decrease portal venous inflow, and improving hepatic vein outflow by reconstructing large draining veins of the graft).
Neuroprotective effect of acute interferon-beta 1B treatment after spinal cord injury.

AIM The purpose of this trial was to investigate the effect of a well known immunomodulator -interferon beta- on traumatized spinal cord in terms of biochemical and histopathological features. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-four rats were used in this trial. The rats were divided into 3 groups. In the first group of rats, spinal cord injury was created by the weight drop method and interferon beta was administered. In the second group, physiological saline was administered. Third group was used as control. Rats were sacrificed 24 hours following trauma. Heat shock protein 70 levels were measured in the spinal cord samples and the samples were examined histopathologically. RESULTS When the rats in the physiological saline and control groups were compared to rats treated with interferon beta 1b, those treated with interferon beta 1b revealed significant increases in the heat shock protein 70 levels in tissues, and histopathological examination revealed decreases in polymorphonuclear leucocyte infiltration, haemorrhage, oedema and necrosis. CONCLUSION Although, the results of the study indicated that interferon beta might have some healing effects via increasing the cellular heat shock protein 70 on spinal cord injuries, more studies are needed.
Foot-Tapping Speed in Children Ages 4 to 6 Years

This investigation examined the performance and measurement characteristics of foot-tapping speed in 155 4- to 6-year-olds. Analysis suggested that, while the task does not differentiate between preferred and nonpreferred limbs, performance does appear to be age-related, that is, subjects tapped significantly faster with increasing age. Considering type of task and population, reliability was judged as moderate.
Flip-chip planar GaInAs/InP p-i-n photodiode array for parallel optical transmission

A back-illuminated planar GaInAs/InP p-i-n photodiode array with a simple fabrication process was developed for application to parallel optical transmission. Four p-i-n photodiodes were integrated in the array. The average capacitance and dark current were as low as 0.12 pF and 8 pA, respectively, at -5 V. At a 1.55- mu m wavelength, the quantum efficiency of each photodiode was over 80%. The cutoff frequency was 8-10 GHz with four photodiodes when the bias voltage was -3 V and the load resistance was 50 Omega . Crosstalk between channels was -12 dB at the cutoff frequency and -45 dB at 1 GHz. <<ETX>>
Agricultural Injury in California Hispanic Farm Workers: MICASA Follow-up Survey

ABSTRACT The authors report here results from the first follow-up survey of the Mexican Immigration to California: Agricultural Safety and Acculturation (MICASA) cohort of community-dwelling immigrant Hispanic farm workers in California's Central Valley. Among 560 participants the authors observed cumulative 1-year injury incidence of 6.6% (all injuries) and 4.3% (agricultural injuries). Increased prospective injury risk was associated with males, US birth, years lived in the United States, family income, and poor self-rated health. Agricultural injuries were associated most frequently with being struck by an object, falls, and cutting instruments, whereas over two thirds of nonagricultural injuries involved motor vehicles. Prevention should focus on safe handling of tools and materials, falls, and motor vehicle safety.
The relationship between breast milk leptin and adiponectin with child body composition from 3 to 5 years: a follow‐up study

Research indicates that breast milk contains bioactive components that influence metabolism in infancy and may play a role in the prevention of obesity in early childhood. In our initial study, 147 breastfeeding mother/child pairs were followed from birth to 2 years of age to examine the relationship between breast milk leptin and total adiponectin (collected at 6 weeks and 4 months postpartum) and infant body composition. Higher breast milk total adiponectin was related to greater fat mass and weight gain in children at 1 and 2 years of age, whereas leptin showed no association.
The dose-response relationship for dicentric chromosomes and γ-H2AX foci in human peripheral blood lymphocytes: Influence of temperature during exposure and intra- and inter-individual variability of donors

Abstract Purpose: Hypothermia during in vitro irradiation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) affects the level of chromosome aberrations. The molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon are not fully understood. The aim of our study was to examine the effect of hypothermia on the dose-response relationship for dicentric chromosomes and the level of γ-H2AX (phosphorylated histone H2AX) foci. In addition, the inter- and intra-individual variability was assessed in relation to temperature. Materials and methods: PBL were kept at 0.8, 20 and 37°C and then exposed to gamma-rays (from 0–3 Gy). Dicentric chromosomes were scored in first post-treatment mitoses. γ-H2AX foci were scored 15, 30, 60, 120 min and 24 h post irradiation. Results: Our results revealed that the frequency of dicentric chromosomes in cells exposed at 37°C to gamma-rays was higher than after exposure at 0.8 and 20°C. No effect of temperature was observed on the number of γ-H2AX foci as well as on the intra- and inter-individual variations of the dicentric yield and the number of γ-H2AX foci. Conclusions: Temperature at exposure to ionizing radiation has a pronounced effect on the level of cytogenetic damage but not γ-H2AX foci.
Factors affecting consumer attitudes and intentions toward user-generated product content on YouTube

The advent of social media has radically changed the communication landscape. They enabled consumers to interact with other consumers online and exchange information. The information which consumers generate and share on social media is called user generated content (UGC). Today consumers rely heavily on UGC in their purchase decisions. The current study assesses the effects of quantity of posts, views and reviews (QPVR) on perceived credibility (PC) and usefulness (PU) of product content which users generate on YouTube. It also examines the effects of PC and PU on consumer attitudes toward UGC and their intentions of using it in their purchase decisions. Data was collected from 231 university students from Islamabad, Pakistan. The results reveal that QPVR has a positive effect on both PC and PU of the product content which users generate on YouTube. They also show that PC and PU have a positive effect on consumer attitudes toward product content which other users generate on YouTube. Findings of the current study have significant implications for social media advertisers.
Role of microbial communities in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases and caries

The microbiological characteristics of both caries and periodontal disease show significant change from those in health. In both instances, there is evidence of co-association of different organisms into consortia. AIM We review and summarize a number of issues pertinent to the community organization and functional activity of the bacterial populations resident on supra- and subgingival tooth surface and the influence of these populations on disease. METHODS A literature review was undertaken with a particular emphasis on recent publications involving high-throughput, deep sequencing approaches to the analysis of microbial populations and their functional activity. RESULTS There is increasing evidence to suggest that both caries and periodontal disease represent dysbiotic states of the oral microbiome. The mode of acquisition of the oral microbial communities may be less passive than previously recognized but once established remains relatively stable within an individual although there are very significant site variations. A repertoire of stable dysbiotic states may occur in both caries and periodontitis involving different microbial community structures with potentially similar functional properties. CONCLUSIONS The processes which underlie the development and stability of microbial populations in the healthy mouth are fundamental to understanding how these populations are transformed into a dysbiotic state in disease.
Pyruvate and oxygen consumption throughout the growth and development of murine oocytes

Growing oocytes in vitro from the most immature stages until they are developmentally competent is a major goal of reproductive technology, requiring fundamental knowledge of metabolic processes. Carbohydrate metabolism and oxygen consumption have been analysed in a series of experiments designed to investigate important energy substrates for mouse oocytes and to reveal any qualitative or quantitative changes between the primordial and ovulatory follicle stages. Primordial follicles were incubated in groups in modified‐KSOM medium, whereas growing or ovulated oocytes were studied singly and, in both cases, the depletion or accumulation of metabolites in spent medium were analysed using ultramicrofluorometric assays. The rates of glucose (0.014 ± 0.006 pmol/hr) and pyruvate (0.028 ± 0.009 pmol/hr) consumption and l‐lactate (0.058 ± 0.023 pmol/hr) production by primordial follicles suggested that energy production was supported by a combination of metabolic pathways, including glycolysis. Pyruvate and oxygen consumption per oocyte increased two‐ and ninefold, respectively, between the primary and pre‐ovulatory stages (0.82 ± 0.1 and 1.67 ± 0.1 pmol pyruvate/hr, respectively and 1.4 ± 0.3 and 7 ± 0.6 pmol oxygen/hr) after which oxygen (12.7 ± 1.1 pmol/hr) utilisation nearly doubled. Oxygen consumption by fully grown oocytes was in excess of oxidation requirements for pyruvate. When pyruvate and oxygen consumption rates were normalised for oocyte cellular volume, which increased over 130‐fold during growth, oocyte metabolism was higher in primary follicles than at any subsequent stage, indicating that energy needs are greater during a developmental transition. To conclude, pyruvate and oxygen were consumed throughout oocyte development at increasing rates. When oocyte cellular volume was accounted for, oocytes from primary follicles displayed greatest metabolic rates. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 231–238, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Infrasonic estimation of surf period

Synchronous infrasonic, video, and wave height measurements were performed during high surf at Polihale beach, Kauai, on March 4–12, 2005. During the experiment, atmospheric sound levels in the 0.5–20 Hz frequency band were associated with large breaking ocean waves. The envelope of surf infrasound signals yields breaking wave periods comparable to those derived from nearshore sea surface elevation measurements. Our analysis confirms that individual plunging waves are partly responsible for the generation of surf infrasound. We demonstrate the potential to extract breaking wave period from a single, well sited infrasonic microphone.
Respiration‐gated formation of gamma and beta neural assemblies in the mammalian olfactory bulb

A growing body of data suggests that information coding can be achieved not only by varying neuronal firing rate, but also by varying spike timing relative to network oscillations. In the olfactory bulb (OB) of a freely breathing anaesthetized mammal, odorant stimulation induces prominent oscillatory local field potential (LFP) activity in the beta (10–35 Hz) and gamma (40–80 Hz) ranges, which alternate during a respiratory cycle. At the same time, mitral/tufted (M/T) cells display respiration‐modulated spiking patterns. Using simultaneous recordings of M/T unitary activities and LFP activity, we conducted an analysis of the temporal relationships between M/T cell spiking activity and both OB beta and gamma oscillations. We observed that M/T cells display a respiratory pattern that pre‐tunes instantaneous frequencies to a gamma or beta regime. Consequently, M/T cell spikes become phase‐locked to either gamma or beta LFP oscillations according to their frequency range and respiratory pattern. Our results suggest that slow respiratory dynamics pre‐tune M/T cells to a preferential fast rhythm (beta or gamma) such that a spike–LFP coupling might occur when units and oscillation frequencies are in a compatible range. This double‐coupling process might define two complementary beta‐ and gamma‐neuronal assemblies along the course of a respiratory cycle.
The Role of Electrostatic Interactions in Governing Anesthetic Action on the Torpedo Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

Isoflurane and normal alkanols reduce the apparent agonist dissociation constant (Kd) of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) at clinically relevant concentrations, whereas cyclopropane and butane do not. This suggests that electrostatic (hydrogen bonding and/or dipolar) interactions modulate anesthetic potency in this model receptor system. To further define the nature of these interactions, we quantified the potencies with which a heterologous group of general anesthetics reduces the nAChR’s apparent Kd for acetylcholine. We assessed the importance that an anesthetic’s molecular volume, ability to donate a hydrogen bond (hydrogen bond acidity), ability to accept a hydrogen bond (hydrogen bond basicity), and dipole moment play in determining aqueous potency. We found that aqueous anesthetic potency increases with molecular volume and decreases with hydrogen bond basicity but is unaffected by dipole moment and hydrogen bond acidity. These results suggest that anesthetics reduce the apparent agonist Kd of the nAChR by binding to a site that has a dipolarity and ability to accept hydrogen bonds that are similar to those of water, but a hydrogen bond-donating capacity that is less.
Detecting co-located mobile users

Co-location information of devices, people, and activities can be used in numerous applications in areas of social networking, mobile networking, spatial and socio-economics, and securing interactions. People co-location can be used to infer their communications and interactions. This information can be exploited for many purposes such as gaining understanding of human social interactions and behaviours. In this paper, we propose a real-time co-localization technique which provides accurate people co-location information with sub-meter accuracy. We construct a connectivity graph representing the potential colocated users based on pairwise similarity of RF measurements from user's mobile phones. We then apply community-detection tools to cluster users into co-located groups. Since our approach does not estimate the absolute location of individual users, it is robust to localization errors and protects the location privacy of mobile users. Our approach does not involve labour-intensive calibration as required for most localization approaches. We prototyped our proposed solution to detect co-located users in an enterprise building scenario. Android mobile users connected to our cloud localization server were accurately clustered according to their geographical proximity.
Biochemical Characterization and Vaccine Potential of a Heme-Binding Glutathione Transferase from the Adult Hookworm Ancylostoma caninum

ABSTRACT We report the cloning and expression of Ac-GST-1, a novel glutathione S-transferase from the adult hookworm Ancylostoma caninum, and its possible role in parasite blood feeding and as a vaccine target. The predicted Ac-GST-1 open reading frame contains 207 amino acids (mass, 24 kDa) and exhibited up to 65% amino acid identity with other nematode GSTs. mRNA encoding Ac-GST-1 was detected in adults, eggs, and larval stages, but the protein was detected only in adult hookworm somatic extracts and excretory/secretory products. Using antiserum to the recombinant protein, Ac-GST-1 was immunolocalized to the parasite hypodermis and muscle tissue and weakly to the intestine. Recombinant Ac-GST-1 was enzymatically active, as determined by conjugation of glutathione to a model substrate, and exhibited a novel high-affinity binding site for hematin. The possible role of Ac-GST-1 in parasite heme detoxification during hemoglobin digestion or heme uptake prompted interest in evaluating it as a potential vaccine antigen. Vaccination of dogs with Ac-GST-1 resulted in a 39.4% reduction in the mean worm burden and 32.3% reduction in egg counts compared to control dogs following larval challenge, although the reductions were not statistically significant. However, hamsters vaccinated with Ac-GST-1 exhibited statistically significant worm reduction (53.7%) following challenge with heterologous Necator americanus larvae. These studies suggest that Ac-GST-1 is a possible drug and vaccine target for hookworm infection.
Cortical hyperostosis: a complication of prolonged prostaglandin infusion in infants awaiting cardiac transplantation.

BACKGROUND Infants awaiting heart transplantation for congenital heart disease frequently require prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) infusion for prolonged periods. As a result, complications of prolonged PGE1 infusion, such as cortical hyperostosis, are being encountered more commonly. OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence and severity of cortical hyperostosis in newborns requiring prolonged PGE1 infusion. METHODS Chest radiographs of 86 infants receiving PGE1 infusion awaiting heart transplantation were reviewed. The chest radiographs were graded for the severity of cortical hyperostosis (no bony changes, minimal hyperostosis, or severe hyperostosis). Duration of PGE1 infusion, total PGE1 dose, and highest alkaline phosphatase were recorded for each patient. Infants were arbitrarily divided into three groups according to the duration of PGE1 infusion (< 30 days, 30 to 60 days, > 60 days). RESULTS Fifty-three of the 86 infants (62%) had radiologic evidence of cortical hyperostosis. Forty-two of 80 infants (53%) had elevated alkaline phosphatase. The percentage of infants with hyperostosis increased with increasing duration of PGE1 infusion (42% at < 30 days; 87% at 30 to 60 days; 100% at > 60 days). The incidence and severity of cortical hyperostosis were related (by Kruskal-Wallis) to the duration of PGE1 infusion (P < .0001) and the total dose of PGE1 received (P < .0001). The highest alkaline phosphatase levels were observed in infants with the most severe grades of hyperostosis (P < .0001). The percentage of infants with elevated alkaline phosphatase increased with greater severity of hyperostosis (26% of infants with no bony changes, 59% with minimal changes, and 85% with severe changes). Two infants had symptomatic bone tenderness or swelling mimicking osteomyelitis. CONCLUSION It is concluded that cortical hyperostosis is a frequent, often asymptomatic, side effect of prolonged PGE1 infusion that should be evaluated in any infant on long-term PGE1 therapy. When symptoms occur in infants awaiting transplantation, osteomyelitis must be excluded rapidly to avoid an unnecessary delay in transplantation.
“Nonetheless They Will Have Need of Wood”: Aesthetic and Utilitarian Approaches to Trees in The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales

Abstract A common assumption about J.R. R. Tolkien’s works is that they are escapist, only dealing obliquely with issues related to the real world. This has been addressed in the field of literary studies by linking Tolkien’s literary output with twentieth-century concerns such as modernist practices and, in recent times, by reading his tales against the backdrop of ecocriticism. However, scholars in the latter field, such as Dickerson, Evans, and Campbell, frequently over-emphasize wonder and the spiritual connection with the natural world as the intended response of readers, which undermines the potential implications and relevance of Tolkien’s works for the real world. In this article I wish to show that Tolkien’s cosmological vision is not only premised on the idea of appreciating the wonder-inciting qualities of the world but that it also entails a certain amount of utilitarianism, and the need to combine both is related to the ethical theory of ideal utilitarianism as outlined by G.E. Moore. Moreover, in several early episodes of The Silmarillion, the combined approach to the natural world is represented by trees, setting a mythical precedent for later works. Of the latter, I will be looking mainly at “Aldarion and Erendis” in Unfinished Tales and “The Downfall of Númenor” in The Silmarillion.
Evidence Supporting the Need for Bariatric Surgery to Address the Obesity Epidemic in the United States

Despite aims at prevention, obesity in the United States is now an epidemic. Along with the rise in obesity, the United States has experienced a concomitant rise in obesity-related comorbidities. Furthermore overweight and obesity present a major economic public health challenge. Physicians are likely to recommend weight loss to their overweight patients. Diet, exercise, and behavior modification are often effective during the course of treatment but are subject to recidivism and post-treatment weight gain. Obesity intervention mandates that providers consider the need for surgery in many cases. The three most commonly performed weight loss surgical procedures in the United States include gastric banding, gastric bypass, and sleeve gastrectomy. Patients undergoing surgery lose considerable amounts of excess weight and experience marked improvement in many other obesity-related comorbidities. Surgery is a proven therapy for patients who do not respond to less invasive measures and should be considered mainstream therapy in the treatment of the obesity epidemic.