Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Renal Transplantation in Patients with Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction: A Single Center Experience from a Developing Country

Objectives: Historically, patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) were considered poor candidates for renal transplantation (RT). We aimed to review our experience with this procedure for its safety and efficacy. Methods: We reviewed the case records of patients with LUTD who underwent RT at our center. Graft and patient survival were analyzed. Results: Out of 2053 RTs, 26 (1.2%) patients had LUTD as the primary cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). All patients underwent cystourethroscopy prior to transplantation, had abnormal bladders and all underwent bladder augmentation. Only 16 (61.5%) patients had urodynamic (UDN) evaluation prior to transplantation. Pretransplantation augmentation cystoplasty (AC) was performed in 24 (92.3%) patients, and post-RT in two (7.7%). Mitrofanoff channel was made in 25 (96.1%) patients using appendix in 14 (56%) patients and native ureter in 11 (44%). Double-J (DJ) stents were placed in all patients peroperatively. All patients developed 156 episodes of urinary tract infections (UTIs), with an average of 6 UTIs/ patient. All patients except three are maintaining their graft function within acceptable limits. We observed 100% patient and graft survival rates in this series. Conclusions: In conclusion, RT combined with AC is a feasible option for patients with LUTD with good results in the medium term and should be explored in selected patients.
The Measures of the Quality of Trading in a Stock: Empirical Evidence from the National Stock Exchange (India)

The quality of trading in a stock depends on many factors; of which information asymmetry is suppose to be only one. The three common measures of quality are Float, Turnover and Bid - ask spread (i.e. the impact cost of shares). In our study two additional factors have been taken and they are Standard Deviation and Return generated as compared to the index. Our study is based on the Indian Stock market and the top traded stocks have been taken to ascertain their quality. Our study has found out that in some of the characteristics the 10 top traded stocks behave as expected while in some other areas they behave in an inappropriate manner. This brings us to the conclusion that the Indian market is not perfect in nature and there are imperfections in it which along with other factors play a significant role.
Engineered Zn(II)-Dipicolylamine-Gold Nanorod Provides Effective Prostate Cancer Treatment by Combining siRNA Delivery and Photothermal Therapy

Combination cancer treatment has emerged as a critical approach to achieve remarkable anticancer effect. In this study, we prepared a theranostic nanoformulation that allows for photoacoustic imaging as well as combination gene and photothermal therapy. Gold nanorods (GNR) were coated with dipicolyl amine (DPA), which forms stable complexes with Zn2+ cations. The resulting nanoparticles, Zn(II)/DPA-GNR, recognize phosphate-containing molecules, including siRNA, because of the specific interaction between Zn(II) and the phosphates. We chose anti-polo-like kinase 1 siRNA (siPLK) as our example for gene silencing. The strong complexation between Zn(II)/DPA-GNR and siPLK provided high stability to the nano-complexes, which efficiently delivered siRNA into the targeted cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The particle served as a theranostic agent because the GNRs of nano-complexes permitted effective photothermal therapy as well as photoacoustic imaging upon laser irradiation. This gene/photothermal combination therapy using siPLK/Zn(II)DPA-GNRs exhibited significant antitumor activity in a PC-3 tumor mouse model. The concept described in this work may be extended to the development of efficient delivery strategies for other polynucleotides as well as advanced anticancer therapy.
Transposase-Derived Transcription Factors Regulate Light Signaling in Arabidopsis

Plants use light to optimize growth and development. The photoreceptor phytochrome A (phyA) mediates various far-red light–induced responses. We show that Arabidopsis FHY3 and FAR1, which encode two proteins related to Mutator-like transposases, act together to modulate phyA signaling by directly activating the transcription of FHY1 and FHL, whose products are essential for light-induced phyA nuclear accumulation and subsequent light responses. FHY3 and FAR1 have separable DNA binding and transcriptional activation domains that are highly conserved in Mutator-like transposases. Further, expression of FHY3 and FAR1 is negatively regulated by phyA signaling. We propose that FHY3 and FAR1 represent transcription factors that have been co-opted from an ancient Mutator-like transposase(s) to modulate phyA-signaling homeostasis in higher plants.
Formulation and in-vitro characterization of retinoic acid loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres

Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres containing all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) were prepared by emulsion/solvent evaporation technique. PLGA (50:50) with inherent viscosities of 0.17 and 0.39 dL g−1 was used. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or PVA and sodium oleate (SO) combinations (4:1) were used to stabilize the emulsions. The effect of polymer viscosity, emulsifier type and concentration on the in vitro release of atRA from the microspheres was investigated. The stability of the microparticles was also tested at the temperatures of 4, 25 and 40°C. The particle size ranged between 1–2 µm. Microspheres were smooth and spherical in shape, as determined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs. The yield of microspheres ranged from 50–75% and the encapsulation efficiency was determined between 45–75%. In vitro release studies showed that atRA release from microspheres lasted for 11 days.
Foliage influences forced convection heat transfer in conifer branches and buds.

Conifer foliage structures affect branch and bud temperature by altering the development and convective resistance of the thermal boundary layer. This paper examines foliage effects on forced convection in branches and buds of Picea glauca (Moench) Voss and Pinus contorta Dougl. Ex. Loud. , two species that represent the range of variation in foliage structure among conifers. Forced convection is characterized by a power law relating Nusselt (heat transfer) and Reynolds (boundary layer development) numbers. Data were collected in a laminar flow wind tunnel for free stream velocities of 0.16-6.95 m s(-1). Scaling parameters were compared against literature values for silver cast branch replicas, a bed of real foliage, cylinders, and tube banks. Foliage structures reduced Nusselt numbers (heat transfer) relative to cylinders, which are typically used to approximate leafless branches and buds. Significantly different scaling relationships were observed for all foliage structures considered. Forced convection scaling relationships varied with foliage structure. The scaling relationships reported here account for variation within populations of branches and buds and can be used to characterize forced convection in a forest canopy.
Comparison of laparoscopic and open Nissen fundoplication 2 years after operation. A prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic operation has replaced the conventional open procedure in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in spite of the fact that long-term results based on controlled clinical trials have been lacking. The objective of this study was to compare outcome, quality of life, and patient satisfaction after laparoscopic and open Nissen fundoplication in a community hospital setting with a 2-year follow-up. METHODS Forty-two patients with GERD were randomized to either laparoscopic (LNF) or open (ONF) Nissen fundoplication. Outcome evaluation included reflux symptoms, gastrointestinal quality of life (GIQLI), and upper GI endoscopy. RESULTS Esophagitis was cured among all patients in the LNF group and in 90% of the ONF group. There were two patients (10%) in both groups who had medicine-dependent recurrent reflux together with significant worsening in the GIQLI scores. One patient in the LNF group has been reoperated due to a suture granuloma in the left epigastric port. Two patients in the LNF group needed esophageal dilatation due to persistent dysphagia. GIQLI scores (scale, 0-144) were equally normalized in both groups. Overall, 90% in the LNF and 100% in the ONF group were either satisfied or very satisfied with the operation. There was only one patient (LNF) who would not choose to have the operation again. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic and open Nissen fundoplication seem to be equally effective methods for improving reflux symptoms and quality of life, resulting in a high rate of satisfaction among patients with an intermediate follow-up period of 2 years.
Hand Surgery and Quality of Life

The outcome in patients having surgery to the hand was assessed subjectively using a questionnaire that covered activities of daily living (ADL), hand pain and psychological well-being. The questionnaires were completed on average 6.9 months preoperatively and 20.6 months postoperatively by 15 patients with osteoarthritis undergoing trapeziectomy and 25 patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing Swanson arthroplasties of the metacarpophalangeal joints. Surgery resulted in significant improvements in reported ADL and hand pain, in both groups. Improvement in perception of hand function and health was only seen in the osteoarthritic group. There was no improvement in arthritis activity, mood or quality of life in either group. These results confirm that surgery for arthritis of the hand relieves pain and improves ADL. However, it has a greater effect in patients with localized osteoarthritis than in those with rheumatoid arthritis.
A Model of Retail Competition in Service and Price: Pure Play Internet vs. Bricks-and-Mortar Retailers

Why does Amazon.com make low or no profits, whereas, its bricks-and-mortar rival Borders makes substantially higher profits? Why is price dispersion high in certain categories and low in others? Why are prices for the same item higher at bricks-and-mortar retailers than they are at pure play Internet retailers? To answer these questions, we analyze the competition between a pure play Internet retailer and a bricks-and-mortar retailer in both retail service and price. We develop a game theoretic model that includes both horizontal and vertical differentiation. In this model, the Internet and the bricks-and-mortar store are two alternative distribution channels located at the two ends of a "Hotelling main street. " Consumers are heterogeneous in their locations on this street, so they find different levels of attractiveness each channel, and there is not a unanimously preferred retail channel. In addition, consumers' willingness to pay for retail services is heterogeneous, although all of them prefer higher retail service to lower service. Given the presence of consumer heterogeneity in both the horizontal dimension (channel preference) and the vertical dimension (willingness to pay for retail service), the two retailers decide the optimal levels of price and service in a two-stage game. In this game, retailers make service decisions first and price decisions next. The analytical results show that in equilibrium, the bricks-and-mortar retailer will provide better service, charge a higher price and earn greater profits than the pure play e-tailer when consumer heterogeneity in willingness to pay for retail service is sufficiently large compared to that in retail channel (location) preference. These results explain why Borders makes more profits than Amazon and why price dispersion is higher in the books and CD categories than it is in others.
Sevoflurane preserves endocardial blood flow during coronary ligation in dogs: comparison with adenosine

Background: Sevoflurane has been reported to attenuate ischaemia‐induced changes of myocardial metabolism, but the mechanism is still unclear. We examined the effect of sevoflurane on regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF) in the ischaemic area and compared the flow with that in the presence of adenosine.
Dynamics of Arrestin-Rhodopsin Interactions

In this study, we address the mechanism of visual arrestin release from light-activated rhodopsin using fluorescently labeled arrestin mutants. We find that two mutants, I72C and S251C, when labeled with the small, solvent-sensitive fluorophore monobromobimane, exhibit spectral changes only upon binding light-activated, phosphorylated rhodopsin. Our analysis indicates that these changes are probably due to a burying of the probes at these sites in the rhodopsin-arrestin or phospholipid-arrestin interface. Using a fluorescence approach based on this observation, we demonstrate that arrestin and retinal release are linked and are described by similar activation energies. However, at physiological temperatures, we find that arrestin slows the rate of retinal release ∼2-fold and abolishes the pH dependence of retinal release. Using fluorescence, EPR, and biochemical approaches, we also find intriguing evidence that arrestin binds to a post-Meta II photodecay product, possibly Meta III. We speculate that arrestin regulates levels of free retinal in the rod cell to help limit the formation of damaging oxidative retinal adducts. Such adducts may contribute to diseases like atrophic age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Thus, arrestin may serve to both attenuate rhodopsin signaling and protect the cell from excessive retinal levels under bright light conditions.
Liquidity and Commonality in Emerging Markets

Emerging markets share many distinct features that separate them from more developed markets, including a low level of liquidity. In this study, I investigate the extent to which the liquidity of emerging market stocks co-moves with that of other stocks in the same market. I document a significantly higher commonality in liquidity in emerging markets than in developed markets. My empirical results show that in emerging markets individual stock liquidity is more affected by fluctuations in market prices than by fluctuations in individual stock prices, suggesting that higher commonality in liquidity in emerging markets could be caused by higher co-variation in stock volatility and inventory risk. Consistent with this conjecture, commonality in liquidity is found to be positively related to co-movement in volatility, and with level of development of the financial markets. These findings reinforce the idea that liquidity commonality is related to market-wide factor. I also document that liquidity co-movement across emerging markets has a strong geographic component and is related to correlation in market-wide volatility. The initial results do not support the presence of a global liquidity factor, and suggest that liquidity risk can be diversified by constructing global portfolios.
Does Thin Trading Impact Upon the Measurement of Herding? Evidence from Bulgaria

Research in Finance has revealed the presence of higher hearding levels in emerging capital markets compared to their developed counterparts. However, although emerging markets are often typified by thin trading, the latter has never been accounted for in herding estimations. We address this issue for the first time by testing for herding in the Bulgarian market using the methodology proposed by Hwang and Salmon (2004). Results indicate that thin trading leads to an underestimated picture of herding, thus producing evidence in favor of the impact of thin trading upon the measurement of herding.
Stem cell therapy for chronic heart failure

Purpose of review The aim of this review was to discuss recent advances in clinical aspects of stem cell therapy in heart failure with emphasis on patient selection, stem cell types and delivery methods. Recent findings Several stem cell types have been considered for the treatment of patients with heart failure. In nonischemic heart failure, transplantation of CD34+ cells improved myocardial performance, functional capacity and neurohumoral activation. In ischemic heart failure, cardiosphere-derived cells were shown to reduce myocardial scar burden with concomitant increase in viable tissue and regional systolic wall thickening. Both autologous and allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells were shown to be effective in improving heart function in patients with ischemic heart failure; this may represent an important step toward the development of a standardized stem cell product for widespread clinical use. Summary Although trials of stem cell therapy in heart failure have shown promising results, the findings are not consistent. Given the wide spectrum of heart failure, it may be difficult to define a uniform stem cell therapy for all subsets of patients; instead, future stem cell therapeutic strategies should aim for a more personalized approach by establishing optimal stem cell type, dose and delivery method for an individual patient and disease state.
Role of green tea extract in the improvement of liver and renal functions in alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in male albino rats

In the current study, fifty male albino rats weighing between 150-200 g, and 10 weeks old were used to investigate the effect of green tea Camellia sinensis extract on liver and renal function related biochemical parameters in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced experimentally in rats by a single subcutaneous injection with alloxan (100 mg/kg). Rats with blood glucose more than 200 mg/dl were considered as alloxan induced diabetes after 30 days. The animals were randomly distributed into five groups each of six animals in each group. The first group was considered as normal control rats, the second group was regarded as diabetic control rats, the third group was treated with insulin, and the 4th and 5th groups were treated with green tea extract (50 and 100 mg/kg body weight). Alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in rats for four weeks caused significant increase in the levels of serum glucose, liver function parameters, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamic acid transaminase (GPT), and glutamic oxalo acetic acid transaminase (GOT), renal function parameters, creatinine, urea, uric acid and lipid profile. Diabetic rats treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg of green tea showed significant decrease in the levels of serum glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, liver function tests parameters such as ALP, GPT, and GOT; creatinine, uric acid as compared to non treated diabetic rats. Study of histological changes in functionally related organs such as pancreas, kidney, and liver showed structural changes. In pancreas, distortion of exocrine portion, and inflammatory cell infiltration were seen. In kidney, thickening of glomerular basement membrane, increased mesangial cellularity, deposition of extracellular matrix and dilation in renal tubules were detected. In liver, necrosis, inflammation and perivascular lymphocytic infiltration were apparent. Treatment with high dose (GTE100) of green tea extract was found to almost restore the normal histological architecture of the pancreas, kidney, and liver of diabetic rats.
HIV-1 genetic diversity in Galicia Spain: BG intersubtype recombinant viruses circulating among injecting drug users

BackgroundThe HIV-1 epidemics in Western Europe are dominated by B subtype viruses. Non-B subtype is largely restricted to individuals infected outside of Europe and to their direct contacts and is generally acquired by the heterosexual route. MethodsProtease and a segment of reverse transcriptase were amplified and sequenced from plasma RNA in 451 individuals from seven cities of Galicia, north-western Spain. Subtype sequence homologies were determined using the BLAST algorithm. Non-B sequences were examined by phylogenetic analysis and intersubtype recombination by bootscanning. The env V3 region was analysed in all non-B and in 38 B subtype viruses. ResultsTen different non-B genetic forms were identified in 20 (4.4%) individuals. Subtypes were concordant between pol and V3 in five viruses; 14 (70%) infections were with intersubtype recombinant viruses, and one individual had a dual B+G infection. Seven recombinant viruses were phylogenetically related to five reported recombinant forms. Three non-recombinant G and six recombinant BG viruses formed a monophyletic cluster for pol. All but three individuals with non-B infections were native Spanish. Only 6 of 16 individuals referred to sexual contacts with sub-Saharan Africans. Twelve (60%) non-B subtype infections, including all with G and BG viruses, were in injecting drug users (IDU). ConclusionsNon-B subtype viruses were identified in 4.4%, with a high diversity of genetic forms, including 70% infections with intersubtype recombinant viruses. The majority of individuals with non-B infections were IDU, most of them without known contacts with non-European sources, and among whom BG recombinant viruses are circulating.
Effects of eccentric training on hand strength in subjects with lateral epicondylalgia: a randomized‐controlled trial

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the short‐term effects of daily eccentric exercises on functional pain‐free hand strength in subjects with long‐term lateral epicondylalgia. Forty‐two subjects with lateral epicondylalgia were randomly assigned either to a 6‐week home exercise regimen receiving eccentric training for their wrist extensors and a forearm band or to a control group receiving a forearm band only. The main outcomes were pain‐free hand‐grip and wrist‐extensor strength at mid‐ and end‐intervention follow‐ups, 3 and 6 weeks after inclusion, respectively. Secondary outcomes were a change in the proportion of cases with epicondylalgia and ratings of perceived pain (VAS) at follow‐up. Thirty‐seven (88%) subjects completed both the mid‐ and the end‐intervention follow‐up. Exercise members had significantly higher pain‐free hand‐grip (P=0.025) and wrist‐extensor strength (P<0.001) at the end of follow‐up, although there was no such effect at mid‐intervention. Regression analysis showed a reduction in the proportion of cases in the exercise group at the end of follow‐up (P=0.035). However, no between‐groups effect emerged for perceived pain. These data suggest that the daily home eccentric exercise regimen is effective in increasing functional pain‐free grip strength and reducing cases suffering from lateral epicondylalgia. However, no effect emerged for global perceived pain during the last week.
Efficiency Drivers of MFIs : The Role of Age

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) are becoming more efficient. This brief sheds light on how the age of individual MFIs and the age of the industry affect efficiency improvements. On an MFI level the authors look into scale economies, cost structure, and process durations as potential efficiency drivers. On an industry level the authors look into knowledge spillovers from one MFI to the other and market wide learning effects.
Barley cultivar discrimination: II. Sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing with immobilized pH gradients

Isoelectric focusing performed with immobilized pH gradients was found superior to other commonly used electrophoretic methods for discrimination of 55 European winter and spring barley cultivars. Hordeins, the alcohol‐soluble proteins, yielded 32 different patterns, allowing identification of 22 cultivars and classification of the remaining ones into ten groups of two to eight cultivars each. Only 21 different hordein patterns were observed using horizontal sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by silver staining. Twelve cultivars exhibited unique hordein patterns, the remaining nine groups contained 2–11 cultivars. Resolution of isoelectric focusing with immobilized pH gradients was further enhanced in some cases when the patterns of urea/dithiothreitol‐soluble proteins were used instead of the hordein patterns. However, evaluation was more complicated because of the larger number of protein bands detected.