Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for Urinary Tract Infections in Renal Allograft Recipients: Experience of a Tertiary Care Center in Hyderabad, South India

Renal transplantation is an effective and commonly performed procedure for end-stage renal disease. Urinary tract infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant patients. As data on postrenal transplant urinary tract infections from the Indian subcontinent are limited, the present study was conducted to estimate the burden of urinary tract infections in this vulnerable group of patients. This was a prospective study on patients undergoing renal transplantation in 2014 at our tertiary hospital in South India with a follow-up of 2 years to evaluate the risk factors for urinary tract infections. The prevalence of urinary tract infections was 41.9% with a male preponderance of 76.9%. Mean age of the 31 patients was 32.4 ± 10.2 years (range: 16–55 years). Gram-negative bacilli were the most common isolates with Escherichia coli being the predominant pathogen (53.3%). All the infections occurred within 1 year of transplantation with delayed graft function (P < 0.001; confidence interval [CI]: 29.0–96.3) and prolonged hospital stay (P = 0.0281; CI: 42.1–99.6) being the significant risk factors for acquiring urinary tract infections. Carbapenemase production was noted in 33.3% of isolates and all the Gram-negative organisms isolated in the 1st month of transplantation were carbapenem-resistant (CR) E. coli. The high rate of carbapenem-resistant organisms in the early posttransplant period is a point of concern, especially with cadaver transplants. Infection control practices and catheter care need to be strictly monitored to minimize the risk for UTI in the immediate posttransplant period.
Bias Compensation for Photon Maps

Density estimation techniques such as the photon map method rely on a particle transport simulation to reconstruct indirect illumination, which is proportional to the particle density. In the photon map framework, particles are usually located using nearest‐neighbour methods due to their generality. However, these methods have an inherent tradeoff between local bias and noise in the reconstructed illumination, which depends on the density estimate bandwidth. This paper presents a bias compensating operator for nearest‐neighbour density estimation which adapts the bandwidth according to the estimated bias in the reconstructed illumination.
Field evaluation of in situ aerobic cometabolism of trichloroethylene and three dichloroethylene isomers using phenol and toluene as the primary substrates.

The Moffett field site was used for further evaluation of in situ biotransformation of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons with phenol and toluene as primary substrates. Within the 4 m test zone, representing a groundwater travel time of less than 2 days, removal efficiencies for 250 μg/L TCE and 125 μg/L cis-1,2-dichloroethylene were greater than 90%, and that of 125 μg/L trans-1,2-dichloroethylene was ∼74%, when either 9 mg/L toluene or 12.5 mg/L phenol was used. Phenol and toluene were removed to below 1 μg/L. Vinyl chloride removals greater than 90% were also noted. However, only 50% of the 65 μg/L 1,1-dichloroethylene was transformed with phenol addition, and significant product toxicity was evident as concomitant TCE transformation was here reduced to ∼50%. Hydrogen peroxide addition performed as well as pure oxygen addition to serve as a required electron acceptor.
Heterologous expression and self‐assembly of the S‐layer protein SbsA of Bacillus stearothermophilus in Escherichia coli

The cell surface of Bacillus stearothermophilus PV72 is covered by a regular surface layer (S‐layer) composed of a single species of protein, SbsA, with a molecular weight of 130 000. Recently, the sequence of the corresponding gene (sbsA) has been determined. The SbsA coding region including the signal sequence was cloned as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product into a low‐copy‐number vector under the transcriptional control of the λpL promoter. Expression of sbsA was shown to be thermally inducible from the resulting vector pBK4 in a strain of Escherichia coli expressing the λcI857 from the chromosome. As shown by ultrathin sectioning of whole cells and immunogold labelling using SbsA‐specific antibodies, expression of sbsA in E. coli led to accumulation of sheet‐like self‐assembling products of the protein in the cytoplasm. No SbsA protein was detected either in the periplasm or in the supernatant fractions. Long‐term expression of sbsA from pBK4, including in the late stationary phase, did not lead to degradation of SbsA.
The Effects of Outcome Expectations on Monetary- and Non-Monetary Rewarded Product Recommendations in Open- and Invitation-only Social Networking Sites: An Empirical Comparison of Facebook and ASmallWorld

Social networking sites experience huge growth in their number of members. For marketing purposes they are very beneficial to spread Word-of-Mouth in terms of product recommendations. A closer view detects that social networking sites can be divided in open(OSNs) and invitation-only social networking sites (ISNs). Their members may behave different in contributing knowledge in terms of product recommendation depending in which social networking site they are currently remaining. We therefore first analyze if the members are willing to recommend products for either monetary or non-monetary rewards in their preferred social networking site as well as if they consider these recommendations in their purchasing decision and connect this to a member’s personaland community-related outcome expectations. Second we compare the results between ISNand OSN-members to conclude in which type of social networking site a product recommendation should be monetary rewarded or not.
Serum SDF-1 levels are a reliable diagnostic marker of feline mammary carcinoma, discriminating HER2-overexpressing tumors from other subtypes

The feline mammary carcinoma (FMC) is the third most common tumor in cat, sharing many clinicopathological features with human breast cancer and thus, considered a suitable model for comparative oncology. Due to its poor prognosis, further studies are required to improve the diagnostic accuracy and treatment of cats with spontaneous mammary carcinoma. Recently, it was reported that the overexpression of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) has great value in human breast cancer diagnosis, suggesting that diagnostic tools and therapies targeting the SDF-1 ligand can improve the clinical outcome. In this study, we aimed to evaluate if serum SDF-1 levels can also be used as a biomarker of mammary carcinoma in cats and to analyze if serum SDF-1 levels are associated with clinicopathological features, linked to a specific FMC subtype or correlated with the tumor expression of SDF-1 receptor, the chemokine C-X-C motif receptor 4 (CXCR4). Results showed that cats with mammary carcinoma had significantly higher serum SDF-1 levels than healthy controls (p=0.035) and ROC analysis revealed that the best cut-off value to differentiate sick from healthy animals was 2 ng/ml (specificity: 80%; sensitivity: 57%; AUC=0.715). Significant associations were also found between cats with elevated serum SDF-1 concentrations (≥ 2 ng/ml) and HER2-overexpressing mammary carcinomas (Luminal B-like and HER2-positive subtypes, p<0.0001), CXCR4-negative mammary carcinomas (p=0.027), mammary carcinomas with small size (<3 cm, p=0.027) and tumors with low Ki-67 expression (p=0.012). No statistical associations were found between serum SDF-1 levels and overall or disease-free survival. In summary, our results show that serum SDF-1 levels can be used as a biomarker of feline mammary carcinoma, especially in cats with HER2-overexpressing mammary tumors. Data suggest that targeted therapies against the SDF-1 ligand and/or its CXC4 receptor may be effective for the treatment of FMC, as described for human breast cancer, strengthening the concept that spontaneous feline mammary carcinoma is a suitable model for comparative oncology.
Long-term results of the surgical management of insulinoma patients with MEN1: a Groupe d'étude des Tumeurs Endocrines (GTE) retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE Management of insulinomas in the context of MEN1 remains poorly studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term results of various surgical approaches in a large cohort of insulinoma-MEN1 patients. DESIGN AND METHODS Consecutive insulinoma-MEN1 patients operated on for a nonmetastatic insulinoma between 1957 and 2010 were retrospectively selected from the MEN1 database of the French Endocrine Tumor Group. The type of surgery was categorized as distal pancreatectomy (DP), total pancreatectomy/cephalic duodenopancreatectomy (TP/CDP), or enucleation (E). Primary endpoint was time until recurrence of hypoglycemia after initial surgery. Secondary endpoints were post-operative complications. RESULTS The study included 73 patients (median age=28 years). Surgical procedures were DP (n=46), TP/CDP (n=9), or E (n=18). After a median post-operative follow-up of 9.0 years (inter-quartile range (IQR): 2.5-16.5 years), 60/73 patients (82.2%) remained hypoglycemia free. E and TP/CDP were associated with a higher risk of recurrent hypoglycemia episodes (unadjusted hazard ratio: 6.18 ((95% CI: 1.54-24.8); P=0.010) for E vs DP and 9.51 ((95% CI: 1.85-48.8); P=0.007) for TP/CDP vs DP. After adjustment for International Union against Cancer pTNM classification, enucleation remained significantly associated with a higher probability of recurrence. Long-term complications had occurred in 20 (43.5%) patients with DP, five (55.6%) with TP/CDP, but in none of the patients who have undergone E (P=0.002). CONCLUSION In the French Endocrine database, DP is associated with a lower risk for recurrent hypoglycemia episodes. Due to lower morbidity, E alone might be considered as an alternative.
Research articleSeroprevalence of Bartonella in Eastern China and analysis of risk factors

Background: Bartonella infections are emerging in the Zhejiang Province of China. However, there has been no effort to date to explore the epidemiology of these infections in this region, nor to identify risk factors associated with exposure to Bartonella. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of Bartonella in both patients bitten by dogs and blood donors (for control) in Eastern China, and to identify risk factors associated with exposure to Bartonella. As no previous data for this region have been published, this study will provide baseline data useful for Bartonella infection surveillance, control, and prevention. Methods: Blood samples were collected from industrial rabies clinic attendees and blood donors living in eight areas of the Zhejiang Province of China, between December 2005 and November 2006. An indirect immunofluorescent antibody test was used to determine the presence of Bartonella in these samples. Risk factors associated with Bartonella exposure were explored using Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis of epidemiological data relating to the study's participants. Results: Bartonella antibodies were detected in 19.60% (109/556) of blood samples. Seroprevalence varied among the eight areas surveys, ranging from over 32% in Hangzhou to only 2% in Jiangshan (X2 = 28.22, P < 0.001). We detected a significantly higher prevalence of Bartonella antibodies in people who had been bitten by dogs than in blood donors (X2 = 13.86, P < 0.001). Seroprevalence of Bartonella was similar among males (18.61%, n = 317) and females (20.92%, n
Unbalance Definition for Electrical Power Systems in the Presence of Harmonics and Interharmonics

A new definition that can be used to evaluate the unbalance in electrical power systems in the presence of harmonic and interharmonic distortion is presented. A new unique transformation matrix that is capable of suitably extracting the balanced, first unbalanced, and second unbalanced components suitable for all of the harmonic and interharmonic orders is introduced. This new decomposition method overcomes the limitation of a similar method previously presented in the literature, a method that is not in agreement with Fortescue transformation and does not to take into account the presence of interharmonic components. The decomposition presented makes it possible to evaluate the quantities defined in the IEEE Standard 1459-2010, taking into account the unbalances produced by harmonics and interharmonics and extending some important definitions to signals characterized by interharmonic distortion. Numerous numerical case studies and experimental results show the applicability of the proposed method and its usefulness.
Evaluation of the CO2 Laser Therapy on Vulvo-Vaginal Atrophy (VVA) in Oncological Patients: Preliminary Results

Objective To evaluate the impact of fractionated CO2 laser therapy on vaginal atrophy and mild/moderate stress urinary incontinence (SUI) symptoms in patients with physiological or surgically-induced menopause. Materials and Methods Post-menopausal patients (n = 33) presenting vaginal atrophy and/or SUI, underwent three vaginal CO2 laser treatment sessions, performed at 1-month intervals. Vaginal symptoms were evaluated using the Vaginal Health Index Score (VHI-S), Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) for dyspareunia and global patient satisfaction. The impact of urinary incontinence on patient quality of life was evaluated using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ). Symptoms were evaluated before treatment and at every subsequent treatment session, as well as 3 months following the last treatment session. RESULTS The three-session treatment series led to a significant improvement in both subjective symptoms (dryness, burning, dyspareunia) and clinical signs (VHI-S) (P < 0.01). In addition, reductions in the frequency and severity of SUI symptoms (P < 0.01) were noted during the treatment period, and were maintained after for at least 3 months after completion of the treatment course. Improvements in VHI-S were significantly greater in patients with surgically-induced menopause, as compared to those with physiological menopause. The vast majority of patients (90%) were satisfied with the procedure, and reported a significant improvement in quality of life. No adverse events were recorded throughout the study period. Conclusions Fractionated CO2 laser therapy is a safe, effective and easy-to-perform treatment modality for menopause-related vaginal atrophy and SUI.
CONTEMPO UPDATES LINKING EVIDENCE AND EXPERIENCE Hyperglycemia in Acutely Ill Patients

MOST PHYSICIANS WILL ENcounter acutely ill patients who develop hyperglycemia. A third of all persons admitted to an urban general hospital had fasting glucose levels exceeding 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L), or 2 or more random glucose levels exceeding 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L); a third of those patients with hyperglycemia did not have a prior diagnosis of diabetes. Physicians often perceive hyperglycemia as a consequence of stress that runs parallel to the clinical course of an acute illness. Clinicians often start treatment of hyperglycemia only after glucose levels have exceeded 200 to 250 mg/dL (11-14 mmol/L). One reason for this is the perception that avoidance of hypoglycemia and its potential consequences is more important than glycemic control while patients are hospitalized. We discuss the evidence supporting the hyperglycemic milieu as a risk factor for adverse outcomes in the acutely ill patient with and without known diabetes, and we focus on the efficacy and safety of implementing tighter glycemic control for hospitalized patients.
Influence of degree of substitution of cyclodextrins on their colligative properties in solution.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the total degree of substitution (TDS) on the colligative properties of substituted cyclodextrins (CDs; i.e., beta- and gamma-cyclodextrins substituted with sulfobutylether or hydroxypropyl groups) in solution. The osmotic pressure (OP) of aqueous CD solutions was determined over the concentration range 100-350 mmol/kg using vapor pressure osmometry. A chloride ion-selective electrode was used to help determine the possible mechanism for any CD-water interactions that might occur by measuring the chloride-ion activity of a sodium chloride solution containing various CDs. Titration microcalorimetry was used to verify that sodium chloride did not interact with the CDs, thereby permitting the chloride ion activity to be utilized as an indicator of any possible CD-water interaction. The results indicate that CDs with different total degrees of substitution (TDS) exhibit different colligative properties in solution. It was observed that increases in the degree of substitution of the CD produced an increased OP. All substituted CDs exhibited an OP above their theoretical values, whereas the OP of the unsubstituted gamma-CD was below its expected value, likely due to self-association. The results obtained with the chloride-ion selective electrode did not exhibit a consistent trend; however, it was observed that changes in the TDS caused significant changes in the activity of chloride ions in solution. These findings are of interest in using CDs to formulate parenteral and ophthalmic solutions where the OP of the solutions must be considered.
Longitudinal Stability of the Leadership Scale for Sports

This study evaluated the invariance properties of the Leadership Scale for Sport in a sample of 219 female netball players over four time points within a 10-week playing season. Support was found for Chelladurai and Saleh's (1980) >hypothesized 5-factor structure of the Leadership Scale for Sport. Furthermore, differential stability and partial invariance was found for the Leadership Scale for Sport when all four time periods were included. Players perceived slight changes in their coach's autocratic behavior and social support over the season; however, the three other leadership dimensions showed larger changes. The motivational aspects of training and instruction and positive feedback behavior were perceived to increase, while democratic behavior simultaneously decreased in the second half of the season. Furthermore, perceptions of leadership within teams showed a high level of homogeneity with the exception of positive feedback behavior.
Natura Non Facit Saltus in Anti‐Ganglioside Antibody‐Mediated Neuropathies

Natura non facit saltus (Latin for “nature does not make jumps”) is a maxim expressing the idea that natural things and properties change gradually, in a continuum, rather than suddenly. In biomedical sciences, for taxonomic purposes, we make jumps that emphasize differences more than similarities. Among the dysimmune neuropathies, 2 disorders, characterized by the presence of antibodies to gangliosides GM1 and GD1a and a peculiar, exclusive motor involvement, have been identified: acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). However, anti‐GM1 or ‐GD1a antibodies are also associated with acute motor and sensory axonal motor neuropathy (AMSAN). We review the results of recent clinical and experimental studies showing that AMAN and MMN are not exclusively motor. We discuss the possible explanations for the greater resistance of sensory fibers to antibody attack to finally suggest that AMAN, AMSAN, and MMN belong to a continuous spectrum with a common pathophysiological mechanism. Muscle Nerve 48: 484–487, 2013
Mitochondrial Genomic Dysfunction Causes Dephosphorylation of Sch9 in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

ABSTRACT TORC1-dependent phosphorylation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sch9 was dramatically reduced upon exposure to a protonophore or in respiration-incompetent ρ0 cells but not in respiration-incompetent pet mutants, providing important insight into the molecular mechanisms governing interorganellar signaling in general and retrograde signaling in particular.
Detection of superoxide radicals and peroxynitrite by 1-hydroxy-4-phosphonooxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine: quantification of extracellular superoxide radicals formation.

The reactions of the new sterically hindered hydroxylamine 1-hydroxy-4-phosphonooxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (PP-H) with superoxide radical and peroxynitrite have been studied. These reactions produce the nitroxide 4-phosphonooxy-2,2,6, 6-tetramethyl-piperidinyloxy. The rate constant for reaction of superoxide with PP-H is determined as (8.4+/-0.6). 10(2) M-1s-1. It was found that PP-H provides almost the same spin trapping efficacy as 1-hydroxy-3-carboxy-pyrrolidine (CP-H). The background oxidation of PP-H in blood is much less than for CP-H. The extremely slow PP-H penetration into the cells makes possible the study of extracellular formation of superoxide radical. The acute treatment of blood with nitroglycerin is shown to induce an extracellular superoxide radical formation. PP-H is more sensitive for detection of reactive oxygen species as compared with CP-H. PP-H is an effective scavenger of superoxide radical and of peroxynitrite, and can be used to quantify the extracellular formation of these reactive oxygen species.
Tardive dyskinesia with low dose amisulpride

In recent years, there has been an increasing trend to use amisulpride in the treatment of dysthymia and also as an adjunct treatment in patients with major depression. At low doses (50 mg), amisulpride preferentially blocks presynaptic auto receptors, enhances dopamine release, and therefore acts as a dopaminergic compound able to resolve the dopaminergic hypo activity that characterizes depression. Based on experimental data, amisulpride is the drug of choice for dopaminergic transmission disorders, both in depression and in schizophrenia. This case highlights the development of dyskinesia in a depressed patient treated with low dose amisulpride and fluvoxamine.
Supersymmetric Boundary Conditions in Three Dimensional N = 2 Theories

We study supersymmetric boundary conditions in three-dimensional N=2 Landau-Ginzburg models and Abelian gauge theories. In the Landau-Ginzburg model the boundary conditions that preserve (1,1) supersymmetry (A-type) and (2,0) supersymmetry (B-type) on the boundary are classified in terms of subspaces of the target space (“brane”). An A-type brane is a Lagrangian submanifold on which the imaginary part of the superpotential is constant, while a B-type brane is a holomorphic submanifold on which the superpotential is constant. We also consider the N=2 Maxwell theory with boundary and the Abelian duality. Finally we make some comments on N=2 SQED with boundary condition and the mirror symmetry.