Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liver transplantation in children from living related donors. Surgical techniques and results.

Pediatric liver transplantation with reduced size donor organs (RLT) has evolved into a standard clinical procedure increasing the choices of recipients for their treatment. Nevertheless organ availability remains a major problem. The authors therefore have proposed to study the use of hepatic segments from living related donors (LRT) in a group of 20 children less than 2 years of age or weighing less than 15 kg, in whom standard indications for transplantation existed. Volunteer related donors were selected after medical and psychiatric evaluations, and the suitability of the donor's liver was established by functional and radiologic criteria. A two-stage informed consent process assured appropriate "volunteerism. " Nineteen infants received LRT as first grafts and one as a second graft. Seventeen of the recipients are alive 3 to 18 months after LRT. Fifteen of 20 patients are currently at home with the original graft and normal liver function (bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dl) after a median hospital stay of 27 days (range, 14-93 days). Four patients underwent retransplantation, in all cases due to arterial thrombosis. The overall graft survival for 20 primary LRTs is 75%, with follow-up between 3 and 18 months. A number of technical problems occurred during our initial trial, the most aggravating being vascular thrombosis. Refined approaches to vascular reconstruction should reduce the incidence of thrombosis and improve the rate of survival in future cases. The donor group for the initial 20 LRT procedures comprised 12 mothers, 7 fathers, and 1 grandmother. In addition one father and one uncle, who was an identical twin of the recipient's father, who did not qualify for anatomic reasons, were used in repeat LRT. All donors survived and are now in normal health between 3 and 18 months after LRT, having returned to all activities enjoyed before donation. The median hospital stay was 6 days (range, 5-14). Complications were minimal, and all were limited to the first three procedures, in which a full left hepatectomy was performed. After alteration of the procedure into a left lateral segmentectomy, no complications were encountered. The left lateral segmentectomy presents minimal surgical trauma to the liver and should remain the primary approach for obtaining a liver graft from a living donor. For children, transplantation of a left lateral segment from a live donor provides a new way of providing a transplant of appropriate size and with good function. The success of this program has led to the acceptance of LRT for general clinical application in the authors' institution.
Effect of fluoride on bone and bone cells in ovariectomized rats

To evaluate whether treatment with a mitogenic agent may increase bone formation and bone mass in osteopenia induced by estrogen deficiency, we determined the effect of oral fluoride treatment on bone and bone cells in ovariectomized rats. Sodium fluoride (NaF) was administered to 3‐month‐old ovariectomized rats 1 day after ovariectomy (OVX) for 1, 3, and 6 months. NaF was given in drinking water at the dose of 1 mg/kg body weight per day. Fluoride administration led to a partial prevention of the bone loss induced by OVX as shown by histologic analysis of tibial metaphysis and by evaluation of femoral calcium content. These beneficial effects of fluoride were more striking at early time points (1 and 3 months postovariectomy) than after 6 months of treatment. The increase in trabecular bone volume in OVX rats treated with fluoride was associated with a rise in the osteoblast surface, which was increased by 60, 72, and 235% at 1, 3, and 6 months postovariectomy compared to untreated OVX rats. In OVX rats and in sham‐operated rats plasma osteocalcin was increased in correlation with the osteoblast surface. However, these two parameters were not correlated in OVX rats treated with fluoride. The heat‐labile bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase in plasma was decreased in OVX rats treated with fluoride compared to OVX rats, suggesting that both the number and the activity of osteoblasts were affected by NaF treatment. To examine the effect of fluoride on the osteocalcin production and the proliferative capacity of bone cells, osteoblastic cells were isolated by collagenase digestion from the bone surface of tibia in treated and untreated OVX rats. In OVX rats DNA synthesis by cultured bone cells was markedly increased compared to sham rats. In OVX rats treated with fluoride DNA synthesis tended to be further increased compared to untreated OVX rats as evaluated by thymidine incorporation into DNA. Osteocalcin production by osteoblastic cells in vitro was comparable in the different groups. The results of this study show that oral treatment with fluoride partially prevents the bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency in OVX rats. This beneficial effect of fluoride results from a further stimulation of bone formation as shown in vivo by an increased extent of bone‐forming cells and in vitro by an enhancement of the proliferative capacity of osteoblastic cells isolated from the bone surface.
IS ANTENATAL CARE EFFECTIVE IN IMPROVING MATERNAL HEALTH IN RURAL UTTAR PRADESH? EVIDENCE FROM A DISTRICT LEVEL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY

Data from the District Level Household Survey (2002) conducted by the Reproductive and Child Health Project in India has been used to examine the impact of utilization of antenatal care services on improvement in maternal health in rural areas of Uttar Pradesh, India. Multilevel analysis shows that after controlling for other socioeconomic and demographic factors, utilization of antenatal care services may lead to the utilization of other maternal health related services such as institutional delivery, delivery assisted by trained professionals, seeking advice for pregnancy complications, and seeking advice for post-delivery complications. There is strong clustering of utilization of services within the primary sampling units (i.e. villages) and districts.
Sublingual immunotherapy in polysensitized patients: effect on quality of life.

BACKGROUND Quality of life (QOL) is an important issue in allergic rhinitis and has been evaluated in a number of studies that have shown how it is impaired in untreated patients and improved by effective treatment. However, there are no data concerning QOL after sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in polysensitized patients. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect, in real-life clinical practice, of SLIT on QOL in a population of polysensitized patients with allergic rhinitis. METHODS We prospectively evaluated 167 consecutively enrolled polysensitized patients with allergic rhinitis. QOL was measured in all cases with the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire at baseline and after 1 year of SLIT (performed in approximately 70% of cases using single allergen extracts provided by the same manufacturer). RESULTS The most frequent causes of sensitization were grass pollen, Parietaria, and house dust mites. The mean number of sensitizations per patient was 3.65. SLIT was performed with 1 extract in 123 patients (73.6%), with 2 extracts in 31 patients (18.6%), and with more than 2 extracts in 13 patients (7.8%). The mean values of all the QOL items improved significantly (P < .01 in all cases), with the following reductions noted: activities, 3.96 to 2.89; sleep, 2.07 to 1.56; general problems, 2.16 to 1.5; practical problems, 3.69 to 2.58; nasal symptoms, 3.57 to 2.50; eye symptoms, 2.92 to 1.83; and emotional aspects, 2.2 to 1.44. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that QOL can be improved in polysensitized patients treated with SLIT, and that the use of just 1 or 2 allergen extracts seems to be sufficient and effective in terms of improving QOL.
Consistency of pacing and metabolic responses during 2000-m rowing ergometry.

PURPOSE This study investigated the pacing strategy adopted and the consistency of performance and related physiological parameters across three 2000-m rowing-ergometer tests. METHODS Fourteen male well-trained rowers took part in the study. Each participant performed three 2000-m rowing-ergometer tests interspersed by 3-7 d. Throughout the trials, respiratory exchange and heart rate were recorded and power output and stroke rate were analyzed over each 500 m of the test. At the completion of the trial, assessments of blood lactate and rating of perceived exertion were measured. RESULTS Ergometer performance was unchanged across the 3 trials; however, pacing strategy changed from trial 1, which featured a higher starting power output and more progressive decrease in power, to trials 2 and 3, which were characterized by a more conservative start and an end spurt with increased power output during the final 500 m. Mean typical error (TE; %) across the three 2000-m trials was 2.4%, and variability was low to moderate for all assessed physiological variables (TE range = 1.4-5.1%) with the exception of peak lactate (TE = 11.5%). CONCLUSIONS Performance and physiological responses during 2000-m rowing ergometry were found to be consistent over 3 trials. The variations observed in pacing strategy between trial 1 and trials 2 and 3 suggest that a habituation trial is required before an intervention study and that participants move from a positive to a reverse-J-shaped strategy, which may partly explain conflicting reports in the pacing strategy exhibited during 2000-m rowing-ergometer trials.
A Dynamic Model of Bank Behaviour under Multiple Regulatory Constraints

We develop a dynamic structural model of bank behaviour that provides a microeconomic foundation for bank capital and liquidity structures and analyses the effects of changes in regulatory capital and liquidity requirements as well as their interaction. Our findings suggest that adjustments in both types of requirements can have an impact on loan supply, with considerable heterogeneity across banks and over time. The model illustrates that banks' reactions depend on initial balance sheet conditions and reconciles evidence on short-term reductions in loan supply with findings suggesting that better capitalized banks are better able to lend in the medium- to long-term. JEL Classification: G21, G28, G32
Effectiveness and Cost Offset Analysis of Group CBT for Hypochondriasis Delivered in a Psychiatric Setting: An Open Trial

Hypochondriasis is highly prevalent in medical settings, has detrimental effects for affected individuals, and is associated with high societal costs. Although cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of hypochondriasis, it is not widely available because of a lack of properly trained therapists. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate therapy forms that require less therapist time. The authors investigated the effect and economic impact of group CBT delivered in a psychiatric setting among 24 people with hypochondriasis. A within-group design with prolonged baseline was used, and all participants received 10 weeks of group-based treatment. The primary outcome measures were the Health Anxiety Inventory and the Illness Attitude Scales. Results indicate significant improvement on both measures at posttreatment and 6-month follow-up (Cohen's d = 1.03–1.72). Medical and nonmedical costs were substantially lowered. The authors conclude that group-based CBT delivered in a psychiatric setting is an effective and potentially highly cost-effective treatment for hypochondriasis.
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Neonates With Seizures: A Numerical Score of Background Encephalography to Help Prognosticate

There is a high incidence of mortality and neurodevelopmental sequelae in babies with neonatal seizures. The electroencephalography (EEG) background has been shown to be an excellent predictor of outcome by most studies, with a few suggesting limited value in prognostication. Previous studies suggest poor prognosis with severely abnormal backgrounds, but prediction was difficult with moderate abnormalities. The proposed numerical scoring system for the EEG background provides an objective method of evaluation with improved reproducibility, categorization, and prognostication. Our study showed that the numerical score of EEG background was a good predictor of outcome. Higher numerical scores reflecting greater abnormality of background EEG were associated with increasing incidence of mortality, neurodevelopmental impairment, cerebral palsy, vision and hearing impairment, and epilepsy. The numerical score also correlated with neuroimaging abnormalities. A numerical EEG score can help target interventional strategies for neonatal seizures.
Functional Cooperation Between Smad Proteins and Activator Protein-1 Regulates Transforming Growth Factor-&bgr;–Mediated Induction of Endothelin-1 Expression

Abstract— Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a 21–amino-acid potent vasoconstrictor peptide that is mainly produced by vascular endothelial cells. Expression of the ET-1 gene is subject to complex regulation by numerous factors, among which transforming growth factor-&bgr; (TGF-&bgr;) is one of the most important. It has been widely documented that TGF-&bgr; increases ET-1 mRNA and peptide levels. We have explored the mechanism by which TGF-&bgr; upregulates ET-1 expression in endothelial cells. Transcriptional activation of the ET-1 promoter accounted for the TGF-&bgr;–induced increase in ET-1 mRNA levels. We have identified within the ET-1 promoter two DNA elements indispensable for TGF-&bgr;–mediated induction of ET-1: an activator protein-1 (AP-1) site at −108/−102, known to be important for constitutive and induced expression, and a novel regulatory sequence located at −193/−171, which constitutes a specific binding site for Smad transcription factors. Mutation of both elements abolished TGF-&bgr; responsiveness. Binding of Smad3/Smad4 and c-Jun to their corresponding DNA elements was evidenced by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Furthermore, the coactivator CREB-binding protein (CBP)/p300 was found to play an essential role in the induction of the gene. The simultaneous requirement for two distinct and independent DNA elements suggests that Smads and activator protein-1 functionally cooperate through CBP/p300 to mediate TGF-&bgr;–induced transcriptional activation of the ET-1 gene.
Order formations in multi-agent search problem: A game theoretic approach

In this paper we investigate a search problem for a swarm of agents to find a target which appears randomly and stays for a fixed time interval. We assume that there are two search areas and the target appears in either of them. Under the situation, the objective of this paper is to achieve two types of orders: macro and micro orders. The former means that the population share of agents converges to an ordered value, and the latter means that the agents' motion converges to an ordered one. In order to achieve macro order, we first present a probabilistic decision-making model on which area to search called Win-Stay-Lose-Shift. Then, we prove convergence of the expectation value of population share based on the knowledge of evolutionary game theory when two specific payoff structures are taken. In order to achieve micro order, we next present a search strategy used after the area to be searched is decided, and prove that agents' trajectories converge to periodic ones respectively. Finally, simulation results show the validity of the proposed method.
Metcalfe's law and herding behaviour in the cryptocurrencies market

In this paper, the authors investigate the statistical properties of some cryptocurrencies by using three layers of analysis: alpha-stable distributions, Metcalfe's law and the bubble behaviour through the LPPL modelling. The results show, in the medium to long-run, the validity of Metcalfe's law (the value of a network is proportional to the square of the number of connected users of the system) for the evaluation of cryptocurrencies; however, in the short-run, the validity of Metcalfe's law for Bitcoin is questionable. As the results showed a potential for herding behaviour, the authors then used LPPL models to capture the behaviour of cryptocurrencies exchange rates during an endogenous bubble and to predict the most probable time of the regime switching. The main conclusion is that Metcalfe's law may be valid in the long-run, however in the short-run, on various data regimes, its validity is highly debatable.
Induction of Heterosubtypic Immunity to Influenza Virus by Intranasal Immunization

ABSTRACT Recovery from live influenza virus infection is known to induce heterosubtypic immunity. In contrast, immunity induced by inactivated vaccines is predominantly subtype specific. In this study, we investigated the heterosubtypic protective immunity induced by inactivated influenza virus. Intranasal immunization of mice with inactivated influenza virus A/PR8 (H1N1) provided complete protection against the homologous virus and a drift virus within the same subtype, A/WSN (H1N1), but not against the heterosubtypic virus A/Philippines (H3N2). However, coadministration of inactivated virus with cholera toxin as an adjuvant conferred complete heterosubtypic protection, without observed illness, even under conditions of CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell depletion. Analysis of immune correlates prior to challenge and postchallenge indicated that humoral immune responses with cross-neutralizing activity in lungs and in sera play a major role in conferring protective immunity against heterosubtypic challenge. This study has significant implications for developing broadly cross-reactive vaccines against newly emerging pathogenic influenza viruses.
Oxidative DNA Base Modifications and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon DNA Adducts in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Larynx

Tobacco smoke, recognized as a major etiological factor for cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract, represents an abundant source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are believed to play a significant role in mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. An additional source of ROS in tissues exposed to tobacco smoke may be metabolic oxidation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). To investigate the relationships between oxidative DNA lesions and aromatic DNA adducts, six modified DNA bases 5-hydroxyuracil, 5-hydroxycytosine, 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine, 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoadenine, 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamidopyrimidine and 4,6-diamino-5-formamidopyrimidine and the total level of PAH-related DNA adducts were measured in cancerous and the surrounding normal larynx tissues (68 subjects), using gas chromatography/isotope-dilution mass spectroscopy with selected ion monitoring and the 32 P-postlabeling-HPLC assay, respectively. The levels of oxidative DNA lesions in cancerous and adjacent tissue were comparable; the differences between the two types of tissue were significant only for 5-hydroxypyrimidines (slightly higher levels were observed in the adjacent tissue). Comparable levels of DNA lesions in cancerous and the surrounding normal tissues observed in the larynx tumors support a field cancerization theory. The surrounding tissues may still be recognized as normal by histological criteria. However, molecular alterations resulting from the chronic tobacco smoke exposure, which equally affects larynx epithelia, may lead to multiple premalignant lesions. Thus, a demonstration of similar levels of DNA damage in cancerous and the adjacent tissue could explain a frequent formation of secondary tumors in the larynx and the frequent recurrence in this type of cancer. A weak, but distinct effect of tumor grading and metastatic status was observed in both kinds of tissue in the case of 5-hydroxyuracil, 5-hydroxycytosine, 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine, 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoadenine. This effect was displayed as a gradual shift in the data distribution toward high values from G1 through G2-G3 and from non-metastatic to metastatic tumors. Since the levels of oxidative DNA base modifications tended to increase with the tumor aggressiveness, we postulate that the oxidative DNA lesions increase genetic instability and thus contribute to tumor progression in laryngeal cancer. No associations between aromatic adduct levels and oxidative DNA lesions were present, suggesting that the metabolism of PAH does not contribute significantly to the oxidative stress in larynx tissues, remaining the tobacco smoke ROS as a major source of oxidative DNA damage in the exposed tissue.
Puberty, IDDM, and Death in Japan

OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of age at onset on the prognosis of childhood IDDM in Japan. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The study population consisted of 987 prepubertal-onset and 345 pubertal-onset IDDM cases who were registered by two nationwide surveys and who were diagnosed between 1965 and 1979. The living status was identified as of 1 January 1990 with the ascertainment rate of 96.5%. Prognosis was evaluated by cause- and agespecific mortality rates and life-table analyses; in addition, an attained-age-matched case-control study was analyzed by conditional logistic regression. RESULTS The adjusted mortality rates per 100,000 person-years for the pubertal-onset cases were significantly higher than those of the prepubertal-onset cases (835 [95% CI 573–1,168] vs. 391 [283–526]). Life-table analyses revealed that the survival rate of the pubertal-onset cases was lower than that of the prepubertal-onset cases for each observation period. Life-table analyses after the age of 15 years indicated that the prognosis of pubertal cases was almost the same as that of the prepubertal cases despite having a shorter duration of diabetes. The attained-age–matched case-control study indicated that the pubertal onset was a potent determinant of death. CONCLUSIONS The prognosis of pubertal-onset IDDM was considerably poorer than that of prepubertal-onset IDDM.
Relationship Between Drug Dreams, Affect, and Craving During Treatment for Substance Dependence

Objectives:To explore the relationship between occurrence of drug dreams (DDs) and daytime negative affect and drug craving during the course of a 5-week treatment program for substance dependence. Methods:Using the dream journal methodology, 86 participants reported occurrence of dreams, dream content, and ratings of affect and drug craving. The relationships between the experience of DD, dream content (“active” vs “passive”), and affect and craving were analyzed using mixed model methods. Results:The experience of DD was associated with higher levels of negative affect (P < 0.001) and craving (P < 0.001). The occurrence of DD did not decrease significantly over the 5 weeks of the study. Cocaine/crack users reported a higher occurrence of DD (P < 0.05) than the other drug groups (opiates and alcohol), and DD involving “active” drug use was associated with larger (P < 0.05) changes in negative affect. Conclusions:These results are consistent with the hypothesis that DD can act as drug-conditioned stimuli to elevate negative affect and craving in abstaining individuals. Although correlational, such findings support the implementation of psychological and pharmacological interventions aimed at minimizing the impact of DD on individuals in recovery from drug addiction.