Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of complement-dependent lymphocytotoxicity crossmatch and flow cytometry crossmatch results versus Luminex single-antigen bead-based donor-specific IgG class I antibody MFI values in live related renal transplant cases; a retrospective observation in 102 cases

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to compare the results of solid phase assay and cell-based assay, and explore the near-accurate DSA-MFI-cutoff value detected on solid phase assay above which the cell-based assay would show a positive result. In this retrospective study, 102 prospective renal transplant recipients were tested for the presence of donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) by cell-based assay (T-cell-CDC-AHG-XM and T-cell-IgG-FC-XM) and solid phase assay (class-I-IgG-L-SAB) with their corresponding donor. Among the 40 patients in the group first (L-SAB-DSA-MFI<1000), one case was positive in IgG-T-cell-FC-XM while T-cell-CDC-AHG-XM was negative in all the cases. In the second group having L-SAB-DSA-MFI values between 1000 and 3000, 19 cases were positive and the remaining 11 cases were negative in IgG-T-cell-FC-XM. T-cell-CDC-AHG-XM showed a negative reaction in all 30 cases. In the third group having L-SAB-DSA-MFI values between 3000 and 5000, IgG-T-cell-FC-XM was positive in 18 cases while, two were negative. T-cell-CDC-AHG-XM demonstrated a negative result in 14 cases while reaming six cases demonstrated a positive result. In the fourth group having L-SAB-DSA-MFI values >5000, all 12 cases showed a positive result in both IgG-T-cell FC-XM and T-cell-CDC-AHG-XM. Our results indicated that the L-SAB-DSA-MFI values >2215 were significantly (P < .001) correlated with positive IgG-T-cell-FC-XM while L-SAB-DSA-MFI values >4689 were significantly (P < .001) correlated with positive CDC-XM.
First-in-Human Study to Assess the Safety and Feasibility of the Bashir Endovascular Catheter for the Treatment of Acute Intermediate-Risk Pulmonary Embolism.

BACKGROUND The Bashir Endovascular Catheter (BEC) is a novel pharmaco-mechanical device designed to enhance thrombolysis by increasing the exposure of thrombus to endogenous and exogenous thrombolytics. The aim of this prospective, multicenter, single-arm study was to evaluate the feasibility and initial safety of the BEC in patients with acute intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS Patients with symptomatic PE and right ventricular to left ventricular diameter ratio ≥0.9 as documented by computer tomography angiography were eligible for enrollment. The primary safety end points were device related death or adverse events, and major bleeding within 72 hours after BEC directed therapy. RESULTS Nine patients were enrolled across 4 US sites. The total dose of r-tPA (recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator) was 14 mgs in bilateral PE and 12 mgs in unilateral PE over 8 hours delivered via the expanded BEC. At 30-day follow-up, there were no deaths or device-related adverse events. At 48 hours post-BEC therapy, the right ventricular to left ventricular diameter ratio decreased from 1.52±0.26 to 0.97±0.06 (P=0.0009 [95% CI, 0.33-0.82]; 37.0% reduction). Thrombus burden as measured by the Modified Miller Index decreased from 25.4±5.3 to 16.0±4.0 (P=0.0005; [95% CI, 5.5-13.4]; 37.1% reduction). CONCLUSIONS In this early feasibility study of the BEC for intermediate-risk PE, there were no deaths or device-related adverse events and a significant reduction in right ventricular to left ventricular diameter ratio and thrombus burden. REGISTRATION URL: https://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT03927508.
Prevalence and Childhood Precursors of Opioid Use in the Early Decades of Life

Key Points Question How common is opioid use in the early decades of life, and which childhood risk factors are associated with opioid use in young adulthood? Findings This cohort study assessed opioid use among 1252 non-Hispanic White individuals and American Indian individuals in rural counties in the central Appalachia region of North Carolina from January 1993 to December 2015. By age 30 years, approximately one-quarter of participants had used opioids, and the findings revealed that childhood tobacco use and depression were associated with later nonheroin opioid use in general, weekly nonheroin opioid use, and heroin use. Meaning Childhood tobacco use and depression may be associated with impaired reward system functioning, which may increase young adults’ vulnerability to opioid-associated euphoria.
A Preliminary Examination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Versus Exposure and Response Prevention for Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder on an Optimal Dose of SSRIs: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Iran

This study compared the effects of adding acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) or exposure and response prevention (ERP) to adults diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) already on an optimal and stable dose of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Forty adults on SSRIs who were diagnosed with OCD participated in a randomized controlled trial in Iran of 12 individual weekly sessions of either ACT+SSRI, ERP+SSRI, or continued SSRI only. The results showed significant reductions in OCD symptom severity in ACT+SSRI and ERP+SSRI conditions at posttreatment with significantly greater reductions in both conditions compared to SSRI-only at follow-up. Additionally, psychological inflexibility and use of thought control strategies significantly decreased in the ACT+SSRI condition at posttreatment and follow-up compared to the ERP+SSRI and SSRI conditions. Both conditions led to decreases in perceived importance of stop signals. Results provide cross-cultural support for the treatment of OCD using ACT and ERP as adjuncts to SSRI and modest process of change differences between ACT and ERP. Future directions and study limitations are discussed.
Clinical implications of using adrenocorticotropic hormone diagnostic cutoffs or reference intervals to diagnose pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in mature horses.

BACKGROUND Diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is problematic because of large variations in ACTH concentrations. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES Compare the test characteristics of baseline and post-thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation plasma ACTH concentrations in horses using diagnostic cutoff values (DCOVs) and reference intervals (RIs) and determine the clinical consequences of using each method. ANIMALS One hundred six mature horses: 72 control cases and 34 PPID cases. METHODS Prospective case-controlled study. Horses underwent monthly TRH stimulation tests. Diagnostic cutoff values were determined monthly by receiver operating characteristic curves using the Youden index. Reference intervals were determined monthly by a robust method. For each case age, sex and body condition score (BCS) were recorded. RESULTS Baseline ACTH concentrations varied by month (P < .001) with significant "month × age" (P = .003), "month × sex" (P = .003), and "month × BCS" (P = .007) effects. Baseline ACTH concentrations were accurate to diagnose PPID (0.91 ± 0.06) with DCOVs increasing the test sensitivity (0.61 ± 0.21 to 0.87 ± 0.05, P = .002) and RI increasing test specificity (0.85 ± 0.12 to 0.98 ± 0.01, P = .01). Thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation improved test accuracy (0.91 ± 0.06 to 0.97 ± 0.03, P = .004). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE ACTH concentrations follow a circannual rhythm and vary with physiological factors. As using DCOVs increases the ability to detect mild cases and using RI decreases the risk of unnecessary treatments, ACTH concentrations should be interpreted within a specific clinical context. The TRH stimulation test improves the diagnosis of PPID.
Salmonella enterica Serovars Dublin and Enteritidis Comparative Proteomics Reveals Differential Expression of Proteins Involved in Stress Resistance, Virulence, and Anaerobic Metabolism

The Enteritidis and Dublin serovars of Salmonella enterica are phylogenetically closely related yet differ significantly in host range and virulence. S. Enteritidis is a broad-host-range serovar that commonly causes self-limited gastroenteritis in humans, whereas S. Dublin is a cattle-adapted serovar that can infect humans, often resulting in invasive extraintestinal disease. ABSTRACT The Enteritidis and Dublin serovars of Salmonella enterica are phylogenetically closely related yet differ significantly in host range and virulence. S. Enteritidis is a broad-host-range serovar that commonly causes self-limited gastroenteritis in humans, whereas S. Dublin is a cattle-adapted serovar that can infect humans, often resulting in invasive extraintestinal disease. The mechanism underlying the higher invasiveness of S. Dublin remains undetermined. In this work, we quantitatively compared the proteomes of clinical isolates of each serovar grown under gut-mimicking conditions. Compared to S. Enteritidis, the S. Dublin proteome was enriched in proteins linked to response to several stress conditions, such as those encountered during host infection, as well as to virulence. The S. Enteritidis proteome contained several proteins related to central anaerobic metabolism pathways that were undetected in S. Dublin. In contrast to what has been observed in other extraintestinal serovars, most of the coding genes for these pathways are not degraded in S. Dublin. Thus, we provide evidence that S. Dublin metabolic functions may be much more affected than previously reported based on genomic studies. Single and double null mutants in stress response proteins Dps, YciF, and YgaU demonstrate their relevance to S. Dublin invasiveness in a murine model of invasive salmonellosis. All in all, this work provides a basis for understanding interserovar differences in invasiveness and niche adaptation, underscoring the relevance of using proteomic approaches to complement genomic studies.
Atypical structure and function of integrin αVβ8

Integrins are heterodimeric transmembrane proteins that play important roles in various biological processes. Most integrins serve as adhesion molecules and transmit bidirectional signaling across the cell membrane through global conformational changes from the bent closed to the extended open conformation. However, integrin β8 is distinctive in structure and function. Its cytoplasmic domain lacks the conserved protein‐binding sequence, which is important in transmitting inside‐out signals, suggesting that integrin β8 may have a different activation mechanism or lack such signaling. In addition, the ligand‐binding or activating metal ion Mn2+ does not induce a global conformational change in integrin β8. It may have only one conformation, that is, an extended, closed conformation, but with high affinity for ligands under physiological conditions, and is, therefore, considered an atypical integrin member. The extended structure and high ligand‐binding affinity of integrin αvβ8 make it ideal for encountering and binding ligands expressed on an opposing cell or in the extracellular matrix. In this review, we summarize the progress in integrin β8 research with a focus on its distinctive function and structure among integrin members.
The Inter-Relation between Leptin Receptor (Q223R) Gene Polymorphism and the Risk of Egyptian Patients with HCC

Background: The relationship of leptin (LEP) and polymorphism of leptin receptor (LEPR) were studied in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and compared with those with liver cirrhosis to find out the extent of the risk of LEPR on patients with HCC. Methods: Serum LEP level and LEPR Q223R gene polymorphism were determined in 300 patients with liver disease categorized equally into five groups’ healthy volunteers, patients with hepatitis C (HCV), patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver cirrhosis and HCC. LEPR gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) then digested by the MSP1 restriction enzyme. Results: The isolated 212 bp of LEPR was sequenced. The serum LEP level was reduced in patients with cirrhotic and HCC. Serum LEP level had negatively correlated with both tumor grade and size in HCC patients. The data obtained from restriction fragment length polymorphismPCR and sequencing revealed the existence of a novel synonymous Q223R single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in exon 223 of LEPR gene (1137101). LEPR Gln223Arg, GG and GA genotypes were found in all studied groups. LEPR Gln223Arg, AA genotype was found in NASH, HCC, and control. LEPR Gln223Arg GA genotype is associated with some patients with HCC. Conclusion: GA genotype of LEPR Gln223Arg may be regarded as a probable genetic risk factor for Egyptian patients with HCC.
Longitudinal Serological Monitoring of Commercial Broiler Breeders for Fowl Adenoviruses (FAdVs)—Presence of Antibodies Is Linked with Virus Excretion

SUMMARY. Currently, the poultry industry worldwide is facing an emerging trend of fowl adenovirus (FAdV)-associated diseases with a significant economic impact, especially in meat-type chickens. Vertical transmission is an important feature of all FAdVs; hence, preventive measures mostly revolve around breeding stocks. However, knowledge about temporal development of FAdV infections in modern commercial settings is rare or even nonexistent. In the present study, longitudinal monitoring for FAdV was conducted in broiler breeder flocks located in a confined geographical region with intensive poultry production in Iran. For this, the antibody status of birds from 4 to 32 wk of age was monitored with a commercial FAdV-ELISA and virus neutralization test (VNT). In parallel, fecal shedding of FAdV was determined at the peak of egg production with real-time PCR and virus isolation. Overall, the commercial ELISA showed seroconversion of flocks before onset of production. VNT resolved in detail infection patterns of individual serotypes with a primordial FAdV-D (FAdV-2/-11) infection, frequently followed by FAdV-E (FAdV-8a, -8b) superinfection. FAdV-A (FAdV-1) was traced in half of the investigated flocks, while no evidence of infection with FAdV-C (FAdV-4, -10) was noted. Common serological profiles between different houses of the same farm indicate an overarching biosecurity. Serological profiles coupled with virological findings at the peak of egg production indicated that higher antibody levels, determined by ELISA, correlated with lower amounts of viral DNA in fecal excretion. Simultaneously, the number of isolated FAdVs belonging to distinct serotypes declined in accordance with a rise of neutralizing antibodies in birds, underlining the significance of serotype-specific antibodies in the epidemiology of FAdV in breeders. Investigations in breeders were complemented with screening of FAdV-associated diseases in local broilers over a 3-yr period; 26 cases of inclusion body hepatitis with dominant involvement of FAdV-11/FAdV-8b, one outbreak of adenoviral gizzard erosion related to FAdV-1, and no evidence of hepatitis-hydropericardium syndrome suggest that identical serotypes are maintained in the local poultry industry.
XPS and ToF-SIMS study of freeze-dried and thermally cured melamine–formaldehyde resins of different molar ratios

The surface chemical characterization of melamine–formaldehyde (MF) resins by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) is examined in this study. Melamine–formaldehyde resins with different molar ratios of formaldehyde to melamine are synthesized and thermally cured. From XPS measurements, quantitative information is obtained and atomic chemical concentrations show the effect of the molar ratio for the freeze-dried resins. However, the thermally cured resins display a rather similar surface elemental composition. Moreover, because the binding energy values of the main N–C–N and N–C–O groups are too close, XPS does not help to identify changes in chemical structure after curing. The main ToF-SIMS negative and positive mass fragments of the MF resins are identified. Principal component analysis (PCA) is shown to be useful to determine and explain the main differences between all of the ToF-SIMS spectra. It allows us to distinguish the effect of the bulk chemical composition on the respective surface compositions of not only the uncured but also the cured MF resins. Moreover, extended interpretation leads to the identification of peaks characteristic of methylol groups and methylene ether bridges, but their absolute quantification is not straightforward. However, this result indicates that surface analysis helps to characterize the poorly defined chemical structure of MF resins. This is important for understanding the influence of surface chemistry on macroscopic surface properties such as chemical durability under exterior exposure. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increasing Praise Delivery Within Dorms of a Juvenile Justice Facility

Researchers have shown that adolescents in residential treatment facilities benefit from behavior-analytic intervention. However, it remains unclear whether practitioners can apply behavioral interventions to increase staff members’ appropriate interactions with residents within a juvenile justice facility. In Study 1, researchers compared direct measures of staff behavior in three target dorms (D1, D2, and D3) containing high levels of resident disruptive behavior to a dorm (D4) with consistently low levels of resident disruptive behavior. Results indicated that staff members in the target dorms engaged in significantly higher rates of reprimands and negative statements than in D4. In Study 2, researchers used didactic and video instruction to train staff members in D1, D2, and D3 to increase contingent and noncontingent praise delivery. Results indicated praise delivery by staff members increased slightly in each target dorm. In Study 3, researchers first evaluated the extent to which measures of staff members’ and residents’ behaviors improved following training within each dorm. Subsequently, researchers compared the post-training behavioral measures from D1, D2 and D3 to D4 to determine the extent to which staff behavior in the training dorms was distinguishable from D4. Results of Study 3 indicated that one or more staff behaviors improved in each training dorm. Nevertheless, residents’ disruptive behavior was unchanged in each target dorm. In addition, staff members’ behavior in each target dorm continued to be distinguishable from staff members’ behavior in D4 on most behavioral measures.
Safety and benefits of automated red cell depletion‐exchange compared to standard exchange in patients with sickle cell disease undergoing chronic transfusion

The Spectra Optia allows automated performance of red blood cell reduction and isovolemic hemodilution (IHD) prior to standard red cell exchange (RCE), and is primarily intended for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) undergoing chronic RCE. Data on the safety of inducing transient further anemia and the benefits of IHD‐RCE is limited and occasionally contradictory.
Luteolin attenuates angiotensin II-induced renal damage in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Renal damage is a common and severe condition encountered in the clinic. Luteolin (Lut) exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic and anti-apoptotic effects. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the pharmacological effects of Lut on angiotensin II (AngII)-induced renal damage in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice. Male ApoE−/− mice (age, 8 weeks) were randomly divided into the following three groups: i) Control group (n=6); ii) AngII group (n=6); and iii) AngII + Lut group (n=6). Lut was administered by gavage (100 mg/kg/d). ApoE−/− mice were implanted with Alzet osmotic minipumps, filled with either saline vehicle or AngII solution for a maximum period of 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, metabolic characteristics were measured and the histopathological alterations in the kidney tissue were observed. The metabolic characteristics of blood creatinine (CRE) levels were lower in the AngII + Lut group compared with in the AngII group. The expression levels of collagen I and III were lower in the kidney tissues of the AngII + Lut group compared with the corresponding tissues of the AngII group. The gene expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10 were also suppressed in the kidney tissues of the AngII + Lut group compared with those in the corresponding tissues of the AngII group. Furthermore, the AngII + Lut group exhibited markedly increased LC3 protein expression and notably decreased p62 protein expression in the kidney tissues compared with the expression levels in the AngII group. The data demonstrated that Lut attenuated AngII-induced collagen deposition and inflammation, while inducing autophagy. Collectively, the results suggested that Lut treatment exhibited a exerted effect on AngII-induced renal injury in ApoE−/− mice.
Differential responses to breath‐holding, voluntary deep breathing and hypercapnia in left and right dorsal anterior cingulate

What is the central question of this study? What is the role of dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in respiration control in humans? What is the main finding and its importance? Direct evidence is provided for a role of the ACC in respiratory control in humans. The neurophysiological responses in dorsal ACC to different breathing tasks varied and were different between left and right ACC.
Randomized Trial of Focused Ultrasound Subthalamotomy for Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND The subthalamic nucleus is the preferred neurosurgical target for deep-brain stimulation to treat cardinal motor features of Parkinson's disease. Focused ultrasound is an imaging-guided method for creating therapeutic lesions in deep-brain structures, including the subthalamic nucleus. METHODS We randomly assigned, in a 2:1 ratio, patients with markedly asymmetric Parkinson's disease who had motor signs not fully controlled by medication or who were ineligible for deep-brain stimulation surgery to undergo focused ultrasound subthalamotomy on the side opposite their main motor signs or a sham procedure. The primary efficacy outcome was the between-group difference in the change from baseline to 4 months in the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) motor score (i.e., part III) for the more affected body side (range, 0 to 44, with higher scores indicating worse parkinsonism) in the off-medication state. The primary safety outcome (procedure-related complications) was assessed at 4 months. RESULTS Among 40 enrolled patients, 27 were assigned to focused ultrasound subthalamotomy (active treatment) and 13 to the sham procedure (control). The mean MDS-UPDRS III score for the more affected side decreased from 19.9 at baseline to 9.9 at 4 months in the active-treatment group (least-squares mean difference, 9.8 points; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.6 to 11.1) and from 18.7 to 17.1 in the control group (least-squares mean difference, 1.7 points; 95% CI, 0.0 to 3.5); the between-group difference was 8.1 points (95% CI, 6.0 to 10.3; P<0.001). Adverse events in the active-treatment group were dyskinesia in the off-medication state in 6 patients and in the on-medication state in 6, which persisted in 3 and 1, respectively, at 4 months; weakness on the treated side in 5 patients, which persisted in 2 at 4 months; speech disturbance in 15 patients, which persisted in 3 at 4 months; facial weakness in 3 patients, which persisted in 1 at 4 months; and gait disturbance in 13 patients, which persisted in 2 at 4 months. In 6 patients in the active-treatment group, some of these deficits were present at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS Focused ultrasound subthalamotomy in one hemisphere improved motor features of Parkinson's disease in selected patients with asymmetric signs. Adverse events included speech and gait disturbances, weakness on the treated side, and dyskinesia. (Funded by Insightec and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03454425.).