Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Low-Level Donor-Specific Anti-HLA Antibody on Posttransplant Clinical Outcomes in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Background The clinical significance of low-level donor-specific anti-HLA antibody (low-DSA) remains controversial. We investigated the impact of low-DSA on posttransplant clinical outcomes in kidney transplant (KT) recipients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 1,027 KT recipients, namely, 629 living donor KT (LDKT) recipients and 398 deceased donor KT (DDKT) recipients, in Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital (Seoul, Korea) between 2010 and 2018. Low-DSA was defined as a positive anti-HLA-DSA result in the Luminex single antigen assay (LABScreen single antigen HLA class I - combi and class II - group 1 kits; One Lambda, Canoga Park, CA, USA) but a negative result in a crossmatch test. We compared the incidence of biopsy-proven allograft rejection (BPAR), changes in allograft function, allograft survival, patient survival, and posttransplant infections between subgroups according to pretransplant low-DSA. Results The incidence of overall BPAR and T cell-mediated rejection did not differ between the subgroups. However, antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) developed more frequently in patients with low-DSA than in those without low-DSA in the total cohort and the LDKT and DDKT subgroups. In multivariate analysis, low-DSA was identified as a risk factor for ABMR development. Its impact was more pronounced in DDKT (odds ratio [OR] 9.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.79–51.56) than in LDKT (OR 3.76, 95% CI 0.99–14.26) recipients. There were no significant differences in other outcomes according to pretransplant low-DSA. Conclusions Pretransplant low-DSA has a significant impact on the development of ABMR, and more so in DDKT recipients than in LDKT recipients, but not on long-term outcomes.
Morphometry of the patellar tendon using a simple tracing method: a gold standard for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is mostly damaged in sporting activities. To reconstruct the damaged ACL, a patellar tendon (PT) is often the most preferred graft due to its fast healing and bone integration i.e. bone-patellar tendon-bone graft. Suitability of the PT often depends on the morphometric profile of the tendon. This study reported on the harvestable surface area (SA) of the tendon using a simple tracing method. The PT of 79 adult formalin–fixed cadavers of South Africans of European Ancestry were dissected, and the margins of the PT were traced on a wax paper before the tracings were scanned. The SA, straight proximal width (SPW), curved proximal width (CPW), straight distal width (SDW), curved distal width (CDW) and length of tendon (LOT) from the digitized image of the PT was measured. In addition, the length of the lower limbs was measured to normalize the measurements. The results showed no significant side differences, and the measurements were not sexually dimorphic. A strong correlation was reported for SA vs. LOT, SPW vs. CPW and SDW vs. CDW for both sexes and sides. The presented morphological profile provides additional information on the usability of the graft and with respect to healing and recovery.
The Giant Magellan Telescope laser tomography adaptive optics system

The Giant Magellan Telescope presents a unique optical design with seven 8.4 m diameter primary mirrors matched by seven adaptive secondary mirrors (ASM). The ASMs can be controlled in several dierent Adaptive Optics (AO) observing modes coupled to the telescope . One of these AO systems, the Laser Tomography Adaptive Optics (LTAO) system is currently in its preliminary design phase. The LTAO observing mode will provide a Strehl ratio in H band of at least 30% over more than 20% of the sky and an ensquared energy in K band of at least 40% in a 50 milli-arcsec spaxel over more than 50% of the sky. To achieve its performance requirements, the LTAO observing mode uses six 20W Laser Guide Stars (LGS) with six order-60x60 Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors. The LGSs are launched from three locations at the periphery of the telescope primaries. A natural guide star (NGS) is used separately to measure tip-tilt, focus and low-bandwidth-low-order aberrations, as well as telescope segment piston. An open-loop controlled deformable mirror corrects the o-axis NGS infrared wavefront. We give an update on the design of the LTAO WFSs, the LGS facility, the on-instrument wavefront sensors and the tomography and control algorithms.
Sound–action symbolism in relation to precision manipulation and whole-hand grasp usage

It has been suggested that actions can provide a fruitful conceptual context for sound symbolism phenomena, and that tight interaction between manual and articulatory processes might cause that hand actions, in particular, are sound-symbolically associated with specific speech sounds. Experiment 1 investigated whether novel words, built from speech sounds that have been previously linked to precision or power grasp responses, are implicitly associated with perceived actions that present precision manipulation or whole-hand grasp tool-use or the corresponding utilisation pantomimes. In the two-alternative forced-choice task, the participants were more likely to match novel words to tool-use actions and corresponding pantomimes that were sound-symbolically congruent with the words. Experiment 2 showed that the same or even larger sound–action symbolism effect can be observed when the pantomimes present unfamiliar utilisation actions. Based on this we propose that the sound–action symbolism might originate from the same sensorimotor mechanisms that process the meaning of iconic gestural signs. The study presents a novel sound–action phenomenon and supports the view that hand–mouth interaction might manifest itself by associating specific speech sounds with grasp-related utilisations.
Dynamical temperature and renormalized flux variable in extended thermodynamics of rigid heat conductors

Abstract We propose a description of heat conduction in rigid solids in which the classical state space of extended thermodynamics is substituted with another one, spanned by a dynamical semi-empirical temperature and a renormalized flux variable, given by the thermodynamic conjugate of the heat flux and proportional to the heat relaxation time and the dynamical temperature gradient. Propagation of heat pulses in dielectric crystals at low temperatures is analyzed, and the results are compared with those obtained by Lebon et al. (J. Phys.: Condens. Matter, 20 (2008), 025223). We propose a possible experiment in order to check what is the most well-suited definition of temperature in non-equilibrium situations.
Daily levels of sex hormones in 15 subfertile women formulate a menstrual cycle profile predominant with progesterone secretion.

INTRODUCTION Changes in sex hormone secretions during the menstrual cycle may affect fertility. It has been shown that a prematurely raised progesterone (P4) level after therapeutic injection of human chorionic gonadotropin caused changes in endometrial gene expression and lowered the pregnancy rate. The aim of the present study was to investigate the complete menstrual patterns of P4 together with its derivatives testosterone (T) and oestradiol (E2) in subfertile women during their natural cycles. MATERIAL AND METHODS Daily serum levels of P4 (ng/mL), T (ng/mL), E2 (pg/mL), and sex hormone binding protein (SHBG, nmol/L) were measured throughout a single 23-28-day menstrual cycle in 15 subfertile women aged 28-40 years with patent oviducts and normospermic partners. Knowing SHBG levels, the free androgen (FAI) and free oestrogen (FEI) indexes were calculated for each cycle day in each patient. RESULTS Baseline (cycle day one) levels of luteinising hormone (LH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), P4, and T were comparable with reference intervals for a normal cycle, whereas follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), E2, and SHBG exceeded those. During cycles, the levels of P4 correlated positively with E2 levels (r = 0.38, p < 0.05, n = 392) an negatively with T (r = -0.13, p < 0.05, n = 391). T correlated negatively with E2 (r = -0.19, p < 0.05, n = 391). Menstrual cycle phases were hidden. The curve of the mean/median daily levels of P4 rose prematurely, was parallel with the E2 rise, and culminated closely, but with more than 4 times greater amplitude of P4 (2571% of baseline levels in day 16) than of E2 (580% in day 14). In turn, the curve of T declined in a U-shaped manner with a nadir (-27%) on day 16. Averaged daily levels of FEI, but not FAI, varied significantly between 23 and 26 days long and the 27-28-day cycles. CONCLUSIONS 1. Throughout the entire menstrual cycle length in subfertile women, P4 secretion predominates quantitatively over secretions of the remaining sex hormones when menstrual cycle phases are hidden. 2. The rise of E2 secretion is in parallel with the P4 rise, but with 4 times lower amplitude of E2. 3. T secretion declines and is inversely related to both P4 and E2 secretions. 4. Changes in E2 bioavailability are related to menstrual cycle length.
Transfusion thresholds: the need for a patient-centered approach in hematologic disorders that require chronic transfusion therapy

Transfusion is an essential life-sustaining treatment for many patients. However, unnecessary transfusion has been reported to be related to worse patient outcomes. Further, owing to the recent pandemic, blood supply has been more challenging to maintain. Many studies have been conducted to elucidate the optimal transfusion threshold for many clinical conditions, and most suggested that a restrictive transfusion strategy has advantages over a liberal transfusion strategy. Hematologic disorders, which require chronic transfusion in many cases, have not been the main subjects of such studies, and only little evidence is available regarding the optimal transfusion threshold in these patients. According to several recent studies, a liberal transfusion strategy is preferable for patients with hematologic disorders due to their quality of life. A patient-centered approach is needed for proper management of hematologic disorders.
The Effects of Opt-out vs Opt-in Tobacco Treatment on Engagement, Cessation, and Costs: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance Tobacco use causes 7 million deaths per year; most national guidelines require people who use tobacco to opt in to care by affirming they are willing to quit. Use of medications and counseling is low even in advanced economy countries. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of opt-out care vs opt-in care for people who use tobacco. Design, Setting, and Participants In Changing the Default (CTD), a Bayesian adaptive population-based randomization trial, eligible patients were randomized into study groups, treated according to group assignment, and debriefed and consented for participation at 1-month follow-up. A total of 1000 adult patients were treated at a tertiary care hospital in Kansas City. Patients were randomized from September 2016 to September 2020; final follow-up was in March 2021. Interventions At bedside, counselors screened for eligibility, conducted baseline assessment, randomized patients to study group, and provided opt-out care or opt-in care. Counselors and medical staff provided opt-out patients with inpatient nicotine replacement therapy, prescriptions for postdischarge medications, a 2-week medication starter kit, treatment planning, and 4 outpatient counseling calls. Patients could opt out of any or all elements of care. Opt-in patients willing to quit were offered each element of treatment described previously. Opt-in patients who were unwilling to quit received motivational counseling. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcomes were biochemically verified abstinence and treatment uptake at 1 month after randomization. Results Of a total of 1000 eligible adult patients who were randomized, most consented and enrolled (270 [78%] of opt-in patients; 469 [73%] of opt-out patients). Adaptive randomization assigned 345 (64%) to the opt-out group and 645 (36%) to the opt-in group. The mean (SD) age at enrollment was 51.70 (14.56) for opt-out patients and 51.21 (14.80) for opt-out patients. Of 270 opt-in patients, 123 (45.56%) were female, and of 469 opt-out patients, 226 (48.19%) were female. Verified quit rates for the opt-out group vs the opt-in group were 22% vs 16% at month 1 and 19% vs 18% at 6 months. The Bayesian posterior probability that opt-out care was better than opt-in care was 0.97 at 1 month and 0.59 at 6 months. Treatment use for the opt-out group vs the opt-in group was 60% vs 34% for postdischarge cessation medication (bayesian posterior probability of 1.0), and 89% vs 37% for completing at least 1 postdischarge counseling call (bayesian posterior probability of 1.0). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $678.60, representing the cost of each additional quit in the opt-out group. Conclusions and Relevance In this randomized clinical trial, opt-out care doubled treatment engagement and increased quit attempts, while enhancing patients' sense of agency and alliance with practitioners. Stronger and longer treatment could increase cessation. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02721082.
Approximation of a parabolic non-linear evolution equation backwards in time

We consider the inverse time problem for the non-linear heat equation in the form ut+Au=f(u), u(1)=X, where A is any non-negative, self adjoint operator. Using the strongly continuous contraction semi-group generated by Abeta =-A(I+ beta A)-1, beta >0, we derive an estimation of the error on the whole interval (0,1) between ut(t), solution of the initial problem, and upsilon beta (t), solution of the regularized problem: upsilon beta (t)+Abeta upsilon beta (t)=e-(1-t beta AA( beta )). f( upsilon beta ), upsilon beta (1)=X.
Remote ischemic conditioning-induced hyperacute and acute responses of plasma proteome in healthy young male adults: a quantitative proteomic analysis

Abstract Background: Long-term remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) has been proven to be beneficial in multiple diseases, such as cerebral and cardiovascular diseases. However, the hyperacute and acute effects of a single RIC stimulus are still not clear. Quantitative proteomic analyses of plasma proteins following RIC application have been conducted in preclinical and clinical studies but exhibit high heterogeneity in results due to wide variations in experimental setups and sampling procedures. Hence, this study aimed to explore the immediate effects of RIC on plasma proteome in healthy young adults to exclude confounding factors of disease entity, such as medications and gender. Methods: Young healthy male participants were enrolled after a systematic physical examination and 6-month lifestyle observation. Individual RIC sessions included five cycles of alternative ischemia and reperfusion, each lasting for 5 min in bilateral forearms. Blood samples were collected at baseline, 5 min after RIC, and 2 h after RIC, and then samples were processed for proteomic analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. Results: Proteins related to lipid metabolism (e.g., Apolipoprotein F), coagulation factors (hepatocyte growth factor activator preproprotein), members of complement cascades (mannan-binding lectin serine protease 1 isoform 2 precursor), and inflammatory responses (carboxypeptidase N catalytic chain precursor) were differentially altered at their serum levels following the RIC intervention. The most enriched pathways were protein glycosylation and complement/coagulation cascades. Conclusions: One-time RIC stimulus may induce instant cellular responses like anti-inflammation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis balancing, and lipid metabolism regulation which are protective in different perspectives. Protective effects of single RIC in hyperacute and acute phases may be exploited in clinical emergency settings due to apparently beneficial alterations in plasma proteome profile. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of long-term (repeated) RIC interventions in preventing chronic cardiovascular diseases among general populations can also be expected based on our study findings.
Trends in gastro-oesophageal reflux in a Norwegian general population: the Tromsø Study 1979–2016

Abstract Background The prevalence of overweight and smoking has changed over time. However, whether the changes in the risk factors are reflected in the prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is unknown. The aims of this study were to assess the changes in prevalence of GORD and the associated risk factors over time in a general population. Methods This was a population-based study using repeated surveys of the Tromsø Study: Tromsø2 (1979–1980, n = 14,279), Tromsø6 (2007–2008, n = 11,460) and Tromsø7 (2015–2016, n = 20,664). Complaints of heartburn and acid regurgitation and common risk factors were reported, and height and weight were measured. The prevalence of GORD was calculated and the association with risk factors was assessed at each time point by odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using multivariable logistic regression. Results The prevalence of GORD was 13% in 1979–1980, 6% in 2007–2008 and 11% in 2015–2016. In all three surveys, the risk of GORD was consistently increased with overweight and smoking. However, overweight was a weaker risk factor in the first (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.42–1.76) compared to the last (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.94–2.41) survey. Smoking was a stronger risk factor in the first (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.31–1.60) than at the last (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01–2.29) survey. Conclusion During four decades of follow-up of the same population, no clear change in prevalence of GORD was found. GORD was clearly and consistently associated with overweight and smoking. However, overweight has become a more important risk factor than smoking over time.
Two new cases with novel pathogenic variants reflecting the clinical diversity of Schaaf‐Yang syndrome

Schaaf‐Yang syndrome (SHFYNG) is a rare pleiotropic disorder, characterized by hypotonia, joint contractures, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and developmental delay/intellectual disability. Although it shares some common features with Prader‐Willi Syndrome, joint contractures, and ASD were more commonly detected in in this syndrome. Recently, it was shown that truncating variants in the paternal allele of the MAGEL2 gene cause SHFYNG. Here, we present two patients diagnosed with SHFYNG syndrome having two different novel truncating variants in the MAGEL2 gene, one paternally inherited and one de novo. One patient had obesity, brachydactyly and dysmorphic features, and the other patient presented with contractures, severe hypotonia and early death. This is the first report of Turkish SHFYNG syndrome cases presented to emphasize the phenotypic diversity of the syndrome.
Hepatic venous reconstruction of the left lateral segment with emphasis on anomalous hepatic vein in pediatric liver transplantation

Left lateral segment grafts have become a suitable option in pediatric liver transplantation (PLT). The correlation between hepatic vein (HV) reconstruction and outcome is relevant when assessing the safe use of these grafts. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records prospectively collected from a pediatric living donor liver transplantation database and conducted a comparative analysis of the different left lateral segment graft types according to HV reconstruction. Donor, recipient, and intraoperative variables were analyzed. Post-transplant outcomes included vascular complications such as hepatic vein outflow obstruction, early (≤30 d) and late (>30 d) PVT, hepatic artery thrombosis, and graft survival. From February 2017 to August 2021, 303 PLTs were performed. According to venous anatomy, the distribution of the left lateral segment was as follows: single HV (type I) in 174 (57.4%), close HVs, simple venoplasty for reconstruction (type II) in 97 (32.01%), anomalous hepatic vein (AHV) with a distance between the HVs orifices that allowed simple venoplasty (type IIIA) in 25 (8.26%) and AHV with a distance between the HVs orifices requiring homologous venous graft interposition (type IIIB) in 07 (2.31%) grafts. Type IIIB grafts came from male donors (p=0.04) and had a higher mean donor height (p=0.008), a higher mean graft weight, and a higher graft-to-recipient weight ratio, both p=0.002. The median follow-up time was 41.4 months. The overall cumulative graft survival was 96.3%, and comparative graft survival showed no difference (log-rank p=0.61). No hepatic vein outflow obstructions were observed in this cohort study. There was no statistically significant difference in the post-transplant outcomes between the graft types. The venous reconstruction of the AHV with homologous venous graft interposition had similar outcomes in the short and long term.
Can consumption of local micronutrient- and absorption enhancer-rich plant foods together with starchy staples improve bioavailable iron and zinc in diets of at-risk African populations?

Abstract Iron and zinc deficiencies remain prevalent in developing countries, often due to monotonous starchy diets that are low in bioavailable minerals. This review addresses the question as to whether consumption of starchy staple foods in Africa together with micronutrient-dense and absorption enhancer-rich plant foods can enhance iron and zinc bioavailability in the diets of at-risk populations. While green leafy vegetables (GLVs) fortification of starchy staples can improve mineral contents, especially iron, it may not improve bioavailable iron and zinc, due to GLVs’ high contents of mineral absorption inhibitors, notably polyphenols, phytate and calcium. Fruits, although low in minerals, could improve bioavailable iron and zinc in the staples because of their high ascorbic and citric acid and/or β-carotene contents, which can form soluble chelates with the minerals. More human studies are needed to establish whether such a technology or fortification strategy can improve bioavailable iron and zinc in African-type plant-based diets.
Ankle exoskeleton torque controllers based on soleus muscle models

Powered exoskeletons are typically task-specific, but to facilitate their wider adoption they should support a variety of tasks, which requires generalizeable controller designs. In this paper, we present two potential controllers for ankle exoskeletons based on soleus fascicles and Achilles tendon models. The methods use an estimate of the adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis rate of the soleus based on fascicle velocity. Models were evaluated using muscle dynamics from the literature, which were measured with ultrasound. We compare the simulated behavior of these methods against each other and to human-in-the-loop optimized torque profiles. Both methods generated distinct profiles for walking and running with speed variations. One of the approaches was more appropriate for walking, while the other approach estimated profiles similar to the literature for both walking and running. Human-in-the-loop methods require long optimizations to set parameters per individual for each specific task, the proposed methods can produce similar profiles, work across walking and running, and be implemented with body-worn sensors without requiring torque profile parameterization and optimization for every task. Future evaluations should examine how human behavior changes due to external assistance when using these control models.