Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subnormothermic machine perfusion protects steatotic livers against preservation injury: A potential for donor pool increase?

We tested whether rat liver preservation performed by machine perfusion (MP) at 20°C can enhance the functional integrity of steatotic livers versus simple cold storage. We also compared MP at 20°C with hypothermic MP at 8°C, and 4°C. Obese and lean male Zucker rats were used as liver donors. MP was performed for 6 hours with a glucose and N‐acetylcysteine–supplemented Krebs‐Henseleit solution. Both MP and cold storage preserved livers were reperfused with Krebs‐Henseleit solution (2 hours at 37°C). MP at 4°C and 8°C reduced the fatty liver necrosis compared with cold storage but we further protected the organs using MP at 20°C. Necrosis did not differ in livers from lean animals submitted to the different procedures; the enzymes released in steatotic livers preserved by MP at 20°C were similar to those showed in nonsteatotic organs. The adenosine triphosphate/adenosine diphosphate ratio and bile production were higher and the oxidative stress and biliary enzymes were lower in steatotic livers preserved by MP at 20°C as compared with cold storage. In livers from lean rats, the adenosine triphosphate/adenosine diphosphate ratio appears better conserved by MP at 20°C as compared with cold storage. In steatotic livers preserved by cold storage, a 2‐fold increase in tumor necrosis factor‐alpha levels and caspase‐3 activity was observed as compared with organs preserved by MP at 20°C. These data are substantiated by better morphology, higher glycogen content, and lower reactive oxygen species production by sinusoidal cells in steatotic liver submitted to MP at 20°C versus cold storage. MP at 20°C improves cell survival and leads to a marked improvement in hepatic preservation of steatotic livers as compared with cold storage. Liver Transpl 15:20–29, 2009. © 2008 AASLD.
A survey of lifestyle risk factors for cardiovascular health among young Hong Kong Chinese women: implications for long-term cardiovascular health.

PURPOSE To establish baseline data in a population of young Chinese women from which lifestyle risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the implications for long-term cardiovascular health can be examined. METHODS In a cross-sectional postal survey, a 125-item questionnaire (a translated version of the Minnesota Women's Health Survey) assessing lifestyle risk factors and perceptions of health was mailed to 987 Hong Kong Chinese nurses aged 26 years and returned by 617, yielding a response rate of 63%. RESULTS Of the women surveyed, 7% reported they smoked, 21% consumed alcohol regularly, and 32% exercised regularly. Ten percent reported being overweight or obese, 31% were underweight, and 8% used oral contraception. The findings have important implications for the long-term cardiovascular health of this group of young women health professionals. CONCLUSIONS Baseline data of lifestyle cardiovascular risk factors demonstrate that approximately two thirds of the women in this study are at risk of developing CVD when the findings are interpreted within the classification of CVD risk in women developed by the American Heart Association. Further research is necessary to assess women's awareness of risk factors and perceived personal risk.
Addressing obesity in pregnancy: what do obstetric providers recommend?

OBJECTIVE Maternal obesity is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. To improve outcomes, obstetric providers must effectively evaluate and manage their obese pregnant patients. We sought to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns of obstetric providers regarding obesity in pregnancy. METHODS In 2007-2008, we surveyed 58 practicing obstetricians, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse-midwives at a multispecialty practice in Massachusetts. We administered a 26-item questionnaire that included provider self-reported weight, sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and management practices. We created an 8-point score for adherence to 8 practices recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) for the management of obese pregnant women. RESULTS Among the respondents, 37% did not correctly report the minimum body mass index (BMI) for diagnosing obesity, and most reported advising gestational weight gains that were discordant with 1990 Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines, especially for obese women (71%). The majority of respondents almost always recommended a range of weight gain (74%), advised regular physical activity (74%), or discussed diet (64%) with obese mothers, but few routinely ordered glucose tolerance testing during the first trimester (26%), planned anesthesia referrals (3%), or referred patients to a nutritionist (14%). Mean guideline adherence score was 3.4 (SD 1.9, range 0-8). Provider confidence (beta = 1.0, p = 0.05) and body satisfaction (beta = 1.5, p = 0.02) were independent predictors of higher guideline adherence scores. CONCLUSIONS Few obstetric providers were fully compliant with clinical practice recommendations, defined obesity correctly, or recommended weight gains concordant with IOM guidelines. Provider personal factors were the strongest correlates of self-reported management practices. Our findings suggest a need for more education around BMI definitions and weight gain guidelines, along with strategies to address provider personal factors, such as confidence and body satisfaction, that may be important predictors of adherence to recommendations for managing obese pregnant women.
Split liver transplantation in adults: Preoperative estimation of the weight of right and left hemiliver grafts

The application of split liver transplantation in adults effectively increases the pool of donor organs available for liver transplantation. The accurate estimation of the sizes of full right and left lobe grafts facilitates optimal matches with graft recipients and is a necessary requirement for successful split liver transplantation. We report an easy method for precisely estimating the sizes of full right and left lobe liver grafts to enable the selection of size-matched recipients. The basis of this method is that the relative sizes of the right and left hemilivers in the whole liver should correspond to the relative blood flow in the right and left portal veins. The blood flow in the right and left portal veins is proportional to the cross-sectional area of the respective vessels. The whole liver volume is calculated with the following equation: SLV 1⁄4 ð706:2 Body surface area ðm2Þ þ 2:4Þ
Comparing an olive oil-enriched diet to a standard lower-fat diet for weight loss in breast cancer survivors: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND Traditional diets that include moderate to high intakes of extra virgin olive oil have been related to a decrease in breast cancer risk. We hypothesized that an olive oil-enriched diet would lead to greater weight loss and acceptance, compared with a standard diet, in women previously diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. METHODS Participants consumed a National Cancer Institute (NCI) diet (total fat > 15% and < 30%) and a plant-based olive oil diet (PBOO; > or = 3 tablespoons of olive oil/day) for 8 weeks, each with random assignment to the order. We established a weight loss goal of at least 5% of baseline weight. After completion of the two diet trials, each participant self-selected one of the diets for an additional 6 months of follow-up for weight management. Body measures were done before and after each diet and after follow-up; fasting blood samples were collected after each diet and after follow-up. RESULTS Forty-four overweight women started and 28 completed the 44-week protocol. Twelve (80%) of the 15 women who started with the PBOO diet achieved a weight loss of > or = 5% compared to 4 (31%) of the 13 who started with the NCI diet (p < 0.01). Nineteen of the 22 women eligible for follow-up chose the PBOO diet, and all completed the study. Of the 3 women who chose the NCI diet for follow-up, 1 completed the study. The PBOO diet resulted in lower triglycerides (NCI 105 +/- 46 mg/dL, PBOO 96 +/- 37 mg/dL, p = 0.06) and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (NCI 64 +/- 13 mg/dL, PBOO 68 +/- 12 mg/dL, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS An olive oil-enriched diet brought about greater weight loss than a lower-fat diet in an 8-week comparison. Moreover, these women chose, overwhelmingly, the olive oil-enriched diet for 6 months of follow-up. An olive oil-enriched diet may be more efficacious for weight loss in breast cancer survivors than a standard lower-fat diet.
Genetic variation within GRIN2B in adolescents with alcohol use disorder may be associated with larger left posterior cingulate cortex volume

Objective Brain structure differences and adolescent alcohol dependence both show substantial heritability. However, exactly which genes are responsible for brain volume variation in adolescents with substance abuse disorders are currently unknown. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether genetic variants previously implicated in psychiatric disorders are associated with variation in brain volume in adolescents with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Methods The cohort consisted of 58 adolescents with DSM-IV AUD and 58 age and gender-matched controls of mixed ancestry ethnicity. An Illumina Infinium iSelect custom 6000 bead chip was used to genotype 5348 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 378 candidate genes. Magnetic resonance images were acquired and volumes of global and regional structures were estimated using voxel-based morphometry. To determine whether any of the genetic variants were associated with brain volume, association analysis was conducted using linear regression in Plink. Results From the exploratory analysis, the GRIN2B SNP rs219927 was associated with brain volume in the left posterior cingulate cortex (p<0.05), whereby having a G-allele was associated with a bigger volume. Conclusion The GRIN2B gene is involved in glutamatergic signalling and may be associated with developmental differences in AUD in brain regions such as the posterior cingulate cortex. Such differences may play a role in risk for AUD, and deserve more detailed investigation.
Entire Solutions of an Integral Equation in

We will study the entire positive solution of the geometrically and analytically interesting integral equation: with in . We will show that only when , there are positive entire solutions which are given by the closed form up to dilation and translation. The paper consists of two parts. The first part is devoted to showing that must be equal to 11 if there exists a positive entire solution to the integral equation. The tool to reach this conclusion is the well-known Pohozev identity. The amazing cancelation occurred in Pohozev’s identity helps us to conclude the claim. It is this exponent which makes the moving sphere method work. In the second part, as normal, we adopt the moving sphere method based on the integral form to solve the integral equation.
Safety of anidulafungin in solid organ transplant recipients

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the safety of anidulafungin in adult solid organ transplantation (SOT) recipients. During the study period (14 months), we included all consecutive SOT recipients from 14 centers who received anidulafungin for at least 48 hours for the treatment of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) or as prophylaxis. Relevant clinical and analytical information on clinical charts was reviewed. Clinical side effects, liver function tests, and serum creatinine levels were assessed at least weekly. The need for the modification of immunosuppressive drugs was also recorded by the investigators. All patients were followed for at least 1 week after the end of treatment (EOT) or until death. Eighty‐six SOT recipients were evaluated (56 transplant recipients, 20 lung transplant recipients, 8 kidney transplant recipients, and 2 heart transplant recipients). Sixty‐two patients (72%) received anidulafungin for prophylaxis, and 24 (28%) received anidulafungin for the treatment of IFIs [candidemia/invasive candidiasis (16) or invasive aspergillosis (8)]. At the baseline, only 5% of the patients were neutropenic (<500 neutrophils/mL). There was no need for the modification of immunosuppressive drug doses because of anidulafungin therapy. No patient discontinued anidulafungin because of severe adverse effects. While receiving anidulafungin, 1 patient developed mild liver toxicity, but the liver function normalized without the discontinuation of anidulafungin. At EOT, the median serum creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly lower than the baseline levels, even in liver transplant recipients and patients who had higher baseline levels of serum creatinine. In conclusion, these results show that anidulafungin is a well‐tolerated drug in SOT recipients. Liver Transpl, 2012. © 2012 AASLD.
The 2b protein of cucumber mosaic virus is essential for viral infection of the shoot apical meristem and for efficient invasion of leaf primordia in infected tobacco plants.

It has been reported previously that a 2b protein-defective mutant of the cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) Pepo strain (Delta 2b) induces only mild symptoms in systemically infected tobacco plants. To clarify further the role of the 2b protein as an RNA silencing suppressor in mosaic symptom expression during CMV infection, this study monitored the sequential distribution of Delta 2b in the shoot meristem and leaf primordia (LP) of inoculated tobacco. Time-course histochemical observations revealed that Delta 2b was distributed in the shoot meristem at 7 days post-inoculation (p.i.), but could not invade shoot apical meristem (SAM) and quickly disappeared from the shoot meristem, whereas wild-type (Pepo) transiently appeared in SAM from 4 to 10 days p.i. In LP, Delta 2b signals were detected only at 14 and 21 days p.i. , whereas dense Pepo signals were observed in LP from 4 to 18 days p.i. Northern blot analysis showed that small interfering RNA (siRNA) derived from Delta 2b RNA accumulated earlier in the shoot meristem and LP than that of Pepo. However, a similar amount of siRNA was detected in both Pepo- and Delta 2b-infected plants at late time points. Tissue printing analysis of the inoculated leaves indicated that the areas infected by Pepo increased faster than those infected by Delta 2b, whereas accumulation of Delta 2b in protoplasts was similar to that of Pepo. These findings suggest that the 2b protein of the CMV Pepo strain determines virulence by facilitating the distribution of CMV in the shoot meristem and LP via prevention of RNA silencing and/or acceleration of cell-to-cell movement.
Inverse association between total bilirubin and metabolic syndrome in rural korean women.

UNLABELLED Abstract Background: Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Bilirubin is an antioxidant and has a protective effect against cardiovascular disease (CVD). The purpose of this study was to examine the association between total bilirubin levels and the prevalence of MetS in rural Korean women. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 5,266 women (>40 years) enrolled in the Korean Genomic Rural Cohort (KGRC). MetS was defined using the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI) guidelines. Total bilirubin levels were categorized into quartiles. RESULTS Subjects in the upper quartiles of total bilirubin were younger and had lower waist circumferences, systolic blood pressure, and triglyceride levels and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations. The overall prevalence of MetS was 39.0%. When the participants were categorized into quartiles by total bilirubin level, the prevalence of MetS according to increasing total bilirubin quartiles was 47.9%, 41.2%, 34.3%, and 32.7%, respectively. By comparison to the lowest quartile of total bilirubin (<0.61 mg/dL), the odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) for MetS in the highest quartile of total bilirubin (≥0.94 mg/dL) was 0.63 (0.52-0.77) after adjusting for menopausal status, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, insulin resistance, and other covariates. CONCLUSIONS Total bilirubin level appears to be inversely associated with the prevalence of MetS in rural Korean women >40 years of age in the KGRC, even after adjusting for risk factors of MetS, including body mass index (BMI), menopausal status, CRP levels, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).
Prevalence and clinical outcomes of the 46/1 haplotype, Janus kinase 2 mutations, and ten‐eleven translocation 2 mutations in budd‐chiari syndrome and their impact on thrombotic complications post Liver Transplantation

Latent myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) can be identified by Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) mutations in patients with idiopathic Budd‐Chiari syndrome (BCS). The incidence and clinical outcomes of JAK2 mutations, novel ten‐eleven translocation 2 (TET2) mutations, and the 46/1 haplotype in BCS are unknown for liver transplantation (LT). We undertook molecular studies of 66 patients presenting with BCS and correlated the results with the clinical outcomes. An overt MPD was present in 20% of the cases, and a latent MPD confirmed by the presence of a JAK2 mutation was detected in 45%. Testing for a TET2 mutation identified MPDs at the molecular level in another 7% of the subset of patients with BCS who were evaluated. The 46/1 haplotype frequency was significantly greater in BCS patients versus the general population (P < 0.001). The presence of JAK2 and TET2 mutations had no impact on 1‐year survival. Thirty‐six patients underwent LT, and 12 developed liver‐related thrombotic complications (33%). Ten of these 12 patients required retransplantation. Retransplantation was more likely in those patients who developed liver‐related thrombotic complications (P < 0.001). A JAK2 mutation was highly associated with the development of thrombotic complications after LT (P = 0.005). In conclusion, the presence of JAK2V617F predicts hepatic and extrahepatic thrombotic complications after LT. Testing for TET2 mutations can identify another 7% of idiopathic BCS patients with molecular MPDs. Liver Transpl, 2012. © 2012 AASLD.
Standardized information for living liver donors

report that Internet Web sites are highly vari-able in the quality of the information presented on liv-ing liver donation. Accordingly, prospective donorsmay not have access to desired or established risk in-formation. They conclude that ‘‘there is an urgentneed to produce a Web site compliant with interna-tional standards for the quality of donor information. ’’This call for standardized information for living liverdonors is both timely and highly important for drivingthe ﬁeld of living donation toward more effective andethically sound informed consent practices. Providingessential information to prospective living liver donorsis necessary to optimize their understanding andensure that they are fully prepared to undergo thedonation process.
Cognitive performance as a predictor of hepatic encephalopathy in pretransplant patients with cirrhosis receiving psychoactive medications: A prospective study

Psychiatric disorders and medications may affect the cognitive performance of patients with cirrhosis and complicate the diagnosis and prediction of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). The aim of this study was to study the association of psychoactive medications with cognitive performance and their effects on the ability of tests to predict HE development in patients with cirrhosis referred for transplant evaluation. Cirrhosis details, psychiatric disorders, psychoactive medications, and any history of prior HE were recorded for patients with cirrhosis at 2 transplant centers. Patients were followed until the development of HE. Five cognitive tests—number connection test A (NCT‐A), number connection test B, the digit symbol test (DST), the block design test, and the inhibitory control test (ICT)–were administered. A high lure score and a low ICT target score indicated poor performance. The cognitive performances of patients with psychiatric disorders/medications and patients without them were compared. A proportional hazards model was created with the time to HE as the outcome, and it was based on demographics, psychoactive medications, cirrhosis details, and individual cognitive scores. Patients with prior HE and patients without prior HE were then studied separately. One hundred fifty‐five patients with a mean age of 57.5 ± 6.2 years and a mean Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score of 15.1 ± 6.2 were included [prior HE, 48%; diabetes, 34%; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), 32%; opioids, 19%; and antipsychotics, 10%]. Prior HE and antipsychotics (but not opioids or diabetes) were associated with worse cognition. SSRI users had better NCT‐A and DST performance. One hundred forty‐eight patients were followed for a median of 182.5 days; 58 developed HE at a median of 99 days after inclusion. In the entire group, the model showed that prior HE (hazard ratio = 4.13), the MELD score (hazard ratio = 1.07), and a high lure score (hazard ratio = 1.04) decreased the time to HE, whereas the use of SSRIs (hazard ratio = 0.42), a high target score (hazard ratio = 0.95), and a high sodium level (hazard ratio = 0.89) increased the time to HE. For patients without prior HE, the MELD score (hazard ratio = 1.25) and lures (hazard ratio = 1.09) predicted the time to HE. Lures (hazard ratio = 1.03), targets (hazard ratio = 0.96), and sodium (hazard ratio = 0.87) were associated with the time to HE in patients with prior HE. In conclusion, cognitive tests (particularly the ICT) remain valid predictors of HE in the face of psychiatric diseases and medications. SSRI use is associated with better cognitive performance and a reduced likelihood of developing HE. Liver Transpl 18:1179–1187, 2012. © 2012 AASLD.
Sexually related behaviors as predictors of HPV vaccination among young rural women.

PURPOSE To explore whether sexually related behaviors predict refusal of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among a sample of women aged 18-26 in Appalachian Kentucky. METHODS Using a convenience sample, young women attending health clinics and a community college in southeastern Kentucky were recruited to participate in a Women's Health Study. After completing a questionnaire, women received a free voucher for the three-dose HPV vaccine series. Completion of dose one served as the outcome variable. RESULTS Women with a history of an abnormal Pap test were almost two times more likely to decline the HPV vaccine (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-3.20, p=0.015), and women who reported they had never had a Pap test were four times more likely to decline the vaccine (AOR 4.02, 95% CI 1.13-14.32, p=0.032). Women engaging in mutual masturbation were nearly two times more likely to decline the free vaccine (AOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.17-3.10, p=0.009). Use of hormonal birth control showed a protective effect against refusal of the free HPV vaccine (AOR 0.593, 95% CI 0.44-0.80, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS Among this sample of Appalachian women, those engaging in behaviors that increase their risk for HPV infection were more likely to refuse the vaccine. Conversely, those women engaging in protective health behaviors were more likely to accept the vaccine. These findings suggest that those women not being vaccinated may be the very group most likely to benefit from vaccination. Cervical cancer prevention programs need to be creative in efforts to reach young women most in need of the vaccine based on a higher profile of sexually related behaviors and the proxy measure of this risk (having an abnormal Pap test result).