Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term results of a prospective randomized study comparing two immunosuppressive regimens, one with and one without CsA, in low-risk renal transplant recipients

Abstract.Due to the nephrotoxicity of cyclosporin A (CsA), its benefit on long-term graft survival remains controversial, especially in low-risk patients. Here we report the 12-year results of a calcineurin-inhibitor-free regimen. One hundred and seventeen low-risk kidney recipients were prospectively randomized to maintenance therapy with either a combination of azathioprine and prednisone (group NoCsA, n=58), or with cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisone (group CsA, n=59). Both groups received induction therapy with anti-lymphocyte globulins (ALG). Twelve-year patient survival was 75% and 82.5% in the CsA and NoCsA groups, respectively [P= not significant (NS)]. Twelve-year graft survival was 59% and 56% (P=NS) in the CsA and NoCsA groups, respectively (NS). Transplant rejection rates were similar in both groups. Mean serum creatinine levels after 10 years were 161 and 136 μmol/l in the CsA and NoCsA groups, respectively. Rejection-free patients of the CsA group had poorer renal function (168 μmol/l) than those of the NoCsA group (121 μmol/l; P=0.0060). We concluded that a 12-year graft survival of 56% and a graft half-life of 15 years can be achieved without the primary use of a calcineurin inhibitor in low-risk patients receiving ALG. Patients treated with CsA had poorer graft function at 12 years.
Vasodilator-Stimulated Phosphoprotein Regulates Inside-Out Signaling of β2 Integrins in Neutrophils

The monomeric GTPase Rap1 controls functional activation of β2 integrins in leukocytes. In this article, we describe a novel mechanism by which the chemoattractant fMLP activates Rap1 and inside-out signaling of β2 integrins. We found that fMLP-induced activation of Rap1 in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes or neutrophils and differentiated PLB-985 cells was blocked by inhibitors of the NO/guanosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate–dependent protein kinase (cGKI) pathway [N-(3-(aminomethyl)benzyl)acetamidine, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, DT-3 peptide, 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphothioate, Rp-isomer triethylammonium salt–guanosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate], indicating that the downstream signaling events in Rap1 activation involve the production of NO and guanosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate, as well as the activation of cGKI. Silencing the expression of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), a substrate of cGKI, in resting PLB-985 cells or mice neutrophils led to constitutive activation of Rap1. In parallel, silencing VASP in differentiated PLB-985 cells led to recruitment of C3G, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rap1, to the plasma membrane. Expression of murine GFP-tagged phosphodeficient VASP Ser235Ala mutant (murine serine 235 of VASP corresponds to human serine 239) in PLB-985 cells blunted fMLP-induced translocation of C3G to the membrane and activation of Rap1. Thus, bacterial fMLP triggers cGKI-dependent phosphorylation of human VASP on serine 239 and, thereby, controls membrane recruitment of C3G, which is required for activation of Rap1 and β2 integrin-dependent antibacterial functions of neutrophils.
The World Health Organization Classification of Odontogenic Lesions: A Summary of the Changes of the 2017 (4th) Edition.

The 4 < sup > th < /sup > edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Head and Neck Tumors was published in January 2017. The edition serves to provide an updated classification scheme, and extended genetic and molecular data that are useful as diagnostic tools for the lesions of the head and neck region. This review focuses on the most current update of odontogenic cysts and tumors based on the 2017 WHO edition. The updated classification has some important differences from the 3 < sup > rd < /sup > edition (2005), including a new classification of odontogenic cysts, 'reclassified' odontogenic tumors, and some new entities.
High frame rate stepped frequency through-wall imaging radar

In radar system, the signal system of signal source and the mode of signal generation play an important role in radar performance. According to the specific request of through-wall imaging radar (TWIR) systems, this paper chooses the stepped frequency continuous waveform(SFCW) radar, and uses the technology of phase locked logic(PLL) frequency synthesis to synthetize the stepped frequency signal. Stepped frequency is a common waveform used in through-wall imaging radar. Traditional stepped frequency through-wall imaging radar, that uses PLL frequency synthesis technology, has a long frequency hopping time and low frame rate. This paper proposed a novel scanning mode, which could evidently enhance the frame rate of TWIR. With 2MHz step size and 2.5GHz frequency range, the real imaging frame rate could be 14Hz. To some extent, it could meet the requirements of real time imaging. The proposed approach is proved in experiment.
Item Response Theory Analysis of the Life Orientation Test-Revised

This study is aimed at testing the measurement properties of the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) for the assessment of dispositional optimism by employing item response theory (IRT) analyses. The LOT-R was administered to a large sample of 2,862 Italian adults. First, confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated the theoretical conceptualization of the construct measured by the LOT-R as a single bipolar dimension. Subsequently, IRT analyses for polytomous, ordered response category data were applied to investigate the items’ properties. The equivalence of the items across gender and age was assessed by analyzing differential item functioning. Discrimination and severity parameters indicated that all items were able to distinguish people with different levels of optimism and adequately covered the spectrum of the latent trait. Additionally, the LOT-R appears to be gender invariant and, with minor exceptions, age invariant. Results provided evidence that the LOT-R is a reliable and valid measure of dispositional optimism.
Fractionated X-Radiation Treatment can Elicit an Inducible-Like Radioprotective Response that is not Dependent on the Intrinsic Cellular X-Radiation Resistance/Sensitivity

Abstract Qutob, S. S. , Multani, A. S. , Pathak, S. , McNamee, J. P., Bellier, P. V. , Liu, Q. Y. and Ng, C. E. Fractionated X-Radiation Treatment can Elicit an Inducible-Like Radioprotective Response that is not Dependent on the Intrinsic Cellular X-Radiation Resistance/Sensitivity. Radiat. Res. 166, 590–599 (2006). Inducible responses are well documented to play a role in the radiation response of cells. However, it is not known whether clinically relevant fractionated X-radiation treatment could elicit an inducible-like radioprotective response and whether there is a direct correlation between the inducible radiation response phenomenon and the intrinsic radiation response of the cell. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether closely related human colorectal tumor (HCT116) clones treated with fractionated X rays could elicit an inducible-like radiation response to a subsequent acute (i.e. single) X-ray challenge, and whether the magnitude of the inducible-like response correlates with the intrinsic X-ray resistance of the responding clones. After fractionated X irradiation, only the radiosensitive clone showed enhanced clonogenic survival with a subsequent acute X-ray exposure. Cell cycle changes or the selection of subclones with increased intrinsic radiation resistance induced by the fractionated X rays were excluded as the basis of this enhanced tolerance, suggesting the presence of an inducible-like radioprotective response. Using the comet assay, we found similar amounts of intrinsic DNA damage among the clones after acute X irradiation. Our findings demonstrate that fractionated X-ray treatment can elicit an inducible-like radioprotective response and represent the first evidence that this response is independent of the intrinsic radiation resistance/sensitivity of the responding cells.
Traditional Cooked Vegetable Dishes as Important Sources of Ascorbic Acid and β-Carotene in the Diets of Indian Urban and Rural Families

Background Fresh vegetable produce is abundant during the winter season in Punjab. It is an important source of vitamins and minerals in the Punjabi diet, but the availability of ascorbic acid and β-carotene from the vegetables is altered to varying degrees when they are subjected to traditional household processing methods. Objective To determine the importance of traditional cooked vegetable dishes as sources of ascorbic acid and β-carotene among urban and rural families during the winter. Methods Information about vegetable consumption, storage, and cooking practices was collected from 60 families, 30 each from urban and rural areas of Ludhiana District, Punjab, India. Samples of the common cooked vegetable dishes were prepared in the laboratory by methods ascertained from the survey and analyzed for ascorbic acid and β-carotene. Results The average total daily per capita consumption of vegetables by urban and rural families was 411.7 and 365.9 g, respectively. Cooked vegetable dishes provided 68.7% of the total vegetable intake for urban families and 85.0% for rural families. On average, the edible portion constituted 78.9% of the weight of the vegetables. Ten cooked vegetable dishes that were most frequently consumed by the families (mustard saag, potato—spinach, potato—fenugreek, potato—brinjal, potato—cauliflower, potato—capsicum, potato—carrots, potato—beans, potato—peas, and cabbage—peas) were selected for preparation in the laboratory and nutritional analysis. The average concentrations of ascorbic acid and β-carotene in the cooked vegetable dishes were 46.0 mg/100 g and 794.2 μg/100g fresh weight, respectively. The percentage losses of ascorbic acid and β-carotene during preparation and cooking were 26.1% and 25.9%, respectively. Conclusions For adult Indian men and women, the recommended dietary allowance of ascorbic acid is 40 mg, and that of β-carotene is 2,400 μg. Cooked vegetable dishes provided 269.9% and 77.5% of the recommended dietary allowances of ascorbic acid and β-carotene, respectively, indicating that these dishes are good sources of these nutrients in the diets of both urban and rural families during the winter season.
Along a TNF-paved road from dead parasites in red cells to cerebral malaria, and beyond

SUMMARY This is a personal account of how tumour necrosis factor (TNF) the prototype of a group of host-origin mediators, often known as pro-inflammatory cytokines, came into parasitology, and was subsequently realised to be central to the pathogenesis of most disease pathology. This contribution summarizes an example of how a curiosity-driven outsider, with initially no intention of heading this way, and no relevant experience, and with no more than the simplest of plans but an ambition to read as widely as it takes, and (most importantly) allowed to follow his head, can be what is required to give fresh insight into understanding a disease. It also gives the author's views on aspects of how the field of malaria disease pathogenesis seems to be developing. The hope is to inspire another generation to follow a similarly original course.
Impact of amino acid substitution at residue 9 of HLA‐A2 on the development of acute GVHD in Korean pediatric patients receiving unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Incompatibility of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles between donors and recipients of unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (UHSCT) increases the risk of acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD). We evaluated the positional effect of amino acid substitutions in HLA molecules on severe acute GVHD in Korean pediatric recipients of UHSCT. All of 64 donor–recipient pairs were serologically matched for HLA‐A, ‐B, and ‐DR loci. Only substitution at residue 9 resulting from an HLA‐A*02 polymorphism was significantly associated with the risk of severe acute GVHD in patients (OR = 7.0, P = 0.033) on multivariate analysis. Recipients of this mismatched HLA also showed shortened overall survival (HR = 9.7, P < 0.001) and increased risk for transplant‐related mortality (HR = 9.1, P = 0.027). Structural modeling showed that the amino acid substitution could alter the peptide preference of the ligand‐binding pocket. A single amino acid substitution at position 9 was a major predictor of severe acute GVHD in Korean pediatric patients.
Cardiovascular update

This article provides an update of the current status of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the United States, including a brief review of the underlying pathophysiology and epidemiology. This article presents a discussion of the latest American Heart Association guidelines that introduce the concept of promoting ideal cardiovascular health, defined by seven identified metrics. Specific CVD risk factors and utilization of the 10-year CVD event prediction calculator are discussed. In addition, current management recommendations of health-related conditions that increase risk for CVD, such as hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, are provided. Finally, a discussion of detailed evidence-based lifestyle recommendations to promote cardiovascular health and reduce CVD risks concludes the update.
Nanosized ethosomes-based hydrogel formulations of methoxsalen for enhanced topical delivery against vitiligo: formulation optimization, in vitro evaluation and preclinical assessment

Abstract The present investigation aimed for the development and characterization of ethosomes-based hydrogel formulations of methoxsalen for enhanced topical delivery and effective treatment against vitiligo. The ethosomes were prepared by central composite design (CCD) and characterized for various quality attributes like vesicle shape, size, zeta potential, lamellarity, drug entrapment and drug leaching. The optimized ethosomes were subsequently incorporated int Carbopol® 934 gel and characterized for drug content, rheological behavior, texture profile, in vitro release, ex vivo skin permeation and retention, skin photosensitization and histopathological examination. Ethosomes were found to be spherical and multilamellar in structures having nanometric size range with narrow size distribution, and high encapsulation efficiency. Ethosomal formulations showed significant skin permeation and accumulation in the epidermal and dermal layers. The fluorescence microscopy study using 123 Rhodamine exhibited enhanced permeation of the drug-loaded ethosomes in the deeper layers of skin. Also, the developed formulation showed insignificant phototoxicity and erythema vis-à-vis the conventional cream. The results were cross-validated using histopathological examination of skin segments. In a nutshell, the ethosomes-based hydrogel formulation was found to be a promising drug delivery system demonstrating enhanced percutaneous penetration of methoxsalen with reduced phototoxicity and erythema, thus leading to improved patient compliance for the treatment against vitiligo.
Natural History of Francisella tularensis in Aerosol-Challenged BALB/c Mice

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the natural history and pathogenesis of Francisella tularensis in a murine model of inhalational tularemia with the SchuS4 strain. Before the efficacy of antimicrobials could be assessed in this model, further model development was required to determine the optimal time to start therapy. This study helped define the time course of infection after aerosol challenge by quantifying the presence of bacteria in lung, blood, and spleen at multiple harvest points. In this study, mice were infected via a targeted inhaled dose of 100 50% lethal doses (LD50s) (LD50 = 300 CFU) of F. tularensis by whole-body aerosol. At 1, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 75, 78, 81, 84, 87, and 90 h postchallenge, groups of 15 animals were sacrificed and blood, lung, and splenic tissue samples were harvested, homogenized, plated, and incubated to evaluate the bacterial load in those tissues. It was determined that of the 3 sample types harvested, splenic tissue provided the most consistent bacterial counts, which steadily increased with the progressing infection. Further, it was determined that lung samples from all (15/15) animals were positive for infection at 75 h postaerosolization and that 14/15 animals had positive splenic tissue counts. Bacterial levels in blood were not predictive of treatment initiation. For future therapeutic evaluation studies in this model using F. tularensis (SchuS4), it was determined that therapy should be initiated at 75 h postchallenge and validated by spleen involvement.
SECTION C VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: A NEGLECTED PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE IN LESS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

Violence against women is a significant public health issue in countries of both the industrial- ized and less developed world. This paper describes the magnitude and health consequences of domestic violence and rape. with an emphasis on developing countries; it recognizes, however, that there is a dearth of documentation regarding the wide range of activity opposing violence against women which is taking place in less developed countries. It briefly explores the factors that perpetuate violence against women and the strategies that have evolved to respond to the problem. It analyses the constellation of factors that may assist violence to emerge as a legitimate public health concern, and explores opportunities and obstacles to further progress in this field. Particular attention is devoted to the role of research in the policy-making process; research areas which may assist those opposing violence against women in all its forms are tentatively suggested. K~~~~ ~~~ords~violence against women, developing countries, gender, policy analysis, health policy, violence, research
Plasma fibrinogen — an independent cardiovascular risk factor

Abstract. Apart from being an acute phase reactant, fibrinogen appears to play an important although not widely recognized role in athero‐/thrombogenesis. Arteriosclerotic diseases are associated with elevated levels of plasma fibrinogen. Strategies that lower the cardiovascular risk also lower fibrinogen levels. Virtually all accepted risk factors are associated with hyperfibrinogenaemia, while low risk populations usually have low fibrinogen levels. Epidemiological studies show that fibrinogen is a predictor of arteriosclerotic diseases. Its predictive power seems to be as high as or higher than accepted risk factors. These findings and other circumstantial, as well as experimental, evidence suggest that fibrinogen is a powerful, independent cardiovascular risk factor.
Review of Literature on Working Capital Management and Future Research Agenda

The purpose of this study is to take a stock of what has been studied on working capital management (WCM) so far and ascertain the factors which are more likely to be impacted by poor WCM. Moreover, it aims to spell out the areas for further research on WCM so that the body of knowledge can be expanded. A systematic literature review of the research works on WCM has been performed using Google Scholar. Articles with citations of 50 and above as of June 05, 2018 are considered for the detailed citation based analysis. Further, classification of such articles has been done on the basis of common themes followed by a thorough content analysis. The citation based analysis suggests that there is a growing popularity of studies related to WCM in recent times. However, majority of the impactful studies are published in relatively lower category journals. This further intrigues us to explore the content of such studies. Based on the content, the studies are classified under five different themes. It is found that majority of the highly cited articles have examined the relation between the WCM and profitability of the firms. Moreover, repetitive uses of few proxies in such studies have also been identified. This finding most probably explains the reason behind so many highly cited articles getting published in relatively lower category journals. In view of this, this study tries to explore further scope of research on WCM and lists down potential research questions for the future researches. Firstly, it provides an idea about the most cited area of researches related to WCM and the recent growth of studies in this domain. Academicians can decide upon their future area of research based on the findings related to the proxies and outcome from these studies. Secondly, it shows the most popular avenue of publishing the articles related to WCM which will certainly motivate the researchers to pursue such study. It has been found from the analysis that majority of the impactful articles are published in lower category journals. Therefore, this study identifies the reason behind the same and lists down some innovative research questions to provide some future research directions. Thirdly, the finance managers can use this finding to identify the relevant consequences of poor WCM. Finally, it can serve as a reference point for all future ideas related to WCM. The paper classifies the present literature on WCM into five major themes and performs a content analysis of the same. This is essential as the content analysis highlights different proxies used as inputs which effectively drive efficient WCM. Moreover, the study also identifies the huge scope of future research in the domain of WCM. According to our limited knowledge, such extensive literature review on WCM is rare.
On the rocks? A few sobering thoughts on the growing EU alcohol problem

The consumption of alcoholic beverages has been an important part of European culture for centuries. 1 Alcoholic beverages are important commodities that are widely traded across frontiers. 2 Alcohol is, however, a toxic substance whose excessive consumption is one of the four leading risk factors for the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), 3 which account for around 86% of deaths in the European Union. 4
Long-term follow-up after partial removal of a solitary kidney.

BACKGROUND The removal of more than one kidney in animals leads to proteinuria and progressive renal failure due to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. This injury may be the result of chronic glomerular hyperfiltration. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a reduction in renal mass of more than 50 percent on residual renal function and morphology in humans. METHODS We evaluated long-term renal function in 14 patients with a solitary kidney who had undergone partial nephrectomy for renal-cell or transitional-cell carcinoma. In 12, the first kidney had been removed 2 months to 21 years previously for the same type of cancer; in 2, the other kidney was congenitally atrophic. Before surgery, no patient had clinical or histopathological evidence of primary renal disease. All 14 patients underwent partial nephrectomy to remove a localized tumor, with 25 to 75 percent of the solitary kidney being excised. They were evaluated 5 to 17 years after surgery (mean, 7.7). RESULTS Twelve patients had stable postoperative renal function, and end-stage renal failure developed in two. There were no changes in blood pressure in any patient during follow-up. Nine patients had proteinuria, which was mild (0.15 to 0.8 g of urinary protein per day) in five. The extent of proteinuria was inversely correlated with the amount of remaining renal tissue (P = 0.0065) and directly correlated with the duration of follow-up (P = 0.0005). Four patients with moderate-to-severe proteinuria had renal biopsies, which revealed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in three patients and global glomerulosclerosis in one. CONCLUSIONS Long-term renal function remains stable in most patients with a reduction in renal mass of more than 50 percent. These patients are, however, at increased risk for proteinuria, glomerulopathy, and progressive renal failure.