Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcome in cadaveric renal transplant recipients treated with cyclosporine A and mycophenolate mofetil versus cyclosporine A and azathioprine.

BACKGROUND Recent multicenter reports have demonstrated improved outcome in recipients of cadaveric renal transplants treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) versus azathioprine (AZA) in combination with cyclosporine A (CSA) and prednisone. We compared the outcome at our center in patients treated with MMF versus AZA, CSA, and prednisone. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 242 adult cadaveric renal transplant recipients treated between 11/91 and 5/97. We compared 25 donor variables and 27 recipient variables and outcome parameters between patients treated with MMF versus AZA. There were 117 patients treated with CSA+AZA, 84 with CSA+MMF, and 42 who received other immunosuppressive strategies. RESULTS There were no significant differences in any clinically important donor variables. Patients treated with MMF versus AZA and CSA had significantly fewer rejections and readmissions. There was no significant difference in 1- or 2-year patient survival. Recipients treated with MMF had a 5% higher graft survival at 2 years, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS Outcome is improved in adult recipients of cadaveric renal transplants treated with MMF versus AZA in combination with CSA and prednisone.
Incongruency effects in affective processing: Automatic motivational counter-regulation or mismatch-induced salience?

Attention is automatically allocated to stimuli that are opposite in valence to the current motivational focus (Rothermund, 2003; Rothermund, Voss, & Wentura, 2008). We tested whether this incongruency effect is due to affective–motivational counter-regulation or to an increased salience of stimuli that mismatch with cognitively activated information. Affective processing biases were assessed with a search task in which participants had to detect the spatial position at which a positive or negative stimulus was presented. In the motivational condition, positive or negative affective–motivational states were induced by performance feedback after each trial. In the cognitive activation condition, participants memorised the word “good” or “bad” during the search task. The affective incongruency effect was replicated in the motivational condition, whereas an affective congruency effect obtained in the cognitive activation condition. These findings support an explanation of affective incongruency effects in terms of automatic counter-regulation that is motivational in nature.
The Risk Management Mechanism of China’s Bidding Rotating Savings and Credit Association: A Case Study of Chengnan Village in Wenzhou

ABSTRACT China’s rural economy growth since the reform has been very rapid. The informal finance including the bidding Rotating Savings and Credit Association (ROSCA) has emerged to meet increasing funding needs of rural residents. This paper conducts a survey on Chengnan Village in Wenzhou to analyze how bidding ROSCA operates and the roles bidding ROSCA’s participants play as investors and borrowers, and thus to identify the potential risk. By explaining bidding ROSCA’s both internal and external risk management mechanisms, it finds that village ethical community is the informal institutional foundation of risk management.
Identification of a site involved in the block by extracellular Mg2+ and Ba2+ as well as permeation of K+ in the Kir2.1 K+ channel

The inward rectifier potassium channel Kir2.1 is more sensitive to the weakly voltage‐dependent block by extracellular Mg2+ (Mg2+0) than Kir2.2 and Kir2.3. We identified Glu125 in an extracellular loop before the pore region of Kir2.1 as a site responsible for this sensitivity to M2+0 block, based on the observations that the Glu125Gln (E125Q) mutation strongly decreased the sensitivity, while a mutation to Glu at the corresponding sites of Kir2.2 and 2.3 led to an increase. The negative charge proved to be crucial since the Glu125Asp (E125D) mutant showed similar properties to the wild type (WT). A similar weakly voltage‐dependent block was also caused by extracellular Ca2+ and La3+ in Kir2.1 WT but not in the E125Q mutant. The sensitivity to block by extracellular Ba2+ (Ba2+0) was also decreased in the E125Q mutant, although the voltage dependency of half‐inhibition concentration was not changed, as reported previously. We additionally observed that the speed of Ba2+0 block and recovery was decelerated by the presence of Mg2+0 in WT, but not in the E125Q mutant. The sensitivity to the block by Mg2+0 was increased by lowering extracellular K+ (K+0), suggesting a competitive interaction of Mg2+0 and K+0. The single‐channel conductance of the WT in 140 mm K+ was 39.6 pS (0 mm Mg2+0) and 11.5 pS (10 mm), while that of the E125Q mutant was 26.0 pS (0 mm) and 19.6 pS (10 mm). These results demonstrate that Mg2+ competes with K+ permeation in the WT and that E125 is required for efficient K+ permeation in the absence of Mg2+0. We conclude that E125 in an extracellular loop of Kir2.1 is a site which facilitates K+ permeation and entry of Ba2+ toward a deeper plugging site, and that Mg2+0 competes with K+0 and Ba2+0 at this site.
Development of Damage Prediction Formula for Natural Disasters Considering Economic Indicators

Damage caused by natural disasters produces the difference of damage size not only according to damage volume or size, but a national economic level. In addition, budgets and aids should be constantly acquired for disaster management since natural disasters sporadically or irregularly occur. This study proposed disaster management methods by countries considering natural disaster damage documents and economic indicators from 1900 to 2017 among 187 countries in the world. It developed a damage prediction formula considering damage documents of previous natural disasters, economic indicators by countries, and basic indicators as disaster management methods by countries. Independent variables of the damage prediction formula include GDP, population, and area. It applied multiple regression analysis and calculated average human losses due to death, human losses affected, and damage costs by countries. Regarding the adjusted R² of the natural disaster damage prediction formula, the human losses from deaths mean was 0.893, the human losses affected mean was 0.915, and the damage costs mean was 0.946, which had higher explanatory powers. Therefore, results from this study are considered to calculate quantitative damage sizes considering uncertain damage sizes of natural disasters, economic indicators by countries, and are used as indicators for disaster management.
Plasma glucose and insulin responses to mixed meals: Impaired fasting glucose re-visited

Background: In individuals with varying glucose tolerance, glucose and insulin comparisons are usually made based on response to oral glucose challenge. However, an oral glucose tolerance test may not reflect daylong glucose and insulin excursions in response to meals. To better understand individuals with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), we compared insulin action as well as plasma glucose and insulin responses to mixed meals in individuals with normal fasting glucose (NFG; n = 141) and IFG (n = 148) concentrations. Methods: Insulin action was quantified by determining steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) concentrations during the insulin suppression test. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were measured before and hourly after two mixed meals. Results: SSPG concentrations were significantly higher in the IFG group (11.8 ± 3.6 vs. 9.1 ± 3.8 mmol/l). Mean hourly daylong glucose (6.4 ± 0.07 vs. 5.5 ± 0.04 mmol/l) and insulin (390 ± 20 vs. 279 ± 15 pmol/l) concentrations were also higher in those with IFG (p < 0.001). Daylong incremental meal-stimulated glucose response, however, was comparable (p = 0.77) in the two groups, whereas the incremental insulin response was 44% higher in the IFG group. Conclusion: Although individuals are currently defined as having IFG based on fasting plasma glucose concentration, our data show that these individuals with IFG also are insulin resistant and have higher daylong insulin concentrations.
Effects of contact time on the sequestration and bioavailability of different classes of hydrophobic organic chemicals to benthic oligochaetes (Tubificidae)

Differences in bioavailability of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOC) to benthic deposit feeders have been related to differences in sediment‐HOC contact time and sequestration (formation of slowly desorbing fractions) status. As a consequence, it was postulated that contact time and/or sequestration should be incorporated into risk assessment. In the present study, we investigated the effect of contact time on the bioavailability and sequestration of different classes of HOC. For this purpose, we simultaneously measured the steady‐state accumulation into benthic oligochaetes (Tubificidae) and the distribution over rapidly and slowly desorbing fractions in laboratory‐contaminated sediment at different contact times. The decrease in rapidly desorbing fractions (Frap) of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and 2,2‐bis (4‐chlorophenyl)‐1,1‐dichloroe‐thylene (p,p′‐DDE) after a contact time of 959 d did not exceed a factor of 1.2. Similarly, the reduction in bioavailability was a factor of 2.3 at maximum, indicating that long contact times do not necessarily result in pronounced bioavailability reduction. For chlorobenzenes, the bioavailability was reduced with a factor of 5 to 18. This decrease corresponded with a pronounced reduction in Frap, which was attributed to losses of rapidly desorbing compounds. Over 75% of the variation in biota‐to‐sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) of the PAHs and chlorobenzenes at the three contact times could be explained by differences in Frap. The present study provides evidence of a relationship between sequestration status and bioavailability of HOC to benthic deposit feeders.
Selectivity of fatty acid mobilization: a general metabolic feature of adipose tissue.

This study extends our earlier work (T. Raclot and R. Groscolas. J. Lipid Res. 34: 1515-1526, 1993), which showed that, under norepinephrine-stimulated lipolysis, fatty acids of rat retroperitoneal fat cells are selectively mobilized. The present study examines whether this selective mobilization of fatty acids 1) is based on their proportions in adipose tissue, 2) is a metabolic feature common to all adipose tissues, and/or 3) depends on the lipolysis-stimulating agent. Rat fat cells with two markedly different fatty acid compositions were isolated from four white adipose tissues and treated with three lipolytic agents. Fatty acid composition of in vitro released free fatty acids was compared with that of fat cell triacylglycerols, the ratio of percent in free fatty acid to percent in triacylglycerol being defined as the relative mobilization rate (RMR). The RMR of individual fatty acids was related to their molecular structure. It increased exponentially with unsaturation for a given chain length and decreased with increasing chain length for a given unsaturation. The selectivity of fatty acid mobilization was similar regardless of the fatty acid composition of adipose tissue, the tissue location, and the lipolytic agent used. Under conditions of stimulated lipolysis, the selectivity of fatty acid mobilization is therefore a general metabolic feature of adipose tissue. Fatty acids with 16-20 carbon atoms and 4 or 5 double bonds had the highest RMR (from 1.4 to > 5), whereas fatty acids with 20-22 carbon atoms and 0 or 1 double bond had the lowest RMR (from 0.3 to 0.7). For the other fatty acids, RMR was close to unity. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Visual Aura Rating Scale (VARS) for Migraine Aura Diagnosis

To supplement the traditional ICHD-2 diagnosis for migraine with aura (MA) we developed a diagnostic scale for migraine aura that quantifies the importance of the cardinal characteristics of MA. Since more than 99% of MA patients have visual aura, we developed for simplicity a Visual Aura Rating Scale (VARS). In total 427 patients with MA (ICHD-2) or nonaura visual disturbances were diagnosed in a validated semistructured interview by a trained physician. The patients were separated into a derivation sample and a validation sample. By regression analysis we identified the visual aura characteristics associated with MA in the derivation sample. Based on the identified characteristics we developed VARS and derived a predictive VARS score which was tested in the validation sample. The VARS score is the weighted sum of the presence of five visual symptom characteristics: duration 5-60 min (3 points), develops gradually ≤5 min (2 points), scotoma (2 points), zig-zag lines (2 points), and unilateral (1 point). The maximum score is 10 points. A VARS score of 5 or more diagnosed MA with a sensitivity of 96% (95% CI 92-99%) and a specificity of 98%(95% CI 95-100%) in the derivation sample, and a sensitivity of 91% (95% CI 86-95%) and a specificity of 96% (95% CI 91-100%) in the validation sample. VARS adds evidence based weights to a number of clearly specified characteristics; it is easy to learn, apply and teach and may therefore be a valuable addition to traditional ICHD-2 diagnosis.
Diurnal variation of the P-wave dispersion in chronic ischemic heart diseases

ObjectiveElectrocardiographic indices like maximum P-wave duration (Pmax) and P-wave dispersion (PD) can be used to detect patients with atrial conduction disorders, myocardial ischemia and those at risk for atrial fibrillation. Considering the diurnal variation of ischemia in patients with significant coronary lesions, this study was designed to investigate the diurnal variation of eventual atrial conduction abnormalities. MethodsForty-eight patients (31 male) with typical angina were grouped according to coronary angiography results as group 1 – 70% or more luminal reduction in at least one of the coronary arteries (n=28), and group 2 – normal coronary arteries (n=20). The difference between the Pmax and minimum P-wave durations (Pmin) is designated as PD. The diurnal Pmax, Pmin and PD values were compared between and within the groups. ResultsThe morning Pmax value of group 1 was significantly higher than the value of group 2 (112±1 vs. 102±1 ms, P<0.001). The morning PD of group 1 was significantly higher than that of group 2 (54±9 vs. 48±1 ms, P<0.05). The morning Pmax of group 1 (112±1 ms) was significantly higher than its afternoon (102±9 ms) and night (102±1 ms) values (P<0.001). The morning PD of group 1 (54±9 ms) was higher than the afternoon (40±10 ms) and night (43±9 ms) PD (P<0.001). No significant difference was observed between the Pmax, Pmin and PD values in group 2 (P>0.05). ConclusionThis study demonstrated that coronary heart disease patients have higher morning Pmax and PD values that may be important regarding prediction of timing and treatment of atrial conduction disorders in myocardial ischemia.
Virtual Temporal Bone Dissection: An Interactive Surgical Simulator

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to integrate current and emerging technology in virtual systems to provide a temporal bone dissection simulator that allows the user interactivity and realism similar to the cadaver laboratory. STUDY DESIGN: Iterative design and validation of a virtual environment for simulating temporal bone dissection. SETTING: University otolaryngology training program with interdisciplinary interaction in a high-performance computer facility. RESULTS: The system provides visual, force feedback (haptic), and aural interfaces. Unlike previous “fly through” virtual systems, this environment provides a richer emulation of surgical experience. CONCLUSION: The system provides a high level of functional utility and, through initial evaluations, demonstrates promise in adding to traditional training methods. SIGNIFICANCE: The system provides an environment to learn temporal bone surgery in a way similar to the experience with cadaver material where the subject is able to interact with the data without constraints (nondeterministic). Eventually, it may provide the “front end” to a large repository of various temporal bone pathologies that can be accessed through the Internet.
Losing Weight on Reality TV: A Content Analysis of the Weight Loss Behaviors and Practices Portrayed on The Biggest Loser

A number of weight loss–related reality television programs chronicle the weight loss experience of obese individuals in a competitive context. Although highly popular, such shows may misrepresent the behavior change necessary to achieve substantial weight loss. A systematic, quantitative content analysis of Seasons 10–13 (n = 66 episodes) of The Biggest Loser was conducted to determine the amount of time and number of instances that diet, physical activity, or other weight management strategies were presented. The average episode was 78.8 ± 15.7 min in length. Approximately 33.3% of an episode, representing 1,121 segments, portrayed behavioral weight management–related content. Within the episode time devoted to weight management content, 85.2% was related to physical activity, 13.5% to diet, and 1.2% to other. Recent seasons of The Biggest Loser suggest that substantial weight loss is achieved primarily through physical activity, with little emphasis on modifying diet and eating behavior. Although physical activity can impart substantial metabolic health benefits, it may be difficult to create enough of an energy deficit to induce significant weight loss in the real world. Future studies should examine the weight loss attitudes and behaviors of obese individuals and health professionals after exposure to reality television shows focused on weight loss.
Effects of the Phytoestrogen Coumestrol on Locomotor and Fear-Related Behaviors in Female Mice

Effects of the estrogenic plant isoflavonoid coumestrol (COUM) on locomotor activity and fear-related behaviors in both the absence and the presence of estradiol benzoate (EB) were examined in adult ovariectomized Swiss-Webster mice. In a running wheel paradigm conducted over 10 days, with treatment beginning 12 days prior to testing, daily subcutaneous (sc) injections of 10 microg of COUM did not influence locomotor activity, whereas even the low dose of EB supplied by sc Silastic implant (2.5 microg lasting 5 weeks) produced a significant increase in locomotor activity over animals receiving vehicle alone. In animals receiving both COUM and EB, locomotor activity was significantly diminished compared to the activity observed in animals receiving EB alone. The same animals were also tested in three behavioral paradigms having known activity and fear components (open field, dark/light transition, elevated plus-maze). COUM did not produce significant effects in these assays. However, in an associative fear learning paradigm (fear conditioning), COUM produced significantly less freezing ("fearfulness") in the conditioned fear task than with animals receiving vehicle or a low dose of EB, which did not differ from each other. Unlike EB, which has comparable affinities for estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and ER beta, COUM has a higher affinity for ER beta than for ER alpha. COUM might disrupt estrogen-enhanced locomotor activity by altering the dynamic by which EB acts on the brain through these two ER isoforms. The conditioned fear result suggests that COUM may produce additional effects through alternative pathways.
Do adult mental health services identify child abuse and neglect? A systematic review

Child abuse and neglect play a causal role in many mental health problems. Knowing whether users of mental health services were abused or neglected as children could be considered essential for developing comprehensive formulations and effective treatment plans. In the present study we report the findings of a systematic review, using independent searches of three databases designed to discover how often mental health staff find out whether their clients were abused or neglected as children. Twenty-one relevant studies were identified. Most people who use mental health services are never asked about child abuse or neglect. The majority of cases of child abuse or neglect are not identified by mental health services. Only 28% of abuse or neglect cases identified by researchers are found in the clients' files: emotional abuse, 44%; physical abuse, 33%; sexual abuse, 30%; emotional neglect, 17%; and physical neglect, 10%. Between 0% and 22% of mental health service users report being asked about child abuse. Men and people diagnosed with psychotic disorders are asked less than other people. Male staff ask less often than female staff. Some improvement over time was found. Policies compelling routine enquiry, training, and trauma-informed services are required.
Postreperfusion inflammation: a model for reaction to injury in cardiovascular disease.

In the preceding section various strategies to interdict postreperfusion inflammatory injury of the myocardium were proposed; effectively the strategies were aimed at specific targets such as stimuli which control cell motility, mechanisms of alteration of cell phenotype, and the induction of cell adhesion and proliferation. It is of interest to see how similar these targets would be if one were to attempt a cell biological approach to vascular injury which results in subintimal hyperplasia. In the latter, cells in the media adopt a phenotype which allows cell migration in the direction of a gradient (presumably chemotactic) which directs them to the subintima which is the site of injury. This motility is associated with the expression in these cells of non-muscle myosin and beta actin, both of which are implicated in the motility of leucocytes. Another similarity between acute inflammation and subintimal hyperplasia relates to the role of cellular adhesion as an important determinant of cell motility. As reviewed above, leucocyte motility involves cell adhesion mediated by a class of molecules termed leucocyte integrins (beta 2 integrins) which vary in their alpha subunits and share CD18 as a common beta subunit (CD11a/CD18 = LFA-1, CD11b/CD18 = Mac-1). The activation and inactivation of these integrins is associated with a high and low affinity state, and motility is effected by the cycling of high and low affinity states as well as by cytoskeleton mediated redistribution of adhesion molecules on the leucocyte membrane. In similar fashion, the migration of medial cells and macrophages to the subintima is associated with specific adhesion to extracellular matrix. This adhesion is mediated by similar classes of integrins containing varying alpha subunits and common beta subunits (in this case beta 1 or beta 3) that have been also shown to undergo activation and inactivation cycles yielding high and low affinity states. The similarities between these integrin mediated adhesion events in leucocytes and in the vascular cells is further emphasised by the fact that leucocytes also contain beta 1 integrins; in fact monocytes and T-lymphocytes express a beta 1 integrin (VLA-4) which supports transmigration out of the vascular space via its interaction with VCAM-1 as an alternative to beta 2 integrin-ICAM-1 adhesion. Substantial evidence suggests that integrin mediated adhesion also functions as a transducer of cell secretion of matrix proteins, growth factors, and cytokines from smooth muscle cells, tissue macrophages, transmigrated leucocytes, and endothelial cells. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)