Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
kidney transplantation : res ults and measures to improve outcome

Current Opinion in Organ Transplantation 2010, 15:177–182 Purpose of review The purpose of the present review is to describe the current kidney preservation techniques for donors after cardiac death and to give insight in new developments that may reduce warm ischemia times and therefore improve graft function after transplantation. Recent findings There is still a general reluctance to use donors after cardiac death for kidney donation and transplantation, because of a relatively high incidence of delayed graft function and primary nonfunction compared to conventional donors after brain death. New clinically applicable methods, such as automated chest compression devices and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, may reduce warm ischemia time. Summary Kidneys from donors after cardiac death sustain an increased incidence of delayed graft function and primary nonfunction. However, transplanted kidneys that do not experience these complications survive as long as conventional kidneys from donors after brain death. Maintaining adequate organ perfusion after cardiac death by using automated chest compression devices and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation reduces warm ischemia time. Optimal organ preservation and careful selection of kidneys from donors after cardiac death may reduce the risk of delayed graft function and primary nonfunction. Major efforts should continue to be made to improve the quality of kidneys from donors after cardiac death and thereby expand the utilization of this large pool of donor kidneys to its full potential.
Audit fees, perceived audit risk, and the financial crisis of 2008

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how audit fees change in responding to the financial crisis of 2008. It also examines auditors’ perceived risk and how they priced the risk in the financial crisis. Design/methodology/approach Using a sample of 20,930 firm-year observations, this paper examines the change of audit fees before, during and after the financial crisis, as well as the relationship between audit fees and restatements. Furthermore, this study investigates whether this relationship between audit fees and restatements strengthened during the financial crisis. Findings The paper finds that audit fees increase as a result of the macro-systemic risks from the crisis. It also finds that there is a significantly positive relationship between audit fees and restatements, which is a proxy of risk factors related to poor financial reporting quality and poor audit quality. However, the results show that there is no significant change of the fees–restatements relationship in the financial crisis period. Research limitations/implications The main limitation of this study is that no definite answer can be provided for the question that whether auditors believe that poor audit quality and audit failures are leading up to the financial crisis. The test rejects the alternative hypothesis. However, it does not necessarily prove the null hypothesis is true. Originality/value This paper contributes to the current literature by analyzing not only the impact of the financial crisis on audit fees, but also how the accounting profession views its own role in the financial crisis.
Knowledge Fit and Productivity Gains from Employee Mobility

Previous research has established that employee mobility can lead to individual gains in productivity. However, the mechanisms underlying these productivity gains remain the subject of speculation. Using survey data on 869 inventors from 21 countries listed in European patent applications, we show that ‘knowledge fit’ (the extent to which employees’ knowledge is applicable to their new jobs) is positively related to productivity gains from mobility. We further show that the reason for moving (willing or unwilling move) is not directly related to productivity gains. Finally, we find that the relationship between knowledge fit and productivity gains is contingent on the nature of the technology. It is more pronounced in environments involving more tacit knowledge.
Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and low-level laser therapy on neuromuscular parameters and health status in elderly women with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and low-level laser therapy on neuromuscular parameters and health status in elderly subjects with knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN A randomized evaluator-blinded clinical trial. SUBJECTS Forty-five elderly women with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS Subjects were randomized into 1 of the following 3 intervention groups: electrical stimulation group (18-32 min pulsed current, stimulation frequency 80 Hz, pulse duration 400 μs, stimulation intensity 40% of maximal isometric voluntary contraction), laser group (dose 4-6 J per point, 6 points at the knee joint) or combined group (electrical stimulation plus laser therapy). The outcomes included muscle thickness and anatomical cross-sectional area (ultrasonography), knee extensors' electrical activity (electromyography), torque (dynamometry) and health status (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index). All groups underwent a 4-week control period (without intervention) followed by an 8-week intervention period. RESULTS Muscle thickness and anatomical cross-sectional area increased in the electrical stimulation and combined groups. All groups presented similar improvements in torque, electrical activity and health status. CONCLUSION Electrical stimulation alone or in combination with laser therapy generated positive effects on all evaluated parameters. Laser therapy increased health status and electrical activity, but had no effect on muscle mass.
Glucocorticoid‐induced leucine zipper (GILZ): a new important mediator of glucocorticoid action

Glucocorticoids (GCs) represent the mainstay of current anti‐inflammatory and immunosuppressive strategies, mediating effects that mostly result in transcriptional regulation of glucocorticoid receptor target genes. A variety of actions are tied together in the response to GC treatment. Dissecting the beneficial from the detrimental actions in GC therapy is a major challenge in basic research, raising the critical issue of whether a single target gene or gene family might eventually be linked to a specific GC function. Glucocorticoid‐induced leucine zipper (GILZ) was originally discovered in studies aimed at characterizing genes targeted by dexamethasone. The first suggestion that GILZ plays an important role in GC immunomodulation came from observations of GILZ up‐regulation by GCs, mainly in lymphoid organs, and inhibition of anti‐CD3‐induced activation and apoptosis. The identification of GILZ interaction with and inhibition of NF‐κB provided a first molecular mechanistic basis for explaining GILZ effects on T cells. Subsequently, other GILZ targets have been identified, including AP‐1, Raf‐1, and Ras, all involved in GC effects. The finding that GILZ silencing abrogates the antiproliferative activity of dexamethasone and reduces GC inhibition of cytokine‐induced COX‐2 expression clearly gained GILZ a distinguished reputation within the critical mediators of GC effects. The multiple functions of GILZ and their potential biological relevance are here reviewed. —Ayroldi, E. , Riccardi, C. Glucocorticoid‐induced leucine zipper (GILZ): a new important mediator of glucocorticoid action. FASEB J. 23, 3649‐3658 (2009). www.fasebj. org
Enhanced single-channel K+ current in arterial membranes from genetically hypertensive rats.

Arterial smooth muscle from hypertensive rats shows an increased membrane permeability to K+ that depends on Ca2+ influx. To define the mechanism of this membrane alteration, we tested the hypothesis that Ca(2+)-dependent K+ current (IK(Ca)) is increased in arterial muscle membranes from genetically hypertensive rats. Single-channel K+ currents measured in cell-attached and inside-out aortic membrane patches from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were compared with those from normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Inside-out patches from both rat strains showed a predominant 225 pS, Ca(2+)- and voltage-dependent K+ channel in symmetrical 145 mM KCl solutions, which was blocked by tetraethylammonium [concentration for half-maximal block (IC50) < or = 0.3 mM]. In cell-attached patches of aortic muscle cells bathed in physiological salt solution, this channel [IK(Ca) channel] showed a fivefold higher open-state probability (NPo) in SHR as compared with WKY. This increased NPo of SHR IK(Ca) channels in membranes of intact aortic muscle cells was not correlated with an altered membrane potential in current-clamped SHR myocytes or with changes in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration in fura-2-loaded aortic muscle cells. However, inside-out aortic membrane patches from SHR showed more detected IK(Ca) channels per patch, a higher IK(Ca) channel NPo, and a greater total patch current than their WKY counterparts. Further analysis revealed a greater Ca2+ sensitivity of SHR than WKY IK(Ca) channels. These results suggest that IK(Ca) channel function is altered in isolated membrane patches of arterial muscle from genetically hypertensive rats. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The clinical spectrum of freezing of gait in atypical parkinsonism

Freezing of gait (FOG), commonly seen in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD), has been classified as its fifth cardinal feature. However, its presence frequently leads to a misdiagnosis of PD. FOG is actually more common in atypical parkinsonism (AP): including vascular Parkinsonism (VP), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), multiple system atrophy (MSA), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and higher level gait disorders (HLGDs). VP is the result of multiple small vessel infarcts (lacunar state or Binswanger's disease), particularly involving the frontal, parietal, and basal ganglia regions. Approximately 50% have FOG (often referred to as lower body parkinsonism). FOG is also common in neurodegenerative forms of AP, present in 45–57%. Of these, FOG is present in 53% of PSP, 54% MSA, 54% DLB, 25% CBD, and 40% HLGD. It is generally seen in the late stages. There are two syndromes closely associated with AP that are dominated by FOG; pure akinesia (PA) and primary progressive freezing gait (PPFG). PA is characterized by akinesia of gait (including FOG), writing, and speech. Tremor, rigidity, dementia, and response to levodopa are notably absent. PPFG is defined by early FOG (often the initial feature) that progresses to include postural instability. It is accompanied by bradykinesia, rigidity, postural tremor, dementia, and levodopa unresponsiveness. Both syndromes are heterogeneous but PSP seems to be the most common cause. CBD and DLB can also present as PPFG. FOG is a common feature of AP and although typically occurring late in disease may also be an early symptom. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Interferometric Technique for Measuring Terahertz Antenna Phase Patterns

A quasi-optical interferometric technique capable of measuring antenna phase patterns without the need for a heterodyne receiver is presented. It is particularly suited to the characterization of terahertz antennas feeding power detectors or mixers employing quasi-optical local oscillator injection. Examples of recorded antenna phase patterns at frequencies of 1.4 and 2.5 THz using homodyne detectors are presented. To our knowledge, these are the highest frequency antenna phase patterns ever recovered. Knowledge of both the amplitude and phase patterns in the far field enable a Gauss-Hermite or Gauss-Laguerre beam-mode analysis to be carried out for the antenna, of importance in performance optimization calculations, such as antenna gain and beam efficiency parameters at the design and prototype stage of antenna development. A full description of the beam would also be required if the antenna is to be used to feed a quasi-optical system in the near-field to far-field transition region. This situation could often arise when the device is fitted directly at the back of telescopes in flying observatories. A further benefit of the proposed technique is simplicity for characterizing systems in situ, an advantage of considerable importance as in many situations, the components may not be removable for further characterization once assembled. The proposed methodology is generic and should be useful across the wider sensing community, e.g., in single detector acoustic imaging or in adaptive imaging array applications. Furthermore, it is applicable across other frequencies of the EM spectrum, provided adequate spatial and temporal phase stability of the source can be maintained throughout the measurement process. Phase information retrieval is also of importance to emergent research areas, such as band-gap structure characterization, meta-materials research, electromagnetic cloaking, slow light, super-lens design as well as near-field and virtual imaging applications.
Diastolic Spontaneous Calcium Release From the Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Increases Beat-to-Beat Variability of Repolarization in Canine Ventricular Myocytes After &bgr;-Adrenergic Stimulation

Rationale: Spontaneous Ca2+ release (SCR) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum can cause delayed afterdepolarizations and triggered activity, contributing to arrhythmogenesis during &bgr;-adrenergic stimulation. Excessive beat-to-beat variability of repolarization duration (BVR) is a proarrhythmic marker. Previous research has shown that BVR is increased during intense &bgr;-adrenergic stimulation, leading to SCR. Objective: We aimed to determine ionic mechanisms controlling BVR under these conditions. Methods and Results: Membrane potentials and cell shortening or Ca2+ transients were recorded from isolated canine left ventricular myocytes in the presence of isoproterenol. Action-potential (AP) durations after delayed afterdepolarizations were significantly prolonged. Addition of slowly activating delayed rectifier K+ current (IKs) blockade led to further AP prolongation after SCR, and this strongly correlated with exaggerated BVR. Suppressing SCR via inhibition of ryanodine receptors, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibition, or by using Mg2+ or flecainide eliminated delayed afterdepolarizations and decreased BVR independent of effects on AP duration. Computational analyses and voltage-clamp experiments measuring L-type Ca2+ current (ICaL) with and without previous SCR indicated that ICaL was increased during Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release after SCR, and this contributes to AP prolongation. Prolongation of QT, Tpeak-Tend intervals, and left ventricular monophasic AP duration of beats after aftercontractions occurred before torsades de pointes in an in vivo dog model of drug-induced long-QT1 syndrome. Conclusions: SCR contributes to increased BVR by interspersed prolongation of AP duration, which is exacerbated during IKs blockade. Attenuation of Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release by SCR underlies AP prolongation via increased ICaL. These data provide novel insights into arrhythmogenic mechanisms during &bgr;-adrenergic stimulation besides triggered activity and illustrate the importance of IKs function in preventing excessive BVR.
Recombinant activated coagulation factor VII and bleeding trauma patients.

BACKGROUND Recombinant activated coagulation factor VII (rFVIIa) is increasingly being administered to massively bleeding trauma patients. rFVIIa has been shown to correct coagulopathy and to decrease transfusion requirements. However, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that rFVIIa improves the survival of these patients. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not rFVIIa has an effect on the in-hospital survival of massively bleeding trauma patients. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 1, 2000 to January 31, 2005, at a Level I trauma center in Toronto, Canada. Inclusion criteria included trauma patients requiring transfusion of 8 or more units of packed red cells within the first 12 hours of admission. The primary exposure of interest was the administration of rFVIIa. Primary outcome was a 24-hour survival and secondary outcome was overall in-hospital survival. RESULTS There were 242 trauma patients identified who met inclusion criteria; 38 received rFVIIa. rFVIIa patients were younger, had more penetrating injuries, and fewer head injuries. However, rFVIIa patients required more red cell transfusions initially, and were more acidotic. Administering rFVIIa was associated with improved 24-hour survival, after adjusting for baseline demographics and injury factors. The odds ratio (OR) for survival was 3.4 (1.2-9.8). Furthermore, there was a strong trend toward increased overall in-hospital survival. The OR of in-hospital survival was 2.5 (0.8-7.6). Also, subgroup analysis of rFVIIa patients showed that 24-hour survivors required a slower initial rate of red cell transfusion (4.5 vs. 2.9 units/hr, p = 0.002), had higher platelet counts (175 vs. 121 [x10(-9)/L], p = 0.05) and smaller base deficits (7.1 vs. 14.3, p = 0.001) compared with rFVIIa patients who died during the first 24 hours. CONCLUSION rFVIIa may be able to improve the early survival of massively bleeding trauma patients. However, surgical control of massive hemorrhage still has primacy, as rFVIIa did not appear efficacious if extremely high red cell transfusion rates were required. Also, correction of acidosis and thrombocytopenia may be important for rFVIIa efficacy. Prospective studies are required.
Effect of CYP2C19 Polymorphism on the Pharmacokinetics of Voriconazole After Single and Multiple Doses in Healthy Volunteers

The current study assessed the influence of the CYP2C19 genotype on the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of voriconazole after single and multiple oral doses in healthy volunteers. Six subjects for the CYP2C19 homozygous extensive metabolizer (EMs), 6 for heterozygous extensive metabolizer (HEMs), and 6 for poor metabolizer (PMs) were enrolled, and their CYP2C9, CYP3A5, and MDR1 genotypes were analyzed. After a single intravenous infusion or single and multiple oral doses of 200 mg of voriconazole, plasma concentrations of voriconazole were measured. Bioavailability was not significantly different among the CYP2C19 genotypes. Voriconazole exposure in PMs was approximately 3 times higher compared with EMs after a single intravenous or oral dose. At steady state, the plasma concentration just before the next dosing and area under the concentration‐time curve from dosing to the time point of the next dosing for PMs were about 5 times and 3 times higher than EMs, respectively. These results suggest that the CYP2C19 genotype is the major determinant of the wide PK variability of voriconazole.
Amplification of the Platelet‐Derived Growth Factor Receptor‐A (PDGFRA) Gene Occurs in Oligodendrogliomas with Grade IV Anaplastic Features

Activation of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling system has been implicated in the development and malignant progression of diffuse gliomas. Overexpression of PDGF system components, particularly the alpha subtype receptor (PDGFRA), is common in glial tumors, and PDGFRA gene amplification has been reported in glioblastomas. In order to address the incidence of PDGFRA gene amplification in a broad set of diffuse gliomas, we used Southern and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses to examine 167 astrocytic gliomas (20 grade III and 147 grade IV), 41 anaplastic oligodendrogliomas, and 29 anaplastic oligoastrocytomas. PDGFRA gene amplification was identified in 4 anaplastic oligodendrogliomas and in a single case of anaplastic oligoastrocytoma, but in none of the malignant astrocytomas. Each of the 5 tumors with PDGFRA amplification displayed features generally associated with grade IV malignancy in astrocytic tumors. Consequently, our data indicate that this gene alteration is restricted to tumors having oligodendroglial differentiation and highly anaplastic features.
Theoretical study of on-chip meander line resistor to improve Q-factor

In this paper, the theoretical configuration geometry of the layout on-chip meander line resistor was studied and investigated. Various simulation of the geometric design on-chip resistor in a range Giga Hertz frequency are performed. The effect of the quality factor of each design geometry of meander line resistor on high frequency operation was in deep studied and discussed. Besides, parameter extraction geometry of this on-chip meander line resistor was introduced. As a result, the parameter line length (h), line segment (N) and then following by spacing (d) and width (w), which are playing an important role on designing the geometry layout to improve the Q-factor. Throughout the scaling graphical method, it has been granted out optimize value combination of parameter by improving almost 70% of Q-factor and loss of resistance less than 17% of the nominal design. The result of the Design optimization configuration has low Q-factor when compared with a nominal Design nominal configuration. This is because of the large value of number segment (N) and smaller numbers of line length (h), which has less coupling effect and less resistivity effect. All result base on mathematics computation data was discussed and performed.
Incorporation of acyl moieties of phospholipids into murein lipoprotein in intact cells of Escherichia coli by phospholipid vesicle fusion

The biosynthesis of the acyl moieties in murein lipoprotein was studied by fusion of [3H]palmitate-labeled phospholipid vesicles with intact cells of an fadD mutant of Escherichia coli. A linear increase in the incorporation of [3H]palmitate radioactivity into both the ester- and amide-linked fatty acids in lipoprotein was observed during a 3-h chase after the fusion. Addition of chloramphenicol completely prevented the incorporation of [3H]palmitate from phospholipids to lipoprotein. These results strongly support our hypothesis that the acyl moieties in phospholipids are the precursors for the fatty acids in murein lipoprotein of E. coli. Among the major glycerophosphatides in E. coli, no specificity was observed regarding the efficacy of the donor.
Diversity and Functional Analysis of Bacterial Communities Associated with Natural Hydrocarbon Seeps in Acidic Soils at Rainbow Springs, Yellowstone National Park

ABSTRACT In this paper we describe the bacterial communities associated with natural hydrocarbon seeps in nonthermal soils at Rainbow Springs, Yellowstone National Park. Soil chemical analysis revealed high sulfate concentrations and low pH values (pH 2.8 to 3.8), which are characteristic of acid-sulfate geothermal activity. The hydrocarbon composition of the seep soils consisted almost entirely of saturated, acyclic alkanes (e.g., n-alkanes with chain lengths of C15 to C30, as well as branched alkanes, predominately pristane and phytane). Bacterial populations present in the seep soils were phylogenetically characterized by 16S rRNA gene clone library analysis. The majority of the sequences recovered (>75%) were related to sequences of heterotrophic acidophilic bacteria, including Acidisphaera spp. and Acidiphilium spp. of the α-Proteobacteria. Clones related to the iron- and sulfur-oxidizing chemolithotroph Acidithiobacillus spp. were also recovered from one of the seep soils. Hydrocarbon-amended soil-sand mixtures were established to examine [14C]hexadecane mineralization and corresponding changes in the bacterial populations using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of 16S rRNA gene fragments. Approximately 50% of the [14C]hexadecane added was recovered as 14CO2 during an 80-day incubation, and this was accompanied by detection of heterotrophic acidophile-related sequences as dominant DGGE bands. An alkane-degrading isolate was cultivated, whose 16S rRNA gene sequence was identical to the sequence of a dominant DGGE band in the soil-sand mixture, as well as the clone sequence recovered most frequently from the original soil. This and the presence of an alkB gene homolog in this isolate confirmed the alkane degradation capability of one population indigenous to acidic hydrocarbon seep soils.