julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Reperfusion of the Transplanted Liver: Heterogeneous Techniques in European Transplantation Centres
2012-11-01

Introduction: Liver transplantation is the standard treatment for endstage liver cirrhosis as well as for certain primary and secondary tumours. However, the reperfusion technique of the liver graft after transplantation has not been standardized. It is still unclear from the literature which method of revascularization is the best in terms of the development of complications and quality of liver graft function. Aim: To compare the experience of different European transplantation centres concerning the sequence of reperfusion of the liver graft at transplantation. Methods: An online survey was sent to 37 European transplantation centres in order to collect information about the centre-specific technique of liver reperfusion and the reason for the adopted technique. Results: By the end of January 2012, 28 European transplantation centres (75,7%) had responded to our survey, which was sent per e-mail in November 2011. 26 of the 28 responses could be included in this study. 10 centres from 26 (38,5%) perform simultaneous reperfusion; 16 centres (61,5%) perform sequential reperfusion, 13 (81,25%) of which are anterograde and 3 (18,75%) retrograde. 12 of the 13 (92,3%) centres performing the sequential anterograde reperfusion first revascularize the portal vein, one centre (7,7%) first revascularizes first the hepatic artery. One (8,3%) of the centres performing the sequential anterograde reperfusion first using the portal vein does not use this technique on children; in this case simultaneous reperfusion is performed. In 20 of the 26 (77%) centres, the technique and order of reperfusion is standardized. In 19 (95%) of these centres, this standard is based on personal/institutional experience; only in 1 (5%) centre the technique used is based on available literature. In 6 (23%) centres, the technique is not standardized and is left at the discretion of the surgeon performing the procedure. Most of the 26 (73%) centres agree on the need for randomized controlled trials (RCT) in this field and would participate in a multicenter RCT. Conclusion: The most frequently used reperfusion technique (46,1%) in European transplantation centres is the anterograde sequential reperfusion via the portal vein first. In 20 of the 26 centres (77 %), the procedure used is standard. Only 1 (3,8%) centre based the decision of how to reperfuse on available literature. These results confirm a lack of evidence-based data and therefore a lack of consensus on the optimal reperfusion techniques. Almost all European transplantation centres base their decision on personal/institutional experience. These results demonstrate the need for RCTs, which most of the centres would support.
The Medically Complex Donor - An Increasing Challenge in Living Donor Kidney Transplantation
2012-11-01

Rationale: Living kidney donation is associated with better patient and graft survival. The long-term risk for the healthy donor is not substantially increased. However, with demographic, social and health changes, we face an increasing number of medically complex living donors. Despite the growing number of living kidney donations, few data is published on criteria of donor evaluation. The 2004 Amsterdam Forum consensus statement provides a framework, yet huge differences exist in clinical practice among transplant centers. We provide data from our university hospital kidney donor evaluation program. Methods: Follow-up of 90 donor-recipient pairs, presenting to our transplant center between 03/2007 and 08/2011 was included in the analysis. Outcomes of donor-recipient evaluation were assessed and declinations stratified into donor- or recipient reasons and underlying conditions. Results: 49% of presenting donor-recipient pairs were accepted for transplantation, among them one-fourth in an AB0 or HLA-incompatible setting. 51% of presenting donor-recipient pairs were declined at first assessment, 26% for recipient reasons and 74% for donor reasons. Almost half of donor declinations were due to increased cardiovascular risk with the presence of diabetes mellitus or prediabetes (IFT, IGT) as the largest single cause of declination. In selected patients, lifestyle intervention allowed donation at a later timepoint. Long-term outcome of accepted donors is excellent. Conclusion: We demonstrate a declination rate of about 50 % of donorrecipient pairs upon first evaluation, reflecting the increasingly complex and comorbid patients presenting to our transplant center. The large majority of declinations is for donor reasons. The prevalence of metabolic disorders (i.e. (pre)diabetes, obesity) emphasizes the need for lifestyle intervention and prevention. We suggest structured programs for living donor preconditioning. This may increase the number of persons eligible for kidney donation.
A set of specific miRNAs is connected with murine and human gastric cancer
2012-11-02

Abstract MircoRNAs as a new class of regulatory molecules have been investigated in many specific cells and organs in healthy and diseased conditions. Although miRNA signatures can be directly assessed in patients' affected tissues such as tumor sections, recent studies revealed that miRNA profiles can also be obtained indirectly, that is, from the patients' peripheral blood. For better understanding of miRNA's contribution to gastric carcinoma (one of the leading causes of cancer‐related mortality worldwide), we screened for deregulated miRNAs in blood collected from human cancer patients and compared the expression patterns with a gastric carcinoma mouse model ( Tff1 knock‐out). The profiles were assessed using species‐specific miRNA microarrays. Among many dozens of deregulated miRNAs (219 in H. sapiens ; 75 in M. musculus ), a subset of eight miRNAs comparable in sequence from both species was noted. By in silico analysis, their involvement in targeting neoplastic and MAPkinase pathways was demonstrated. We found a high probability of linkage of all noted miRNAs to pathways in cancer with P ‐values of 0.013 and 0.018 in mice and humans, respectively. Linkage to the MAPK‐signaling pathway in mice was observed with a P ‐value of 0.01. Moreover, when comparing the 219 deregulated miRNAs obtained from blood with deregulated miRNAs derived from gastric cancer (GC) tissues, as published previously, 24 miRNAs were identical. If confirmed in a larger patient pool, these miRNAs could constitute appropriate blood‐born biomarkers for GC. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Oncological outcome and prognostic factors in the therapy of soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities
2012-11-02

Uniform conclusions about therapeutic concepts and survival time of bone and soft tissue sarcoma patients are difficult due to the heterogeneity of histological subtypes as well as the different responses to neoadjuvant therapy. The subject of this retrospective study was the analysis of tumour free survival, risk and prognostic factors of sarcoma patients treated by limb sparing techniques or amputation. We included 118 patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities treated primarily or secondarily at our institution between 1990 and 2008 with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Data about the tumour free survival time, operative techniques and potential prognostic factors were analysed. The tumour-specific and overall survival were significantly influenced by two factors: the grading and distant metastases present at time of diagnosis. Optimal multimodal therapeutic concepts at a specialized Cancer Center decreased the risk of local recurrence. The importance of optimal preoperative and surgical course concerning the oncological long term outcome was investigated. The decrease in local recurrence as a result of multimodal therapeutic concepts at a specialized Cancer Center was confirmed. To evaluate the individual prognosis of a patient, multiple factors have to be considered. Factors for a poor prognosis are primary metastasis, high-grade tumours and several histological entities (e.g. synovial sarcoma, not other specified).
BOLD Signal in memory paradigms in hippocampal region depends on echo time
2012-11-02

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the hypothesis that the entire hippocampus might be affected by susceptibility artifacts. Previous studies described susceptibility artifacts in the amygdala and the anterior hippocampus. Materials and Methods: We investigated 20 subjects with a verbal memory paradigm aiming at testing two different TEs (45 vs. 64 msec) at 1.5 T for hippocampal blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) activity. T2* maps were calculated from the normalized mean echo‐planar imaging (EPI) of the two echo times (TEs). Results: Within the hippocampal region of interest (ROI), the amount of suprathreshold voxels was significantly higher at TE = 64 msec compared to TE = 45 msec. When corrected for multiple comparisons (family‐wise error [FWE] in a small volume of interest, P &lt; 0.05) we no longer found significant activations at TE = 45 msec, while a significant number of voxels remained after the small volume correction ( P &lt; 0.05, FWE) within the ROI at TE = 64 msec. Conclusion: Although a shorter TE demonstrates advantages, a TE of 45 msec leads to a significant loss of BOLD signal detection in memory functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies when compared to 64 msec. We assume that the hippocampal region, even the anterior part, is not strongly affected by susceptibility gradients. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1064–1071. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A homoleptic tetravalent cerium silylamide
2012-11-05

Treatment of Ce[N(SiHMe(2))(2)](3)(thf)(2) with the chlorinating agents PhICl(2), Ph(3)CCl or C(2)Cl(6) gave the homoleptic Ce(IV) silylamide Ce[N(SiHMe(2))(2)](4). When performed in the absence of donating (solvent) molecules, the trivalent cluster Ce(5)[N(SiHMe(2))(2)](8)Cl(7) was isolated.
Jet production in (un)polarizedppcollisions: Dependence on jet algorithm
2012-11-05

We investigate single-inclusive high-p(T) jet production in longitudinally polarized pp collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, with particular focus on the algorithm adopted to define the jets. Following and extending earlier work in the literature, we treat the jets in the approximation that they are rather narrow, in which case analytical results for the corresponding next-to-leading order partonic cross sections can be obtained. This approximation is demonstrated to be very accurate for practically all relevant situations, even at Tevatron and LHC energies. We confront results for cross sections and spin asymmetries based on using cone and k(t)-type jet algorithms. We find that jet cross sections at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider can differ significantly depending on the algorithm chosen, but that the spin asymmetries are rather robust. Our results are also useful for matching threshold-resummed calculations of jet cross sections to fixed-order ones.
A novel series of conferences tackling the hurdles confronting the translation of novel cancer immunotherapies
2012-11-05

While there has been significant progress in advancing novel immune therapies to the bedside, much more needs to be done to fully tap into the potential of the immune system. It has become increasingly clear that besides practical and operational challenges, the heterogeneity of cancer and the limited efficacy profile of current immunotherapy platforms are the two main hurdles. Nevertheless, the promising clinical data of several approaches point to a roadmap that carries the promise to significantly advance cancer immunotherapy. A new annual series sponsored by Arrowhead Publishers and Conferences aims at bringing together scientific and business leadership from academia and industry, to identify, share and discuss most current priorities in research and translation of novel immune interventions. This Editorial provides highlights of the first event held earlier this year and outlines the focus of the second meeting to be held in 2013 that will be dedicated to stem cells and immunotherapy.
On-Chip Integrated Mid-Infrared GaAs/AlGaAs Mach–Zehnder Interferometer
2012-11-06

We report the design, fabrication, and first functional verification of mid-infrared (MIR; 3-12 μm) Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs). The developed MIR-MZIs are entirely chip-integrated solid-state devices based on GaAs/AlGaAs technology waveguide fabricated via conventional optical lithography and reactive ion etching (RIE). Thus, fabricated MIR-MZIs were combined with a broadly tunable quantum cascade laser (tQCL) providing a wavelength coverage of 5.78-6.35 μm. MIR-MZIs have been designed with a waveguide width of 5 μm to ensure single mode behavior, avoiding optically undefined interference patterns. Several structures with different opening angles of the Y-junction were fabricated and tested for maximizing IR radiation throughput. This study demonstrates the feasibility of the very first chip-integrated mid-infrared Mach-Zehnder structures via interference patterns produced by minute amounts of water deposited at different positions of the MIR-MZI structure.
Effects of spatial patterns on the pollination success of a less attractive species
2012-11-06

Plant individuals rely on pollinator services for their reproduction and often have to share these services with co‐occurring neighbours, creating complex indirect plant–plant interactions. Many current theoretical models focus on the effect of floral resources’ density on the net outcome of these indirect plant–plant interactions, often neglecting the identity of plant species in the communities and especially the species’ spatial pattern. To fill this gap, we created a spatially explicit model whose goal was to study the interplay between relative densities and spatial distribution patterns of two plant species differing in their attractiveness for pollinators. Since theory predicts that pollinator behaviour strongly governs the outcome of pollination, we allowed the pollinators to systematically change their plant preferences based on their foraging experience. Thus the interplay between density and spatial patterns of plants was tested over a continuum of behaviours from specialists to generalists. Our most striking finding was that reproductive success of the less attractive species was affected in an opposite way by spatial patterns depending on whether the species had relatively low or high densities. Namely, when the less attractive species was highly abundant, its survival was higher when aggregated in large monospecific patches than when uniformly distributed. On the other hand, when the attractive species was more abundant, the less attractive species survived better when uniformly distributed. These results were consistent as long as the scale of the plant spatial aggregation was similar to or larger than the pollinators’ detection range. Our results suggest that aggregated plant spatial patterns manipulate pollinator behaviour by trapping them within monospecific patches. This effect was sufficiently strong to enhance the survival of a competitively inferior species and hence to act in a way similar to the more familiar niche or temporal separation among plant species.
Heterogeneity of the Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) Gene and Metabolic Risk Factors in the EPIC-Potsdam Study
2012-11-06

These findings suggest that there are no associations between common variants of SCD1 or its inferred haplotypes and the investigated metabolic risk factors. However, given the results from animal models, heterogeneity of human SCD1 warrants further investigation, in particular with regard to rare variants.
A flow cytometry-based workflow for detection and quantification of anti-plasmodial antibodies in vaccinated and naturally exposed individuals
2012-11-06

Abstract Background Antibodies play a central role in naturally acquired immunity against Plasmodium falciparum . Current assays to detect anti-plasmodial antibodies against native antigens within their cellular context are prone to bias and cannot be automated, although they provide important information about natural exposure and vaccine immunogenicity. A novel, cytometry-based workflow for quantitative detection of anti-plasmodial antibodies in human serum is presented. Methods Fixed red blood cells (RBCs), infected with late stages of P . falciparum were utilized to detect malaria-specific antibodies by flow cytometry with subsequent automated data analysis. Available methods for data-driven analysis of cytometry data were assessed and a new overlap subtraction algorithm (OSA) based on open source software was developed. The complete workflow was evaluated using sera from two GMZ2 malaria vaccine trials in semi-immune adults and pre-school children residing in a malaria endemic area. Results Fixation, permeabilization, and staining of infected RBCs were adapted for best operation in flow cytometry. As asexual blood-stage vaccine candidates are designed to induce antibody patterns similar to those in semi-immune adults, serial dilutions of sera from heavily exposed individuals were compared to naïve controls to determine optimal antibody dilutions. To eliminate investigator effects introduced by manual gating, a non-biased algorithm (OSA) for data-driven gating was developed. OSA-derived results correlated well with those obtained by manual gating (r between 0.79 and 0.99) and outperformed other model-driven gating methods. Bland-Altman plots confirmed the agreement of manual gating and OSA-derived results. A 1.33-fold increase (p=0.003) in the number of positive cells after vaccination in a subgroup of pre-school children vaccinated with 100 μg GMZ2 was present and in vaccinated adults from the same region we measured a baseline-corrected 1.23-fold, vaccine-induced increase in mean fluorescence intensity of positive cells (p=0.03). Conclusions The current workflow advances detection and quantification of anti-plasmodial antibodies through improvement of a bias-prone, low-throughput to an unbiased, semi-automated, scalable method. In conclusion, this work presents a novel method for immunofluorescence assays in malaria research.
Safety, efficacy and convenience of colistimethate sodium dry powder for inhalation (Colobreathe DPI) in patients with cystic fibrosis: a randomised study
2012-11-07

CDPI demonstrated efficacy by virtue of non-inferiority to TIS in lung function after 24 weeks of treatment. There was no emergence of resistance of P aeruginosa to colistin. Overall, CDPI was well tolerated. TRIAL REG NO: EudraCT 2004-003675-36.
The Head and Neck Anatomy of Sea Turtles (Cryptodira: Chelonioidea) and Skull Shape in Testudines
2012-11-07

In C. caretta and L. kempii the ability to suction feed does not seem to be as well developed as that found in some freshwater aquatic turtles. Instead both have skulls suited to forceful biting. This is consistent with the observation that both taxa tend to feed on relatively slow moving but sometimes armoured prey. The broad fleshy origin of the m. adductor mandibulae externus Pars superficialis may be linked to thecheek region being almost fully enclosed in bone but the relationship is complex.
Prospective Analysis of Falls in Dominant Ataxias
2012-11-07

In a previous retrospective study, we demonstrated that falls are common and often injurious in dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) and that nonataxia features play an important role in these falls. Retrospective surveys are plagued by recall bias for the presence and details of prior falls. We therefore sought to corroborate and extend these retrospective findings by means of a prospective extension of this fall study. 113 patients with SCA1, SCA2, SCA3 or SCA6, recruited from the EuroSCA natural history study, were asked to keep a fall diary in between their annual visits to the participating centres. Additionally, patients completed a detailed questionnaire about the first three falls, to identify specific fall circumstances. Relevant disease characteristics were retrieved from the EuroSCA registry. 84.1% of patients reported at least one fall during a time period of 12 months. Fall-related injuries were common and their frequency increased with that of falls. The presence of nonataxia symptoms was associated with a higher fall frequency. This study confirms that falls are a frequent and serious complication of SCA, and that the presence of nonataxia symptoms is an important etiological factor in its occurrence.
Inflammatory prognostic markers in clear cell renal cell carcinoma – preoperative C ‐reactive protein does not improve predictive accuracy
2012-11-07

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? White blood cell count and C‐reactive protein are reliable prognostic RCC Biomarkers.Nevertheless, accepted cut‐offs for risk stratifications are missing. Therefore, both parameters were re‐evaluated and multivariable analyses revealed an optimal CRP breakpoint at 0.25 mg/dL to be best to stratify patients at risk of cancer‐specific mortality. However, this CRP‐based prediction added no additional information compared to a clinico‐pathological based model. Objective To re‐evaluate the prognostic and predictive significance of the preoperative white blood cell ( WBC ) count and C ‐reactive protein ( CRP ) that independently predicts patient prognosis and to determine optimal threshold values for CRP . Patients and Methods From 1996 to 2005, 327 patients with surgery for clear cell renal cell carcinoma were retrospectively evaluated. Cox proportional hazard models were used, adjusted for the effects of tumour stage, size, Fuhrman grade and Karnofsky index, to evaluate the prognostic significance of WBC count and CRP and to identify threshold values. Identified thresholds were correlated with clinicopathological parameters and used to estimate cancer‐specific survival. To prove any additional predictive accuracy of the identified threshold it was compared with a clinicopathological base model using the H arrell concordance index (c‐index). Results In univariable analyses WBC count was a significant prognostic marker at a concentration of 9.5/μ L (hazard ratio [ HR ] 1.83) and 11.0/μ L ( HR 2.09) and supported CRP values of 0.25 mg/d L ( HR 6.47, P &lt; 0.001) and 0.5 mg/d L ( HR 7.15, P &lt; 0.001) as potential threshold values. If adjusted by the multivariable models WBC count showed no clear breakpoint, but a CRP value of 0.25 mg/d L ( HR 2.80, P = 0.027) proved to be optimal. Reduced cancer‐specific survival was proved for CRP 0.25 mg/d L (median 69.9 vs 92.3 months). Median follow‐up was 57.5 months with 72 (22%) tumour‐related deaths. The final model built by the addition of CRP 0.25 mg/d L did not improve predictive accuracy (c‐index 0.877) compared with the clinicopathological base model (c‐index 0.881) which included TNM stage, grading and K arnofsky index. Conclusions Multivariable analyses revealed that an optimal breakpoint of CRP at a value of 0.25 mg/d L was best to stratify patients at risk of cancer‐specific mortality, but CRP 0.25 mg/d L added no additional information in the prediction model. Therefore we cannot recommend measuring CRP as the traditional parameters of TNM stage, grading and K</jats:st