Search for Leptonic Decays of Dark Photons at NA62.

The NA62 experiment at CERN, configured in beam-dump mode, has searched for dark photon decays in flight to electron-positron pairs using a sample of 1.4×10^{17} protons on dump collected in 2021. No evidence for a dark photon signal is observed.

Performance of race-neutral eGFR equations in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

The 2021 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation [CKD-EPI 2021] is a race-neutral equation recently developed and rapidly implemented as a reference standard to estimate glomerular filtration rate(GFR). However, its role in cirrhosis has not been examined especially in low GFR. We analyzed the performance of CKD-EPI 2021 compared to other equations with protocol-measured GFR (mGFR) in cirrhosis.

Belatacept based immunosuppression: What and when to combine?

Introduction: This study examines the effect of belatacept based salvage regimens on kidney transplant outcomes.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study included all adult kidney transplant recipients between 2011 and 2022 who were converted to belatacept salvage therapy during their follow up. eGFR, graft survival, incidence of infections and neoplasia, histology and DSA data were collected through systematic review of the medical record.

Clinical and biological significance of circulating miRNAs in chronic pancreatitis patients undergoing total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation.

Background: Specific microRNAs (miRNAs) were elevated in chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients during islet infusion after total pancreatectomy (TPIAT). We aimed to identify circulating miRNA signatures of pancreatic damage, predict miRNA-mRNA networks to identify potential links to CP pathogenesis and identify islet isolation and transplantation functional outcomes.

Methods: Small RNA sequencing was performed to identify distinct circulating miRNA signatures in CP.

Improved Quality of Life Among Chronic Pancreatitis Patients Undergoing Total Pancreatectomy With Islet Autotransplantation-Single Center Experience With Large Cohort of Patients.

Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) is the treatment of choice to preserve pancreatic endocrine function, alleviate pain, and improve quality of life (QoL) when other strategies are ineffective for chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients. This study utilized pancreatic disease-specific surveys developed by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) to conduct a comprehensive, single-center examination of a large cohort of patients to gain understanding of QoL post-TPIAT. Two validated QoL surveys of the EORTC-QLQ-C30 and QLQ-PAN26-were administered in a prospective cohort of CP patients during pre-and post-operative scheduled visits.

Elevated tacrolimus levels among COVID-19 kidney transplant recipients are associated with worse disease severity and clinical outcomes.

Background: The therapeutic effects of immunosuppressive drugs against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are being actively investigated. However, COVID-19's potential effects on serum calcineurin inhibitor levels have only been described recently. This study aimed to evaluate COVID-19's effect on tacrolimus levels in renal transplant recipients with moderate to severe symptoms and to assess their potential correlation with disease severity.

Psychosocial Outcomes in Nondirected Uterus Donors 1 Y After Donation.

Background: As uterus transplantation transitions to a clinical procedure for women with absolute uterine-factor infertility, transplant centers performing uterus transplantation need information about the experience of living donors. This study examined the psychosocial impact on 17 nondirected uterus donors in the Dallas UtErus Transplant Study 1 y following donation.

Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted to measure psychosocial outcomes of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, quality of life, and resilience [measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale or Patient Health Questionnaire 9-Item, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the DSM-5, health-related quality of life Short Form-36, and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10-Item, respectively) assessed at baseline, at 6-mo and 1-y follow-up.

Predicting the outcome of liver transplantation in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis: The NASH LT risk-benefit calculator.

Background: Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis is the second most common indication for liver transplantation (LT) in the US and often is associated with significant co-morbidities. We validated a model and risk prediction score that reflects the benefit derived from LT for NASH cirrhosis by predicting 5-year survival post-LT.

Methods: We developed a prediction score utilizing 6515 NASH deceased donor LT (DDLT) recipients from 2002 to 2019 from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) database to identify a parsimonious set of independent predictors of survival.

Three-dimensional muon imaging of cavities inside the Temperino mine (Italy).

Muon radiography (muography) is an imaging technique based on atmospheric muon absorption in matter that allows to obtain two and three-dimensional images of internal details of hidden objects or structures. The technique relies on atmospheric muon flux measurements performed around and underneath the object under examination. It is a non-invasive and passive technique and thus can be thought of as a valid alternative to common prospecting techniques used in archaeological, geological and civil security fields.

Nonselective beta-blocker use is associated with increased hepatic encephalopathy-related readmissions in cirrhosis.

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neurocognitive condition in cirrhosis leading to frequent hospitalizations. Nonselective beta-blockers (NSBBs) are the mainstay of pharmacologic treatment in cirrhotic patients. We hypothesized that since NSBBs decrease cardiac output and portal flow, the decreased metabolic filtering process of liver parenchyma may lead to increased HE-related hospitalizations.

Assessment of donor quality and risk of graft failure after liver transplantation: The ID EAL score.

Accurate assessment of donor quality at the time of organ offer for liver transplantation candidates may be inadequately captured by the donor risk index (DRI). We sought to develop and validate a novel objective and simple model to assess donor risk using donor level variables available at the time of organ offer. We utilized national data from candidates undergoing primary LT (2013-2019) and assessed the prediction of graft failure 1 year after LT.

Spleen-preserving total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation with complete preservation of the splenic arterial and venous supply does not impact islet yield and function.

Background: Standard total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) for chronic pancreatitis includes splenectomy, but TPIAT can be performed without splenectomy by full preservation of the blood supply to the spleen.

Methods: We compared the metabolic and clinical outcomes of patients who underwent TPIAT at our center between 2015 and 2021 with or without splenectomy. A total of 89 patients were included in the study, and 17 of them underwent spleen-preserving total pancreatectomy (SPTP).

Prediction of long-term morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation using two-dimensional shear wave elastography compared with liver biopsy.

The role of noninvasive liver disease assessment by two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) to diagnose fibrosis is well described in patients with chronic liver disease. However, its role in prognosis, especially after liver transplantation (LT) has not been adequately examined. We hypothesized that elevated liver stiffness measurement (LSM) as measured by 2D-SWE after LT predicts future morbidity and mortality independent of fibrosis by liver biopsy.

Motivations and Psychological Characteristics of Nondirected Uterus Donors From The Dallas UtErus Transplant Study.

Introduction: Uterus transplantation has demonstrated success in clinical trials. Questions regarding how it should transition to a clinical procedure must be addressed. A critical element is an evidence regarding the psychological experiences of living uterus donors, especially donors who are nondirected (altruistic).

Psychological Characteristics of Recipients Pretransplantation in the Dallas UtErus Transplant Study (DUETS).

Introduction: Uterus transplantation is now a viable option for fertility treatment for women with absolute uterine factor infertility. Psychological assessment is recommended as a part of the perioperative evaluation process.

Research Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the psychological characteristics and mental health history of the 20 women who participated in the Dallas UtErus Transplant Study (DUETS) trial.

Possible Adrenal Involvement in Long COVID Syndrome.

: A significant number of patients with COVID-19 experience prolonged symptoms, known as Long COVID. The most frequent symptoms are fatigue and cognitive dysfunction. We describe a patient suffering from Long COVID in whom adrenal involvement was highlighted.

Search for Lepton Number and Flavor Violation in K^{+} and π^{0} Decays.

Searches for the lepton number violating K^{+}→π^{-}μ^{+}e^{+} decay and the lepton flavor violating K^{+}→π^{+}μ^{-}e^{+} and π^{0}→μ^{-}e^{+} decays are reported using data collected by the NA62 experiment at CERN in 2017-2018. No evidence for these decays is found and upper limits of the branching ratios are obtained at 90% confidence level: B(K^{+}→π^{-}μ^{+}e^{+})<4.2×10^{-11}, B(K^{+}→π^{+}μ^{-}e^{+})<6.

A new cylindrical borehole detector for radiographic imaging with muons.

Muon radiography is a methodology which enables measuring the mass distribution within large objects. It exploits the abundant flux of cosmic muons and uses detectors with different technologies depending on the application. As the sensitive surface and geometric acceptance are two fundamental parameters for increasing the collection of muons, the optimization of the detectors is very significant.

Estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate in Cirrhosis Using Creatinine-Based and Cystatin C-Based Equations: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Accurate estimation of kidney function in cirrhosis is crucial for prognosis and decisions regarding dual-organ transplantation. We performed a systematic review/meta-analysis to assess the performance of creatinine-based and cystatin C (CysC)-based eGFR equations compared with measured GFR (mGFR) in patients with cirrhosis. A total of 25 studies (n = 4565, 52.

Effects of Initial Hepatic Artery Followed by Portal Reperfusion Technique on Deceased Donor Liver Transplant Outcomes.

Objectives: Although initial portal vein reperfusion of a liver allograft is nearly standardized, limited data suggest initial hepatic artery reperfusion may improve hemodynamics and posttransplant outcomes.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed orthotopic liver transplants performed between January 2013 and February 2018. Parameters of liver recipients with initial hepatic artery reperfusion were compared with those with initial portal vein reperfusion.

HyperBeta: characterizing the structural dynamics of proteins and self-assembling peptides.

Self-assembling processes are ubiquitous phenomena that drive the organization and the hierarchical formation of complex molecular systems. The investigation of assembling dynamics, emerging from the interactions among biomolecules like amino-acids and polypeptides, is fundamental to determine how a mixture of simple objects can yield a complex structure at the nano-scale level. In this paper we present HyperBeta, a novel open-source software that exploits an innovative algorithm based on hyper-graphs to efficiently identify and graphically represent the dynamics of [Formula: see text]-sheets formation.

Predicting Long-term Survival After Liver Transplantation in Patients With NASH Cirrhosis.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis is the second most common indication for liver transplantation (LT) in the United States. Patients are increasingly older at presentation, with higher rates of metabolic syndrome, obesity, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and renal failure. They are also at higher risk of cardiovascular events and mortality while on the waiting list and in the post-transplant period.

Multicenter validation of the liver graft assessment following transplantation (L-GrAFT) score for assessment of early allograft dysfunction.

Background & Aims: Early allograft dysfunction (EAD) following liver transplantation (LT) negatively impacts graft and patient outcomes. Previously we reported that the liver graft assessment following transplantation (L-GrAFT) risk score was superior to binary EAD or the model for early allograft function (MEAF) score for estimating 3-month graft failure-free survival in a single-center derivation cohort. Herein, we sought to externally validate L-GrAFT, and compare its prognostic performance to EAD and MEAF.