Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunogenicity and Safety of Meningococcal C Conjugate Vaccine in Children and Adolescents Infected and Uninfected with HIV in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Background: We aimed to evaluate the Meningococcal (Neisseria meningitidis) C conjugated (MCC) vaccine seroconversion and adverse events (AEs) in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected children and adolescents in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods: HIV-infected or HIV-uninfected subjects, 2–18 years old, with CD4+ T-lymphocyte cell (CD4) percentage >15%, without active infection or antibiotic use, were enrolled. All patients were evaluated before and 1–2 months after immunization for seroconversion (defined as ≥4-fold titer increase in human serum bactericidal activity) and at 20 minutes, 3 and 7 days after immunization for AEs. Factors associated with seroconversion among HIV-infected group were studied. Results: Two hundred four subjects were enrolled: 154 HIV-infected and 50 HIV-uninfected. Median age was 12 years, and 53% were female. Among the HIV-infected group, 82 (53%) had a history of at least 1 C clinical category of Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention event, and 134 (87%) were using combination antiretroviral therapy. The median nadir CD4 percentage was 13% (0–47%). Seventy-six (37.3%) experienced mild AEs. Seroconversion occurred in 46 of 154 (30%) in the HIV-infected group and in 38 of 50 (76%) in the uninfected group (P < 0.01). Factors associated with seroconversion in the HIV-infected group were as follows: never had a C clinical category event [odds ratio (OR) = 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0–4.4]; undetectable viral load at immunization (OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.1–5.2) and higher CD4 nadir/100 cells (OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0–1.2). Conclusion: MCC vaccine should be administered to HIV-infected children and adolescents after maximum immunologic and virologic benefits have been achieved with combination antiretroviral therapy. Our data suggest that a single dose of MCC vaccine is insufficient for HIV-infected individuals 2–18 years of age.
University Teachers and Technology Mentoring — Why, How and for Whom?

Modern teaching methods, including the need to use information technology in teaching, are receiving increasingly more attention in higher education pedagogy. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the technology mentoring programme that was launched in the University of Tartu and to categorise the reasons why 15 university teachers who specialise in the field of education decided to take part in the technology mentoring programme, describe their expectations of the programme and describe their current teaching practices with regard to employing ICT at the start of the mentoring programme. Results indicate that the main reason for joining the programme was the teachers' wish to make learning more interesting for both themselves and their students. By joining the programme, university teachers hoped to gain more knowledge of various ways to use technology in teaching, thereby supporting students in their learning efforts. The opportunity to have systematic discussions about teaching-related topics with other participants of the technology mentoring programme was also considered an asset. At the start of the programme, the university teachers described their own experience of using ICT mainly in connection with information retrieval, content creation and communication.
You are what you include: large-scale evaluation of remote javascript inclusions

JavaScript is used by web developers to enhance the interactivity of their sites, offload work to the users' browsers and improve their sites' responsiveness and user-friendliness, making web pages feel and behave like traditional desktop applications. An important feature of JavaScript, is the ability to combine multiple libraries from local and remote sources into the same page, under the same namespace. While this enables the creation of more advanced web applications, it also allows for a malicious JavaScript provider to steal data from other scripts and from the page itself. Today, when developers include remote JavaScript libraries, they trust that the remote providers will not abuse the power bestowed upon them. In this paper, we report on a large-scale crawl of more than three million pages of the top 10,000 Alexa sites, and identify the trust relationships of these sites with their library providers. We show the evolution of JavaScript inclusions over time and develop a set of metrics in order to assess the maintenance-quality of each JavaScript provider, showing that in some cases, top Internet sites trust remote providers that could be successfully compromised by determined attackers and subsequently serve malicious JavaScript. In this process, we identify four, previously unknown, types of vulnerabilities that attackers could use to attack popular web sites. Lastly, we review some proposed ways of protecting a web application from malicious remote scripts and show that some of them may not be as effective as previously thought.
Association Between Metformin Adherence and All-Cause Mortality Among New Users of Metformin: A Nested Case-Control Study

Background: Metformin presents better survival rates than other oral antidiabetics in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, these benefits may be dampened by inadequate treatment adherence. Objective: We aimed to investigate the relationship between adherence level to metformin therapy and all-cause mortality over 10 years in incident metformin users. Methods: A nested case-control study was conducted using a large cohort of beneficiaries of the Quebec public drug insurance plan, aged 45 to 85 years, who initiated metformin between 2000 and 2009. Each case of all-cause death during follow-up was matched with up to 10 controls. Adherence to metformin was measured using the medication possession ratio (MPR). Conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate rate ratios (RRs) for mortality between adherent (MPR ≥ 80%) and nonadherent patients (MPR < 80%). Subgroup analyses were conducted according to age (45-64 and 65-85 years) and comedication use (antihypertensive/cardiovascular drugs and statins). Results: The cohort included 82 720 incident metformin users, followed up for 2.4 [0.8-4.4] years (median [interquartile range]) and 4747 cases of all-cause deaths. Analyses revealed decreased mortality risks after long-term adherence to metformin. Specifically, RRs were 0.84 (95% CI = [0.71-0.98]) and 0.69 [0.57-0.85] after 4 to 6 and ≥6 years of adherence to metformin, respectively. Survival benefits of long-term adherence (≥4 years) were also observed across most subgroups and particularly in patients using neither antihypertensive/cardiovascular drugs nor statins (0.57 [0.41-0.77]). Conclusions: Long-term adherence to metformin is associated with decreased risks of all-cause mortality in incident metformin users. Further research should investigate whether survival benefits vary according to the comorbidity burden of patients.
The prognostic value of node status in different breast cancer subtypes

Nodal metastases and breast cancer subtypes (BCS) are both well-recognized prognostic indicators. However, the association between nodal metastases and BCS, and the prognostic value of nodal metastases in different BCS are still remains unclear. Our aim was to investigate the association between nodal metastases and BCS, and the prognostic value of nodal metastases in the different BCS. We found that the breast cancer subtype was closely associated with the pN stage. pN stage and breast cancer subtype were significantly associated with disease-free survival. The subgroup analysis showed that the patients in higher pN stage had a poor outcome than patients in lower pN stage in each breast cancer subtype. Furthermore, when the analysis was stratified by breast cancer subtype, we found that even in the same pN stage (pN0-pN2), there was significant survival difference among patients in different BCS, and Luminal A breast cancer patients had the best survival outcome. However, there were no significant survival difference between Luminal A patients and other breast cancer subtype when patients in pN3 stage. Thus, our study suggested that both lymph node status and molecular subtype played important roles in the outcome of breast cancer patients and they cannot replace each other.
Silicate Binding and Precipitation on Iron Oxyhydroxides.

Silica-bearing waters in nature often alter the reactivity of mineral surfaces via deposition of Si complexes and solids. In this work, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to identify hydroxo groups at goethite (α-FeOOH) and lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) surfaces that are targeted by ligand exchange reactions with monomeric silicate species. Measurements of samples first reacted in aqueous solutions then dried under N2(g) enabled resolution of the signature O-H stretching bands of singly (-OH), doubly (μ-OH), and triply coordinated (μ3-OH) groups. Samples reacted with Si for 3 and 30 d at pH 4 and 7 revealed that -OH groups were preferentially exchanged by silicate and that μ-OH and μ3-OH groups were not exchanged. Based on knowledge of the disposition of -OH groups on the major crystallographic faces of goethite and lepidocrocite, and the response of these groups to ligand exchange prior oligomerization, our work points to the predominance of rows of mononuclear monodentate silicate species, each separated by at least one -OH group. These species are the attachment sites from which oligomerization and polymerization reactions occur, starting at loadings exceeding ∼1 Si/nm2 and corresponding to soluble Si concentrations that can be as low as ∼0.7 mM after 30 d reaction time. Only above such loadings can reaction products grow away from rows of -OH groups and form hydrogen bonds with nonexchangeable μ-OH and μ3-OH groups. These findings have important repercussions for our understanding of the fate of waterborne silicate ions exposed to minerals.
Bilateral medial iliac lymph node excision by a ventral laparoscopic approach: technique description

The aim of this study was to describe a ventral laparoscopic technique for bilateral medial iliac lymphadenectomy in dogs. Twelve intact male purpose-bred research dogs, weighing less than 15 kg, were positioned in dorsal recumbency, and a 3-portal technique was used. Bilateral dissection was performed with vessel-sealing devices while tilting the surgical table by up to 30° towards the contralateral side of the target medial iliac lymph node (MILN) without changing the surgeon’s position. Using a ventral laparoscopic approach, bilateral MILNs were identified and excised in all dogs. The mean times for unilateral and bilateral MILN dissections were 9.7 ± 3.8 and 21.0 ± 6.0 min, respectively. The mean times for the right and left MILN dissections were 10.8 ± 4.3 and 9.8 ± 2.5 min, respectively. The mean total surgery time was 43.7 ± 7.7 min. In total, 26 MILNs were dissected. Several complications, including mild to moderate capillary hemorrhage from perinodal fat and vessels (controlled laparoscopically), mild spleen trauma caused by the first trocar insertion and capsular damage of MILNs, were observed. However, there were no other major complications. All MILN samples were evaluated and deemed suitable for histopathologic diagnosis. Laparoscopic excision of MILNs is a useful method of excisional biopsy for histopathologic diagnosis. Using this ventral laparoscopic approach with the 3-portal technique, bilateral MILN dissection suitable for obtaining histopathologic samples could be achieved in a short time in dogs weighing less than 15 kg.
Association of increased postoperative opioid administration with non-small-cell lung cancer recurrence: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that opioid-sparing anaesthetic techniques might be associated with increased cancer-free postoperative survival. This could be related to suppression of natural killer cells by opioid analgesics in the perioperative period. This retrospective analysis tested the hypothesis that greater opioid use in the postoperative period is associated with a higher incidence of recurrences after surgery for lung cancer. METHODS The medical records of 99 consecutive patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with lobectomy for Stage I or IIa biopsy-proven non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were reviewed. Perioperative information including patient characteristics, laboratory data, and surgical, anaesthetic, nursing, and pharmacy reports were collected. Doses of opioids administered intra-operatively and for the first 96 h after operation were converted into equianalgesic doses of oral morphine using a standard conversion table. Data were then compared with the National Cancer Registry's incidence of disease-free survival for 5 yr. RESULTS A total of 99 patients with similar characteristics were included in the final analysis, 73 of whom were NSCLC recurrence-free at 5 yr and 26 had NSCLC recurrence within 5 yr. Total opioid dose during the 96 h postoperative period was 124 (101) mg of morphine equivalents in the cancer-free group and 232 mg (355) mg in the recurrence group (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS This retrospective analysis suggests an association between increased doses of opioids during the initial 96 h postoperative period with a higher recurrence rate of NSCLC within 5 yr.
Community navigators reduce hospital utilization in super-utilizers.

OBJECTIVES Super-utilizers place a significant burden on the healthcare system. Blending the roles of patient navigators and community health workers may address the clinical and social needs of these patients. This study evaluated the effectiveness of community navigators in reducing hospital utilization and costs among super-utilizers from a low-income area in Memphis, Tennessee. STUDY DESIGN Controlled pre-post (difference-in-differences [DID]) design using Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare electronic health records from 2013 to 2016. METHODS Data were abstracted for 1 year pre- and post intervention for super-utilizers working with a community navigator (n = 159) and a control group of similar super-utilizers (n = 280). We compared utilization (hospital encounters, total hospital days, days between encounters, 30-day readmissions) and costs before and after working with a navigator for the intervention group with utilization and costs in a control group not working with a navigator and compared relative changes using a DID approach. RESULTS Utilization and cost outcomes for intervention and control groups declined significantly from the pre- to postintervention periods. Relative to the control group, super-utilizers working with community navigators had an additional 13% reduction in hospital encounters (95% CI, -19% to -6%), 8% reduction in total hospital days (95% CI, -14% to -2%), and 9% increase in days between encounters (95% CI, 4%-15%). The intervention group also had additional reductions in 30-day readmissions (-18%; 95% CI, -44% to 22%) and costs (-$4903; 95% CI, -$13,579 to $3774), but these were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Community navigators can reduce subsequent hospital utilization in super-utilizers. Expansions of this model should examine the model's effectiveness in other populations and outcomes.
Effects of Right-Wing Populist Political Advertising on Implicit and Explicit Stereotypes

Abstract. We investigated the effects of antiforeigner political advertisements on implicit and explicit stereotypes. While stereotypical associations may become automatically activated (implicit stereotypes), individuals can reject these thoughts and decide not to use them for an overtly expressed judgment (explicit stereotypes). We hypothesized that even if citizens negated stereotypical content, advertisements might still affect implicit stereotypes. This hypothesis was tested using an experiment where participants (N = 186) were exposed to zero, two, four, or six stereotypical advertisements. The results showed that stereotypical advertisements did not influence explicit stereotypes but did influence implicit stereotypes, even in critical recipients who negated the stereotypical content.
ISA-Based Trusted Network Functions And Server Applications In The Untrusted Cloud

Nowadays, enterprises widely deploy Network Functions (NFs) and server applications in the cloud. However, processing of sensitive data and trusted execution cannot be securely deployed in the untrusted cloud. Cloud providers themselves could accidentally leak private information (e.g., due to misconfigurations) or rogue users could exploit vulnerabilities of the providers' systems to compromise execution integrity, posing a threat to the confidentiality of internal enterprise and customer data. In this paper, we identify (i) a number of NF and server application use-cases that trusted execution can be applied to, (ii) the assets and impact of compromising the private data and execution integrity of each use-case, and (iii) we leverage Intel's Software Guard Extensions (SGX) architecture to design Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) for cloud-based NFs and server applications. We combine SGX with the Data Plane Development KIT (DPDK) to prototype and evaluate our TEEs for a number of application scenarios (Layer 2 frame and Layer 3 packet processing for plain and encrypted traffic, traffic load-balancing and back-end server processing). Our results indicate that NFs involving plain traffic can achieve almost native performance (e.g., ~22 Million Packets Per Second for Layer 3 forwarding for 64-byte frames), while NFs involving encrypted traffic and server processing can still achieve competitive performance (e.g., ~12 Million Packets Per Second for server processing for 64-byte frames).
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Biologics for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Answer to Optimized Treatment?

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), or the measurement of drug concentrations in blood and antidrug antibodies, for biologic therapies used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an area of growing interest within the IBD community. When there is a definable relationship between drug concentration and clinical effect, blood concentration of biologics (and antidrug antibodies assessment) could be used to predict patient response and to titrate the biologics to maximize therapeutic benefit. This dose individualization has been proven to be more efficacious and cost‐effective than empiric dose adjustment and can better guide therapeutic decisions regarding therapy withdrawal or switch. Appropriate implementation and interpretation of drug concentration measurement in TDM are essential to ensure full clinical benefit. Factors that need to be considered include sources of variability, timing of blood sampling, dosing history, analytical performance, immunogenicity, comedications, and clinical status of the patients. Desired target concentrations for biologics used in IBD have not been clearly determined yet. Published concentration thresholds differed widely for a given biologic, indicating a lack of consistent information. Factors other than drug concentration that may contribute to the dose‐response variation are largely missing in the current TDM setting. A target range is likely preferable to a single value for TDM of biologics in IBD, and additional prospective research needs to be conducted in order to establish these ranges. Moving forward, TDM may be combined with pharmacodynamic end points and modeling and simulation tools for improved therapeutic benefit in IBD.
Clinical Study on Female Genital Tract Rhabdomyosarcoma in Childhood: Changes During 20 Years in One Center

Objective Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare tumor in girls. We intend to analyze the clinical feature, therapeutic effect, and prognosis of pediatric and adolescent RMS of the female genitourinary tract. Methods Pediatric or adolescent patients with female genital tract RMS in 1 tertiary hospital from 1995 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The medical records were collected, including general information, tumor primary site, stage, histology, treatments, adverse effects, and survival outcomes. Results There were 8 girls with genital tract tumor in 403 patients with RMS during 20 years in 1 hospital: 5 originated in the vagina, 2 in the cervix, and 1 in the pelvis. Except for the patient with pelvic RMS who was diagnosed after acute abdominal pain, all the other patients presented with polypoid masses protruding from the vagina accompanied by mucosanguineous discharge. Mean age of patients at diagnosis was 5.4 years (8 months-14 years). Patients were categorized by using clinical group and TNM classification of malignant tumours staging system, 7 with stage I and 1 with stage II; none of them were classified to a higher stage. Histologically, all RMS were embryonal tumors with 3 botryoid variants. Patients were treated with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy during which 6 patients developed fourth degree myelosuppression. All patients achieved complete remission. Two patients with vaginal RMS and the patient with pelvic RMS experienced tumor relapse and 2 patients died. Conclusions Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare malignant sarcoma with a higher incidence in children and adolescents. Tumor sites are strongly associated with age at diagnosis. After combined therapy with local excision and chemotherapy, most patients can achieve a good prognosis. The prognosis is highly correlated with tumor site and histologic type.
Listen While you Work? the Attitude of Healthcare Professionals to Music in the Operating Theatre

Although the playing of music is commonplace in the operating theatre, there is nothing in the literature examining whether staff feel this is beneficial. Questionnaires were distributed amongst a random selection of staff in practice at a district general hospital: medical staff from a range of surgical specialities, anaesthetists, and all grades of perioperative staff (nurse/operating department practitioners/healthcare assistants) were encouraged to participate. There were 121 health professionals in total working in the operating theatres. The authors compared the responses to each question amongst the respondents, to check for the tendency to correlate. Out of the 52 health professionals who responded, 36 stated that music is played in their theatre either every day, or two to three times a week. Only five respondents felt that this was too often. Fifteen percent of medical staff were of the opinion that the nursing staff controlled the choice of music. Nursing staff were almost evenly split in thinking that nursing staff, surgical staff and the whole theatre team controlled the choice of music. The majority of both nursing and medical staff felt that they enjoyed their work more and performed better when music was played in theatre. The study concluded that the majority of theatre staff found listening to music while they work a positive experience. The potential for music to have a distracting or detrimental effect on a minority of individuals should always be considered.