Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Individual and community-level risk factors for HIV stigma in 21 Zambian and South African communities: analysis of data from the HPTN071 (PopART) study

Objective: To describe the prevalence and determinants of HIV stigma in 21 communities in Zambia and South Africa. Design: Analysis of baseline data from the HPTN 071 (PopART) cluster-randomized trial. HIV stigma data came from a random sample of 3859 people living with HIV. Community-level exposures reflecting HIV fears and judgements and perceptions of HIV stigma came from a random sample of community members not living with HIV (n = 5088), and from health workers (HW) (n = 851). Methods: We calculated the prevalence of internalized stigma, and stigma experienced in the community or in a healthcare setting in the past year. We conducted risk-factor analyses using logistic regression, adjusting for clustering. Results: Internalized stigma (868/3859, prevalence 22.5%) was not associated with sociodemographic characteristics but was less common among those with a longer period since diagnosis (P = 0.043). Stigma experienced in the community (853/3859, 22.1%) was more common among women (P = 0.016), older (P = 0.011) and unmarried (P = 0.009) individuals, those who had disclosed to others (P < 0.001), and those with more lifetime sexual partners (P < 0.001). Stigma experienced in a healthcare setting (280/3859, 7.3%) was more common among women (P = 0.019) and those reporting more lifetime sexual partners (P = 0.001) and higher wealth (P = 0.003). Experienced stigma was more common in clusters wherever community members perceived higher levels of stigma, but was not associated with the beliefs of community members or HW. Conclusion: HIV stigma remains unacceptably high in South Africa and Zambia and may act as barrier to HIV prevention and treatment. Further research is needed to understand its determinants.
Feasibility of electrospray deposition for rapid screening of the cocrystal formation and single step, continuous production of pharmaceutical nanococrystals

Abstract Objectives: This study employed electrospray deposition (ESD) for simultaneous synthesis and particle engineering of cocrystals. Significance: Exploring new methods for the efficient production of cocrystals with desired particle properties is an essential demand. Methods: The possibility of cocrystal formation by ESD was examined for indomethacin-saccharin, indomethacin-nicotinamide, naproxen-nicotinamide, and naproxen-iso-nicotinamide cocrystals. Solutions of the drug and coformer at stoichiometric ratios were sprayed to a high electric field which caused rapid evaporation of the solvent and the formation of fine particles. The phase purity, size, and morphology of products were compared with reference cocrystals. Experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of stoichiometric ratio, concentration and solvent type on the cocrystal formation. Physical stability and dissolution properties of the electrosprayed cocrystals were also compared with reference cocrystals. Results: ESD was found to be an efficient and rapid method to produce cocrystals for all studied systems other than indomethacin-nicotinamide. Pure cocrystals only formed at a specific drug:coformer ratio. The solvent type has a weak effect on the cocrystal formation and morphology. Electrosprayed cocrystals exhibited nano to micrometer sizes with distinct morphologies with comparable physical stability with reference cocrystals. Nanococrystals of indomethacin-saccharin with a mean size of 219 nm displayed a threefold higher dissolution rate than solvent evaporated cocrystal. Conclusion: ESD successfully was utilized to produce pure cocrystals of poorly soluble drugs with different morphologies and sizes ranging from nano to micrometer sizes in one step. This study highlighted the usefulness of ESD for simultaneous preparation and particle engineering of pharmaceutical cocrystals.
Stimulation of Baroresponsive Parts of the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract Produces Nitric Oxide-mediated Choroidal Vasodilation in Rat Eye

Preganglionic parasympathetic neurons of the ventromedial part of the superior salivatory nucleus (SSN) mediate vasodilation of orbital and choroidal blood vessels, via their projection to the nitrergic pterygopalatine ganglion (PPG) neurons that innervate these vessels. We recently showed that the baroresponsive part of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) innervates choroidal control parasympathetic preganglionic neurons of SSN in rats. As this projection provides a means by which blood pressure (BP) signals may modulate choroidal blood flow (ChBF), we investigated if activation of baroresponsive NTS evokes ChBF increases in rat eye, using Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) to measure ChBF transclerally. We found that electrical activation of ipsilateral baroresponsive NTS and its efferent fiber pathway to choroidal SSN increased mean ChBF by about 40–80% above baseline, depending on current level. The ChBF responses obtained with stimulation of baroresponsive NTS were driven by increases in both choroidal blood volume (ChBVol; i.e., vasodilation) and choroidal blood velocity (ChBVel; possibly due to orbital vessel dilation). Stimulation of baroresponsive NTS, by contrast, yielded no significant mean increases in systemic arterial blood pressure (ABP). We further found that the increases in ChBF with NTS stimulation were significantly reduced by administration of the neuronal nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor Nω-propyl-l-arginine (NPA), thus implicating nitrergic PPG terminals in the NTS-elicited ChBF increases. Our results show that the NTS neurons projecting to choroidal SSN do mediate increase in ChBF, and thus suggest a role of baroresponsive NTS in the BP-dependent regulation of ChBF.
Fish consumption and cancer risk.

BACKGROUND Although several studies have investigated the relation between fish consumption and the risk of cardiovascular diseases, less attention has been paid to the relation between fish consumption and cancer risk. OBJECTIVE The relation between frequency of consumption of fish and risk of selected neoplasms was analyzed by using data from an integrated series of case-control studies conducted in northern Italy between 1983 and 1996. DESIGN The overall data set included the following incident, histologically confirmed neoplasms: oral cavity and pharynx (n = 181), esophagus (n = 316), stomach (n = 745), colon (n = 828), rectum (n = 498), liver (n = 428), gallbladder (n = 60), pancreas (n = 362), larynx (n = 242), breast (n = 3412), endometrium (n = 750), ovary (n = 971), prostate (n = 127), bladder (n = 431), kidney (n = 190), thyroid (n = 208), Hodgkin disease (n = 80), non-Hodgkin lymphomas (n = 200), and multiple myelomas (n = 120). Control subjects were 7990 patients admitted for acute, nonneoplastic conditions unrelated to long-term modifications of diet. Odds ratios (ORs) were computed for subsequent levels of fish consumption compared with no or occasional consumption (<1 serving/wk) by using multiple logistic regression, including terms for several covariates. RESULTS There was a consistent pattern of protection against the risk of digestive tract cancers with fish consumption: oral cavity and pharynx, OR = 0.5 for the highest compared with the lowest level of consumption; esophagus, OR = 0.6; stomach, OR = 0.7; colon, OR = 0.6; rectum, OR = 0.5; and pancreas, OR = 0.7. There were inverse trends in risk of larynx (OR = 0.7), endometrial (OR = 0.8), and ovarian (OR = 0.7) cancers and multiple myeloma (OR = 0.5). No pattern of cancer risk in relation to fish consumption was observed for cancers of the liver, gallbladder, breast, bladder, kidney, or thyroid or for lymphomas. CONCLUSION This study suggests that the consumption of even relatively small amounts of fish is a favorable indicator of the risk of several cancers, especially of the digestive tract.
EFFECTS OF CUTTERHEAD DIAMETER AND LOG INFEED POSITION ON ENERGY REQUIREMENTS OF A CHIPPER-CANTER

Effects of chipper-canter cutterhead diameter and log infeed position on maximum power and energy consumption during processing of black spruce logs were evaluated. Two cutterhead diameters (661.5 and 448.7 mm) combined with three infeed positions or vertical distance from the cutterhead axis center to the bedplate on which the log was supported were studied. A mean angle of attack of the chipping edge was calculated for each infeed position. Linear cutting speed was fixed at 23.5 m/s. Rotation speed and feed speed were adjusted to obtain a nominal chip length of 25.4 mm. Fourteen logs for each cutting condition were transformed in frozen and unfrozen wood temperatures. The results showed a significant effect of cutterhead diameter and wood temperature on maximum power and energy consumption. Power and energy consumption were lower when processing with the 661.5-mm compared with the 448.7-mm cutterhead diameter. These parameters were also greater when cutting frozen logs compared with unfrozen logs. Although cutting action of the chipping edge was the principal contributor to energy consumption when processing with a chipper-canter, its angle of attack had a negligible effect on this consumption. This happened because of an opposite effect of the knife path length (arc formed by engagement of the knife into the log). These results gave useful information for estimating changes in power and energy consumption within the studied range of infeed positions (or angles of attack of the chipping edge) and cutterhead diameters.
Diallyl trisulfide suppresses doxorubicin‐induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by inhibiting MAPK/NF‐κB signaling through attenuation of ROS generation

Doxorubicin (Dox) is an effective anticancer agent. However, its effectiveness is limited by its cardiotoxic effects. It has also been reported that the mitogen‐activated protein kinase family and NF‐κB can be activated by Dox treatment. DATS has been shown to be a potent antioxidant with cardioprotective effects. We investigate whether Dox induces cardiac apoptosis through JNK‐ and ERK‐dependent NF‐κB upregulation that can be reduced by DATS treatment.
Depressive Symptoms, Acute Alcohol Intoxication, and Risk Rationale Effects on Men’s Condom Use Resistance

This study examined the role of depressive symptoms, acute intoxication, and risk rationale in men’s use of condom use resistance (CUR) tactics in an experimental study. Participants included 313 heterosexual male, nonproblem drinkers, ages 21 to 30. Participants were randomized to one of four beverage conditions: no alcohol, placebo, low (.04%) alcohol dose, or high (.08%) alcohol dose. They read an eroticized scenario depicting a consensual sexual encounter with a female partner who requested a condom to prevent either pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (risk rationale) and then indicated their intentions to use 10 different CUR tactics. Hypotheses related to the pharmacological, dosage, and expectancy effects of alcohol were tested in a generalized linear model. In intoxicated (.04% and .08%) men who were given a pregnancy risk rationale, depressive symptoms were associated with stronger intentions to use CUR tactics than in sober (control and placebo) men. Men who received a high alcohol dose (.08%) and who were given a pregnancy risk rationale reported higher intentions to use CUR tactics than those who received a lower alcohol dose (.04%). Findings suggest that the pharmacological effects of alcohol on men’s likelihood to resist condoms vary by the saliency of the risk rationale and mood-related variables.
Diagnostic accuracy of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0) PTSD module among female Vietnam-era veterans.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) module is widely used in epidemiological studies of PTSD, yet relatively few data attest to the instrument's diagnostic utility. The current study evaluated the diagnostic utility of the CIDI 3.0 PTSD module with U. S. women Vietnam-era veterans. The CIDI and the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) were independently administered to a stratified sample of 160 women, oversampled for current PTSD. Both lifetime PTSD and recent (past year) PTSD were assessed within a 3-week interval. Forty-five percent of the sample met criteria for a CAPS diagnosis of lifetime PTSD, and 21.9% of the sample met criteria for a CAPS diagnosis of past-year PTSD. Using CAPS as the diagnostic criterion, the CIDI correctly classified 78.8% of cases for lifetime PTSD (κ = .56) and 82.0% of past year PTSD cases (κ = .51). Estimates of diagnostic performance for the CIDI were sensitivity of . 61 and specificity of . 91 for lifetime PTSD and sensitivity of . 71 and specificity of . 85 for past-year PTSD. Results suggest that the CIDI has good utility for identifying PTSD, though it is a somewhat conservative indicator of lifetime PTSD as compared to the CAPS.
Patient-specific biomedical condition monitoring in post-operative cancer patients

Large numbers of preventable deaths occur in hospitals each year, due to adverse events such as cardiac arrest and unplanned admission into Intensive Care Units (ICUs) from other hospital wards. The majority of these patients exhibit physiological deterioration in their vital signs prior to onset of the adverse event, which can be detected by condition monitoring. This paper describes a multivariate, multimodal approach to condition monitoring that may be performed in real-time, which has been previously shown to provide early warning of patient deterioration, while generating a small number of false alarms. We describe a clinical trial currently being undertaken in which post-operative cancer patients are monitored in bed for the first day of their recovery period, and then monitored using telemetry for the remainder of their stay in hospital, during which they may be ambulatory. The use of such telemetry requires monitoring techniques that are robust in the presence of signal artefact introduced by patient movement. We also motivate the use of a patient-specific approach to condition monitoring for improved identification of physiological deterioration.
Allostery revealed within lipid binding events to membrane proteins

Significance The diverse environment of cellular membranes presents unique challenges in deciphering the roles that lipids play in modulating membrane protein structure and function. Here, we developed a native mass spectrometry approach to monitor binding of different lipid types to membrane proteins. We discovered that specific lipid−protein interactions can allosterically modulate the binding of lipids of different types. We also determined the structure of AmtB bound to cardiolipin, and mutation of residues involved in binding this lipid abolishes the observed allosteric effect. Our findings are of particular significance as they contribute to our general knowledge of how lipids modulate protein structure and function and how membrane proteins may recruit, through allostery, their own lipid microenvironment. Membrane proteins interact with a myriad of lipid species in the biological membrane, leading to a bewildering number of possible protein−lipid assemblies. Despite this inherent complexity, the identification of specific protein−lipid interactions and the crucial role of lipids in the folding, structure, and function of membrane proteins is emerging from an increasing number of reports. Fundamental questions remain, however, regarding the ability of specific lipid binding events to membrane proteins to alter remote binding sites for lipids of a different type, a property referred to as allostery [Monod J, Wyman J, Changeux JP (1965) J Mol Biol 12:88–118]. Here, we use native mass spectrometry to determine the allosteric nature of heterogeneous lipid binding events to membrane proteins. We monitored individual lipid binding events to the ammonia channel (AmtB) from Escherichia coli, enabling determination of their equilibrium binding constants. We found that different lipid pairs display a range of allosteric modulation. In particular, the binding of phosphatidylethanolamine and cardiolipin-like molecules to AmtB exhibited the largest degree of allosteric modulation, inspiring us to determine the cocrystal structure of AmtB in this lipid environment. The 2.45-Å resolution structure reveals a cardiolipin-like molecule bound to each subunit of the trimeric complex. Mutation of a single residue in AmtB abolishes the positive allosteric modulation observed for binding phosphatidylethanolamine and cardiolipin-like molecules. Our results demonstrate that specific lipid−protein interactions can act as allosteric modulators for the binding of different lipid types to integral membrane proteins.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of the effects of dark chocolate and cocoa on variables associated with neuropsychological functioning and cardiovascular health: clinical findings from a sample of healthy, cognitively intact older adults.

BACKGROUND In recent years, there has been increased interest in the potential health-related benefits of antioxidant- and phytochemical-rich dark chocolate and cocoa. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to examine the short-term (6 wk) effects of dark chocolate and cocoa on variables associated with neuropsychological functioning and cardiovascular health in healthy older adults. DESIGN A double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose, parallel-group clinical trial was used. Participants (n = 101) were randomly assigned to receive a 37-g dark chocolate bar and 8 ounces (237 mL) of an artificially sweetened cocoa beverage or similar placebo products each day for 6 wk. RESULTS No significant group (dark chocolate and cocoa or placebo)-by-trial (baseline, midpoint, and end-of-treatment assessments) interactions were found for the neuropsychological, hematological, or blood pressure variables examined. In contrast, the midpoint and end-of-treatment mean pulse rate assessments in the dark chocolate and cocoa group were significantly higher than those at baseline and significantly higher than the midpoint and end-of-treatment rates in the control group. Results of a follow-up questionnaire item on the treatment products that participants believed they had consumed during the trial showed that more than half of the participants in both groups correctly identified the products that they had ingested during the experiment. CONCLUSIONS This investigation failed to support the predicted beneficial effects of short-term dark chocolate and cocoa consumption on any of the neuropsychological or cardiovascular health-related variables included in this research. Consumption of dark chocolate and cocoa was, however, associated with significantly higher pulse rates at 3- and 6-wk treatment assessments.
Laparoscopic Versus Laparotomy Approach in Surgical Treatment of Endometrial Cancer: Pelvic Lymphadenectomy Results

Aim: Compare the efficacy of laparoscopic versus laparotomy approach in women with early stage endometrial adenocarcinoma. Methods: Case control retrospective study of 226 women treated of early endometrial cancer. 79 patients in the laparoscopy group and 147 in the laparotomy group. Variables analyzed in both groups were patient age, body mass index, duration of follow-up, FIGO 2009 surgical stage, tumor grade, histopathologic type, number of lymph nodes yielded, operating time, postoperative hospital admission, perioperative and postoperative complications, conversion to laparotomy, recurrence, and survival. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0. The Student t test was used to compare the mean values of continuous variables, and the X2 test was used to compare categorical variables. Results: There were no significant differences in age, weight, body mass index, parity, previous abdominal surgery, number of lymph nodes yielded and menopausal status between the laparoscopy and the laparotomy groups. There were no statistically significant differences in the numbers of nodes and node metastases obtained in the laparoscopy and the laparotomy groups. The operating time was shorter in the laparotomy group. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were significant less frequent in laparoscopy group (13.9% vs. 32.5%; P = 0.003). Women had a similar 5 years estimated recurrence-free survival (98% in laparoscopy vs. 94% laparotomy group) and similar 5 years overall survival rates (100% in laparoscopy vs. 95% laparotomy group). Conclusion: Laparoscopy is safe, and has almost equal efficiency than laparotomy approach in treatment of women with early stage endometrial cancer.
Expulsion prediction in resistance spot welding

An expulsion model has been developed for resistance spot welding, based on consideration of the interaction between mechanical and metallurgical processes during welding. An expulsion criterion is proposed by comparing the electrode force with that from the liquid nugget: expulsion occurs when the latter exceeds the former. An effective electrode force, instead of an applied/ nominal electrode force, is used in the criterion. This force can be calculated based on the applied electrode force and its offset from the liquid nugget force, which can be obtained through knowledge of the internal pressure and the dimensions of a nugget. Pressure components in a molten metal include those due to melting, liquid expansion, vapor pressure, and decomposition of surface agents, and are formulated by thermodynamic considerations. Experiments have been conducted to verify the model on an aluminum alloy (AA5754), and good agreement was achieved. The model can also be used to develop guidelines for electrode force selection.
Comparative Study of Dentin Surface Changes Following Nd:YAG and Er:YAG Lasers Irradiation and Implications for Hypersensitivity

Purpose: Dentin hypersensivity (DH) is one of the most common complications occurring after periodontal treatment. Various methods such as Nd:YAG and Er:YAG have been used to treat DH. Previous studies support the effectiveness of these lasers, but their effect on the tooth surface largely depends on certain parameters of the tooth surface. This study attempts to evaluate some changes of the dentin surface after Nd:YAG and Er:YAG laser irradiation by using SEM. Materials and Methods: Fifteen freshly extracted mandibular molars were selected, and 4 specimens with known dimensions (1 x 2 x 2 mm) from the buccal surface and below CEJ of all the teeth were prepared to obtain a total of 60 specimens. These specimens were then divided into 4 groups. Group 1 (control) was not subjected to laser irradiation. Group 2 was subjected to Nd:YAG laser irradiation (0.5 W, 50 mJ, 10 Hz, 60 s). Group 3 was irradiated by Nd:YAG laser (1 W, 100 mJ, 10 Hz, 60 s). Group 4 was irradiated by Er:YAG laser (0.3 W, 100 mJ, 3 Hz, 60 s). After preparation and gold coating of specimens, they were observed under SEM. Finally, the number and diameter of dentinal tubules, craters, and microcracks were determined in different groups. Finally, the data were analyzed using ANOVA. Results: The number of open tubules showed significant differences between the Nd:YAG (1 W) group and other groups (p < 0.05), but no significant differences were observed between the Nd:YAG (0.5 W), Er:YAG (0.3 W), and control groups. Tubule diameter showed significant differences across all groups (p < 0.001), except between the Nd:YAG (1 W) and Er:YAG groups. Craters and carbonization were only observed in some samples of the Er:YAG group. No microcracks were detected in the study groups. Conclusion: The results of this study show that Nd:YAG and Er:YAG laser irradiation can cause thermal effects such as decreased dentinal tubule diameter or occlusion. According to this study, the Nd:YAG laser at 1 W power is more effective than the Nd:YAG at 0.5 W or Er:YAG in occluding tubules.