Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Real-Time PCR Quantification of Genital Shedding of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Women Coinfected with HSV and HIV

ABSTRACT The accuracy and usefulness of laboratory-developed real-time PCR procedures using a Light Cycler instrument (Roche Diagnostics) for detecting and quantifying human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA and DNA as well as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)/HSV-2 DNA in cervicovaginal secretions from women coinfected with HIV and HSV were evaluated. For HIV-1, the use of the NEC152 and NEC131 primer set and the NEC-LTR probe in the long terminal repeat gene allowed us to detect accurately the majority of HIV-1 subtypes of group M circulating in sub-Saharan Africa, including subtypes A, B, C, D, and G as well as circulating recombinant forms 02 and 11. The detection threshold of real-time PCR for HIV in cervicovaginal lavage samples was 5 copies per assay for both RNA and DNA; the intra- and interassay coefficients of variation of CT values were 1.30% and 0.69% (HIV-1 RNA) and 1.84% and 0.67% (HIV-1 DNA), respectively. Real-time PCR for HSV using primers and probe targeting the HSV DNA polymerase gene allowed both detection and quantification of HSV DNA and also differentiation between HSV-1 and HSV-2 genotypes. The detection threshold of real-time PCR for HSV was 5 copies per assay; the intra- and interassay coefficients of variation of CT values were 0.96% and 1.49%, respectively. Both manual and automated silica-based procedures were appropriate for combined extraction of HIV and HSV genomes from female genital secretions. Taken together, these findings indicate that real-time PCR may be used as a unique nucleic acid amplification procedure to detect and quantify HIV and HSV genomes in cervicovaginal secretions and thus to assess at reduced costs the genital shedding of both viruses in women included in intervention studies.
Effects of aging and sensory loss on glial cells in mouse visual and auditory cortices

Normal aging is often accompanied by a progressive loss of receptor sensitivity in hearing and vision, whose consequences on cellular function in cortical sensory areas have remained largely unknown. By examining the primary auditory (A1) and visual (V1) cortices in two inbred strains of mice undergoing either age‐related loss of audition (C57BL/6J) or vision (CBA/CaJ), we were able to describe cellular and subcellular changes that were associated with normal aging (occurring in A1 and V1 of both strains) or specifically with age‐related sensory loss (only in A1 of C57BL/6J or V1 of CBA/CaJ), using immunocytochemical electron microscopy and light microscopy. While the changes were subtle in neurons, glial cells and especially microglia were transformed in aged animals. Microglia became more numerous and irregularly distributed, displayed more variable cell body and process morphologies, occupied smaller territories, and accumulated phagocytic inclusions that often displayed ultrastructural features of synaptic elements. Additionally, evidence of myelination defects were observed, and aged oligodendrocytes became more numerous and were more often encountered in contiguous pairs. Most of these effects were profoundly exacerbated by age‐related sensory loss. Together, our results suggest that the age‐related alteration of glial cells in sensory cortical areas can be accelerated by activity‐driven central mechanisms that result from an age‐related loss of peripheral sensitivity. In light of our observations, these age‐related changes in sensory function should be considered when investigating cellular, cortical, and behavioral functions throughout the lifespan in these commonly used C57BL/6J and CBA/CaJ mouse models. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
No evidence for a polyomavirus association or aetiology in AIDS-associated nonsmall cell lung cancer

AIDS-associated lung cancer has an increasing incidence, unaccounted for by smoking, and occurs consistently at a younger age than matched controls. We investigated whether known and new cancer-associated polyomaviruses, including the newly identified Merkel cell virus, may play a role in its etiopathogenesis. Although viruses target conserved pathways in cellular evolution, we are unable to suggest that the viruses studied here induce novel mechanisms of oncogenic dysregulation in AIDS-associated lung cancer.
Future role of endoscopic ultrasound in personalized management of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is aggressive and lethal with the majority of cases presenting with advanced unresectable disease due to delayed diagnosis. Despite improvement in surgery, chemotherapies, and intensive care medicine, the outcome of PDAC remains poor, which may relate to the tumor biology. Recent data suggest that PDAC is a “systemic cancer” with complex molecular or genomics derangement with marked heterogeneity. The ability to characterize the PDAC better by detailed evaluation of tissue biomarkers or genomics allows for improved prediction of prognosis and stratification of treatment, a concept known as “personalized cancer therapy. ” Using tissue from resected PDAC specimens has several weaknesses and is only possible in 20% of patients with PDAC. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided biopsy overcomes these weaknesses, and with recent advancements in needle technology, tissue can be obtained for personalized cancer therapy for all patients with PDAC. This review aims to outline our current understanding of the molecular biology of PDAC specifically focusing on how EUS-guided biopsy may play a fundamental role in tissue acquisition, allowing for assessment and stratify therapy according to the individual cancer biology as we move toward the era of precision medicine.
A 24.5–50 GHz mixer using cascode structure with wide 0.5–16 GHz intermediate frequency bandwidth based on low noise PHEMT process

A 24.5-50 GHz cascode mixer is presented in this paper. By applying modified dc bias technique in cascode structure, the mixer achieves a wide IF bandwidth of from 0.5 to 16 GHz. The mixer shows conversion gains better than -9.8 dB with gain variation less than 3 dB and input 1-dB gain compression points better than -3 dBm over radio frequency (RF) bandwidth. The mixer demonstrates a high RF factional bandwidth (FBW) of 0.684 with wide intermediate frequency (IF) bandwidth among reported mixers.
The Experiences of Families of Children with Learning Disabilities: Parental Stress, Family Functioning, and Sibling Self-Concept

Quantitative and qualitative measures of 19 parents and 19 siblings of school-age children with learning disabilities (a parent-sibling pair for each child) showed that the functioning of the families and the self-concept of the siblings were comparable to that in families of nondisabled children, but the parents in the former group experienced greater stress than did parents of nondisabled children. Furthermore, despite few problems in sibling relationships, the families experienced adaptational difficulties, especially with regard to the school. Family intervention and future research are suggested.
The interleukin‐8 receptor B and CXC chemokines can mediate transendothelial migration of human skin homing T cells

We studied the involvement of chemokines that bind to G protein‐coupled receptors in the migration of skin homing T cells across a bilayer vascular construct (BVC) consisting of a fibroblast matrix underneath an activated endothelial (EC) monolayer. Based on the expression of the cutaneous lymphocyte‐associated antigen (CLA), a skin homing receptor, CD45R0+ T cells freshly isolated from blood or HUT‐78 cutaneous T lymphoma cells were separated into CLA+ and CLA− subpopulations. These T cells were incubated on interleukin (IL)‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α‐activated EC, and the number of transmigrated cells was determined. The chemokine IL‐8 was selectively involved in the enhanced migration of CLA+ T cells across activated EC as demonstrated by blocking antibody to IL‐8 but not to GRO‐α, MCP‐1 and RANTES. Identical results were obtained with both human umbilical vein EC (HUVEC) and microvascular skin EC (HDMEC). Pertussis toxin selectively inhibited the enhanced transendothelial migration (TEM) of CLA+ T cells, suggesting that CLA‐dependent TEM depends on Gi protein‐transmitted signals. Moreover, the IL‐8 receptor B (IL‐8RB) appeared to be functionally involved in TEM, as demonstrated by receptor desensitization with the CXC chemokines IL‐8 and GRO‐α and by blocking the IL‐8RB with specific monoclonal antibodies. Although only the IL‐8RB was involved in CLA‐dependent TEM, mRNA encoding IL‐8RA and IL‐8RB was expressed by both CLA+ and CLA− T cells. This correlated with IL‐8RA and IL‐8RB surface expression on these cells. Thus, the IL‐8RB is selectively functional in TEM of T cells expressing the skin homing receptor CLA. Our results demonstrate a critical role for IL‐8 and possibly other IL‐8RB ligands in addition to the IL‐8RB in TEM and suggest the involvement of these molecules in the homing of specific T cells to inflamed skin.
Surgical treatment of interrupted aortic arch associated with ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus in patients over one year of age

Background Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a rare congenital anomaly affecting 1.5% of infants with congenital heart disease. Neonatal repair of IAA is required to avoid irreversible pulmonary vascular lesion. However, in China, patients with IAA associated with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) over one year of age are common. So we investigated the outcome of surgical treatment of IAA with VSD and PDA in patients over one year of age. Methods From January 2009 to December 2012, 19 patients with IAA have undergone complete single–stage repair. The patients’ mean age was 4.4 years, ranging 1 to 15 years; and their mean weight was 12.8 kg, ranging 4.2 to 36.0 kg. Fifteen IAA were type A, four were type B. Preoperative cardiac catheterization data were available from all patients. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were measured. The measurements of postoperative pulmonary artery pressure were taken in the operating room at the end of the case. All patients underwent echocardiographic examinations before discharged from the hospital. In addition, cardiac catheterization and echocardiographic examinations were performed during follow–up. Selective brain perfusion through the innominate artery during aortic arch reconstruction was used in all patients. Mean follow–up was (1.6±0.8) years. Results There were two hospital deaths (2/19, 11%). One patient died of pulmonary hypertension crisis, and another died of postoperative low cardiac output. Five cases had other main postoperative complications but no postoperative neurologic complications. Seventeen survivors were followed up, and there were no late deaths or reoperation. Mean cross–clamp duration was (85±22) minutes and selective brain perfusion duration was (34±11) minutes. Two patients required delayed sternal closure at two days postoperatively. Intensive care unit and hospital stays were (9±8) days and (47±24) days, respectively. Pressure gradients across the anastomosis at most recent follow up were less than 22 mmHg. mPAP regressed significantly from preoperative (62.1±8.1) mmHg to postoperative (37.3±11.3) mmHg (P <0.001) and (24.2±6.0) mmHg at six months after discharged from the hospital (P <0.001). The pulmonary vascular resistance also regressed significantly from preoperative (1 501.4±335.7) dyn·s·cm–5 to (485.0±215.1) dyn·s·cm–5 at six months after discharged from the hospital (P <0.001). The majority of the seventeen patients (89%) were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I, and 11% remained in NYHA class II. Conclusions Single–stage repair of patients with IAA, VSD and PDA over one year of age can have good surgical results and functional outcomes. Assessment and treatment of pulmonary artery pressure pre–operatively and postoperatively was crucial. mPAP and pulmonary vascular resistance may have regress significantly compared to preoperative values.
Survival and causes of death in cirrhotic and in noncirrhotic patients with primary hemochromatosis.

We analyzed survival and causes of death among 163 patients with primary hemochromatosis diagnosed between 1959 and 1983. The mean follow-up period was 10.5 +/- 5.6 years (+/- S.D.). Cumulative survival was 92 per cent at 5 years, 76 per cent at 10 years, 59 per cent at 15 years, and 49 per cent at 20 years. Life expectancy was reduced in patients with cirrhosis of the liver as compared with those without cirrhosis (P less than or equal to 0.05), in patients with diabetes mellitus as compared with those without diabetes (P less than or equal to 0.002), and in patients who could not be depleted of iron during the first 18 months of venesection therapy as compared with those who could be depleted (P less than or equal to 0.001). Prognosis was not influenced by sex (P less than or equal to 0.5). Patients without cirrhosis had a life expectancy that was not different from that expected in an age- and sex-matched normal population. Analysis of the causes of death in 53 patients, as compared with the normal population, showed that liver cancer was 219 times more frequent among the patients (16 patients), cardiomyopathy was 306 times more frequent (3 patients), liver cirrhosis was 13 times more frequent (10 patients), and diabetes mellitus was 7 times more frequent (3 patients). Death rates for other causes, including extrahepatic carcinomas (seven patients), were not different from the rates expected. We conclude that patients with hemochromatosis diagnosed in the precirrhotic stage and treated by venesection have a normal life expectancy, whereas cirrhotic patients have a shortened life expectancy and a high risk of liver cancer even when complete iron depletion has been achieved.
Unexpected Cardiac Arrest In The Anesthetized Child

Outcomes for anesthetized children have improved over the past 50 years, as reflected in anesthesia-related mortality rates from studies published since the seminal study of Beecher and Todd in 1954. (Figure 1) Large series in the past decade from France, Canada and the United States have reported anesthesia-related mortality rates of 0.2, 0.36, and 1.4 per 10,000 anesthetics, respectively. Several series of outpatient anesthetics in healthy children have shown mortality rates of zero. 5,6
Etanercept in Sjögren's syndrome: a twelve-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE To assess the safety and potential efficacy of etanercept in the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). METHODS This pilot study was a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of etanercept, with 14 subjects in each group. Patients received 25 mg of etanercept or placebo (vehicle) by twice-weekly subcutaneous injection. Patients met the American-European Consensus Group criteria for SS. The primary outcome required at least 20% improvement from baseline values for at least 2 of the following 3 domains: subjective or objective measures of dry mouth, subjective or objective measures of dry eyes, and IgG level or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). RESULTS Of the 14 patients taking etanercept, 11 had primary SS and 3 had SS secondary to rheumatoid arthritis. Baseline measures did not differ between the 2 groups. Three etanercept-treated patients and 1 placebo-treated patient did not complete the trial. Five etanercept-treated patients and 3 placebo-treated patients showed improvement from baseline in the primary outcome variable at 12 weeks, but the difference was not statistically significant. There were no significant differences between the groups for changes in subjective measures of oral or ocular symptoms (by visual analog scale), the IgG level, Schirmer I test result, van Bijsterveld score, or salivary flow. At 12 weeks, the ESR had decreased in the etanercept group compared with baseline (P = 0.004); however, the mean reduction was only 18.6%. CONCLUSION We found no evidence to suggest that treatment with etanercept at a dosage of 25 mg twice weekly for 12 weeks was clinically efficacious in SS. A larger trial will be necessary to definitively address the efficacy of etanercept in the treatment of SS.
Lymph node retrieval in colorectal cancer resection specimens: national standards are achievable, and low numbers are associated with reduced survival

Objectives The current guidelines identify the retrieval of at least 12 lymph nodes as crucial for accurate staging of colorectal cancer. We set out to review our figures from a single centre to see whether this standard has been met, and to examine for factors which may influence the number of lymph nodes retrieved. The influence of a low lymph node harvest on survival in patients with Dukes’ A and B cancers was specifically investigated.
Antimicrobial activity of seven hypericum entities from central Italy.

Methanol-acetone extracts from aerial parts of seven entities of the genus Hypericum [H. perforatum L. subsp. perforatum, H. perforatum L. subsp. veronense (Schrank) Ces. , H. montanum L. , H. hyssopifolium Chaix, H. hirsutum L. , H. hircinum L. subsp. majus (Aiton) N. Robson, H. tetrapterum Fr. ] growing in the Appennino Umbro-Marchigiano (central Italy) were tested in vitro for their antimicrobial activity against two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis), two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and the yeast Candida albicans, by the Kirby-Bauer agar diffusion method. The two H. perforatum subspecies were particularly active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, supporting the use of these plants in the traditional medicine of central Italy to treat wounds, skin and infectious diseases. However significant values of inhibition were given also by H. hirsutum against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, and by H. hyssopifolium, H. hircinum subsp. majus and H. tetrapterum against C. albicans. These results suggest that hypericin and hyperforin are the main components responsible for antimicrobial activity, but not the only ones, as other extracts, showing a low level of these compounds, possess evident activity. Isolation of pure compounds from the most active extracts is in progress.
Relationship of Pain , Social and Emotional functions of patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Arthritis is a highly prevalent condition and can lead to physical impairments and psychological morbidity, including depression, anxiety and feeling of helplessness. Osteoarthritis(OA) is the most common form of Arthritis. There is no study in Iran to explore the forms of relationships among pain and demographic characteristics with social and emotional function of patients with knee OA. Therefore, this study was undertaken . Eighty-one knee Osteoarthritis patients referring to Rheumatology clinic of Tabriz University of medical science participated in this study with convenience sampling method. Data was collected through the social and emotional subscales of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) questionnaire. Data analyzed using SPSS software. The results of linear regression analysis indicate the relationship among social and emotional function, pain and co-morbidity were significant. There are no effective cure for OA. Today, education is an important part of treating chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis. Therefore, it seems that educating pain relief methods and developing social networks for OA patients are helpful.
Treating Water: Engineering and the Denial of Indigenous Water Rights

In 2011, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada released the National Assessment of First Nations Water and Wastewater Systems as prepared by Neegan Burnside Ltd. This assessment has been largely used by government, media, and Indigenous groups to point to the decrepit state of water and wastewater systems on First Nations reserves across the country, and to advance Senate Government Bill S-8 that seeks to improve conditions in these communities. In this article, I provide a critique of the National Assessment to outline its underlying assimilationist ideology and to demonstrate how technical engineering documents can have political implications. Power is wielded by technocratic discourses like engineering and, in this case, respect for Indigenous rights and sovereignty are at stake when so-called “objective” practices reflect institutional power.
High-level aminoglycoside resistant enterococci isolated from swine

Approximately 42% (187/444) of swine enterococci collected between the years 1999 and 2000 exhibited high-level resistance to gentamicin (MIC [ges ]500 μg/ml), kanamycin (MIC [ges ]500 μg/ml), or streptomycin (MIC [ges ]1000 μg/ml). Eight aminoglycoside resistance genes were detected using PCR, most frequently ant(6)-Ia and aac(6′)-Ii from Enterococcus faecium. Twenty-four per cent (45/187) of total high-level aminoglycoside-resistant isolates and 26% (4/15) of isolates resistant to high levels of all three antimicrobials were negative for all genes tested. These data suggest that enterococci isolated from swine contain diverse and possibly unidentified aminoglycoside resistance genes.
Detection of Hantaan virus RNA from anti‐Hantaan virus IgG seronegative rodents in an area of high endemicity in Republic of Korea

Hantaan virus (HTNV), of the family Bunyaviridae, causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in humans. Although the majority of epidemiologic studies have found that rodents are seropositive for hantavirus‐specific immunoglobulin, the discovery of hantavirus RNA in seronegative hosts has led to an investigation of the presence of HTNV RNA in rodents captured in HFRS endemic areas. HTNV RNA was detected in seven (3.8%) of 186 anti‐HTNV IgG seronegative rodents in Republic of Korea (ROK) during 2013–2014. RT‐qPCR for HTNV RNA revealed dynamic virus–host interactions of HTNV in areas of high endemicity, providing important insights into the epidemiology of hantaviruses.
Reduction of prostaglandin transporter predicts poor prognosis associated with angiogenesis in gastric adenocarcinoma

Prostaglandin (PG) E2 promotes gastrointestinal carcinogenesis and tumor progression. The total amount of biologically active PGE2 in tissues is determined by a balance of PG biosynthesis and degradation pathways, which involve the PG transporter (PGT). We investigated PGT in gastric adenocarcinoma by determining its expression pattern and examining associations of PGT with prognosis and tumor angiogenesis.
Cerebral Palsy Among Children Born Moderately and Late Preterm

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of and risk factors for cerebral palsy (CP) in moderately preterm (MP) (32+0–33+6 weeks) and late preterm (LP) (34+0–36+6 weeks) infants with those in very preterm (VP) (<32+0 weeks) and term infants (≥37 weeks). METHODS: The national register study included all live-born infants in Finland from 1991 to 2008. Infants who died before the age of 1 year, had any major congenital anomaly, or had missing data were excluded. A total of 1 018 302 infants were included in the analysis and they were analyzed in 4 subgroups (VP, MP, LP, and term) and 3 time periods (1991–1995, 1996–2001, and 2002–2008). RESULTS: By the age of 7 years, 2242 children with CP were diagnosed (0.2%). CP incidence was 8.7% in the VP, 2.4% in the MP, 0.6% in the LP, and 0.1% in the term group. The risk of CP was highest in the study period 1991–1995 in all groups. Factors predictive of an increased CP risk in the MP and LP groups included resuscitation at birth (odds ratio 1.60; 95% CI 1.01–2.53 and 1.78; 1.09–2.90), antibiotic treatment during the first hospitalization (1.63; 1.08–2.45 and 1.67; 1.13–2.44), 1-minute Apgar score <7 (1.70; 1.15–2.52 and 1.80; 1.21–2.67) and intracranial hemorrhage (7.18; 3.60–14.3 and 12.8; 5.58–29.2). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CP is higher in LP and MP infants compared with term infants. There is a nonlinear decrease in incidence over time and with increasing gestational age.