Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HIV Incidence Among Injection Drug Users in Baltimore, Maryland (1988-2004)

Background:We examined recent trends (1999-2004) in HIV incidence among a cohort of injection drug users (IDUs) followed since 1988 in Baltimore, Maryland. Methods:One thousand eighty-three HIV-seronegative individuals with a history of injection drug use were recruited between 1988 and 1998 and returned for ≥1 semiannual follow-up visit, where they underwent HIV antibody testing and interviews eliciting risk behaviors. Person-time methods were used to calculate HIV incidence rates per 100 person-years (PYs). Results:Over 14,770 PYs, 304 individuals seroconverted to HIV (2.06 per 100 PYs). Annual incidence declined from 4.57 in 1988 to 0.53 per 100 PYs in 2004. Similarly, among individuals actively injecting drugs, incidence steadily declined from 5.43 in 1988 to 0 in 2004, with the exception of 2003, when an incidence of 2.59 per 100 PYs was observed. Reported sexual risk behaviors and drug injection declined from 1988 through 2004, but among those actively injecting, reported needle sharing declined from 1988 through 1998 and then increased from 30% in 1998 to nearly 40% in 2003 through 2004. Conclusions:Long-term declines in HIV incidence among IDUs are consistent with other reports; however, in 2003, we observed an unexpected increase in seroconversion that seems to be related to needle sharing. Although additional follow-up is needed to identify trends, these data indicate the need to reinforce HIV prevention efforts and to continue surveillance of drug users' behaviors.
Political role models, child marriage, and women’s autonomy over marriage in India

Drawing data from the India Human Development Survey 2011 and the year of the first election with reserved seats for women pradhans, I estimate the effect of the Panchayati Raj institutions on age and autonomy over marriage. Results indicate that women in local government decrease the likelihood of child marriage, and increase the age at first marriage and gauna. The effects seem to be driven by changes in gender and cultural norms, because there is a reduction in the prevalence of arranged marriages with minimum involvement of the bride. Overall results suggest a change in gender norms after 18 years of the implementation of reserved seats for women in local government.
What Teachers Need to Know About Learning Difficulties

What Teachers Need to Know about Learning Difficulties draws on international research about learning difficulties to present a clear picture of the issues involved. It focuses on early identification, so that intervention can prevent or minimise the negative outcomes of persistent failure and explains how teachers can address problems effectively. Problems of socialisation and behaviour are discussed and brief coverage given to students' specific difficulties with reading and mathematics. A comprehensive range of links to additional sources of information will help teachers find positive solutions for their students.
Association between Otitis Media and Gastroesophageal Reflux

Objective. To systematically review the association between otitis media and gastroesophageal/laryngopharyngeal reflux in children. Data Sources. Cochrane library, MEDLINE (1966–September 2011), EMBASE (1974–September 2011), proceedings of International Symposia on Recent Advances in Otitis Media, and reference lists of relevant selected articles. Review Methods. Studies with planned data collection, in children with chronic otitis media with effusion/recurrent acute otitis media, assessing gastroesophageal/laryngopharyngeal reflux, pepsin/pepsinogen in middle ear, or antireflux therapy, were included. Results. Of 242 initial studies, 15 met inclusion criteria. The authors found a mean prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children with chronic otitis media with effusion of 48.4% (range, 17.6%-64%) and in children with recurrent acute otitis media of 62.9% (range, 61.5%-64.3%). A mean prevalence of laryngopharyngeal reflux of 48.6% (range, 27.3%-70.6%) was found in children with otitis media. Mean pepsin/pepsinogen presence in otitis media was 85.3% (range, 60%-100%) and of enzymatic activity was 34.2% (range, 14.5%-73%). Two randomized trials could not find benefit after antireflux treatment for 3 months, with an absolute rate difference (95% confidence interval) of 0.23 (0.023-0.42) and 0.13 (−0.086 to 0.34), respectively. Reporting of adverse events was limited, or absent, in most studies. Conclusion. The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children with chronic otitis media with effusion/recurrent acute otitis media may be higher than the overall prevalence for children. Presence of pepsin/pepsinogen in the middle ear could be related to physiologic reflux. A cause-effect relationship between pepsin/pepsinogen in the middle ear and otitis media is unclear. Antireflux therapy for otitis media cannot be endorsed based on existing research.
Privacy and Data Mining: Evaluating the Impact of Data Anonymization on Classification Algorithms

Data anonymization is a technique used to increase the assurance that private data is not accessible to third parties. In data mining processes, anonymization can impact the results, since anonymized data may hinder the data analysis performed by algorithms commonly used in this context. The goal of this Practical Experience Report is to evaluate the accuracy and per-formance impact of data anonymization on data mining classifiers results. This is done through comparisons of their execution using original and anonymized data. A sample of real data generated by a Brazilian city transportation system associated to fictitious users was anonymized at different stages and classification algorithms, such as ZeroR, KNN (k - Nearest Neighbor), and Naive Bayes, were applied. Contrary to expectations, when the anonymization techniques were introduced in some classes, the accuracy was raised, as well as performance, reducing execution time. These results demonstrate that data anonymization techniques, when properly applied, can contribute to the effectiveness of data mining classifiers
Tumor Cell Lysate-Pulsed Dendritic Cells Are More Effective Than TCR Id Protein Vaccines for Active Immunotherapy of T Cell Lymphoma1

TCR Id protein conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) (TCR Id:KLH) and injected with a chemical adjuvant (QS-21) induces a protective, Id-specific immune response against the murine T cell lymphoma, C6VL. However, Id-based immunotherapy of C6VL has not demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in tumor-bearing mice. We report here that C6VL lysate-pulsed dendritic cells (C6VL-DC) vaccines display enhanced efficacy in both the prevention and the therapy of T cell lymphoma compared with TCR Id:KLH with QS-21 vaccines. C6VL-DC vaccines stimulated potent tumor-specific immunity that protected mice against lethal challenge with C6VL and significantly enhanced the survival of tumor-bearing mice. Tumor-specific proliferation and secretion of IFN-γ indicative of a Th1-type immune response were observed upon ex vivo stimulation of vaccine-primed lymph node cells. Adoptive transfer of immune T cell-enriched lymphocytes was sufficient to protect naive recipients from lethal tumor challenge. Furthermore, CD8+ T cells were absolutely required for tumor protection. Although C6VL-DC and control vaccines stimulated low levels of tumor-specific Ab production in mice, Ab levels did not correlate with the protective ability of the vaccine. Thus, tumor cell lysate-pulsed DC vaccines appear to be an effective approach to generate potent T cell-mediated immune responses against T cell malignancies without requiring identification of tumor-specific Ags or patient-specific Id protein expression.
Integrated interdisciplinary care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease reduces emergency department visits, admissions and costs: a quality assurance study.

BACKGROUND Dedicated programs for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can reduce hospitalizations and improve quality of life. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether health care utilization could be reduced by a newly developed integrated, interdisciplinary initiative that included a COPD nurse navigator who educates patients and families, transitions patients through various points of care and integrates services. METHODS The present quality assurance, pre-post study included patients followed by a COPD nurse navigator from January 25, 2010 to November 5, 2011. Information regarding emergency department visits and hospitalizations, including lengths of stay, were obtained from hospital databases. Diagnoses were classified as respiratory or nonrespiratory, and used primary and secondary hospitalization diagnoses to identify acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). Paired sign tests were performed. RESULTS The sample consisted of 202 patients. Following nurse navigator intervention, significantly more patients experienced a decrease in the number of respiratory-cause emergency department visits (P<0.05), number of respiratory hospitalizations (P<0.001), total hospital days for respiratory admissions (P<0.001), number of hospitalizations with AECOPD (P<0.001) and total hospital days for admissions with AECOPD (P<0.001). Financial modelling estimated annual savings in excess of $260,000. CONCLUSION The present quality assurance study indicated that the implementation of an integrated interdisciplinary program for the care of patients with COPD can improve patient outcomes despite the tendency of COPD to worsen over time.
Data-Driven Analysis in Drug Discovery

In the process of drug discovery for new chemical entities, application of appropriate pharmacological models often is not possible because the molecular mechanism of the compound is not yet elucidated. Therefore, a data-driven approach using generic tools designed to quantify characteristic patterns of concentration-response curves is required. This article outlines the options available for quantifying agonist and antagonist activity. Specifically, for agonists, the use of the Operational model for the determination of functional effects (equimolar potency ratios for full agonists, calculation of relative efficacy) is described. For antagonists, the measurement of pKB (-log of the equilibrium dissociation constant of the antagonist-receptor complex) for orthosteric antagonists that do not alter basal response (simple competitive antagonists), increase basal response (partial agonists), and decrease basal response (in constitutively active systems; inverse agonists) is discussed. In addition, this article considers methods to discern orthosteric receptor antagonism from allosteric antagonism whereby the agonist and antagonist bind to separate sites and interact through a conformational change in the receptor. Methods for the measurement of the pKB for allosteric modulators as well as co-operativity constants for these modulators is described.
Creating the Future Classroom Evidence from the ITEC Project

a concept which is there, but you really don’t think about those processes. It made [teachers] think. (Estonia, case study) The original version of the Future Classroom Maturity Model was perceived to be useful although, in a number of countries, similar tools for self-review already existed. It was perceived to stimulate participants to think about innovation (5 of 11 NPCs24, Estonian case study). The [Future Classroom Maturity Model] served as a basis for reflection and participants had the chance to position their schools regarding the different stages and to think about ways of moving forward and above. (Portugal, NPC) However, six countries25 already had similar tools for self-review in place and a further three noted potential challenges when introducing a maturity-modelling tool such as lack of school autonomy or lack of knowledge/motivation. The 15 teachers and stakeholders (responding to the survey26) who participated in the scenario development workshop all enjoyed the experience, and intended to continue to develop their ideas, share them with others and adopt them in their regular
Coping Strategy and Anxiety Evolution in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Initiating Interferon-Beta Treatment

This study (ACSEPT) aimed to assess anxiety evolution according to coping strategy in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) during their first months of treatment with interferon (IFN)-β1a. Recently diagnosed relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients (n = 255) were included and received standardized information on MS. At inclusion, the preferred coping mode was determined using the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). Anxiety and depression were assessed at inclusion and after 3 months using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory, respectively. At inclusion, the preferred coping strategy was task-oriented for most patients (53%), 51% were considered as anxious, and the mean Beck depression score was low. Emotion-oriented patients were more anxious and more depressed than the 2 other coping groups (task- and avoidance-oriented). During the first 3 months of IFN treatment, the anxiety level slightly decreased in the total population, more intensively in the emotion-oriented group, and there were no clinically significant changes in the Beck depression score. Anxiety and depression remained stable or decreased during the first 3 months of IFN treatment, depending on coping strategy. Identifying these coping strategies during therapy initiation may allow customized support and improve treatment adherence.
Methionine deficiency in early-weaned dairy calves fed pelleted rations based on corn and alfalfa or corn and soybean proteins.

Holstein bull calves weaned at 4 wk of age were assigned to one of three replicated 4 X 4 Latin squares at 5 to 6 wk. Trials were abomasal infusion of 0, . 30, . 60, and either 90 (Trials 2 and 3) or 1.20 g (Trial 1) L-methionine/kg pelleted starter ration consumed. In Trials 1 and 2, ration ingredients of the ration contributed the following percentages of total crude protein: corn meal 39, alfalfa meal 48, and soybean meal 12; dry matter of rations contained 13.6 and 13.9% crude protein and . 26 and . 32% sulfur. Infusion of . 60 g methionine in Trial 1 tended to depress excretion of nitrogen in urine and increase nitrogen retention. In Trial 2, urine nitrogen excretion and retained nitrogen responded in a quadratic fashion; infusion of . 30 and . 60, and either . 90 (Trials 2 and 3) or 1.20 g (Trial 1) L-methionine/kg pelleted starter ration consumed. In Trials 1 and 2, ingredients of the ration contributed the following percentages of total crude protein: corn meal 39, alfalfa meal 48, and soybean meal 12; dry matter of rations contained 13.6 and 13.9% crude protein and . 26 and . 32% sulfur. Infusion of . 60 g methionine in cretion 9%. Relationship between plasma methionine and infused methionine was linear for all trials. Methionine is the first limiting amino acid for early-weaned calves fed complete pelleted rations based on corn and either alfalfa or soybean proteins.
HLA-DR expression and soluble HLA-DR levels in septic patients after trauma.

OBJECTIVE To determine if cellular and soluble HLA-DR molecules may be relevant in severely injured patients for the development of gram-positive or gram-negative sepsis. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA HLA-DR molecules play a central role in the specific immune response to infection. The reduced HLA-DR expression on monocytes is considered to correlate with infectious complications and the development of sepsis. Data on the role of HLA-DR expression on T cells and soluble HLA-DR molecules are rare. METHODS HLA-DR expression on monocytes and T cells was measured by flow cytometry. Plasma levels of soluble HLA-DR were studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS HLA-DR expression on circulating T cells, calculated as mean fluorescence intensity in channels, was reduced at day 1 after admission in 20 patients with subsequent severe sepsis compared with 46 patients without sepsis. The septic patients immediately after trauma had significantly lower soluble HLA-DR plasma levels than the nonseptic patients. At day 2 after admission, HLA-DR expression on monocytes was significantly lower in the severe sepsis group than in the patients without sepsis, and lasted until day 14 after injury. CONCLUSIONS In severely injured patients, decreased levels of cellular and soluble HLA-DR appear as early indicators of an immune deviation associated with the development of severe sepsis. Moreover, immune alterations of different cell types may promote distinct kinds of septicemia.
Combination radiofrequency thermal ablation and adjuvant IV liposomal doxorubicin increases tissue coagulation and intratumoural drug accumulation

There has been marked interest in minimally-invasive, image-guided radiofrequency (RF) tumour ablation (i.e. coagulating tumour using short duration heating (<15 min) by directly applying temperatures >50°C via needle electrodes) to treat focal liver, renal, breast, bone and lung tumours. In spite of advances in RF technology and improved understanding of tumour biophysiology that now enable experimental treatment of tumours up to 5 cm, investigators have been unable to achieve complete ablation in many cases, particularly at the tumour margins and adjacent to blood vessels. One strategy for overcoming these limitations has been to take advantage of complementary interactions between RF thermal ablation and chemotherapy, particularly liposomal doxorubicin preparations, to attempt more complete tumour destruction. This paper will review published laboratory investigations demonstrating that this combined treatment paradigm has the unique potential both to potentiate preferential delivery of cytotoxic agents in liposome vehicles and to maximize the completeness of ablation of a treated tumour. New confirmatory data describing increased tumour destruction with RF ablation combined with different liposome preparations, documenting increased lipid peroxidation and expanding on previously published tumour growth studies is presented. Additionally, early clinical data including a randomized, pilot clinical study on 10 patients with primary and metastatic liver tumours, in which a non-optimized combination of RF ablation and IV liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil) increased the volume of tumour destruction 25–30% compared to RF alone, will also be described in detail.
Agricultural Insurance and Bounded Rationality

Bounded rationality influences the individuals making decisions. Rationality of decisions is limited by the complexity of the decision problem, the cognitive limitations of decision makers, and the time available to make the decision. One specific case of this situation is decision on the agricultural insurance. The success of agricultural activity is highly dependent on environmental influences in the region. These risks can destroy entire harvest or exterminate a whole herd of livestock. The Czech Republic, through the Support and Guarantee Fund for Farmers and Forestry, provides farmers and forest managers with a contribution to cover the costs of the payment of insurance against unforeseen damage for already several years by which it affects decision-making about insurance. The article discusses the rationality of decision on the agricultural insurance using decision model under risk.
Lung adenocarcinoma and human papillomavirus infection

Over the past three decades, the incidence of lung adenocarcinoma has increased worldwide. Most individuals with lung adenocarcinoma (especially women) are nonsmokers. Reported risk factors for the development of lung adenocarcinoma include cigarette smoking; exposure to cooking fumes, air pollution, second‐hand smoke, asbestos, and radon; nutritional status; genetic susceptibility; immunologic dysfunction; tuberculosis infection; and asthma. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a known risk factor for the development of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), but it has not been thoroughly assessed as a potential risk factor for the development of pulmonary adenocarcinoma. More than 50% of people are infected with HPV during their lifetimes, either via intrauterine or postnatal infection. Recent studies involving Taiwanese patients have demonstrated a possible association between HPV infection and the risk of developing pulmonary adenocarcinoma. HPV transmission pathways have not yet been conclusively identified. The observation of certain types of HPV in association with cervical and oral SCC raises the possibility of sexual transmission of HPV from the cervix to the oral cavity, with subsequent transmission to the larynx and then to the lung. HPV infection and metaplasia in lung tissue may increase an individual's susceptibility to the tumorigenesis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Further epidemiologic and pathologic investigations will be necessary to establish a causal relation. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Acute and sub-acute effect of ferric carboxymaltose on inflammation and adhesion molecules in patients with predialysis chronic renal failure.

BACKGROUND Treatment with parenteral iron causes oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) is a new preparation of non-dextran iron which, due to its pharmacokinetics and stability, may induce less toxicity than other iron molecules. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of FCM on inflammation and adhesion molecules in chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS Forty-seven patients with predialysis CKD and iron-deficiency anaemia received a single dose of FCM (15 mg/kg, maximum dose 1 gram). At baseline and after 60 minutes (acute effect) and after 3 weeks and 3 months (sub-acute effect), we determined inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and endothelial dysfunction: intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) and vascular adhesion molecule (VCAM). RESULTS Treatment with FCM was associated with a significant increase in haemoglobin levels: 10 (0.7) vs. 11.4 (1.3)g/dl, p<. 0001. CRP, IL-6, ICAM and VCAM levels did not correlate with baseline haemoglobin or ferritin levels and there was no relationship between changes in these markers and those of haemoglobin after administration of FCM. No significant, acute or sub-acute changes occurred in any of the inflammatory or endothelial markers studied. Statin therapy was associated with lower VCAM concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with high doses of FCM in patients with predialysis CKD has no proinflammatory effect and does not alter levels of adhesion molecules ICAM and VCAM in this population.