Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of accreditation in quality improvement of institutional Review Board

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the process of accreditation resulting in improvement of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) functioning. Methodology: Randomly selected projects from years 2007 (before accreditation), 2010 (after accreditation), and 2013 (after reaccreditation) were evaluated to assess parameters, namely, submission of good clinical practices (GCPs), completeness of IRB submission form, fulfillment of quorum, documentation of the declaration of conflict of interests, and submission of the status reports. Compliance to these parameters was compared over a period of 3 years. Results: A total of seventy projects were evaluated retrospectively. Compliance of the principal investigators regarding submission of GCP certificates increased substantially from 5% to 53.1%. Completeness of IRB forms was 80% in 2007 while it became 100% in 2010 and continued even in 2013. Fulfillment of quorum increased significantly from 35% in 2007 to 100% in 2010 and 2013 after the accreditation procedures. Out of the selected twenty projects (2007), nonfinancial conflict of interest was not declared in all three applicable projects, while of 18 projects (2010), nonfinancial conflict of interest was declared in all three applicable cases. Of 32 projects (2013), nonfinancial conflict of interest was declared in seven out of eight applicable cases. Timely submission of status reports increased from 10% in 2007 to 38.9% in 2010 and 37.5% in 2013. Conclusion: Accreditation plays a vital role in the improvement of IRB. The policies and procedures formulated and implemented during the process of accreditation resulted in improvement of IRB performance. Continuing training of the IRB and researchers is required to maintain the accreditation.
Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Raltegravir, Etravirine, and Darunavir/Ritonavir in Treatment-Experienced Patients: Week 96 Results From the ANRS 139 TRIO Trial

Abstract:Among 103 patients with multidrug-resistant HIV who initiated raltegravir, etravirine, and darunavir/ritonavir-containing regimen in the ANRS 139 TRIO trial, 100 participated in extended follow-up and continued study treatment until week 96. Among them, 87 (87%) received an optimized background therapy including either nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors or enfuvirtide, they were 78 (78%) at week 96. At week 96, 88% achieved durable virologic response (<50 copies/mL). CD4 response was maintained (median change of +150 cells/mm3). No major toxicity was reported. This triple drug combination showed sustained efficacy and thus should be strongly considered for patients with multiclass-resistant virus.
Reduction in 5‐HT1A receptor density, 5‐HT1A mRNA expression, and functional correlates for 5‐HT1A receptors in genetically defined aggressive rats

The present experiments tested the hypothesis that one of the critical mechanisms underlying genetically defined aggressiveness involves brain serotonin 5‐HT1A receptors. 5‐HT1A receptor density, the receptor mRNA expression in brain structures, and functional correlates for 5‐HT1A receptors identified as 8‐OH‐DPAT‐induced hypothermia and lower lip retraction (LLR) were studied in Norway rats bred for 59 generations for the lack of aggressiveness and for high affective aggressiveness with respect to man. Considerable differences between the highly aggressive and the nonaggressive rats were shown in all three traits. A significant decrease in Bmax of specific receptor binding of [3H]8‐OH‐DPAT in the frontal cortex, hypothalamus, and amygdala and a reduction in 5‐HT1A receptor mRNA expression in the midbrain of aggressive rats were found. 5‐HT1A receptor agonist 8‐OH‐DPAT (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a distinct hypothermic reaction in nonaggressive rats and did not affect significantly the body temperature in aggressive rats. Similar differences were revealed in 8‐OH‐DPAT‐induced LLR: LLR was expressed much more in nonaggressive than in aggressive animals. Additionally, 8‐OH‐DPAT (0.5 mg/kg i.p.) treatment significantly attenuated the aggressive response to man. The results demonstrated an association of aggressiveness with reduced 5‐HT1A receptor expression and function, thereby providing support for the view favoring the idea that brain HT1A receptor contributes to the genetically defined individual differences in aggressiveness. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Parental report of sleep problems in Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND Children with Down syndrome (DS) suffer from sleep problems, including sleep maintenance problems, as well as snoring, and other symptoms of disordered breathing. To examine sleep in DS, we gave parents a questionnaire assessing their child's sleep. MATERIALS AND METHODS The parents of 35 children with DS (mean age = 12.65 years, range = 7-18 years) completed the 33-item Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire. RESULTS Eighty-five per cent of our sample had sleep disturbance scores in the clinical range (mean = 48.63, SD = 7.15, range = 34-64). Our sample also had significantly elevated scores on the Bedtime Resistance, Sleep Anxiety, Night Wakings, Parasomnias, Sleep Disordered Breathing and Daytime Sleepiness subscales. CONCLUSIONS Children with DS are at risk for developing symptoms of sleep disordered breathing, and may have additional sleep problems that are unrelated to sleep disordered breathing.
Activities of TMC 207 , Rifampin , and Pyrazinamide against Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection in Guinea Pigs

The experimental compound TMC207 is showing promise against infections caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis both in a variety of animal studies and in the field. In this study, we used the guinea pig model, a species that shows several similarities to human tuberculosis, including the hallmark of primary granuloma necrosis, to determine the efficacy of a combination regimen combining TMC207 with rifampin and pyrazinamide. This drug regimen rapidly reduced the bacterial load in the lungs to undetectable levels by 8 weeks of treatment. This reduction was associated with a substantial improvement in lung pathology, but despite this effect areas of residual necrosis still remained. In the draining lymph nodes, however, tissue damage was rapid and not significantly reversed by the drug treatment. Approximately 10 to 11 months after the treatment had ended, the animals began to trigger a Karnovsky scale indicating bacterial regrowth and potential relapse, an event confirmed by the new development of both pulmonary and extrapulmonary granulomatous lesions. Interestingly, a similar rate of relapse was also seen in animals receiving 24 weeks of rifampin, pyrazinamide, and isoniazid standard chemotherapy. These data indicate that TMC207 could be a useful addition to current treatment regimens for tuberculosis.
Persistence of Two Trichomonas gallinae Isolates in Chlorinated and Distilled Water With or Without Organic Material

SUMMARY Trichomonas gallinae is a protozoan parasite commonly found in columbids, passerines, and raptors. In passerines and columbids, trichomonosis causes significant morbidity and mortality associated with contaminated bird feeders and waters. However, there has been little work on the persistence of T. gallinae in water to determine if artificial waters are a likely source of infection for naïve birds. To examine drinking water as a source of T. gallinae transmission, we inoculated 1 × 106 trichomonads into containers with 500 ml of either distilled or chlorinated water. In addition, we inoculated the same number of trichomonads in distilled or chlorinated water contaminated with 15 g organic matter. Aliquots of 0.5 ml were collected from each container at 0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, or 20 min; inoculated into a Trichomonas culture packet; and incubated at 37 C for 6 days. Survival was best in the presence of organic matter, with either distilled or chlorinated water. Uncontaminated chlorinated water did not allow survival at any sampling period. RESUMEN Nota de Investigación—Persistencia de dos aislamientos de Trichomonas gallinae en agua clorada y destilada con o sin materia orgánica. Trichomonas gallinae es un parásito protozoario que se encuentra comúnmente en los colúmbidos, paseriformes y aves rapaces. En paseriformes y en colúmbidos, la trichomonosis causa una morbilidad importante y mortalidad asociada con comederos y bebederos contaminados. Sin embargo, ha habido muy poco trabajo sobre la persistencia de T. gallinae en agua para determinar si las aguas artificiales son una fuente probable de infección para las aves susceptibles. Para examinar el agua potable como una fuente de transmisión de T. gallinae, se inocularon 1×106 trichomonas en recipientes con 500 ml de agua destilada o tratada con cloro. Además, se inocularon el mismo número de trichomonas en agua destilada o agua clorada contaminadas con 15 g de materia orgánica. Las alícuotas de 0.5 ml se recogieron de cada recipiente a los 0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, o 20 minutos se inocularon en un paquete de cultivo de trichomonas y se incubaron a 37C durante seis días. La supervivencia fue mejor en presencia de materia orgánica, ya sea con agua destilada o tratada con cloro. El agua clorada no contaminada no permitió la supervivencia en ningún periodo de muestreo.
Subsidy Policies and Insurance Demand

Using data from a two-year pricing experiment, we study the impact of subsidy policies on weather insurance take-up. Results show that subsidies increase future insurance take-up through their influence on payout experiences. Exploring mechanisms of the payout effect, we find that for households that randomly benefited from financial education, receiving a payout provides a one-time learning experience that improves take-up permanently. In contrast, households with poor insurance knowledge continuously update take-up decisions based on recent experiences with disasters and payouts. Combining subsidy policies with financial education can thus be effective in promoting long-run insurance adoption. (JEL G22, G52, G53, Q54)
Una Visión Global de la Deuda Financiera de los Hogares Chilenos en la Última Década

Este articulo constituye el primer esfuerzo por proporcionar una caracterizacion extensiva de la deuda financiera de los hogares chilenos en la ultima decada, que permita contribuir al debate con una evaluacion del riesgo que este segmento conlleva para el sistema financiero chileno. Con este objetivo se caracterizan los distintos productos crediticios disponibles, los diversos oferentes del credito y las principales caracteristicas de los deudores en cada segmento, ademas de analizar la exposicion de los agentes financieros a la deuda de los hogares, incluyendo una comparacion de sus indicadores de riesgo de credito. La deuda de los hogares chilenos muestra un importante dinamismo en el periodo 1997-2008. Este se manifiesta en diversos aspectos, entre los cuales estan los cambios en las condiciones crediticias, el ingreso de nuevos proveedores al sistema, modificaciones normativas y una fuerte correlacion con el ciclo economico. Si bien el presente analisis apunta a que, por multiples factores, el riesgo de este segmento crediticio es acotado, tambien pone en evidencia la relevancia de su constante monitoreo.
Metabolic subtypes and risk of mortality in normal weight, overweight, and obese individuals with CKD.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Higher body mass index (BMI) is paradoxically associated with lower mortality in persons with CKD, but whether cardiometabolic abnormalities modulate this association is unclear. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS Participants with CKD from the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study (n=4374) were analyzed. The harmonized criteria for metabolic syndrome were used to define metabolic health, and participants were categorized into one of six mutually exclusive categories defined by combined measures of metabolic health (metabolically healthy, <3 criteria for metabolic syndrome; metabolically unhealthy, ≥3 criteria) and weight status (normal weight, BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2); overweight, BMI 25-29.9 kg/m(2); obese, BMI ≥30 kg/m(2)). Cox models were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of death as a function of each category. RESULTS A total of 683 deaths were observed over a mean 4.5 years of follow-up. In analyses adjusted for age, race, sex, and geographic region of residence, compared with metabolically healthy normal weight persons, the HRs of mortality in metabolically healthy overweight and obese persons were 0.68 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.53 to 0.87) and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.51 to 0.98), respectively, whereas there were no statistically significant differences in survival among metabolically unhealthy overweight or obese individuals. After further adjustment for lifestyle, clinical and laboratory factors including markers of kidney function, the HR of mortality remained lower in metabolically healthy overweight individuals compared with metabolically healthy normal weight individuals (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.96). CONCLUSIONS Metabolic abnormalities may attenuate the magnitude and strength of survival benefits associated with higher BMI in individuals with CKD.
Image sampling by hierarchical annealing

Simulated annealing has been applied to a wide variety of problems in image processing. Particularly in scientific applications, the computational complexity of simulated annealing may constrain its effectiveness. High resolution samples or 3D data may result in huge configuration spaces. In this paper a method of hierarchical simulated annealing is introduced to perform sampling of binary porous media images. This approach can lead to large gains in computational cost for suitable models.
Lumbar Instability and Clinical Symptoms: Which Is the More Critical Factor for Symptoms Sagittal Translation or Segment Angulation?

Background: The relationship between radiologic instability and its symptoms is controversial. Previous authors consider flexion–extension radiographs to be of little value in evaluating instability; however, the current authors consider the variation of results in evaluating radiologic instability to be the result of limitations in previous researchers’ methods. Methods: In this report, sagittal translation and angulation at the L4–L5 segment were measured in flexion–extension films in 1090 outpatients with low back and/or leg pain using a three-landmark measuring method. The symptoms of four groups with and without 3-mm translation and with and without 10° angulation were compared for all the patients and for 280 age-matched patients using a scoring system. The age-matched patients were followed up for 4.6 years. Results: Results showed that patients with ≥3-mm translation had significantly lower scores, indicating a limitation in their daily activities due to pain, than patients <3-mm translation; however, no difference was observed between the groups in terms of angulation. The group with ≥3-mm translation and ≥10° angulation significantly demonstrated the lowest scores at both evaluations during the initial visit and follow-up. This group had been suffering from low back and/or leg pain the longest and had visited the hospital significantly more often than other groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, translation of the lumbar segment has a greater influence than angulation on lumbar symptoms. The presence of both radiologic factors could be an indicator for persistence of the symptoms.
Day-to-day variability of fasting plasma glucose in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic subjects.

OBJECTIVE To determine the day-to-day intraindividual variability of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in newly diagnosed Caucasian type 2 diabetic subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 193 newly diagnosed, previously untreated, Caucasian type 2 diabetic subjects (135 men, 58 women) had FPG measured on two consecutive days (FPG1, FPG2). Ethical approval and subjects' full informed consent were obtained. Subjects fasted for 12 h before each study day and rested for at least 30 min before blood was taken. Plasma glucose was analyzed by a glucose oxidase method with intra- and interassay coefficients of variation (CVs) < 2%. Variability of FPG was assessed by comparison of percentage differences (PDs): PD = 100 (FPG2 - FPG1)/FPG1, with averaged FPG (FPGaver = [FPG1 + FPG2]/2). Biological and analytical variability were determined by use of SD2total = SD2biological + SD2analytical, where SD2analytical approximately equal to 2 x (CVglucose measurement)2. Given normally distributed data with zero mean, 95% of daily percentage differences will be expected to fall within a range of +/- 2 SDtotal. RESULTS Subjects were age 54 +/- 10 years (mean +/- SD) and had BMI of 29.3 +/- 5.3 kg/m2. FPG values for both days were 12.2 +/- 3.4 mmol/l (FPG1) and 12.1 +/- 3.3 mmol/l (FPG2), with a mean paired difference (95% CI) of 0.1 (0.0 to 0.3) mmol/l. The variance of these differences increased with increasing FPGaver. The PDs did not exhibit this effect and were normally distributed (mean -0.6% [-1.7 to 0.4]; SD 7.4% [6.8 to 8.3]), giving a 95% variability (2 SD) of 14.8%. Biological variability (2 SDbiological) was 13.7%. No significant difference in PD was found between men and women (mean difference 1.3% [-1.0 to 3.6]; SDmale 7.4%, SDfemale 7.3%; P = 0.62). CONCLUSIONS A total of 95% of the FPG values for this group of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic subjects varied within approximately +/- 15% on a daily basis, with approximately 14% caused by biological variability. As these results are expressed in percentage terms, subjects in the group with higher FPG values are likely to experience larger changes in FPG values measured from day to day. This variability should be considered when using FPG for the diagnosis and/or monitoring of response to treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes.
LC and LD50 Values of Bacillus thuringiensis Serovar japonensis Strain Buibui Toxin to Oriental Beetle and Northern Masked Chafer Larvae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

ABSTRACT Bacillus thuringiensis serovar japonensis strain Buibui has the potential to be an important control agent for pest scarabs. Bioassays were designed to test B. t. japonensis against two of the major turf and ornamental scarab pests infesting turfgrasses and ornamentals and to serve as a basis for further tests against other scarab pests. LC and LD50 values of B. t. serovar japonensis strain Buibui toxin and spores were determined by four different bioassays for the oriental beetle, Anomala orientalis (Waterhouse), and northern masked chafer, Cyclocephala borealis Arrow. Oriental beetle larvae were bioassayed in autoclaved and nonautoclaved soil from where they were collected (Kingston, RI [native]), in nonautoclaved soil from where the northern masked chafer larvae were collected (Groton, CT [foreign]), and per os. Northern masked chafer larvae were bioassayed in autoclaved and nonautoclaved soil from where they were collected (Groton, CT [native]), in nonautoclaved soil from where the oriental beetle larvae were collected (Kingston, RI [foreign]) and per os. LC50 values of 3.93 µg toxin/g autoclaved native soil, 1.80 µg toxin/g nonautoclaved native soil, and 0.42 µg toxin/g nonautoclaved foreign soil and an LD50 value of 0.41 µg per os were determined at 14 d for A. orientalis. LC50 values of 588.28 µg toxin/g autoclaved native soil, 155.10 µg toxin/g nonautoclaved native soil, 265.32 µg toxin/g nonautoclaved foreign soil, and LD50 of 5.21 µg per os were determined at 14 d (soils) and 10 d (per os) for C. borealis. There were significant differences in LC50 values for oriental beetles in autoclaved, nonautoclaved native soil and nonautoclaved foreign soil. There were significant differences in LC50 values for northern masked chafers in autoclaved and nonautoclaved native soil. B. t. japonensis can be applied now for control of oriental beetles at rates that are economically competitive with synthetic chemicals. If we can determine the component of nonautoclaved soil that enhances the activity of toxin, it may be possible to lower the rates of toxin needed for control to more economical levels for more difficult to control species such as the northern masked chafer.
Cementless Femoral Components Should Be Made From Cobalt Chrome

&NA; Before 1982, the authors performed 177 primary total hip arthroplasties using a single‐sized, extensively porous‐coated cobaltchrome femoral prosthesis. The current status of 122 of these arthroplasties is known. Two femoral prostheses have been revised for late symptomatic loosening, 2 for stem fracture, and 1 for infection. From 1982 to 1984, 227 primary arthroplasties were performed using the same stem in multiple sizes. Of these cases, 171 are available for followup. One stem (0.6%) has been revised for symptomatic loosening. Large osteolytic femoral lesions (average size, 8.1 cm2) developed in 3 patients, associated with an unusually large amount of polyethylene wear of their acetabular components. These patients have been treated by exchange of the polyethylene liner within the porous‐coated acetabular component and allografting of the osteolytic lesions. The femoral components were not exchanged because osteolysis had not eroded the integrity of the supporting bone‐implant interface to a point where loosening occurred. Before 1987, 193 patients with loose femoral components were treated with revision total hip arthroplasty, also using an extensively porous‐coated cobalt‐chrome femoral stem of similar design. Ten (5.7%) patients have required rerevision of the femoral prosthesis. Six of these 10 rerevisions were performed because of symptomatic loosening. Ninetythree percent of the patients in the primary series had relief of their preoperative pain and have improved functional ability; 94.2% are satisfied with their results. In the revision series, 89.1% of the patients are free of pain and function better than preoperatively, and 89.6% are fully satisfied with their results. No extensively porous‐coated implants that became fixed by osseointegration have developed late loosening or required removal because of osteolysis or stress shielding. These results justify the continued use of cobaltchrome porous‐coated femoral prostheses in primary and revision surgery.
Recognition of lipopeptides by Toll-like receptors

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize specific molecular patterns present only in micro-organisms and thereby activate innate immune cells. TLR2 is essential for the recognition of peptidoglycan and lipoprotein/lipopeptides. Lipoprotein/lipopeptides are observed in cell walls of a variety of micro-organisms. Host immune cells recognize the specific patterns of lipoprotein/lipopeptides through the association of TLR2 with other TLRs. TLR1 and TLR6 are highly homologous to TLR2 in structure. TLR6-deficient mice showed an impaired response to mycoplasmal lipopeptides that are diacylated, whereas TLR1-deficient mice were defective in their response to bacterial lipopeptides that are triacylated. TLR2-deficient mice did not show any inflammatory response to either type of lipopeptide. The functional association of TLR2 with TLR1 or TLR6 has been demonstrated. Thus, TLR1 and TLR6 are involved in the discrimination of a subtle difference between triacyl and diacyl lipopeptides through interaction with TLR2.