Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of therapy switch on time to second-line antiretroviral treatment failure in HIV-infected patients

Background Switch from first line antiretroviral therapy (ART) to second-line ART is common in clinical practice. However, there is limited knowledge of to which extent different reason for therapy switch are associated with differences in long-term consequences and sustainability of the second line ART. Material and methods Data from 869 patients with 14601 clinical visits between 1999–2014 were derived from the national cohort database. Reason for therapy switch and viral load (VL) levels at first-line ART failure were compared with regard to outcome of second line ART. Using the Laplace regression model we analyzed the median, 10th, 20th, 30th and 40th percentile of time to viral failure (VF). Results Most patients (n = 495; 57.0%) switched from first-line to second-line ART without VF. Patients switching due to detectable VL with (n = 124; 14.2%) or without drug resistance mutations (DRM) (n = 250; 28.8%) experienced VF to their second line regimen sooner (median time, years: 3.43 (95% CI 2.90–3.96) and 3.20 (95% 2.65–3.75), respectively) compared with those who switched without VF (4.53 years). Furthermore level of VL at first-line ART failure had a significant impact on failure of second-line ART starting after 2.5 years of second-line ART. Conclusions In the context of life-long therapy, a median time on second line ART of 4.53 years for these patients is short. To prolong time on second-line ART, further studies are needed on the reasons for therapy changes. Additionally patients with a high VL at first-line VF should be more frequently monitored the period after the therapy switch.
Navigation system based on ceiling landmark recognition for autonomous mobile robot-landmark detection based on fuzzy template matching (FTM)

We propose a vision based navigation system for autonomous mobile robots that recognizes outlets of air conditioning system (anemo) located on the ceiling as landmarks. Because landmarks on the ceiling are not obstructed by other objects, robots can find them easier than landmarks on the floor. To detect the landmark, we applied the fuzzy template matching (FTM) method. Based on FTM, a fuzzy template (FT) is modeled based on the edge information of landmarks in the image. In addition, we use neural network (NN) to detect landmarks quickly. Inputs of NN are the grades of fuzzy memberships and the learned NN directs FT to the landmark in the image. Because FTM does not use image processing, except edge extraction, it does not make processing error and the landmark can be detected precisely. The navigation system can calculate the distance and the angle of the anemo from the map information. As a result, the navigation system can identify the present robot's position and orientation. By the proposed algorithm, precise and fast landmark detection become possible even if the landmark follows the shadow.
PRICE needs updating, should we call the POLICE?

220 The acronym PRICE (protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation) has been central to acute soft tissue injury management for many years despite a paucity of high-quality, empirical evidence to support the various components or as a collective treatment package. Treatment paradigms in sports medicine must be updated based on contemporary research evidence. As a recent example, the widespread use of non-steroidal antiinfl ammatory drugs in acute soft tissue injury management has been challenged, particularly with ligament and muscle injuries. 1 Ice compression and elevation (ICE) is the basic principle of early treatment. Most research has focused on the analgesic effect of icing or the associated skin or intramuscular temperature changes; a recent randomised controlled trial by Prins and colleagues, 2 which examined the effectiveness of ice on recovery from acute muscle tear, is the fi rst of its kind. Clinical studies into compression are also lacking, and much of its rationale is extrapolated from research relating to deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis and lymphoedema management; there is little clinical research on elevation. 3
A monolithically integrated segmented driver and modulator in 0.25 µm SiGe:C BiCMOS with 13 dB extinction ratio at 28 Gb/s

In this work, a monolithically integrated segmented driver and Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) in 0.25 μm SiGe:C BiCMOS technology is presented. The driver and the modulator are divided in 16 segments and the MZM has a total length of 6.08 mm. The driver has a maximum gain of 14.5 dB. Electro-optical time-domain measurements were performed and an optical eye-diagram with more than 13 dB of extinction ratio at 28 Gb/s is demonstrated. The driver dissipates a total of 2 W of DC power. To the best knowledge of the authors, the presented work shows the highest extinction ratio achieved at 28 Gb/s in silicon modulators.
Association between blood lactate and acid-base status and mortality in ventilated babies

AIM To investigate the relation between common acid-base parameters and blood lactate concentrations and their prognostic importance in sick, ventilated neonates. METHODS Two hundred and seventy eight serial simultaneous measurements of arterial acid-base status and blood lactate concentrations were carried out in 75 mechanically ventilated neonates with indwelling arterial catheters (gestational age and birthweight, median (range) - 29 (23-40) weeks, and 1340 (550-4080) g, respectively). RESULTS There were no correlations between arterial blood lactate and pH and base excess within subjects (r=0.07 and r= -0.06, respectively) and only weakly positive but clinically irrelevant positive correlations between subjects (r=0.28 and r=0.27) in this group. Even in those infants who had not received any bicarbonate before their initial measurements (n=48), there were no correlations between initial blood lactate concentrations and pH (r=0.27), base excess (r=0.17), or serum bicarbonate concentrations (r=-0.18). There was no relation between peak lactate concentration (PLC) and base excess (r=0.16), and only a weak correlation between peak lactate concentration (PLC) and pH (r=0.28). Negative base excess was an insensitive indicator of raised lactate concentrations. Only two out of 33 (6%) instances of hyperlactataemia (lactate >2.5 mmol/l) would have been identified with a base excess <-10 mmol/l as a cutoff. Lower cutoff values of base excess or pH performed no better. Raised lactate concentrations were associated with increased mortality at all levels. While six of 53 (11%) infants with a PLC <2.5 mmol/l died, this proportion increased to four of 15 (27%) with a PLC between 2.5-5.0 mmol/l, and four of seven (57%) with a PLC >5.0 mmol/l. Infants showing little rise or a substantial fall in blood lactate fared better than those with persistently raised values. A clinically important increase in blood lactate preceded the development of clinical markers of deterioration and complications in six infants. CONCLUSIONS Contrary to popular belief, pH or base excess cannot be used as proxy measures for blood lactate concentration, and independent measurements of the latter are needed. Blood lactate concentrations may provide an early warning signal and important prognostic information in ill, ventilated neonates. In this regard, serial measurements of blood lactate are more useful than a single value.
Nonsynonymous somatic mitochondrial mutations occur in the majority of cutaneous melanomas

Earlier studies of mitochondrial mutations in melanoma have focused on analysis of selected mitochondrial genes and the displacement loop (D-loop) region using conventional sequencing. In this study we use data from a whole mitochondria-sequencing array, the MitoChip v2.0, to characterize the mutations that are present throughout the mitochondrial genome. The mitochondrial genome of DNA derived from 14 fresh melanoma specimens and two melanoma cell lines, and autologous lymphocytes or immortalized B cells, respectively, were sequenced using the MitoChip v2.0. Paired comparative sequence analysis was carried out to define somatic mutations. Somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations were identified in 12/16 (75%) melanomas, compared with germline lymphocyte DNA. One hundred mutations were present among these 12 melanomas. A disproportionate number of mutations occurred in the D-loop. Furthermore, 9/16 (56.3%) melanomas carried mutations, which resulted in amino acid substitutions in functional genes. In the 10 samples carrying nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase (ND) complex mutations, multiple mutations were present at a rate significantly greater than the expected frequency based on the size of ND complex genes (P=0.028, Fisher's exact test). Mitochondrial mutation is a frequent occurrence in melanoma. The high rate of missense mutations and the propensity for the ND complex implicate a role for alterations in mitochondrial respiratory function in melanoma carcinogenesis. Mutations of the noncoding D-loop are of unclear significance, but may be associated with alterations in transcription or replication. Further studies are needed to delineate the timing and functional significance of these mutations, and their role in the pathogenesis of this disease.
Risk Preferences Are Not Time Preferences: Reply

Can the well-known experimental phenomenon of present-bias in intertemporal choice be confounded with the risks associated with receiving payment? Can measurements of risk preferences be used to represent desires for smoothness in intertemporal payments? In our two 2012 papers in this journal we explored these two questions and found the answer to the first to be yes and the second to be no. We feel the three papers inspired by our work and published here underscore these arguments and point to interesting new possibilities for modeling and measuring risk over time. (JEL C91, D81, D91)
Measured and predicted total body water in children with myelomeningocele

Objective: Children with myelomeningocele (MMC) have an altered body composition and an atypical distribution of total body water (TBW). The aim of the present study was to determine the accuracy of current predictive equations, based on bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), in determining TBW when compared with measured TBW using deuterium dilution.
Evolution of aroma compounds from orange juice stored in polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

The evolution of aroma compounds from orange juice made from concentrate and stored in glass, standard monolayer polyethylene terephthalate (PET 1), multilayer PET (PET 2) and plasma-treated PET (internal carbon coating) (PET 3) was investigated. Bottles were stored at room temperature (20°C) under artificial light. Volatile compounds in orange juice samples and corresponding packaging materials were analysed at zero time and after 2, 3 and 5 months of storage. After 5 months of storage, from 0.2 to 0.3% of the initial amounts of limonene and β-myrcene in the orange juice had been absorbed by the plastic packaging materials. Statistical analyses showed that the evolution of aroma compounds was strongly correlated to the duration of storage, but not to the type of packaging material. Indeed, whatever the stored orange juice samples, the same evolutions were observed, with a decrease in aldehydes and ketones, esters, aliphatic alcohols, sesquiterpene and monoterpene alcohols, and an increase in two aliphatic and monoterpene alcohols (i.e. furfural and 4-vinylguaicol). The results suggest that the losses of aroma compounds from the juice could be attributed to the high acidity of the matrix, implying acid-catalysed reactions. Finally, PET packaging materials and their corresponding oxygen permeabilities showed no correlation with the loss of aroma compounds.
Thiopental Amelioration of Brain Damage after Global Ischemia in Monkeys

The authors studied the effect of thiopental in ameliorating permanent brain damage in monkeys after 16 min of global ischemia of the brain produced by a high-pressure neck tourniquet and systemic arterial hypotension. Intensive care and life support, including monitoring of physiologic variables, were provided for seven days after ischemia. Neurologic recovery was evaluated by scoring neurologic deficit and by histopathologic examination of the brain at sacrifice on day 7 after ischemia. Ten control monkeys had a mean neurologic deficit score of 53 ± 15 per cent (mean ± SEM). Thiopental, 90 mg/kg, administered 5 and 15 min after ischemia significantly improved neurologic recovery, with neurologic deficit scores of 0 (n = 5) and 18 ± 8 per cent (n = 5), respectively. Improved neurologic recovery was not observed when therapy was delayed to 30 and 60 min after ischemia. However, thiopental, 120 mg/kg, improved recovery when administered 60 min (neurologic deficit score, 7 ± 6 per cent), but not 30 min after ischemia. Histologic changes in the brain correlated with neurologic deficit scores. These results show that after 16 min of global ischemia of the brain, a major portion of the permanent brain damage occurs after restoration of circulation and is amenable to therapy with thiopental. There appears to be a doseand time-related response to thiopental therapy, but the optimal values were not identified in this study.
Valuing the role of the non‐medical surgical assistant in Australia

The aim of this study is to achieve professional recognition, governance and remuneration of the non-medical surgical assistant (NMSA) in Australia. An NMSA is a clinician who cares for the perioperative patient but is not a doctor. This role is well established, regulated and remunerated in the international setting. This role has existed in Australia for more than 20 years but is not professionally recognized or governed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) via either the Board of Nursing and Midwifery Australia or the Medical Board of Australia. An example of input by surgical groups in the international setting is the Royal College of Surgeons England who have been proactive with curricula input for the role in the UK, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) has had little input into formal recognition, curricula and governance of the role in Australia. Meetings held in Canberra in 2015 between the Australian Association of Nurse Surgical Assistants and representatives from the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) investigated how the NMSA could progress to a stage where the MBS would remunerate the NMSA for ‘Assisting at Operation’ as this does not currently occur. Lack of remuneration renders the NMSA role unsustainable to many clinicians. Currently, the most common payment method for the NMSA in Australia is an out-of-pocket expense paid by the surgeon or the patient versus the medical surgical assistant who is remunerated by the MBS. During these meetings, MBS representatives emphasized that the opinions of Australian surgeons regarding the role of the NMSA were highly relevant. This relevance regarding medical services is supported by a recent RACS publication noting that the Department of Health and the Medical Services Advisory Committee are actively seeking participation from surgeons on the ‘acceptability’ of medical services. Surgeons’ opinions are critical because they work closely with the NMSA, are the team leaders in the operating theatre and the primary carer of the patient. An online survey of Australian surgeons’ opinions on the role of the NMSA was distributed by RACS via ‘Fax Mentis’ during December 2015 to February 2016. Respondents (n = 445 with a completion rate of 75%) highlighted several points: • The majority of respondents (n = 180, 66%) were ‘Not Supportive’ or ‘Undecided’ of the NMSA role in the Public Sector. This may be attributed to a concern that the NMSA will negatively impact junior doctor training; however, this is not supported in the literature; • The NMSA role was well supported in the Private Sector in Australia, 188 (69%) respondents were ‘Very Supportive’ or ‘Supportive to some degree’, with 108 (38%) ‘Undecided’ or ‘Not supportive’; • Uptake of the NMSA role was highest in General and Orthopaedic surgery; and • Current practice reflects that 105 (35%) respondents currently utilize an NMSA in the Private Sector and 30 (9%) respondents utilize an NMSA in the Public Sector. A number of respondents (n = 16, 5%) utilize an NMSA for public patients in the Private Sector.
Monitoring Molecular Heterogeneity of β-thalassemia Syndrome in District Nowshehra

Among the reported single gene disorders/syndrome, hemoglobin infection is the most common and widespread genetic disorder. Thalassemia arises from defect in red blood cell proteinaceous component (hemoglobin), which carries oxygen and may lead to anemia. Present study aimed to detect the common molecular abnormalities of β-thalassemia syndrome in district Nowshehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This work was conducted at Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, the reports collecting blood samples from patients (average age 13 years) and their families with β-thalassemia major (n = 13 families) belonged to district Nowshehra. The assembled blood samples from the patients were tested for the presence of most common mutations, using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). This study reports six known mutations (IVS-1-5, FSC 8/9, CD 41/42, IVS-1-1, CD 15 and FSC-5) comprising 90% of the total β-thalassemia genes in Pakistan. In our study, IVS 1-5 and FSC-8/9 were the most widespread β-thalassemia gene mutation detected in patients belonging to district Nowshehra. The findings of the study can be used to get an idea about the most common mutation in this region and in designing pre-natal programmes to control the genetic disease.
Calcium Entry in Toxoplasma gondii and Its Enhancing Effect of Invasion-linked Traits*

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is exposed to large Ca2+ gradients during its lytic cycle. Results: Ca2+ entry in T. gondii is a source of Ca2+ increase and is mediated by a nifedipine-sensitive pathway and not by a canonical store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) pathway. Conclusion: Ca2+ entry enhances parasite virulence traits. Significance: This is the first study linking regulation of Ca2+ entry and virulence traits of T. gondii. During invasion and egress from their host cells, Apicomplexan parasites face sharp changes in the surrounding calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration. Our work with Toxoplasma gondii provides evidence for Ca2+ influx from the extracellular milieu leading to cytosolic Ca2+ increase and enhancement of virulence traits, such as gliding motility, conoid extrusion, microneme secretion, and host cell invasion. Assays of Mn2+ and Ba2+ uptake do not support a canonical store-regulated Ca2+ entry mechanism. Ca2+ entry was blocked by the L-type Ca2+ channel inhibitor nifedipine and stimulated by the increase in cytosolic Ca2+ and by the specific L-type Ca2+ channel agonist Bay K-8644. Our results demonstrate that Ca2+ entry is critical for parasite virulence. We propose a regulated Ca2+ entry mechanism activated by cytosolic Ca2+ that has an enhancing effect on invasion-linked traits.
SORET AND DUFOUR EFFECTS ON MHD HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER FLOW OF A MICROPOLAR FLUID WITH THERMOPHORESIS PARTICLE DEPOSITION

The effect of thermophoresis on heat and mass transfer flow of a micropolar fluid in the presence of Soret and Dufour effects past a vertical porous plate have been investigated . The transformed conservation equations are solved numerically using an optimized, extensively validated, variational finite element analysis. The influence of important non-dimensional parameter, Suction parameter ( ), Soret parameter (Sr), Dufour parameter (Du) and thermophoretic parameter (τ) on velocity, angular velocity (micro-rotation), temperature and concentration fields as well as shear stress, Nusselt number and Sherwood number are examined in detail and the results are shown in graphically and in tabular form to know the physical importance of the problem. It is found that the imposition of wall fluid suction (V 0 >0) in this present problem of flow has the effect of depreciating the velocity, micro-rotation, temperature and concentration boundary layer thicknesses at every finite value of η.
The Neuropathic Pain Scale and its reliability and validity for diabetic neuropathy

Pain is a subjective experience and as such is difficult to assess objectively. The common method of assessment is to use a pain scale so that patients can rate different aspects of their experience of pain. Neuropathic pain, which is caused by a dysfunction of the nervous system and is often associated with the diabetic foot, can be assessed using the Neuropathic Pain Scale. This article reviews the literature for the Neuropathic Pain Scale to assess its reliability and validity in identifying levels of neuropathic pain. The authors conclude that the NPS is a valid and reliable tool.
Existence of Compressible Bilayers in the Functionalized Cahn-Hilliard Equation

The functionalized Cahn--Hilliard (FCH) free energy models phase separation in amphiphilic systems, which possess a component with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic tendencies. We establish the existence of a family of bilayer structures, described by homoclinic solutions of a fourth-order dynamical system arising from the FCH energy in the nongeneric case of an equal-depth double well, $W\geq0$. The free parameter accommodates bilayers of variable width, which correspond to the compression of the bilayer under external pressure. Modulo a nondegeneracy condition, which we conjecture is associated to an orbit-flip bifurcation within the fourth-order dynamical system, we show that its homoclinic orbits are well approximated by those of a corresponding second-order dynamical system obtained by perturbing the potential well $W$ with the primitive of Modica and Mortola's $\sqrt{W}$.
Parenteral prophylaxis against enterococcal endocarditis

Three commonly used antibiotic regimens for the prevention of enterococcal endocarditis were administered parenterally to six healthy men in a crossover manner. The regimens included 1 gm of streptomycin intramuscularly (IM) in combination with (1) procaine penicillin 600,000 units plus aqueous penicillin G 200,000 units IM; or (2) ampicillin 25 mg/kg intravenously (IV); or (3) ampicillin 1 gm IM. The combinations containing ampicillin IM or IV with streptomycin produced bactericidal activity at dilutions of 1:2 or greater for the majority of the strains, whereas the penicillin-streptomycin regimen did not. All regimens were poorly bactericidal against three strains of enterococci which were highly resistant to streptomycin. These data suggest that ampicillin plus streptomycin is the preferred regimen for prophylaxis.
Orbital irradiation for thyroid orbitopathy: 4 years experience

Objective: To review the practice of orbital irradiation in thyroid orbitopathy. Methods: Review of the records of patients who received orbital irradiation for thyroid orbitopathy between June 1995 and June 1999. Twenty four patients were treated with a radiotherapy protocol. The practice of radiotherapy was analyzed and various clinical parameters were mea- sured to document the response during follow up. Results: Radiotherapy was used as first-line treatment for 7 patients (29%) and as second-line treatment for 9 (38%), while 8 patients (33%) had combined therapy with steroids. Soft tissue signs and compressive optic neuropathy showed the most favorable outcome while ocular motility and proptosis had a less positive outcome. No ocular complications were detected during follow-up. Conclusion: Orbital irradiation is a safe and effective way of treating active thyroid orbitopathy.