Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oral fingolimod (FTY720) in relapsing multiple sclerosis: impact on health-related quality of life in a phase II study

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) worsens with multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses and disease progression. Common symptoms including depression and fatigue may contribute to poor HRQoL. Objectives: To report exploratory analyses assessing the impact of fingolimod (FTY720) on HRQoL and depression in a phase II study of relapsing MS. Methods: The Hamburg Quality of Life Questionnaire in MS (HAQUAMS) and Beck Depression Inventory second edition (BDI-II) scores were assessed during a 6-month, placebo-controlled study and optional extension. Results: HAQUAMS total score improved with fingolimod and worsened with placebo. Mean score change from baseline to month 6 was −0.02 with fingolimod 1.25 mg (p < 0.05 versus placebo), −0.01 with fingolimod 5.0 mg and + 0.12 with placebo. Categorical data supported a clinically important effect of fingolimod on HRQoL. Fingolimod 1.25 mg was also beneficial over placebo in the fatigue/thinking HAQUAMS sub-domain (p < 0.05 versus placebo). Change in mean BDI-II scores from baseline to month 6 and the proportion of patients with BDI-II scores indicative of clinical depression favored fingolimod 1.25 mg over placebo (p < 0.05 for both). At month 4, mean BDI-II and HAQUAMS total scores appeared to be maintained in fingolimod-treated patients. Conclusion: Fingolimod 1.25 mg may improve HRQoL and depression at 6 onths compared with placebo in patients with relapsing MS.
The effects of rivastigmine on processing speed and brain activation in patients with multiple sclerosis and subjective cognitive fatigue

Background: Cognitive decline and fatigue are typical in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, there is no official medication for either of these symptoms. Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the effects of a single dose of rivastigmine on processing speed and associated brain activity in patients with MS and subjective cognitive fatigue. Methods: Fifteen patients with MS and subjective cognitive fatigue and 13 healthy controls (HCs) matched for age, gender and education performed a neuropsychological assessment and functional (f)MRI. A modified version of the Paced Visual Serial Addition Test (mPVSAT) was used as the behavioural task during fMRIs. After the first scanning session, both groups were randomly divided into two subgroups receiving either rivastigmine or placebo. A single dose of rivastigmine or placebo was administrated double-blindly and 2.5 hours later the scanning was repeated. Results: At baseline, the patients with MS showed slower processing speed in mPVSAT compared with the HCs. They also demonstrated stronger bilateral frontal activation after sustained cognitive effort than the HCs. Performance improvement and a further activation increase in the left anterior frontal cortex and additional activation in the right cerebellum were observed in patients who received rivastigmine but not in patients on placebo, or in HCs with placebo or rivastigmine. Conclusion: These preliminary findings suggest that rivastigmine may improve cognitive processing speed by enhancing compensatory brain activation in patients with MS.
Randomized Controlled Study Investigating Viral Suppression and Serological Response following Pre-S1/Pre-S2/S Vaccine Therapy Combined with Lamivudine Treatment in HBeAg-Positive Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

ABSTRACT The aim of the current study was to evaluate viral suppression following combined treatment with an S/pre-S1/pre-S2 vaccine and lamivudine in patients with chronic hepatitis B. We established a randomized, controlled clinical trial to compare the responses of three different treatment groups: those receiving vaccine monotherapy, lamivudine monotherapy, or combination treatment. Viral response was evaluated via hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA suppression using different levels of classification. Seroconversion was evaluated via HBeAg loss, HBeAg seroconversion, HBsAg loss, and anti-HBs response. We found that the group receiving combination treatment demonstrated a significant increase in viral suppression over that for the lamivudine or vaccine monotherapy group, although the HBeAg seroconversion rate was not different. This enhanced suppression effect in the combination group was reversed after the discontinuation of vaccine treatment, suggesting that booster doses are required for a sustained viral response. Anti-HBs was detected in 55/120 vaccine recipients, but only 3 patients demonstrated HBsAg loss, indicating that the vaccine-induced anti-HBs was unable to completely neutralize HBsAg in the serum. At the study end point, anti-HBs responders showed significantly higher HBeAg seroconversion rates, greater suppression of HBV DNA levels, and a lower median reduction in HBV DNA levels than those of anti-HBs nonresponders. Our results suggest that combined treatment with the vaccine and lamivudine was significantly more effective than lamivudine monotherapy in the short term and was especially successful in producing viral suppression and an enhanced anti-HBs antibody response.
Candida Species Amongst Pregnant Women In Benin City, Nigeria: Effect Of Predisposing Factors

Genital samples from pregnant women were examined to determine the Candida species present and how some predisposing factors would affect the frequency of isolation of species. A total of 147 women (87 volunteer asymptomatic pregnant women and 60 asymptomatic nonpregnant women) were examined. High Vaginal Swabs (HVS) were collected in pairs while demographic data (age of individual, age of pregnancy, occupation and use of contraceptive pill) on each subject were obtained alongside. Samples were cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar plates and incubated for 72 hours at 37°C. Results revealed five Candida species ( C.albicans, C.glabrata, C.tropicalis, C.stellatoidea, C.parapsilosis ) with 61.5, 17.9, 7.7, 5.1, 2.6 % frequency of isolation respectively, as against 73.7, 7.7, 1.4, 11.3, and 0.0% for control. Women in the second trimester of pregnancy had the highest occurrence (68.8%) while the age groups 24- 30 and 31-37 years had the highest occurrence in the control (46.2%) and in the pregnant ones (51.7%) respectively. Traders had 68.8%, and full-time housewives, 26.7% occurrence. More women who used contraceptives had Candida (58.3%) as against non contraceptive users (35.3%). The results support literature reports that there are high rates of colonization of the vagina of pregnant women by Candida . They also give credence to earlier reports that the factors determined here affect the frequency of isolation of Candida species from the vagina. Keywords : Candida , pregnancy, women, genital specimens, Benin City African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 10 (2) 2009: pp. 92-98
A Nonazole CYP51 Inhibitor Cures Chagas’ Disease in a Mouse Model of Acute Infection

ABSTRACT Chagas’ disease, the leading cause of heart failure in Latin America, is caused by the kinetoplastid protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. The sterols of T. cruzi resemble those of fungi, both in composition and in biosynthesis. Azole inhibitors of sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) successfully treat fungal infections in humans, and efforts to adapt the success of antifungal azoles posaconazole and ravuconazole as second-use agents for Chagas’ disease are under way. However, to address concerns about the use of azoles for Chagas’ disease, including drug resistance and cost, the rational design of nonazole CYP51 inhibitors can provide promising alternative drug chemotypes. We report the curative effect of the nonazole CYP51 inhibitor LP10 in an acute mouse model of T. cruzi infection. Mice treated with an oral dose of 40 mg LP10/kg of body weight twice a day (BID) for 30 days, initiated 24 h postinfection, showed no signs of acute disease and had histologically normal tissues after 6 months. A very stringent test of cure showed that 4/5 mice had negative PCR results for T. cruzi, and parasites were amplified by hemoculture in only two treated mice. These results compare favorably with those reported for posaconazole. Electron microscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of sterol composition confirmed that treatment with LP10 blocked the 14α-demethylation step and induced breakdown of parasite cell membranes, culminating in severe ultrastructural and morphological alterations and death of the clinically relevant amastigote stage of the parasite.
Effect of BG-12 on contrast-enhanced lesions in patients with relapsing– remitting multiple sclerosis: subgroup analyses from the phase 2b study

Background: In a phase 2b study in patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS), BG-12 240 mg three times daily significantly reduced the number of new gadolinium-enhanced (Gd+) lesions from weeks 12 to 24 (primary end point) by 69% compared with placebo. Objective: In this analysis, the effect of BG-12 240 mg three times daily on the number of Gd+ lesions from weeks 12 to 24 was evaluated in subgroups based on baseline disease characteristics and demographics. Methods: Two hundred and fifty-seven patients were randomized equally to receive BG-12 (120 mg once daily or three times daily or 240 mg three times daily) or placebo. Results: BG-12 240 mg three times daily significantly reduced the number of new Gd+ lesions compared with placebo in the following subgroups: Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≤ 2.5 (74%), EDSS score > 2.5 (63%), no Gd+ lesions (80%), ≥ 1 Gd+ lesion (55%), age < 40 years (49%), age ≥ 40 years (89%), female patients (81%), disease duration ≤ 6 years (81%) and disease duration > 6 years (54%) (all comparisons p < 0.05). Conclusion: BG-12 demonstrated efficacy in patients with RRMS by decreasing new Gd+ lesion development across a range of subgroups defined by baseline disease characteristics or demographics.
Single Cesium Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals at Low Temperature: Fast Single-Photon Emission, Reduced Blinking, and Exciton Fine Structure

Metal-halide semiconductors with perovskite crystal structure are attractive due to their facile solution processability, and have recently been harnessed very successfully for high-efficiency photovoltaics and bright light sources. Here, we show that at low temperature single colloidal cesium lead halide (CsPbX3, where X = Cl/Br) nanocrystals exhibit stable, narrow-band emission with suppressed blinking and small spectral diffusion. Photon antibunching demonstrates unambiguously nonclassical single-photon emission with radiative decay on the order of 250 ps, representing a significant acceleration compared to other common quantum emitters. High-resolution spectroscopy provides insight into the complex nature of the emission process such as the fine structure and charged exciton dynamics.
How do ward pharmacists spend their time?: An activity sampling study

A regular clinical pharmacy service to wards is well established in Britain, yet there has been little practice research in this area. In this study, we established how pharmacists distribute their time between different activities on all the wards. All 28 pharmacists in two London hospitals were observed. The observer recorded their activities at one minute intervals and categorised the activity. Thirty‐three hours and five minutes of observations were made. The pharmacists visited a total of 55 wards, and checked 982 drug charts.
Combination Therapy with Isavuconazole and Micafungin for Treatment of Experimental Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis

ABSTRACT Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. We hypothesized that simultaneous inhibition of biosynthesis of ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane and (1→3)-β-d-glucan in the cell wall, respectively, by the antifungal triazole isavuconazole (ISA) and the echinocandin micafungin (MFG) may result in improved outcomes in experimental IPA in persistently neutropenic rabbits. Treatments included ISA at 20 mg/kg of body weight/day (ISA20), 40 mg/kg/day (ISA40), and 60 mg/kg/day (ISA60); MFG at 2 mg/kg/day (MFG2); combinations of ISA20 and MFG2, ISA40 and MFG2, and ISA60 and MFG2; and no treatment (untreated controls [UC]). The galactomannan index (GMI) and (1→3)-β-d-glucan levels in serum were measured. The residual fungal burden (number of CFU per gram) was significantly reduced in ISA20-, ISA40-, ISA60-, ISA20-MFG2-, ISA40-MFG2-, and ISA60-MFG2-treated rabbits compared with that in MFG2-treated or UC rabbits (P < 0.01). Measures of organism-mediated pulmonary injury, lung weights, and pulmonary infarct score were lower in ISA40-MFG2-treated rabbits than in rabbits treated with ISA40 or MFG2 alone (P < 0.01). Survival was prolonged in ISA40-MFG2-treated rabbits in comparison to those treated with ISA40 or MFG2 alone (P < 0.01). These outcome variables correlated directly with significant declines in GMI and serum (1→3)-β-d-glucan levels during therapy. The GMI correlated with measures of organism-mediated pulmonary injury, lung weights (r = 0.764; P < 0.001), and pulmonary infarct score (r = 0.911; P < 0.001). In summary, rabbits receiving combination therapy with isavuconazole and micafungin demonstrated a significant dose-dependent reduction in the residual fungal burden, decreased pulmonary injury, prolonged survival, a lower GMI, and lower serum (1→3)-β-d-glucan levels in comparison to rabbits receiving isavuconazole or micafungin as a single agent.
Effects of DSS, modeling, and exogenous factors on decision quality and confidence

118 undergraduate business students participated in an experiment which required that they manage production and workforce with the objective of minimizing costs using one of two forms of computer-based DSS. Using a 2/spl times/2 design, subjects were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions: the (1) presence or (2) absence of a modeling feature, crossed with a (3) "good" or (4) "bad" decision environment implemented as a decreasing or increasing sales trend. Results indicate that subjects with access to a modeling feature performed better than those without such capability; subjects' confidence, however, was not correlated with environmental effects or the availability of a modeling feature. We also found a strong correlation between confidence and actual decision quality for all conditions. All these results are in the opposite direction from those of a previously published study using the same task but a different DSS. Finally, we found no evidence of overconfidence, on average, in any of our conditions. <<ETX>>
A Proof of Concept Study of Predictive Current Control for VSI-Driven Asymmetrical Dual Three-Phase AC Machines

Multiphase (more than three phases) drives possess interesting advantages over conventional three-phase drives. Over the last years, various topics related to the extension of the classical control schemes to these specifics drives have been covered in depth in literature, such as vector control of a six-phase induction machine with two sets of three-phase stator windings spatially shifted by 30 electrical degrees (also called asymmetrical dual three-phase ac machine). In this paper, a model-based predictive control (MBPC) for the current regulation of asymmetrical dual three-phase AC machines is analyzed. MBPC overcomes the difficulties of multiphase current control, avoiding complex controllers and modulation techniques, but at the expense of an increased computational cost. Simulation results are provided to examine the potential of the control method. The influence of the number of voltage vectors considered to evaluate the predictive model is studied, and different cost functions are analyzed. The computation time needed for the implementation of the control method is discussed to prove its real-time feasibility. Finally, experimental results are given to illustrate the capability of the control method.
The three dimensions of software risk: technical, organizational, and environmental

The technical dimension of software risk results from uncertainty in the task and procedures, the organizational dimension results from poor communication and organizational structure, and the environmental dimension results from changing environments and problems with external relationships with software developers and/or users. Risk management procedures that address each risk dimension are surveyed, suggesting that future work should concentrate on managing the organizational dimension of risk, in particular, the culture changes that accompany the installation of new information systems, and the environmental dimension, i.e., reducing risk in relationships with both software vendors and partners in information alliances and continually adapting systems to changing environments. <<ETX>>
An experimental examination of group history and group support system use on information sharing performance and user perceptions

A laboratory experiment was conducted in which group history (i.e. established vs. ad hoc groups) and group support system (GSS) use were manipulated. Subjects completed a hidden profile task, i.e. a task where some information is held by all group members prior to the meeting while other information is held only by a subset of the group. No differences in information sharing performance were observed, except that, when compared to ad hoc groups, established groups discussed less information that was initially held by one group member. Established group members were more satisfied than ad hoc group members while those using a GSS were less satisfied than no-technology groups. Group cohesion was found to be positively related to satisfaction across all treatments, while cohesion was positively related to information sharing performance only for ad hoc groups that did not use a GSS. A discussion of the results in the context of prior theory and research is also presented. <<ETX>>
Assessing brain connectivity at rest is clinically relevant in early multiple sclerosis

Objective: The present study aims to determine the clinical counterpart of brain resting-state networks reorganization recently evidenced in early multiple sclerosis. Methods: Thirteen patients with early relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis and 14 matched healthy controls were included in a resting state functional MRI study performed at 3 T. Data were analyzed using group spatial Independent Component Analysis using concatenation approach (FSL 4.1.3) and double regression analyses (SPM5) to extract local and global levels of connectivity inside various resting state networks (RSNs). Differences in global levels of connectivity of each network between patients and controls were assessed using Mann–Whitney U-test. In patients, relationship between clinical data (Expanded Disability Status Scale and Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite Score – MSFC) and global RSN connectivity were assessed using Spearman rank correlation. Results: Independent component analysis provided eight consistent neuronal networks involved in motor, sensory and cognitive processes. For seven RSNs, the global level of connectivity was significantly increased in patients compared with controls. No significant decrease in RSN connectivity was found in early multiple sclerosis patients. MSFC values were negatively correlated with increased RSN connectivity within the dorsal frontoparietal network (r = −0.811, p = 0.001), the right ventral frontoparietal network (r = − 0.587, p = 0.045) and the prefronto-insular network (r = −0.615, p = 0.033). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that resting state networks reorganization is strongly associated with disability in early multiple sclerosis. These findings suggest that resting state functional MRI may represent a promising surrogate marker of disease burden.
Quantitative assays for anti-aquaporin-4 antibody with subclass analysis in neuromyelitis optica

Background: To clarify the clinical relevance of anti-aquaporin-4 (anti-AQP4) antibody titers and immunoglobulin (IgG) subclass. Methods: Using a bridging enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a flow cytometric assay (FCMA) and an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for anti-AQP4 antibodies, sera from 142 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) as defined by the McDonald criteria (2005), 29 with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) who fulfilled the 1999 criteria, 19 with recurrent and/or longitudinally extensive myelitis (RM/LM), 86 with other non-inflammatory neurological diseases (OND) and 28 healthy controls (HC) were studied. Results: Anti-AQP4 antibody positivity rates by IFA, FCMA, and ELISA were 41.4%, 51.7% and 48.3%, respectively, in NMO (1999) patients, and 0% in the OND and HC groups. Twenty-six MS patients (18.3%) were positive for the antibody; 17 met the 2006 NMO criteria, including positivity for anti-AQP4 antibody, and five had longitudinally extensive myelitis (LM). Among the cases with anti-AQP4 antibody detected by FCMA, IgG1, 2, 3, and 4 anti-AQP4 antibodies were found in 97.8%, 37.0%, 6.5% and 6.5% respectively. There was no association of either antibody positivity or level of anti-AQP4 antibody IgG subclasses with clinical parameters after adjustment of p values for multiple comparisons. Conclusions: FCMA and bridging ELISA are useful for detecting and quantifying anti-AQP4 antibodies.
Relationship between Fosfomycin Exposure and Amplification of Escherichia coli Subpopulations with Reduced Susceptibility in a Hollow-Fiber Infection Model

ABSTRACT Understanding the relationship between antibiotic exposure and amplification of bacterial subpopulations with reduced drug susceptibility over time is important for evaluating the adequacy of dosing regimens. We utilized a hollow-fiber infection model to identify the fosfomycin intravenous dosing regimens that prevented the amplification of Escherichia coli bacterial subpopulations with reduced fosfomycin susceptibility. The challenge isolate was E. coli ATCC 25922 (agar MIC with glucose-6-phosphate, 1 mg/liter; agar MIC without glucose-6-phosphate, 32 mg/liter). The fosfomycin dosing regimens studied were 1 to 12 g every 8 h for 10 days to approximate that planned for clinical use. The studies included a no-treatment control regimen. Two bacterial subpopulations were identified, one with reduced susceptibility with agar MIC values ranging from 32 to 128 mg/liter and the other resistant with agar MIC values of 256 to >1,024 mg/liter on plates containing 5× and 256× the baseline MIC value, respectively. An inverted-U-shaped function best described the relationship between the amplification of the two bacterial subpopulations and drug exposure. The lowest fosfomycin dosing regimen that did not amplify a bacterial subpopulation with reduced susceptibility was 4 g administered every 8 h. Nearly immediate amplification of bacterial subpopulations with reduced susceptibility was observed with fosfomycin dosing regimens consisting of 1 to 2 g every 8 h. These data will be useful to support the selection of fosfomycin dosing regimens that minimize the potential for on-therapy amplification of bacterial subpopulations with reduced susceptibility.
Control of Distributed Uninterruptible Power Supply Systems

In the last years, the use of distributed uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems has been growing into the market, becoming an alternative to large conventional UPS systems. In addition, with the increasing interest in renewable energy integration and distributed generation, distributed UPS systems can be a suitable solution for storage energy in micro grids. This paper depicts the most important control schemes for the parallel operation of UPS systems. Active load-sharing techniques and droop control approaches are described. The recent improvements and variants of these control techniques are presented.