Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Highly active antiretroviral therapy and the incidence of HIV-1-associated nephropathy: a 12-year cohort study

Objective: to assess temporal changes in the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus-1-associated nephropathy (HIVAN), and the association with use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Methods: HIVAN incidence and risk factors were assessed in 3976 HIV-1-infected individuals followed in clinical cohort in Baltimore, Maryland, USA from 1989 to 2001. The incidence of HIVAN, defined by biopsy or a conservative uniformly applied clinical coding protocol, was expressed in terms of person-years, and Poisson regression was used for multivariate analysis. Results: Ninety-four patients developed HIVAN over the course of the study for an incidence of 8.0 per 1000 person-years [95% confidence interval (CI), 6.5 to 9.8]. African American race and advanced immunosuppression were strongly associated with HIVAN risk. HIVAN incidence declined significantly in 1998–2001 compared with 1995–1997. Among patients with a prior diagnosis of AIDS, HIVAN incidence was 26.4, 14.4, and 6.8 per 1000 person-years in patients not receiving antiretroviral therapy, treated with nucleoside analogue therapy only, or treated with HAART, respectively (P < 0.001 for trend). In multivariate analysis, HIVAN risk was reduced 60% (95% CI, −30 to −80%) by use of HAART, and no patient developed HIVAN when HAART had been initiated prior to the development of AIDS. Conclusion: HAART was associated with a substantial reduction in HIVAN incidence. Additional follow-up will be needed to determine if renal damage in susceptible individuals is halted or merely slowed by HAART, particularly when control of viremia is incomplete or intermittent.
Epidemiology and Financial Impact of Bovine Mastitis in an Animal Production and Research Center and Small Holder Dairy Farms in HoroGuduru Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia

Mastitis is inflammation of parenchyma of the mammary gland regardless of the causative agent. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors and financial losses caused by mastitis in six small holder dairy farms and the Animal Production and Research Center of the Wollega University. Data was collected through a questionaire on extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors and financial loss for one year production cycle. Sub-clinical mastitis prevalence was diagnosed using the California Mastitis test (CMT). Chi square, univariable and multivariable logistic regression methods were used to determine the risk factors of the disease. CMT’s were done on 154 lactating cows. The result of the study showed a prevalence rate of 46.75%, with 36.36% subclinical and 10.39% clinical mastitis cases. The analysis of extrinsic risk factors showed the management system is poor for most farms. Multivariable logistic regression showed breed, age and lactation status are the main risk factors that contribute for occurrence of the disease. When all farms were put together, the disease caused total loss of 2,949.8USD (59,719.08ETB), with an average annual milk loss of 22.3% in cross breed and 2.24% in local zebu cattle. , Results of this study showed a high mastitis prevalence rate resulting in significant milk production and economic losses. Factors identified which may have played a role include dairy cow management, breed, age and lactation status. Recommendations to address these problems should be made awareness creation for the dairy cow owners on housing and management of dairy cow; awareness creation for the dairy cow owners on sources of mastitis pathogen and transmission methods of mastitis causing agent; design and implementation of control methods and further investigation of the disease by researcher were recommended.
Biology and significance of T‐cell apoptosis in the liver

The liver has emerged as an organ with distinct immunological properties. In this review, we summarize evidence that shows that the liver can remove apoptotic, or non‐apoptotic but activated, CD8+ T cells from the circulation and induce apoptosis in these activated T cells by either active or passive mechanisms. Hepatitis viruses, particularly hepatitis C virus, often establish persistent infection. We review evidence that suggests that these viruses exploit intrahepatic tolerance mechanisms to protect themselves from immune attack.
Extracorporeal photopheresis for graft versus host disease: Identifying a clinical pathway and associated resource utilization

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an established therapy for the treatment of graft‐versus‐host‐disease (GVHD) following an allogeneic stem cell transplant. We performed a prospective analysis of patients receiving ECP treatment for GVHD to identify a clinical pathway and resource utilization of this process. The cohort included consecutive allogeneic stem cell recipients with GVHD. ECP was performed using the CELLEX Photopheresis System or the UVAR XTS Photopheresis System (Therakos, Inc, Exton, PA). A clinical pathway was developed and a time and motion study was conducted to define the resource utilization and costs associated with ECP. Patients were treated with either CELLEX (n = 18 procedures) or UVAR (n = 4 procedures). Total time commitment for each procedure for the 2 machines differed. The time for ECP was 117 min (median, range: 91‐164 min) using CELLEX and 161 min (median; range: 140‐210) using the UVAR‐XTS machine. Total costs of each ECP procedure were $3420.50. There is a considerable time commitment of the patient and the clinical staff when employing ECP to treat GVHD. ECP costs are significant considering this is a prolonged therapy continued for several months. With this finalized pathway and costs, we have a standardized clinical pathway for the treatment of GVHD. We are addressing minimizing resource utilization while emphasizing quality care for these patients.
ASSOCIATION OF THE 5-HTTLPR WITH PROLACTIN RESPONSE TO CITALOPRAM IN A COMMUNITY POPULATION

ASSOCIATION OF THE 5-HTTLPR WITHPROLACTIN RESPONSE TO CITALOPRAMIN A COMMUNITY POPULATIONEloise Peet, BSUniversity of Pittsburgh, 2004The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) is a key mechanism regulating magnitude and duration of serotonergic transmission in the central nervous system, and is the site of action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) used for treating psychiatric conditions. Variation in treatment response to SSRIs has been correlated with a common bi-allelic length polymorphism in the 5-HTT-promoter region (5-HTTLPR), known to modulate transcriptional efficiency of the 5-HTT gene in vitro. The alleles, designated long (l) or short (s), result in one of three possible genotypes: l/l, l/s, or s/s. The (s) allele has been hypothesized to have a dominant functional effect, and has been associated with decreased transporter transcription efficiency and poorer therapeutic response to antidepressants. Acute transporter blockade with SSRIs rapidly increases central nervous system serotonin levels, leading to hypothalamic receptor stimulation and the release of several hormones, including prolactin. The specific aim of this study is to characterize the prolactin response to acute 5-HTT-reuptake blockade according to 5-HTTLPR genotype, to further elucidate the effect of this polymorphism on serotonin transporter function in vivo. This study has been designed to test the hypothesis that, when compared to subjects with the l/l genotype, subjects with either the s/l or s/s genotype will experience a blunted prolactin response following acute administration of the highly selective reuptake inhibitor Citalopram. To accomplish this goal, a cohort of 206 community volunteers were intravenously administered a weight-adjusted dose of Citalopram. Each subject was genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR, and blood samples were obtained for prolactin and Citalopram levels immediately before and at regular intervals for 2.5 hours after the Citalopram injection. Results: Citalopram-induced prolactin response, reported as prolactin area under the curve (PRL AUC), was significantly associated with 5-HTTLPR (F = 3.08, p = 0.048). Among individuals with the s/s genotype, PRL AUC response (M±SD: 84.2 ± 51.8 ng/ml * 150min) was significantly lower (p = 0.014) than the l/l group (246.0 ± 40.2 ng/ml * 150 min). The difference in PRL AUC between subjects with the l/l genotype and the l/s group (172.5 ± 41.3 ng/ml * 150 min) was not significant (p = 0.21); the difference in PRL AUC between subjects with the l/s genotype and the s/s group also was not significant (p = 0.23). When results were analyzed as the maximum change in prolactin, the Citalopram-induced PRL MAX was similarly associated with 5-HTTLPR (p = 0.034). Conclusions: Subjects with the 5-HTTLPR s/s genotype exhibit significantly lower prolactin response in response to the SSRI Citalopram than subjects carrying two copies of the l allele. The s allele does not have a dominant effect on the prolactin response to Citalopram in a non-patient population.
Inducible expression of human β-defensin 2 by Chlamydophila pneumoniae in brain capillary endothelial cells

Defensins are an important family of natural antimicrobial peptides. Chlamydophila pneumoniae, a common cause of acute respiratory infection, has a tendency to cause persistent inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, which may lead to cardiovascular disease or stroke. As endothelial cells are related to the physiopathology of stroke, the effects of in vitro C. pneumoniae infection on the expression of human β-defensin 2 (HBD-2) in brain capillary endothelial cells (BB19) was investigated. A time-dependent increase in HBD-2 mRNA was observed by means of real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) in BB19 cells following C. pneumoniae infection, with a maximum increase at 24 h. A gradual induction of HBD-2 protein in the C. pneumoniae-infected endothelial cells was detected by immunoblotting. Immunofluorescence revealed the staining of HBD-2 in the cytoplasm of endothelial cells following C. pneumoniae infection. The secretion of HBD-2 (confirmed by ELISA) was significantly elevated 24 h after C. pneumoniae infection. These novel results indicate that HBD-2 is expressed and produced in the human brain capillary endothelial cells upon infection with C. pneumoniae, and provide evidence that HBD-2 plays a role in the early immune responses to C. pneumoniae and probably in the immunopathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Role of Insulin Action and Cell Size on Protein Expression Patterns in Adipocytes*

Mice with a fat-specific insulin receptor knock-out (FIRKO) exhibit a polarization of white adipose tissue into two populations of cells, one small (diameter <50 μm) and one large (diameter >100 μm), accompanied by changes in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, triglyceride synthesis, and lipolysis. To characterize these subclasses of adipocytes, we have used a proteomics approach in which isolated adipocytes from FIRKO and control (IR lox/lox) mice were separated by size, fractionated into cytosolic and membrane subfractions, and analyzed by sucrose gradient, SDS-PAGE, and mass spectrometry. A total of 27 alterations in protein expression at key steps in lipid and energy metabolism could be defined, which were coordinately regulated by adipocyte cell size, impaired insulin signaling, or both. Nine proteins, including vimentin, EH-domain-containing protein 2, elongation factor 2, glucose-regulated protein 78, transketolase, and succinyl-CoA transferase were primarily affected by presence or absence of insulin signaling, whereas 21 proteins, including myosin non-muscle form A, annexin 2, annexin A6, and Hsp47 were regulated in relation to adipocyte size. Of these 27 alterations in protein expression, 14 changes correlated with altered levels of mRNA, whereas the remaining 13 were the result of changes in protein translation or turnover. These data suggest an intrinsic heterogeneity in adipocytes with differences in protein expression patterns caused by transcriptional and post-transcriptional alterations related to insulin action and cellular lipid accumulation.
IVIg‐mediated amelioration of ITP in mice is dependent on sialic acid and SIGNR1

Intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIg) therapy is widely used to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Recent evidence suggests that in mice, splenic resident cells might be important for the anti‐inflammatory activity of IVIg in a model of serum transfer arthritis. Splenectomized human immunothrombocytopenia (ITP) patients, however, still respond to IVIg therapy. To investigate whether the requirement of the spleen is essential for mouse ITP, we used a passive model of induced ITP and demonstrated that IVIg activity was functional in splenectomized animals. Further analysis showed that the IVIg‐mediated amelioration of platelet phagocytosis was fully dependent on terminal sialic acid residues in the IVIg preparation and could be blocked with a specific ICAM3 grabbing nonintegrin‐related 1 (SIGNR1) specific antibody. These results suggest that, similar to the human system, a spleen‐independent but sialic acid‐ and SIGNR1‐dependent pathway is responsible for IVIg‐mediated suppression of autoantibody‐dependent platelet depletion in mice.
Generalized methodology formulation for the time-optimal analog system design

In order to improve the characteristics of the system design process, a new general methodology for electronic system design has been elaborated by means of an optimum control theory formulation. This approach generalizes the design process and generates an infinite number of different design strategies that can be resolved in optimum time. The principal difference between this new method and previously elaborated methods is the more general approach on the definition of system parameters. The main equations for the system design process have been elaborated. These equations include special control functions that are introduced artificially into consideration to generalize the total design process. Numerical results demonstrate the efficiency and perspective of the proposed approach.
Gender differences in the relationship of alcohol and drug use to criminal behavior in a sample of arrestees.

This paper examines differences between men and women in the relationship of alcohol and drug use to criminal offenses, including violent behavior. A probability sample of men (N = 959) and women (N = 188) arrestees were interviewed in a northern California county. No significant differences were found between men and women in patterns of drug use, but more men than women reported heavy drinking. A higher proportion of men than women reported violence in the events related to their arrest (p < or = .02). Logistic regression examined the relationship of heavy drinking and violent offenses, controlling for drug use and demographic variables. Frequent heavy drinking (OR = 1.47), white ethnicity (OR = .51), and being married (OR = 1.93) were significant; gender was not significant. The results have implications for future research on gender and violence.
Failed back surgery syndrome: surgical and nonsurgical approaches.

UNLABELLED Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is a common and challenging clinical problem. Often the anatomic pain source is unclear. Relevant outcome studies are rarely diagnosis specific, and high level research studies comparing surgical and nonsurgical approaches to Failed Back Surgery Syndrome studies have not been published to date. Surgical strategies focus on decompressing neural impingement or fusing unstable or putatively painful intervertebral discs. Nonsurgical interventions range from nerve root specific blocks for pain relief to multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs geared toward improving function. This paper reviews the most common interventions and concludes with recommendations for the care of the individual patient. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level V (expert opinion). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of the levels of evidence.
Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Pirani Gauges Prepared by DEP Assembly

This paper reports the design, fabrication, and characteristics of the single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) Pirani gauge fabricated by dielectrophoretic assembly first which requires simple equipments and process, costs little, and operates at room temperature without limitation on the materials of electrode and substrate. Its theory and design were described in detail. The characteristics were measured and analyzed systematically such as current–voltage, resistance–temperature, thermal response, resistance–pressure, and power consumption properties. The results show that this SWNTs Pirani gauge has rapid thermal response of milliseconds and can operate at very low power consumption down to 15 nW. It reveals a wide linear dynamic range from 0.8 to 80 000 Pa and high sensitivity about 8 kΩ/Pa on average.
Small, Round‐Structured Viruses (SRSVs) Associated with Acute Gastroenteritis Outbreaks in Gifu, Japan

Two outbreaks of non‐bacterial gastroenteritis occurred in Gifu prefecture in January 1989 and in January 1991. Both outbreaks were closely related to the consumption of raw oysters, and showed similar clinical features. Small, round‐structured virus particles were found in patient stools in both outbreaks by electron microscopy. The role of these particles as the causative agents of the outbreaks were strongly suggested by immune electron microscopy and/or western‐blotting immunoassay. When compared with SRSV‐9 (Tokyo/SRSV/86–510) reported previously (Hayashi et al, J. Clin. Microbiol., 27: 1728–1733, 1989), it was found that these viral particles were antigenically similar to SRSV‐9, and had a major structural protein of 63 kilodaltons (kDa). Further, the prevalence of this agent in Gifu area was examined by western blot antibody assay using 67 serum samples collected from the inhabitants in 1991. The results indicated the circulation of the same or antigenically similar agent in this area.
Coinheritance of two rare genodermatoses (Papillon–Lefèvre syndrome and oculocutaneous albinism type 1) in two families: a genetic study

The co‐occurrence of two rare recessive genetic conditions in apparently unrelated individuals or families is extremely rare. Two geographically distant and apparently unrelated families were identified in which individuals were simultaneously affected by two rare recessive mendelian syndromes, Papillon–Lefèvre syndrome and type 1 oculocutaneous albinism. The families were tested for mutations in the causative genes, cathepsin C (CTSC) and tyrosinase (TYR), respectively, by direct sequencing. To assess the relationship of the two families, both families were tested for polymorphisms at eight microsatellite markers spanning both CTSC and TYR loci. Independent mutations (c.318–1G→A and c.817G→C/p.W272C) were identified in CTSC and TYR, respectively, that were shared by the affected individuals in both families. The two affected genes lie close together on chromosome bands 11q14.2–14.3, and studies with linked genetic markers suggested that the families shared a small chromosomal segment carrying both mutations that had been transmitted intact from a remote common ancestor. The co‐occurrence of the two rare diseases in multiple families depends on their shared chromosomal location, but not on any shared pathogenic mechanism.
SDF‐1 expression by mesenchymal stem cells results in trophic support of cardiac myocytes after myocardial infarction

Stem cell transplantation at the time of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) improves cardiac function. Whether the improved cardiac function results from regeneration of cardiac myocytes, modulation of remodeling, or preservation of injured tissue through paracrine mechanisms is actively debated. Because no specific stem cell population has been shown to be optimal, we investigated whether the benefit of stem cell transplantation could be attributed to a trophic effect on injured myocardium. Mesenchymal stem cells secrete SDF‐1 and the interaction of SDF‐1 with its receptor, CXCR4, increases survival of progenitor cells. Therefore, we compared the effects of MSC and MSC engineered to overexpress SDF‐1 on cardiac function after AMI. Tail vein infusion of syngeneic MSC and MSC:SDF‐1 1 day after AMI in the Lewis rat led to improved cardiac function by echocardiography by 70.7% and 238.8%, respectively, compared with saline controls 5 wk later. The beneficial effects of MSC and MSC:SDF‐1 transplantation were mediated primarily through preservation, not regeneration of cardiac myocytes within the infarct zone. The direct effect of SDF‐1 on cardiac myocytes was due to the observation that’ between 24 and 48 h after AMI, SDF‐1‐expressing MSC increased cardiac myocyte surviva, vascular density (18.2±4.0 vs. 7.6±2.3 vessels/mm2, P<0.01; SDF‐1:MSC vs. MSC), and cardiac myosin‐positive area (MSC: 49.5%;mSC:SDF‐1: 162.1%) within the infarct zone. There was no evidence of cardiac regeneration by the infused MSC or endogenous cardiac stem cells based on lack of evidence for cardiac myocytes being derived from replicating cells. These results indicate that stem cell transplantation may have significant beneficial effects on injured organ function independent of tissue regeneration and identify SDF‐1:CXCR4 binding as a novel target for myocardial preservation. —Zhang, M. , Mal, N. , Kiedrowski, M. , Chacko, M. , Askari, A. T. , Popovic, Z. B. , Koc, O. N. , Penn, M. S. SDF‐1 expression by mesenchymal stem cells results in trophic support of cardiac myocytes after myocardial infarction. FASEB J. 21, 3197–3207 (2007)
An Artificial Boundary Method for American Option Pricing under the CEV Model

The Black–Scholes asset price dynamics is well known to be inadequate for capturing the volatility smile in the financial market. Therefore, the constant elasticity of variance (CEV) model has become a popular alternative to valuing options fitting to the smile. American option pricing, however, is computationally intensive, as there are no analytical formulas available. This paper proposes an artificial boundary method for partial differential equations (PDEs) to compute American option prices and Greeks under the CEV model. The idea is to reduce the infinite computational domain to a finite one by introducing an artificial boundary on which an exact boundary condition is derived. We then develop a Crank–Nicolson scheme to solve the PDE with the artificial boundary condition implemented with a numerical Laplace inversion. With a finite computational domain, the optimal exercise boundary can be determined efficiently. Our numerical examples show that the proposed scheme is accurate, robust with respect to.
Predicting appointment misses in hospitals using data analytics.

BACKGROUND There is growing attention over the last few years about non-attendance in hospitals and its clinical and economic consequences. There have been several studies documenting the various aspects of non-attendance in hospitals. Project Predicting Appoint Misses (PAM) was started with the intention of being able to predict the type of patients that would not come for appointments after making bookings. METHODS Historic hospital appointment data merged with "distance from hospital" variable was used to run Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine and Recursive Partitioning to decide the contributing variables to missed appointments. RESULTS Variables that are "class", "time", "demographics" related have an effect on the target variable, however, prediction models may not perform effectively due to very subtle influence on the target variable. Previously assumed major contributors like "age", "distance" did not have a major effect on the target variable. CONCLUSIONS With the given data it will be very difficult to make any moderate/strong prediction of the Appointment misses. That being said with the help of the cut off we are able to capture all of the "appointment misses" in addition to also capturing the actualized appointments.