Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HIV-related lung cancer - a growing concern?

There is an increasing awareness of the importance of non-AIDS-defining malignancies occurring in HIV-seropositive people since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Amongst these tumours, lung cancer occurs at an increased frequency compared to age- and gender-matched populations and this increase is not accounted for by smoking alone. Moreover, the incidence of lung cancer in people with HIV is rising as overall survival improves due to HAART. The development of lung cancer is not associated with a low CD4 cell count, suggesting that immune function has a less central role in these tumours than in Kaposi's sarcoma and primary cerebral lymphomas. Most patients present with advanced stage lung cancer and the outcome is very poor. In contrast to the AIDS-defining malignancies, the prognosis in HIV-associated lung cancer does not appear to be improving in the era of HAART. Thus lung cancer and possibly other non-AIDS-defining malignancies may become an increasingly frequent problem whose prognosis has not improved in the era of HAART.
Care of the dying patient: the last hours or days of life.

The impact of death in our society is easily underestimated. National events sometimes provide a timely reminder of the power and influence of a dignified death and the profound effect it has on the family and those close to the person who has died. Evidence based guidelines now exist to help with the care of people who are dying, including guidelines for symptom control, psychosocial support, and bereavement care. None the less, highly publicised cases continue to occur of patients dying in distress with uncontrolled symptoms and relatives being unsupported at this vulnerable time in their lives. Ensuring a good death for all is therefore a major challenge not only for healthcare professionals but also for society. Mortality data for the United Kingdom show that 608 000 people died in 2000; 25% of these deaths were from cancer, 17% from respiratory disease, and 26% from heart disease. The table gives a breakdown of place of death for all dying patients and those dying from cancer. The modern hospice movement was established in response to the poor quality of care of the dying patient. The hospice model of care is now espoused as a model of excellence and has led to a worldwide hospice movement aspiring to deliver high quality care to dying patients. Palliative care services deliver direct patient care and also have an advisory and educational role to influence the quality of care in the community and in hospitals. The major challenge is to transfer best practice from a hospice setting to other care settings and to non-cancer patients.
T cell mediated pathogenesis in EAE: Molecular mechanisms

T cells are major initiators and mediators of disease in multiple sclerosis (MS) and in its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). EAE is an antigen-driven autoimmune model in which immunization against myelin autoantigens elicits strong T cell responses which initiate its pathology with CNS myelin destruction. T cells cause pathogenic events by several mechanisms; some work in a direct fashion in the CNS, such as direct cytokine-induced damage, granzyme-mediated killing, or glutamate-induced neurotoxicity, whereas most are indirect mechanisms, such as activation of other cell types like macrophages, B cells, or neutrophils. This review aims to describe and discuss the molecular effector mechanism by which T cells harm the CNS during EAE.
No association between the XPD Lys751Gln (rs13181) polymorphism and disease phenotype or leukemic transformation in primary myelofibrosis

Philadelphia negative (Ph−) classical myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), i.e. polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF), are clonal disorders of hematopoiesis with high frequency of recurrent somatic gene mutations, like JAK2 V617F and MPL W515L, DNA
Up-Regulation of IL-7, Stromal-Derived Factor-1α, Thymus-Expressed Chemokine, and Secondary Lymphoid Tissue Chemokine Gene Expression in the Stromal Cells in Response to Thymocyte Depletion: Implication for Thymus Reconstitution1

Three in vivo adult mouse models were established to study which signals are required to restore the postnatal thymus. Single administration of dexamethasone, estradiol, or exposure to sublethal dose of gamma irradiation served as prototype thymus-ablating therapies. In all models, transient thymic atrophy was manifested due to the loss of the predominant portion of CD4−CD8− double negative and CD4+CD8+ double positive thymocytes and was followed by a complete regeneration of the thymuses. Acute atrophy/regeneration was observed in the dexamethasone and irradiation models; in the estradiol-treated animals, slow kinetics of atrophy and regeneration was observed. Importantly, in both acute and chronic models, high levels of IL-7 mRNA were detected in the thymuses isolated from mice during maximum atrophy. In addition, chemokine gene array analysis of involuted thymuses revealed high levels of mRNA expression of stromal-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α), thymus-expressed chemokine (TECK), and secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC) but not of other chemokines. The levels of IL-7, SDF-1α, TECK, and SLC mRNA inversely correlated with the kinetics of regeneration. RT-PCR analysis of stromal cells purified from involuted thymuses confirmed increased IL-7, SDF-1α, and SLC gene expression in MHC class II+CD45− epithelial cells and increased IL-7 and TECK gene expression in class II+CD45+CD11c+ dendritic cells. Thus, our data showed for the first time that expression of IL-7, SDF-1α, TECK, and SLC mRNA is induced in the thymic stroma during T cell depletion and may play an important role in the reconstitution of the adult thymus.
"A social worker first and foremost" : the motivation and experiences of recently qualified social workers in posts not requiring social work registration in England

Social Work in England is generally seen as a profession concerned with the fulfilment of statutory functions concerning safeguarding and risk management, and recent developments in social work and social work education have focused on improving the quality of statutory social workers, especially in children's services. However, workforce statistics suggest that more than 50% of registered social workers are not so employed, and may be found working in 'welfare' organisations outside the statutory sector, although detailed information about this group is not easily accessible. This paper reports findings from a qualitative study based on interviews with recently qualified social workers (within the last five years)employed in positions not requiring social work registration and qualification. It discusses the motivations and experiences of recently qualified social workers who have sought posts not requiring social work registration and the issues they identify as important in maintaining individual and collective social work identity.
Overlapping territories between the thalamostriatal and nigrothalamic projections in cats

FLUORESCENT tracers were injected into different regions of the caudate nucleus and HRP-WGA in the substantia nigra of the cat in order to analyse the thalamic distribution of retrogradely labelled thalamostriatal neurones and anterogradely labelled nigrothalamic terminals within the thalamus. Overlapping thalamic territories between the thalamostriatal neurones projecting to areas of the caudate nucleus and the nigrothalamic connections were observed in the rostral nuclei of the central thalamic group (ventral anterior nucleus, ventral anterior-ventral lateral complex and ventral medial nucleus) and, more restricted, in the rostral (rhomboid, paracentral, ventral lateral, dorsal mediodorsal nuclei) and caudal intralaminar nuclei (centromedian–parafascicular complex). This study provides evidence of the existence of thalamic areas in which the input and output of the basal ganglia converge.
Lymphocyte-endothelium interaction in systemic sclerosis and Raynaud's phenomenon.

OBJECTIVE To investigate interactions of immune cells with vascular endothelium in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and in patients with idiopathic or autoimmune Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). METHODS Lymphocytes obtained from 11 patients with SSc, 9 with RP and 14 control subjects were pre-stimulated in vitro with alloantigens and cultured together with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Lymphocyte adhesion and induction of endothelial HLA-class 11 molecules were measured by flow cytometry. Lymphocyte cytotoxicity against HUVECs was also evaluated. In some cases cells were cultured under experimental conditions of hypoxia and reoxygenation. RESULTS Lymphocyte adhesion and induction of endothelial cell expression of HLA-DR molecules were similar in controls and SSc patients, but significantly lower in RP (p < 0.05 and p < 0.03, respectively). Cytotoxic activity of lymphoblasts against endothelial cells was negligible in all patient groups. Under experimental conditions of hypoxia and reoxygenation lymphocyte adhesion was significantly greater than in normoxic conditions in SSc patients, while it was similar to normoxia in control subjects and RP patients. CONCLUSION These results suggest that in RP patients there may be regulatory mechanisms of lymphocyte response able to control the processes that lead to lymphocyte adhesion and endothelial HLA-DR molecule induction. These mechanisms could play an important role in RP, and might possibly be lost in clinically evident SSc.
Variability of Total and Pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus Densities in Northern Gulf of Mexico Water and Oysters

ABSTRACT Vibrio parahaemolyticus is indigenous to coastal environments and a frequent cause of seafood-borne gastroenteritis in the United States, primarily due to raw-oyster consumption. Previous seasonal-cycle studies of V. parahaemolyticus have identified water temperature as the strongest environmental predictor. Salinity has also been identified, although it is evident that its effect on annual variation is not as pronounced. The effects of other environmental factors, both with respect to the seasonal cycle and intraseasonal variation, are uncertain. This study investigated intraseasonal variations of densities of total and pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus organisms in oysters and overlying waters during the summer of 2004 at two sites in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Regression analyses indicated significant associations (P < 0.001) between total V. parahaemolyticus densities and salinity, as well as turbidity in water and in oysters at the Mississippi site but not at the Alabama site. Pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus organisms in Mississippi oyster and water samples were detected in 56% (9 out of 16) and 78% (43 out of 55) of samples, respectively. In contrast, 44% (7 out of 16) of oyster samples and 30% (14 out of 47) of water samples from Alabama were positive. At both sites, there was greater sample-to-sample variability in pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus densities than in total V. parahaemolyticus densities. These data suggest that, although total V. parahaemolyticus densities may be very informative, there is greater uncertainty when total V. parahaemolyticus densities are used to predict the risk of infection by pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus than previously recognized.
Immunity to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection Two Decades after Implementation of Universal Infant HBV Vaccination: Association of Detectable Residual Antibodies and Response to a Single HBV Challenge Dose

ABSTRACT Most persons who receive hepatitis B vaccine during infancy will have a level of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBsAg) of <10 IU/liter 10 to 15 years later; however, most will demonstrate immune memory by an anamnestic response to a vaccine challenge dose. To determine whether there was a difference in anamnestic response among college students vaccinated during infancy, we compared anti-HBsAg levels after a 20-μg dose of Engerix-B in those with a residual anti-HBsAg level of 0 IU/liter and those with levels of 1 to 9 IU/liter. Anti-HBsAg was measured before (baseline) and 2 weeks after a challenge dose; a response was defined as a level of ≥10 IU/liter after the dose among those with <10 IU/liter at the baseline. Of the 153 students who completed the study, 130 (85%) had an anti-HBsAg level of <10 IU/liter at the baseline, 72 had a level of 0 IU/liter, and 58 had levels ranging from 1 to 9 IU/liter. Students with a levels of 1 to 9 IU/liter were more likely to respond to the challenge dose than those with a baseline anti-HBsAg level of 0 IU/liter (83% versus 50%; P < 0.001). The presence of any detectable anti-HBsAg among persons vaccinated in the remote past may indicate the persistence of immune memory.
Genome-wide association analysis and differential expression analysis of resistance to Sclerotinia stem rot in Brassica napus.

Brassica napus is one of the most important oil crops in the world, and stem rot caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum results in major losses in yield and quality. To elucidate resistance genes and pathogenesis-related genes, genome-wide association analysis of 347 accessions was performed using the Illumina 60K Brassica SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) array. In addition, the detached stem inoculation assay was used to select five highly resistant (R) and susceptible (S) B. napus lines, 48 h postinoculation with S. sclerotiorum for transcriptome sequencing. We identified 17 significant associations for stem resistance on chromosomes A8 and C6, five of which were on A8 and 12 on C6. The SNPs identified on A8 were located in a 409-kb haplotype block, and those on C6 were consistent with previous QTL mapping efforts. Transcriptome analysis suggested that S. sclerotiorum infection activates the immune system, sulphur metabolism, especially glutathione (GSH) and glucosinolates in both R and S genotypes. Genes found to be specific to the R genotype related to the jasmonic acid pathway, lignin biosynthesis, defence response, signal transduction and encoding transcription factors. Twenty-four genes were identified in both the SNP-trait association and transcriptome sequencing analyses, including a tau class glutathione S-transferase (GSTU) gene cluster. This study provides useful insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the plant's response to S. sclerotiorum.
A Distributed Framework with a Novel Pricing Model for Dynamic Spectrum Access to Secondary Users in Infrastructure based Wireless Networks

Ever increasing demand for radio spectrum and its current underutilization have made the radio spectrum a scarce and expensive resource. In this thesis, a system for allowing unsubscribed Secondary User (SU) access to the underutilized spectrum in the licensed bands in infrastructure based networks is proposed, with minimum modifications to the current Wireless Service Provider (WSP) infrastructure. The proposed distributed system framework enables the orthogonal co-existence of subscribed Primary Users (PUs) and SUs at the same Base Station (BS). The rationale of this thesis is the paradoxical fact that, the WSPs invest heavily in licensing the spectrum, and this licensed spectrum goes underutilized due to the variable usage in time and location of the subscribed PUs. Allowing temporary access to SUs at the BSs of the WSPs, whenever the spectrum is underutilized, presents an opportunity for the WSPs to generate additional profits from SU access. The aim of this thesis is to present a system framework for enabling SU access at the BSs considering both the technological and the economic perspectives. The signaling framework for SU access, SU identification, PU-SU joint resource management model, autonomous BS selection and a price-based handoff at the SU terminal are the key technological contributions in this thesis. The dynamic incentive based pricing model for charging SUs, along with equilibrium analysis with differentiation of SU wireless service for realizing competitive SU pricing among multiple WSPs are the key economic contributions. The proposed framework and pricing model is aimed at achieving the dual goal of temporary wireless access for unsubscribed SUs, as well as generating additional profits to the WSPs. This proposed framework is thus an intermediate step between the current infrastructure based networks and the cognitive networks of the future.
Corruption and brand value

Purpose Although multinational enterprises (MNEs) based in emerging economies arose quickly during the past decade, most of these firms lack marketing capabilities and strong brands. Emerging-economy MNEs that have tried to build their own brands have been largely unsuccessful. The purpose of this paper is to argue that corruption in the MNEs’ home countries has been detrimental to their brand values. Corruption makes it more difficult for consumers to govern their transactions with local firms, thus decreasing firms’ trustworthiness and brand values. Design/methodology/approach Data of the global top 500 most valuable brands of 2008 and 2014 and the Poisson regression model are used. Findings This study finds that firms based in countries with lower levels of corruption establish more valuable brands than those based in countries with higher corruption, even when GDP and GDP per capita are controlled. Practical implications Policymakers who want to help local firms increase their marketing capabilities and establish strong brands should strive to increase the trustworthiness of local firms by undertaking anti-corruption reforms aimed at protecting consumers. Originality/value Few studies have address the research question that why emerging-market MNEs lack marketing capabilities and strong brands. This study finds that institutional factors such as corruption at country level prevent them from establishing strong brands.
Cavum veli interpositi: Why this anatomical variant exists?

The cavum veli interpositi (CVI) represents a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) filled space formed by the corpus callosum and fornix above, the roof of the third ventricle and thalamus below and the crus of the fornix on each side laterally. It is frequent in infants but infrequent in children above 2 years of age and adults. We describe the case of a 20-year-old woman, which revealed a helmet-shaped CSF space at the anatomical location of the CVI on brain MRI performed because of recurrent headaches. We present this case in order to review the literature and to discuss the possible cause of the existence of such an anatomical variation.
The partnership benefits in low-cost apartment implementation program in Surabaya metropolitan area

The low-cost apartment implementation program is one of the reliable solutions to reduce housing needs in East Java Province. Eventhough there were many problems facing the low cost apartmen program implementation, private sector is still highly expected to contribute in this program. The objective of this research is to identify public private partnership benefits from stakeholder perception. The benefit variables to better understand the low-cost apartment implementation which obtained from literature review studies were then validated by 32 purposive sampling respondents from both government and private sectors. These variables were then identified and analyzed using statistical analysis. The results show that the benefit factors from both government and private sector perception are better risk allocation and accelarate infrastructure development
Enriching Egg Yolk with Carotenoids & Phenols T

Dried tomato peel (DTP) was tested in vivo (n=10) in 42 week-old laying hens at rates of 0, 40, 70, 100 and 130g/kg DM feed. Laying hens were fed in group 120 g DM/day/animal for 26 days. After 21 days, feed intake was not affected after DTP incorporation (97% of the offered feed in the five groups). Laying rate was not significantly different after DTP incorporation at 4 and 10% from the control group. Egg yolk resulting from DTP-enriched diets, contained lower amounts of cholesterol (14 to 17mg/g) and triglyceride (188mg/g) compared to the control group (22 and 241 mg/g, respectively) (P<0.0001). After DTP-enriched diets, content in total phenol was 2.0 to 3.6-fold higher, β-carotene 1.7 to 2.7-fold higher, and lycopene increased between 26.5 and 42. 8μg/g compared to the control (P<0.0001). The optimal incorporation rate was 7% DTP. Keywords—Carotenoid, dried tomato peel, lycopene, laying hens, phenols.
Acetone, ammonia and hydrogen cyanide in exhaled breath of several volunteers aged 4–83 years

Original on-line measurements of acetone, ammonia and hydrogen cyanide in the exhaled breath of several volunteers within the age ranges 4–6 years and 60–83 years are reported and compared with previous data on volunteer cohorts covering ages 17–18 years and 20–60 years. The compiled data show that a significant statistical increase in breath ammonia occurs with increasing age, but that acetone and hydrogen cyanide do not vary greatly with age.
Investors' performance and trading behavior on the Norwegian stock market

This paper examines the impact of domestic individual investors, financial investors and foreign investors on stock return volatility, at the individual security level. We find that foreign investors exacerbate stock return volatility, while domestic individual investors and financial investors dampen return volatility. The explanations are that foreign investors are momentum traders, trade the most and have the shortest investment horizon; individual investors are contrarian traders, trade the least and have the longest investment horizon; and financial investors fall somewhere inbetween.
Game-theoretic strategies for asymmetric networked systems

We consider an infrastructure consisting of a network of systems each composed of discrete components that can be reinforced at a certain cost to guard against attacks. The network provides the vital connectivity between systems, and hence plays a critical, asymmetric role in the infrastructure operations. We characterize the system-level correlations using the aggregate failure correlation function that specifies the infrastructure failure probability given the failure of an individual system or network. The survival probabilities of systems and network satisfy first-order differential conditions that capture the component-level correlations. We formulate the problem of ensuring the infrastructure survival as a game between an attacker and a provider, using the sum-form and product-form utility functions, each composed of a survival probability term and a cost term. We derive Nash Equilibrium conditions which provide expressions for individual system survival probabilities, and also the expected capacity specified by the total number of operational components. These expressions differ only in a single term for the sum-form and product-form utilities, despite their significant differences. We apply these results to simplified models of distributed cloud computing infrastructures.
Impact of Salesman Behavior on Customer Satisfaction : Anemprical Study of Dairy Retail Handlers

With the monetary heightening of a nation and healthy life trends, the role of dairy product manufacturing companies is vital in this development. In a hyper-focused market of Pakistan organization involved in dairy business is confronted with difficulties of holding the current and attracting the new customers. The purpose of the research is to take the opinions of distinctive people groups in Lahore city of Pakistan trade about salesman behavior for retail outlets. A sample of 500 retailers from Lahore city is selected on convenience basis. To accomplish the fundamental objective of the research, the researcher of the paper created a survey intended for dairy handler retailers. After a long analysis we have found four variables assuming the critical part in order to make satisfied customers. In this manner, customer satisfaction is the key for dairy companies to stay alive in competition. The purpose of this study is to explain the relationship of salesman behavior with the customer satisfaction in packed milk industry of Pakistan.