Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) of HIV: An Experience at a Tertiary Care Hospital in India

Introduction: Early infant diagnosis (EID) confers substantial benefit to HIV infected and HIV uninfected infants and to programmes providing prevention of mother to child transmission (MTCT), but has been challenging to implement in resource limited settings. Objectives: To find out the rate of perinatal transmission in infants born to HIV positive mothers, to study the effect of various predisposing factors on HIV transmission and to evaluate the utility of dried blood spot (DBS) specimen for EID of HIV. Methods: Infants born to HIV positive mothers were tested according to National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) guidelines. Infants of 6 weeks to 6 months of age (n = 84) were diagnosed by DBS PCR; DBS positive results were confirmed by whole blood PCR. Infants 6 - 18 months (n = 47) were subjected to antibody test and if positive were confirmed by DNA PCR. Detailed history including type of delivery, single dose nevirapine (SDN) and breast feeding was taken. Results: The HIV transmission rate was 10.69%. In children ≤ 6 months, who did not receive SDN the positivity was 44.44% (4/9) whereas in those who received SDN it was 6.66% (5/75), (P = 0.0063). In children > 6 months the positivity rate was significantly higher in breast fed 42.85% (3/7) as compared to non breast fed 5% (2/40) children (P = 0.0187). There was 100% concordance between DBS and whole blood PCR. Conclusions: In resource limited settings, though HAART should be considered to further reduce MTCT during pregnancy and to prevent the emergence of resistance, SDN should be kept as an option for mothers coming directly in labour. Also, extended ART should be provided to mothers who want to breast feed their children. Early infant diagnosis using DBS specimens will further reduce the morbidity and mortality in these children.
Hydroxychloroquine use associated with improvement in lipid profiles in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Disease‐modifying therapies that improve risk factors for CVD, such as dyslipidemia, are desired. This study used an electronic health record to determine if hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) use was associated with an improvement in lipid levels in an inception RA cohort.
Does Having a Relative in Dialysis Therapy Affect Attitudes Toward Kidney Donating?

Context: The majority of kidney transplants in Turkey are performed from live donors and from those among first-degree relatives. Objective: To compare the view points and the attitudes of individuals who have relatives undergoing dialysis toward kidney donation treatment with those who do not. Design: The study was designed as a descriptive study, which used simple random sampling. Setting: The sample consisted of 204 individuals, divided into 2 groups: those whose relatives underwent dialysis treatment (group A, n = 106) and those whose relatives did not (group B, n = 98). Results: The means of the total points obtained in “Kidney Donation Attitude Inventory” (KDAI) by individuals in group A were statistically significantly higher than those obtained by individuals in group B (P = .001). Although there was a statistically significant difference in the educational status, status of willing to donate their kidneys and being a relative of an individual awaiting a kidney transplant, and the mean total points obtained from the KDAI between the groups (P < .05), no statistically significant difference was determined between the means of the obtained total points and the gender and the duration of dialysis treatment (P > .05). Conclusion: The attitudes of the relatives of individuals undergoing dialysis treatment toward kidney donation were determined to be more positive.
Deletion of ripA Alleviates Suppression of the Inflammasome and MAPK by Francisella tularensis

Francisella tularensis is a facultative intracellular pathogen and potential biothreat agent. Evasion of the immune response contributes to the extraordinary virulence of this organism although the mechanism is unclear. Whereas wild-type strains induced low levels of cytokines, an F. tularensis ripA deletion mutant (LVSΔripA) provoked significant release of IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α by resting macrophages. IL-1β and IL-18 secretion was dependent on inflammasome components pyrin-caspase recruitment domain/apoptotic speck-containing protein with a caspase recruitment domain and caspase-1, and the TLR/IL-1R signaling molecule MyD88 was required for inflammatory cytokine synthesis. Complementation of LVSΔripA with a plasmid encoding ripA restored immune evasion. Similar findings were observed in a human monocytic line. The presence of ripA nearly eliminated activation of MAPKs including ERK1/2, JNK, and p38, and pharmacologic inhibitors of these three MAPKs reduced cytokine induction by LVSΔripA. Animals infected with LVSΔripA mounted a stronger IL-1β and TNF-α response than that of mice infected with wild-type live vaccine strain. This analysis revealed novel immune evasive mechanisms of F. tularensis.
CD25+CD4+ Regulatory T Cell Migration Requires L-Selectin Expression: L-Selectin Transcriptional Regulation Balances Constitutive Receptor Turnover1

The molecular mechanisms controlling regulatory CD25+Foxp3+CD4+ T cell (Treg) migration are central to in vivo immune responses. Treg cell subsets differentially express L-selectin, an adhesion molecule mediating lymphocyte migration to peripheral LNs (PLNs) and leukocyte rolling during inflammation. In this study, L-selectin was essential for Treg cell migration and normal tissue distribution. Specifically, there was a 90% reduction in PLN Treg cells in L-selectin−/− mice with a compensatory increase in spleen Treg cell numbers. Unexpectedly, however, 40% of the CD4+ T cells remaining within PLNs of L-selectin−/− mice were Treg cells. The migratory properties of Treg cells were nonetheless markedly different from those of naive CD4+ T cells, with 3- to 9-fold lower migration of Treg cells into PLNs and ∼2-fold lower migration into the spleen. Treg cells also turned over cell surface L-selectin at a faster rate than CD25−CD4+ T cells, but maintained physiologically appropriate L-selectin densities for optimal migration. Specifically, Treg cells expressed 30–40% more cell surface L-selectin when its endoproteolytic cleavage was blocked genetically, which resulted in a 2-fold increase in Treg cell migration into PLNs. However, increased L-selectin cleavage by Treg cells in wild-type mice was accompanied by 2-fold higher L-selectin mRNA levels, which resulted in equivalent cell surface L-selectin densities on Treg and naive T cells. Thus, Treg cells and CD25−CD4+ T cells share similar requirements for L-selectin expression during migration, although additional molecular mechanisms constrain Treg cell migration beyond what is required for naive CD4+ T cell migration.
Comparison of Measurement Methods for Capillary Basement Membrane Thickness: Collapsed-Ellipse Technique

Both the grid method of Siperstein et al. (tSIP) and the minimum-points method of Williamson et al. (tWIL) for measurement of capillary basement membrane thickness are inaccurate for assessing mean true membrane thickness of a given section (tTRUE) for various reasons, including errors in selectivity, sensitivity, and geometry. In general, it is agreed that tSIP > tTRUE > tWIL, but estimates of tTRUE beyond this have not been made. In this study, a collapsed-ellipse method for approximating tTRUE is presented that measures thickness by areas (tEA). One hundred-twenty capillaries from the forearm skin of 12 diabetic subjects and 12 age-matched controls were measured to examine these concepts. We found that, whereas tWIL was up to 63% below tTRUE, tEA was 30% too low. Although tSIP, tWIL, and tEA did not distinguish between diabetic and normal subjects, tEA and tWIL measurements had highly predictable and small errors, and tSIP had unpredictable ranges of error, especially when tSIP was low.
The treatment of malaria.

Increasing drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum and a resurgence of malaria in tropical areas have effected a change in treatment of malaria in the last two decades. Symptoms of malaria are fever, chills, headache, and malaise. The prognosis worsens as the parasite counts, counts of mature parasites, and counts of neutrophils containing pigment increase. Treatment depends on severity, age of patient, degree of background immunity, likely pattern of susceptibility to antimalarial drugs, and the cost and availability of drugs. Chloroquine should be used for P. vivax, P. malariae, and P. ovale. P. vivax has shown high resistance to chloroquine in Oceania, however. Primaquine may be needed to treat P. vivax and P. ovale to rid the body of hypnozoites that survive in the liver. Chloroquine can treat P. falciparum infections acquired in North Africa, Central America north of the Panama Canal, Haiti, or the Middle East but not in most of Africa and some parts of Asia and South America. In areas of low grade resistance to chloroquine, amodiaquine can be used to effectively treat falciparum malaria. A combination of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is responsive to falciparum infections with high grade resistance to chloroquine. Mefloquine, halofantrine, or quinine with tetracycline can be used to treat multidrug-resistant P. falciparum. Derivatives of artemisinin obtained from qinghao or sweet wormwood developed as pharmaceuticals in China are the most rapidly acting of all antimalarial drugs. Children tend to tolerate antimalarial drugs well. Children who weigh less than 15 kg should not be given mefloquine. Health workers should not prescribe primaquine to pregnant women or newborns due to the risk of hemolysis. Chloroquine, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, quinine, and quinidine can be safely given in therapeutic doses throughout pregnancy. Clinical manifestations of severe malaria are hypoglycemia, convulsions, severe anemia, acute renal failure, jaundice, pulmonary edema, cerebral malaria, shock, and acidosis. Health workers should be prepared to treat these symptoms accordingly.
Active AFO with ankle joint brake friction control using force observer

Optimum friction control of the ankle joint brake is essential for realizing a stable gait when wearing an active ankle foot orthosis (AFO). An optimum friction control system using a force observer is designed and simulated. The brake friction is controlled in proportion to the observed human force of the lower limb without using force sensors. The simulated results show that the force observer performs well. The force-controlled orthosis is robust and practical because it uses no force sensors.
Developing Improved Methods for the Assessment of Enhanced Geothermal Systems

The successful implementation of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) technology has the potential to dramatically expand both the magnitude and spatial extent of geothermal energy production, and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been working to improve assessment methodology for an updated EGS resource assessment of the United States. However, a number of outstanding scientific and technical issues must be resolved in order to ensure the accuracy and reliability of this assessment. Among these are determining those conditions under which it is possible to replicate the high average permeability (approximately 10 to 10 m) characteristic of natural hydrothermal reservoirs, evaluating the likely heterogeneity of fracture permeability within EGS reservoirs and its influence on the geothermal recovery factor, Rg, which is defined as the ratio of produced thermal energy to the thermal energy contained in the stimulated volume comprising the reservoir, and improving estimates of temperature in the upper crust to better quantify the thermal energy available at those depths viable for EGS reservoir creation. Models for the development of fracture permeability from the shear slip along pre-existing natural fractures induced by hydraulic stimulation indicate that production from EGS reservoirs will be sensitive to the influence of effective stress and rock properties on the processes of shear fracture formation and closure. Comparison of model parameters with results from EGS field experiments and demonstration projects suggests that sufficient permeability may be difficult to attain through shear stimulation at depths greater than approximately 5 km, particularly in regions characterized by high normal stress on pre-existing faults and fractures. Although there are significant gaps in the spatial coverage of heat flow measurements in much of the United States and some uncertainty in the estimation of thermal properties at depth, analysis of the existing thermal data indicates that even with the possible constraints outlined above, large areas of the western United States will be suitable for EGS development. However, this preliminary interpretation is compromised by the limited number of cases in which model predictions can be compared to laboratory or in situ data. The key challenge for improved EGS resource assessments is acquiring and interpreting comprehensive laboratory and field data that can provide quantitative constraints on the recovery of heat from EGS reservoirs in diverse settings.
Runaway youths and correlating factors, study in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE To study differences between runaways and non-runaways in a mental health clinic and to study differences between runaways in a mental health clinic and legal / shelter system. MATERIAL AND METHOD Psychiatric records of runaways and non-runaways from Vajira Hospital were collected from June 1994 to October 2003. 21 cases in each group were studied in various factors. 21 runaway cases who were in child and adolescent shelters were interviewed by the researchers. RESULTS Neglect, sexual abuse, rejection, poverty and truancy were more common in the runaway group. The runaway group had more conduct disorder and substance abuse. Physical abuse, authoritarian and being in custody were more common in runaways in shelters. CONCLUSION Various factors correlate with running away. These factors lie beneath long before runaway has taken place and understanding and managing them help in preventing and prompt treatment.
Migración y movilidad residencial de las personas de edad en Madrid.

Se estudian las estrategias residenciales de las personas de edad a partir de una serie de encuestas. Se observa diferentes comportamientos: la no movilidad, la movilidad ya efectuada y la propension a moverse. Se presenta una primera tipologia de desplazamientos basada en aspectos geograficos: migracion de retorno, movilidad a zonas de amenidad, movilidad local e institucionalizacion. La movilidad de las personas de edad es una realidad emergente y con un potencial crecimiento futuro.
Amifostine enhances recovery and expansion of peripheral FAS/CD95+ T- and NK-cell subpopulations during radiotherapy of patients with head-neck cancer

Purpose: Experimental studies suggest that the FAS/APO-1/CD95 (cytokine receptor protein TNF-receptor superfamily, member 6) cell surface molecule is involved in the apoptotic effect of radiotherapy. In this study we investigated the role of amifostine in protecting the CD95+ (CD: cluster of differentiation) lymphocytic subpopulation in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy. Materials and methods: Using flow-cytometry we examined the expression of FAS/CD95 antigen on CD4+ (helper/inducer T cells), CD8+ (suppressor/cytotoxic T cells) and CD56+ (NK, natural killer) T-lymphocytes of 28 patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy (with and without amifostine). Results: The numbers of peripheral blood lymphocytes were significantly reduced after treatment from (mean value ± STD error) 1477 ± 129 to 1015 ± 77 for T lymphocytes, 700 ± 70 to 454 ± 38 for CD4, 449 ± 46 to 296 ± 34 for CD8 and, 140 ± 18 to 118 ± 13 for NK, before and after treatment, respectively. CD95 expressing lymphocytes showed a faster recovery rate in patients receiving amifostine. CD95 expressing CD56 lymphocytes increased during radiotherapy in patients receiving daily cytoprotection with amifostine to values higher than the pre-treatment levels (p = 0.004). Conclusion: It is suggested that amifostine enhances recovery of T- and NK-lymphocyte subpopulations expressing the CD95 antigen in head-neck cancer patients undergoing RT and may enhance the efficacy of the later by interfering FAS-related immunological pathways.
Effect of Sleep State on the QT Interval in Normal Infants

Summary: Twenty QT intervals selected at random from the middle periods of rapid eye movement (REM) and quiet sleep were measured in 12 normal infants studied at 2 weeks and 1, 2, 3, and 4 months of life. A digitizing system, consisting of a precision rotational potentiometer mounted on a pair of calipers and an A/D converter, was used for measurements. An accuracy of ±2 msec was achieved by high resolution of the digitized signal and calibration of each QT measurement with an accurately generated time code. Sleep staging was done visually using an electroencephalogram (EEG), an electrooculogram (EOG), a submental electromyogram (EMG), and behavioral criteria. Our results show that the QT index (QTc = QT/□RR was significantly greater during quiet sleep (mean = 0.439) than during REM sleep (mean = 0.433) (P < 0.01) and that this difference existed at all ages studied.Speculation: Sleep states are shown to have detectable effects on the duration of ventricular repolarization as measured by the QT interval. We speculate that this sleep state-related difference in the QT interval may be caused by an increased sympathetic activity in REM sleep.
Effects of Conversation on Situation Awareness and Working Memory in Simulated Driving

Objective: In the present research, we investigated the hypothesis that working memory mediates conversation-induced impairment of situation awareness (SA) while driving. Background: Although there is empirical evidence that conversation impairs driving performance, the cognitive mechanisms that mediate this relationship remain underspecified. Researchers have reported that a phonological working memory task decreased drivers’ SA for vehicles located behind them whereas a visuospatial working memory task impaired SA for vehicles ahead. Conversation, therefore, might impair SA for vehicles behind the driver by preferentially taxing the phonological loop. Method: A 20-questions task was used as a proxy for natural conversation. In Experiment 1, driving performance was measured across three within-subjects conversation conditions (i.e., no conversation, driver asks questions, driver answers questions) with the use of a driving simulator. In Experiment 2, participants drove in the same simulator while either conversing (20-questions task) or not. Participants estimated the positions of other vehicles after the screens were blanked at the end of each trial. Results: Speed monitoring and responses to visual probes were impaired by the 20-questions conversation task (Experiment 1). As predicted, conversation impaired SA for the location of other vehicles more for vehicles located behind the driver than for those in front (Experiment 2). Conclusion: Conversation impairs drivers’ SA of vehicles behind them by taxing working memory’s phonological loop and impairs SA generally by taxing working memory’s central executive. Application: Provides a theoretical framework that links driver SA to working memory and a mechanism for understanding why conversation impairs driving performance.
A High Data Rate Wireless Communication System With Improved Secrecy: Full Duplex Beamforming

We formulate a joint beamforming vector and power optimization problem for multi-antenna full duplex transmission systems and show that simultaneous transmissions of information bearing signals of legitimate nodes can be optimized to act as artificial noise against eavesdroppers. The proposed system improves the overall throughput, while maintaining secrecy and QoS levels within desired signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio bounds, without additional power, as verified via simulations.
A UML-based Approach for Abstracting Application Interfaces to REST-like Services

The REST (representational state transfer) architectural style defines a set of interface constraints that aim at retaining interoperability between systems that may evolve independently of each other. However, REST developers are currently lacking modeling tools that would help them apply interface constraints to legacy APIs when exposing them as REST-like services. We believe that REST-aware tools would implement three major steps: analyzing a legacy API, abstracting it to a canonical form with constraints in place, and generating adapter code for the abstraction. In this paper we present a model-based approach to the abstraction step of such a tool. First we discuss the role of fully profiled UML models in representing API operations. Using those models, we focus on describing how to transform an API model into a canonical interface model. As a concrete part of our work we specify how UML models are processed during these transformations. To demonstrate the applicability of our approach, we present a real world API example
A dual‐tracer study of extrastriatal 6‐[18F]fluoro‐m‐tyrosine and 6‐[18F]‐fluoro‐l‐dopa Uptake in Parkinson's disease

6‐[18F]‐Fluoro‐l‐dopa (FDOPA) has been widely used as a biomarker for catecholamine synthesis, storage, and metabolism—its intense uptake in the striatum, and fainter uptake in other brain regions, is correlated with the symptoms and pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). 6‐[18F]fluoro‐m‐tyrosine (FMT), which also targets l‐amino acid decarboxylase, has potential advantages over FDOPA as a radiotracer because it does not form catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) metabolites. The purpose of the present study was to compare the regional distribution of these radiotracers in the brains of PD patients. Fifteen Parkinson's patients were studied with FMT and FDOPA positron emission tomography (PET) as well as high‐resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI's were automatically parcellated into neuroanatomical regions of interest (ROIs) in Freesurfer (http://surfer.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu); region‐specific uptake rate constants (Kocc) were generated from coregistered PET using a Patlak graphical approach. The essential findings were as follows: (1) regional Kocc were highly correlated between the radiotracers and in agreement with a previous FDOPA studies that used different ROI selection techniques; (2) FMT Kocc were higher in extrastriatal regions of relatively large uptake such as amygdala, pallidum, brainstem, hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and thalamus, whereas cortical Kocc were similar between radiotracers; (3) while subcortical uptake of both radiotracers was related to disease duration and severity, cortical uptake was not. These results suggest that FMT may have advantages for examining pathologic changes within allocortical loop structures, which may contribute to cognitive and emotional symptoms of PD. Synapse 68:325–331, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.