Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reasons for non-compliance among patients treated under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), Tiruvallur district, south India.

OBJECTIVES To elicit reasons for treatment default from a cohort of TB patients under RNTCP and their DOT providers. METHODS A total of 186 defaulters among the 938 patients registered during 3rd and 4th quarters of 1999 and 2001 in one Tuberculosis Unit (TU) of Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu and their DOT providers were included in the study. They were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. RESULTS Sixteen (9%) had completed treatment, 25 (13%) died after defaulting, and 4 (2%) could not be traced. Main reasons given by the remaining 141 patients and their DOT providers were: drug related problems (42%, 34%), migration (29%, 31%), relief from symptoms (20%, 16%), work related (15%, 10%), alcohol consumption (15%, 21%), treatment from other centers (13%, 4%), respectively. Risk factors for default were alcoholism (P<0.001), category of treatment (P<0.001), smear status (P<0.001), type of disease (P<0.001) and inconvenience for DOT (P<0.01). CONCLUSION This study has identified group of patients vulnerable to default such as males, alcoholics, smear positive cases, and DOT being inconvenient. Intensifying motivation and counselling of this group of cases are likely to improve patient compliance and reduce default.
Linezolid versus Vancomycin in Treatment of Complicated Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

ABSTRACT Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are a common cause of morbidity in both the community and the hospital. An SSTI is classified as complicated if the infection has spread to the deeper soft tissues, if surgical intervention is necessary, or if the patient has a comorbid condition hindering treatment response (e.g., diabetes mellitus or human immunodeficiency virus). The purpose of this study was to compare linezolid to vancomycin in the treatment of suspected or proven methicillin-resistant gram-positive complicated SSTIs (CSSTIs) requiring hospitalization. This was a randomized, open-label, comparator-controlled, multicenter, multinational study that included patients with suspected or proven methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections that involved substantial areas of skin or deeper soft tissues, such as cellulitis, abscesses, infected ulcers, or burns (<10% of total body surface area). Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive linezolid (600 mg) every 12 h either intravenously (i.v.) or orally or vancomycin (1 g) every 12 h i.v. In the intent-to-treat population, 92.2% and 88.5% of patients treated with linezolid and vancomycin, respectively, were clinically cured at the test-of-cure (TOC) visit (P = 0.057). Linezolid outcomes (124/140 patients or 88.6%) were superior to vancomycin outcomes (97/145 patients or 66.9%) at the TOC visit for patients with MRSA infections (P < 0.001). Drug-related adverse events were reported in similar numbers in both the linezolid and the vancomycin arms of the trial. The results of this study demonstrate that linezolid therapy is well tolerated, equivalent to vancomycin in treating CSSTIs, and superior to vancomycin in the treatment of CSSTIs due to MRSA.
Injection Site Effects on the Pharmacokinetics and Glucodynamics of Insulin Lispro and Regular Insulin

OBJECTIVE The pharmacokinetics and glucodynamics of a new insulin analog, insulin lispro, and regular human insulin were compared and contrasted after subcutaneous administrations in femoral, deltoid, and abdominal injection sites. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Single 0.2 U/kg doses of insulin lispro and regular insulin were administered to 12 healthy subjects in a six-way randomized crossover fashion. Each dose was given after an overnight fast in one of three injection sites: abdominal, deltoid, or femoral. Study drugs were given during a manual euglycemic glucose clamp. Blood samples were collected over the 12-h clamp for measurement of insulin-reactive components, with pharmacokinetic and glucodynamic measurements derived from these serum insulin and clamp measurements. RESULTS Glucodynamic comparisons between insulin lispro and regular insulin showed a greater maximum infusion rate (Rmax) at an earlier time (TRmax), regardless of injection site. The total glucose infused (Gtot) showed nearly identical values between sites for insulin lispro. Regular insulin showed greater Gtot values from deltoid and femoral injections. When comparisons were made between drugs, regular insulin produced significantly greater Gtot, primarily driven by the increased Gtot from deltoid and femoral injections. Greater maximum serum insulin concentrations (Cmax) were experienced with insulin lispro at earlier times (tmax), regardless of the injection site (P < 0.001). Abdominal administrations produced the greatest Cmax values at the earliest tmax for both regular insulin and insulin lispro. Deltoid and femoral injections had lower Cmax values for both compounds. Shifts also occurred with tmax, although these shifts were much greater with regular insulin than with insulin lispro. Equivalent area under the curve (AUC) values were found when compared between compounds. CONCLUSIONS Slower absorption from deltoid and femoral administrations resulted in an increased duration of action for both regular insulin and insulin lispro when compared to abdominal administration. However, notable increases in the onset of action were only apparent with regular insulin. The consistency with insulin lispro response from abdominal and extremity injection sites allows more potential sites for subcutaneous injection with an assured rapid response.
[Intestinal B-mode sonography in patients with endemic sprue. Intestinal sonography in endemic sprue].

AIM The value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis, follow-up and for the detection of complications in patients with celiac sprue has not yet been sufficiently evaluated. A pronounced back and forth motility with echo-rich hump reflexes in a fluid-filled small bowel with a reduction of Kerckring's plicae circulares and with a loss of their density and uniformity was empirically defined as a diagnostic sign of celiac sprue. In the present study, the sonographic signs of celiac sprue were examined as an indicator of active sprue. METHOD 50 patients with histologically proven celiac sprue were examined with real time ultrasonography (3.5-7 MHz). The detection or exclusion of the defined sonographic signs of celiac sprue with intensified motility and reduction of Kerckring's plicae circulares with a loss of their density and uniformity were evaluated by two independent examiners and documented without knowledge of the clinical findings. The clinical activity (active vs. remission) was assessed according to clinical criteria (diarrhea, steatorrhea, weight loss). 38 healthy subjects and 50 patients with Crohn's disease served as controls. RESULTS In all 138 patients and controls adequate visualization of the bowel was achieved. In 16/50 (32%) patients with active celiac sprue changes of motility and reduction of Kerckring's plicae circulares with a loss of their density and uniformity were detected, whereas all 34/50 (68%) of patients with celiac sprue in remission did not have this pattern. In none of the controls with Crohn's disease or in the healthy subjects comparative sonographic signs of active celiac sprue were observed. In four patients with active celiac sprue a circumscript echopoor tumor of the small bowel wall could be sonographically detected, which turned out to be T-cell lymphoma in three and a carcinoma of the small intestine in one patient. An increased number of and/or enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes were found in patients with active celiac sprue. CONCLUSION Changes of motility and reduction of Kerckring's plicae circulares with loss of density and uniformity at ultrasonography are a reliable indicator of active celiac sprue.
Superconducting chip receivers for imaging application

Experimental details of a unique superconducting imaging array receiver are discussed. Each pixel contains an internally pumped receiver chip mounted on the back of the elliptical microwave lens. Each chip comprises a quasi-optical SIS mixer integrated with a superconducting flux-flow oscillator (FFO) both fabricated from the same Nb/AlO/sub x//Nb trilayer on a silicon substrate. Properties of the integrated lens antenna were studied using an externally pumped reference SIS mixer which showed antenna sidelobes below /spl sim/17 dB and a receiver double side band noise temperature, T/sub RX/(DSB), below 100 K within the frequency range 460-500 GHz that is close to the quantum noise. For the imaging array T/sub RX/(DSB)=150 K has been measured at 500 GHz using the internal flux-flow oscillator as a local oscillator (LO). A balanced SIS mixer was tested showing T/sub RX/(DSB)<100 K within the range of 480-510 GHz using the internal LO. A computer system was developed to control simultaneously the dc bias of the SIS mixer and the frequency and power provided by FFO. The system also performs automatic optimization of the receiver noise temperature.
A CASE STUDY: EXPLORING THE INCLUSIVE EDUCATION DECISIONS TEACHER EDUCATORS MAKE AND EXAMINING HOW PREPARED PRESERVICE TEACHERS FEEL TO TEACH DIVERSE STUDENTS

i DEDICATION iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS iv LIST OF TABLES x LIST OF FIGURE. xii CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION 1 Statement of the Problem 1 Purpose of the Study 7 Significance of the Study 7 Research Questions 9 Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks of the Study 10 Limitations of the Study 13 Assumptions of the Study 15 Definitions of Key Terms 15 Summary 17 CHAPTER 2 – REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE 18 General Education Teacher Preparation 18 How Prepared Preservice Teachers Feel 19 How Prepared General Education Teachers Feel 22 Perceptions of Teacher Educators 24 Summary 25
Optimal dose of dexmedetomidine for attenuating cardiovascular response during emergence in patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy

Objective To investigate the optimal dose of dexmedetomidine for attenuating the haemodynamic response during emergence from anaesthesia. Methods Patients undergoing laparoscopic total hysterectomy were randomly allocated to receive 0.9% normal saline (control group) or dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg, 0.75 µg/kg or 1.0 µg/kg 30 min) before extubation. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure and extubation time were measured before drug administration, immediately after the end of drug administration, 10 min after the end of drug administration, immediately after extubation and 5 min after extubation. Results A total of 120 patients were included in the study (30 per group). Systolic and diastolic arterial pressure and heart rate after drug administration were significantly lower in all three dexmedetomidine groups compared with controls. Extubation times in the 0.75 and 1.0 µg/kg dexmedetomidine groups were significantly longer than in the control group. Conclusion Intravenous infusion of 0.5 µg/kg dexmedetomidine 30 min before the end of surgery attenuated the haemodynamic responses during emergence without prolonging the extubation time. Dexmedetomidine doses higher than 0.5 µg/kg did not exert additional positive effects on cardiovascular responses, but did significantly prolong the extubation time.
Rpd3-dependent boundary formation at telomeres by removal of Sir2 substrate

Boundaries between euchromatic and heterochromatic regions until now have been associated with chromatin-opening activities. Here, we identified an unexpected role for histone deacetylation in this process. Significantly, the histone deacetylase (HDAC) Rpd3 was necessary for boundary formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. rpd3Δ led to silent information regulator (SIR) spreading and repression of subtelomeric genes. In the absence of a known boundary factor, the histone acetyltransferase complex SAS-I, rpd3Δ caused inappropriate SIR spreading that was lethal to yeast cells. Notably, Rpd3 was capable of creating a boundary when targeted to heterochromatin. Our data suggest a mechanism for boundary formation whereby histone deacetylation by Rpd3 removes the substrate for the HDAC Sir2, so that Sir2 no longer can produce O-acetyl-ADP ribose (OAADPR) by consumption of NAD+ in the deacetylation reaction. In essence, OAADPR therefore is unavailable for binding to Sir3, preventing SIR propagation.
Repeatability of subjective refraction in myopic and keratoconic subjects: results of vector analysis

This paper evaluates the repeatability of refraction in keratoconus patients and normal myopes, using representations of spherocylindrical power that are theoretically valid. Data consist of test–retest refraction data from the Collaborative Longitudinal Evaluation of Keratoconus (CLEK) Study and similar data from normal myopes. Dioptric powers are transformed to an orthogonal vector representation of dioptric power. The metric of change is the dioptric difference between test and retest. The median difference between test and retest in keratoconus patients is four to six times larger than in normal myopes. Refraction over a rigid contact lens on a keratoconic cornea improves repeatability but remains approximately twice as large as in normal myopes. The methods demonstrated here possess advantages over previous methods and provide a more valid comparison between test and retest and between different subject groups. The repeatability of refraction in keratoconus patients is substantially worse than in normal myopes.
Comparison of Anti‐Heat Shock Protein 70 (Anti‐hsp70) and Anti‐68‐kDa Inner Ear Protein in the Sera of Patients with Meniere's Disease

The 68‐kDa antigen detected in the sera of patients with autoimmune inner ear disease is known to represent the highly inducible heat shock protein 70 (hsp70). To evaluate the existence of anti‐hsp70 in the sera of patients with Meniere's disease and to develop a more reliable method to detect this antibody, the sera of patients and controls were examined.
The impact of chronic hepatitis C virus infection on HIV disease and progression in intravenous drug users

Objective It is unclear whether co-infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) can influence HIV related morbidity or mortality, either by accelerating HIV-related disease progression, or by contributing to end stage liver disease. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of HCV infection on the severity and progression of HIV disease in a cohort of Edinburgh intravenous drug users (IDUs). Methods In 240 (47%) out of 508 patients in the Edinburgh IDU cohort both HIV seroconversion dates and anti-HCV serology were available. Demographic variables and HIV-related progression between anti-HCV positive and anti-HCV negative groups were compared. Parameters assessed included clinical endpoints (time of development of significant symptoms attributable to HIV (CDC stage IV), time of development of AIDS, and time of death) and immunological endpoints (time of CD4+ counts dropping below 200/mm3100/mm3 and 50/mm3). Results Two hundred and two out of 240 patients (84%) had positive anti-HCV serology. There was no significant difference in the frequency of clinical and immunological endpoints between the anti-HCV positive and negative groups. Progression analysis from HIV seroconversion to HIV related clinical endpoints indicated that anti-HCV serology was not a significant factor influencing the rate of HIV progression (relative risks (RR) for anti-HCV positive group: seroconversion to CDC IV, 1.01; seroconversion to AIDS, 1.05; seroconversion to death, 0.90). Likewise, HCV serostatus did not significantly affect progression to immunological endpoints (RR for anti-HCV positive group: seroconversion to CD4+ < 200/mm31.04; seroconversion to CD4+< 100/mm31.13; seroconversion to CD4+ < 50/mm3 0.97. Overall mortality from end stage liver failure was 4% in HCV-seropositive patients without AIDS. This suggests that HCV has had a clinically (though not statistically) significant impact on overall survival in this cohort Conclusions This study demonstrates that HCV co-infection does not influence the rate of progression to either clinical or immunological endpoints in our population of HIV-infected drug users. Further data are required to assess the effect of HIV on the progression of HCV-related liver disease.
Biomechanical comparison of posterior internal fixation techniques for unstable pelvic fractures.

Early reduction and rigid fixation of unstable vertical shear pelvic fractures has been shown to decrease the incidence of late sequelae and facilitate early mobilization. The results of fixation of the posterior pelvic ring without anterior fixation are unknown. The purpose of this study was to perform a biomechanical comparison of the most frequently used techniques of posterior fixation for unstable pelvic sacroiliac dislocations in conjunction with ipsilateral rami fractures, i.e., an unstable vertical shear injury. The four methods of posterior fixation tested included sacroiliac (SI) screws, anterior SI plates, transiliac bars, and a combination of SI screws and transiliac bars. Six cadaveric pelvises were tested in axial compression and torsion on a biaxial servohydraulic testing machine. Compared to the intact pelvis, single posterior methods of fixation provided approximately 70-85% resistance to axial and torsional loading. By combining SI screws with transiliac bars, approximately 90% of intact pelvic stability was achieved. Our results suggest that rigid posterior fixation of sacroiliac dislocations alone may obviate the need for additional complex anterior surgical procedures to fix rami fractures.
The voltage-gated Na+ channel Nav1.8 contains an ER-retention/retrieval signal antagonized by the β3 subunit

Voltage-gated Na+ channel (Nav) 1.8 contributes to the majority of the Na+ current that underlies the depolarizing phase of action potentials. Nav1.8 is mainly distributed intracellularly and its current amplitude can be enhanced by the β3 subunit. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying its intracellular retention and the effects mediated by the β3 subunit. Here, we show that the β3 subunit promotes surface expression of Nav1.8 by masking its endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-retention/retrieval signal. The RRR motif in the first intracellular loop of Nav1.8 is responsible for retaining Nav1.8 in the ER and restricting its surface expression. The β3 subunit facilitates surface expression of Nav1.8. The intracellular C-terminus of the β3 subunit interacts with the first intracellular loop of Nav1.8 and masks the ER-retention/retrieval signal. Mutation of the RRR motif results in a significant increase in surface expression of Nav1.8 and abolishes the β3-subunit-mediated effects. Thus, the β3 subunit regulates surface expression of Nav1.8 by antagonizing its ER-retention/retrieval signal. These results reveal a novel mechanism for the effect of the Na+ channel β subunits on the α subunits.
Unsedated transnasal versus conventional oral endoscopy in endoscopy naïve patients.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS Unsedated transnasal upper endoscopy (TNE) has been suggested as a more comfortable and safer method than unsedated transoral endoscopy (TOE). However, the numbers of comparative trials are limited. The current study aimed to assess the tolerability, safety, and efficacy of TNE in endoscopy naïve patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS The current study was designed as a randomized, prospective, parallel arm trial including all eligible patients referred for upper endoscopy. Patients were randomized with a 1:1 ratio to undergo either unsedated TOE using a standard endoscope or unsedated TNE using an ultrathin endoscope. Postprocedure, all patients were asked to complete a questionnaire to assess pain, discomfort, distress and tolerability using a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS). Patients' expectations and future preferences were also determined by multiple choice questions. Endoscope insertion rate, procedure duration, and side-effects were recorded for each patient. RESULTS Each group included 200 patients. With the exception of nasal pain, mean VAS scores were significantly lower in TNE patients when compared to TOE patients (p = 0.0001). 85% and 54.5% of patients in TNE and TOE groups, respectively, found the procedure better than expected (p = 0001). A repeat procedure was significantly more acceptable for TNE than TOE (82.4% and 60.5%, respectively). Endoscope insertion failed in 3.5% of TNE patients. Mild epistaxis was observed in 4% of TNE patients. CONCLUSION Unsedated TNE was tolerated better in endoscopy naive patients than unsedated TOE in a large parallel arm trial.
A Novel Factor Controlling Bistability in Bacillus subtilis: the YmdB Protein Affects Flagellin Expression and Biofilm Formation

ABSTRACT Cells of Bacillus subtilis can either be motile or sessile, depending on the expression of mutually exclusive sets of genes that are required for flagellum or biofilm formation, respectively. Both activities are coordinated by the master regulator SinR. We have analyzed the role of the previously uncharacterized ymdB gene for bistable gene expression in B. subtilis. We observed a strong overexpression of the hag gene encoding flagellin and of other genes of the σD-dependent motility regulon in the ymdB mutant, whereas the two major operons for biofilm formation, tapA-sipW-tasA and epsA-O, were not expressed. As a result, the ymdB mutant is unable to form biofilms. An analysis of the individual cells of a population revealed that the ymdB mutant no longer exhibited bistable behavior; instead, all cells are short and motile. The inability of the ymdB mutant to form biofilms is suppressed by the deletion of the sinR gene encoding the master regulator of biofilm formation, indicating that SinR-dependent repression of biofilm genes cannot be relieved in a ymdB mutant. Our studies demonstrate that lack of expression of SlrR, an antagonist of SinR, is responsible for the observed phenotypes. Overexpression of SlrR suppresses the effects of a ymdB mutation.
Effects of holes on EEG forward solutions using a realistic geometry head model

Holes in the skull and the scalp are associated with intracranial monitoring procedures. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effects of holes on extracranial electroencephalogram (EEG) and intracranial electrocorticogram (ECoG) recordings. The finite difference method (FDM) was used to model the head volume conductor with a hole of varying size. A current dipole was used to simulate the brain electrical activity with varying locations within the brain. The effects of the holes were assessed by comparing the forward potential distributions with and without a hole. The present computer simulation results indicate that the effect of a hole on the scalp EEG and ECoG recordings strongly depends on the dipole location and orientation. For a superficial radial dipole located under a hole of radius ranging from 5 mm to 40 mm, the relative error (RE) varies from 0.99% to 93.07% for the EEG and from 0.025% to 16.72% for the ECoG. The correlation coefficient (CC) varies from 99.99% to 21.1% and from 100% to 99.75% for the EEG and EcoG, respectively. For radial dipoles, the strongest effect on the EEG and ECoG occurs when the dipole is located below the center of the hole, while for tangential dipoles, the strongest effect occurs when the dipole is located below the border of the hole. The effect of a hole on the EEG is much larger than upon the ECoG.