Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The frequency of anti-infliximab antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated in routine care and the associations with adverse drug reactions and treatment failure.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the frequency of anti-infliximab antibodies in patients with RA and the associations with adverse drug reactions and treatment failure. METHODS Based on the DANBIO registry, patients with RA who initiated treatment with infliximab at Hvidovre Hospital between 2000 and 2008 and had available serum samples were identified. The patients were followed for 52 weeks. Anti-infliximab antibodies were determined prior to infusion at baseline and during follow-up (weeks 2, 6, 14 and 52 or at withdrawal) using the IMPACT indirect assay (Roche Diagnostics) and merged with clinical data prospectively registered in the DANBIO registry. RESULTS A total of 218 patients with RA were included (80% females, median age 56 years, disease duration 10 years, 65% RF positive, median DAS28 = 5.0). During the 52-week follow-up, 28 patients (13%) withdrew due to adverse events and 50 (23%) due to treatment failure. Antibodies were detected in 118 patients (54%) during follow-up. Patients with detectable anti-infliximab antibodies after 6 weeks had an increased risk of adverse drug reactions [hazard ratio (HR) = 5.06, 95% CI 2.36, 10.84; P < 0.0001] compared with patients without anti-infliximab antibodies. Similar results were observed in patients with anti-infliximab antibodies after 14 weeks (HR = 3.30, 95% CI 1.56, 6.99; P = 0.0009). Patients with detectable anti-infliximab antibodies during the 52-week follow-up were less likely to achieve sustained minimal disease activity and remission. CONCLUSION Early anti-infliximab antibody formation increased the risk of adverse drug reactions, including infusion reactions. Anti-infliximab antibody formation during the 52-week follow-up decreased the likelihood of minimal disease activity and remission in patients with RA treated in routine care.
Optimal utilization of a cognitive shared channel with a rechargeable primary source node

This paper considers the scenario in which a set of nodes share a common channel. Some nodes have a rechargeable battery and the others are plugged to a reliable power supply and, thus, have no energy limitations. We consider two source-destination pairs and apply the concept of cognitive radio communication in sharing the common channel. Specifically, we give high-priority to the energy-constrained source-destination pair, i.e., primary pair, and low-priority to the pair which is free from such constraint, i.e., secondary pair. In contrast to the traditional notion of cognitive radio, in which the secondary transmitter is required to relinquish the channel as soon as the primary is detected, the secondary transmitter not only utilizes the idle slots of primary pair but also transmits along with the primary transmitter with probability p. This is possible because we consider the general multi-packet reception model. Given the requirement on the primary pair's throughput, the probability p is chosen to maximize the secondary pair's throughput. To this end, we obtain two-dimensional maximum stable throughput region which describes the theoretical limit on rates that we can push into the network while maintaining the queues in the network to be stable.
Teeth with large amalgam restorations and crowns: factors affecting the receipt of subsequent treatment after 10 years.

BACKGROUND The authors evaluated the factors associated with the receipt of subsequent treatment by teeth restored with a large amalgam restoration or a large amalgam restoration and crown restoration after 10 years. METHODS The authors used retrospective data from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry (Iowa City, Iowa) administrative database and patient records to evaluate patient and tooth factors for their association with the two primary outcomes: receipt of any subsequent treatment and receipt of catastrophic treatment (extraction, endodontic therapy). RESULTS The authors followed 518 teeth over a 10-year period (49 percent with large amalgam restorations and 51 percent with crowns). Sixty-four percent of the large amalgam restorations and 32 percent of the crowns received subsequent treatment during the 10 years. In addition to restoration type, the patient's sex, history of grinding teeth and having a broken tooth were related to the tooth's receiving subsequent treatment. Twenty-two percent of large amalgam restorations and 12 percent of crowns received catastrophic treatment with the odds of teeth with large amalgam restorations receiving a catastrophic treatment being 2.1 times the odds of teeth with crowns receiving catastrophic treatment. CONCLUSIONS Teeth with crowns were less likely to receive any treatment or catastrophic treatment over 10 years than were teeth with large amalgam restorations. Patient and tooth factors also were related to a tooth experiencing subsequent treatment. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Teeth with crowns received less subsequent treatment than teeth with large amalgam restorations. This could be related to both the difference in longevity between the two restorations, as well as how appropriately treatment was planned for each procedure. Cost differences between the two restorations need to be factored into the decision-making process.
Self-reported and employer-recorded sickness absence in doctors.

BACKGROUND Doctors' sickness absence reduces the quality and continuity of patient care and is financially costly. Doctors have lower rates of sickness absence than other healthcare workers. AIMS To compare self-reported with recorded sickness absence in doctors in a UK National Health Service hospital trust. METHODS A retrospective questionnaire study. The main outcome measures were self-reported and trust-recorded sickness absence episodes of 4 days or more in two consecutive 6-month periods. RESULTS The response rate was 82% (607/736). Self-reported sickness absence rates were 1.2% compared with a rate of 0.6% from trust-recorded data. There were 38 matched pairs of self-reported (mean duration: 18 days, standard deviation: 22 days) and trust-recorded (mean duration: 10 days, standard deviation: 17 days) sickness absence episodes of 4 days or more in the 12 months studied. A matched pairs t-test determined that the difference between the two means was significant (t = 2.57, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Doctors' sickness absence was significantly under-recorded in this study population.
The Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction among the Patients with End Stage Renal Disease in Jamaica.

BACKGROUND Sexual performance and gratification impact quality of life. Although recognized in the literature as a problem, sexual dysfunction among patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) has never been studied in Jamaica. SUBJECTS AND METHOD The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was determined among 268 adult Jamaican patients (166 males, 102 females) with ESRD who had been on haemodialysis for at least three months. Erectile dysfunction (ED) was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) was determined using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 classifications of sexual disorders. Prevalence, severity of sexual dysfunctions and relationships with the primary aetiology of ESRD and anaemia were assessed. RESULTS Erectile dysfunction, desire and orgasmic disorderS were found in 91.4%, 88.3%, and 81.6% of male subjects, respectively. The majority of male patients were dissatisfied with their performance at intercourse after progressing to ESRD. Hypoactive sexual disorder, sexual arousal and orgasmic disorders, and aversion sexual disorder were prevalent, found in 96%, 88.1% and 87.1% of female patients. All diabetic patients with ESRD reported hypoactive sexual disorder and orgasmic dysfunction; arousal disorder was found in 94.7%. Aversion sexual disorder was found more among patients with underlying chronic glomerulonephritis. All patients with severe anaemia were found to have hypoactive sexual disorder and among these, 87.5% and 97.8% had severe arousal and orgasmic disorders, respectively. CONCLUSION Sexual dysfunction among patients with ESRD in Jamaica was prevalent in males and females. Associations exist between sexual dysfunction and diabetes mellitus, chronic glomerulonephritis and anaemia.
Phototoxic Effect of Visible Light on Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum: An In Vitro Study¶,†

Abstract The antibacterial effect of visible light irradiation combined with photosensitizers has been reported. The objective of this was to test the effect of visible light irradiation without photosensitizers on the viability of oral microorganisms. Strains of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus faecalis in suspension or grown on agar were exposed to visible light at wavelengths of 400–500 nm. These wavelengths are used to photopolymerize composite resins widely used for dental restoration. Three photocuring light sources, quartz–tungsten–halogen lamp, light-emitting diode and plasma-arc, at power densities between 260 and 1300 mW/cm2 were used for up to 3 min. Bacterial samples were also exposed to a near-infrared diode laser (wavelength, 830 nm), using identical irradiation parameters for comparison. The results show that blue light sources exert a phototoxic effect on P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum. The minimal inhibitory dose for P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum was 16–62 J/cm2, a value significantly lower than that for S. mutans and S. faecalis (159–212 J/cm2). Near-infrared diode laser irradiation did not affect any of the bacteria tested. Our results suggest that visible light sources without exogenous photosensitizers have a phototoxic effect mainly on Gram-negative periodontal pathogens.
Unexpected superoxide dismutase antioxidant activity of ferric chloride in acetonitrile.

The azobis(isobutyronitrile)-initiated autoxidation of gamma-terpinene in acetonitrile at 50 degrees C yields only p-cymene and hydrogen peroxide (1:1) in a chain reaction carried by the hydroperoxyl radical, HOO. (Foti, M. C.; Ingold, K. U. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2003, 51, 2758-2765). This reaction is retarded by very low (microM) concentrations of FeCl(3) and CuCl(2). The kinetics of the FeCl(3)-inhibited autoxidation are consistent with chain-termination via the following: Fe(3+) + HOO. <==>[Fe(IV)-OOH](3+) and [Fe(IV)-OOH](3+) + HOO. --> Fe(3+) + H2O2 + O2. Thus, FeCl(3) in acetonitrile can be regarded as a very effective (and very simple) superoxide dismutase. The kinetics of the CuCl(2)-inhibited autoxidation indicate that chain transfer occurs and becomes more and more important as the reaction proceeds, i.e., the inhibition is replaced by autocatalysis. These kinetics are consistent withreduction of Cu2+ to Cu+ by HOO. and then the reoxidation of Cu+ to Cu2+ by both HOO.and the H2O2 product. The latter reaction yields HO. radicals which continue the chain.
Effect of levofloxacin coadministration on the international normalized ratios during warfarin therapy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of levofloxacin coadministration on the international normalized ratio (INR) in patients receiving warfarin therapy. DESIGN Prospective analysis. SETTING Outpatient clinic at a Veterans Affairs medical center. PATIENTS Eighteen adult patients receiving warfarin. INTERVENTION On the basis of clinical diagnosis and judgment, levofloxacin was prescribed to the 18 patients for treatment of various types of infection. The INR was measured before and at 2-8-day intervals after the coadministration of levofloxacin therapy, and once after completing therapy. Warfarin dosages were adjusted when necessary. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Warfarin dosages were changed in seven patients as a result of the first nontherapeutic INR values obtained after start of levofloxacin therapy. Owing to a concern regarding noncompliance and the adverse effect of bleeding, warfarin dosage was adjusted in one patient even though his first INR value was in the high end of the therapeutic range (2.98, therapeutic range 2-3). One patient withdrew from the study after the first INR measurement after levofloxacin coadministration. Because of a concern about the possible bleeding complication, warfarin dosage was also adjusted in this patient after obtaining his first INR value. Therefore, only the INR values obtained before and the first INR values obtained after levofloxacin administration were compared to evaluate the effect of levofloxacin on INR determination of warfarin therapy. The INR values obtained before levofloxacin administration did not differ significantly from the first INR values obtained after levofloxacin coadministration (mean +/- SD 2.61 +/- 0.44 vs 2.74 +/- 0.83, 95% confidence interval -0.449-0.196, p=0.419). CONCLUSION The INR values measured before and after concomitant levofloxacin therapy were not significantly different. However, the ability to detect a significant difference may be affected by the small number of patients studied. Further studies with a larger sample are required to better determine the effect of levofloxacin coadministration on INR monitoring during warfarin therapy
Healthcare-Associated Bloodstream Infections Secondary to a Urinary Focus The Québec Provincial Surveillance Results

Objective. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are an important source of secondary healthcare-associated bloodstream infections (BSIs), where a potential for prevention exists. This study describes the epidemiology of BSIs secondary to a urinary source (U-BSIs) in the province of Québec and predictors of mortality. Design. Dynamic cohort of 9,377,830 patient-days followed through a provincial voluntary surveillance program targeting all episodes of healthcare-associated BSIs occurring in acute care hospitals. Setting. Sixty-one hospitals in Québec, followed between April 1, 2007, and March 31, 2010. Participants. Patients admitted to participating hospitals for 48 hours or longer. Methods. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize characteristics of U-BSIs and microorganisms involved. Wilcoxon and X2 tests were used to compare U-BSI episodes with other BSIs. Negative binomial regression was used to identify hospital characteristics associated with higher rates. We explored determinants of mortality using logistic regression. Results. Of the 7,217 reported BSIs, 1,510 were U-BSIs (21%), with an annual rate of 1.4 U-BSIs per 10,000 patient-days. A urinary device was used in 71% of U-BSI episodes. Identified institutional risk factors were average length of stay, teaching status, and hospital size. Increasing hospital size was influential only in nonteaching hospitals. Age, nonhematogenous neoplasia, Staphylococcus aureus, and Foley catheters were associated with mortality at 30 days. Conclusion. U-BSI characteristics suggest that urinary catheters may remain in patients for ease of care or because practitioners forget to remove them. Ongoing surveillance will enable hospitals to monitor trends in U-BSIs and impacts of process surveillance that will be implemented shortly.
The Use of Cleft Constructions in L2 Word Processing and Word Recall

This study compared the effects of syntactic focus and context on word processing speed and word recall in L1 and L2, using 80 adult native German L2 learners of English and 30 native speakers of British English as controls. Recorded sentence stimuli were used to compare cleft and non-cleft sentences, native and non-native language speakers, and presence and absence of additional context information. Results indicated a processing advantage of cleft in L1 (English and German) but not in L2 (English). Additional context resulted in faster L1 and L2 processing for German listeners but not for the English controls. Word recall was not facilitated by syntactic focus marking nor by context in any of the language groups.
Hopelessness, Demoralization and Suicidal Behaviour: the Backdrop to Welfare Reform in Australia

Objectives: To estimate rates of suicidal ideation and attempts, and psychological characteristics of demoralization among Australian income support recipients. To provide information for policy-makers to inform the current welfare reform discussion. Method: Data from the 1997 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing were analysed using sequential logistic regression models, comparing working age people dependent on government income support payments with those having other main sources of income. Results: Three groups of income support recipients, unemployed, lone mothers and disability payment recipients, reported significantly higher levels on all psychological measures related to demoralization (hopelessness, worthlessness and dissatisfaction with life) than non-recipients. A similar pattern was demonstrated for measures of suicidal ideation and reported suicide attempts, with increased odds of between 3 and 9 for these high-risk groups of welfare recipients. The elevated rates of suicidal ideation, attempts and demoralization among income support recipients were in part explained by sociodemographic characteristics (socioeconomic status, age, educational qualification, experience of serious violence, loneliness, experience of psychiatric disorders), though the unemployed and disability payment recipients remained elevated on the psychological measures. Conclusions: Demoralization, poor mental health and suicidal behaviour are common among income support recipients targeted by recently announced welfare reforms. This needs to be considered in the design and implementation of Australian Government policies. Psychiatric epidemiology has a key role in policy development and evaluation.
Costs and Benefits of Autonomy When Learning a Task: An Experimental Approach

ABSTRACT Previous findings suggested that the positive relationship between autonomy and learning outcomes (such as improved task performance) only holds up until a certain optimum level of autonomy has been reached. This assumption was investigated in an experimental study where 95 participants had to learn a computer task. During the learning phase, we manipulated autonomy, distinguishing among no, moderate, and full autonomy. The results revealed that, when learning a task, having autonomy is preferred to having no autonomy. However, increases in autonomy beyond a certain level (i.e., full versus moderate autonomy) will not yield additional advantages regarding the motivation to learn and learning outcomes, and may have disadvantages in terms of learning efficiency.
Inhibition of IL-10-induced STAT3 activation by 15-deoxy-Delta12,14-prostaglandin J2.

OBJECTIVES 15-Deoxy-Delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) is a natural ligand that activates the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma, a member of the nuclear receptor family implicated in the regulation of lipid metabolism and adipocyte differentiation. Recent data have shown that 15d-PGJ2 exerts anti-inflammatory action via inhibition of the interferon gamma (IFN-gamma)-induced Jak-STAT signalling pathway. The anti-inflammatory effect of IL-10 is mediated via activated STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3). In this study, we investigated whether 15d-PGJ2 inhibit IL-10-induced STAT activation. METHODS We used western blotting, flow cytometric analysis and a real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS 15d-PGJ2 blocked IL-10-induced STAT1 and STAT3 activation in primary human monocytes, macrophages and THP-1 cells. Inhibition was not specific for IL-10, as induction of STAT activation by IFN-gamma and IL-6 was also inhibited by 15d-PGJ2. Inhibition of IL-10 signalling was induced within 1 h after pretreatment of 15d-PGJ2. Other PPARgamma agonists, such as troglitazone, did not inhibit IL-10 signalling. Treatment with GW9662, a specific PPARgamma antagonist, had no effect on 15d-PGJ2-mediated inhibition of IL-10 signalling even at higher concentrations (50 microM), indicating that 15d-PGJ2 affects the IL-10-induced Jak-STAT signalling pathway via an PPARgamma-independent mechanism. Actinomycin D had no effect on 15d-PGJ2-mediated inhibition of IL-10 signalling, indicating that inhibition of IL-10 signalling occurs independently of de novo gene expression. Also, inhibitors of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERKs) (PD98059), p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) (SB203580) and protein kinase C (PKC) (GF109203X, calphostin C) had no effect on 15d-PGJ2-mediated inhibition of IL-10 signalling. These results show that MAPKs and PKC are not involved in the inhibition of IL-10 signalling. CONCLUSIONS We showed that 15d-PGJ2 non-specifically inhibits STAT signalling of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 as well as the proinflammatory cytokine IFN-gamma. These findings indicate the possibility that 15d-PGJ2 can have adverse effects in the management of diseases in which IL-10 plays a critical role in the suppression of inflammation.
Symbiont carbon and nitrogen assimilation in the Cassiopea–Symbiodinium mutualism

Symbiotic interactions in the marine environment have long been represented by mutualisms between photosymbionts and benthic marine invertebrates like corals and sponges. Although ‘upside-down’ epibenthic jellyfish in the genus Cassiopea also derive a substantial metabolic benefit from abundant communities of the dinoflagellate symbiont Symbiodinium, comparatively little is known about the efficiency of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) assimilation within the Cassiopea holobiont. Using standardized 6 h incubations with 13Cand 15Nenriched compounds, we assessed symbiont C and N assimilation in both oral arm and bell tissue of C. xamachana under light and dark conditions. Carbon fixation was light dependent and highest in the photosymbiont-rich oral arm tissue. In contrast, NO3 assimilation was light independent in both tissue types and was highest in bell tissue that was sparsely colonized by photosymbionts. This, coupled with higher bell tissue 15N enrichment under dark conditions, implicates nonphotosynthetic microbes in Cassiopea N metabolism. This zonation of microbial activity may allow C. xamachana to simultaneously fix C and assimilate ambient or porewater N released during Cassiopea pumping activity. Although C. xamachana may utilize symbiont-derived N, lower 15N enrichment relative to C fixation suggests that Cassiopea may also rely on exogenous sources of N for growth. This study provides initial evidence that the efficiency of symbiont metabolism within Cassiopea jellyfish is comparable to, or exceeds, that of other common benthic marine invertebrates, sup porting the contention that Cassiopea have an important role in the productivity and nutrient dynamics within their local environment.
Definition of Streptozocin Toxicity for Primary Lymphoidal Tissues

Hyperglycemia was induced in BALB/c mice with either streptozocin or alloxan to evaluate the effects of these drugs on primary lymphoidal tissues. Streptozocin but not alloxan 1) briefly inhibited in situ DNA synthesis in bone marrow and thymus, 2) elicited a transient selective depletion of circulating lymphocytes, and 3) elicited a transient selective depletion of cortical thymocytes. Streptozocin also inhibited in vitro DNA synthesis of bone marrow cells and thymocytes from normal mice. A single subdiabetogenic dose of streptozocin depleted circulating lymphocytes and thymocytes.