Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Special Topic: NF-κB, Immunity and Cancer (Invited Review) Current Topics in Prevention of Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type I Infection: NF-κB Inhibitors and APOBEC3

Human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) is the first human retrovirus and causes adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). Constitutive activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the leukemic cells is essential for their growth and survival. Thus, NF-κB inhibitors have been attracting attention as a potential strategy to treat ATL. Recently, the field of retrovirus research has been stimulated by the discovery of an innate host defense factor, APOBEC3, against the retroviruses. HTLV-I is relatively resistant to the antiviral effects of APOBEC3. To clarify the resistance of HTLV-I against APOBEC3 might contribute to the design of effective therapeutic approaches.
Mechanical and Abrasive Wear Behavior of Metal Sulphide Lubricant Filled Epoxy Composites

The present work reveals the effect of the addition of commercial MoS2 (10 wt%) particles on mechanical and two-body abrasive wear behavior of epoxy with/without glass fiber mat reinforcement. The composites were fabricated using casting and simple hand lay-up techniques followed by compression molding. The mechanical properties such as density, hardness, tensile, and flexural properties were determined as per ASTM standards. The abrasive wear testing was carried out using pin-on-disc wear tester for different loads and abrading distances at constant speed of 1 m/s. A significant reduction in wear loss and specific wear rate was noticed after the incorporation of MoS2 filler allowing less wear of matrix during abrasion which in turn facilitated lower fiber damage. However the incorporation of MoS2 particles had a detrimental effect on most of the mechanical properties of the composites. The worn surface features were investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to investigate the wear mechanisms.
New reasons for histopathological nail‐clipping examination in the diagnosis of onychomycosis

Background Onychomycosis is a common problem. Today, the gold standard in the diagnosis of onychomycosis is the direct microscopy and fungal culture. But direct microscopy is regarded as having a low sensitivity and fungal culture takes long time. In addition, in cases of controlling the antifungal treatment course, the present gold standard is often not a reliable tool because of the inhibition of the fungal growth in the culture.
A prolog constraint handling rules compiler and runtime system

The most recent and advanced implementation of constraint handling rules (CHR) is introduced in a logic programming language. The Prolog implementation consists of a runtime system and a compiler. The runtime system utilizes attributed variables for the realization of the constraint store with efficient retrieval and update mechanisms. Rules describing the interactions between constraints are compiled into Prolog clauses by a compiler, the core of which comprises a small number of compact code generating templates in the form of definite clause grammar rules.
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common form of polycystic kidney diseases, which are genetic disorders characterized by the abnormal growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys. ADPKD is one of the leading causes of end-stage renal failure. It results from mutations in two genes, PKD1 and PKD2, with PKD1 mutations accounting for more than 80% of cases. Currently, there is no cure for ADPKD and traditional treatments have been supportive, aimed at ameliorating associated symptoms and complications. However, the advances in understanding the pathophysiology of this disease will lead to more targeted therapeutic strategies to prevent cyst formation.
Condições de saúde e nível de atividade física em idosos participantes e não participantes de grupos de convivência de Florianópolis

Objetivou-se verificar a associacao entre condicoes de saude e nivel de atividade fisica em idosos participantes e nao participantes de grupos de convivencia de Florianopolis, Santa Catarina. A amostra foi constituida de 1.062 idosos (625 mulheres), com media de idade de 71,9 anos (±7,6). Foram analisadas as variaveis sociodemograficas (sexo, idade, escolaridade e estado civil), nivel de atividade fisica (International Physical Activity Questionaire) e saude fisica (Questionario Brazil Older Aging Schedule). Os dados foram analisados por meio da estatistica descritiva e teste Qui-quadrado. Os resultados demonstraram que 60,6% dos idosos foram classificados como ativos fisicamente. A presenca de doencas foi relatada por 74% dos idosos, sendo que os participantes de grupos de convivencia (GP) apresentaram maior prevalencia que o grupo nao participante (GNP). Porem, mesmo com maior prevalencia de doenca, os idosos do GP apresentaram percepcao positiva do estado de saude. Para as mulheres, a participacao em grupos de convivencia associou-se positivamente com percepcao do estado de saude (p < 0,001) e com presenca de doenca (p = 0,005). Conclui-se que a participacao nos grupos de convivencia contribui para a melhor percepcao do estado de saude e para a manutencao de niveis adequados de atividade fisica.
An automatic, continuous and probabilistic sleep stager based on a hidden markov model

We report about an automatic continuous sleep stager which is based on probabilistic principles employing Hidden Markov Models (HMM). Our sleep stager offers the advantage of being objective by not relying on human scorers, having much finer temporal resolution (one second instead of 30 seconds),and being based on solid probabilistic principles rather than a predefined set of rules (Rechtschaffen and Kales). Results obtained for nine whole night sleep recordings are reported.
Relaxation Increases Salivary Immunoglobulin a

While research indicates that high stress may be immunosuppressive, little is known about the effects of relaxation on the immune system. To determine whether relaxation is immunoenhancing, 50 volunteer college students were randomly assigned to one of four relaxation methods (Benson's relaxation response, guided visualization, massage, lying quietly with eyes closed, or a touching-control group). Salivary immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) and salivary Cortisol levels were recorded before and after one 20-min. relaxation session. Subjects in the relaxation response, visualization, and massage groups showed a significant increase in S-IgA concentrations from the before to the after relaxation samples. Also, post-relaxation S-IgA concentrations were significantly higher in the relaxation response, visualization, and massage groups than in the touching-control group. Salivary Cortisol did not change significantly. These data suggest that one component of the immune system, S-IgA, may be enhanced by the practice of a coping skill such as relaxation.
Local Immunotherapy of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis in Children Due to Parietaria officinalis Pollen: A Preliminary Report

ABSTRACT Fifteen children presenting with a typical allergic rhinitis due to the pollens of Parietaria officinalis were investigated. Diagnosis was confirmed by history, physical examination, skin tests, radioallergosorbent test, and the nasal provocation test. Patients were separated into two groups: Ten received specific nasal immunotherapy and five were on placebo. Results were assessed on the following criteria: diminution of clinical symptomatology, reduction of the quantity of medication required to control symptoms, and results of provocation nasal tests, that showed an increase of the end point, which is the maximum tolerated dose. Compared to a placebo group, the ten children showed a significant improvement in all the cases without any side effects.
The effect of maternal anthropometric characteristics and social factors on birth weight of child in small town hospital of Gandevi block of Navsari district.

Background:In India low birth weight (LBW) (<2500 g), is the strongest determinant of infant morbidity and mortality. Objective:To quantify the effect of maternal anthropometry, education and socio-economic status on birth weight. Materials and Methods:Study Design: Prospective, Observational, Hospital based study.Study Setting: Gram Seva trust Hospital at Gandevi Block of Navsari district.Study Period: Sep 2009.Study Population:105 women who delivered in this hospital.Study Variable: Age of the mother at time of delivery, socio-economic status, education, parity, height and weight of mother, no. of ANC visits, sex of the delivered child.Outcome Variable: Low birth weight (LBW). Statistical analysis: Receiver Operative Characteristic (ROC)curve, chi square test, multivariate logistic regression Results:Low birth weight was found in around 35 % of infants. Bivariate analysis revealed that Maternal age less than 20 years (p= 0.02), education (p= 0.009), socio economic status (p =0.001) was significantly associated with low birth weight. Maternal age <20 years, number of years of education < 7 found to increase risk of LBW. Maternal height, weight, BMI, parity, sex of the child, number of ANC visits and type of family had no statistically significant effect on determining the risk for LBW. However, adjusted Odds ratio was found significant for only BPL status and pre term. Conclusion:Maternal age, Education, Economic states and Pre term were found to be the most important maternal parameters, which influence birth weight and the risk for LBW. However, Multivariate Logistic analysis revealed only BPL status and preterm had effect on LBW.
SENSITIVE SKIN AND MOISTURIZATION

Skin moisturization is a state of the surface of the skin, which is more often recognized by the individuals when moisturization is lacking, and when one has skin conditions that can be called dry, very dry, rough, or even ichthyotic. The moisturization of the upper part of the skin is likely to be dictated by the presence of lipids, water, urea, and other compounds. It can also be considered to be the consequence of how well the outer envelope of the skin opposes the evaporation. Several authors have undertaken to measure the water content of the outer surface of the skin. Other authors have emphasized the importance of the so-called transepidermal water loss (TEWL), expressed as grams of water per square meter per hour. The capability of the skin to oppose water evaporation can be equated to its capability to provide an overall barrier. The measure of TEWL provides information on the changes in moisturization induced by a treatment, which does not affect the barrier, and on changes of the barrier properties induced by a treatment, which does not affect moisturization. Skin sensitivity is a self-assessed diagnosis of a physiological state that lacks rigorous clinical definition, complete etiological analysis, and accurate diagnostic tools. This undesirable state of the skin is characterized by a disagreeable feeling on the surface of the skin or by the observation of hyper-reactivity of the skin when it is exposed to mild environmental conditions such as water, wool fabrics, or
S3 – Guidelines on the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris Update 2011

Alexander Nast, Wolf-Henning Boehncke, Ulrich Mrowietz, Hans-Michael Ockenfels, Sandra Philipp, Kristian Reich, Thomas Rosenbach, Adel Sammain, Martin Schlaeger, Michael Sebastian, Wolfram Sterry, Volker Streit, Matthias Augustin, Ricardo Erdmann, Joachim Klaus, Joachim Koza, Siegrid Müller, Hans-Dieter Orzechowski, Stefanie Rosumeck, Gerhard Schmid-Ott, Tobias Weberschock, Berthold Rzany (1) Division of Evidence Based Medicine (dEBM), Klinik für Dermatologie, Vene-rologie und Allergologie, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany (2) Zentrum der Dermatologie und Venerologie, Klinikum der Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universität, Frankfurt/Main, Germany (3) Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie, Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany (4) Hautu. Allergieklinik, Klinikum Hanau, Germany (5) Psoriasisstudienzentrum, Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany (6) Dermatologikum Hamburg, Germany (7) Dermatologist in private practice, Osnabrück, Germany (8) Dermatologist in private practice, Oldenburg, Germany (9) Dermatologist in private practice, Mahlow, Germany (10) Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany (11) Niedergelassener Dermatologe, Buchholz, Germany (12) Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie, Hamburg, Germany (13) Deutscher Psoriasis Bund e.V. , Germany (14) Nursing care representative, Ravenstein, Germany (15) Institut für Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany (16) Berolina Klinik, Löhne, Germany
Performance of SAPS3, compared with APACHE II and SOFA, to predict hospital mortality in a general ICU in Southern Europe

Background and objective Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS3) has not been validated in Southern European countries. The purpose of this study was to validate the ability of SAPS3 to predict hospital mortality in adult patients in an interdisciplinary intensive care unit in Southern Europe, compared with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA). Methods This is a cohort study of 864 patients with a prospective collection of SAPS3 and SOFA variables and retrospective analysis of APACHE II in a mixed intensive care unit at a teaching hospital in Spain throughout 2006. The performance of the systems was determined by examining their discrimination and calibration. Results The discrimination of SAPS3 was excellent, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.916, similar to APACHE II (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.893) or SOFA (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.846). The calibration was good for SAPS3 but insufficient for APACHE II. Hospital death rates were lower than those that were predicted by the models. Conclusion Our data demonstrate a better calibration of SAPS3 than APACHE II. Calibration was sufficient only for SAPS3. Hospital mortality was lower than predicted by both models. The discrimination of SAPS3 is excellent, and, when it is customized for Southern Europe, SAPS3 accurately predicts mortality risk in our adult mixed-case ICU.
Importância do eletrorretinograma de campo total (Full field ERG) em cães da raça Cocker Spaniel Inglês portadores de catarata

Cataracts are one of the most frequent ocular disorders that affects dogs and leads to blindness. In the late stages, lens opacity unables fundoscopy and consequently the diagnosis of retinal degeneration such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which contraindicates surgery. Aiming the return of vision, full field electroretinogram (full field ERG) becomes indispensable before surgery. As English Cocker Spaniels are predisposed to cataracts and retinal degeneration, the objective of this study is the evaluation of the full field ERG records performed in dogs. One hundred thirty-six full field ERGs were recorded from English Cocker Spaniels (62 males and 74 females, with ages ranging from 3 to 15 years old), between September, 2004 and May, 2009. Each examined dog presented cataracts and vision loss before the exam. Diagnosis of retinal degeneration was made based on ERG parameters which were measured from peak to peak amplitude and b-wave implicit time in the 3 different responses (rod response, maximal response and cone response). Amplitude measured in rod, maximal and cone response, as well as the implicit time recorded from dogs that did not present retinal degeneration were respectively: 71.55mV/65.15ms; 149.17mV/33.03ms; and 31.06mV/27.90ms. No response was recorded in 38 dogs. Low responses were recorded from the remaining dogs: 12.88mV/65.04ms, 24.16mV/36.25ms, and 8.36mV/31.38ms. Results showed that 122 animals (89.7%) presented progressive retinal atrophy. Therefore, we conclude that full field ERG must be performed in English Cocker Spaniels presenting cataracts before its removal due to high incidence of retinal degeneration in this breed.
A Sero-Epidemiological Survey of Infectious Bursal Disease in Scavenging Village Chickens in Enugu State, Nigeria

A serological survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of antibodies to Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) virus using the Agar Gel Precipitin Test (AGPT) in unvaccinated scavenging adult village chickens in Nsukka Local Government Area (L.G.A.) in South Eastern Nigeria. Of the 800 sera samples tested, 328 (41%) were positive for IBD virus antibodies. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in seasonal distribution, being 43% in the wet and 39% in the dry seasons; and gender being 41.1% and 41% for cocks and hens respectively. The study thus confirmed the endemicity of IBD in local chickens. A national IBD control programme is recommended.
Estudo comparativo de casos entre a mobilização neural e um programa de alongamento muscular em lombálgicos crônicos

INTRODUCAO: A dor lombar, responsavel por 50% das disfuncoes musculo-esqueleticas, e uma das principais, senao a mais frequente, causa de dor, incapacidade funcional e laborativa. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar os efeitos da mobilizacao neural e do alongamento na flexibilidade, no quadro algico e nas atividades funcionais de sujeitos com dor lombar. METODOLOGIA: Foram realizadas 20 sessoes de um programa de mobilizacao neural e de um programa de alongamento muscular com dois grupos distintos em sujeitos que apresentavam lombalgia cronica, sendo estes divididos de forma aleatoria. Como instrumentos para avaliacao, foram utilizados a Escala Analogo-Visual da dor, a distância dedo-solo, a medida do ângulo de flexao do joelho e o questionario Roland Morris. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados nove sujeitos com dor lombar cronica; cinco deles participaram do grupo em que foi empregada a mobilizacao neural e quatro fizeram parte do grupo de alongamentos. Somente o programa de mobilizacao neural apresentou resultados significativos. Quando comparados os resultados dos programas nao foi evidenciada diferenca estatisticamente significativa nos criterios avaliados. CONCLUSAO: Para esta amostra, os dois recursos terapeuticos apresentaram melhoras para as variaveis analisadas, porem apenas a mobilizacao neural demonstrou resultados significativos, nao sendo possivel, no entanto, apontar maior eficiencia de um metodo em relacao ao outro.
Patient Preferences for Psychiatric Advance Directives

Limited research has examined patients' preferences for psychiatric advance directives (PADs). This study examines the preferences and interest in PADs among patients with severe mental illness. Participants in a randomized controlled trial of PAD facilitation versus usual care were interviewed about their preferences and interest in PADs. Preferences scores were estimated and compared among patients wishing to complete types of PADs. The large majority of participants indicating an interest in a PAD that included a healthcare power of attorney gave greatest importance to enabling surrogate decision making and continuity of care during crises, a minority who expressed interest in a stand-alone advance instruction for mental health treatment or no PAD at all gave highest priority to avoiding unwanted treatment. Persons with severe mental illness have diverse interests in PADs. Most patients give high priority to improving surrogate decision making and continuity of care with PADs.
Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection in the Intensive Care Unit

Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit, contributing to prolonged stay with the associated cost and resource implications. Various mechanisms of infection have been suggested, and consequently, numerous interventions to reduce the burden of infection have been proposed, the efficacy of most of which remains controversial. The practice of routine catheter change and preferential use of the subclavian vein insertion site are both associated with an increased risk of mechanical complications, which may outweigh any potential benefit. Additionally, the use of silver- and antiseptic-impregnated catheters, of questionable benefit in the ICU patient population, is also argued to be unjustified in terms of efficacy and cost. A small scale study in a London university district general hospital ICU found that while infection rates were low, the majority of infections were caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis and thus were probably a result of contamination either from the patient's commensal flora or acquired by contamination from healthcare workers. In accordance with published findings, this suggests that preventing contamination will decrease infection rates. Strict aseptic technique and the use of sterile fields during insertion are most likely the main contributors in reducing rates of infection. This together with education of staff across disciplines and adherence to local guidelines are likely to be the mainstays of reducing CRBSI in the ICU.
Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms: Technical Pitfalls

ObjectiveThe posterior communicating artery aneurysms correspond on 25% of all ruptured aneurysms. The clinical course is typically a subarachnoid hemorrhage and third nerve palsy. We intend to introduce a new classification for PComA aneurysms to help neurosurgeons in day-to-day practice present. We review our experience in PComA aneurysms and discuss the main factors involving morbidity, mortality, signs and symptoms, and prognosis of these aneurysms. Material and MethodsWe reviewed historical records, images, surgical videos, and CDs of 46 surgically clipped aneurysms in 39 patients from June 2000 to July 2009, in 2 Institutions: Hospital São Camilo and Santa Paula, São Paulo, Brazil. They were classified in 2 groups, the A group composed by patients who presented subarachnoid hemorrhage in acute phase and the B group composed by incidental aneurysms carriers. All patients were classified according to Hunt-Hess scale. ResultsThe average age found was 53.6 years old (min 28 to Max 92). The incidence was higher among women (3.6:1). Worse outcomes were observed in group A. The mortality rate was 20% in group A and zero cases in group B. Similar rate was found for rupture cases (20% in A group vs zero in B group). Morbidity was similar for both groups. The mean aneurismal size for A group was 6 mm (ranging from 5 to 25 mm) and 5.3 mm (ranging from 3 to 10 mm) for B group. ConclusionsPosterior communicating artery aneurysms occurred 3 to 4 times more frequently in women than man. Oculomotor palsy associated with severe headache were commonly related to posterior circulation aneurysms. Type II aneurysms (temporal) were the most frequently found in our study. The worst prognosis in cases with acute bleeding occurred with fetal variant circulation. Intratentorial aneurysms, mainly those with increased Hunt-Hess, have the worst prognosis. Infundibular aneurysms had the best results with surgical clipping.