Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A 2-Arm, Randomized, Controlled Trial of a Motivational Interviewing-Based Intervention to Improve Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Among Patients Failing or Initiating ART

Rationale and Purpose: Motivational interviewing (MI) is a counseling technique that has been used effectively to change a number of health-related behaviors. We sought to assess the impact on patients' antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence of a multicomponent, MI-based ART adherence intervention compared with that of an HIV informational control program. Study Design: Two-arm, randomized, controlled trial. Sample: One hundred forty adult HIV-infected patients attending a large, academic center infectious diseases clinic who were either failing or newly initiating an ART regimen. Study Endpoints: (1) Mean adherence level (% of prescribed doses take in the prior month) at the week 12 visit, (2) change in mean adherence, (3) percentage of patients achieving >95% adherence in the third 4-week block, and (4) change in viral load. Main Findings: The MI group's mean adherence improved by 4.5% compared with a decrease in the control group's adherence by 3.83% (P = 0.10). In the treatment group, 29% achieved >95% adherence compared with only 17% in the control group (P = 0.13). When we controlled for ethnicity, the intervention group had 2.75 times higher odds of achieving more than 95% adherence than did the controls (P = 0.045; 95% confidence interval: 1.023, 7.398). Although a number of mediating variables (beliefs about ART, coping style, social support, and goals set) had statistically significant changes in the expected direction in the MI group compared with controls, in the intent-to-treat analysis, the mean adherence at study exit for the intervention group was 76% (SD = 27%) and 71% (SD = 27%) for the control group (P = 0.62). Conclusion: Although not definitive, this study provides some evidence that MI offers an effective approach to improving adherence. Future studies able to build MI into the intervention for longer than 3 months may have a greater impact.
Outcome of short‐term antiepileptic treatment in patients with solitary cerebral cysticercus granuloma

Objectives – The duration of antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy in cases of solitary cerebral cysticercus granuloma (SCCG) presents a major dilemma and the efficacy of short‐term (6 months) vs long‐term (2 years) AED therapy has been studied.
BACTERIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL STUDIES ON PERIANAL FISTULA IN DOGS

The present study was conducted to investigate bacteriological inhabitants, their antibiotic sensitivity and management protocols in clinical cases of perianal fistula in dogs. The condition was more prevalent (50%) in German shepherd dogs as compared to other breeds of dog and male animals were more predisposed to the condition as compARED TO females. Al the cases were positive for bacterial infection, however, 75% of the healthy animals also had the presence of bacterial micro-organisms in their perineal region. Proteus species was the most commonly isolated organism from the lesions of the affected animals followed by S. pyogenes. Cefotaxime was found to be the most effective antibiotics against the isolated organisms. Treatment with specific antibiotics resulted in good outcome, however, cryosurgery and administration of cyclosporine led to recovery in complicated cases.
Longitudinal Responses to Weighing and Bathing Procedures in Preterm Infants

Knowledge of the effects of nursing-induced stress on short-term outcomes in preterm infants is limited. Effects of 2 standard nursing procedures—weighing and bathing—on autonomic and motor stability of preterm infants were studied during their hospitalization. Outcomes were evaluated during and after the procedures. Eleven preterm infants were observed between 32 and 35 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA) (postnatal days range: 4–63). Neonatal responses were assessed according to the Synactive Theory of Development and nursing was performed taking into account Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) principles. Effects of the studied nursing procedures on infants' stability during and after their execution were evaluated by nonparametric statistics. During monitored procedures, stress responses in autonomic and motor systems were observed at all PMAs. However, after 32 weeks' PMA, preterm infants also showed an autonomic and motor stability recovery 5 minutes after procedure completion. Contrary to our hypothesis, preterm infants showed to be stressed by weighing and bathing procedures up to 35 weeks' PMA. However, if facilitated and supported after nursing conclusion by interventions such as swaddling and nesting, according to NIDCAP principles, they recovered autonomic and motor stability by 5 minutes after ending procedures.
Correlates of Religious Service Attendance and Contact With Religious Leaders Among Persons With Co-Occurring Serious Mental Illness and Type 2 Diabetes

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and correlates of religious participation among persons with co-occurring serious mental illness and type 2 diabetes. Among 201 outpatients, 53% attended religious services, 36% had regular contact with a religious leader, and 15% received assistance from a religious leader. Persons with schizophrenia and African Americans were more likely to attend services and have contact with religious leaders. Both attendance at religious services and regular contact with a religious leader were linked to higher quality of life in selected domains, but not associated with global health ratings or glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Results indicate that there are important diagnostic and racial differences in religious participation, and that religious participation may be a resilience factor that supports enhanced quality of life for persons with serious mental illness and diabetes.
Intergalactic He II Absorption in the Spectra of Quasars at Redshifts 3.5 and 3.8, Observed with the HST ACS Prism

We present the UV spectra of two quasars obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys (HST ACS) prism (R ∼ 100). One quasar, at redshift z = 3.5, shows an absorption edge consistent either with nearly fully ionized helium with an intergalactic He II Lyα optical depth at 304 Å of τ304 > 3.1 (90% confidence), or a He III region with edge 5.4 Mpc from the QSO. The spectrum of the second quasar, at z = 3.8, has a broad absorption profile extending across the He II emission line of the quasar consistent with a damped absorption profile from an intervening He II system at z≃ 3.7 with a column density of approximately 1022 cm−2. In this case, the extremely high He II column density and absence of strong H I absorption suggests that the radiation field is quite weak at 4 ryd. The combined He II and H I signatures are consistent with photoionization by a compact (1-100 pc) star-forming region located approximately 10 Mpc from the quasar.
Pembrolizumab versus Ipilimumab in Advanced Melanoma.

BACKGROUND The immune checkpoint inhibitor ipilimumab is the standard-of-care treatment for patients with advanced melanoma. Pembrolizumab inhibits the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint and has antitumor activity in patients with advanced melanoma. METHODS In this randomized, controlled, phase 3 study, we assigned 834 patients with advanced melanoma in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive pembrolizumab (at a dose of 10 mg per kilogram of body weight) every 2 weeks or every 3 weeks or four doses of ipilimumab (at 3 mg per kilogram) every 3 weeks. Primary end points were progression-free and overall survival. RESULTS The estimated 6-month progression-free-survival rates were 47.3% for pembrolizumab every 2 weeks, 46.4% for pembrolizumab every 3 weeks, and 26.5% for ipilimumab (hazard ratio for disease progression, 0.58; P<0.001 for both pembrolizumab regimens versus ipilimumab; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 0.46 to 0.72 and 0.47 to 0.72, respectively). Estimated 12-month survival rates were 74.1%, 68.4%, and 58.2%, respectively (hazard ratio for death for pembrolizumab every 2 weeks, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.83; P=0.0005; hazard ratio for pembrolizumab every 3 weeks, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.90; P=0.0036). The response rate was improved with pembrolizumab administered every 2 weeks (33.7%) and every 3 weeks (32.9%), as compared with ipilimumab (11.9%) (P<0.001 for both comparisons). Responses were ongoing in 89.4%, 96.7%, and 87.9% of patients, respectively, after a median follow-up of 7.9 months. Efficacy was similar in the two pembrolizumab groups. Rates of treatment-related adverse events of grade 3 to 5 severity were lower in the pembrolizumab groups (13.3% and 10.1%) than in the ipilimumab group (19.9%). CONCLUSIONS The anti-PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab prolonged progression-free survival and overall survival and had less high-grade toxicity than did ipilimumab in patients with advanced melanoma. (Funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme; KEYNOTE-006 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01866319.).
Films of poly (L - lactic acid) / poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) blends: in vitro degradation

Biocompatible and biodegradable polymers have been studied in the last few years with good clinical success in the fixation and stabilization of bone fractures. The understanding and the control of the polymeric prosthetic degradation process and the effect of its degradation products in the organism are crucial for the success of the implant. In this present work, blends of PLLA/PHBV, obtained in several compositions by casting of solvent, obtaining samples in the form of films. The samples were characterized by the analysis of TGA, DSC, DMA and SEM. The results obtained showed that the PLLA/PHBV blends are immiscible, and present a discrete separation by microscopy. The blends obtained showed porous fracture surfaces. It is noticed that PLLA begins its degradation in a few weeks (around 2 weeks), unlike PHBV, where it was possible to observe eventual degradation up to 53 weeks. It was also observed that the blend increased its crystallinity with degradation.
Close relationship between systemic lupus erythematosus and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in childhood.

OBJECTIVE To determine the association between childhood-onset thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS The charts of all 5 patients diagnosed with idiopathic TTP at the Hospital for Sick Children (HSC) in Toronto from 1975 to 1998, and all cases of childhood-onset TTP (ages 6-20 years) reported in the literature over the same period were reviewed. Fourteen of the 44 patients identified in the literature were excluded from the analysis for lack of clinical and laboratory information. The remaining 35 patients were grouped into either an SLE/TTP group or a TTP only group, according to the presence or absence of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for SLE. The groups were compared for differences in clinical or laboratory features. RESULTS The clinical presentation and initial disease course of pediatric patients with TTP were similar to those observed in adults. Of the 35 patients with childhood-onset TTP included in this review, 9 (26%) fulfilled > or = 4 ACR criteria for SLE and 8 (23%) were found to have incipient SLE. Of the 5 patients initially diagnosed with idiopathic TTP at the HSC, 3 were diagnosed with SLE within 3 years, and the other 2 patients fulfilled 3 ACR classification criteria for SLE within 4 years of disease onset. The clinical syndrome of pediatric TTP presenting with proteinuria, especially with high-grade proteinuria, was significantly associated with the development or coexistence of childhood-onset SLE. CONCLUSION TTP in childhood is a rare, but life-threatening, disease. Unlike in adults, TTP in childhood is commonly associated with SLE. High-grade proteinuria at diagnosis of TTP is the best predictor for the presence or subsequent development of SLE.
Phaseless Near-Field Far-Field Transformation Utilizing Combinations of Probe Signals

Phaseless near-field far-field transformations based on nonconvex optimization suffer from local stationary points. In order to avoid the corresponding suboptimal solutions, the incorporation of combinations of probe signals into the cost functional is proposed and investigated. The nonconvex optimization based on the Wirtinger Calculus relies on forward and adjoint radiation operator evaluations via the fast irregular antenna field transformation algorithm (FIAFTA) and is performed by a memory-limited Quasi-Newton method. This allows the solution of large scale problems with utilization of the full flexibility of the FIAFTA in terms of measurement probe correction and arbitrary sample locations. Results for synthetic and measured near-field data reveal significant improvements when the knowledge of probe signal combinations is utilized, especially in applications with a large number of unknowns.
Passive smoking, gas cooking, and respiratory health of children living in six cities.

As part of a longitudinal study of the respiratory health effects of indoor and outdoor air pollutants, pulmonary function, respiratory illness history, and symptom history were recorded at 2 successive annual examinations of 10,106 white children living in 6 cities in the United States. Parental education, illness history, and smoking habits also were recorded, along with the fuel used for cooking in the child's home. Maternal cigarette smoking was associated with increases of 20 to 35% in the rates of 8 respiratory illnesses and symptoms investigated, and paternal smoking was associated with smaller but still substantial increases. Illness and symptom rates were linearly related to the number of cigarettes smoked by the child's mother. Illness rates were higher for children of current smokers than for children of ex-smokers. The associations between maternal smoking status and childhood respiratory illnesses and symptoms were reduced but not eliminated by adjustment for parental illness history. Levels of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were significantly lower for children of current smokers than for children of nonsmokers at both examinations and highest for children of ex-smokers. Levels of forced vital capacity (FVC) were lower for children of nonsmokers than for children of current smokers at both examinations, but the difference was statistically significant only at the first examination. Both the increase in mean FVC and the decrease in mean FEV1 among children of current smokers were linearly related to daily cigarette consumption. None of the respiratory illnesses and symptoms studied was significantly associated with exposure to gas cooking in the child's home. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
An empirical investigation of students' behavioural intentions to use the online learning course websites

With the development of the Internet in the era of knowledge-driven economy, e-learning is experiencing rapid growth. The online learning course websites are drawing more attention as well. This research combines the innovation diffusion theory and the technology acceptance model, and adds two research variables, perceived system quality and computer self-efficacy to propose a new hybrid technology acceptance model to study students' behavioural intentions to use the online learning course websites. This research finds that compatibility, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived system quality and computer self-efficacy were critical factors for students' behavioural intentions to use the online learning course websites. By explaining students' behavioural intentions from a user's perspective, the findings of this research help to develop more user-friendly websites and also provide insight into the best way to promote new e-learning tools for students.
Success rate of modular component exchange for the treatment of an unstable total hip arthroplasty.

Hip instability is the leading cause of morbidity after total hip arthroplasty. Surgical strategies that have been used to eliminate recurrent instability include component revision, trochanteric advancement, or the use of constrained components. Between 1986 and 1997, 731 revision total hip arthroplasties were performed at our institution. A total of 29 patients underwent modular component exchange to treat hip instability. After revision surgery, 16 of 29 (55%) patients experienced redislocation. Nine (31% overall) patients dislocated repeatedly after modular component exchange. Five of the 9 patients who dislocated repeatedly (17% overall) ultimately required rerevision to obtain stability. Modular component exchange is an unpredictable procedure in definitively solving hip stability problems. The limitations of this procedure in treating this complex multifactorial problem must be understood by patient and surgeon alike.
An adaptive phase space method with application to reflection traveltime tomography

In this work, an adaptive strategy for the phase space method for traveltime tomography (Chung et al 2007 Inverse Problems 23 309–29) is developed. The method first uses those geodesics/rays that produce smaller mismatch with the measurements and continues on in the spirit of layer stripping without defining the layers explicitly. The adaptive approach improves stability, efficiency and accuracy. We then extend our method to reflection traveltime tomography by incorporating broken geodesics/rays for which a jump condition has to be imposed at the broken point for the geodesic flow. In particular, we show that our method can distinguish non-broken and broken geodesics in the measurement and utilize them accordingly in reflection traveltime tomography. We demonstrate that our method can recover the convex hull (with respect to the underlying metric) of unknown obstacles as well as the metric outside the convex hull.
Frequency of Pyrethroid Resistance in Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand

ABSTRACT: Thirty-two Aedes aegypti populations collected throughout Thailand and five populations of Aedes albopictus from southern Thailand were subjected to standard WHO contact bioassays to assess susceptibility to three commonly used synthetic pyrethroids: permethrin, deltamethrin, and lambda-cyhalothrin. A wide degree of physiological response to permethrin was detected in Ae. aegypti, ranging from 56.5% survival (Lampang, northern Thailand) to only 4% (Kalasin in northeastern and Phuket in southern Thailand). All 32 populations of Ae. aegypti were found to have evidence of incipient resistance (62.5%) or levels of survival deemed resistant (37.5%) to permethrin. Four populations of Ae. albopictus were found with incipient resistance (97 – 80% mortality) and one with resistance (< 80%) to permethrin. The majority of Ae. aegypti populations (68.7%) was susceptible (> 98% mortality) to deltamethrin, with incipient resistance (observed 97–82% mortality) in other localities. In contrast, all populations of Ae. aegypti were completely susceptible (100% mortality) to the recommended operational dosage of lambda-cyhalothrin. All five populations of Ae. albopictus were found completely susceptible to both deltamethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin. Evidence of defined incipient or resistance to synthetic pyrethroids mandates appropriate response and countermeasures to mitigate further development and spread of resistance. In light of these findings, we conclude that routine and comprehensive susceptibility monitoring of dengue mosquito vectors to synthetic pyrethroids should be a required component of resistance management policies and disease control activities.
Association between thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin levels and ocular findings in pediatric patients with Graves disease.

PURPOSE Graves ophthalmopathy and Graves disease may be caused by the same autoimmune process. An explanation for this may be the presence of autoantibodies reacting with an autoantigen in the orbit and the thyroid gland, like the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor. The purpose of this study was to see if initial levels of TSH receptor antibodies, known as thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI), in pediatric patients with Graves disease were associated with the development of Graves ophthalmopathy during the follow-up period. METHODS This was a retrospective review of all the patients at Texas Children's Hospital with a new diagnosis of Graves disease between the years 2000 and 2006, who had TSI titers obtained at the time of diagnosis. The ocular findings during the follow-up period were analyzed in relation to the TSI levels. RESULTS Forty-nine patients were included (36 female, 13 male). The mean age was 11.3 +/- 4.1 years. Fifty-three percent developed Graves ophthalmopathy during the follow-up period (24.6 +/- 37.6 months). Thirty-two (65%) of the 49 children had positive TSI levels at the time of diagnosis, and 22 (69%) of them developed Graves ophthalmopathy. Only 4 (24%) of the 17 children with normal or indeterminate TSI levels developed Graves ophthalmopathy. A significant association between elevated initial TSI levels and Graves ophthalmopathy was found (chi(2) = 6.94, P = . 029). The most frequent ocular findings were mild proptosis (44%), exposure keratitis (4%), lid lag (2%), and motility deficits (2%). CONCLUSION A positive association exists between elevated initial levels of TSI and the development of Graves ophthalmopathy in children with Graves disease.
Determination and Elimination of Matrix Effect in Analysis of Perfluorinated Acids Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Negative Electrospray Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Matrix effects, ionization enhancement or suppression, are always possible with the electrospray ionization technique and can significantly hamper the analysis of PFAs in complex environmental matrixes. The objective of this study is to determine and eliminate the matrix effects in analysis of sewage using high performance liquid chromatography-negative electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-negative ESI-MS/MS). Standard addition, which involves spiking successive known quantities of a standard into the sample extracts and reanalyzing, are used for determination of the matrix effects, while correction using isotopically labeled internal standards and clean-up of sample extracts using dispersive carbon sorbent are used for elimination of matrix effects. The results indicate that ultra-short- (C2-3) and long-chain PFCAs (>C10) suffer ionization suppression, while medium-chain PFCAs (C4-10) and PFBS experience ionization enhancement; however, PFHxS and PFOS do not suffer significant matrix effects. Although internal standards, MPFOA and MPFOS, can effectively negate matrix effects for medium-chain PFCAs (C7-10), they are not suitable for some short- ( C10 PFCAs), which are eluted significantly earlier or later than their retention times, respectively. However, matrix effects of all analytes are significantly naegated by dispersive carbon sorbent because it can effectively remove the co-eluting interference compounds from SPE elution but not affect PFAs.