Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The HRQoL of renal transplant patients.

BACKGROUND After undergoing kidney transplant surgery, patients face many new challenges. For example, they face new pathologies associated with the complex medical regimens that they will need to follow rigorously for the rest of their lives. They live with the uncertainty and fear of organ rejection. They will also need to acquire new skills to take care of themselves, such as recognizing the signs and symptoms of impending infection and rejection. This suggests that once a transplant has been performed and the patient has been discharged with a functioning graft, the patient must continue to deal with a life of chronic illness. AIM The aim of this study was to explore health-related quality of life of Chinese kidney transplant patients in Hong Kong. METHODS Non-structured interviews were conducted. The transcripts were analysed by qualitative content analysis. Codes were used to identify a passage of text that the researcher interprets as having a particular meaning. Data analysis is an iterative process. The codes emerging from each new interview were analysed together with the codes which had previously emerged. Across the dataset, codes were compared for similarities and differences, both within and across interviews. Codes of common property were clustered into categories. The transcripts were re-read and checked against the categories until there was no more to be gleaned, and the titles of the categories reflected the totality of that experience. Interviews were conducted until unique categories were no longer identified. There were 31 participants. RESULTS The participants are complying with medication regimens and nursing recommendations. Although new symptoms related to the medication regime surfaced, participants commented that they improved markedly in physical and social functioning, and have a better quality of life as a whole. Participants expressed their needs regarding information on the side effects of medications, proper exercise and diet. CONCLUSIONS To optimize post-transplant quality of life, a follow-up rehabilitation programme is recommended. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Rich and meaningful insights about the perceptions and experiences of renal patients after transplantion can be obtained in this study. Having known the real needs of patients, nurses can develop strategies to help patients to cope with the demands of life with a renal graft, from the early days of convalescence to re-integration into work, family responsibilities and life beyond.
Actin-regulated feedback loop based on Phactr4, PP1 and cofilin maintains the actin monomer pool

Summary Phactr proteins bind actin and protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), and are involved in processes ranging from angiogenesis to cell cycle regulation. Phactrs share a highly conserved RPEL domain with the myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF) family, where actin binding to this domain regulates both the nuclear localization and the activity of these transcription coactivators. We show here that in contrast to MRTF-A, the RPEL domain is dispensable for the subcellular localization of Phactr4. Instead, we find the domain facilitating competitive binding of monomeric actin and PP1 to Phactr4. Binding of actin to Phactr4 influences the activity of PP1 and the phosphorylation status of one of its downstream targets, cofilin. Consequently, at low actin monomer levels, Phactr4 guides PP1 to dephosphorylate cofilin. This active form of cofilin is then able to sever and depolymerize actin filaments and thus restore the actin monomer pool. Accordingly, our data discloses the central role of Phactr4 in a feedback loop, where actin monomers regulate their own number via the activation of a key regulator of actin dynamics. Depending on the protein context, the RPEL domain can thus elicit mechanistically different responses to maintain the cellular actin balance.
Associations With Virologic Treatment Failure in Adults on Antiretroviral Therapy in South Africa

Objectives:Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been available in government facilities in the Western Cape Province of South Africa since 2001. We aimed to investigate factors associated with virologic treatment failure in this setting. Design:Case-control study, matched on facility and on starting date and duration of HAART. Methods:Cases and controls were identified from clinic registers from May 2001 to June 2006. Cases were patients who switched to second-line therapy after confirmed virologic failure (2 consecutive viral loads above 1000 copies/mL). Controls were on first-line treatment with viral load <400 copies per milliliter at the time of case incidence. Results:One hundred thirty cases and 238 controls were selected from 8 clinics (median 16.6 months on HAART, interquartile range: 12.2-24.6). Treatment interruptions [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 8.6, 95% confidence interval: 3.6 to 20.8], prior nevirapine-based prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) treatment (AOR: 9.6, 95% confidence interval: 2.9 to 32.2), a baseline CD4 count less than 50 cells per microliter or from 50-150 cells per microliter (AOR: 6.6, 95% confidence interval: 2.3 to 18.8 and AOR: 5.8, 95% confidence interval: 2.1 to 16.3 compared with a baseline CD4 count of more than 150 cells/μL), and the use of nevirapine in the initial regimen (AOR: 2.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.4 to 4.7) were all independently associated with virologic treatment failure. Conclusions:In this setting, nevirapine in the initial HAART regimen or for PMTCT treatment is associated with virologic treatment failure, together with low CD4 count at ART initiation. Earlier initiation of HAART and access to improved triple therapy and PMTCT regimens are priorities for HIV programs in Southern Africa.
Nephropathy associated with methoxyflurane anesthesia. A follow-up report.

A toxic nephropathy associated with methoxyflurane anesthesia was observed in 17 patients. Marked diuresis was the predominant clinical characteristic. A test to distinguish between a primary renal disorder and an insufficiency of endogenous antidiuretic hormone was performed on six of the patients. Clear-cut impairment of renal function was demonstrated; gradual improvement, over a period of months, was noted on subsequent studies. Evidence of nephropathy associated with methoxyflurane anesthesia in 28 additional patients has been reported in the literature.
Overgrowth and correction of rotational deformity in 12 femoral shaft fractures in 3-6-year-old children treated with an external fixator

We treated 11 young children (3-6 years old) who had uncomplicated femoral shaft fractures primarily with an external fixator. 9 children were available for follow-up and were evaluated for the amount of overgrowth and rotational deformity. All underwent a clinical examination and an MRI after mean 21 (13-25) months. The mean overgrowth was 0.4 (-0.3 - -1.1) cm and the anteversion angle showed a mean increase of 12°, as compared to the contralateral femur. In 5 children with an anteversion angle difference of 10° or more, a second MRI was done 4 years after the trauma. The mean anteversion angle difference of the femora in these 5 children had diminished from 15° on the first MRI to 7.4° on the second. 3 of the 5 children had a full correction of their rotational deformity. Growth did not correct the rotational deformity in the oldest child in this group.
Refractometric optical fiber sensor for measurement of ethanol concentration in ethanol-gasoline blend

In this paper, an optical fiber device based on long period grating is applied as refractive index transducer to measure the ethanol concentration in ethanol-gasoline blends. The device metrological characteristics - response curve, sensitivity, resolution, conformity, repeatability, combined uncertainty and expanded uncertainty - were determined and compared with characteristics associated with an Abbe refractometer. For ethanol concentration ranging from 20% to 40%, the LPG combined uncertainty was 0.70% and the expanded uncertainty was 1.70 %.
Diagnosis of latent tuberculosis: Can we do better?

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is often diagnosed by the tuberculin skin test (TST). The latter has several limitations with regard to its sensitivity and specificity. It may be positive in people with prior bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination or exposure to nontuberculous mycobacteria. False negative TST results frequently occur in patients with impaired T-cell function. Therefore TST results have to be interpreted taking into consideration the pretest risk of TB infection or reactivation. Recently, interferon gamma release assays (IGRA) were introduced for the diagnosis of LTBI. These include the T-SPOT-TB and the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold tests.These tests measure interferon gamma released in response to T-cell stimulation by specific Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens. These tests have been shown to be more specific than the TST as they are not affected by BCG vaccination. Their sensitivity was similar to that of the TST and in some studies they correlated better with the degree of exposure. In immune-compromised patients their sensitivity was better than that of the TST. IGRA tests were shown to have better predictive value for the development of active disease among individuals with LTBI. These tests are expensive. Their most cost-effective utilization is as confirmatory tests in patients with positive TST results, particularly in areas with high rates of BCG vaccination.
High insoluble fibre content increases in vitro starch digestibility in partially baked breads

Wheat breads prepared from frozen partially baked breads were characterized by their content of rapidly digestible starch (RDS) and slowly digestible starch (SDS) by the in vitro starch digestibility method developed by Englyst. Breads with different contents and types of fibre and breads prepared with different fermentation processes were studied. Bread with inulin and with a double fermentation had the lowest RDS content of 58.8 ± 1.7 and 60.0 ± 1.9 (% dry matter), respectively. Wheat bran bread, seeded bread, triple fermentation white bread and baguette-type bread showed values of RDS between 63.1 ± 1.7 and 65.7 ± 1.7 with no significant differences between them (p < 0.05). The fraction of SDS was higher in wheat breads than in breads with added fibre. The highest values of the starch digestive rate index (SDRI) were obtained by the three types of breads with added fibre, which ranged from 91.8 ± 3.5 to 95.8 ± 3.5 versus 80.2 ± 3.5 to 87.5 ± 3.5 for white wheat breads. A significant (p < 0.01) positive linear correlation between the insoluble fibre content and SDRI was obtained (R 2 = 0.96). Insoluble fibre dilutes and disrupts gluten network and probably weakens the interaction between gluten and starch, which protects starch from digestive enzymes action. Scanning electronic microscopy microstructure of bread crumbs corroborated this statement.
pH is an intracellular effector controlling differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursors in culture via activation of the ERK1/2 pathway

We reported previously that onset of oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) differentiation is accompanied by an increase in intracellular pH (pHi). We show that OPC differentiation is dependent primarily on a permissive pHi value. The highest differentiation levels were observed for pHi values around 7.15 and inhibition of differentiation was observed at slightly more acidic or alkaline values. Clamping the pHi of OPCs at 7.15 caused a transient activation of ERK1/2 that was not observed at more acidic or alkaline values. Furthermore, inhibition of ERK activation with the UO126 compound totally prevented OPC differentiation in response to pHi shift. These results indicate that pHi, acting through the ERK1/2 pathway, is a key determinant for oligodendrocyte differentiation. We also show that this pHi pathway is involved in the process of retinoic acid‐induced OPC differentiation. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gastric myoelectrical activity in patients with cervical spinal cord injury

Objective:Dyspeptic symptoms are common in patients with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). The supraspinal control of sympathetic innervation to the stomach is interrupted in these patients. Gastric emptying has been reported to be delayed in some patients with cervical SCI. Gastric myoelectrical activity is known to regulate gastric motility and is correlated with gastric emptying. The change in gastric myoelectrical activity after cervical SCI is unknown; our aim was to investigate it.Methods:The study was performed in 12 cervical SCI patients and 14 healthy controls. Gastric myoelectrical activity was recorded using surface electrogastrography for 30 min in the fasting state and 1 h after a standard test meal. Spectral analysis was performed to compute the following parameters from the electrogastrogram; investigated were the percentage of 2–4 cycles/min (cpm) slow waves, the instability coefficient (IC) of the dominant frequency, the postprandial increment of dominant frequency (δF), and its power (δP). Results:In both fasting and fed states, regular and stable gastric slow waves were observed in both the control group and patients with cervical SCI. The percentage of normal 2–4 cpm slow waves (preprandial, 80.7 ± 3.6%vs 91.5 ± 3.7%, p > 0.05; postprandial, 82.0 ± 4.4%vs 87.2 ± 4.2%, p > 0.05) and IC (preprandial, 0.19 ± 0.04%vs 0.28 ± 0.05%; postprandial, 0.24 ± 0.04%vs 0.27 ± 0.02%, p > 0.05) were not significantly different between the two groups. The dominant frequency and its power were also similar between the two groups, no matter whether in the fast (frequency, 2.92 ± 0.3 vs 2.93 ± 0.06 cpm; power, 30.05 ± 1.29 vs 29.08 ± 1.23 dB, p > 0.05) or fed (frequency, 3.17 ± 0.07 vs 3.02 ± 0.06 cpm; power, 32.55 ± 0.90 vs 32.07 ± 1.18 dB, p > 0.05) state. The postprandial response measured by δF (0.25 ± 0.09 vs 0.09 ± 0.07 cpm, p > 0.05) and δP (2.52 ± 1.10 vs 2.24 ± 1.20 dB, p > 0.05) were also similar between the two groups.Conclusions:Gastric myoelectrical activity was not altered after cervical SCI.
Whole-proteome phylogeny of large dsDNA virus families by an alignment-free method

The vast sequence divergence among different virus groups has presented a great challenge to alignment-based sequence comparison among different virus families. Using an alignment-free comparison method, we construct the whole-proteome phylogeny for a population of viruses from 11 viral families comprising 142 large dsDNA eukaryote viruses. The method is based on the feature frequency profiles (FFP), where the length of the feature (l-mer) is selected to be optimal for phylogenomic inference. We observe that (i) the FFP phylogeny segregates the population into clades, the membership of each has remarkable agreement with current classification by the International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses, with one exception that the mimivirus joins the phycodnavirus family; (ii) the FFP tree detects potential evolutionary relationships among some viral families; (iii) the relative position of the 3 herpesvirus subfamilies in the FFP tree differs from gene alignment-based analysis; (iv) the FFP tree suggests the taxonomic positions of certain “unclassified” viruses; and (v) the FFP method identifies candidates for horizontal gene transfer between virus families.
Transient autoantibodies with elevated complement levels in common viral diseases.

Autoantibodies including rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-DNA antibody (ADA), and anti-nuclear factor (ANF) in addition to cold agglutinin and heterophil antibody titers were tested for in a total of 219 patients with common viral diseases. The diseases included varicella, influenza, measles, mumps, herpes zoster, hand-foot-mouth syndrome, and exanthem subitum . A high incidence of RF (23%) was demonstrated in varicella patients, and ADA and ANF (16% and 12%, respectively) were most frequently detected in the influenza cases. Those autoantibodies were most frequently found in patients with influenza. Each serum complement component and total hemolytic complement (CH50) were also assayed. Elevated levels of the fourth (C4) and ninth (C9) components of complement, along with elevated CH50, were observed in most patients. Follow-up studies indicated that those autoantibodies as well as other antibodies disappeared 3 to 8 weeks after the onset of infection. The present study indicates that substantial but transient alterations in the immune system accompanied by autoimmune phenomena and elevated levels in the complement components can occur in viral infections.
11 GHz band MIMO channel characteristics in a street micro-cell environment

Recently, the fifth-generation mobile communication system (5G) has been widely investigated to accommodate increasing mobile users' traffic. In the 5G system, although the utilization of the higher frequency band above the 6 GHz band is expected, the detailed investigation for the applicability to the mobile communication is still necessary because of different radio channel characteristics compared with microwave bands. In this paper, 11 GHz band MIMO channel measurements were conducted in a street micro-cell environment. The result shows that the delay and the angular spreads of the specular paths were smaller compared with the results in the microwave band. The scattered signal component was weak compared with measurement results of indoor environments. The result is expected to utilize for the MIMO channel modeling in the higher frequency band.
The Medicalization of Birth and Midwifery as Resistance

Through the medicalization of women's bodies, the credibility and traditional knowledge of midwives and healers was forcibly lost. Northern Aboriginal communities continue to be especially impacted by the medicalization of birth. In recent years, there has been a resurgence in midwifery that is framed by a feminist discourse of women's reproductive rights. Many researchers believe that women who choose midwifery are exercising a conscious choice of resistance to the medicalization of women's bodies. In this article, I offer a review of the literature on how the medicalization of birth is conceptualized in relation to women's birthing experiences in Canada.
Safety and efficacy of gadofosveset-enhanced MR angiography for evaluation of pedal arterial disease: multicenter comparative phase 3 study.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of gadofosveset, a gadolinium-based albumin-binding MRI contrast agent, in patients with pedal arterial disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A total of 185 adult patients with known or suspected pedal arterial disease were randomized in a group receiving 0.03 mmol/kg and a group receiving 0.05 mmol/kg of gadofosveset for MR angiography of the pedal arteries. Gadofosveset-enhanced and unenhanced time-of-flight MR angiograms were compared with conventional angiograms, the standard of reference, for the presence of vascular stenosis. All patients underwent drug safety analysis. RESULTS For each of three blinded readers, the specificity (21-35%) of gadofosveset-enhanced MR angiography was a statistically significant (p < 0.010) improvement over that of unenhanced MR angiography in the detection of clinically significant (> 50%) stenosis. The sensitivities of the two techniques were similar. For all blinded readers of MR angiograms, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were higher with use of the 0.03-mmol/kg dose of gadofosveset than with the 0.05-mmol/kg dose. In the 0.03-mmol/kg group, 28% of patients reported a total of 50 adverse events, 96% of which were reported as mild or moderate. In the 0.05-mmol/kg group, 28% of patients reported a total of 55 adverse events, 98% of which were reported as mild or moderate. No patients died; one patient left the study because of myocardial infarction considered unrelated to the study drug. CONCLUSION Because of markedly better efficacy than no contrast agent and a minimal and transient side-effect profile, 0.03 mmol/kg of gadofosveset was found safe and effective for MR angiography of patients with pedal arterial disease.
Capillaroscopic Pattern at the Toes of Systemic Sclerosis Patients: Does It "Tell" More Than Those of Fingers?

Purpose:The aim of the study was to compare nail fold capillaroscopic findings of the fingers with those of the toes in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods:Thirty-six patients with SSc were included in the study: 30 patients had limited SSc, 5 patients had diffuse SSc, and 1 patient had an overlap syndrome. Of these 36 patients, 30 were women and 6 were men (mean [SD] age, 56 [14] years). The severity of the Raynaud phenomenon (RP), the presence of digital ulcers, and skin scores at the fingers and feet were assessed. Nail fold capillaroscopy was performed with a videocapillaroscope (Videocap 3.0; DS Medica). Results:All 36 patients (100%) reported about symptoms of RP in the hands and 34 (94.4%) reported episodes of RP in the feet; the difference is not significant (P > 0.05). In most patients with RP symptoms of both hands and feet, the symptoms were more severe at the hands (82%, 28/34). Digital ulcers of the fingers were found in 36% (13/36) of the case and those of the toes were found in 8.3% (3/36) of the cases. Nail fold capillaroscopy of the hands showed the classic "scleroderma"-type capillaroscopic pattern in 97.2% (35/36) of the patients. In the toes, a scleroderma-type capillaroscopic pattern was found only in 66.7% (24/36) of patients (P < 0.05). With respect to distinct differences, in the toes, the dilated capillaries were found in 72.2% (26/36) of the cases, giant capillaries in 30.6% (11/36) of the cases, hemorrhages in 8.3% (3/36) of the cases, avascular areas in 41.7% (15/36) of the cases, and neoangiogenesis in 22.1% (8/36) of the cases. This difference in frequency of the findings regarding the toes and the fingers of patients with SSc was statistically significant for all parameters. Conclusions:Capillaroscopy of the toes of SSc also shows patterns characteristic of SSc. However, these patterns differ from the respective patterns of the fingers, which is probably related to less-severe RP and lower skin score at the feet.
State of the Art Symposium: Prescreening and rescreening

The effectiveness of prescreening and rescreening cervical cytology preparations—whether used as quality assurance measures or in the attempt to improve sensitivity—has engendered broad discussion within the cytology community. This paper forms an introduction to some of the issues surounding prescreening and rescreening in cervical cytology. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2004. Published 2004 by the American Cancer Society.