Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the string test for the detection of Helicobacter pylori.

AIM Helicobacter pylori can be diagnosed by invasive or non-invasive tests but to obtain bacteria for culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing, an upper GI endoscopy is often required. The string test may be a minimally-invasive alternative method of obtaining H. pylori samples. This study evaluates the sensitivity and specificity of the string test in the diagnosis of H. pylori in comparison with endoscopic means of diagnosis. METHODS This was a prospective open comparative study of patients with dyspepsia with endoscopy-based tests as gold standard (defined as a positive CLO test and antral histology). Fasting patients swallowed the encapsulated-string (Entero-test Hp), which was withdrawn after 1 hour. The gastric juice from the string was plated onto H. pylori-selective media for culture. Helicobacter pylori was identified by typical colony morphology, gram stain and biochemical test results. RESULTS Thirty dyspeptic patients were recruited of whom 21 (70 %) were positive for H. pylori according to the gold standard. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the string test were 38 %, 100 %, 100 % and 41 % respectively, and for endoscopic biopsies 81 %, 100 %, 100 %, 69 % respectively (P=0.004). Logistic regression showed that only abundant growth density from endoscopic biopsy cultures to be a predictor of a positive string test (P=0.018). CONCLUSION The string test is an alternative method to endoscopy in obtaining H. pylori but has a low sensitivity compared to endoscopic biopsies.
A Unique Snapshot of Intensive Care Resources in Australia and New Zealand

The objective of this study was to analyse and report on the distribution and attributes of intensive care services in Australia and New Zealand for the 2005/2006 financial year. A survey was mailed to 155 Australian and 26 New Zealand intensive care units (ICU) listed on the database of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society. A descriptive analytical approach was used. Of the 181 ICUs, 177 provided data. In Australia there were 100 public sector and 51 private sector ICUs and in New Zealand, 24 public sector and two private sector ICUs. These units contain 1485 available beds in the public sector and 538 available beds in the private sector. Calculations to determine beds per 100,000 population, medical specialists per 1000 patient days and registered nurses per 1000 patient days showed wide variation. International comparisons are limited by lack of data; however it does appear that intensive care patients in Australia and New Zealand have very good outcomes.
Oral contraceptive use among female elite athletes and age‐matched controls and its relation to low back pain

Background. Exogenous and endogenous female sex steroids may influence the risk of low back pain. The fact that back pain is a very common symptom during pregnancy supports this theory. Back pain is also more common among female than male athletes. Oral contraceptives have been suggested to increase the risk of low back pain.
Implementation Study of Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPAD) in $0.8~\mu\hbox{m}$  HV CMOS Technology

Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPAD) are known for their excellent timing performance which enables Time of Flight capabilities in positron emission tomography (PET). However, current array architectures juxtapose the SPAD with its ancillary electronics at the expense of a poor fill factor of the SPAD array. The 3D vertical integration of SPADs and readout electronics represents a solution to the aforementioned problem. Compared to systems with external electronics readout, 3D vertical integration reduces the SPAD interconnect parasitic capacitance while greatly increasing the photosensitive area and improving overall performances. This paper presents the implementation of two SPAD structures designed for PET. The SPAD structures are designed using Teledyne DALSA high voltage (HV) CMOS technology targeted for a 3-dimensional single photon counting module (3DSPCM). SPAD with two types of guard ring (diffusion-based and virtual guard ring) are designed, fabricated and characterized. All structures are based on a p + anode in an n-well cathode and are implemented along with active quenching circuits for proper characterization. The results show that the contact distribution and the anode-cathode spacing impact the dark count rate (DCR). The design of SPADs with a diffusion guard ring have a DCR down to 3 s- 1μm-2 at room temperature, afterpulsing probability of , timing resolution of 27 ps FWHM and PDE of 49% at 480 nm.
Generation and confinement of hot ions and electrons in a reversed-field pinch plasma

By manipulating magnetic reconnection in Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) discharges, we have generated and confined for the first time a reversed-field pinch (RFP) plasma with an ion temperature >1 keV and an electron temperature of 2 keV. This is achieved at a toroidal plasma current of about 0.5 MA, approaching MST's present maximum. The manipulation begins with intensification of discrete magnetic reconnection events, causing the ion temperature to increase to several kiloelectronvolts. The reconnection is then quickly suppressed with inductive current profile control, leading to capture of a portion of the added ion heat with improved ion energy confinement. Electron energy confinement is simultaneously improved, leading to a rapid ohmically driven increase in the electron temperature. A steep electron temperature gradient emerges in the outer region of the plasma, with a local thermal diffusivity of about 2 m2 s−1. The global energy confinement time reaches 12 ms, the largest value yet achieved in the RFP and which is roughly comparable to the H-mode scaling prediction for a tokamak with the same plasma current, density, heating power, size and shape.
Seasonal and biogeographical patterns of gastrointestinal parasites in large carnivores: wolves in a coastal archipelago

SUMMARY Parasites are increasingly recognized for their profound influences on individual, population and ecosystem health. We provide the first report of gastrointestinal parasites in gray wolves from the central and north coasts of British Columbia, Canada. Across 60 000 km2, wolf feces were collected from 34 packs in 2005–2008. At a smaller spatial scale (3300 km2), 8 packs were sampled in spring and autumn. Parasite eggs, larvae, and cysts were identified using standard flotation techniques and morphology. A subset of samples was analysed by PCR and sequencing to identify tapeworm eggs (n=9) and Giardia cysts (n=14). We detected ⩾14 parasite taxa in 1558 fecal samples. Sarcocystis sporocysts occurred most frequently in feces (43·7%), followed by taeniid eggs (23·9%), Diphyllobothrium eggs (9·1%), Giardia cysts (6·8%), Toxocara canis eggs (2·1%), and Cryptosporidium oocysts (1·7%). Other parasites occurred in ⩽1% of feces. Genetic analyses revealed Echinococcus canadensis strains G8 and G10, Taenia ovis krabbei, Diphyllobothrium nehonkaiense, and Giardia duodenalis assemblages A and B. Parasite prevalence differed between seasons and island/mainland sites. Patterns in parasite prevalence reflect seasonal and spatial resource use by wolves and wolf-salmon associations. These data provide a unique, extensive and solid baseline for monitoring parasite community structure in relation to environmental change.
Reconstruction after the Civil War

Illustrations Editor's Foreword 1: The Aftermath of War 2: Presidential Peacemaking 3: Reconstruction: Confederate Style 4: Confederate Reconstruction Under Fire 5: Challenge by Congress 6: The South's New Leaders 7: Constitution-making in the Radical South 8: Reconstruction - Black and White 9: Counter Reconstruction 10: Economic and Social Reconstruction 11: The Era Begins To End 12: The Aftermath of "Redemption" Important Dates Suggested Reading Acknowledgments Index
Prodromal angina is associated with myocardial salvage in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

AIMS Previous studies have shown that prodromal angina (PA) occurs frequently in acute myocardial infarction (MI) patients. However, the potential benefits of PA on ischaemic myocardial damage remain unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS One-hundred and fifty-four patients with acute ST-segment elevation MI successfully treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) were prospectively evaluated for new-onset PA in the week preceding infarction and other factors known to influence myocardial salvage. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance was performed 8 ± 3 days after MI for the assessment of area-at-risk (AAR), MI size, myocardial haemorrhage (MH), microvascular obstruction (MO), and myocardial salvage index (MSI). Patients with PA (n = 60) compared with those without PA (n = 94) showed similar AAR but significantly smaller MI size leading to larger MSI (0.53 ± 0.27 vs. 0.32 ± 0.26, P < 0.001). Additionally, patients with PA had lower incidence of MH (18 vs. 33%) and MO (22 vs. 46%) than non-PA patients (both P < 0.05). At univariate analysis, higher MSI was associated with new-onset PA, lower myocardial oxygen consumption before PPCI, shorter time-to-PPCI, and higher post-procedural TIMI flow-grade. Neither collateral circulation nor medications administered before PPCI were associated to MSI. After correction for other covariates by multivariate analysis, new-onset PA remained significantly associated with MSI (β-value: 0.352, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION In acute MI patients, new-onset PA is associated with higher MSI independent of others factors known to influence jeopardized myocardium, as well as with less microvascular damage.
Gender Inequality Index Appropriateness for Measuring Inequality

ABSTRACT Introduction: Gender inequality means unequal distribution of wealth, power, and benefits among women and men. The gender inequality index (GII) measures the lost human development in three important dimensions: reproductive health, political empowerment, and economic status. The first purpose of this study was to calculate the index for provinces of Iran, and the second purpose was to survey the appropriateness of that, for comparing different regions, through regression estimations. Methodology: In this study, GII has been calculated for Iran between the years 2006–2011 and provinces have been ranked based on it. Then, a panel composed of 30 sections was estimated for five years to determine the most important factor affecting level of index. Some changes have been made to analyze values of the index and the ranking of provinces. Results: Based on panel model, share of parliamentary seats was the most effective factor for determination of the index. After applying adjustments, some differences were seen in the ranking of provinces and general level of index. Conclusion: Weighing of dimensions of the index and considering an overall variable, such as life expectancy in the field of health, will give a more accurate comparison of the GII among different regions though concurrent attention to non-discriminatory cultural dimensions of political participation of women; therefore, making more analyses possible for a more correct comparison of the extensive geographical regions, such as countries.
Long-term mental health effects of the Chernobyl disaster: an epidemiologic survey in two former Soviet regions.

OBJECTIVE This study assessed the long-term mental health effects of the nuclear accident at Chernobyl. METHOD Two population samples (N = 3,044), one from the Gomel region, close to the accident site, and one from Tver, 500 miles away, were studied 6 1/2 years after the event with the use of a variety of self-report questionnaires and a standardized psychiatric interview. RESULTS The prevalence of psychological distress and DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders was exceptionally high in both regions. Scores on the self-report scales were consistently higher in the exposed region; however, a higher risk of DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders could be demonstrated only among women with children under 18 years of age in the exposed region. CONCLUSIONS A substantial long-term mental health effect of the Chernobyl incident was demonstrated, mainly at a subclinical level.
Spring migration timing of Sylvia warblers in Tatarstan (Russia) 1957–2008

The timing of when migrant birds return to breed is a key component of studies of the impact of climate change upon bird populations. However, such data are not distributed evenly across the World, and in the Northern Hemisphere are underrepresented in Asia and the east of Europe. Therefore, to help rectify this bias, we analysed first arrival dates (FAD) of four species of Sylvia warblers (Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla, Whitethroat S.communis, Lesser Whitethroat S.curruca and Garden Warbler S.borin) collected in the Tatarstan Republic of Russia between 1957 and 2008. Over the whole period the species returned to their breeding sites between three and six days earlier; these trends were significant except for Whitethroat. Advances in arrival were especially apparent in the two earlier species, Blackcap and Lesser Whitethroat, mainly because local temperatures for March had risen substantially. Except for Whitethroat, FADs were significantly related to temperatures in the African wintering ground and/or in Tatarstan. Whilst significant correlations occurred between FADs of some of the species, there was considerable variability in these relationships indicating a species-specific response to rising temperatures. Changes in FADs in this eastern extremity of Europe were smaller than in Central and Western Europe.
Comparison of Dexmedetomidine and Propofol for Conscious Sedation in Awake Craniotomy

Background: It has been reported that dexmedetomidine (DEX) can be used for conscious sedation in awake craniotomy, but few data exist to compare DEX versus propofol (PRO). Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of DEX versus PRO for conscious sedation in awake craniotomy. Methods: Thirty patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I-II scheduled for awake craniotomy, were randomized into 2 groups each containing 15 subjects. Group D received DEX and group P received PRO. Two minutes after tracheal intubation (T1), PRO (target plasma concentration) was titrated down to 1 to 4 µg/mL in group P. In group D, PRO was discontinued and DEX was administered 1.0 µg/kg followed by a maintenance dose of 0.2 to 0.7 µg/kg/h. The surgeon preset the anticipated awake point-in-time (T0) preoperatively. Ten minutes before T0 (T3), DEX was titrated down to 0.2 µg/kg/h in group D, PRO was discontinued and normal saline (placebo) 5 mL/h was infused in group P. Arousal time, quality of revival and adverse events during the awake period, degree of satisfaction from surgeons and patients were recorded. Results: Arousal time was significantly shorter in group D than in group P (P < .001). The quality of revival during the awake period in group D was similar to that of group P (P = .68). The degree of satisfaction of surgeons was significantly higher in group D than in group P (P < .001), but no difference was found between the 2 groups with respect to patient satisfaction (P = .80). There was no difference between the 2 groups in the incidence of adverse events during the awake period (P > .05). Conclusions: Either DEX or PRO can be effectively and safely used for conscious sedation in awake craniotomy. Comparing the two, DEX produced a shorter arousal time and a higher degree of surgeon satisfaction.
Synthesis, stability, and protonation studies of a self‐complementary dodecamer containing the modified nucleoside 2′‐deoxyzebularine

The nucleoside 2′‐deoxyzebularine (K) was incorporated into the self‐complementary dodecamer 5′‐CGTACGKGTACG‐3′ by solid‐phase 2‐cyanoethylphosphoramidite chemistry using dimethoxytrityl (DMT) as the 5′‐hydroxyl protecting group. Standard synthesis cycles using trichloroacetic acid and short ammonia treatment (50°C for 30 min) were found to be the optimal conditions to obtain the desired dodecamer with minimum acid and basic degradation of the acid‐ and base‐sensitive 2‐pyrimidinone residue. The protonation equilibria of the K nucleoside and of the dodecamer at 37°C were studied by means of spectroscopically monitored titrations. For the K nucleoside, a pKa value of 3.13 ± 0.09 was obtained. For the dodecamer, four acid‐base species were found in the pH range 2–12, with pKa values of 9.60 ± 0.07, 4.46 ± 0.16, and 2.87 ± 0.19. Melting experiments were carried out to confirm the proposed acid‐base concentration profiles. Finally, kinetic experiments were also carried out at several pH values to evaluate the stability of the K nucleoside and of the dodecamer. An increased stability was shown by the K nucleoside when incorporated into the dodecamer. Multivariate methods based on both hard‐ and soft‐modeling were applied for the analysis of spectroscopic data, allowing the estimation of concentration profiles and pure spectra. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 70: 27–43, 2004
Epidemiology, Responses, and Way Forward

Viral hepatitis is a disease of great concern to public health that is now met by a favorable momentum to combat the global epidemic. This article is intended to highlight the importance of viral hepatitis in the Vietnam population as well in the group of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). We reviewed available data on epidemiology and response on hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV coinfection in Vietnam. The hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence in the general population ranged from 5.7% to 24.7%. The anti-HCV prevalence ranged from 0.38% to 4.3% in the general population, while among people who inject drugs (PWIDs) it ranged from 31% to 97.2%. The HBV prevalence among PLWHA is similar to the general population, while HCV/HIV coinfection is concentrated in some groups. Anti-HCV prevalence among HIV-infected PWIDs can be as high as 98.5%. Developing policies for diagnosis and treatment of chronic HBV and HCV infections are critical priorities in order to prevent clinical progression to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Intrasubject repeatability of internal aberrometry obtained with a new integrated aberrometer.

PURPOSE To evaluate the intrasubject repeatability of the internal aberrometry obtained with a new integrated aberrometer in a sample of normal eyes to assess its clinical usefulness. METHODS Twenty-six healthy eyes of 26 participants, aged 20 to 50 years, were included in the study. All eyes achieved corrected distance visual acuity of 1.0 (Snellen decimal notation) and did not undergo previous ocular surgeries. Three consecutive measurements of internal aberrations were obtained with the KR-1W system (Topcon Corp) by an experienced examiner. Intrasubject repeatability for 4- and 6-mm pupils was evaluated by the within-subject standard deviation (S(w)) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS Low values of S(w) and values of ICC close to 1 were found for the 4-mm pupil astigmatism and for several aberrometric coefficients: primary spherical aberration and higher order, third order, and trefoil root-mean-square (RMS). Significant correlations of the S(w) for the 4-mm pupil higher order aberrations RMS with the magnitude of different aberrometric coefficients were found (r≥0.611, P<.01). In addition, tetrafoil RMS for 4-mm pupils correlated significantly with the S(w) for some higher order errors (r≥0.675, P<.01). Significantly larger values of S(w) for 6-mm pupils were found for trefoil (P<.01) and secondary astigmatism RMS (P=.02). CONCLUSIONS The KR-1W provided repeatable measurements of internal astigmatism and some higher order aberrations, although consistency of such measurements appears to be limited by the level of aberration.
Circadian patterns of sleep, sleepiness, and performance in older and younger adults.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To compare circadian patterns of sleep, subjective sleepiness, and psychomotor performance in older and younger adults. DESIGN Controlled experimental laboratory study. SETTING General Clinical Research Center. PARTICIPANTS Healthy older adults (n = 17, mean age 76 years) and healthy younger adults (n = 19, mean age 23 years). INTERVENTIONS Subjects lived for 60 consecutive hours on a 90-minute sleep-wake cycle (30 minutes in bed, 60 minutes awake). Electroencephalographic recordings were conducted during bedrest periods. Self-ratings and psychomotor performance tests were conducted during 60-minute wake periods. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Data were analyzed with cosinor and linear mixed models. Amplitude and phase of the core body temperature rhythm did not significantly differ by age group. Older adults had significantly reduced mean levels and amplitude of rhythms in total sleep time and sleep efficiency and increased mean levels and amplitude of rhythms in sleep latency and wake after sleep onset. Age groups did not differ in mean level of subjective sleepiness, but older adults had reduced amplitude. Older adults had worse overall psychomotor performance, with evidence of larger circadian amplitude in some of these rhythms. Age groups did not differ on the phase position of any rhythm. CONCLUSIONS Older adults had a lower level and smaller circadian variation of sleep propensity compared with younger adults, whereas wakefulness and psychomotor performance rhythms tended to show increased circadian variation among older subjects. These findings likely result from a combination of age-related changes in cortical function, homeostatic sleep mechanisms, and circadian regulation.
Isolation and characterization of a bacteriophage infectious to an extreme thermophile, Thermus thermophilus HB8

A bacteriophage (phiYS40) infectious to an extreme thermophile, Thermus thermophilus HB8, was isolated and characterized. phiYS40 grows over the temperature range of 56 to 78 C, and the optimum growth temperature is about 65 C. The phage had a latent period of 80 min and a burst size of about 80 at 65 C. The phage has a hexagonal head 0.125 mum in diameter, a tail 0.178 mum long and 0.027 mum wide, a base plate and tail fibers. The phage is thermostable in broth but rather unstable in a buffer containing 10 mM Tris, 10 mM MgCl2, pH 7.5. The addition of Casamino Acids (1 percent), polypeptone (0.8 percent), yeast extract (0.4 percent), NaCl (0.1 M) or spermidine (1 mM) to the buffer restores the thermostability of phiYS40 to the same degree as in broth. The phage is also thermostable in water of the hot spring from which this phage was isolated. The nucleic acid of PhiYS40 is a double-stranded DNA and has a molecular weight of 1.36 X 10-8. The guanine plus cytosine content of the DNA was determined to be about 35 percent from chemical determinations, buoyant density (1.693 g/cm-3 in CsCl), and melting temperature (83.5 C in 0.15 M NaCl plus 0.015 M sodium citrate).