Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between naturally acquired antibodies to erythrocyte-binding antigens of Plasmodium falciparum and protection from malaria and high-density parasitemia.

BACKGROUND Antibodies targeting blood stage antigens are important in protection against malaria, but the principle targets remain unclear. Erythrocyte-binding antigens (EBAs) are important erythrocyte invasion ligands used by merozoites and may be targets of protective immunity, but there are limited data examining their potential importance. METHODS We examined antibodies among 206 Papua New Guinean children who were treated with antimalarials at enrollment and observed prospectively for 6 months for reinfection and malaria. Immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgG subclasses, and IgM to different regions of EBA175, EBA140, and EBA181 expressed as recombinant proteins were assessed in comparison with several other merozoite antigens. RESULTS High levels of IgG to each of the EBAs were strongly associated with protection from symptomatic malaria and high density parasitemia, but not with risk of reinfection per se. The predominant IgG subclasses were either IgG1 or IgG3, depending on the antigen. The predominance of IgG1 versus IgG3 reflected structural features of specific regions of the proteins. IgG3 was most strongly associated with protection, even for those antigens that had an IgG1 predominant response. CONCLUSIONS The EBAs appear important targets of acquired protective immunity. These findings support their further development as vaccine candidates.
The transnationalization of the extreme right and the use of the Internet

Like many other political actors, the extreme right is currently expanding beyond national borders, and, as with any civil society organization, the Internet is assuming a growing role in achieving this goal. To date, however, this topic is understudied. In this article, aiming to empirically filling this gap, we shall explore the new tactics of the extreme right in Europe and the USA in the context of transnational politics. Namely, we investigate the degree and forms of extreme right transnationalization (in terms of mobilization, issues, targets, action strategies, and organizational contacts) and the potential role of the Internet in these developments. The analysis combines qualitative and quantitative data derived from 54 interviews with representatives of extreme right organizations in six European countries (Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, and Spain) and the USA with a formalized Web content analysis of 336 right-wing websites. We will compare different types of right-wing groups which compose the radical right family (from political parties to associations), underlining the main differences and similarities across groups and across countries.
An Anatomical Disputation Concerning the Movement of the Heart and Blood in Living Creatures

William Harvey's book, demonstrating the circulation of the blood (1628), is probably the most important medical text ever published. Written in Latin, it has been several times translated into English, most recently in 1957 by Kenneth Franklin. He provided a good translation and also included in his book the original Latin, so that readers who had adequate Latin could compare his rendition with the original. Translation is a difficult task. How literal should a rendition be? How much freedom is allowable? How much paraphrase? How can we deal with specific words of technical import whose meaning has changed over the centuries? To what degree can we keep both the spirit and the letter of the original and yet provide an idiomatic rendition into a different language? Franklin's translation is by no means perfect, and Gweneth Whitteridge, who had devoted many years to the close study of Harvey's thought and language,
A pilot study to assess tolerability of early enteral nutrition via esophagostomy tube feeding in dogs with severe acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND The putative role of the gut in amplification of systemic inflammation in acute pancreatitis is gaining credence, and intraluminal nutrition has been shown to decrease inflammation in experimental models of pancreatitis. Prepyloric feeding often is used in people with acute pancreatitis, but has not been evaluated in dogs. HYPOTHESIS Early intervention with enteral nutrition (EN) delivered proximal to the pylorus will be well tolerated in dogs with acute pancreatitis and provide justification for further larger trials. ANIMALS Ten dogs with severe acute pancreatitis in an open-label, prospective pilot study. METHODS Dogs were treated with plasma transfusion and standard care, and then consecutively assigned to receive either EN via esophagostomy tube feeding or parenteral nutrition (PN). Outcome was used to determine optimal study size for future studies, and complications were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS A significantly greater number of vomiting or regurgitating episodes occurred in dogs receiving PN. The dogs receiving EN did not demonstrate any noticeable postprandial pain. There were more catheter-related complications in the PN group. There was no difference in outcome between the 2 treatments, and 43 dogs for each treatment would be required in future studies to determine a difference in outcome. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Early EN delivered proximal to the pylorus is well tolerated in dogs with severe pancreatitis and resulted in fewer complications than PN. Prospective trials in a larger cohort are justified to fully establish the potential benefit of early EN, preferably compared with minimal enteral nutrition.
TESTOSTERONE AND Δ4‐ANDROSTENEDIONE IN THE SALIVA OF PATIENTS WITH KLINEFELTER'S SYNDROME

This study compares salivary and total plasma levels of testosterone and androstenedione in healthy controls and chromatin positive patients with Klinefelter's syndrome. The mean plasma testosterone level in fifteen Klinefelter patients was significantly lower than in ten control subjects, but the mean androstenedione levels were similar. Saliva of the normal men and patients with Klinefelter's syndrome did not differ significantly in binding potency for testosterone or androstenedione. The mean salivary testosterone level in the Klinefelter patients was significantly lower than in the controls but again salivary androstenedione levels were similar. Although testosterone as well as androstenedione showed a fair correlation between the salivary and plasma concentrations, preliminary data suggested that salivary testosterone levels better characterize the clinical state of androgenicity than do plasma levels. When salivary testosterone and androstenedione were expressed as a percentage of total steroid levels in plasma, the ratios for both steroids were similar in Klinefelter patients and healthy controls and closely approximated to the reported percentages of free steroid levels in plasma. The absolute salivary testosterone concentrations also were almost identical to the reported free plasma hormone levels.
High Clonal Diversity of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates in Nasal Swab Samples of Medical Students in Turkey

log reduction, whereas the Sterinis aHP system resulted in an approximately 4-log reduction. Similarly, in the studies cited by Po and Carling, only the Bioquell HPV system resulted in complete inactivation of C. difficile from hospital surfaces. In the studies of the Sterinis aHP system by Shapey et al and Barbut et al, C. difficile was cultured from 2.9% of 383 surfaces, with 1 or more positive culture results from 32% of the 25 rooms studied. Therefore, because of the fundamental differences in the disinfecting solution, delivery method, and microbiological impact, we believe that it is inappropriate to group together data from the 2 systems or to refer to them both as "HPV. " Po and Carling also state that "we also believe that the conclusion by Otter et al. that HPV technology should be considered for routine use to decontaminate patient rooms is premature," ~ whereas our conclusion from the study cited was that the use of HPV decontamination for selected patient rooms after patient discharge is feasible in a busy hospital. Currently, 3 studies have provided evidence that the use of HPV for selected patient rooms is associated with superior microbial efficacy over conventional cleaning and that it reduced acquisition of hospital pathogens. HPV was found to be associated with a significant reduction in C. difficile infection by Boyce et al and with a significant reduction in the risk of acquiring vancomycin-resistant enterococci by Passaretti et al. Most recently, Manian et al reported statistically significant reductions in the year-on-year incidence of vancomycin-resistant enterococcal infection (a 50% reduction; P<.001) and C. difficile infection (a 42% reduction; P< .001) and large but not significant reductions in the incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection (a 24% reduction; P = .059) and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus infection (a 54% reduction; P = .2) associated with the implementation of HPV.
HIV Prevention in Gay Bathhouses and Sex Clubs Across the United States

Gay bathhouses (including sex clubs) contributed to HIV prevention from the early days of the AIDS epidemic, but the extent to which prevention interventions are implemented in bathhouses is unknown. Using telephone survey methodology, bathhouse managers provided data about HIV prevention in their bathhouses. All the bathhouses provided free condoms, and nearly all displayed educational posters in public areas and had informational pamphlets available for patrons. A few of the bathhouses offered outreach services and counseling services. Almost all promoted testing for HIV/sexually transmitted infection (which included providing information about where to get tested), and 75.5% had HIV testing programs in their venues. Most of the HIV testing programs were started during the past 5 years, initiated by the bathhouse management or a community agency, and operated by community-based agencies. About one third of the programs offered rapid HIV testing. The results of the telephone survey revealed that all the bathhouses engaged in prevention and many offered a wide range of prevention services, suggesting that managers have embraced the issue of HIV and collaborated in bringing prevention to high-risk men. The absence of studies evaluating these prevention efforts remains a concern and an obstacle for efficient use of the prevention resources.
The development of a local cancer awareness communications campaign

Abstract Due to the correlation between late presentation, cancer prognosis and survival rates, the need to raise public awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and to encourage earlier presentation, has been identified. Furthermore, as the speed of cancer treatment is improving, the inequalities gap is widening between the more affluent groups and the lower income groups. The Manchester Versus Cancer alliance was launched in March 2007 to improve the early detection of cancer across Greater Manchester, and the following paper outlines its first piece of work: the 'Don't be a cancer chancer' social marketing campaign. The research conducted during the initial scoping of the campaign indicated that a new approach was needed to gain the attention of the target audience as they are a hard-to-reach group in traditional marketing terms. The paper explains how the campaign was planned and developed as a consequence, and reports on the results of the initial pilot campaign and the roll-out campaign. Finally, plans for the future are discussed including the secondary evaluation phase tracking the presentation and referral of patients and the future use of the 'cancer chancer' campaign.
Effect of Periodontal Treatment on Glycemic Control of Diabetic Patients

Dr. Friedlander (1) makes an interesting supporting remark to our recently published systematic review and meta-analysis (2). We agree with his argument that, besides periodontal treatment, treatment of other oral inflammatory processes (i.e., endodontic therapy for teeth with root-canal infections) may also positively affect the glycemic control …
Nosocomial infections and bacterial resistance in patients from a Teaching Hospital Intensive Care Unit

The Intensive Care Units represent an important and indispensable part of the modern medicine, for offering services to critically sick patients, using specialized human resources and advanced technology. In this study it was aimed to determine the incidence of the nosocomial infection, its possible relationship with the occurrence of the colonization by resistant microorganisms, the main agents of that colonization, and the mortality rate in that unit. It was a prospective and descriptive study, from August 2005 to July 2006. The data were collected from medical records and consultation to the microbiologic database. The global infection rate was 23,8%, the colonization for resistant microorganisms contributed to the development of infection (RR=6,8 [4,8-9,6], p
Challenging the American College of Sports Medicine 2009 Position Stand on Resistance Training

The new ACSM Position Stand on resistance training is very similar to the 2002 Position Stand, which based the ma-jority of its claims and recommendations on misinterpretation of resistance training studies and selective referencing. The addition of a few new references published since the previous Position Stand was supposed to enhance the credibility of the ACSM’s recommendations for resistance training. Unfortunately, the ACSM’s new Position Stand contains all the flaws that were pervasive in their previous Position Stand; that is, the authors cited references that failed to support their opinions and recommendations.
Hormonal Contraceptive Use and HIV Disease Progression Among Women in Uganda and Zimbabwe

Background:HIV-infected women need highly effective contraception to reduce unintended pregnancies and mother-to-child HIV transmission. Previous studies report conflicting results regarding the effect of hormonal contraception on HIV disease progression. Methods:HIV-infected women in Uganda and Zimbabwe were recruited immediately after seroconversion; CD4 testing and clinical examinations were conducted quarterly. The study end point was time to AIDS (two successive CD4 200 cells/mm3 or less or World Health Organization advanced Stage 3 or Stage 4 disease). We used marginal structural Cox survival models to estimate the effect of cumulative exposure to depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate and oral contraceptives on time to AIDS. Results:Three hundred three HIV-infected women contributed 1408 person-years. One hundred eleven women (37%) developed AIDS. Cumulative probability of AIDS was 50% at 7 years and did not vary by country. AIDS incidence was 6.6, 9.3, and 8.8 per 100 person-years for depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate, oral contraceptive, and nonhormonal users. Neither depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.76-1.08) nor oral contraceptives ( adjusted hazard ratio, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 0.89-1.29) were associated with HIV disease progression. Alternative exposure definitions of hormonal contraception use during the year before AIDS or at the time of HIV infection produced similar results. Sexually transmitted infection symptoms were associated with faster progression, whereas young age at HIV infection (18-24 years) was associated with slower progression. Adding baseline CD4 level and set point viral load to models did not change the hormonal contraception results, but Subtype D infection became associated with disease progression. Conclusion:Hormonal contraceptive use was not associated with more rapid HIV disease progression, but older age, sexually transmitted infection symptoms, and Subtype D infection were.
Longitudinal trends of alcohol and tobacco consumption among Australian physicians and nurses, 1989–2005

Aim: This study examined alcohol and tobacco consumption trends among a national sample of Australian health care workers between 1989 and 2005. Method: Alcohol and tobacco smoking data specific for physicians and nurses was obtained during four national health surveys. Data were analysed by alcohol consumption level, tobacco smoking status, job category and year of study. The relative risk of substance use between physicians, nurses and the general Australian population was also evaluated. Results: The proportion of Australian physicians and nurses with risky alcohol consumption habits appears to have fluctuated over time, particularly among nurses. Although tobacco smoking among Australian nurses has declined in recent years, the relatively low proportion of physician smokers remained fairly stable over the same time period. Both professional groups were considerably less likely to use tobacco when compared with the general population. Conclusion: This study provides one of the first clear insights into longitudinal substance use trends among Australian health care workers during the past 17 years. A sustained reduction in alcohol and tobacco use must continue in future, so that they remain exemplars at the forefront of anti‐substance abuse programmes in the community.
Training to Failure and Beyond in Mainstream Resistance Exercise Programs

INTENTIONALLY REACHING FAILURE DURING RESISTANCE EXERCISE SETS IS A COMMON PRACTICE THAT MIGHT BE MOST BENEFICIAL FOR STIMULATING HYPERTROPHY. HOWEVER, FAILURE TRAINING PERFORMED TOO FREQUENTLY CAN RESULT IN REDUCTIONS IN THE RESTING CONCENTRATION OF TESTOSTERONE AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE OVERTRAINING SYNDROME. THE RESEARCH SUGGESTS THE GREATEST EFFECTIVENESS WHEN FAILURE TRAINING IS PRACTICED CONSISTENTLY OVER 6-WEEK CYCLES, INTERSPERSED WITH EXCLUSIVE NONFAILURE TRAINING CYCLES OVER EQUAL PERIODS. COACHES SHOULD CONSIDER ATHLETES' TRAINING STATUS AND GOALS AND THE POINT IN A YEARLY TRAINING CYCLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER SETS ARE TO BE PERFORMED TO FAILURE OR ENDED SHORT OF REACHING FAILURE.
Eliminating Vertical Transmission of HIV in São Paulo, Brazil: Progress and Challenges

Background:HIV infection in children is an important public health problem in the world, mainly in poorer countries. If all recommendations are followed, the elimination of HIV vertical transmission is a concrete possibility. This study aims to estimate vertical transmission rates of HIV in São Paulo State, Brazil, based on pregnant women diagnosed and reported in 2006, identifying potentially associated factors. Methods:This study involves a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of information systems and records of infected pregnant women and children exposed to HIV. The rate of vertical transmission was estimated and variables associated with the antenatal, delivery, and postnatal periods were analyzed by the chi-square test, and Fisher exact test was used for variables with an expected frequency <5. The relative risks were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. Results:The rate of vertical transmission in São Paulo state was 2.7% (95% confidence interval: 1.86 to 3.94) in 2006, decreasing 83.1% in comparison with 1988-1993. The main associated variables were lack of prenatal visits or <6 visits, no antiretroviral prophylaxis during labor or neonatal use for <6 weeks, and maternal breastfeeding. Conclusions:There is a decreasing trend of HIV vertical transmission in São Paulo with levels approaching elimination, which seems to be associated with antiretroviral policy and interruption of breastfeeding. Although there are serious operational issues, conditions exist to respond effectively. São Paulo state demonstrates that it is possible to achieve advanced levels of control for this mode of HIV transmission.
Comparison of the Burdens of Hospital-Onset, Healthcare Facility-Associated Clostridium difficile Infection and of Healthcare-Associated Infection due to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Community Hospitals

We sought to determine the burden of nosocomial Clostridium difficile infection in comparison to other healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in community hospitals participating in an infection control network. Our data suggest that C. difficilehas replaced MRSA as the most common etiology of HAI in community hospitals in the southeastern United States.
Diagnostic Accuracy of a Urine Lipoarabinomannan Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Screening Ambulatory HIV-Infected Persons for Tuberculosis

Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of the urine lipoarabinomannan (LAM) test among ambulatory HIV-infected persons. Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: HIV-infected persons consecutively presenting to the HIV Clinic at Tembisa Main Clinic in Ekhuruleni, South Africa, were screened for symptoms of tuberculosis (TB) and asked to provide sputum and blood samples for smears for acid-fast bacilli and mycobacterial culture and a urine specimen for a LAM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Fine needle aspirates were obtained from participants with enlarged lymph nodes and sent for histopathology. Nonpregnant participants underwent chest x-ray. Results: Four hundred twenty-two HIV-infected participants were enrolled with median age 37 years (interquartile range: 31-44 years), median CD4+ T-cell count 215 cells per microliter (interquartile range: 107-347 cells/μL), and 212 (50%) receiving antiretroviral therapy. Thirty (7%) had active TB: 18 with only pulmonary TB, 5 with only extrapulmonary TB, and 7 with both pulmonary TB and extrapulmonary TB. Twenty-seven percent [95% confidence interval (CI): 12% to 48%] of TB cases were sputum acid-fast bacilli positive. The sensitivity and specificity of the urine LAM compared with the gold standard of positive bacteriology or histopathology were 32% (95% CI: 16% to 52%) and 98% (95% CI: 96% to 99%), respectively. Urine LAM had higher sensitivity in TB cases with higher bacillary burdens, though these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The sensitivity of urine LAM testing is inadequate to replace mycobacterial culture. In contrast to prior research on the urine LAM, this study was conducted among less sick, ambulatory HIV-infected patients presenting for routine care.
Characteristic Spatial and Temporal Scales Unify Models of Animal Movement

Animal movements have been modeled with diffusion at large scales and with more detailed movement models at smaller scales. We argue that the biologically relevant behavior of a wide class of movement models can be efficiently summarized with two parameters: the characteristic temporal and spatial scales of movement. We define these scales so that they describe movement behavior both at short scales (through the velocity autocorrelation function) and at long scales (through the diffusion coefficient). We derive these scales for two types of commonly used movement models: the discrete-step correlated random walk, with either constant or random step intervals, and the continuous-time correlated velocity model. For a given set of characteristic scales, the models produce very similar trajectories and encounter rates between moving searchers and stationary targets. Thus, we argue that characteristic scales provide a unifying currency that can be used to parameterize a wide range of ecological phenomena related to movement.