Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using a highly abbreviated California Verbal Learning Test-II to detect verbal memory deficits

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is frequently accompanied by changes in verbal memory. We hypothesized that administering an abbreviated California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II) would detect verbal memory problems in MS accurately, thus serving as a potential screening tool. We performed receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analyses of three trials (trial 1, trial 2, and trial 1+2 combined) for raw data against standardized total scores. The results showed that at 1.5 standard deviations (SD) from the mean, the first two trials were 96.3% accurate, while at 2 SD from the mean, the first two trials combined were 97.5% accurate. We conclude that this study demonstrates than an abbreviated CVLT-II is a valid screening tool for verbal memory impairments.
Meningeal Inflammation Increases Artemether Concentrations in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Papua New Guinean Children Treated with Intramuscular Artemether

ABSTRACT Although the artemisinin-associated neurotoxicity identified in vitro and in animal studies has not been confirmed clinically, only one adult study has measured cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations after administration of conventional doses. Potential artemisinin neurotoxicity could be serious in children, especially those with meningitis and, consequently, a compromised blood-brain barrier. We measured CSF/plasma artemether and dihydroartemisinin (DHA) concentrations in 32 Papua New Guinean children with a mean age of 39 months with suspected or proven severe falciparum malaria who underwent a single lumbar puncture after intramuscular artemether administration. CSF artemether concentrations were 0 to 43.5 μg/liter and CSF concentration/plasma concentration ratios were 0 to 38.1%. DHA was measurable in CSF in only two children. The seven children with meningeal inflammation (CSF white cell count > 20/mm3) had higher CSF artemether concentration/plasma artemether concentration ratios than those without (median, 6.7% [interquartile ratio, 2.5 to 27.8%]% versus 0.0% [interquartile ratio, 0.0 to 2.5%]; P = 0.002). Meningeal inflammation was associated with a 4.6-fold increase in the CSF artemether concentration/plasma artemether concentration ratio in a population pharmacokinetic model. These data suggest that pharmacovigilance should be heightened when intramuscular artemether is given to severely ill children with evidence of meningeal inflammation.
Genotypic versus Phenotypic Characterization, with Respect to β-Lactam Susceptibility, of Haemophilus influenzae Isolates Exhibiting Decreased Susceptibility to β-Lactam Resistance Markers

ABSTRACT Among 165 Spanish Haemophilus influenzae isolates with mutations in the ftsI gene (ftsI+) (2005 to 2007), 73% were β-lactamase negative and 26.7% were positive. The proportion of β-lactamase-negative isolates to β-lactamase-positive isolates was 2:1 to 4:1 in general, versus 1:3 in pediatric hospitals. Among 44 β-lactamase-positive strains, 8 strains produced ROB-1 (5 from the pediatric hospital). β-Lactamase-positive ftsI+ strains were phylogenetically closer than were β-lactamase-negative strains.
Natalizumab treatment decreases serum IgM and IgG levels in multiple sclerosis patients

Background: Treatment with natalizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against alpha4beta1 integrin, is associated with an increase in lymphoid progenitor cells and B cells in peripheral blood. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the impact of natalizumab therapy on serum levels of total IgG, IgA and IgM in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: In two independent cross-sectional patient cohorts, serum levels of IgG, IgA and IgM were compared between patients treated with natalizumab and those not receiving natalizumab. Further, serum levels of IgG, IgA and IgM before and during natalizumab treatment were compared in two longitudinal patient cohorts. Results: In patients treated with natalizumab, serum IgM and IgG levels were significantly lower compared with therapy naïve patients (p<0.0001). IgM levels significantly decreased after initiation of natalizumab treatment in both longitudinal patient cohorts (p<0.01). Moreover, patients treated with natalizumab showed a time-dependent decrease in IgM levels during the first 2 years of treatment. Conclusion: Natalizumab treatment leads to a significant decrease in serum IgM and IgG levels in patients with MS. IgM levels decrease with treatment duration during the first 2 years of treatment. These findings might support the hypothesis that natalizumab interferes with homing of B cells, possibly leading to impaired differentiation into plasma cells and subsequently disturbed immunoglobulin synthesis.
Neurophysiological tests and neuroimaging procedures in non‐acute headache: guidelines and recommendations

The use of instrumental examinations in headache patients varies widely. In order to evaluate their usefulness, the most common instrumental procedures were evaluated, on the basis of evidence from the literature, by an EFNS Task Force (TF) on neurophysiological tests and imaging procedures in non‐acute headache patients. The conclusions of the TF regarding each technique are expressed in the following guidelines for clinical use.
Overexpression of the adeB Gene in Clinical Isolates of Tigecycline-Nonsusceptible Acinetobacter baumannii without Insertion Mutations in adeRS

ABSTRACT Thirteen clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacterbaumanniiresistant to carbapenems (MRAB-C) with tigecycline nonsusceptibility were collected from individual patients in this study. None of the 13 isolates shared the same strain characteristics in molecular typing. All of them showed increased adeB transcription, as predicted. However, none of these tigecycline-nonsusceptible MRAB-C isolates were found to possess previously known adeRS mutations. Upregulation of adeB transcription may result from cross stimulation by other mechanisms.
Results of Investigation of Multicell Converters With Balancing Circuit—Part II

This paper presents an investigation of a multilevel multicell ac/ac converter. The converter employs flying capacitors, whose voltages should remain in a constant relation to the input ac voltage. An inadequate relation between the voltages across the flying capacitors (the imbalance state) results in an increase of voltages across the switches above their rated values. An RLC series circuit (a balancing circuit) with a properly selected resonance frequency was connected in parallel to the load in order to eliminate the imbalance. The balancing process with the use of a passive RLC depends on the configuration and parameters of the balancing circuit, the parameters of the converter, as well as on the operating conditions. This paper focuses on the impact of these parameters on the operation of the converter. Furthermore, the principle of operation of the multilevel multicell ac/ac converter with an application of the natural balancing process is described.
Association of vitamin D and multiple sclerosis in India

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent in India. The association between vitamin D status and multiple sclerosis (MS) has not been previously studied in Indians. Objective: The objective of this paper is to determine whether vitamin D status is associated with MS in India. Methods: In this study 110 MS patients and 108 matched controls were included. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured in 63 patients in relapse, 77 patients in remission and all controls. Quantity of sun exposure in childhood and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. Patients and controls were genotyped for HLA-DRB1*1501. Results: Patients had significantly lower 25(OH)D levels than matched controls (p = 0.003), and patients in relapse had a significantly lower vitamin D level as compared to those in remission (p = 0.001). Vitamin D deficiency (< 50 nmol/l) was seen in a higher proportion of cases (71.8%) than controls (53.7%) (p = 0.01). Higher quartiles of vitamin D (> 58 nmol/l) showed an inverse relationship with MS (OR = 0.28, CI = 0.11–0.68, p= 0.005). This effect persisted after adjusting for sun exposure. Conclusion: The results of our study indicated that serum 25(OH)D shows an inverse relationship with MS in the Indian population. Reverse causality cannot be excluded.
Employment status in multiple sclerosis: impact of disease-specific and non-disease-specific factors

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with high rates of early retirement (ER). Objectives: A German cohort of MS patients and healthy control subjects (HCs) were compared cross-sectionally to investigate disease- and non-disease-specific factors that are associated with employment status (ES) in MS and to identify predictors of ES in MS. Methods: A total of 39 ER MS patients, 48 employed MS patients, and 37 HCs completed a brief neuropsychological battery and questionnaires related to depressive symptoms, fatigue, health-related quality of life (HrQoL) and health locus of control (HLC). Neurological disability was assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC). Results: ER compared with employed MS patients scored significantly higher in neurological disability, depressive symptoms and fatigue and significantly lower in cognitive functioning and HrQoL. Further, both groups differed with regard to age, education, disease course and duration but not in HLC. Neurological disability, age and fatigue were identified as significant predictors of ES in MS. Conclusions: ES in MS was associated with demographic aspects, neurological and cognitive status, depressive symptoms, fatigue and HrQoL but was not associated with HLC. Findings confirm neurological disability, age and fatigue as independent predictors of ES in MS.
In Vitro Echinocandin Susceptibility of Aspergillus Isolates from Patients Enrolled in the Transplant-Associated Infection Surveillance Network

ABSTRACT We determined the echinocandin minimum effective concentration (MEC) values for caspofungin, micafungin, and anidulafungin against 288 Aspergillus isolates prospectively collected from transplant patients with proven or probable invasive aspergillosis between 2001 and 2006 as part of the Transplant-Associated Infection Surveillance Network (TRANSNET). We demonstrated that the vast majority of Aspergillus isolates had MEC values at or below the epidemiological cutoff values for caspofungin, micafungin, and anidulafungin, including those from patients who had received caspofungin.
Limited utility of current MRI criteria for distinguishing multiple sclerosis from common mimickers: primary and secondary CNS vasculitis, lupus and Sjogren’s syndrome

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria play an important role in making an earlier diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) in patients presenting with clinically isolated syndrome. Objective: The objective of this paper is to determine whether MRI criteria may be used to distinguish MS from primary and secondary central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis, lupus, and Sjogren’s syndrome. Methods: MRI criteria were applied retrospectively to images for patients with clinically definite MS (CDMS), primary CNS vasculitis, secondary CNS vasculitis, and autoimmune disorders including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjogren’s syndrome. Classical statistics and Bayesian analyses were performed. Results: Overall modified Barkhof’s MRI criteria were statistically significant in distinguishing CDMS (60%) from SLE/Sjogren’s syndrome (17%, p = 0.0173) but not in distinguishing CDMS from primary CNS vasculitis (50%, p = 0.7376) or secondary CNS vasculitis (58%, p = 1.0000). Four of the five other MRI criteria tested were demonstrated to be superior to modified Barkhof’s criteria in predicting MS: nine or more T2 lesions (a component of Barkhof’s criteria), one or more ovoid periventricular T2 lesions, one or more perpendicular periventricular T2 lesions, and one or more T2 lesions larger than 6 mm. Conclusions: MRI criteria, including the modified Barkhof’s criteria, were unsuccessful in distinguishing MS from primary CNS vasculitis or secondary CNS vasculitis and mildly successful in distinguishing MS from SLE/Sjogren’s syndrome.
Azithromycin Attenuates Lung Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia by Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

ABSTRACT Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the main pathogens that cause ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and is associated with a high rate of mortality. Little is known about the efficacy of macrolides against A. baumannii. In order to confirm the efficacy of azithromycin (AZM) against VAP caused by multidrug-resistant A. baumannii (MDRAB), we used a mouse model that mimics VAP by placement of a plastic tube in the bronchus. AZM (10 and 100 mg/kg of body weight) was administered subcutaneously every 24 h beginning at 3 h after inoculation. Phosphate-buffered saline was administered as the control. Survival was evaluated over 7 days. At 48 h postinfection, mice were sacrificed and the numbers of viable bacteria in lungs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were compared. Histopathological analysis of lung specimens was also performed. The treatment groups displayed significantly longer survival than the control group (P < 0.05). AZM did not have an antimicrobial effect. Histopathological examination of lung specimens indicated that the progression of lung inflammation was prevented in the AZM-treated groups. Furthermore, total cell and neutrophil counts, as well as cytokine levels, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the AZM-treated groups. AZM may have a role for the treatment of VAP with MDRAB because of its anti-inflammatory effects.
Between tolerable uncertainty and unacceptable risks: how health professionals and pregnant women think about the probabilities generated by prenatal screening

Prenatal screening provides a good illustration of the tensions existing between the intention of control associated with standard risk surveillance and the permanence of uncertainty around life processes. During the screening process, health professionals and pregnant women are not only confronted with the limitations of probabilistic thinking, they are also concretely reminded of the extent of uncertain outcomes. We analysed such tensions, emblematic of the notion of manufactured uncertainty, with qualitative data collected in Switzerland from both gynaecologists and mothers-to-be. Doctors experienced difficulties in regard to expectations raised by risk surveillance, the duty to inform and the anxiety surveillance induced. Pregnant women coped in different ways with probabilistic thinking, developing contrasting responses to uncertainty, ranging from scepticism about risk thinking to aspiration for control, leading to over-use of medical procedures. As uncertainty was central to professional as well as lay thinking, both made use of subjective interpretations and cultural meanings in decisions related to future events.
On the Speed Limits of Permanent-Magnet Machines

Permanent-magnet (PM) machines are considered the most suitable machine type for very high speed applications. Still, due to the growing demand for the ever higher rotational speeds, PM machines are approaching their limits. The focus of this paper is the different factors that lie behind the inherent speed limitations of PM machines. The limits-thermal, elastic, and rotor dynamical-are defined, classified, and correlated to basic machine parameters.
A Survey on Cascaded Multilevel Inverters

Cascaded multilevel inverters synthesize a medium-voltage output based on a series connection of power cells which use standard low-voltage component configurations. This characteristic allows one to achieve high-quality output voltages and input currents and also outstanding availability due to their intrinsic component redundancy. Due to these features, the cascaded multilevel inverter has been recognized as an important alternative in the medium-voltage inverter market. This paper presents a survey of different topologies, control strategies and modulation techniques used by these inverters. Regenerative and advanced topologies are also discussed. Applications where the mentioned features play a key role are shown. Finally, future developments are addressed.
Predictors and dynamics of postpartum relapses in women with multiple sclerosis

Background: Several studies have shown that pregnancy reduces multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses, which increase in the early postpartum period. Postpartum relapse risk has been predicted by pre-pregnancy disease activity in some studies. Objective: To re-examine effect of pregnancy on relapses using the large international MSBase Registry, examining predictors of early postpartum relapse. Methods: An observational case–control study was performed including pregnancies post-MS onset. Annualised relapse rate (ARR) and median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores were compared for the 24 months pre-conception, pregnancy and 24 months postpartum periods. Clustered logistic regression was used to investigate predictors of early postpartum relapses. Results: The study included 893 pregnancies in 674 females with MS. ARR (standard error) pre-pregnancy was 0.32 (0.02), which fell to 0.13 (0.03) in the third trimester and rose to 0.61 (0.06) in the first three months postpartum. Median EDSS remained unchanged. Pre-conception ARR and disease-modifying treatment (DMT) predicted early postpartum relapse in a multivariable model. Conclusion: Results confirm a favourable effect on relapses as pregnancy proceeds, and an early postpartum peak. Pre-conception DMT exposure and low ARR were independently protective against postpartum relapse. This novel finding could provide clinicians with a strategy to minimise postpartum relapse risk in women with MS planning pregnancy.
Effects of BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate) on health-related quality of life in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis: findings from the CONFIRM study

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with symptoms adversely affecting many aspects of everyday living. BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate) demonstrated significant efficacy in the phase III studies DEFINE and CONFIRM in patients with relapsing–remitting MS. In CONFIRM, HRQoL was worse in patients with greater disability at baseline, and who relapsed during the study, and improved with BG-12 treatment. Mean Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary scores for BG-12 increased over 2 years and scores for placebo decreased. Coupled with clinical and neuroradiological benefits, these HRQoL results further support BG-12 as an effective oral treatment for relapsing MS.
Predictive Direct Torque Control for Flux and Torque Ripple Reduction

In this paper, a prediction scheme is presented to diminish both the torque and flux ripples in a direct torque control (DTC) induction motor drive. In a discrete implementation of the classical DTC scheme, the time delay associated with data processing results in additional torque and flux ripples. This part of the ripples can amount to a significant fraction of the overall ripple if the hysteresis bands are comparable to the maximum torque and flux variations in one sampling interval. This paper presents a prediction scheme with low computational complexity and low parameter sensitivity, both comparable to the standard DTC scheme. The prediction scheme can easily be extended to compensate for multiple time delays when the sampling frequency is raised but the computation time remains unchanged. Experimental results show the diminishing effect of the prediction scheme on the torque and flux ripples.
Influence of α-Thalassemia on Cholelithiasis in SS Patients with Elevated Hb F

Chronic hemolysis, with consequent hyperbilirubinemia, predisposes SS patients to pigment gallstones. The other factors which influence the development of stones in these patients have not been identified. We have carried out a combined prospective and retrospective study of SS patients in Kuwait and specifically investigated the influence of coexistent α-thal trait on the prevalence of gallstones. A total of 45 patients (30 males, 15 females) with ages ranging from 1 to 16 years (mean 7.2 ± 3.1) were studied. Most were either homozygotes for the Saudi Arabia/India haplotype (86.7%) or compound heterozygotes for this and the Benin haplotype (11.1%). They were screened for gallstones with ultrasonography. α-Globin genotypes were determined using a combination of PCR and allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization techniques to identify the common α-thalassemia alleles in this population. Gallstones were detected in 7 (15.6%) patients (4 males, 3 females), whose mean age (10.5 ± 5.5 years) was significantly higher than that (6.8 ± 3.2 years) of those without stones (p < 0.01). The mean total Hb of the former (8.4 ± 0.8 g/dl) was also significantly (p < 0.05) lower than in the latter (9.5 ± 1.3 g/dl), while the difference in mean Hb F levels was not significant. None of the 4 α-thal homozygotes had gallstones while 2 of 13 heterozygotes and 5 of the 23 patients without coexistent α-thal had. The differences in these proportions are statistically significant (χ2 = 20.4, p < 0.001). It therefore appears that coexistent α-thal decreases the chance of developing gallstones in Arab SS patients. This may be related to less hemolysis in such patients as shown by their higher mean Hb level.
Understanding price volatility in electricity markets

The paper illustrates notions of volatility associated with power systems spot prices for electricity. The paper demonstrates a frequency-domain method useful to separate out periodic price variations from random variations. It then uses actual observed price data to estimate parameters such as volatility and the coefficient of mean reversion associated with the random variation of prices. It also examines spatial volatility of prices.
Multicenter Prospective Observational Study of the Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Vancomycin versus Teicoplanin in Patients with Health Care-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of vancomycin to those of teicoplanin for the treatment of adult patients with health care-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) bacteremia. A multicenter observational study was prospectively conducted in 15 teaching hospitals in Korea between February 2010 and July 2011. Adult patients (≥18 years old) with HA-MRSA bacteremia who were initially treated with vancomycin (VAN) (n = 134) or teicoplanin (TEC) (n = 56) were enrolled. Clinical and microbiological responses and drug-related adverse events were compared between the two treatment groups using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The vancomycin and teicoplanin MICs were determined by Etest. The MRSA-related mortality, duration of fever, and duration of MRSA bacteremia in the treatment groups were not significantly different. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of drug-related adverse events. Among the 190 MRSA isolates, the VAN MICs ranged from 0.5 to 2 μg/ml (MIC50 and MIC90, 1.5 μg/ml), and the TEC MIC ranged from 0.5 to 8 μg/ml (MIC50, 3 μg/ml; MIC90, 6 μg/ml). In multivariate analyses, the antibiotic type (vancomycin or teicoplanin) was not associated with treatment outcomes. This study indicates that teicoplanin is an effective and safe alternative to vancomycin for the treatment of HA-MRSA bacteremia.